Too late now. “Never mind.” She opened the driver’s side door. “Come on.” She rushed around the vehicle, retrieved the crutches and handed them to Javier.
Touching the small of his back, she guided him toward the house and kept a smile on her face as Burke, her other dad, positioned himself at the top of the porch steps. He wore a short-sleeved shirt similar to Fridrik’s, but with faded jeans and sneakers.
“Hi,” she said, keeping her tone cheerful in spite of the nervous turmoil in her belly.
She could feel Javier tense when he too noticed the older men blocking their path. Feeling already outnumbered, Heidi looked at the front door to see whether anyone else was home to make an appearance.
“Who—or what—do we have here?” Fridrik asked, his serious gaze on Javier.
Burke took a deep breath, and Heidi knew from the look in his eyes that he now recognized the scent that must’ve clung to her the other night.
“This is Javier Montero.” She kept her hand at Javier’s back until Fridrik’s gaze pointedly zeroed in on her arm. “Uh, he’s a jaguar shifter from Mexico who was wounded recently and needs a place to stay...just until he recuperates.”
“Heidi—” She risked their wrath by interrupting Burke. “I can’t leave him at the clinic now that the media is snooping around, which is a really long story, but let’s not get into that. Suffice it to say I figured it was safer to bring him here.”
Burke ended her rambling. “You thought wrong.”
“If you’d rather I leave—” Javier began, only to stop when her fathers glared at him.
“State your intentions, shifter,” Fridrik demanded in a fierce tone that brooked no argument and surprised Heidi. In all the years since she’d been old enough to date, neither of her fathers had ever taken such an aggressive approach when greeting anyone she brought home.
Axel, the family’s official alpha, had been the more aggravating one to deal with, the rest of her brothers a close second.
She glanced at Javier, his features hard and stern, knuckles white where he gripped the crutches. He neither backed down nor threatened with his solid stance, but she could tell he didn’t like having the low ground when it came to facing her fathers. Neither did she, if she were to admit the truth, even though she didn’t think they would attack a wounded, unarmed man without provocation. Of course, she’d never brought a lone shifter home either.
“I mean no harm to you or your family. Once I locate my car, I will gladly leave.”
“You can’t drive,” she pointed out, drawing an exasperated look from her patient and a pair of familiar fatherly glances. She took a deep breath and met each gaze. “Well, he can’t, not until his broken leg has healed enough to remove the cast. Until that happens, he’s my patient. Under my care and supervision and, therefore, protected by me.”
That earned her a raised eyebrow from Burke.
“I gave him my word.” Not exactly a promise, but that was beside the point. “I know I should’ve called first, but we’re here now. So, can I keep him? Here, I mean,” she rushed on, feeling her cheeks heat. “Just until he’s healthy enough to leave. He won’t be any trouble.” She looked at Javier for confirmation and got a dry smirk for her effort. Squaring her shoulders, she grabbed him by the elbow and faced her fathers. “I’ll make sure of it myself.”
And where do you plan to put him, daughter? Fridrik asked her telepathically, causing her to glance at Javier again to see whether he’d heard the exchange. He cannot hear us. To do so would require a blood relationship... or a mating of the lines.
Oh. She hadn’t known that limitation. Of course, Javier had been able to speak to her directly while in jaguar form as could all shifters in her family, but such abilities were limited in human form.
Burke filled the extended silence that had fallen between them as she and Fridrik conversed. “What brings you to Washington?”
“Business,” Javier said, “in Seattle.”
You haven’t answered my question, Fridrik said.
My room? She hadn’t really thought that far, but now that she did, her room was the only location that made sense. It’s the only bedroom besides yours that’s on the ground floor. He can’t be expected to navigate the stairs this soon, and it won’t hurt me to sleep on the couch for a few nights.
Fridrik frowned. Careful, daughter. He’s not as weak as he might have you believe.
“What kind of business?” Burke asked.
Javier hesitated. “Personal business.”
Burke gave a brief nod. “I see.”
I know, Dad. The sooner he heals, the sooner he can leave. She struggled against the feelings of disappointment over that thought. Opportunities to meet others of their kind were unheard of, and she wasn’t keen on the idea of rushing him out the door.
Fridrik leveled a serious look on Javier. “We will permit you shelter, shifter, while you heal. But one false move that brings injury to any member of this family, and your life is forfeit. Are we clear?”
“No one in your family is in danger of harm by my hand, so long as I have no fear of injury by you or your kin.”
Heidi sighed. “I already said you’re under my protection. That should be enough. Now, come on.
Let’s get you off your feet and in bed so you can rest.”
Her fathers moved out of her way as she guided her patient into the house, but she didn’t make it through the door before Burke’s telepathic order came to her loud and clear.
She tried not to cringe.
Once he’s settled, you, young lady, have more explaining to do.
* * *
“Isabela? Where are you?” Javier stopped in the foyer with a smile on his face, his gaze lowered to the trail of rose petals on the floor.
Were they from the bouquet he and his brother had sent to the hospital? Their first anniversary was this weekend, but the brothers had decided to gift their mate with something special each day leading up to the momentous occasion. Yesterday had been a box of her favorite chocolates. Today, two dozen peach-colored roses, again her favorite.
