“Hello to you too,” Kirk snapped. “Good job getting the first load here on time, even though you had to go through a big-ass storm to get here.”
“This is Leif. He’s our oldest brother,” Stig said, not sounding happy either.
Leif ignored his brothers and took possession of her hand. He drew her nearer, and without taking his gaze off her, he lifted her hand to his mouth.
Oh, boy. She needed a handy fan to flap the heat away from her cheeks. These brothers were serious hunks. She possessed a defective character if she…lusted—yeah, that was the best description—she lusted after all of them. One peek at each of them and she imagined roving hands doing delectable things to her person. Perhaps Robert had rattled something loose when he’d struck her. Yes, that was a creditable explanation.
She sucked in a breath, staring at Leif as he watched her back, the same freaky glow in his eyes she’d noted in his brothers’ eyes.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he stated his intentions seconds before he stalked closer.
She blinked.
“In private.”
“Fuck, Leif,” Kirk snapped, his eyes flashing with temper.
“You’re a stranger,” Stig protested. “Give her time.”
Leif curled his strong fingers around her hand and tugged her close enough for their bodies to touch. “The bear understands.”
Puzzled, Fiona attempted to glance around his large body to view the cavernous warehouse. That made no sense. “What bear?”
Leif’s brows rose as he glanced at his brothers. “You have said nothing to her?”
Stig glared at his brother. “We wanted to get to know her first.”
Fiona attempted to step away from Leif. His heady alpine scent filled each breath, and she couldn’t focus with his body heat searing her skin. She required physical space because she sensed the importance of this conversation even if she struggled to comprehend the subtext.
Leif refused to release her, and in frustration she stamped on his foot. He blinked in surprise but didn’t budge an inch. Instead, his lips stretched in a slow grin, a delighted grin. “You’re right, Runt. Best not to rush things.”
“Like you are?” Kirk snapped.
“Stop. I’m right here,” Fiona said in frustration. She’d missed something. She had no idea what, but it seemed important. “Why are you talking about bears?”
“Isn’t that why you’ve come to Churchill?” Leif asked in a rumbly drawl.
“Yes, I need to book myself on a tour first thing tomorrow.” The fight seeped out of Fiona without warning, the hours of travel catching up with her. She must be more exhausted than she realized, her mind conjuring mysteries where there were none.
“We can help with a tour,” Kirk offered. “If that’s what you want.”
Fiona yawned without warning and slapped her hand over her mouth, mortified by her lack of manners.
“You’re tired,” Leif said. “Let me get you settled. We’ll let Runt and Kirk unload Bess.”
Kirk issued a heavy sigh. “Thank you very much.”
Stig offered his brother a final glare before he strode to the first of the sleds. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Come with me, sweetheart. You’re exhausted.” Leif slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the far end of the warehouse.
A set of spiral stairs wound upward, their footsteps resounding back to them in dull thuds. As they neared the top, she heard Kirk and Stig murmuring to each other before they started to unload the sleds. Doors bashed and crashed, and something squeaked in a high pitch.
Leif ignored the racket and opened a steel door at the top of the stairs. Once they were through and the door closed, the noise from below ceased. He removed his boots and she followed suit.
Unsure of what to expect, her mouth rounded as they stepped into a large open-plan room with comfy seating and a faux fireplace. Large, colorful woolen rugs covered the floor and gave pops of fall orange, browns, reds and green. Although she preferred a real fire, she hadn’t noticed a surplus of trees on the drive through the tundra, which was why, she presumed, the heating worked with another fuel.
A kitchen filled the far corner, separated from the lounge area by a long breakfast bar. Six sturdy bar stools sat beneath while a big table filled another corner, its proportions perfect for a celebration family dinner. A pile of bear figurines sat on the end of the table nearest her.
Fiona ignored the pang inside when she pictured families. She’d always wanted children—lots of children—because of everything she’d missed while growing up a lone child. Robert had told her they had plenty of time, and they should enjoy themselves and their time together while they remained child-free. In hindsight, she was glad he’d talked her into waiting. A child meant a tie to Robert, and this way, she could make a clean break.
