by Jane Jamison
“Don’t let it throw you. Folks in Forever are accepting of all relationships, even monogamous ones. Which reminds me of another question I wanted to ask you. Do you have a boyfriend?” She glanced at Milly, who was still busy helping others. “Or a girlfriend?”
“No to both. I guess I’ve been too busy with my book.”
Yet even if she were an author immersed in writing a book, she still wouldn’t have been interested in dating. She’d had a few dates over the past couple of years, but they had always felt like drudgery, like work. As though she’d known ahead of time that they wouldn’t result in any relationship. Why had she bothered going on dates when, after only a few moments, she’d sensed they weren’t the right one for her?
The man she was meant to live her life with was out there, waiting like she was. Strangely, she couldn’t shake the feeling that, once she met him, she’d know. That somehow Fate would bring them together. Until then, why bother with dates with people who would mean nothing to her?
Love at first sight. Talk about believing in fantasies.
Another waitress filled in for Milly, bringing them cups of coffee then promising to come back to take their order. Shenna nodded, yet she wasn’t hungry.
“Go on, Emma. Say it.” She might as well get it over with. Everyone said the same thing after she’d told them she was too busy to date.
“Say what?” Emma blew on her hot coffee.
“You know what. Tell me that I’m too young and too pretty to be sitting home alone. Say that you have the perfect guy for me, and how about going on a double date? Say that I need to put myself out there, or I’ll never meet anyone.”
Emma shook her head. “Nope. I wouldn’t tell you any of those things.”
“You wouldn’t? Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Emma put her cup down. So far, Shenna hadn’t touched hers. “If and when you find the right man”—she smiled—“or men, you’ll know it. I trust in Fate to bring you together, and so should you.”
Shenna studied her friend and saw that she believed what she’d said. “Is that how it happened for you? For all four of you?”
Emma’s eyes softened. “It is. I came to Forever, and once I met them, I knew. They were the men I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.” She placed her hand on top of Shenna’s. “If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
Shenna wanted to believe. Ached to believe.
All at once, she stopped and swiveled on the stool to face the front window of the café. A shadow flashed past the window as she just missed seeing the person.
I have to go.
Now.
The urge was so intense that she didn’t question it. “I have to go.”
Go.
Now.
Before it’s too late.
“What?” asked Emma. “Where are you going? We haven’t gotten anything to eat yet.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll talk to you later.” She slipped off the stool. Unable to explain the compulsion, she took a step toward the door and almost ran into Milly.
“Hey, girl, it’s good to see you. What have you been up to?” Milly took Shenna’s arm.
Shenna tugged to get free, but the café owner’s grip was too strong. She turned back to the window, trying desperately to understand the need churning inside her.
It’s gone.
“Shenna, are you all right?” asked Emma.
Shenna stood stock-still and tried to search inside herself. What had gripped her so hard that she’d wanted to run outside? But now that the sensation was gone, she couldn’t get it back. Couldn’t bring back the impulse to move, to go.
But to go where? And what the hell was I going to do?
“Hey, girl, you look a little shaken. Here. Sit down.” Milly eased her back onto the stool. “Let me get you two some food. My treat, okay? How about a couple of juicy burgers?”
Thankfully, Emma answered for the both of them. Shenna doubted she could’ve gotten a word out. “That’d be great. Thanks, Milly.”
“No problem.” Milly’s gaze met Shenna’s. “Can’t have our newest citizen passing out on her feet from lack of food, now can we? Two burgers coming right up.”
Shenna needed something, all right, but it wasn’t food. Yet she couldn’t have told anyone what that something was. Still, although the initial sensation had passed, she felt a tug, a yearning for the indescribable. Now that the wonderful feeling was gone, she felt lost, bereft, as though she’d found and lost a precious jewel in the space of only seconds.
“Shenna? Are you okay?”
What else could she say when she wasn’t sure how she felt. “I’m fine.” She forced a smile and swiveled back to the counter. Determined to cover up how she was really feeling, she added, “And so hungry I could eat a horse.”
Chapter Two
Marty trailed behind Doug and Jordan down the sidewalk. Although they’d been in town a few times before, he still enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere of the place. People were friendly, saying hello to them as they passed, welcoming them to the community. Even werecats and faeries nodded their greetings. The only people who were standoffish were the few vamps who stayed in the shadows. Still, he considered it a good thing whenever a vampire stayed a few yards away. Trusting vamps didn’t come easily to a werewolf.
Doug and Jordan were talking about the supplies they needed to purchase. Marty had already had enough of that conversation. Instead, he let his mind wander to the other discussions they’d had. The ones where they’d talked about their mate. The ones where they’d dared to reveal their hopes and plans for the future, including having a family and kids with the woman they’d lay down their lives to love. Would they ever find her? Would she want them? Would the connection that bound all mates together be strong for all three of them? Not that they’d talked about what to do if their mate felt the invisible sexual and emotional bond with only two or, even worse, only one of them. That possibility, albeit rare, was too awful to contemplate. Instead, it was more fun to think about what she might be like.
