by Jane Jamison
“I’m sure you’re right.” After all, she and TJ had stayed in contact with each other by texting and using a specific emoji added to the texts to confirm their identity. TJ said she was all right. The fact that TJ hadn’t texted more details meant only one thing. TJ was having a great time and wasn’t missing her friend much. Not that Julia blamed her. She was having a blast, too.
Maybe too much of a blast.
After the festival, she and her friend would leave Lonesome and return to their boring lives. They’d remember the festival and the men they’d met.
The men I love.
She’d had the thought before, and yet it still surprised her each time it came.
How could she be in love? She hadn’t known these guys for any length of time. And yet, although she’d always believed that love at first sight was a bunch of romantic silliness, she couldn’t shake what she was feeling.
Oh crap. Am I in love?
She studied one man after the next and knew the truth even as she did her best to reject it.
This can’t be happening. But it is. Yeah. I’m in love.
Oh shit. What do I do now?
She definitely needed to talk to TJ. “I’ve been here long enough, guys, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
“Like last night?” Tonk tugged her against him, bending low enough to put his burgeoning crotch against her butt.
Samuel tugged her away Tonk and into his arms. “Or this morning in the kitchen?”
He wasn’t talking about the breakfast of cold bagels. He was talking about the fun they’d had on top of the counter then the table. She grew warm again remembering everything they’d done to her. It felt like an act of bravery to pull out her phone. She eased out of Samuel’s arms even though that was the last thing she wanted to do.
“I’m not saying I’m never coming back.” She kept her attention on her phone as she texted her friend.
“You’d better believe you are.” Tonk half-heartedly tried to take the phone away. “You’re ours, remember?”
She pulled back and sought his eyes. “Are we still saying that?” Surely, what they’d said was only for the game of sex. But he seemed serious. Very serious.
“We remember. Just make sure you remember.” Samuel dragged a hand through his hair. “If we let you go back into town—”
“If?” She wasn’t sure whether to be angry or worried. Were they getting too possessive?
“When,” interjected Myler. “He meant when.”
Samuel waited just long enough to say he’d meant what he’d said. “Yeah. When we take you back into town, we want to make sure you’ll be safe.”
“Safe from what?” She finished texting and put her phone back in her hip pocket. “From little boys who change into coyotes? Or dogs? Or whatever he was?”
“Nah, Jules. From those partiers. From all those guys who get drunk and would take things too far.” Tonk tilted his head as though wondering why she didn’t understand. “We don’t want anyone else coming after you. And we sure as hell don’t want you getting attracted to anyone else.”
“That’s a strange way of putting it.” Jealous much? Yet the idea that they could be jealous gave her a tiny thrill.
Myler nodded, his spikey black hair bouncing a little. “You know what we mean. You’re with us, right?”
A part of her didn’t like feeling possessed. Another part of her loved it. Besides, what could she tell them except the truth? “Yes. I’m with you.”
The men seemed to heave a collective sigh of relief. Why were they so worried? “Look, guys, I’m just going to meet up with TJ and check in. If she’s having as much fun with the Rogen men as you say she is, then I’ll be free and clear to come back here. Besides, I could use a change of clothing.”
“Okay. Fine. We’ll take you into town.” Samuel set his cowboy hat on his head and took hold of Rhinestone’s halter. “But only for a short while. Got it?”
“Got it.” As though she wanted to get away from them for even a minute. If she had her way, she’d stay at the ranch forever.
The thought struck again, but this time it coaxed a smile to her face.
I love them. Oh. My. God.
“But before you leave…” said Myler.
The men surrounded her, their strange scents mixing and rising around her. She’d be lucky if she made it into town at all.
Oh, well. They began pulling her clothes off her. Staying a little while longer can’t hurt.
* * * *
Julia smiled at the young couple sitting at the next table in Lickable Treats Bakery. Their heads were close together as they talked about all they’d seen. From their discussion, it was easy to see that they believed in shifters. Had they seen a boy change, too? Or had they seen even more than that? She itched to ask them, but that would’ve been foolish.
