by Leah Brooke
Three hours later, he started to realize just how high the cost would be.
Testing his willpower, he took his time handling the things that needed to be done, growing more tense and restless by the hour.
Gulping down a glass of water, he glanced at the clock, anxious to get back to her. He’d done just about everything he’d come home to do, but he’d made up his mind to wait another hour.
It had become a matter of pride.
Setting the glass aside, he glanced at the clock again. Sixty minutes.
Fifteen minutes to drive back to her house.
In an hour and fifteen minutes, she’d be in his arms again.
The sound of approaching footsteps from outside had him straightening, turning just as Vincent Diablo came through the back door.
Scowling, he shot Leland a dark look. “Looks like you and my brother are so hooked on that woman that you can’t see anything else.”
Leland’s lips twitched. “That’s rich, coming from you. You’re out almost every night with a woman.”
Vincent shrugged, bending to select an apple from the basket on the table. “I don’t get hooked on them. I know better.” Biting into the apple, he gave Leland a long look. “I heard you and Joe are going back to see her tonight.”
Leland inclined his head, used to letting the others know his whereabouts at all times. “We are.”
A muscle worked in Vincent’s jaw. “She must be a hell of a lay to have both of you—”
A red haze formed in Leland’s vision, and the accompanying fury had him reacting without thinking. He swung at his pack mate, and only Vincent’s quick movement, and the fact that Leland pulled his punch at the last second kept him from taking a fist to the face.
“Brave today, aren’t you, little brother?” Joe strolled into the room, glancing at Leland as he opened the cupboard and retrieved a glass. “He provoked you on purpose. He did the same to me a little while ago and got knocked on his ass for his trouble. He’s damned lucky you pulled that punch at the last second, and that he was expecting it, or he’d be lying on the floor right now.” He filled a glass with water and turned to lean back against the counter, eying his brother. “Vincent doesn’t seem to think we should be involved with her.”
“Too fucking bad.” Leland refilled his glass and took a long, healthy sip. “I don’t give a shit what he thinks.”
Vincent threw the remainder of his apple into the garbage can with more force than necessary, making the can rock several times before righting itself. “Damn it! This woman is leading you around by you cock! You’re both—both—actually serious about this woman? You’re the Alphas for God’s sake. How many times have you warned us that we can’t trust anyone except each other? How many times have you lectured us about not allowing a woman to get too close?”
Leland pulled out a chair and dropped into it with a sigh, his anger evaporating at the concern in Vincent’s eyes. “I understand what you’re saying, but this is different. Glenna’s different.” He met Joe’s look of amusement with a grimace. “I won’t bring her here, though, because I don’t want her to accidentally see something she shouldn’t see.”
Sitting back, he regarded Vincent steadily. “My first obligation is to the pack. It always has been. I won’t let anything interfere with that.”
He looked at the clock again, his stomach knotted at the thought of waiting another hour to see Glenna again.
She was a threat to every aspect of his willpower.
Sitting forward, Vincent regarded both of them. “And just how long do you think this can last? How long do you think both of you can share the same woman? How long do you think it’ll be before she discovers what you are?”
Leland glanced at Joe, the memory of how their control had slipped passing between them.
Joe gulped the water and slammed the glass on the counter, startling Leland. His eyes glittered with anger and frustration, a feeling Leland shared. “I’m sick and tired of living this way! I don’t want just sex anymore. I want a fucking woman to share my life with. I want a woman in my bed at night. I want a woman who knows and accepts everything about me.”
Vincent’s smirk ignited Leland’s anger again. “Yeah, I can just imagine how you’d tell her what you are. What kind of woman do you think would tie herself to an animal? How many times have you asked me that question? What would you say to any of us who did what the two of you are doing now?”
Leland, furious that Vincent was right, jumped to his feet just as Graham and Thomas came through the back door. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to! Joe and I have spent our lives protecting all of you.”
