by Jane Jamison
Liam turned her around, putting her back to the counter. Her chest rose and fell with the rapid heartbeats pushing at her chest. Gripping the edge of the tiled surface, she laid her head back and gave them her unspoken consent.
Their eyes glistened as though the sun had fallen into their eyes to sprinkle bits of gold through the green. The way their eyes changed color didn’t make sense, but that was a question for another time. All that mattered was the feel of their lips on her body as they pulled her clothes aside.
When Liam took one nipple into his mouth and Connor took the other, her legs weakened. They held her, keeping her on her feet as their hands swept over her.
I want them so much. Please. Take me.
Air drifted over her skin as her clothes soon fell to the floor. They treasured her breasts, treating them as though they were the water they needed to survive. She felt the same way, as though they were the only things that could keep her alive.
“You’re ours, Brynn Caraway. I know that doesn’t make sense right now, but it will.”
But Liam was wrong. It made complete sense. She was theirs and they were hers. Did they know that part of it?
Connor went to his knees beside her and showed her what it was like to have both his tongue and fingers delight her. She arched, urging Liam to take care of her breasts, and he did.
They ate at her, drank of her, and she offered herself to them to do with as they wished. Her body shook, both at the shock of what she was allowing them to do and at how much pleasure it gave her.
Connor bit, sucked, licked, sending her tender bundle of nerves pulsing. The pulsing spread outward, flying through her body to meet with the tremors Liam’s hands gave her. No longer afraid she would fall to the floor, she clutched Liam’s hair to keep him at her nipple, then reached down to tunnel her fingers through Connor’s hair, pushing his face harder against her.
They never turned her loose, and yet managed to rid themselves of their shirts. Only their boots and jeans remained.
“I need—” The swipe of Liam’s tongue over her nipple made her forget what had seemed so urgent to say.
“What do you need, baby?”
She tightened her hold on Liam, but he still lifted his head. There were his amazing eyes again, making thinking even harder. “I want—”
“Yeah?” He fondled the breasts, his thumbs torturing her nipples like Connor’s mouth and teeth tortured her clit.
“You.” Once she’d found the words, they came tumbling out. “Both of you. Now.”
A low growl came from Connor as he slipped his arms around her legs and picked her up. “Then have us, sweet one.”
Being called sweet one was even better than being called baby.
She was back at the table, only now she was on top of it. Connor sat her down, butt first, then pushed her shoulder, putting her on her back. He shoved her legs apart then undid his jeans enough for his large cock to burst out.
He was huge. Long, thick, and curved at the end.
Liam brushed the hair back from her forehead as he freed his cock. “Suck on me, baby.”
Physically, they were everything she’d ever wanted. But as much as she wanted their bodies, she wanted their hearts, minds, and souls. Had she found not one, but two men to love? Was there a third man she’d love as much?
Her answer came just as Connor plunged his cock deep inside her pussy.
Yes. She had.
When Liam offered her his cock, she took him in, deep throating him until her mouth pushed at the curly dark hair at the base. He moaned and helped her keep her head up as he played with her breasts.
Connor was a machine, his rhythm regular and strong as he thrust into her. But it was his gaze set on her face that took her burgeoning climax and sent it spinning fast. He wrapped her legs around his waist, just below the rock-like surface of his chest. She watched as his muscles rippled with each move and vowed that next time she’d run her tongue over the valleys and hills of his abs.
Life had taken a major twist in the past few hours. She’d come looking for an animal and had found two men who were just as wild and primal.
For the briefest of moments, the thought came, flashing through her mind.
Could they be shifters?
The emotions rushing into her, scaling her heart and claiming it as their own, wouldn’t let her grasp the enormity of the question before it was lost in the turmoil of her feelings. Thinking wasn’t possible or necessary. Instead, instinct took over, telling her everything she needed to know.
I’m for them and they’re for me.
Connor’s pounding increased his movements. He pierced her time and again, faster, more and more intent on reaching as far as he could. He closed his eyes as though every bit of his concentration had to be focused on bringing both of them to the finish.
She sucked on Liam’s cock, loving the texture of him as the soft skin moved over her tongue. He tasted musky, wild, and manly. She cupped his balls, felt them draw up, and listened to his groan of pleasure.
Together they moved, like missing pieces of a puzzle that had finally been found and made complete. Her blood coursed through her, answering a primitive call that only they could have sent her. She wanted to answer in the only way she could, by giving them all of her. Body, soul, and mind.
Yet keeping up with them was impossible. She couldn’t hang on any longer. Her body had reached its pinnacle and could no longer keep her release back. When she felt the taste of Liam’s sweetness change, she knew he was at an end as well. Connor gripped her legs tighter, slowing down, groaning his frustration at holding back the unstoppable.
