by Leah Brooke
Sensing a warning, Glenna struggled to sound casual. “Good. I get home between six and six thirty. If you want to come over and talk—”
“I’ll pick you up at seven and take you out to dinner.”
He sounded so serious that she couldn’t resist teasing him, hoping to lighten the mood. “Is that your idea of asking me out on a date?”
He made that growly noise that both aroused and alarmed her. “I’m showing up at your house at seven. If you want to stay there, I’ll be happy to bring something over and we can stay in. I think I like that idea better.”
“No!” Glenna started pacing again, soon finding herself in the living room. She didn’t want a repeat of what had happened today, and knew that spending time alone in her home with him would lead to more of the same. “We’ll go out.”
His voice lowered even more, becoming intimate. “Are you scared of me, or yourself?”
Of herself.
“Neither.”
“Liar.”
Damn it.
Dropping onto the sofa, she swung her leg, her stomach fluttering. “Leland, I’m sure you’re used to women who fall all over you, but I’m not interested in being a diversion for you and your friend.”
“It won’t be that way.” The intimacy in his voice deepened. “We’re going to be lovers, baby. I can’t stop thinking about you. Hell. You’re too damned young for me, but I can’t stop wanting you.”
Glenna blinked, surprised at that. “I’m twenty-three. You’re only about thirty, aren’t you?”
“I’m in my damned forties. You’re too damned young and sweet. I’m too mean and grumpy for a woman like you.”
Grinning, Glenna lifted her leg, wondering if she should exchange the pink polish on her toenails to red. “So, I take it our date is off?”
“Not a chance in hell.”
Getting to her feet, she moved from the living room to the small front hallway, making sure the door was locked before making her way back to the kitchen.
“Did you lock up for the night?”
Spinning, she pressed a hand to her heart, half expecting to find him standing in the hall watching her. Shaking her head at her own imagination, she blew out a breath. “Yes, Leland. Contrary to what you might think, my sister and I have been taking care of ourselves for years.”
“I don’t like you living there alone.”
“I don’t know. I think I’m going to like it.” Turning on the light, she went into the small bathroom off the hallway, bending to retrieve the basket of nail polish from under the sink.
Taking the basket to the kitchen, she placed it on the table and started rummaging for the red. “Have you ever lived alone?”
“No.” The abruptness of his tone surprised her.
Hearing voices in the background, Glenna started to ask who they were, but Leland spoke abruptly, barking out orders like a general. He covered the phone, making it impossible to make out his words, but there was no mistaking the authority in his tone. “I have to go. I’ll see you at seven tomorrow.”
He hung up abruptly, leaving her staring at the phone. Suddenly cold, she pushed the basket aside and got up, no longer interested in the polish. With a knot in the pit of her stomach, she turned on the low light above the sink before turning off the overhead one.
The house suddenly seemed too dark. Too quiet.
After going up to her bedroom and laying out her clothing for the next day, she left her room and headed down the hallway to her sister’s. Leaning against the doorway, she reached inside to turn on the light. The familiarity of seeing Fiona’s room exactly as before settled her some.
She could still smell her sister’s perfume in the air, and took a step into the room, and then another, feeling as if she’d come to a turning point in her life.
Running a hand over the bedspread her sister had spent months picking out, Glenna sighed, thinking about Fiona’s strange mood, Leland and Joe.
Restless, she headed back down the stairs again, guided by the low light she’d left on in the kitchen. She heated water for tea, more for something to do than because she wanted it. Waiting for the water to boil, she leaned back against the countertop, threw her head back to ease the tension in her neck, and blew out a breath. “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”
She couldn’t understand how she could feel such a connection with both of them, the kind of affection and trust she’d never felt with another man before.
They made her feel special. Desired.
Sipping her tea, she glanced at the pad of paper on the table again.
She’d promised to call Joe, but she really had no idea what to say to him.
Still, she’d agreed to call, and she’d never be able to get her nerves to settle until she did.
Carrying her tea to the table, she lowered herself to her chair, her knees shaking.
Even though she’d memorized the number, she pulled the pad closer and looked at it as she dialed, still trying to figure out what she could say to him.
He answered abruptly, his voice nearly a growl. “Diablo.”
Jolting at his harsh tone, she set the cup aside. “Did I call at a bad time?”
“Glenna? No, honey. Did you lock up?” He sounded distracted, and she thought she heard voices in the background, one of them unmistakably Leland’s.
Tracing the numbers on the pad of paper, she squinted to see them in the low light. “Of course. Contrary to what Leland thinks, I’m a grown woman.”
“Yes, and he thinks we’re too old for you, but that doesn’t seem to matter. I have a feeling you’re going to teach me the meaning of patience. If I did what I wanted to do to you, it would scare the hell out of you, something I can’t risk. Hell. I’ve got to get off that subject. What time do you leave to go to work in the morning?”
Surprised at the question, Glenna frowned. “Why?”
“You don’t have a car, remember?”
“I called one of the women who works with me. She’s going to pick me up on her way. Have you heard anything about my car?”
“It’ll be ready tomorrow. Do you want me to bring it to your office?”