Instead, she turned back to TJ. “Do you really think you saw shifters last night?”
Julia hated sounding as though she didn’t believe TJ. She wanted to tell her friend everything she’d seen, along with everything she now believed. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that her men were shifters. She was both excited and afraid of her certainty. It meant either she was losing her mind or that supernatural creatures like shifters were real. And if they were real? Her entire world would change.
She’d tried to seem apologetic—even though she hadn’t been sorry she’d stayed at the ranch longer—when she’d finally made it back to Miss Kitty’s. Yet she’d failed miserably. Instead of an explanation, she’d simply said she’d gotten back as soon as she could. After all, that was the truth whether TJ liked it or not. Julia was in too great a mood to let anything spoil it. If TJ had wanted to give her hell for not responding to her last text, it would’ve been worth it.
Samuel, Myler, and Tonk. Did I get lucky or what?
How many women can say they found not one but three amazing men? And how many of those can say they fell in love so fast?
Then again, what woman wouldn’t fall in love with them? Not only were they delectable hunks of masculinity, she could sense that they had good hearts. They were both good guys and bad boys all rolled up into three men.
She bit her lower lip, her mind envisioning their hard bodies over her as they’d put her on her back in the hay. Myler had eased behind her, pushing his massive chest against her back as his hand explored her butt cheeks then delved fingers into her dark hole. Tonk had crawled between her legs, lapping up her juices with satisfying sounds. Samuel had treasured her nipples before giving her his cock. Heat flared between her legs.
Watch it. Don’t get all hot and bothered here. No, not here.
She drew in a ragged breath and forced the memory away.
“I told you. Maybe they could’ve faked the people changing into coyote thing, but Maitland was too damn close to me not to be real. Damn it, Julia, I could’ve reached out and touched him.”
Julia jerked her attention back to her friend. “Right. You could’ve touched him providing he didn’t bite your hand off first.”
TJ scowled, no doubt thinking Julia was trying to razz her. Then her friend’s expression changed and became more penetrating. Did she suspect Julia knew the truth? Did her friend know that shifters really did exist? Julia looked down. If TJ saw the truth in her eyes and called her on it, she wouldn’t be able to deny it. She had to play it safe. After all, she didn’t know for certain that her men were shifters.
Oh, but they are. Down deep, you know they are. Damn, how exciting is that?
She swallowed back the urge to tell her friend. As much as she hated to act as though she didn’t believe TJ, she had no choice. If she let on that she did believe, she might go too far and tell TJ more than she could. At least more than she could right then. “And you don’t think it was a trick? Or maybe that you’d had too much to drink?”
Her stomach tightened. She’d never kept anything from her friend, but to tell her too soon, before she was sure, wouldn’t be fair
. Would it?
TJ took a sip of her orange juice, a frown creasing her forehead. “I was buzzed, sure, but I wasn’t anywhere near drunk enough to imagine a lion crouching in front of me.”
Julia pulled her third donut apart and popped the larger portion into her mouth. Normally, she didn’t like eating a lot while in public since there was always someone judging a chubby person no matter how much or what they ate, but she was ravenous. Besides, as far as the Conway men were concerned, she had a perfect body. Who cared what anyone else thought?
That’s what amazing sex will do to you.
She squashed a giggle with another bite. At TJ’s raised eyebrows, she added, “Nah, I can’t see you getting that drunk, either. Besides, you’d pass out long before you started imagining seeing big cats.” She held up the other portion of her donut. “Which means that you really did see Maitland turn into a lion. Meaning, of course, that he is a werelion.”
She couldn’t deny her friend the truth. At least, as it pertained to other people. She couldn’t also stifle the tremble that rushed through her.
Why did they have to be cats? Why not werewolves? Damn it.
But werecats were different, weren’t they? They were people, too, not just wild animals like the cat that had attacked her brother.
She paused, a bite of donut in her mouth. What if my men are werecats, too?
