COUGAR ROMANCE: Secret Shades of the Alpha Blood Series: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Paranormal BBW Menage Romance)

by Paula Knight

  “What is it?” Diana asked quietly taking one step towards him.

  “Diana,” he said gently looking up at her, “the prophecy, about us, is very vague. But the elders have certain rules about what can and cannot happen.”

  “Rules?” Diana asked sitting down next to him on the couch. “What do you mean, rules?”

  “That was why, I didn’t know if...I didn’t know if I could...control myself.”

  He turned to her again and Diana could see a longing in his dark eyes that was so intense, she had to turn away. Now, it was her turn to blush.

  “If you were the salt woman, then we couldn’t...we can’t…” he amended, “be mated until you’ve completed your training. And from the way grandfather talked, that might take a long time.”

  “I see,” Diana said still not looking at him. All the same, she could not help a stupidly wide grin from spreading across her face.

  “Diana,” Cat said to her. She felt a hand touch her chin and he moved her head so that her eyes met his once again. Diana looked at him not even attempting to hide her huge smile.

  “I didn’t realize I was that irresistible,” she said, a joyful little giggle escaping her lips.

  Cat’s smile seemed to mirror hers when he heard that. He moved closer to her on the couch.

  “You have no idea,” he said softly.

  He leaned forward and for the second time in twelve hours, met her lips with his.

  Diana gasped as his tongue, once again, slid into her mouth. Cat began to press urgently, desperately towards her.

  Diana threw her arms around him and with everything in her body and soul, welcomed him.

  He pressed her back against the couch and she slid down until she was nearly lying on her back, opening herself completely as Cat straddled over her. He moved his lips from hers to kiss softly against the skin of her neck.

  Diana heard a small sound somewhere between a sigh and a gasp rise up from the back of her throat. He nuzzled against her until his lips reached her ear.

  “You really do have no idea how beautiful you are,” he whispered to her. “You have no idea how much I want you.”

  Diana’s heart nearly stopped at that. It was rare when she was called beautiful. Boyfriend’s had called her cute, sweet or pretty but never beautiful.

  That was enough to throw her over the edge.

  This time, it was Diana who grasped Cat’s head and pulled his lips back to hers. She kissed him desperately, clinging as hard as she could to his neck, eventually moving her hands across his back and then forward to his chest.

  Cat’s hands were not idle either. His hand moved to her hip and then to the skin of her bare leg beneath the hem of her skirt. Diana sighed into his mouth as his hand moved upward against her thigh then, just as she began to imagine where his hand would move next, his hand stopped.

  He kissed her once more, but gently this time. He lifted his body from hers and stood from the sofa.

  “You should sleep,” he said turning away from her and apparently, adjusting his pants as he did so. “There’s a change of clothes in the bedroom. I’ll stay out here.”

  “Cat…” she said gently, “these rules. Are they really that…?”

  “Yes,” Cat said almost fiercely, “they are that important. We don’t know what could happen if they’re not followed.”

  “But, you said,” Diana said, refusing to give up that easily, “that the prophecy was vague.”

  “Vague to most of us,” Cat said, “the elders know how best to interpret it.”

  “How do they know?” Diana asked.

  “It’s hard to explain,” Cat said. Diana opened her mouth to argue but Cat turned to her and caught her eyes again. That same longing was there as he took her hand.

  “Please,” he said, “just trust me.”

  “Ok,” Diana said standing up from the couch as well, “I guess I should go get ready for bed.”

  With a disappointed half smile, she stepped forward to move past him.

  He touched her arm to stop her as she did. And once more, he leaned forward and kissed her.

  This kiss was not urgent or desperate; it was soft, tender.

  “I’ll be right out here,” he promised.

  “I’ll see you in the morning then,” Diana said with a much less disappointed smile.

  As she moved into the equally utilitarian bedroom she closed the door, stood against it and pressed her eyes closed.

