by Susan Hayes
“Bitch. Don’t remind me. It’s really hard to be supportive when I’m suffering from terminal jealousy.”
“There’s nothing to be jealous of, Viv. At least I’m not sure there is.”
Vivian sighed. “I knew it. You’re listening to that little voice in the back of your head again, aren’t you? How many times have I told you not to listen to Negative Nelly? They kissed you, and snuggled with you, and told you they are best friends who share everything. Heavy stress on the word everything. That’s the greenest light I have ever heard of. If you don’t go for it, I will fly down there and kick you in the butt until you do, or I’ll see if they want to trade in a blonde for a redhead.”
“They’re smoking hot and amazingly nice guys, can you blame me for questioning my sanity?”
“Of course I’m questioning your sanity, because I know what you’re not saying. What you’re thinking is that they are smoking hot guys and you think you’re an overweight cream puff. You’re a bestselling author, a beautiful woman, and have so much to offer, but you keep forgetting all of that and fixate on the fact you are not a size two. They kissed you, remember? Which means they are already attracted to you. Get over it, girl, and get onto the good stuff already!”
“What would I do without you?” Jess asked, laughing past the lump in her throat at her friend’s honest assessment.
“Well, for one thing, you’d probably be considering cancelling dinner tonight and locking yourself in that log cabin until I got there and dragged you out into the world again.” Vivian’s voice softened. “You deserve to be happy. If they make you smile, then I think you should go for it.”
“But, Viv…two? How does that even work!”
Vivian cackled and then said, “If you’re lucky, you’ll be finding out for yourself really soon. In the meantime I’ll send you a few book titles you need to go buy from Amazon. Call it research.”
“Oh god.”
“You had lunch with them yesterday, didn’t you guys talk?”
“We did, but it was more getting to know each other stuff. Where did we grow up, school, interests, you know, the safe stuff.”
“Did you tell them what you do for a living, Jess?”
Jess wrinkled her nose and glowered at the phone before answering. “I said I’m a freelance writer.”
“So you lied.”
“I panicked.”
“What is the point of being a bestselling author if you never tell anyone?”
“It’s…complicated.”
“I know, but only because you let it be. No one is going to be disappointed to discover you’re not one of characters in your books, Jess.”
“I know. And you’re right, I’ll tell them tonight.”
“So you are still making them dinner? Good! By the time they’ve tasted your cooking they’ll be more than halfway in love with you. What are you making?”
“I can’t decide between chicken or a casserole.”
“You have got to do your beer chicken thing. It is delicious, and what man can resist a girl who knows how to cook with beer?”
Both of them laughed at that and Jess felt some of her worry and doubt fading away.
“Okay, chicken it is. Which means I need to head into town and grab some beer and a few other things for tonight.”
“Do yourself a favor, buy whipped cream.” Viv snickered. “And some condoms. Just in case.”
“I cannot believe you even suggested that!”
“Trust me, once they realize you’re a hottie who can cook, you’re going to need them.”
Jess felt her cheeks heat and realized she was grinning at the idea. “You know, I hope you’re right. Okay, I’ll do it.”
Vivian crowed victoriously, “That’s my girl! And tomorrow morning I want details. Graphic—no. I want pornographic details.”
“Maybe.”
“No maybes, I think this is kismet. It’s time for some good things to come your way.”
“Kismet, huh?” Jess smiled. “That’s the name of their home. Kismet Cove.”
“You see! I’m brilliant. Have fun tonight, and remember, if in doubt, do it!”
“I love you, Viv. I can’t wait for you to come and visit.”
“Love you, too, and when I get out there I expect you to have organized up at least a few guys for me.”
“It’s a deal.”
“Toodles, Gator.”
“Later, Poodle.”
They exchanged their traditional good-byes and Jess hung up the phone, feeling far more confidant. She grabbed a piece of scrap paper and started making a list of things she was going to need at the store. The first thing she wrote down was whipped cream.