She shook off the idea. No. They have to werewolves. They just have to be.
Her friend’s face brightened. “That means that his brothers are probably werelions, too.” TJ paused, a donut halfway to her mouth. “Shit, Julia. I’m sorry. But werelions are different than ordinary animals, right?”
“Yeah. That’s what I was just thinking.”
“Really? Did you guys see a real shifter?” Two young men sat at the table on the other side of them, their long hair pulled into man-buns. They leaned closer, eager.
TJ shot her an “oh shit” look. “Um, no. Not really. We’re just joking around. Don’t pay any attention to us.”
“Yeah,” added Julia before pushing another piece of donut into her mouth. “We all know shifters don’t exist. Right, TJ?”
Even if she admitted to TJ that she thought her men were shifters, she knew enough not to tell the world. The town had done a great job keeping their secret, especially while capitalizing on the so-called “myth” that shifters were real.
Julia took another sip of her juice. The two men grumbled when they didn’t get any further information. She smothered a smile and turned her attention to the window.
At once, her heart skipped a beat.
The gorgeous blond man was standing right outside and staring at her. Slowly, purposefully, he lifted his hand and smiled. Then, with just as much purpose, he pointed at her then at himself.
She shook her head, unsure what he was saying. Did he want her to come outside? Was he coming inside?
Julia let out a startled yelp when TJ leaned over the table and grabbed her hand. By the time she’d looked back to the window, the man was gone.
Shit. I’ve missed him. Again.
TJ’s tone was intense. “What’s going on? Is there something you want to tell me about your guys?”
Julia hesitated, trying to think. The truth welled in her throat, and for a moment, she desperately wanted to tell TJ everything she believed. She hated like hell to keep TJ at arm’s length, but she had no choice. “Me? About them? Nope. But that reminds me, they’re going to be picking me up soon.” She stood up, scraping the chair against the floor. “I need to get going. Frog emoji?”
Surprised, TJ nodded. “Yeah. Frog emoji. But I’ll see you later, right?”
“Right. Later.” Or not. Leaving the Conway men had been hard enough the first time. She wasn’t sure she could do it again. It was a shitty thing to do to her friend, but if her men wanted her, she wasn’t about to turn them down. Not even for TJ.
Wow. I really am in love.
Halfway to the door, she couldn’t resist the urge to turn back. “Hey, TJ?”
“Yeah?”
“Do your best not to get bitten, okay? At least, not before you’re sure you’re ready.”
“What do you mean?” asked TJ.
But Julia couldn’t take the chance of answering. Hell, she wasn’t even sure why she’d said it. Instead, she ignored her friend’s question and bolted outside.
She shouldn’t have, but she couldn’t help it. Once outside, she scanned the street and tried to see through the swelling crowd.
Where is he?
But she still couldn’t find him.
What the hell is wrong with me? I have three amazing guys, but I’m searching for a fourth? Stupid. Just plain stupid. Why risk losing the Conway men for some unknown guy?
And yet, she scanned the crowd one last time.
* * * *
Julia pushed through the crowd. She couldn’t have imagined how, but the crowd seemed to have grown since she’d been in town. Still, she was determined to make it to Miss Kitty’s before her men showed up.
Oh crap!
She slammed to a stop.
I forgot to tell TJ that I’m going back to the ranch.
Or had she not mentioned it because she’d been trying to not talk about her men too much? If she’d talked too much, she might’ve said too much. Instead, she pulled out her cell phone and sent TJ a text. Attached with the correct emoji, of course.
Sorry. Meant to tell u. Staying at ranch. K? W&W l8tr?
She kept moving, knowing TJ would answer soon enough. Sure enough, she did.
K.
But the response was followed with a frowning smiley face.
Shit.
Was she being a lousy friend? She put her head down so as not to get distracted by the sights around her and hurried on, certain that TJ would understand. Especially once TJ got to know the men. She was halfway up the steps of Miss Kitty’s when a deep voice brought her up short.