  She could not help but think that being in the same home with Cat, but not being able to give into the passion she felt for him, would be harder than any training.

  ********************************

  “Diana? Diana!”

  Diana blinked her eyes open and stared around the room for the source of the harsh voice that had awoken her.

  She squinted as her eyes finally landed on a tall form.

  “Cat?” she asked groggily.

  “No,” the voice said, “it’s Charlie. I need to get you out of here now.”

  “What?” Diana asked. Her eyes now adjusted, she could see Charlie’s face in the moonlight streaming in from her window. “Why? What’s happened? Is it Sandra, has she…?”

  “I can explain on the way,” he said hurriedly. She had never seen him look so serious or so concerned before, “You just need to get dressed and I need to get you out of here.”

  “Ok,” Diana said, still dazed and confused, she turned towards the closed door “just let me get Cat…”

  “No!” Charlie said harshly grabbing her arm painfully to stop her.

  “Why not?” she asked equally sharply, trying her best to shake him off of her.

  “Because, Cat is the inside source,” Charlie said, “he’s the one who’s been selling you out…”

  THE END

  BONUS FREE BOOK!

  CHASE

  The Unforgettable Billionaire Brothers

  Book One

  Violet Walker

  The Unforgettable Billionaire Brothers: CHASE

  Chapter One

  “Dammit!” Chase slammed down the phone in his office and turned to look over the rain soaked city. His father had a way of ruining his plans without really trying. He needed to get the acquisition of Steele Tech complete by the end of the week, what he didn’t need was to drive two hours into the countryside for whatever new decree Vance Silver would make. Chase knew it would be a decree of some sort because his father Vance loved to make his boys dance, loved to tell them how to run the business even though they had been running it—successfully—for years with very little input from him.

  But Vance was also his father and he was getting old, so they all conceded to his wishes. He ran his hands through wavy brown locks and dialed for his assistant. “Brooke I need a moment, please.” Please dear god don’t let her be wearing another of those tight sexy librarian skirts. Chase didn’t know when it had happened but sometime during the past year he’d begun to notice his assistant. Hell, more than notice her. After five years working closely together he couldn’t stop thinking about her at work, or at home. In his dreams. Every. Single. Night. The way those skirts hugged her luscious ass and those fuzzy sweaters that clung to her breasts and small waist, all of it drove him mad. So he started coming in early so he wouldn’t have to see her sparkling green eyes and plump pink lips curved in a smile just for him. He hadn’t seen her at all today and he was grateful for that, only now he had no choice. What a fucking joke, he thought to himself, remembering the handful of assistants that had come before Brooke. They were all interested in Chase and had gone to creative lengths to get his attention.

  “What’s up Chase?” Brooke walked, no she sauntered in and carefully sat down at one of the chairs in front of his large oak desk. His eyes were glued to her legs as she crossed one over the other. Brooke opened her tablet in a few swipes and looked to him for direction. “Chase? Sir? Is everything alright?”

  He was startled out of his daydream and pinched the bridge of his nose. “No
Brooke I’m not alright. Vance called.” She nodded her understanding and he continued. “He has summoned me and my brothers to Silver House.”

  “Your country estate?” She had seen photos of the outside of the famed mansion in a gardening magazine at her grandmother’s house. There was a lavish rose garden, a wild English garden and a greenhouse. It was magnificent. She knew this trip to the country couldn’t have come at a worse time for them. “I’ll reschedule your meeting with the Steele brothers and have the financials couriered to you as soon as they arrive.”

  He watched her swipe and tap the screen of the tablet resting on her lap, the perfect picture of efficiency. “Don’t bother. You can do it on the road. You’re coming with me.” Chase groaned at the seductive picture she presented, her flushed cheeks, those moist lips, the breathy gasp that left her succulent mouth. He felt his pants growing tighter under the desk and began to rethink bringing her with him. But he needed her. “Sorry Brooke but I need to work on this Steele Tech deal and I can’t do it without you. Who knows what Vance wants or how long we’ll end up staying.”

