Latent Desires (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Rebecca Airies

  She groaned. Her hips tilted. She pressed back into his strokes. The pressure within him built until he thought he’d go crazy.

  She had to come soon. He wouldn’t take his pleasure until she found hers. He slipped his hand down to her pussy and pressed between the lips. His fingers grazed over her clit.

  Her body stiffened, and she screamed. She trembled as her orgasm washed over her. He thrust harder, giving in to the savage need within him. He closed his teeth over her shoulder, but didn’t break the skin.

  His hips lunged forward. He tightened his grip. The desire exploded, sending electric tingles radiating through him. Light flashed in front of his eyes as he came. Shudders ripped over his body. He closed his eyes. The force of the pleasure slammed through his body.

  After his heart stopped thumping against his chest, Tony released his bite on her shoulder. He dropped a kiss on her neck. For a few moments, he lingered close to her.

  He wouldn’t pull away from her without a few extra moments of contact. The need to reinforce the intimacy between them spread through him. He wanted to kiss and touch her again until they both went wild. The woman didn’t know what she meant to them yet, but she would recognize it soon. He’d show her. Actions meant more than words.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chloe sat at a table in Tony’s bar. Dixie, Shonna, and Leslie sat with her and Tony stood nearby. She leaned back against the comfortable deep red cushion. The beat of the music thrummed through her.

  She tapped her foot to the rhythm. At the moment, the only thing that would give her a little more joy was being out there on the dance floor. Even though she knew she’d probably sit for most of the night, she’d worn her gold shirt and jeans.

  She’d hoped that maybe she could get out on the floor. The thought that it might not happen might bother her later. At the moment, she felt relaxed and happy surrounded by her friends.

  Tony, on the other hand, wasn’t comfortable. Gorgeous as always, though, in a white shirt and black dress pants. He’d made it clear that he’d be happier if Jason or Logan were here to help guard her. He hadn’t let her out of his sight. He conducted any club business within reach of her.

  She enjoyed the moment, knowing that it almost hadn’t happened. They’d decided that it should be safe enough here if she stayed with people. She’d promised not to use the public restrooms. There would be less chance of someone attacking her if she was out in the open most of the time.

  She could feel the beat pulsing through her body. With the loud sound, she sometimes had trouble hearing anything under a shout. Normally. Today, it wasn’t the case.

  She maintained a conversation with her friends without trouble. Tonight, the other layers of sound posed no problem. They spoke in normal voices and she could hear them clearly. She thought it might be part of the change to a whyrbear, but wasn’t sure.

  “I’m glad that you convinced them to let you come out of the office tonight.” Shonna pulled her drink closer. Her bright pink off the shoulder shirt emphasized her slender arms and the toned strength lying just beneath the skin.

  “Well, it was a close thing. Jase and Logan were uncertain about it after they received notice of that meeting. They didn’t want me out in public unless they could provide an escort.” Chloe shrugged. She’d had to make a few promises to get them to agree to it.

  “They made you promise them to stay with us, didn’t they?” Dixie leaned forward and grinned. She looked bright and cheerful in a pale blue-and-green top.

  “Yeah, and to keep Tony within sight and yelling distance.” Chloe shook her head. She did understand their actions, but it didn’t mean that she liked it. “That last part isn’t easy within a club.”

  “Yeah, well, I think Tony is taking care of that part. He’s been staying close. He’ll come back and sit with us in a few minutes.” Leslie glanced over to where Tony stood. Her flare for the dramatic was on display with the rich burgundy shirt and black skirt.

  Chloe followed her gaze. He was running through something with one of his floor managers. He had sat there with them for a while. It had stunted the conversation a little.

  “Tell me what’s been happening around town. Logan and Jase have been kind of tense, but I can’t get anything out of them. I think it’s because they don’t want to worry me after the fox woman attacked me.” Chloe rolled her eyes. Since she was becoming a bear, she doubted this would be the last time she encountered attacks aimed at shapeshifters.