* * * *
“Did you sleep?” Evan asked as he gave Rory a bleary-eyed smile from over the top of a mug of black coffee.
Rory shook his head in the negative and headed straight for the coffee maker. “Not much. You?”
“Same as you. The few times I did get to sleep all I accomplished was to dream about her.”
Rory laughed. “Yeah, tell me about it. This morning’s shower is going to be a cold one or I’m not going to survive until dinner tonight.”
“Think of all the money we’re going to save on hot water if she makes us work for this.” Evan snickered and then winced. “Gods, I hope she doesn’t make us wait too long. I’m not sure I can take it.”
“What if she decides she doesn’t want us at all?” Rory poured himself a coffee and dumped two spoonfuls of sugar into it, then added a third. “We’re not exactly offering her a normal dating life. She’s human, Ev. She might decide to bolt like a scalded cat, and I wouldn’t blame her.”
“Selkies aren’t the only ones who have polyamorous relationships. Humans do it, too. It’s not like we’ve cornered the market here.”
“Polyam—what now?” Rory quirked a brow at Evan as he tossed a couple of slices of bread into the toaster. “You been reading the thesaurus in the bathroom again?”
“Polyamorous. More than two people in a relationship. You really need to read something other than those crime thrillers of yours. There’s all sorts of interesting words you probably don’t even know exist.”
“I know the ones I need to know.” Rory ticked off the fingers on one hand as he spoke. “Smartass, hull check, today, and oh yeah, dive gear.”
Evan groaned. “You don’t seriously intend to make me do an underwater check on the hull today? Have you looked outside? It’s miserable out there!”
“Hey, I did say you could scuba dive instead of transforming. At least that saves you getting naked out there in the elements, like I did yesterday rescuing our reluctant mermaid.” Rory’s head filled with memories of how Jess had tasted when he’d kissed her. Her lips had tasted of the sea, but beyond that she’d had a delicate sweetness that he knew was entirely her own. He really wanted to taste her again. He realized he’d gone silent as he’d been distracted by thoughts of Jess’s lush curves and sweet mouth and picked up his previous train of thought. “Do you think that it’s possible she’s feeling what we are? I mean, I know some humans develop a link to their selkie mates, but that usually takes time and a full bonding.”
Evan shrugged, his blue eyes full of uncertainly, which was rare. “I don’t know. She acts human, but there’s something about her…”
“You mean the way she smells? God, the first time I scented her it was like a punch in the gut.”
“You, too?” Evan looked surprised. “That’s a true mate reaction, but those are never human. At least I don’t think they are.” He sighed and scrubbed hand over his unshaven jaw. “I need to do some research, and then talk to your mom.”
Rory shook his head. “If you tell Mom, she’ll have to tell Dad, and then all hell is going to break loose. We can’t risk it. I don’t want Dad to know a thing until after we’ve already made up our minds.”
“We can’t tell Jess what we are without your dad’s permission, and I for one am not going to let her agree to a pe
rmanent arrangement without telling her she’s hooking up with a couple of mythical creatures who can turn into seals.”
Rory nodded. “Fair enough. But let’s see if she’s even willing to date us before we get to the bit about being shapeshifters.” He drank down more of his coffee and then asked, “Do you think it’s possible she’s got selkie blood? Maybe that’s what’s causing this reaction. She could she have just enough to cause this reaction but not enough to transform?”
“Are we even sure she can’t shapeshift?”
“You saw her yesterday, Ev. Five more minutes in that water and she’d have been dead. If she could have transformed, she would have, even it was purely out of instinct. She didn’t, so I think we have to assume she’s not one of us.”
“Yeah, I suppose. When I’m done with the hull check, though, I’m going to see if I can’t find out something about where she comes from, just in case. That cabin is right beside our land, and it’s been in her family for a long time. I think we should cover all our bases.”
“Anything that makes it easier to convince my father to accept her would be welcome. I’m tired of fighting.”