Would she be hot? Would she be intelligent? Strong of body and of mind? Not that it mattered. Once the connection brought them together, they’d love her no matter what she looked like. Any other faults of hers would be overlooked or accommodated just like she would overlook and accommodated their many flaws. His gaze flitted to his cousins. God knew they had enough faults of their own.
He ambled after his cousins, in no hurry to get back to the ranch and the waiting chores. They could take off a day or two every once in a while. Doug and Jordan wouldn’t agree, but all work and no play made for a very disgruntled Marty.
When the sensation struck him, it hit him so hard that he stumbled. His mind spun, and his vision blurred.
What the hell?
His gut tightened, and yet, instead of feeling queasy, he felt exhilarated. More alive than he’d ever felt before. Bent over, his hands on his knees, he dragged in a breath.
The feeling consuming him brought his cock to attention. His mouth went dry even as the tip of his cock moistened with pre-cum.
“What are you doing, man?”
Yet he couldn’t answer Doug. It was hard enough to draw in a good breath.
“Are you sick or something?” asked Jordan.
Definitely “or something.” I just don’t know what that something is.
His cousins stood several yards in front of him, just past the front window of Milly’s Coffee Stop. Forcing himself to stand, he tried to move forward. His legs worked, but they felt leaden, heavier than any legs should ever be.
“Move it, Marty. We don’t have all day,” complained Doug. “Stop fucking around.”
“Fuck this shit.” Jordan strode toward him, a scowl on his face. Taking Marty by the arm, he dragged him along with him.
As Marty stepped past Milly’s, the sensation left as quickly as it had come. But what had caused such a strong reaction? He’d never felt anything like it before. Within seconds, he’d felt his world spin, col
ors grow more vibrant, every scent fill his nostrils. His wolf jumped to life, its howl reverberating through his mind.
“Guys, I…” How did he put it into words what was indescribable?
“What?” demanded Jordan.
“I don’t know.” Marty searched around him, sensing the answer was near. Yet he found nothing. “I felt this weird kind of…” He shook his head, even as his erection faded, taking his hope along with it. “I don’t know.”
“Fuck, man. Have you started drinking already? Can’t you hold out until we get to the bar tonight?” Doug chuckled then strengthened his hold on Mary’s arm.
“Nah, man, I haven’t had a drink. Not even orange juice.”
“Then what’s up?” Jordan stared at him, his gaze boring into him as amber flecks sparked in his eyes. His cousin’s wolf was clawing its way to the surface.
He felt fine now. Kind of empty, but close enough to normal again. Still, a sadness enveloped him, as though he’d lost his best friend. The idea was ridiculous, of course. His two best friends were right there with him.
“Like I said. I don’t know.”
“You’re messed up, you know that?” Doug jerked Marty along with him.
Marty tried looking back, feeling as though he’d found treasure and had it lost all in one moment. He stumbled, and if his cousins hadn’t been holding him up, he might’ve fallen.
What had he felt? And why had it left? His wolf howled, demanding he go back and wait for the sensation to strike again.
For a second, he tried to tug away from them, but it was only a half-hearted attempt. He could fight them, claw his way out of their hold, but what would he be fighting for?
The only thing he was sure of was that he wanted to feel the strange sensation again.
* * * *
Shenna twisted in bed, doing her best to get away from the monsters hiding in the dark.
“Nooo,” she moaned. At any moment, the monster would attack her and she’d be torn apart. Was it the wolf from the road? “Leave me alone.”
A man stepped out of the shadows. His black hair shone under the full moon. His dark eyes latched onto her, giving her a thrill. He was built, a massive wall of man, with muscles rippling along his bronze skin as he strode toward her.
“Please.” Yet suddenly, she wasn’t sure why she was pleading. The strangling fear that had gripped her was fading, giving way to a different feeling, one she’d experienced only once before but recognized instantly. The primal urge she’d felt inside Milly’s came back, swamping her with a need so intense she cried out.
“Easy, sugar. Everything’s going to be all right.”
She forced her gaze past him and into the darkness. “The wolf?”
“You don’t have to fear anything, but especially not a wolf.”
She startled at the sudden appearance of a second man to his left. He was as powerfully built as the first man, but his blond hair flowed around his shoulders. Blue eyes, just as riveting as those of the man who’d called her “sugar,” skimmed down her body then back up. “Darlin’, you need to calm down.”
“Nah, don’t say that, cuz.”
A third man stepped out of the darkness to the right of the first man. She inhaled, needing more air, while aching to touch him. Like the first two men, he was naked. His dark hair had a tousled look, giving him a boy-like charm, but the sharp cut of his jaw was that of a man.
She couldn’t help it. What woman could? Her gaze dropped to his impressive, erect cock.
Wow.
The word was a pitiful excuse to describe his cock. Had she ever seen a cock as large as his? His tanned skin was there, too, highlighting the purple veins running along its length.
“Like what you see?” he asked.
She gasped again and shifted her gaze to the first man. Then lowered her gaze.
Wow again.