“To the right.” Leif guided her down a wide passage, their footsteps silent on the stone tiles.
“Ouch!” She glanced down to see she’d stepped on a wooden figurine. When she picked it up, she saw it was a carving of a polar bear, the details intricate and perfect.
“Bloody Josef,” Leif said, taking the small carving from her and stuffing it in his pocket. “Sorry about that. My brother carves them in his spare time. They’re all over the place. Are you all right?”
“No damage done.”
Leif opened the last door and led her into a huge bedroom. More rugs covered the floor and a king-size bed dominated the room. A huge window overlooked the tundra and would offer spectacular views during the day. Right now, she noted the pitch-black night sky with the faint dusting of stars.
Leif drew burgundy curtains across the windows. “The en suite is through there. Clean towels are in the cupboard. Take a shower while I get your bags.”
“It’s just a day pack. My main bag went missing en route. It’s unclear if someone stole it or if it failed to reach the baggage car or someone took it by mistake. They’re trying to track it down for me.”
Leif opened a door and strode inside without turning on the light. He came back out seconds later with a T-shirt. “You can change into this. If you give me your clothes, I’ll put them through the washer.”
“Ah…”
He smiled. “It’s no trouble. The washer and the drying room is right next-door. Don’t you want clean clothes for tomorrow?”
She stared at him a fraction longer, then nodded. “Thanks.” If he wished to wash her clothes and underwear, why should she object?
His warm smile held approval. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with your day pack. Leave your dirty clothes outside the bathroom door. I’ll take care of them for you.”
“Wow,” she whispered once he left. They bred them sexy in the far north.
Fiona dawdled in the shower, relishing the warmth and feeling clean again after hours on the road. When she finished, she dried herself on a fluffy towel and pulled Leif’s T-shirt over her head. As she suspected it dwarfed her, but she appreciated the thoughtfulness. She wandered out to the bedroom and came to an abrupt halt on seeing Leif in the bed, the covers pooling at his waist. Without giving herself permission, her gaze wandered his chest, lingering at his impressive pecs and the faint trail of hair that led downward. She licked her lips, his deep chuckle snapping her attention upward.
He held out a hand. “Come to bed, sweetheart.”
“Um, are you naked?”
He lifted the covers and peeked beneath, his brows rising as if in amazement. “You’re right. I forgot to put on clothes.”
Her throat dried, and her tongue darted out to lick her lips. Crazy! They’d just met…
She could touch, a little voice in her head whispered. Imagine, trailing her fingertips across that naked splendor. Her lips. Her tongue. Her belly swooped, and she swallowed in an attempt to lubricate her mouth. The temptation to follow his order and indulge her senses…
She inched closer.
“Sleeping, sweetheart. We have a spare bedroom but it�
��s full of boxes at present. We’ve been using it for storage. I’ll clear it for you tomorrow, so you’ll have your own bedroom.”
“Just sleeping?”
He cocked his head, his golden-brown eyes gleaming. “You sound disappointed.”
“N-no.” Oh, heck. Why not? She forced her shaky legs to motion, propelling herself toward sin.
Leif flipped back the covers in invitation, uncaring that this revealed more of his masculine perfection to her.
“Do you do this often?”
“What?”
“Invite strange women to share your bed.”
His lips curved, drawing her avid attention.
“You’re not a stranger, sweetheart. I asked Mr. Google about you. You’re separated from your husband with a divorce underway. You live in Florida, which is why you’re suffering from the cold. You don’t have many friends on your social media pages and your mother came from Boston. You never met your father and your mother and stepfather have both passed away. I’m so sorry you’ve been alone, sweetheart.”
“Are you after my money? Is that what this is about? Are there cameras and you intend to video me then use the tapes for blackmail material? Because if you intend doing something like that, I don’t care. No one else cares what I do.” Her lips twisted. “Apart from Robert, and his interest in me is purely monetary. So, are you intending to blackmail me?”