  “There was another poisoning. This time at a local fast-food place. Five adults and one teenager were dosed. That has every group in an uproar. It could have touched young children.” Shonna leaned back against the cushion and scowled. “Fucking cowards.”

  “Damn.” Chloe let a slow breath.

  She’d heard about incidents where people had been killed because they’d messed with shapeshifter children. She didn’t know how true that was. When she thought about the protectiveness she’d seen toward a mate, she could envision a more intense response for a child.

  “Yeah, if I were behind these attacks, I’d start heading across country right about now. When they find him or them, it won’t be pretty.” Dixie shook her head.

  “Speaking of attacks, can you explain to me why the woman attacked me? Tony, Logan, and Jase told me they were ‘fucking foxes’ and foxes make trouble.” Chloe looked around at her three friends.

  “That’s basically it. Foxes are vindictive bastards.” Shonna shrugged one shoulder. “And their logic makes no sense a lot of the time.”

  “This is about me putting that man in jail?” Chloe tilted her head. It hadn’t seemed that way from the comments of the woman who’d attacked her.

  “Yeah, why does that surprise you?” Leslie leaned over and put a hand on her arm.

  “Some things the woman said when she attacked me. She said she’d disfigure me to the point my family wouldn’t recognize me. She also said I wouldn’t be having any bear babies and expanding their numbers. I thought it might have something to do with the bears in general.” Chloe bit her lip.

  “Who knows if there’s something more behind the whole thing, but the woman who attacked you was the sister of the man you put in jail.” Shonna shook her head. “That attack had something to do with her brother. Foxes hold grudges. She came after you because her brother has lost everything.”

  “But I defended myself. I didn’t provoke him.” Chloe couldn’t understand what had brought the attacks.

  The woman’s brother was kept in jail, but other charges held him there. The sheriff had linked him to other crimes in and out of town. Apparently, he’d done enough crimes to be held without bail.

  “Yeah, foxes, Chloe. This is why they said foxes make trouble. They don’t need justification or truth. Foxes go off.” Leslie waved her hand before picking up her drink and taking a large gulp.

  “That might be a bit of generalization, because I have met a few rational foxes. A good number of them could use some impulse and anger management counselling.” Dixie cupped her hands around her glass.

  “All right. I don’t understand it, but neither does anyone else.” Chloe sighed. “How’s work, Shonna?”

  “I understand now why the last manager was tense a good portion of the time.” Shonna scowled. “I hadn’t realized how much trouble a few people could cause.”

  “Yeah, and you always made fun of me when I said people were stupid.” Leslie shook her head. “There’s always an excuse.”

  Leslie worked as one of the managers at a store. She always had some story about last-minute call-ins or meetings that went way long because someone couldn’t seem to listen. She enjoyed her job, but sometimes dealing with the people frustrated her.

  “Yeah, well, it was funny then. It’s not when I have to deal with someone who can’t follow simple instructions written in plain English and posted in front of them.” Shonna sighed.

  Chloe held back a snicker. She glanced from her friends to Tony, who strode their way.

/>   “How’s your latest relationship, Les?” Chloe turned to once again face her friends. Les had a rule about dating. She dated someone for six months at the most. At first, that had surprised Chloe since Les was a whyr. They usually had that whole searching for a mate thing.

  “Not latest. I haven’t stopped dating Stan.” Les shrugged.

  “Whoa, coming up on nine months with him.” Shonna stared, and her mouth dropped open a little.

  Les sighed. “Yeah, don’t get excited. We’re not mates or anything. I haven’t gotten tired of him. He’s been out on trips. We haven’t been together more than eight to ten times. The dates are wonderful, but I’m not sure there’s real chemistry there.”

  Chloe wasn’t sure if Leslie considered that a good thing or bad. Her friend frowned, and her brows drew together. From the expression on her face, she was confused. Chloe understood how that felt.

  “Think we could convince Tony to dance with us?” Chloe stared toward the dance floor.