Evan laughed at him. “Bullshit. You and your dad are going to be going at it hammer and tongs until the day he passes. You’re too much alike for it to be any other way.”
“Don’t insult me like that. You may be older, but I’m still bigger than you and can whip your ass.”
“What color is the sky in your world? Is it pretty there? Because a fantasyland is the only place you can kick my ass, my prince.” Evan scrambled back from the table with a chuckle as Rory nearly choked on his coffee.
“Do not fucking call me that! Ever! God I hate that title.”
Evan grinned. “That’s why I love using it. I’m going to go grab my dive gear and do the hull. See you down at the dock in a bit?”
“Yep. Just as soon as I finish my breakfast.”
“I can’t wait to see what Jess is making us for dinner. Do you think she can cook?”
Rory’s heart beat a little in his chest at the thought of the evening to come. “I don’t care, I just can’t wait to see her.”
“I know the feeling. Hey, if we get a move on, we can drive into town and find a nice present for her tonight,” Even suggested.
“Good idea. But what do you get for the woman you’re hoping will sleep with you and your best friend on a first date?”
“Booze. Definitely booze. And flowers can’t hurt, either.”
Rory nodded. “I’ll get the booze. You’re the one in touch with his feminine side so you can pick the flowers.”
“Bite me.”
“I’d rather bite Jess.”
“You and me both.”
Chapter 7
Since she’d talked to Vivian, Jess had been in an exuberant mood. It had been months since she’d felt the urge to cook, and she was enjoying the opportunity to say thank you to her two rescuers. She’d tucked most of the beer into the fridge, leaving out a can to use as the basting liquid for her roasted chicken. She tried not to grin as she tucked a spray bottle of whipped cream into the fridge door, along with a squeezable container of chocolate sauce. “It’s for the hot chocolate, that’s all.” She told herself, but there was a flutter in her stomach and a tingle in her pussy that made it clear at least part of her was hoping it would be for something much more interesting.
Within two hours she had the chicken roasting along with a medley of winter vegetables. The potatoes were all ready to be boiled and mashed, and she’d set out everything she’d need for cooking up their hot chocolate cocktails. So far, so good. With no time to make dessert, she’d dropped by the local bakery and grabbed an assortment of éclairs, tarts, and other pastries. Hopefully she’d gotten at least one thing they’d enjoy.
Jess glanced out the window and realized that time was getting away from her. She still needed to shower and change, and the guys were going to be arriving in less than an hour. She dashed down the hallway, stripping off her apron and then her clothing as she went. The guys had seen her at her worst, and tonight she was hoping to prove to them that she didn’t always look like a drowned rat.
Jess took longer in the shower than she’d planned, but she knew it had been worth it. She’d indulged herself from head to toe, and every part of her felt silky smooth and softened by the tangerine and vanilla body lotion she’d rubbed into every bit of her she could reach. There hadn’t been much time to do anything with her hair, so she’d settled for a simple blow dry and left it loose, falling down her back in a straight, shimmering curtain of silvery blonde. Jess held no illusions about her appearance or her faults, but her hair had always been one of her few vanities, and as she gave it one last stroke of the brush, she knew that at least her hair looked good.
She didn’t usually do much with her makeup, so she settled for a bit of eyeliner and a silver blue shadow that she’d been told would enhance her eyes. A bit of lipstick, a touch of powder, and she was done.
She’d been tempted to dress up, but then she reminded herself it was only supposed to be a thank you dinner. So instead she’d picked out one of her favorite silk tops and worn a pair of black jeans with a smattering of sequins and silver embroidery running down the calves. The dark-blue fabric flowed down over her hips and helped to hide some of her abundant curves.
“That’s as good as it gets,” she told her reflection in the mirror and smiled. “But it sure beats drowned-rat chic.”
