Marking Melody

by R. E. Butler

Tapping the tines of his fork against the empty dessert plate in front of him, Tristan’s thoughts roamed. Micah and Melody were in the kitchen with Uncle Mark, gathering what was needed for dessert.

  “What’s on your mind?” his dad asked.

  “Just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  “Why things are the way they are.”

  “Ah,” his dad said, raising a brow. He smiled in a sad way. “Melody is a sweet girl, Tristan. I’m glad that you and Micah found her and are happy. But the whys of our people aren’t for us to know now. Maybe someday we’ll know why the males are loving and the females are cold. All we can tell for certain is that Melody is different because she was raised away from females. You should celebrate the differences that made your mating possible.”

  “I know, Dad.” Tristan put the fork down and leaned back in the chair. “Do you think you’ll ever find a mate?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Mark has dated a few humans and even a she-wolf, but he never felt connected to any of them. I haven’t dated anyone, though.”

  “You might share a mate with Uncle Mark.” His dad made a face. Tristan laughed. “Or not.”

  Looking thoughtful, his dad said, “If we were to meet the right woman and both feel compelled to share her, then that would be the way things are meant to be for us. But maybe not all lions are meant to share. Daniel Parker is perfectly content with his mate and doesn’t share her.”

  Tristan wasn’t sure if Daniel was the sort of male who would share his mate even if he knew for sure she was meant to belong to another. That was for Daniel and his mate to deal with. All that really mattered to Tristan was that Melody was safe and happy, and she was happiest when she was with both him and his brother.

  Micah carried out a pie plate, and the scent of apples and cinnamon filled the air. Melody held a serving knife and a roll of napkins, and Uncle Mark carried a tray of tall glasses of milk. After the pie was served, the conversation drifted to plans for the Fourth of July which was Sunday. Tristan explained that Tom and Dana had already invited them to their barbecue at the B&B, and their dad and Uncle Mark agreed to join them. After what had happened at the lake, there was no way that they were going to take Melody to see the fireworks display the town put on there.

  Saying goodbye to their dad and Uncle Mark after finishing dessert and chatting awhile longer, they headed back to the B&B, made love to their mate, and went to bed.

  * * * * *

  Tristan spent the morning trying to figure out a way to tell Micah to take a hike so he could have some private time with Melody. He knew he couldn’t outright tell his brother to leave because it would hurt his feelings. But tact just wasn’t in his wheelhouse. He was saved from figuring out how to kindly tell Micah to hit the bricks when Tom came up to them after breakfast and asked if Micah would be willing to help him trim the hedges on the back patio in preparation for the barbecue.

  Before Micah could come up with a reason to refuse, Tristan said quickly, “That’s no problem. I was going to take Melody on a driving tour of town anyway.”

  Micah’s brows rose suspiciously. “You were?”

  “Sure. It’ll be fun.” And it would give him a chance to be alone with her.

  “Alright,” Micah grumbled, kissing Melody goodbye and casting a rue-filled glance over his shoulder as he followed Tom out of the dining room.

  “A driving tour, huh?” Melody asked as she stood and pushed in her chair.

  “Sure. It’s a beautiful summer day. Why not enjoy it?”

  “By driving around in your truck?”

  Grinning at her teasing, he smacked her ass lightly and said, “Get in the truck, woman.”

  She laughed and took his hand as they strode outside where he opened the passenger door for her. After shutting her in, he jogged around to the other side and got in. He started the truck and left as quickly as he could without squealing the tires.

  “In a hurry?” she asked with a chuckle.

  Yes.

  “Nope.”

  King was not a big town by any stretch, but he’d spent all but the last few months of his life living there. He drove by the school he and Micah attended, the fancy restaurant that had once been a bank, the car lot where he bought his first car, and past the tire factory where he and Micah worked after graduation. At a stoplight, he leaned over and kissed her.

  “I have a confession to make,” he said, sighing loudly as he turned down the street where the B&B was.