  She could see the frustration and stress on his handsome face, his blue grey eyes practically silver against the gloomy sky behind him. “Very well sir. I’ll need to go home and pack a bag, but first--,”

  Chase cut her off with a swipe of his arm across the air. “We don’t have time Brooke. Tell Rose everything she needs to cover your desk for at least a week, including where to send all information on Steele Tech. Call one of the Steele Brothers and see how they feel about meeting at Silver House and then we’ll stop at your place on our way out of town.”

  She nodded as she rose from her seat careful to keep all emotion from her face. Back at her desk she plopped down and released a breath she didn’t even realize she had been holding. A week at Silver House with Chase Silver was a dream come true. At least it would be, if he realized she was a woman. Now however, it would just be torture.

  ***

  They were close to Silver House. Brooke could tell because they were well into the countryside where people owned horses and each property was miles and miles apart. She sighed, happy to be here with Chase but not so happy that she’d had to cancel her date. She’d finally gotten the hint—5 years later—that nothing would ever happen between her and Chase and she had started to date again. Most of the guys were duds, like the financial planner who told her she had ‘breeding hips’, but Charlie was nice. And cute. And nice. And tonight would have been their third date. It was the sex date if she was being honest, but maybe cancelling was a blessing. She wasn’t ready for sex with Charlie, not when she still dreamed of hot, crazy dirty sex with Chase. She sighed again, this one thick with confusion and resignation.

  “So you had a date this weekend?” Chase white knuckled the steering wheel, angry for feeling jealous when he had no right to and angry that he had to right to feel anything about her personal life. She nodded but kept her gaze on the passing fields. “I didn’t know you were dating.”

  Because you never ask, she wanted to say but she didn’t. He was her employer not her friend so why would he? She shrugged. “How would you?”

  He said nothing and they continued to drive in silence. Tortured, uncomfortable silence. Thirty minutes later they turned onto the long tree-lined driveway of Silver House. Brooke gasped at the magnificence before her. It was a massive Georgian revival style mansion with red brick and pristine white shutters on the dozens of windows facing forward. Just slap on some columns and call this place Tara, she thought cynically as she eyed the mansion. “This is Silver House?” She huffed in disbelief, may as well call it a cabin if we’re going for understatement of the century.

  “Yeah my dad loves this house. My brothers and I grew up here so it’s no big deal.”

  “Yep, no big deal.” Who cared about things like three story mansions made totally of brick, real brick, hundreds of windows and probably dozens of bedrooms. This place was beautiful, if a tad ostentatious.

  Inside Silver House was even more gorgeous than the outside. The foyer was gargantuan, with a few marble busts and big dark oil paintings, but of what she could see so far the place was warm and inviting. Dark woods, earthy masculine colors and subtle accessories were everywhere. Brooke decided instantly that she loved Silver House.

  “We should head to the study, I’m sure that’s were Dad is.” Brooke followed quietly, taking in every detail as she passed each room. Familiar artwork dotted the walls and detailed sculptures lined the long hallway they walked until she heard voices. “Sounds like one of my brothers beat us here.” Inside the study Vance sat in a chocolate leather club chair swirling amber liquid in a crystal glass while he and the youngest Silver brother, Jackson laughed together.

  “Ah Chase, you’re here. And you’ve brought a guest.” Vance smiled sweetly at Brooke. “Is that Brooke?”

  She returned his smile. “It’s me sir, how are you?”

  Vance beamed a smile at her that belied his advanced age. Dimple winking and violet brown eyes sparkling. “I’m an old man Brooke but seeing your face is a balm to my weary soul.” She laughed at his flowery words.

  “Then I’m glad I could help a not-so-old man out.” She winked back and he laughed.