He closed the front door and followed the fragrant petals that lead through their living room and down the hall. Soft classical melodies, his wife’s preferred music, filtered through the house. The petals continued through the master bedroom, ending at the doorway to the master bath.
His smile turned into a full-blown grin. No wonder his mate hadn’t answered his call. She couldn’t, not when his brother had her pinned against the shower’s glass wall, his tongue in her mouth as they kissed with passion.
Javier cleared his throat and heard them chuckle.
“You’re late,” Juan muttered without pulling his lips from Isabela’s. His brother’s shirt was unbuttoned but still on his shoulders, the tails pulled free of his pants, which told Javier he hadn’t arrived too long after Juan, no more than a couple of minutes at the most.
“Traffic was a bitch.” He kicked away from the doorway and closed in on the couple.
“Rough day?” Juan peppered their mate’s face with playful kisses on the nose and cheeks.
“No, the usual. Mostly training exercises.” Javier waited for his brother to come up for air. “And you?”
“Drug bust...small operation, but got three in custody, and no one was hurt.”
“Good.” Sometimes he wished his brother had chosen to reenlist in the military like he had instead of pursuing a career in law enforcement, but Juan had a stubborn streak that rivaled his own. Truth be told, both careers were inherently dangerous. Javier’s helicopter accident last year was proof enough of that.
At least they both could serve from their nation’s capitol. Being apart from his brother and mate when on a mission was bad enough; daily separation for months on end would be torture.
Isabela gave Juan a quick peck and then turned her beautiful smile on Javier. “I want to thank you for the flowers.”
He pulled her free of Juan’s embrace and eyed her skimpy peach negligee
. “I want to thank you for wearing that,” he said, making her giggle as he wrapped her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers.
He loved coming home to her, kissing her, waking up beside her each morning.
To the soft beat of the instrumental music, he danced her out of the bathroom and to the bed.
His tongue dueled playfully with hers while he stripped her body of the silky fabric. He heard more than saw his brother kick off his shoes and felt Isabela’s fingers tug his zipper down.
After his pants slid down his legs, he helped her remove his shirt, sat and pulled her to stand between his thighs. Juan’s hands skimmed around her sides as Javier dipped his head to suckle from a plump breast.
She hissed softly and combed her fingers through his hair. He sucked harder, cupping her sweet ass and letting his brother cradle her breasts while he feasted.
Juan murmured sweet nothings to Isabela, which made Javier smile. She was perfect for them, soft, supple, a treasure he’d never dreamed possible.
Breathlessly, she said, “I—I can’t think—”
“Don’t. Just feel.” He fell back on the bed and snagged her by the hand to pull her down over him.
“But I have something to tell you both.”
“Hold that thought,” Juan said, moving behind her as she straddled Javier’s groin.
Javier smiled at Isabela, watching her expression transform as his brother entered her slowly. Her lashes drifted down. Her rosy, well-kissed lips parted, and his cock swelled. Hard and ready, he told his brother telepathically to hurry. He wouldn’t be able to wait much longer.
Just as his brother withdrew from her pussy to align his dick with her ass, she blinked at Javier as if awaking from a dream.
“I’m pregnant.”
Both brothers froze. Javier thought his heart would pound its way free of his chest. His mate had just given them the greatest gift he could ever hope for.
His cock poised at the precipice of paradise, he cupped her nape and drew her down for a tender kiss.
“Isabela.”
* * *
Having survived her fathers’ inquisition, Heidi reheated some leftover stew, paired it with dinner rolls and one of her favorite bottles of beer—which she kept hidden in the fridge so her brothers wouldn’t drink it—and went to check on her patient.
Setting the tray of food on her dresser, she approached the bed to see Javier was still asleep. Though he seemed peaceful now, he’d tossed and turned enough to kick off most of the covers.
She decided to let him rest. The meal could wait. She lifted the corner of one sheet and began to drape it over his body when he snatched her by the wrist and pulled her off-balance. With a gasp, she fell into his arms, his large hand at her nape, pressing her face toward his.
“Javier?” She pushed at the mattress, trying to squirm free without jostling his injured leg. “What are you doing?”
His eyes were closed, and his only response was to draw her down the last few inches and kiss her on the mouth.
“Jav—” His tongue darted past her lips to cut her off, and though she had tried to stop him before, she couldn’t summon the strength to protest anymore.
He tasted far too good, and the rampant passion behind the kiss scrambled her thoughts and overwhelmed the best of her intentions. While he kissed her hard, one hand at her nape, he slid his other along her spine to cup her ass and press her against an obvious and impressive erection.
Heidi moaned with sudden need. She ground herself against his body as he broke their kiss to plant a trail of lust along her jaw line, the side of her neck. He nipped her earlobe, and she bucked a little, burrowing closer.
“Isabela...” he whispered, dousing every flicker of arousal that burned within Heidi.
“Oh my God!” She shoved at him, punched his arm and jolted him awake.
He released her the instant his eyes shot open, and she scrambled from the bed.
Breathless and upset, with herself more so than with him, she spun to see him struggling to sit up.
