by Jane Jamison
“A few?” She smiled, not caring what time of day it was or even what day it was. “I was tired. I guess finding out that the men you love are shifters can take a lot out of a woman.” She touched the stubble running along Davis’s jaw. “But I’m rested now.”
“The shifters you love.” Davis caught her by the wrist and brought her palm to his lips. “I like the sound of that.”
“So you’ll be our mate?” Henry’s fingers traveled their way to her nipple then made short teasing trips around it.
“If that’s the same thing as being your woman or your wife, then, yes.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “You’re basically asking me to marry you, right? All three of you? Or am I jumping to the wrong assumption?”
“Nah, babe. You’re jumping just right. As shifters, we call you our mate.”
What had he said? It was getting difficult to follow their conversation with Rick’s tongue torturing her clit. She bit her lower lip then spread her legs wider. “Hmm.”
“I think talking will have to happen later.” Davis captured her nipple between his teeth.
“Uh-huh,” she said then had to ask. “But I have to know one thing right now.”
“What’s that, sugar-baby?”
She barely understood what Davis had said with his mouth against her breast.
“Can you change me like shifters do on television? Can you change me and then will I still be able to have your children?”
“I think”—Henry pressed a quick kiss to her lips—“that you’re asking two questions, but the answer to both is yes.”
“But you have to be sure becoming a shifter is what you want.” Davis cupped her breast and shook it, grinning at how it jiggled.
“Oh. Oh!”
Rick’s fingers plunging into her pussy derailed any possible response.
“Because there’s no turning back.” Henry nuzzled her neck. “Once you’ve been changed, you can’t reverse it.”
“And you have to know one other thing,” added Davis. “Rick, hold up. Let her think.”
“No. Don’t stop,” she protested.
“You have to know about The Allure.”
“Why, Davis? What is it?” Her body cried out for Rick’s tongue again. Pouting her displeasure, she took Henry’s hand and put it on her breast again. He smiled and squeezed.
“The Allure is what a werelion gives a woman to keep her close by. It’s on our breath when we want it to be. Once a woman has taken in a werelion’s breath, she’s drawn to him.”
“Is that what you did to me? All of you? Is The Allure like a spell?”
“It’s not really a spell, but it’s close,” answered Henry. “It also keeps other werelions away from the woman so that they won’t give her their allure, too.”
“Does it makes a woman fall in love with the werelion?” She pressed her hand against Davis’s hard chest and played with the dark hair trailing toward the curly mass below.
“Not necessarily. It just keeps her interested so she doesn’t leave.”
“That’s why you wanted me to breathe, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.” Davis looked to his brothers then back to her. “But you can still leave if you really want to. We don’t want you to think we tricked you into loving us.”
“You didn’t.”
“Are you sure, honey?”
She lifted up far enough to give Henry a kiss. “Yes, I am. I’m sure because I was in love with all of you before you did it.”
“Not me.” Rick laid his head on her thigh, uncertainty in his eyes. “I gave you mine at the dance.”
“I don’t care.” What did it matter now? She loved them, and they loved her. How and when it happened wasn’t important. “I would’ve loved you three without it. Now, make love to me.”
She arched her back, offering her breasts to Henry and Davis again. Heat spread through her lower torso from the burn that Rick had started between her legs.
“Mira?” asked Rick.
“I don’t think she’s listening any longer.” Davis chuckled then got onto his knees. “Here. Take me in.”
His cock bobbed in front of her face, and she opened wide. Slipping her hand between his legs, she found his balls and began to play with them. He moved closer, holding the headboard to keep him steady as he slipped his cock inside her mouth.
He tasted amazing. The taste reminded her of the way his breath had smelled, and yet, although it was somewhat different, the taste, the aroma was just as tantalizing.
Henry kissed his way down her spine. “Roll on to your side.” He pushed against her hip, moving her gently onto her right side.