  It wasn’t packed, but a few groups stepped to the beat. She would like to dance, but he’d probably say no. He’d consider it dangerous.

  “Girl, if you ask in the right way, you could get him to do anything.” Dixie smiled. Bright white teeth showed as her lips spread wide.

  “Yeah, mates are usually agreeable with the right persuasion.” Shonna nodded and slid a glance toward Tony.

  “I’m talking about a dance here. What are you talking about? Let’s save the big persuasive guns for something important.” Chloe looked from one of them to the other.

  “A kiss and a hug should do it, along with the reminder that we’ll be right there with you. Someone would have to go through him to get to you.” Dixie lifted her shoulder in a small shrug. “It does depend on if he thinks there’s actual danger to you tonight. If he did, I’m pretty sure he would have hauled you back to his office.”

  A kiss, a hug, and a stroke to his ego. Not a bad plan in any situation. She hoped it worked. She wanted to get out of this corner. Her skin itched with the need to move. There had been a few times tonight when her skin tingled and felt stretched so tight over her body that she feared it would split open.

  “He’s coming. Ask him,” Leslie prompted.

  Chloe scooted to the edge of the booth’s seat and waited for him. When he stopped beside the table, she stood. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned back to peer up at him.

  “Hi, Tony.” She smiled up at him.

  “Hi, Chloe. Damn, you feel good against me.” Tony hugged her. His hands slid low on her back, stopping at the rise of her ass.

  “I want to dance. Come out onto the floor with me. Dixie and the others will be right there with us.” She stared up at him and hoped he wouldn’t say no.

  His eyes narrowed. He seemed to be thinking. She brought one hand up to his chest and smoothed it up his shirt, playing with the top button.

  “You’ll be right there with me, protecting me with this big tough body.” She popped the button free.

  He laughed. “No need to lay it on thick, baby. We’ll go out there and dance. When we get back, we’ll order more drinks.”

  She grinned. “Well, you are big and tough, but perhaps saying it that way was a bit of overkill.”

  “Definitely a giveaway that you’re after something.” He drew his finger over the edge of her black jeans, dipping inside.

  “Um, well, I’ll work on it.” She tugged on his shirt and reached around to grab his hand. “Let’s go.”

  “Are the others ready to dance, or will they follow because they’re great friends?” Tony laced his fingers with hers, but didn’t take a step toward the dance floor.

  “They are great friends, but they want to dance.” Chloe turned her head and glanced back to where her friends sat in the booth.

  “Is that right?” Tony asked.

  “Well…” Dixie drawled.

  “Um…” Leslie pursed her lips.

  Shonna tilted her head before a grin curved her lips. “Hell, yeah. We don’t come to a club to sit and drink. We dance, talk, and find a few interesting guys. Of course, for Chloe, that part is now out.”

  “Without a doubt.” Tony hauled Chloe closer.

  Chloe laughed. “I have enough interesting men to deal with. I’m not looking for any other person to make life a lot more complicated.”

  “More complicated? You don’t think it would be a lot more difficult?” Tony focused his attention on her and his eyebrows raised in expectation.

  “Tony, I have three men in my life. Adding another would drive me crazy.” She shook her head. Why would she ask for trouble?

  “And it will always be only three men, baby. We’ve claimed our mate. Any other man can walk away or be carried away. Now, let’s go dance, before another one of my employees decides they need to talk to me.” Tony tugged on her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

  A new upbeat song began to thrum through the club. Dixie, Leslie, and Shonna followed them. When Tony stopped, Dixie, Leslie, and Shonna began dancing. Tony wrapped his arms around her and tugged her close until his body plastered against hers. After a moment, he released her.

  “I want to hold you against me.” Tony’s lips brushed against her ear.

  She laughed. “You could have waited for a slow song.”

  “No, baby, who knows when we’ll get the chance again on a night like tonight.” Tony released her and began to dance.

  She danced with him. The beat pulsed through her, and she enjoyed the moment. She hooked her arms around him and brushed her body up against his. He spun her around until she faced away from him. His hand flattened on her stomach and pulled her back.

