To her shame, Clara had believed a lot of gossip in her formative years, even joined in, but it was time for a new leaf. It was funny. Despite all the gossip, or maybe because of it, Jessica had been pretty decent and Clara could only hope she would drop by as she offered. Maybe she would even make some new friends. It was a time for new beginnings, after all.
"Let's go home," said Luke, taking her hand and she nodded, relieved. The only person she waved goodbye to was Jessica and that was just fine.
Chapter Eleven
Luke was in a steaming fury. If it wasn't for Clara curled up next time, her head sleepily lolling against his arm as they drove, he'd probably burst out of his skin, race back to The Mill as his tiger self and give that simpering bitch Robyn a terrifying scare that she could really think about.
"That look on your face is going to scare her when she wakes up," murmured Cade. "I'm kind of worried for the local wildlife too."
"I'm pissed."
"You don't say." Cade paused. "Which bit are you pissed about? Me kissing her, or...?"
"The Robyn bit. I thought they were supposed to be friends."
"Yeah, well... Look, Robyn comes first to Robyn. Colton said she even took a crack at him once, right before he told her to back the heck off."
Luke gave him an appalled look. "She dared step on a mating bond?"
"No, they hadn't bonded then, but it was obvious to everyone they were going to." Cade slowed and turned the truck, the tires crunching on the driveway. "I wouldn't trust Robyn as far as I could throw her."
"Are you serious?" whispered Clara. Luke started and looked down. He hadn't realized she'd awoken.
"Shit, sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean you to hear that." Cade shot an anguished look at Luke and pulled a hand off the wheel to run through his hair. He looked like he’d gladly pull a chunk out if he could swallow his words.
Clara yawned and stretched her legs out, which coincided with her arm shooting around his waist. Before she could think to move it, Luke tightened his arm around her and held her in place. It just felt right to have her curled up against him. Cade shot them a look but didn't say anything. Instead of trying to move away, she relaxed into him and sighed. "What a bitch," she said. And laughed.
Luke frowned down at her as Cade pulled the truck to a stop in front of the house. "You okay there?"
"Sleepy otherwise I'd be more pissed off."
"Let's get you inside, baby."
"Good plan. I can tell the big cat is thinking about going furry and tearing a piece out of Robyn."
He was surprised she’d read him so right. "I can think of better chew toys." Luke cocked an eyebrow and she stifled another laugh that turned into a yawn. "Not like that."
He popped the door open and jumped out, turning back to her. "Don't know what you mean," she said, as he scooped her into his arms. Instead of protesting, she snuggled against him. Well, things were looking up all right, he decided. He held her closer, resisted the urge to sniff her hair and followed Cade into the house.
Against his chest, Clara mumbled something about going to bed, kicking her heels off in the hallway as the door shut behind them.
"I'm getting another beer. Luke?"
"Sure, grab me one," answered Luke, hardly able to tear his eyes away from the woman in his arms. “I’ll be right back.” He carried her upstairs, making his way to her room easily, as if it was a path he regularly travelled. Laying her on the bed, he was paralyzed by a moment of indecision. Shit, why was he trying to think through this? There was only one thing he wanted.
Kneeling by the bed, he brushed the lock of hair that slipped from her ponytail away and bent his head to hers, giving her enough time to pull away. Not that he wanted her to. God, it would kill him if she did that.
She didn’t. Instead, when he moved back, she pulled him back to her. Then his lips were on her and he was kissing her hard.
***
Luke's lips brushed hers and when Clara didn't push him away, kissed her again, this time harder, his lips working hers open, his tongue darting inside, finding hers to join with. She couldn't help it, she moaned into his mouth as his arms tightened around her and their kisses deepened.
She wanted this. She wanted him. She wanted to feel his body crushing hers, his hands roaming her body. She wanted to feel his mouth closing over her nipples, sucking before sliding lower to her already damp sex. And judging by the growing hardness pressing into her belly as he leaned over her, he wanted it as much as she did.
She allowed him to pull her up, all thoughts of sleep driven from her mind as his fingers nimbly worked the buttons of her shirt, undoing it and pushing the cloth to the sides before laying her down. In a flash, his chest pulled up, his groin pushed against hers, and he ripped his t-shirt over his head. Without thinking, she drew her legs up to tighten about him, the added benefit being to draw him closer to her. When he looked down at her through heavy-lids, his eyes burned amber.
"You're so beautiful," he murmured, brushing the blonde curls away from her face. "And you have no idea how much I want you."
"I know," she said, resting her palms against his stubbled jaw, drawing his mouth back to hers. "And I want you, too." Hell, she wanted them both so badly but nestled in Luke's arms as he carried her from the truck to her bedroom was all the spark she needed. Sending him away didn't even bear think about.
What if Cade had followed him up? No, a quick glance to the door confirmed they were alone. The two beers she'd drunk were partly responsible for her forwardness, but it wasn't just that. She'd been horny the moment they'd appeared on her doorstep. And she’d already decided she was ready to take the next step.
"Don't stop," she murmured.