“That would be against the law, sweetheart.”
“The law didn’t stop Robert from hitting me, sleeping with my stepsister and trying to steal my money.”
“I’m not your husband. It will take time for you to learn and trust in that, which is why I’m not taking offense. Do you like Kirk and Runt? Did you suspect they were after your money?”
“No. I offered to pay them to bring me to Churchill. They rejected my offer without knowing anything about me.” They hadn’t had time to check her out, she realized, and it hadn’t bothered them.
“I’m the oldest brother, and as such, I’m responsible for my younger siblings. I don’t want to see them get hurt. I’m protecting myself,” he added. “And my siblings. You’re shivering. Get in bed before you catch a chill.”
A nippy cold pebbled her skin with goose bumps, the thick rug beneath her feet useless when it came to keeping her toes warm. She crept closer and dived beneath the covers. He chuckled and drew her against his chest. His muscular torso radiated heat. She gave up her inner fight and wrapped herself around him, thankful for the heat radiating off his big body.
“It’s time for my kiss,” he announced, the warm air from his breath tickling her ear.
“You said I was safe in your bed.”
“I told you I intended to claim a kiss. Kirk and Runt heard me state my intentions.”
“I…um…”
Her brain snootily told her she’d crept into the Slut neighborhood since meeting the Swenson brothers. The tiny brave voice in her head—the new, adventurous woman—fought back, reminding her that no one seemed to judge. A stranger to Churchill, she intended to stay for a brief time. There was no reason not to indulge in her fantasies.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He chuckled again, his amusement riling her until he rolled their bodies. She scrutinized his features—the scruff on his jawline and chin, his piercing brown eyes and the strands of his long blond hair. Her muscles tensed and dampness surged at her core. Breathless with sudden need, she waited for him to speak.
“You’ve kissed my brothers. All of them. Their scents linger on you.”
She puffed up with indignation. “I had a shower.”
“Shush. You don’t stink. I don’t mean that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your scents have intertwined. Shush. That’s a good thing. The bears know what they’re doing. It worried me at first, but now that I’ve met you, I’m certain.”
“Certain? What be—”
His mouth covered hers in a greedy kiss. Hot and passionate, it drove every rational thought from her mind. Instead of shoving away, she clutched his shoulders and hung on for the crazy ride. Passion swarmed through her. Heady desire. This man kissed with expertise, and his intense focus shoved her libido toward Crazy Town. Her fingers crept into his hair and tangled with the long locks, holding him close.
He pulled back a fraction and stared into her eyes. “So sweet and luscious. Better than I imagined.” His hand ran down her torso, skimming her breast. She gasped, desire taking control of her body, taking control of her sanity.
“I need… I want…” Much more than a kiss. There, she’d admitted it to herself.
“What do you need, sweetheart?”
“I want…” She swallowed her fears. “I want you,” she said in a rush.
“Shush, sweetheart. Let me make it better.”
Before she could reply, he’d whipped off the T-shirt, leaving her naked. A slow smile eased his serious expression. “I suspected you’d be pretty, the perfect match for me.”
The smile, the glow in his eyes, told her he meant every word. “Robert…he told me I needed to lose weight.”
The easy charm slipped from his face, leaving him stern and scary. His jaw firmed and icy anger settled in his gaze. “I will only say this once. In my eyes, you’re perfect. I don’t want a skinny woman who I can snap like a twig. I want curves to cushion me when I fuck you hard. I want someone strong and robust who can handle anything I chuck at them. Your Robert, he had no vision. No smarts. You’re smart and pretty and spunky. You’re not thrown by the unexpected. You’re adventurous. I like that in a woman. Your idiot ex has lost a priceless gift. He’s too dumb to realize the extent of his loss. Now, if I hear a word from you about diets or you saying you’re fat or any such shit, I’ll spank you.”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed because these men wore integrity and kindness like a second skin. With Robert she’d been constantly on edge, fearful of reacting in the wrong way and earning a heap of abusive putdowns. The Swenson brothers were so easy after a high maintenance man like her ex.