“Tell me her name, Miss Kitty. I have to know.”
Julia jerked her head up to find Miss Kitty sitting in an old weather-beaten rocking chair. Clayton, the cat, was curled in her lap. The handsome man with startling hazel eyes and longish blond hair pushed away from the porch post. He was tall and strong like the men she loved and around the same thirtyish age. Her heart skipped a beat before taking a moment to settle down into a regular rhythm.
He startled me, is all. I didn’t expect to see him.
Then again, hadn’t she been looking for him? Hadn’t a part of her half hoped she’d run into him? Or, better yet, that he’d find her?
His dark blond stubble and rugged good looks had nothing to do with the warmth between her legs.
Right. And the sun doesn’t set in the west.
“This is Miss Julia Roberts.” Miss Kitty stroked Clayton, who didn’t bother opening his eyes to acknowledge Julia’s presence. Which was, as far as Julia was concerned, a good thing. “No relation.”
The man took a couple of steps down before reaching his hand out to Julia. “Of course not. You’re much prettier than the movie star.”
She took his hand without hesitation, almost as though she had no other choice. “Thanks. But I know flattery when I hear it.”
He tilted his head toward the swing at the end of the porch. “No flattery. It’s an out-and-out fact.” He squeezed her hand just enough for her to notice—and to like it. A lot. Too much, in fact.
What would the Conway men think? If she was bothered by it, surely they’d be bothered, too. At least, she hoped they’d be bothered.
“Come and sit with us.” He kept hold of her hand but twisted around to get Miss Kitty’s encouragement. “She should sit with us, right, Miss Kitty?”
“She sure should.” Miss Kitty smiled and motioned toward the swing. “I know you’re in a hurry to get back to those men of yours, but you can spare a few minutes. Sit down, girl.”
The “sit down, girl” didn’t sound like an invitation. As much as Julia wanted to refuse, she figured sh
e’d better not make Miss Kitty unhappy. “Okay. For a little while, I guess.”
“And TJ? How’s she doing?” asked Miss Kitty. At last, Clayton opened one eye and stared at Julia. “She’s having her fun, too, I’ll bet. Those Rogen boys took one look at her and that was it. As we say around these parts, those four are a done deal.”
Julia settled onto the swing, sitting as close to the arm as possible. “Then they have good taste. Seriously, though, I can only stay a few minutes.”
“A lifetime wouldn’t be long enough. The name’s John Abraham Evans.” He sat next to her, leaving little room between them. “You can call me John.”
“Don’t bother, though,” interjected Miss Kitty. “Everyone around here calls him John Abraham. It’s a big name for a big man. And watch it. He has a sweet tongue on him.”
He waved Miss Kitty’s comment away. “I do? Maybe, but you know I don’t lie.”
“That’s true enough,” admitted Miss Kitty. “He says what he means, even if it’s in a fancy way.”
Julia felt her body getting even warmer. But why? Her heart belonged to the Conway men. “It’s nice to meet you.” She shouldn’t have cared to meet him at all, but she was very happy to do so. At last, she’d finally found the mysterious man. And now that she was close to him? He sent a tingle through her. He had a quality that reminded her of the men. But what was it? More than the fact that he was good-looking.
She drew in a breath, slowly, cautiously.
That’s it. His breath has a similar scent.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
She blinked, thrown. “Do I like what?”
He leaned closer, his palm stroking her arm. “Do you like how my breath smells?”
“Now, John Abraham Evans, you’d better watch what you’re doing. This one might already be spoken for. In fact, I’m pretty damn sure she is.”
I am. Oh, I definitely am.
Yet she didn’t say the words out loud. Why not?
“Are you, Julia? Are you already spoken for? Please say it isn’t so.”
Damn, but she loved to watch his mouth move. His lips were so sensual, provocative. She tried to think and found it wasn’t an easy thing to do. “Yes.” Realizing what she was claiming, she hurried added, “Um, I think so.”