  “Oh?” She leaned on his shoulder.

  “I was glad when Micah left so that we could be alone, but now we’re back to the B&B, and I didn’t even get to do much besides kiss you.”

  “Aw, that’s cute.” Her voice was filled with amusement.

  “I wasn’t trying to be cute, Melody.”

  “Oh. Sorry. That’s very sexy, then.” Even though her voice lowered in a sexy way, he could tell she was smiling, and he snorted and squeezed her knee.

  “I’m glad it amuses you that I’d like to get you alone.”

  She hummed in her throat and opened the truck door after he parked in the B&B lot. He came around to her side and took her hand. “What’s wrong with wanting to be alone with me? I know we’re in a ménage relationship, but that doesn’t mean we always have to be a threesome. I don’t think Micah would be offended, as long as you’re also willing to let him be alone with me, too.” She tilted her head to the side and chuckled. “Man, that made me sound selfish.”

  Jerking her against him with a soft growl, he said, “It’s not selfish. We’re your mates, and we want to be everything to you.”

  She fit perfectly against him, and his brain almost stalled out when she inhaled and her breasts pushed more closely against him. “Then the same goes for you and Micah, too. I want to be everything to you both, whether we’re all together or just couples.”

  “I want you so badly.” His voice was rough and his hand flexed on her back, drawing her even tighter against his erection. The delicious scent of her arousal pulsed in the air around them. Her hands were like firebrands as they rested on his chest. He could feel the heat of her skin through his shirt, and it scorched him, hotter even than the July sunshine overhead.

  “Then take me to bed, Tristan,” she said, her voice a bare whisper.

  He almost forgot they were outside. It took some effort, but he clutched her hand and marched into the B&B. He could see the patio through the lobby, and it was empty. Dana sat behind the check-in desk, and she looked up from the magazine she was reading. “Micah and Tom went to buy some new planters. They’ll be gone awhile, I suspect.”

  Tristan’s cat pranced with glee. “Thanks, Dana.”

  “Do you want some lunch?” she called as Tristan walked with Melody to the stairs.

  “Maybe later,” he said over his shoulder. Right now, he just wanted dessert.

  If Melody had longer legs, he would have taken the steps three at a time, but even in spite of what he felt was a snail’s pace, they made it to their room and he had her inside and the door locked with the Do Not Disturb placard hanging on the outer handle in record time.

  She jumped into his arms, and his back crashed against the door. Her mouth crushed his, and her tongue slipped between his lips. Her arms and legs wound around him, and he cradled her butt with one arm and slid his hand through her hair, fisting it and pulling her away slightly.

  “Want you,” she panted, squeezing his waist with her legs and pressing the apex of her thighs against the fly of his jeans.

  “I want you, too, baby,” he said, pushing off the door as she kissed him again.

  He walked blindly towards the bed, and when his legs hit the mattress, he spun and sat down so she was in his lap. Their tongues dueled frantically as she tore at his shirt, nicking his back with her nails as she pulled it upwards. Separating only long enough for both their shirts and her bra to hit the floor, he cupped her face with his hands and rubbed his thumbs along her jaw. Her hands glided over his back and s
houlders, and goosebumps rose on his skin as she tickled her nails up his neck and threaded her fingers through his hair. He searched out all the secret places in her mouth, learning every soft and hard place within, as his hands stroked firmly up and down her back. Her body pressed against his with each upward stroke and relaxed on the way down, and he felt as though he might combust just from the friction.

  Tracing his fingers down her neck, he walked them across her shoulders and swirled patterns up and down her arms. Her skin was soft and smooth, and with each inhale, her hard nipples brushed against his chest. Slipping his hands up her back once more, he fisted her hair with both hands and carefully pulled, arching her back with the motion and putting her beautiful breasts on full display for him. She relaxed in his arms, winding her hands around his biceps for support, as he bent and drew one tight nipple in his mouth. She tasted exquisite. His tongue teased the very tip of her nipple as his teeth gently held it captive. He drew it deeply into his mouth, and she shuddered, her moans filling his ears as he released his hold and gazed at the swollen, dark peak. Drawing a line from the top of one breast, down the valley between, and circling the tip of the other, he lavished the untended nipple with licks and kisses and deep, hard pulls.