The kisses resumed with the same urgency, only this time there was little between them but the silk of her bra and their jeans and all it would take would be a few seconds to remedy that problem. As if he was thinking the same thing, Luke's hands drifted down her back and flicked open the catch. A moment later, the bra was history and he stared down at her naked breasts, the fire growing in his eyes. Slowly, he rocked his groin into her, the pressure, the not so subtle hint of what was to come igniting her wolf who panted at the very idea of mating with the larger male.
Luke dipped his head and took one pink nipple into his mouth, sucking it into a hard peak, his tongue hotly swirling around her areola sending electric shocks shooting straight to her pussy where moisture pooled ready to invite him in.
"Luke," she whispered as he released her. "I need you."
"Oh, baby," he murmured, kissing his way from one breast to the other, repeating the action until both her nipples stood proudly erect.
He slid down her body, kissing his way over her taut stomach, pausing to kiss the soft indent of her belly button as his hands fiddled with her zipper before tugging her jeans down. His fingers slid under the waistband of her panties, raking the soft curls below. A second later and the matching silk was gone, too. With a hand on each ankle, he pushed her legs upwards then outwards, resting her heels on the bed, exposing her pussy to his smoldering gaze.
She shuddered as he ran one finger through her curls, then down, over her lips, rising again to find her clit which he rolled between thumb and forefinger until she arched her back. Bending his head to her, he took a long, languid lick that sent fire ricocheting through her spine.
"You taste so good," Luke groaned, his fingers working to part her lips, giving him access to the cream-soaked core he craved.
She writhed against him as he licked relentlessly, every so often nibbling her lips while he worked her clit with his fingers. She couldn't resist cupping her own breasts, teasing her own nipples as her body flooded with arousal.
"Oh baby, keep doing that," Luke murmured. A finger slipped into her wet sex, turning and rubbing against her inner walls, then joined by another. She arched against him as his mouth returned to her lips, blowing and sucking as his fingers drove her wild.
A movement in the doorway caught
her attention and with a shuddering gasp, that Luke clearly took to be a reaction to his naughty fingers given the way he pumped them harder, she realized the shape in the shadows was a man. Cade. As if he knew her eyes were upon him, Cade stepped forward, his hand rubbing his cock through his jeans as he watched them. Biting her lip, she stared at him, wondering how long he'd been there, how much he'd seen already. Her eyes drifted to his cock again, clearly straining against the fabric.
The hand not rubbing himself gripped the door jamb as he watched his friend's head bob between her legs.
Clearly he'd been there for some time...and he was enjoying the view.
For all her fears about letting herself want again, there was something about Cade watching them, knowing how aroused it made him that turned her on. As if her body had a life of its own, she squeezed her nipples and ground her hips against Luke's face as she dropped her head back and moaned her pleasure. She even had the irrational urge to nudge Luke with her toe, or grab his shoulders, and demand more when his tongue and fingers both suddenly disappeared and he stood, rising above her. For a moment she thought he was going to leave, then, as she watched, he unsnapped the buttons of his jeans and slid them down his legs, his boxers following until he stood naked before her. His cock, long and thick, jutted towards her.
He didn't make any move to look over his shoulder; she wasn't even certain he knew Cade watched their foreplay.
"Do you want me?" Luke asked, his voice thick with desire.
She couldn't take her eyes off the large cock pointing at her. He would fill her endlessly. She bit her lip. "Yes."
"I want to claim you," he told her. "If not tonight, then another night. I will claim you."
"I know," she whispered softly, her legs dropping as she held her arms out to receive him. "Fuck me, Luke. Please. Fuck me now. I need you."
Luke knelt at the edge of the bed and pulled her legs around him, until she perched just on the lip of the mattress. The fat tip of his cock butted against her, sliding upwards at first as he coated himself in her slick juices, then his hips pulled back as he positioned himself at the apex of her sex. He held her gaze in his as he rammed himself home in one smooth move, stretching and filling her deliciously.
His fingers gripped her thighs as he held himself still, fully seated within her body. Then he started to move, pumping in and out as she clung to him.
"Oh, Clara. Baby, you're so tight around me." He sucked her nipple, trailed kisses along her breast, her neck, her jaw until he claimed her mouth again. "Say the word," he murmured against her lips. "Say the word and I'll claim you."
Clara wrapped her arms under his, flattened her hands against his back and held him tight, the feel of his body against hers wonderful and new. Over his shoulder, she saw Cade unzip his jeans, take his cock into his hand and fist himself, watching as his friend powered into her.
Shouldn't he be mad that they were having sex? Shouldn't he be mad that his friend's cock was where he wanted his, inside and pumping her frantically. But no, Cade just shafted himself furiously, his hand running along his thick dick as he watched them, his face rapt.
The whole effect of being desired by two men had her writhing against Luke as he tightened his arms around her, tipped her backwards and covered her, never breaking stroke for a moment.
She felt the tickling sensation of her incisors growing longer as her wolf insisted they bite Luke, to claim him as theirs. Only...she couldn't.
Sex, yes. Fantastic sex like what she experienced now with Luke, absolutely, but a full-on mating for life? It was scary and almost incomprehensible that her wolf was so insistent. She thought they’d take their time. Clearly her wolf still had other ideas.