A tic sprang to life on the left side of his kissable mouth. “I’m not joking.”
His big hand slid over her naked backside. A nervous giggle escaped her and she wriggled away but stopped on seeing his expression. Her backside—at least the size of it—had offended Robert mightily. Leif’s hand did another slow pass over her ample flesh and hummed with approval when she remained relaxed.
“Much better. Did you worry about your body or wonder if my brothers would consider you fat or find fault when they were kissing you?”
“No,” she said with a trace of wonder. “It never crossed my mind. I ran with instinct and what seemed right.”
“We won’t ever need to have this conversation again.”
She hesitated. “What if I slip into old habits?”
He tapped her backside—a sharp, swift slap. She gasped at the sting. How strange. Robert’s verbal abuse and his physical cruelty at the end had scared her silly. Leif was threatening to spank her, and instead of fear, she tingled.
“That is an example of what might happen.”
“Okaaay.” While she disliked the idea of getting spanked, the threat was an excellent reminder to break the habits and behavior instilled in her during her marriage to Robert. She’d changed already since ending her marriage and she must complete the transformation. An ugly duckling heading toward swan status. “I’ll do my best to act positive.”
He smiled, a gentle smile that turned her insides to mush. “That’s all I ask. Now where were we?”
“Getting naked.”
He rolled over onto his back so they lay side by side on the mattress. He lifted the covers and peeked beneath them. “Check. We’re both naked. What’s next?”
A laugh escaped her. An adventure, the little voice prompted. Without hesitation, she rolled and straddled his hips. She giggled at his nonplussed expression. It faded fast though.
“What next?” he asked.
“If
you don’t know we’re both in trouble.” With a grin still curving her lips, she leaned over to kiss him. Their lips clashed until they found the perfect fit, and she let hunger and instinct guide her actions. His big hands cupped her jaw, holding her in place again. He savored her. He tormented her. She echoed his actions until they were both breathing hard.
Desire flared inside her, a pulse beating wildly at her throat. This was exactly what she needed. She craved closeness and sexual satisfaction. Sex-starved. The obvious reason for her kissing each of the brothers.
Adventure, she reminded herself.
“Move up,” Leif said in a determined voice. “I have to taste your sweetness.” He grabbed her hips and dragged her closer until he’d positioned her over his mouth. Her thighs quivered while anticipation flooded her sex. His tongue made a firm sweep down her slit.
“Mmm, delicious,” he whispered. “Hold yourself open for me.”
Bemused, she followed his instructions, desperate for the massage of his tongue, the touch of his fingers.
“Perfect.” He licked her flesh but didn’t touch her where she wanted it most.
She jerked her hips into his next foray and moaned at the jolt of blissful pleasure. “Please don’t wait. Please, Leif. I need this.”
Something in her voice must’ve alerted him to her desperation. He circled her clit with his tongue and pushed two fingers into her channel.
“Yes,” she whispered, sucking in an excited breath. She writhed in placed, shuddering helplessly as he licked her clit with the perfect pressure. He plunged his fingers in and out of her, and when she lifted her heavy-lidded eyes to stare down at him, she saw he watched her intently. He licked her again then used his mouth to apply gentle suction. The orgasmic buzz spread from her clit, outward and upward. She cried out seconds before she shattered, her moan ending in a full-out scream of pleasure.
Leif gave her one last lazy lick, and an echo of her orgasm jolted her. So good. So much better than the sex of her past.
His big hands lifted her.
“Are you on the Pill?”
“Yes.”
He flung her on the mattress, parted her legs and lined up his cock. With one hard stroke he buried his dick in her. She struggled to keep up with him, and he must’ve realized because he slowed. He kissed her, and she tasted her musky juices. Flecks of gold shone in his eyes, and for an instant, she imagined his pupils changed shape. She gasped.
Fiona's Mates_A Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance Page 7