Blowing out a breath, Glenna got to her feet. “I already talked to Leland about this. I don’t want anyone in the office to know about either one of you. I’m very private, and I don’t like the people I work with knowing my business.”
After a tense pause, Joe sighed. “I get that. Just tell them I’m your mechanic. I’ll call you when I get there, and you can come out to get the keys.”
“How will you get home?”
“Don’t worry about it. I can get a ride from anyone. When you get home, we’ll go out to eat.”
Glenna’s stomach clenched. “Um, Joe, Leland already called and asked me out to dinner.”
“I know, my love. The three of us will go out together.”
Her jaw dropped, her stomach fluttering again at the endearment. “Oh.”
Joe chuckled, a soft, warm sound that vibrated over her skin. “Does that surprise you?”
Leaning against the counter, Glenna wrapped her arms around herself. “Joe, I really think this is a mistake. Going out with two men as friends is one thing, but after what happened earlier—”
“I want more than just friendship with you, Glenna.”
The rush of excitement made her dizzy, and already become highly addictive. “Well, Leland told me basically the same thing, but I don’t want to be the cause of friction in your friendship.”
“I don’t want you to worry about that. We’ve already had a fight over you, but neither one of us is about to back off and let the other have you. We both want you, Glenna.”
Her stomach knotted at the thought of hurting either one of them. “I don’t know how to do this, Joe. I like both of you, and I don’t want any hurt feelings.”
“Just relax and be yourself. That’s all that’s expected of you. Neither one of us wants to hurt you, either. Just be honest with us about how you feel, and we’ll
figure it out. You’re thinking into this too much. Just relax and we’ll see what happens. Okay?”
Blowing out a breath, Glenna straightened, both excited and apprehensive. “Okay. We’ll try it your way.” Sitting back at the table again, she reached for her tea, unsurprised that her hand wasn’t quite steady. “Do you and Leland do this kind of thing often?” She didn’t want to think about another woman being the recipient of their combined lovemaking.
“Go out with women?”
“No.” Setting her cup down again, she traced a finger over the rim. “Do you and Leland go out with the same woman?”
“Never.”
Glenna blinked at his abrupt answer, intrigued at the note of frustration in his voice. “So why me?”
“I have no idea, and it’s frustrating as hell. What did you have for dinner?”
Amused that he changed the subject, she smiled and sat back. “A salad.”
“That’s not a dinner. Tomorrow, we’ll make sure you eat.”
“You sound like Leland. I like salads for dinner, especially when it’s so hot out.”
“Are you still wearing that dress?”
Glenna blinked again at the rapid change of subject. “No. I took a shower and changed.”
“What are you wearing?”
A shiver went through her at his low, intimate tone. Forcing a laugh to disguise it, she got to her feet again, making her way down the hall to the living room. “It sounds like this might turn into an indecent phone call.”
“It could.” His voice lowered even more. “As a matter of fact, it might be safer over the phone than if I was there. Are you dressed for bed?”
Glenna gulped, turning again to head back down the hallway toward the kitchen. “Yes. I didn’t see the point of getting dressed again after my shower, especially since I’m not going out.”
“So, my love, what are you wearing?”
Dropping back into the kitchen chair, she took a sip of tea to ease her dry throat. “Um, a nightgown.”
“Tell me about it. What color is it?”
She looked down at herself, wondering what Joe would think if he saw her in such a boring gown. “Blue.”
“I’ll bet it makes your eyes look bluer. I’ve never met anyone with eyes the color of yours. Tell me what your nightgown looks like.”
She took another sip of tea and shrugged, staring down into her cup. “It’s just a cotton nightgown.”
“Does it feel soft against your skin?”
“Yes.” She’d bought it for its softness.
“That dress you wore today is soft. You like softness against your skin.”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“You’re very feminine. Soft, flowered sundress. Pink toenails. Delicate sandals. Your skin is soft. Hell, you even smell soft. You make the sweetest sounds when you’re touched the right way. You’re a virgin, aren’t you?”
Jumping up, Glenna hit the edge of the table, sending tea sloshing over the rim. “I can’t believe you would even ask that after the way I acted this afternoon.” Her face burned at the thought of her uninhibited response. “I suppose I acted too needy or something, didn’t I?”
He chuckled softly, his voice like silk. “That was the beauty of it. You didn’t act at all. I saw the look on your face when I touched you. I could see the surprise in those beautiful eyes and the shock when Leland made you come. You are a virgin, aren’t you, my love?”
Glenna’s face burned hotter. “That’s a little personal, don’t you think?”
“Under the circumstances, no, but I already know the answer. Now, tell me about that nightgown.”
“I told you. It’s blue cotton.” She imagined wearing something sexy and sheer for him, but doubted she had the sophistication or confidence to pull something like that off.
“How long is it?”
“It reaches my knees.” Her knees still felt the warmth from Leland’s hands as he parted them.
“You’ve got beautiful legs.”
Swallowing heavily, she moved around the kitchen. “Thank you.”
“Will you wear a dress for me tomorrow?”
“Maybe.”
