by Evans, Bryce
Everyone was watching for Jonas to say something. They could tell he was thinking but Jonas was a smart man and he would think this through before he spoke. “I’m scared that you will take too much of her blood and won’t be able to stop,” Jonas said as Reece’s eyebrows flew up.
“I wouldn’t take too much… Damn, Jonas, why would you say that? Have you ever heard of me doing something like that? Hell no, because I wouldn’t do that,” Reece bristled out.
“Whoa, guys. Stop this. The freaking ‘what ifs’ are going to drive you crazy and you know there is only one way to find out,” Ash suggested as she got up.
“Now I’m not suggesting that you go upstairs and attack your mate but she needs to know you two are together in this. She is a fighter and she is going to fight this. I know you asked her out tonight, Jonas. Maybe you need to date for a while. Listen, she is human and doesn’t understand our ways. She isn’t the type of mate who is going to fall into your bed. She has to be shown romance and you have to show her she can trust you. Especially with you, Reece. I’m sorry, Uncle, but she doesn’t trust vampires and can you blame the girl? She has been running for over a year. It is time to let the woman breathe and live life for once. So both of you get your head out of your ass and help each other, because if one of you fails, both of you will fail.
“Reece needs to be there too for the date tonight, so you can start getting her used to the both of you. Reece, if you think you are going to hurt her then Jonas will do what he has to do to stop you. I don’t think that will be a problem.” Ash looked back and forth at Jonas and Reece. “Deal? I mean that is the only way to get this relationship started. How does that sound to you two?”
Everyone stared at Jonas and Reece, waiting to see if these powerful leaders were going to agree.
Jonas looked down, thinking about it, then stuck his hand out to Reece. When Reece shook his hand, Jonas gripped it harder and got close to his face. “I won’t hesitate to hurt you if you attack my mate, whether she is yours too or not. Clear!”
Reece squeezed the Alpha’s hand back and narrowed his eyes at the wolf. “Clear, wolf.”
Chapter Nine
River walked into her room closing the door then locking it behind her. She leaned against the door closing her eyes as she inhaled deep breaths. What have I gotten myself into? Again! River opened her eyes and all her stuff was in the room. She knew she didn’t bring it up from her car. She walked slowly to the closet where everything, including the boxes, were piled up. “What the hell is going on?” River picked up all the boxes looking at all of her stuff. She knew she needed to get everything loaded back into the car because she couldn’t stay here. The men were already fighting about her and they were supposed to be friends. She caused this and she knew that all of this was just too good to be.
Suddenly, she started to panic as the past came crawling back to her. She tried to push it away, but she knew he would find her and hurt them. “Panic later,” she said as she grabbed her pocketbook then went out her door. She decided to go down the stairs instead of the elevator. She needed to find her car and get it packed without anyone seeing her. These men were special and wasting their time on her wasn’t going to happen. She knew how this worked. They would have some good times getting their jollies and then a beautiful wolf and vampire would come into their life then old River would be pushed to the side. She knew the routine. She would never fit in with a bunch of shifters. Jonas and Reece were men who grew up with families and never went hungry. Their families wouldn’t want them to mate with someone like her. Nope. This just won’t work. They would be grateful in time that she left. She would make it easy on them by disappearing. Damn, I’m so sick of feeling like this. Why can’t I get it together?
River walked out the back door hurrying as she looked for her car. She turned around in circles. This couldn’t be happening. Her car was gone. Who would want that car? I bet they towed it thinking it broke down. She could feel the tears as they dripped down her face. Now she had to pay a tow bill. First she had to find who towed it and that would bring attention to her. “What next?” she whispered as she looked up toward the sky then walked back into the Lodge.
*****
Jonas and Reece knocked on River’s door. Reece listened then looked at Jonas. “She’s not in there. I don’t hear her heartbeat,” Reece explained.
River walked up the stairs crying praying nobody would see her as she opened the door to her floor. She didn’t see Reece and Jonas waiting at her door. They both turned when they heard the door opening. Her scent drifted to their nose as they watched a crying River walk to her door. She had her head down and didn’t notice the two Alphas waiting for her.
“Why are you crying, baby?” Jonas asked as he came to stand in front of her. River’s head jerked up as she ran into the brick wall of Jonas’s stomach. She stared into his eyes and cried harder. She looked up at the ceiling then replied, “Dear God. I didn’t mean it when I asked what next.” River pushed through Jonas and Reece to get to her door.
“What’s wrong?” Reece asked.
“Nothing, nothing, nothing. It’s my problem not yours. You guys are sweet and all but I need to get going. I have overstayed my welcome.” River inserted her key and opened her door.
“What do you mean you have overstayed your welcome? You’re not leaving, River,” Reece commanded.
River didn’t even give him a second glance. She walked in and tried to slam the door but Reece grabbed the door so Jonas and he could walk in.
“River, what is wrong, baby.” Tears continued to flow down her face as Jonas approached her.
“Nothing for you to worry about,” River’s voice was smaller as she continued to put stuff in a black bag.
Reece felt he had enough of the silent treatment. He walked over, grabbed her, and pushed her against the wall. He didn’t hurt her but he saw the fear in her eyes.