Davis lay down, most of his body above hers as he repositioned himself. He gripped her hair and slid a hand under her head to help support her. “Damn, that’s good. Keep it up.”
She did, lashing her tongue over and over, then sliding her mouth down to the curly patch at the end. His scent filled her nostrils, giving her a heady sensation. She wished she could take all of him inside her mouth, but he was too thick, too long. Letting go of his cock with a satisfying pop, she went down the side of it, sucking and nibbling.
“Daaamn, but that’s good. So fucking good,” he exclaimed.
“Not as good as what I taste.”
Her body quivered a silent protest when Rick took his mouth from her pussy.
“Please. Don’t stop. Not yet.”
His answer? He plunged two fingers into her pussy and searched for her soft bundle of nerves. She let out an agonized moan as he brushed over it, pushing her to the edge, then leaving her stranded.
Davis brought the tip of his cock to press against her lips, gently urging her to take his cock back inside his mouth. She did then sucked in a hard breath when Rick got to his knees, pulled one of her legs over his, then plunged his cock inside her.
Henry’s chuckle warmed her ass hole as his fingers prepared her. “You’re so fucking sweet, honey. Even here. Hell, everyone inch of you is sweet.”
She sucked hard on Davis’s cock, hollowing her cheeks. Her reward was a low groan that soon changed into a low growl. Was he changing? Were their lions aware of what they were doing?
Rick shoved his cock in again, driving harder, deeper. She whimpered as a hand pinched first one nipple then the other. Another slapped her ass cheek a moment before Henry pressed his cock against her butt hole. She arched, offering her breasts to Davis, who cupped them both. She offered her ass to Henry as she did her best to entice him to fuck her.
Suddenly, they were inside her. Their cocks spreading her pussy walls, her cheeks, and her tight-ringed ass. Her men took her, filling her completely. Yet it wasn’t merely her body they filled. With each thrust, each caress, each teasing twist of a nipple, they filled her heart. Their love had come on fast, but it would last a lifetime.
Her body was a whirlwind of feelings, a perfect blend of senses. She gave in to the sensations and didn’t hold back as they treasured her body. In return, she couldn’t touch them enough, couldn’t lash her tongue over Davis’s cock then his balls enough. If she could have physically made it happen, she would’ve taken Rick’s cock into her mouth, too.
If only she could become one with them. Her body flowing into theirs. Theirs into hers.
Then she realized that she had. She’d given them her heart, and they’d given her theirs. Doing so brought their spirits together, blending them together as no physical touch ever could.
She cried out as the orgasm struck, coming on the heels of a powerful thrust from Rick. Her cry spread over Davis’s cock, and as though the sound had heralded his release, Davis bellowed out his climax, turning away after the first thrust of cum struck her mouth.
“Too soon,” mumbled Henry as he shoved his cock deep inside her ass again. He stilled then dug his fingers into the flesh of her hip. With one more quick thrust, he plunged his cock inside her then turned his release free.
The men slumped against her as she rolled onto her back. Her body still shuddered out
the last of her climax as she reached for them, touching one, then the next. Breathing became easier as her heart slowed to a normal rhythm.
“I think we need to get you three some new T-shirts.”
Davis supported his head on his hand. “T-shirts, huh? Where did that come from?”
Henry walked his fingers over the roundness of her stomach up to one of her nipples. “Damn, guys, she hasn’t even officially moved in and she’s already trying to change how we dress.”
“That’s the way women are, bro.” Rick’s joke earned him a shove with her foot.
“You guys think you’re so damn smart. But that’s not it at all.”
“Then tell us?” Davis cupped her breast, his gaze shifting from her face to her tit. “What do you have in mind?”
“You should all wear T-shirts that say ‘Lions do it better.’”
Henry grinned. “Hey, that’s not a bad idea.”
“Then half the town would want to wear them,” added Rick. “Still, T-shirts might bring in some extra money during The Shifter Days Festival.”