Graham and Thomas both paused just inside the door, glancing at each other before coming the rest of the way into the large kitchen. Their brows went up as they glanced at Vincent, but neither man said a word.
Scrubbing a hand over his face, Vincent started pacing. “I know that. We all know that, but I’ll be damned if I can stand by and watch you make a mistake like this. Look what you’re doing. Every one of us respect you and your positions as Alphas, but this woman has you so twisted inside that you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”
Keeping his expression cold, Leland slid his gaze to the right to include Graham and Thomas. “There’s no need to worry about us. We know what we’re doing.”
Graham shook his head and leaned back against the counter, eyeing both Leland and Joe. “Do you really think that we wouldn’t be worried when the two of you both got involved with a woman—the same woman? We’re not supposed to be concerned that because of this woman, you’re going against the rules that you’ve enforced, and that we’ve all lived by our entire lives?”
Leland slammed his hand on the counter. “I know what I’m doing, damn it!”
Joe looked up, his eyes like chips of ice. “She’s different. I couldn’t walk away from her if I had to, but neither one of us would do anything to endanger any of you, and that includes letting her know about us.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Leland gave the others his most intimidating look. “I’m a little offended that you would question our loyalty. Glenna isn’t a threat to any of you and I won’t tolerate any interference in my relationship with her. Is that clear?”
Thomas sighed. “It’s clear, but I’m with Vincent. I’ll be damned if I stand by and do nothing while this woman gets her claws in you. It’s also clear that you’re not thinking properly. She’s a threat to you and we’re just supposed to sit back and watch her do this to you? She’s sleeping with both of you. You don’t think you’re going to end up fighting with each other over her?”
Leland’s temper flared. “It’s none of your fucking business.”
Thomas shook his head. “I disagree. Having the two Alphas at each other’s throats is everyone’s business. A threat to the pack is everyone’s business.”
Folding his arms across his chest, Vincent leaned back against the counter. “You always said that whatever happens to any of us is everyone’s business.”
Graham went to the coffeepot. “She’s clouding your judgment, and I don’t like it.”
Leland saw red. Unfolding his arms, he stepped forward, his hands fisted at his sides. “So you think I can’t handle my responsibilities? You want a crack at taking out the Alphas?”
Joe straightened and rose to his full height, coming to stand beside Leland. “I’d be happy to oblige you.”
Vincent straightened again, striding across the room to stand toe to toe with his brother. “Look at the two of you. Listen to yourselves. Look what this woman’s doing to you! To all of us! Something needs to be done about it.”
Joe grabbed the front of Vincent’s shirt. “Just stay away from her. That scent will go to your head like whiskey. If you touch her, I’ll have to kick your ass.”
Sipping his coffee, Graham frowned. “What the hell are you talking about? I was close to her and I didn’t smell anything.”
Leland gritted his teeth. “Stop playing
stupid. Your nose works as well as mine does. You know damned well how she smells.”
Graham frowned and looked at Thomas. “Do you know what the hell he’s talking about?”
Thomas shrugged. “Not a clue, but these two are obsessed by this woman. She smelled nice, but nothing that went to my head. She’s pretty, that’s for sure, and those curves—”
A growl escaped before Leland could suppress it, drawing curious looks from Graham, Thomas, and Vincent. “Careful.”
Graham sighed, clearly bewildered. “Look, just because you like her perfume—”
“It’s not her damned perfume! Do you really think I could be so taken in if it was just perfume?”
Vincent pounced on that. “So you admit it. You are taken in by her.”
Joe nudged his brother aside to set his glass in the sink. “It’s not her perfume. I don’t know how the hell you could have missed it. She smells like vanilla and honey.”
Graham shrugged. “I didn’t smell anything like that. You’re probably just imagining things, which concerns me even more.”