  His hips thrust against her ass. Chloe hummed. She’d love it if everyone else disappeared and they could strip off all their clothes. She rocked back into him. She felt the ridge press against her. A groan ripped from him when she rubbed her ass back and forth.

  They glided together. The simmering desire began to rise, building into demanding need. Her breath caught. His hands slid a little lower on her belly. She put her palm over his.

  “You two do remember you are in public?” Dixie bopped up into clear view.

  Chloe jumped and pulled away. Heat flooded her cheeks. It had nothing to with exercise or arousal. The desire wasn’t quite doused, but it faded a little. Tony’s arm fell.

  Chloe turned to face him and found him glaring at Dixie. He might be annoyed, but Chloe was thankful. She’d begun to lose all focus on where they were. Hell, after a certain point, she wouldn’t care who interrupted them. If Dixie had been a few moments later, Chloe might have pushed Tony’s hand down between her thighs.

  “Yeah, we remember,” Tony growled. His eyes swept over Chloe’s body, and the heat curled her toes. He made no move to pull her back into his arms though.

  Chapter Twenty

  Chloe had a hard time not easing right back up to him and beginning the torment all over again. She kept a few steps between them. When the music transitioned into another song, Tony grabbed her hand. He pulled her off the dance floor.

  Chloe glanced back over her shoulder and saw Dixie, Shonna, and Leslie following. She wouldn’t blame them if they’d stayed on the dance floor. This wasn’t a normal night out.

  When they approached the table, Chloe saw something propped up next to one of the glasses. Tony looked around, watching anyone who came close to them. She tugged on Tony’s arm to get his attention and pointed it out to him.

  She saw him scowl. He pushed her behind him, but he didn’t let go of her hand. His grip tightened. Tension tautened the muscles of his shoulders and arms. He picked up the paper by a corner and turned it around.

  Chloe peeked around his shoulder. She read the note before he dropped it back to the table.

  You’re not safe here. They can’t protect you. We will get you. Next time, we’ll gut you.

  Chloe felt a little dizzy as the threat hit her. Why? When would they stop? How many foxes wanted to hurt her? She put h
er hand on Tony’s back and leaned into him.

  “I’m taking you to the office. Dixie, I need two of you to stand here and make sure no one touches the note. The other I want with Chloe. She can’t be alone right now.” Tony turned and wrapped his arms around Chloe, pulling her into a tight hug. “I have to make arrangements for one of my other managers to come in.”

  “I’ll go with you and Chloe.” Dixie stepped up beside Tony.

  “And Les and I will wait on the police.” Shonna waited to the side of the booth.

  Chloe leaned into Tony, hoping that he felt a little comforted by it. The pressure and strength of his body helped her.

  Tony guided her through the crowd to the employee’s entrance to the back of the building. She lifted her foot to climb the stairs, but didn’t feel the tread. She trudged forward. Her mind whirled with a thousand thoughts.

  “I’ll start calling now. Police first, then my managers.” Tony pulled his phone out of his pocket. He walked to the other side of the room and started making calls.

  “Don’t worry, Chloe.” Dixie put her hand on Chloe’s shoulder.

  “I’m not worried. I’m fucking pissed.” Chloe folded her arms across her chest. “What will it take for them to stop? Is this one of those we’ll hunt you to the last of our line things?”

  Dixie snorted. “Where did you get that? The last of their line?”

  “An old story about the whyr.” Chloe did not appreciate Dixie’s humor. Her foot tapped while she waited for her friend to stop grinning at her. “A whyr was killed in an accident. One of those stupid, testosterone-filled dare accidents. The whyr’s family didn’t accept it and came after the other two people involved. Although one of the people they blamed was killed as well as two of their own, they kept coming. They didn’t stop.”

  “Yeah, a scary story, huh?” Dixie shook her head. “They won’t come after you to the last of their line. No one can tell you when crazy will stop being crazy. I’d guess this is a few members of the family.”