His voice lowered seductively. “I can’t wait to get my mouth on those beautiful breasts again. You make the sexiest sound when I give your nipples the attention they deserve.”
Her nipples beaded and tingled in reaction, sending a hot wave of need to her slit. “Joe! Damn it, you shouldn’t say things like that.”
“Why not? I’m speaking the truth. My cock gets hard every time I think about your breasts, and I’ve spent the last several hours thinking about them.”
Wiping spilled tea with her napkin, she struggled to keep her voice steady. “You and Leland are very blunt. I’ve never met men who just come right out and say what they’re thinking.”
Joe’s sigh held both frustration and confusion. “I usually have a little more finesse, but with you, I feel very primitive, and I find myself saying things before I think them through. Are you going to be able to sleep there alone tonight?”
“I’m fine, Joe. I’m a grown woman.”
“If you’re scared, I want you to call me. If someone else answers, tell them to come find me right away. I’ll pass the word.”
Touched by his concern, she smiled. “That won’t be necessary, but thank you.”
“Don’t dismiss my concern so easily.” The hint of anger in his tone startled her into silence. After a sigh, his voice gentled again. “I’m sorry. I find I’m very protective and possessive of you. For some reason, you seem to bring out all of my baser instincts. Sleep well, honey. Call if you need me. If not, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Biting her lip, she stared down at the phone for several long seconds before slowly getting to her feet to hang it up again on the charger.
If anyone had asked her for advice for the situation she now found herself in, she would have told them to run—not walk—away from it. Nothing good could come of it.
She wished she could walk away, but already knew that ignoring this feeling wasn’t an option. Attraction seemed too mild a word for what she felt for them.
It went beyond want. Their thoughtfulness, gentleness, and concern made her care about them.
The fact that they hadn’t taken her when they had the chance touched her.
Intrigued her.
Earned her trust in a way no man ever had.
They’d tugged at her emotions.
Smiling to herself, she washed her cup, anticipation rushing through her veins as she thought about seeing them the following night.
Lying in the darkness, she moved to the center of the bed, imagining what it would feel like to have one of them on either side of her.
It wasn’t until the early-morning hours that she realized that she’d been so occupied with thoughts of them that she hadn’t even thought about being lonely.
Chapter Four
Leland swung at Joe, infuriated when his pack mate ducked, deftly avoiding his punch. “She’s mine, damn it. I’ll pick her car up and take it to her. You have enough to do here.”
Joe grinned, infuriating him even more. “Not a fucking chance. I’m going to do everything in my power to have her, and nothing you say or do is going to stop me. We’ve already searched the area. We followed his scent, and it looks like he used the ravine to make his escape. It’s a hell of a jump, but it looks like he made it. The others are on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. They don’t need me here. If you’re so concerned, you stay, and I’ll take care of Glenna.”
Leland growled, clenching his hands at his sides. For the first time in his life, jealousy clawed at him. “Over my dead body.”
“Then I guess we’re both going.” Joe frowned, looking out into the distance. “Our parents said that we were the only shape-shifters, but the scent isn’t quite right, is it?”
Accepting the change of subject, Leland shrugged to hide the turmoil inside him. He’d long ago come to terms with what he w
as, but every once in a while, the anger at his situation rose to the surface. “Part human. Part fucking animal. Like us.”
Joe nodded, his jaw clenching. “Yeah.” Glancing at Leland, he frowned. “Do you think there could have been others? What if the Tremaines missed someone? What if there were others that our parents didn’t know about?”
With a sigh, Leland gazed out into the distance, his stomach knotting at the thought of others like them somewhere out there. He’d spent his life being on the alert for any threats to his pack—mostly from men who would want to hunt them if they considered them a danger to them, or from scientists who’d want to lock them up and experiment on them if they learned they were shape-shifters.
The threat of others of their own kind being a danger to them had lingered in the back of his mind for years, but they’d never had proof that any existed. “I hope not, but I’ve always wondered. I’d hoped that the Tremaines got all of us, but I just don’t know. Hell, we don’t even know if there were other packs scattered around the country, but we’ve only ever picked up one scent. Whatever he is, he’s alone.”
“Yeah, but what the hell does he want? Why doesn’t he show his face?” Joe turned to him again, scowling. “That’s what worries me the most. If he was alone and realized that he’s like us, he would have approached us and introduced himself.”
Leland nodded. “That’s what worries me, too. Is he planning to attack at some point? Does he have a pack behind him? Or, is he just some asshole?” He glanced at Joe, narrowing his eyes in warning. “We have to keep Glenna away from here—at least until we know what the hell’s going on with this guy.”
Joe inclined his head, and turned back to stare at the mountains. “Agreed. I wonder if he’s living up there.” Scrubbing a hand over his face, he turned back, meeting Leland’s gaze. “We’ll increase patrols. Whoever it is, he doesn’t try to get close. I hate feeling like someone’s watching us.”
“So do I. I think it’s unnerving all of us.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave Joe his best glare. “Now, about Glenna—I want her.”
Mimicking him, Joe crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow. “So do I.”