Leland didn’t understand how only he and Joe had been taken in by her scent, but wasn’t about to take any chances. He glanced at the clock again. “Since you’re so worried about her, we’ll keep her away from all of you.” Glaring at each of them, he fisted his hands at his sides. “But don’t even try to keep us away from her.”
Joe nodded. “I feel the same. She’s special, and I’m not giving her up. None of you have anything to worry about. Leland and I will make sure she doesn’t come anywhere near here.”
Graham gripped Joe’s arm when he would have turned away. “We’re all in this together, remember?” Releasing it, he glanced back and forth between them. “You should. You’ve both said it often enough. You can’t blame us for being concerned about your obsession with this woman, especially since we all know that nothing good can come of this. She’s already causing trouble.”
Another growl escaped before Leland could prevent it. Every time one of them said something about Glenna, his protective instincts kicked it, the fury making his stomach burn. “No, you are. She hasn’t done a damned thing to any of you.”
Graham shook his head. “As long as you know that this has to be only temporary. Don’t go do something stupid—like falling in love with her. You know damned well that it could never work.”
Leland knew Graham was right, and that one day he’d have to give her up—before she learned the truth about him.
He couldn’t bear to see the horror and disgust in her eyes when she found out about the beast inside him.
He couldn’t bear to see her eyes cold with hate when she realized she’d let animals into her bed.
Chapter Nine
Glenna grinned at the sound of Joe and Leland’s truck pulling into her driveway, and with a yelp, raced to the door, threw it open, and rushed out onto the small landing. Her heart pounded furiously as they emerged, her nipples beading tightly as she watched them approach. “Hi. I was beginning to think you’d changed your minds.”
Leland’s eyes glittered with heat as he came closer, his long graceful strides bringing him to her in seconds. He’d worn his hair loose again, giving him a wild, untamed appearance that sent her pulse tripping. “I couldn’t stay away from you if I tried—and I have tried.”
Pressing her hands against his chest, Glenna looked up at him. “Why did you try to stay away?”
Leland’s jaw clenched, his hands tightening on her waist. “Because you’re getting to me.”
Glenna gasped, giggling as he lifted her off of her feet, his stride never slowing as he carried her into the house. “Good. Hungry?”
“Starving.” His lips covered hers, his kiss both possessive and angry. Lifting his head, he stared down at her, his dark eyes hooded. “But not for food.”
He didn’t slow at all, holding her high against his chest as he carried her up the stairs, his eyes dark and gleaming. “Do you like knowing what you do to me?”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled and brushed her lips against his, loving the way his arms tightened around her. “What do I do to you?”
He nipped her bottom lip, the anger and dark hunger in his kiss inflaming her. “You make me want you so fucking badly that I can’t think of anything else.”
Delighting in the intimacy, she slid her hands into his hair, letting the silky strands flow through her fingers. “Good, because that’s what you do to me.”
He tossed her to the center of the bed, already stripping her out of her clothes as he stretched out beside her. “All I can think about is the way you feel. Those hungry sounds you make when you’re aroused.” His eyes narrowed, darkening. “Yeah. Like that.” Tossing her shirt aside, he bent to nibble at her lips. I want you too damned much.”
Lifting his head, he stripped her out of her bra, while Joe settled on the other side of her and began unfastening her jeans. “I made myself wait to come back.” Lowering his head, he tugged at her nipples with his teeth, the combination of pleasure and pain shocking her. “I watched the clock and waited, but I couldn’t wait anymore.”
She cried out at the sharp jolt of lust that went through her, writhing restlessly as Joe rid her of the rest of her clothes. “Leland!” Naked between them, and with the heat of desire in their eyes, she’d never felt more beautiful—never felt as wanted.
Lifting his head again, Leland ran his hand back and forth over her breast, his callused palm creating the most amazing friction against her nipple. “Yes. Say my name.” Brushing his lips against hers, he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “I love hearing my name on your lips. Again.”
“Leland! Oh, God. I love when you touch me.” She probably sounded naïve to him, but she couldn’t seem to contain herself.