Luke's own teeth grazed her neck and his shoulders flexed under her hands as he fought to control his own mating urge as he pounded her. "Say it," he growled into the curve of her neck.
Closing her legs about his back, she tipped her hips upwards, feeling the cream soaking from her and coating him. When he inserted a hand between them and pressed his thumb against her clit, stroking it with his calloused pad, she succumbed to the inevitable, crying out as her climax ripped through her.
A moment later, and with a roar of triumph, he shot his seed, tightening his arms about her small frame as he ground his groin against hers, thrusting every last drop into her until he fell in a heap, panting, on top of her.
"You have no idea how hard it was not to bite you," he murmured. "It took every last inch of restraint and I swear I don't think I'll have that kind of restraint next time."
Clara, for once, didn't have a thing to say. Instead she just lay panting on the bed. Her head spun. Her heart pounded. Her skin was slick with his sweat and hers and the scent of sex filled the air.
Why she hadn't done this sooner, she had no idea. She felt fantastic.
Rolling her head towards the door, she saw Cade was gone. Strangely, she wished she'd just called him inside.
***
Cade waited a whole five minutes before he went in search of Luke, leaving behind two open beers on the living room table. He could smell their arousal by mid-stairs, his own cock hard by the time he reached her bedroom door.
He'd sensed the growing connection between his best friend and Clara, knew Luke’s intention to mate her, but even with all the clues there, seeing them in a clinch had still been a surprise. What surprised him most was how excited it made him.
It wasn't the first time he'd seen or heard Clara engaged in sex. She and Colton had no problems with outdoor sex from what he remembered so he'd witnessed the act a few times, wanted to stay, wanted to watch his brother make love to her, yet he'd always turned away and given them their privacy.
But now, when Clara looked up and met his eyes, he knew she'd seen him and that she wasn't turning him away. She was giving him permission. She's even watched as he'd released his straining dick, fisting it, and pumping himself as he watched Luke plunge inside, taking her again and again, filling and stretching her sex, making her moan and writhe and pant.
How he'd wanted to step over there, shed his clothes and join Luke in pleasuring their woman but he wouldn't do it without an invitation. Instead he'd settled for seeing her let go. The pride he felt at his friend breaking down her barriers was immense and he gave silent thanks to Luke as he watched Clara undulate under his friend's body.
Though somewhere amongst all the feelings surging through him, there was a relief that she didn't offer to complete the mating bond that Luke asked for. It was selfish of him, he knew, but he couldn't help wanting the bond to tie them together first.
He knew the moment Clara came. Knew the moment she threw back her head, the blonde curls falling like spun gold around her shoulders. His balls tightened, his cock went rigid and he came into his hand moments before Luke filled her with his own seed. Staggering backwards, he nearly collapsed against the wall as the aftershocks of his orgasm made his legs weak. Stumbling away, he washed up in the downstairs bathroom, his mind filled with the memory of her scent, her glorious hair, her gorgeous body being worshipped.
For a long time he sat alone in the living room, sipping the beer, thinking how perfect things would be when he had his own chance to claim her. Now, he was more certain than ever that Clara was his future, his everything. This time he was sure she wouldn’t reject him and even though he was alone in that moment, his heart sang.
Chapter Twelve
"Hey, that you Clara?"
Clara looked up at the sound of her neighbor's voice and pushed back her hat. She probably looked red-faced and dirty after spending the morning hammering in the section of fencing that bordered the road, but Petra wouldn't care. Her neighbor, something of a misnomer seeing as there was miles between them, was always easy going and they looked out for each other. You had to living when you lived miles from anywhere, and anyone, else.
"Hello." Clara waved as she hooked her hammer into her tool belt and walked the few dusty yards to the road where Petra waited, the wind
ow of the truck rolled down. A cool blast of air conditioning seeped out and Clara took a moment to relish it. "Haven't seen you in a while."
"Probably because of those two hunks at your place I'll bet," said Petra, with an approving nod. "Don't deny it. My daughter drove out and mentioned to me that you had two yummy men working on the property. Her words."
"Colton's brother Cade, and his, our, friend Luke." The automatic reply didn't surprise Clara too much. Luke had easily proven his friendship in his light, happy personality. However, she was struggling to think of him as her lover even if they had spent a night entwined in each other's arms, waking to sleepily make love again as the sun rose. The sex had been spectacular, exciting, warm; the perfect antidote to years without. They hadn't talked about it in the days since but it was probably coming and...well, she was thinking that perhaps they could see how it went. Just take it easy, make no promises, and see if something else grew between them. Silly, deluded fool, whispered her inner wolf, unusually active and playful today, he's your mate and you’re half in love with him already. He's not going anywhere.
Yeah, Luke was definitely more than her friend.
"Glad you have company, and while my Melinda and I had hoped there was more gossip to it than that, that's not why I stopped."
"Oh? Something I can help you with."
"Actually, it's more of a problem for you and I hate to tell you this because you're going to be real mad in a moment. Well, I was just driving home from town and I saw a section of your fencing all smashed up. And as I recall you only finished it last week. It's on the north edge of your property."
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