  “I like this one Chase. Keep her.” A gorgeous ice blonde with porcelain skin and mile high legs walked in with a cart full of goodies that made Brooke’s mouth water. “Thanks Galina. You can leave that here so we can serve ourselves. No need to be so formal this week it’s just family,” he winked a Brooke. “But I would like you to put Brooke and Chase in the green and gold rooms. She nodded her understanding and they followed her upstairs.

  Chase was happy with his position at the back of the line since it afforded him an up close and personal view of Brooke’s fine backside. It was a thing of beauty the way it swayed to its own rhythm with every step she took. He was mesmerized by the hypnotic sway, so much that he failed to notice she stopped at the landing and he smacked right into her. She gasped when his large hands circled her waist to steady her and the fire in his body stirred to a raging inferno. “I’ve got you,” he whispered in her ear, smiling at the small shiver that shook her body.

  “Uh, yeah okay. Thanks,” she muttered before crossing the threshold into her room. The green room.

  “Dinner is in an hour, I will come and get you then,” Galina spoke in stilted English, her accent thick and enchanting.

  “Thank you Galina.” Brooke smiled at the small grin that lit up the housekeeper’s stunning face.

  “My room is right next door,” Chase added with a smug smirk on his face. “I’ll pick you up for dinner.” He winked and left her staring at the empty space with a stunned look and flushed face.

  Chapter Two

  “No way Dad. No way in hell!” Ethan, the middle Silver brother, arrived after dinner for his father’s latest attempt to control their lives. The old man was crazy if he thought he could manipulate them this way.

  “I’m with Ethan, Dad. This is crazy even for you.” Jackson was in no mood for his father’s games. He would settle down when he was good and damned well ready and not a moment sooner. Hell he was just 27 and that was way too young to settle down.

  Chase said nothing. He was as angry as his brothers but there was no point getting angry when Vance would have his say anyway. He knew there was more to it so he sat, drink in hand, and waited.

  Vance Silver stood slowly and walked to the bar in silence. He sat his favorite crystal glass down, picking up two pieces of ice and dropping them with a loud clang into the glass. He reached for the decanter of Whiskey—Irish of course—pulled out the stopper and sniffed gently before pouring two fingers’ worth into the glass. “Now I know you boys are reluctant to settle down, especially with so many pretty young things offering their favors without commitment.” He took a sip and let them stew while he made his way back to the comfort of his favorite chair. “But I would like to retire and I can’t do that while all three of you are out tomcatti
ng around like you’ve just discovered your peckers.”

  “No offense Dad but my sex life is none of your business.” Ethan’s fury was barely controlled, his violet brown eyes narrowed into Vance’s identical pair.

  “You may be right about that boy. But Silver Enterprises is my business and I’m not turning over my life’s work to men lead around by the short hairs. Prove to me you’re committed to SE and you’ll get your portion of the company. You will each have a one-third stake in the company when you do. Ignore my wishes and you get nothing.”

  “That is bullshit!” Chase roared causing all eyes to turn his way. “You’re a hypocrite on top of everything else,” he snorted in disgust. “All this talk of settling down when you don’t even keep a woman past the one year mark. That’s rich, real rich.” He slammed the glass down and stalked out of the study.

  “I’m not doing this dad. Ever. So you can divide up my shares between Jack and Chase.” Ethan looked defeated and angry as he left the room and that broke Vance’s heart.

  He knew it was his fault that his boys were so down on love. After Chase and Jackson’s mother, Zoe died in a horrific boating accident he didn’t remarry. He couldn’t remarry, but he was still a young man with the needs of a young man. As a rich man he had his pick of the ladies and picked well and often. Chase was right, he had enjoyed sexual affairs with women but he never kept them for longer than a year. It was his choice to keep his relationships superficial with an expiration date. And now he was paying for it. But they didn’t get it and if they kept on this path they wouldn’t get it until it was too late. Vance knew he was an old man and he wanted beautiful daughters with loads of grandbabies bringing life and laughter back to Silver House. He was sick of the silence, the loneliness, the emptiness.