Lifting his head, he applied pressure, his eyes narrowed on hers as she cried out again. “Yes. You like that. You like every fucking thing I do to you. Do you have any idea how much that arouses me? Damn, woman, you excite me. Even your scent drives me wild.”
Joe’s hands moved over her, pausing here and there to explore. “She responds to every touch like she was made for this. For us.”
Trembling with arousal, Glenna moaned, her breath hitching when Leland took her hands in his and raised them over her head. The vulnerability of her position momentarily startled her, but her alarm melted under the male appreciation and excitement in their eyes. “You make me crazy, too. Oh, God, I love your hands on me. I love what you do to me.”
Every touch inflamed her, and without hesitation, she lifted to them, desperate for more.
She stared up at both of them as they each took a nipple between their thumbs and forefingers, the sharp pressure sending jolts of electricity to her clit and pussy. “Please!”
Leland growled. “I wanted to play a little to get you aroused before I start working on that ass, but it didn’t take much, did it, baby?”
Squeezing her eyes closed against the glorious pleasure, Glenna threw her head back and arched against their hands. “Oh, God. I ache everywhere.”
Releasing her nipple, Joe ran a hand down her belly. “Everywhere, my love?”
Leland groaned again, tightening his grip on her wrists as he rolled her to her belly. “Get me the fucking lube.”
Glenna’s breath caught, the excitement unbearable. “Oh, God. Leland.” Her pussy and bottom clenched in reaction, the warm tingling at both openings sending her into another world—a world of pleasure that she’d first visited the night before.
“Hold on to her while I get undressed.” The animalistic growl in his voice vibrated over her skin with a decadence that made her shiver.
“Oh, God.”
Joe’s grip on her wrists replaced Leland’s, his lips at her neck while he slid a hand down her back. “My pleasure.” Breathing in deeply, he groaned. “Delicious.”
His hand paused on her bottom, his fingers moving lightly over it. “Do you know what seeing you this way is doing
to me? Naked. Exposed. Vulnerable. Aroused. My wildest fantasy come to life.”
Leland pushed her thighs apart, making a place for himself between them. Reaching above her, he took one of the pillows, and with a strength that never failed to excite her, he lifted her hips and pushed it under them.
With her ass raised in the air, Glenna turned toward Joe, eager to touch him. “Oh, God.” Expecting him to plunge a finger into her, she braced herself, sucking in a breath at the feel of Leland’s warm lips moving over her ass.
Fisting a hand in her hair, Joe leaned close. “So fucking beautiful.”
Glenna’s toes curled as Leland’s hands closed on her hips, holding her steady as she writhed beneath him. “No. Oh, God. Leland, what are you doing?”
He parted her thighs wider, the feel of his tongue running up and down the crack of her ass making her toes curl.
Joe groaned, caressing the outer curve of her breast. “So fucking passionate. Look how she’s lifting that ass up for more.”
Lifting his head slightly, Leland scraped his teeth over her bottom cheek, the erotic threat sending another rush of heat through her. “Yes. Very nice.” Parting her ass cheeks wider, he teased her bottom hole with his hot tongue.
Shivers of shocked delight went through her, every slide of his tongue awakening nerve endings and creating a shocking hunger there.
She wanted more, and moaning at the indescribable pleasure, she lifted into his touch. “Leland. Oh, God. I can’t believe how that feels. I can’t believe you’re d–doing that.”
Releasing her hands, Joe braced himself on his elbow, keeping his hand fisted in her hair, while sliding the other slowly up and down her back. “She’s blushing.” His eyes sparkled with indulgence and desire as he divided his attention between watching her face and what Leland did to her. “There’s no reason to be shy, baby. We’re your lovers. I know this is all new to you, but playing and exploring is part of that.”
Lowering his head, he smiled, a smile part warmth and part evil intent. “And Leland and I are getting a great deal of pleasure out of exploring you.”