“Exactly.” She flicked her tongue over her upper lip. “Now how about showing me how much stamina a werelion really has.”
* * * *
Mira fidgeted back and forth on the porch rocker then finally got to her feet. Her men, none of them nervous at all, waited with her for Michael’s arrival. “I don’t get why you can’t just tell me.”
They’d kept silent, unwilling to explain why she was attracted to the three of them and not Michael. After all, most of the time—although certainly not all of the time—werelions who were related to each other were attracted to the same woman. As such, they ended up sharing the woman and having one mate. Michael, however, was not attracted to her. In fact, since she’d arrived at the ranch, he’d stayed away.
“But he does like me, right?” At the very least, she wanted Michael to like her. She was now a part of their family and soon to be changed by his brothers. If he didn’t like her at least a little, things would get very awkward. Would Michael leave the ranch? Or would she and her men have to find a new home? Or, worse, would they all live together in a very uncomfortable situation?
“Of course, he likes you,” answered Davis. “You know he does. He was the one who told you about us.”
She knew all right. She and Michael had always gotten along. Still, she needed reassurance. “Then why?”
Rick groaned and leaned against the porch column. “It’s for him to tell you. Babe, we’ve been over all this a dozen times. You’re going to find out soon enough.”
“I hope so.” Michael had phoned Henry earlier that morning to say he was coming home. He had specifically asked that they make sure Mira was there.
“Here he comes now,” added Henry, pointing toward the blue pickup kicking up dirt behind it. He stood and paced to the end of the porch before slipping his arm around her. “Looks like he has someone with him.”
Was that it? Did Michael already have a woman? Had she been too late to capture his love? Yet what did it matter? No matter how hard she’d tried, she’d never been attracted to Michael. Like his brothers, he was a handsome man, but the chemistry had been nonexistent between them. She couldn’t have made him love her, or her love him, no matter what she’d done. As it was, she simply hoped they’d become close friends.
The pickup pulled to a stop, backlit from the bright afternoon sun. Two figures got out of the truck, and although she couldn’t see their faces, she could tell from the silhouette of the passenger that it wasn’t a woman. They came toward the group on the porch.
Michael took off his hat as he strode forward. A very good-looking man, approximately the same age as Michael, came to his side. He, too, took off his hat then nodded at Mira.
“Hey, Mira.” Michael seemed excited, happy.
“Hi.” She smiled, thankful that he was in a good mood. If she had to guess, he was in a very good mood. She glanced at his friend. “Hi. I’m Mira Ashby.”
The man, whose face bore dark stubble that somehow highlighted the bright blue of his eyes, returned her smile. “Yeah, I know. Michael’s told me all about you.”
“Then you have a leg up on all of us.” Henry came down the steps and offered his hand. “I’m Henry. And these other two are Rick and Davis.”
So they didn’t know the man, either? Which meant that he was more than likely not a local.
“I’m Robin Holst.” He cleared his throat. “I’m from Forever.”
Rick moved quickly down the steps. As soon as he was only a few steps from Robin, he stopped then drew in a long breath. “Oh, hell no. I thought I’d caught a whiff of dog.”
Amber flared in Robin’s eyes as Michael stepped between his friend and his brother. “Now hold up. No one wants any trouble here. Rick, knock it off.”
“Back off, Rick,” ordered Davis. “We don’t have any quarrels with his kind.”
Rick let out a low growl. “Not at the moment, but—”
“But nothing.” Michael glowered at Rick. “Back the hell off. If he leaves, I leave. For good.”
“I don’t understand what’s going on.” Why was Rick so antagonistic to a man he’d just met?
“It’s this way.” Davis put a hand on his brother’s shoulder and urged him to step back then jerked his head, warning Henry to stay back, too. “Remember when we told you that there were other kinds of shifters?”
“Yes. I remember.” Her attention shifted to Robin.
“Well, Robin is a werewolf.”