For a brief second, the thought of adjusting his pillows to help him flashed through her mind, but she didn’t act upon it. Distance was called for now, since close proximity proved the worst line of defense.
He looked at her with equal bits drowsy confusion and irritated suspicion.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. She couldn’t. Her lungs weren’t functioning correctly, and her heart pumped way too much blood to her neck and face. Embarrassed beyond belief, she couldn’t divert her gaze either, although she wanted to do that and more.
Why wouldn’t he say something?
She caved in to the urge to wipe her palms against her thighs. Then she remembered his meal.
“I...um...I brought you something to eat.” She retrieved the tray and set it across his lap, backing up to give him—or rather herself—some much needed space. She didn’t mention the noticeable bulge underneath the covers.
Maybe if they just didn’t talk about it...
But he had to say something. His silent stare was driving her insane.
“I hope you like venison stew.”
He lifted one hand and, without breaking eye contact, swiped a thumb across his moist, well-kissed lips.
Her face would combust any second.
She didn’t blame him for what happened. He’d been dreaming of another woman.
“Who’s Isabela?”
His expression shut down in the blink of an eye, and his deep bass voice gave her chills. “Get the fuck out. Now.”
Chapter Six
“How did Fridrik and Burke take him?” Beth joined Heidi in the kitchen to help prepare dinner.
When Kelan and Reidar first moved Beth into their family home as their mate, Heidi had been a little put out with having another woman under foot, usurping her authority. But things had changed over the last year. She loved the sisterly camaraderie her sister-in-law provided. Heidi had been the only girl in a houseful of men for so long she’d forgotten how having more estrogen in the house could be a good thing.
“Things were a little tense at first.” She tore lettuce into a bowl. “After Javier went to sleep, I was called into the den for a discussion.”
Beth winced. Everyone knew the den was a sacred place into which the children were rarely invited.
If they were summoned into the den, it wasn’t to sit and chat about the weather.
“They’re leery of him and warned me to be careful, but they also realize I couldn’t turn him out while he can’t fend for himself.”
Beth sliced cucumber for the salad. “How’s he doing?”
The kiss—and her reaction to it—flashed through Heidi’s mind. She wanted nothing more than to share what happened with Beth, but she bit her tongue. She wasn’t ready to tell anyone about it yet, and she honestly didn’t know how much Beth would tell her husbands. Heidi definitely didn’t need her brothers knowing.
“He’s getting stronger by the minute.” All his parts seem to be working at any rate, she silently added, reliving the feel of his solid arousal against her hip. Never in her life, in the more than a decade since her first date, had she felt so aroused so quickly. If he hadn’t said that other woman’s name, she would have fucked him without a moment’s hesitation.
“What?” Beth asked.
Heidi looked up from the green pepper she’d been chopping. “What, what?”
“You have a strange look on your face. Did something happen?”
She licked her lips, and her face heated. “Uh...yeah...some—”
“What the hell is that smell?” she heard from the other room.
Reidar!
“Oh, no.” Heidi gasped and dashed from the kitchen, down the back hallway, and just barely headed off her brothers as they came from the other end of the hall toward her room. “No,” she cried as she body checked Reidar away from her door and threw herself against it to block their entry.
Kelan snarled in puma form. Get out of the way, lit
tle sister.
“No. Go away. This is my room.”
“What’s in there?” Reidar demanded.
“None of your damn business.”
This is our house.
“It’s my room.” She glared at Kelan but kept a wary eye on Reidar.
“What’s in there?” Reidar repeated, undaunted by her declaration.
“A patient who needs rest. Go away.”
Move her, Kelan told Reidar, who wrapped his arms around Heidi’s waist and lifted her. She grabbed hold of the doorknob with both hands and clung with all she was worth while kicking at her overbearing, much stronger brother.
“Put me down, you asshole,” she shouted. “It’s my room. You know you’re not allowed in there.”
A childish reaction, but it was all she could come up with. Her room was off limits to her brothers, had been since she hit puberty. Her one sanctuary in a house full of testosterone. A girl needed privacy, her mother had said when Heidi had been granted a bedroom as far away from her brothers as her own parents’ room at the other end of the main floor.
She feared for Javier’s safety if the boys got their hands on him. He couldn’t defend himself, and in their state of mind, they wouldn’t stop to listen to her or him. Impulsive to a fault, the pair rarely stopped to listen.
“Ow,” Reidar shouted when her heel connected with his shin. “Don’t make me hurt you, Heidi.” He all but growled as he grabbed her wrist and jerked it from the doorknob.
“Daaaad,” she cried, her last resort.
“Put her down, Reidar,” Burke said, his voice even and calm, as always.
“Dad, she’s got something in there that shouldn’t be in this house. Can’t you smell it?”
She’s too protective of whatever it is, Kelan added. She’s hiding something bad.
“He’s injured and helpless. Nothing to get so uptight about.” Beth stepped up next to Burke.
Obviously she’d gone to fetch him, and Heidi gave her a little smile of thanks.
“What?” Reidar practically dropped Heidi to the floor.
You know what’s in there? Kelan’s telepathic shout caused Beth to blink and Heidi’s head to throb.
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