  He wanted more. To taste her, to feel her come on his tongue, to hear her cry out his name. With a swift twist, he rolled them until he stood and she was stretched out on her back on the bed. Her chest heaved and she curled her hands into the comforter until her knuckles turned white. He ripped the button on her shorts off in his haste, making a mental promise to find the button and get it fixed. Stripping the shorts and panties off, he threw her clothes and sandals to the floor, toed off his shoes and shoved his shorts down his legs.

  For a moment, he paused and looked at her. Sunlight streamed in through the blinds and cast a golden glow over her skin that was flushed with passion. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life, and he was quickly falling in love with her.

  His hands trembled with excitement as he climbed on the bed and kissed her, cupping her face with one hand and delving his tongue into her mouth. She clutched at him, pulling him closer, and he lost himself in the kiss until his erection throbbed and reminded him that he didn’t want to get interrupted before they’d even really gotten started.

  Rolling to his back, he settled his head on a pillow and crooked a finger at her. She sat up and went to her knees with a smile. “I want to taste you, baby,” he said, his voice rough with need.

  He didn’t have to ask her twice. She moved up the bed and kissed him once and then used the headboard for balance as she knelt on either side of his face. He could see her arousal glistening on her pussy. He glanced up at her, and she had folded her arms on the top of the headboard and rested her forehead on them. Their eyes met and held. He stroked his tongue lightly up her pussy, and she let out a soft sound. The sweet taste of her overwhelmed him, and he closed his eyes, cupped her bottom with both hands and buried his tongue inside her.

  She moaned loudly, and her hips flexed against his mouth as he wiggled his tongue as deeply into her as he could. He speared her over and over, her moans of pleasure spurring him on. Her legs began to tremble, and the headboard creaked as she pushed against it, riding his tongue and grinding her sweet pussy on his mouth. Knowing he could hardly take any more himself, he angled her and sucked her clit hard and fast and she exploded, screaming his name as she shook in the throes of passion.

  His hands gripped the soft cheeks of her ass and held her to his mouth as he feasted on her pussy until she said his name with a trembling breath. Her hand fisted in his hair and she moaned, “Tristan, that feels so good.”

  He purred and lapped at her, feeling the loss of her body as she eased herself downward. He kissed his way up her abdomen and she rose up above him, her face glowing with happiness. He was hard and ready for her, and she kissed his forehead and both eyelids, the tip of his nose, and then his mouth as her hand skimmed between them and clutched his cock. Her hot, wet pussy eased down his cock, and his eyes rolled back in his head. Nothing had ever felt as perfect as the way her body gripped him, and the sleek heat of the pleasure he’d given her. With a moaning sigh, she straightened as she settled on him completely until their bodies were as tightly wed as possible. Her hands flattened on his chest as she leaned forward and began to move on him. He put his hands on her thighs and lifted his hips to meet her.

  He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from coming immediately as she rode him, and the pain barely registered through the sheer pleasure that coursed through him. She gripped one of his hands, shifting her body slightly until she was grinding against him.

  “Tristan, Tristan,” she chanted with a whimpering tone, her voice breathy and laced with need.

  Spreading his legs, he bent his knees to give himself leverage and gripped her hip with one hand, drawing her into him and keeping his body pressed tightly to hers as she rubbed herself against him. Her pussy gripped him tightly, squeezing and squeezing until he was sure he would die from the bliss.

  Just as he couldn’t handle one more tight squeeze from her pussy without coming, she cried out his name, and her pussy rippled around him. He came hard, snarling her name and grabbing her hips and pressing her onto his cock as he thrust up hard and fast and spilled inside her.