“This is how this is going to go. You will listen to us then you will answer our question. Do you understand?” growled Reece.
Jonas could see her body start to shake. She narrowed her eyes then with a quick pop from her hand, she hit Reece square in the mouth. She didn’t stop at the one punch. River continued to hit Reece with everything she had. Jonas knew she was running on fear and that made people do stupid stuff. Reece’s lip busted open as he tried to grab her hands, but she was like a wild animal. He knew Reece didn’t want to hurt her so he grabbed one hand holding it behind her back as Reece brought the other one around for him to hold.
“Stop, baby. Stop and just listen,” Jonas urged River to stop fighting before she got hurt.
She was scared and what Reece just did aggravated the situation to DEFCON 5. Instantly he was aroused by this ball of fire. He had to get her to stop so he grabbed her head and kissed her with everything he had. She continued to fight, but her body betrayed her again as she leaned toward him and kissed him back. Blood was being smeared on her mouth from the hit to Reece’s lips she gave him. Finally, River pulled away from him, trying to get air in her lungs.
“I want you to leave. Both of you.” When she saw they weren’t making any moves to leave, River groaned out in frustration, “Why won't you leave me alone?”
Jonas knew he had to have her now so the mating pull would start with her. She would want them just as much as they wanted her so he pulled her hair to the side and started kissing up her neck.
“No fair, no fair,” she panted as Jonas continued to press kisses up and down her neck. Her eyes closed as the erotic feeling of being loved by two men came over her. She knew she was acting like a child but this was all new to River. She didn’t want to fight this, but her head kept telling her that Paddock would kill everyone. She liked these people and for once she found that they liked her. Bringing Paddock down on them was weighing heavily on her. All her life she was made to believe she was nothing. Her life was always rushed and in a panic. No family to depend on or to support her when she was down. Nobody helped her but Mary a
nd she loved Mary for being so kind to her. These people wanted to help her, but when she always felt like this, it was easy to doubt herself and run. Running was always the norm for her. That way she didn’t hope for anything and couldn’t be disappointed when she didn’t get it and if she was honest with herself, she never got it.
Reece took the opportunity to continue his surprise invasion on her body. He started opening the buttons on her shirt then pushed his hands in holding her shirt open so he could see her beautiful breasts. Her bra was sexy and black in color. He loved how it opened in the front for easy access. He could tell the bra was worn out. First order of business he would buy his mate all new lingerie and clothes. She would never go without pretty clothes again.
Reece popped the closure open giving him the view of her heaving breasts. Her breasts heaved from the air she was taking in. Making her look erotic with lust. He gasped as the sight of her nipples that were already hard and standing out.
“Perfect,” Reece whispered. He intended to stand back and look at her beauty but he didn’t have the time to relish in her beauty. Instead, he reached down and caressed the side of her nipples. Her moan of pleasure went straight to his cock. Her beauty was breathtaking. Her skin was delicate and pale as the moon. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Reece could feel his fangs elongate as he leaned down and sucked her nipple into his mouth. The scents of their pheromones permeated the air making him grow wild with want. He wanted to taste her sweetness as he sucked her nipples and licked her skin. Her blood smelled heavenly sweet. Reece knew he couldn’t live without her now. Her scent was engrained in his mind.
River knew she was in trouble when she felt his fangs scrap over her nipple.
“Stop! Please stop,” River whispered. Both men stopped in their pursuit as they looked at her face. They could see the pain and strain of the past days in them. She was not the type of woman who could just have sex, especially with two men without getting to know them first. She wasn’t a shifter or a vampire. To have her would be to show her how much they wanted and needed her.
“This has to slow down. I…just need to catch my breath. I…I’m not that type of girl. I know I have led you on and I’m so sorry. I can’t believe that I’ve done this two times. You must think…” Reece and Jonas could hear it in her voice as her pulse flared on the side of her neck. Now was not the right time. Reece and Jonas looked at each other as they listened to her heart beating faster. The message was clear. They needed to pull out all the stops with their mate. She deserved the royal treatment.
Reece placed his finger over her lips. “Listen, you are a beautiful woman and we don’t think badly of you at all. You are precious to us and we won’t have you talking about yourself like that because we don’t think that at all.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Jonas said as he kissed the top of her head. Reece reached over and pulled her bra back around to her breasts, closing the clasp. Then he buttoned up her shirt as Jonas helped right her clothes.
“What idea?” River asked, curious as she pushed her hands down the front of her shirt. Her nerves were frayed and her hormones were going on strike. She no longer had control over them. They had betrayed her. She didn’t want to stop, but she wouldn’t let anyone else take advantage of her. Even if she loved the way it felt. She needed to be strong during these times. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
“Well you have a coat, don’t you?” River frowned then looked down. Her shame of no money showed on her beautiful face.
Damn the woman didn’t even have a coat, Reece thought.
“Don’t worry about that. I have an extra one so get cleaned up and your surprise awaits, my lady. We will meet you downstairs in the front lobby. Okay?” Jonas asked.