Jess headed back to the kitchen and got the potatoes cooking, humming to herself mindlessly as she flitted about, checking on everything and literally zipping around the kitchen in a happy frenzy. She’d forgotten how much she enjoyed cooking for other people. Her last boyfriend had been a picky eater, and no matter what she’d served him he’d always managed to find fault. Eventually she’d given up, and they’d always gone to the few restaurants he enjoyed. It was only in retrospect that Jess realized she hadn’t even liked half of the restaurants they’d gone to, but she’d let herself be guilted into it to appease Richard.
“No wonder Viv is always on my case to stand up for myself. How did I not see this before?” Jess groaned and poured herself a glass of wine, determined not to listen to the voice that Viv had long ago named Negative Nelly. She wasn’t going to doubt herself or let her insecurities get in the way.
She heard the rumble of an engine and the crunch of gravel beneath truck wheels and she knew that her guests had arrived. Suddenly Jess’s stomach exploded with butterflies and her heart slammed so hard against her ribs she was certain they’d be able to hear it racing from the other side of the door. Her hands were shaking as she quickly rinsed and dried them and then hurried across the cabin to peek out the window. Rory was just stepping down out of the truck and as her gaze slid over him she felt her stomach do a complete somersault. He was even better looking than she’d remembered. He was wearing dark pants that tapered in to fit his waist, and his dress shirt was a crisp white that almost glowed in contrast to his black leather jacket.
Evan came around to join Rory and she caught herself sighing as her clit started to throb. They were both gorgeous. Taller than Rory by a small measure, Evan was dressed almost identically, save that his dress shirt was a deep blue, and his leather jacket was gray. They were both carrying something, but she couldn’t make out the details without staring and she didn’t want them to catch her spying on them through the window.
“You are thirty years old, so stop thinking like a sixteen-year-old girl on her first date and breathe!” She gave herself a little mental shake and stepped back from the window just as their footsteps sounded on the front porch. She ran her hands down her outfit and squeaked in bemused horror as she realized she’d never put on shoes.
“Too late now, at least I have toe polish on,” she muttered and went to answer the door just as they knocked.
* * * *
Evan had caught her peeking out at them, and it had taken more determination than he cared to admit not to
wave at her as she had watched them with hunger in her pale-blue eyes. He’d been worried that she’d changed her mind about them in the twenty-four hours they’d been apart, but one look at her beautiful face had reassured him. She was still interested, and he was fairly sure she was more than just interested, if he’d read the heat in her expression correctly. Thank god.
Evan held the flowers he’d bought for her behind his back, waiting just behind Rory as they waited for the door to open. When it did, Evan forgot to breathe. Light, warmth and the tantalizing aromas of the coming meal flowed out the door and surrounded them, every element adding to the sense of welcome he felt. Jess was standing in the doorway, her deliciously curvy body silhouetted by the lights inside the cabin. Her hair was glowing like a halo, and she was wearing an outfit that made his dick twitch in approval. Beside him Rory groaned under his breath and Evan caught the direction of his blood-brother’s gaze, which was straight down at Jess’s feet. Holy hell, her feet were bare.
Both of them had a thing for a woman’s feet, and neither of them had time yesterday to pay proper attention to Jess’s. Tonight, though, they were going to have trouble looking anywhere else. She had pretty feet, and her toes were painted a shade of purple Evan was certain matched the vibrant streaks in her hair. Evan’s cock was hardening fast and he knew he was in for a long, torturous night.
“Hi.” She greeted them both with a shy smile and hovered at the threshold for few seconds before stepping out onto the porch and reaching up to hug Rory. Her blonde head barely came to the middle of his chest and as Rory’s arms closed around her shoulders Evan had to bite back a bark of laughter at the lustful expression on his blood-brother’s face. At least he wasn’t going to be alone in his suffering tonight.
Still wrapped in Rory’s arms, Jess turned her head and smiled at Evan, and his blood heated further as he caught her scent. He smiled back at her and caught the feral gleam in Rory’s eye and knew both of them had reacted to her just as strongly as the day before. There was no doubting it anymore. Human or not, she was their true mate.