  He caught her in his arms as she fell forward and cradled her into his chest. Kissing her forehead, he wrapped his arms around her tighter as she lay sprawled over top of him. He wanted to say something profound and perfect, but their hearts were beating fast and their panting breaths filled the air, and he thought that was more perfect than anything his muddle brain could create.

  Chapter 9

  Wyked splashed cold water on his face from the sink in the tiny bathroom of the camper he and Fate shared with their parents. He hadn’t slept for shit since Jilly had blazed into their lives and then stormed out within a matter of hours. Days had passed. Too many days. Saturday loomed ahead of him. The morning sun shone; puffy clouds dotted the blue sky. It was sacrilege to have such a beautiful day when he felt such turmoil inside.

  Fate leaned against the open door, looking as haggard as Wyked felt. Although he could feel Jilly through their blood-sharing connection, he hadn’t been able to find her. He and Fate had driven all over the last few days trying to get a sense of her through their connection, but found nothing. Their uncle believed it was because she was fighting the connection, shutting them out somehow. He didn’t know that was possible. But then again, he’d never met a female mountain lion before.

  “She has to be feeling the same as we are,” Fate said. “She knows where we are, and she’ll come back to us.”

  He pressed his hands against the cold countertop and let his head drop forward. Wyked wanted to believe that, but after what he’d learned about mountain lions from his uncle’s library, he wasn’t sure if Jilly would even understand that they were mates or know how to process what she was feeling in the first place. She’d called him a stranger. And that cut him to the quick.

  “I never should have let her leave,” Wyked admitted.

  “You had no choice. Uncle was right. She was so upset that she was almost violent. Can you imagine what she must have been feeling? Her whole life just suddenly revealed to her as a lie? She needs time to process what she’s feeling. When she’s ready, she’ll come to us.”

  Wyked snorted, lifting his head and looking at his twin. “You sound awfully philosophical there, brother.”

  “I’m trying a new thing,” Fate grinned.

  Wyked turned and faced his brother and nodded. She was their mate. She’d come home to them eventually. For his own sanity, he just hoped it was soon.

  * * * * *

  On Saturday evening, Jilly paced the length of the front room in the home that the lionesses shared. Layla, the leader of the pride, had called the meeting to discuss the trio that Jilly had seen in King at the beginning of the week. She’d been right in being suspicious that the blonde femal
e was a lion and mated to the two Harrison brothers, but at the moment all she felt was a strong desire to get in her car, drive to the campground, and throw herself at the twins.

  Wyked and Fate.

  She rubbed at the back of her neck as the tip of her tongue traced the two little bumps on the inside of her bottom lip. Their marks. They’d scarred over, becoming permanent. Although the scent of them was long gone from her skin, she had dreamed of them non-stop since she’d fled like a lunatic on Monday.

  Each day had brought increasingly intense feelings for the twins. Each night brought more memories. Things from her past she had no recollection of. Her father. Her brother. Uncles and cousins. And most frightening of all, being clawed by the females more than once. She kept pushing the unwanted thoughts away, desperate for relief but finding none.

  “Jillian!” Tanya snarled her name and Jilly almost shouted, Don’t call me that! but kept her mouth shut for long enough to gather her emotions back under control.

  “I’m sorry, what?” she said with as calm a voice as she could muster.

  Layla’s brow was raised, and the other females looked at her in confusion. Layla cleared her throat, “I asked where you cast your vote.”

  Vote?

  Jilly paused long enough that Tanya sighed exaggeratedly and said, “We’re voting on whether we should just kill the stranger or capture her and find out what’s different about her. Which do you think?”

  There was a time, Jilly was certain, that she would have felt as dispassionate about choosing the fate of another lioness as the females in the room with her. But now, with emotions rioting in her mind for the first time in years, she was anything but detached.

  But she knew that letting the females know that she’d been marked and claimed by the twin panthers would land her in a heap of trouble. And judging by how harshly they were planning to deal with the strange lioness, she had no doubt that they would deal even more harshly with her.