River thought about it and hoped she wasn’t making a big mistake by going out with two Alpha males. Not one but two. Curiosity was getting the best of her. Plus, these two men never hurt her or forced her to do anything. Her body was doing all the driving. They haven’t pushed her into having sex. When she told them to stop they did. Her mind kept telling her to leave before this turned into another tragedy of her making. But for some reason she couldn’t leave yet. What was she doing?
River nodded then walked in the bathroom, closing the door. She figured she looked like a two-cent whore coming out of a dime store. Her makeup had to be gone and her hair felt like it was all over the place. She needed to wash up before she went anywhere.
Jonas and Reece waited until she closed the bathroom door then exited her room. As they walked out of the room both men let out the breath they had been holding.
Chapter Ten
“We have to work together if this is going to work, Jonas,” Reece explained. “What is your surprise?” Reece knew he needed to work on that. Surprises and gifts have never been in his bag of tricks. He was used to the women who only wanted to fuck and he always let them know that he wasn’t interested in anything more than that. Romance wasn’t in his repertoire. If they wanted more than he was willing to give then they were out the door. Reece leaned against the elevator wall and listened as Jonas explained what he had for a surprise. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Reece knew he needed to wash his face too. Blood was smeared all over his mouth. He didn’t regret it, because it was the best damn kiss he had ever had.
Jonas advised Reece how she reacted to the snow and the sleigh ride when they first arrived at the Lodge. Larsen explained how giddy their mate got when she observed it for the first time. He wanted to make all their dates a first time for her. Things she never got to do before, he wanted to do them for her. Together they would make life for her brand new.
Reece walked out of the Lodge’s clothing shop as Jonas walked back into the Lodge. “Did you get it?” Jonas asked.
Reece held up the light green ski coat and hat. “This should match her eyes perfectly,” Reece suggested as he held the coat up showing it to Jonas.
“Here, let me pull the tags off so she doesn’t think you just bought it.” Jonas pulled his knife out and cut the tags off the coat and hat.
Jonas smiled. “Perfect for our mate.”
The elevator door dinged as River walked out. She smiled as she nervously approached Jonas and Reece. She had washed her face and reapplied some makeup. Reece watched her walk toward them. She didn’t need to wear a lot of makeup. River was a natural beauty. She drew looks from other men as she walked toward them. Reece couldn’t blame them for looking. She was gorgeous and his.
“Ready to go,” River said as Reece pulled the coat up.
“I think this will fit you.” Reece watched as the admiration crossed her face.
“What a pretty…oh…I…I can’t wear that,” River stuttered.
Reece frowned as he lowered the coat. “Why not? You don’t like the color?” Reece held up the coat looking closer at it.
“No…no it’s… beautiful,” as River reached out and touched the coat then dropped her hand quickly. “But I may drop something on it and ruin it and I can’t do that. I will be okay. I don’t get cold much anyway so I won’t need a coat.”
Reece and Jonas could see this was going to be harder than they thought. She wouldn’t take handouts so they had to be creative when giving her a gift. Reece frowned then looked down at the floor.
River saw Reece’s reaction and placed her hand on his chest. “I’m sorry, Reece. I just don’t want to ruin your extra coat. Another girl may need it when you go out with them.”
Reece and Jonas jerked at her comment. They could see it in her face that she meant what she said. It finally drummed into their heads. This girl was human and she had no clue about mates.
“What other girl. You’re my girl. You are it for me. Nobody will ever be the one for me. Only you, River,” Reece snapped.
River shifted to her other foot and stepped back from Reece. Reece still had a way of intimidating River. Jonas could see it but Reece was too high strung to see it. Jonas put his hand on Reece’s shoulder. “Let’s start her
education tonight,” Jonas advised as he looked into Reece’s eyes then looked over at River and smiled.
“River, we will explain to you about mates. That way you will understand where we are coming from,” Jonas explained.
“Sure. I just don’t—” River started to say.
“Don’t say it, just say that you will listen and save what you have to say until later. Just give us a chance, baby,” Reece asked quickly.
River grinned and nodded. She knew she was being railroaded but she couldn’t say no to these two. Her heart was telling her to give them a chance but the fear she carried with her was telling her to run. Reece held the jacket out to her and she put it on. He was right, her eyes shined brighter against the green jacket. She smiled lightly then rubbed her hands over the new coat. Bringing the coat up to her nose smelling the new smell on it made River close her eyes and inhale sharply.
“Perfect,” Reece and Jonas said at the same time. Both of the men grabbed a hand then escorted her outside the Lodge.
It was getting dark by the time they got outside. The lodge looked like it had been dipped in a fairytale movie. Twinkling lights were scattered all around the trees and on the porch. River had never seen anything this beautiful. She loved it all—the trees with the twinkling lights, the snow. And when she looked down in front of the porch, a small sleigh sat with twinkling lights surrounding it. A man stood in front of the sleigh where two horses patiently waited to pull the sleigh.
River gasped and pointed. “Oh, Jonas, is that the surprise?” She burst into laughter as Jonas smiled then looked over at Reece who was grinning for the first time. Her excitement was contagious and Jonas was thankful Reece was finally smiling.