A werewolf. Just when she’d gotten used to the idea of werelions, now a werewolf was standing in her yard. Would she ever get used to the whole shifter thing?
“That’s right. I am,” asserted Robin. The amber in his eyes had gone, but the tension in his body remained. “And damn proud of it.”
Rick and Henry had backed up with Henry stepping onto the porch. He stood by her side, his arm wrapped around her again, but more protectively.
Davis stood his ground. “Okay, fine. So we’ve established what you are. The only question remaining is why you’re here. What’s going on, Michael?”
Michael sought out her eyes and locked to them. “I’m really glad you’re going to be joining the family.”
“Me, too.” Could she talk freely in front of Robin? She hoped so because she had to have an answer. “I’m your brothers’ mate now.” She struggled to find the right words. “I was hoping I’d be your mate, too, but I’m just not—”
“Attracted to me?” Michael chuckled. “I know. And I feel the same way. The only reason I got involved was to help my brothers along. Sometimes they need to be prodded to get moving.”
Relieved, she added, “But we can be good friends, right?”
“We’re already good friends. Or, at least, I thought so.”
“Good. And yes, we definitely are. Whew. That’s a weight off my shoulders.”
“And a weight off ours, too,” said Davis as he turned toward her. “We knew all along that Michael wouldn’t want to join us in mating you.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Davis shrugged. “It’s like we said before. It’s Michael’s responsibility and right to explain why.”
She looked to Michael for answers then suddenly realized the why. How could she have been so oblivious to the reason until now?
Michael had come to Robin’s protection. Michael now leaned shoulder to shoulder with Robin. And now Michael’s hand was laced with Robin’s.
“Wow. Talk about not seeing what’s right in front of my face. You’re gay, aren’t you, Michael?”
Michael bumped against Robin as though sharing an unspoken joke. “Yep, I am. And Robin’s my lover.” He faced his friend. “More than that, we’re going to be mates.”
It was all so clear now. Michael and she had never been meant for each other.
“Are you kidding me?” Rick started toward Michael, who again protectively stepped in front of Robin. “You’re going to mate a werewolf
?”
Davis managed to hold Rick back from the werewolf. “Calm the hell down, bro.”
“But a werewolf?” said Henry, his tone low and filled with disappointment. “Come on, man. I mean, I don’t have anything against most werewolves, but to mate one? Is that even possible?”
Michael shook his head. “Why not? You three are mating a human.”
“But we’re human, too. At least, most of the time.” Henry seemed more disappointed than angry.
“Whatever happens, happens,” said Michael. “But Robin’s the one I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. If you can’t handle that, then I guess I’ll be packing up and getting out.”
Davis eased Rick back a few steps. “Everyone, just keep your animals in check.”
Had they been about to shift? Her answer was in the amber flecks in all the men’s eyes. “I don’t get it. What’s the problem? I don’t know Robin, but if your brother says he’s the one for him, then he’s the one for him.” She feared the answer to her next question, but had to ask it, anyway. “Are you guys homophobic?”
“What? Shit, no.” Rick stalked a few paces away. “No. We’ve known Michael was gay for a long time, but we kept his secret. We’ve never said one bad thing about his liking guys.”
“Then what’s the problem?” She looked to Rick, but he suddenly found the ground interesting. Pushing him to answer wouldn’t help. “So no one else knows, Michael?”
“I haven’t come out and told anyone directly. But I think some, like Doc and Miss Kitty, have probably guessed as much.” A brief moment of torment flickered across his face. “This is Texas, and most folks are conservative, you know. Even shifters can be against people like us. But it’s true what Rick said. My brothers have always supported me and let me decide if and when I’d come out.” He gave Robin an apologetic look. “I kept quiet because I didn’t want the hassle. I didn’t have a good enough reason to come out and face the shit that’ll come my way. Until now, that is. Now I want to tell the whole world that I’m in love with a wonderful man.”