A quick glance at the third man’s cock then back to the first man’s cock confirmed it. All three of their cocks were magnificent. She’d never gotten off on sucking a cock, but her mouth watered to do so now.
“Don’t forget about me, darlin’.”
His voice drew her to the second man, but it was his cock, as impressive as the other two men’s and even slightly more curved, that kept her focus on him.
“It’s okay, sugar.” Man One moved forward until he stood in front of her, so close she could see the beginning of an after-five stubble starting along his skin. “You’re safe with us.”
“But the wolf?” No, it was more than the one wolf. There was an entire town of wolves. Werewolves.
Man Two touched her hand, setting off fireworks that exploded inside her pussy and seared outward, lighting up her entire body. “You know it was no wolf.”
She nodded. At least, she thought she did. “It was a werewolf.”
Man Three moved close enough, easing slightly behind her. She caught a whiff of his breath and trembled. “Take your clothes off,” he ordered.
Her hand was at the top button of her blouse before she had sense enough to speak. “I don’t know you.”
All at once, Man One was there, his face inches from hers, his eyes sparkling with bits of amber. “Yes you do.” His fingertips touched the hollow of her neck then slowly made a trail downward between her breasts. “You know us in here.”
She started to argue, but she couldn’t. How could she when she realized, down deep, that he was right? Nothing about them made any sense, yet they made all the sense in the world.
“You’re ours.” Without asking, without warning, he took hold of her shirt, and not waiting for her to finish unbuttoning her blouse, he tore it from her.
Startled, she remained still, unsure what to do. Their hungry gazes took in her full breasts, spreading a craving for them to shake her body. The other two men moved closer, their hands making quick work of her jeans. Her shoes were gone without her noticing.
She shivered, not from a non-existent wind, but from need. The strange sensation she’d felt earlier at Milly’s tore at her like a wild animal trapped inside her and raging to be set free.
Before she realized what was happening, they’d put her on her back, leaving her gazing up at them as they towered over her.
Please.
Yet this time the word wouldn’t form on her lips. How could it when the rest of her body was in such turmoil as they spread their hands over her breasts, down her thighs, and between her legs? Her clit pounded, aching for at least one of them to put his finger to her hard nub. An electric shock nearly brought a cry, but she held it back. Her chest rose and fell, her breaths shortening to pants.
They put their mouths to her breasts, capturing her nipples in their mouths. She arched her back, her hands going to their backs, her nails digging into their flesh. Man One pushed her legs apart, opening her to him as his mouth found her pussy.
She cried out then, unable to bear it any longer. “Please, fuck me.”
The blue eyes of Man Two met hers. “You’re ours. Remember that.”
“I am. I’m yours. I’ll remember. But please,” she begged.
He chuckled and caught her nipple with his teeth. With a groan that sounded so much like a growl, he pulled, his breath flowing over her skin.
Man Two took her face in his hands and made her look at him. He didn’t speak. Then again, he didn’t have to. She understood what he wanted. “Yes.”
She moaned as Man One lapped up her juices, working his tongue around and around her clit, then darting it inside her pussy.
“You know what we are,” said Man Two.
Did she? They were her lovers, her men, her…werewolves. Yet even though one part of her knew it to be true, another rebelled, unable to accept the unacceptable.
Man Two kissed her hard, demanding she give herself to him. Her pussy clenched as the other man pushed her legs over his shoulders and sucked long and hard.
Man Three put his lips to her ear as the kiss deepened, Man Two’s tongue waging battle against hers for possessi
on of her mouth.
“We’re going to fuck you until you scream.”
She moaned, an answer in and of itself. She closed her eyes, giving in to them.
They were all over her, their fingers dipping into her dark hole, their tongues and mouths exploring every inch of her. Their long, hard cocks pushed against her, sliding wetness over her skin, teasing her with their musky scent. The men changed places, a different man swirling his tongue over her mons then between her folds. A small orgasm hit her, shaking her, getting her ready for the bigger one she knew would come.
She bucked, her body fighting against the orgasm even as she wanted more of it. Opening her eyes, she sought out their gazes, silently urging them to give her their cocks.
Glowing amber eyes met hers. Fur skimmed along their jaws. Ears changed, becoming more canine. She screamed. Yet even as she screamed, she reached for them.
Shenna broke free of the dream, coming to a sitting position in her bed. For a moment, she couldn’t remember where she was. She swallowed hard, unable to move, her mind whirling. Her nightshirt was soaked in sweat, and her heart pounded. More, her pussy ached for their cocks. A craving, more emotional than physical, tore at her as though she’d found the meaning of life and then had suddenly, horribly lost it.
Three men. Men who were animals.
She struggled, desperately trying to remember their faces. Yet, even now, the dream was fading.
“You’re ours. Remember that.”
But how could she when she couldn’t recall their faces?
It was only a dream.
Yet, deep inside, inside where she’d felt the incredible sensation at Milly’s and then during her dream, she knew better.
* * * *
Doug dropped the orange juice bottle. It shattered on the kitchen floor next to his feet. For a full minute, he stood, rooted to the spot, oblivious to the blood scattered over the cut on his foot.