With a groan that went guttural, Liam thrust his hips forward, driving his cock to the back of her throat. He released, shooting his cum down her throat. She drank him in, loving the taste, loving the way she could please him.
Connor’s eyes opened and fixed on her face. With a groan-growl that sounded so much like his brother’s, he plunged his cock inside her as hard as he could before giving in to the sweet torment.
Maybe it was the way their bodies worked together, maybe it was pure sexual release, but seeing the look on Connor’s face pushed her over the edge. As Liam pulled away, she turned to Connor, parted her plumped lips, and screamed her release.
She wasn’t sure if she blacked out for a moment, but it made sense. They’d taken her to a place she’d never been, wiping away all knowledge of past experience.
Would it always be that way? Or would the intensity fade with the years?
Would she have the time to find out? Or would they leave now that she’d given them her body?
Liam grabbed several kitchen towels and tossed a couple to Connor. Gently, he caressed her face, wiping away the evidence of his climax.
“You’re terrific, baby.”
She smiled even though she’d hoped for more. But what more could she ask for? A commitment? A pledge of love? Even though she felt like she’d known them forever, that didn’t mean they did. Did she dare ask how they felt? Did she dare to voice her hopes so soon?
“He’s right, Brynn. You’re amazing.”
She glanced away, uncertain how to respond. Should she say “thanks for the compliment” when she wanted to say so much more? When she wanted to hear so much more?
Instead, she sat up and took a towel from Connor. She’d just slipped off the table when she heard a roar from the barn.
“The bear.” Hurrying, she rushed to get her clothes on.
“No.” Liam pulled his shirt on. “You stay here. Let us check it out.”
“But—”
“But nothing.” Connor took her by the shoulder and pushed her toward the back of the house. “Stay in the house. Go to your bedroom. He’s angry and dangerous. We’ll handle it.”
“My bedroom? But why?”
“Just do it. We know what we’re doing.”
Why should she have to run and hide? It was her bear, not theirs. “No. I’m the one responsible for him. I should go.”
Liam drew straighter, taller, and centered his glare on her. The heat of it hit her, sweeping into her with the force of a tornado. “Don’t argue. Now go!”
She had no choice but to do as he ordered. To argue with him would be the same as saying she didn’t trust him. “Fine. But if I don’t hear from you soon, I’m coming out to get you.”
Chapter Five
Brynn couldn’t wait in her room like a disobedient child. But she couldn’t go outside, either. Instead, after getting dressed in the hallway, then taking a minute or so to think about her next move, she’d watched from the window, biting one nail until she’d taken it down to the quick.
What were they doing? She hadn’t seen anything since they’d strode into the barn, acting as though they could handle whatever they encountered, unarmed and unafraid. If the bear had gotten out, wouldn’t they have returned to tell her? Had the man finally emerged from the animal? If so, were they talking with him? But then, why wouldn’t they call her? They knew how important it was for her to prove that a shifter actually did exist.
When her nerves and her curiosity couldn’t stand it another moment, she opened the door and headed for the barn. She was, after all, the one who’d caged the bear.
Halfway across the yard, she heard the sound of voices and came to a standstill. Voices. As in more than two. There were three voices.
Excitement channeled through her. Somehow, Connor and Liam had gotten the bear to change and were talking to the man. She started walking as fast as she could, although her legs had stiffened from both fear and expectation.
This is it. This is the moment I’ve waited for.
“Fuck off, Connor. You two need to just bite the bullet and get it over with.”
She slowed down. It was wrong to eavesdrop, but then again, it might tell her things she should know.
“Damn it, man. This was your stupid idea. I can’t help it you have to take the consequence and miss out.”
She’d recognize Connor’s sultry laugh anywhere. That and Liam’s sexy voice.
“He’s right. You did this to yourself.”
“Go screw yourself, Liam. Now do it.”
Do what? She couldn’t wait any longer .
“Shit!”
She slammed to a stop, stunned at the ferocity of the curse.
“Damn it. You lousy son of a bitch.” That was Conner’s voice. Conner’s very angry voice.
If Liam hadn’t met her just before she entered the barn, she might’ve seen what was making all the noise. The sounds of growls along with the rattle of the cage’s bars sent her heart into her throat, but Liam had her by the arms and wasn’t about to let go.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing. The bear’s getting hungry, that’s all.” He tried to act like he was unconcerned, but he didn’t fool her. He didn’t show his feelings as much as Connor did, but there was no hiding that he was upset.
“But I heard three voices. Who else is in there?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He was lying. But why? “Let go of me. I want to know what’s going on.” She yanked back and broke his hold. He was quick for such a large man, but she was quicker.
* * * *
“Shit!”
Connor should’ve known what would happen once he stepped inside the cage. Even so, he was a second too late when he tried to jerk his body to the left and out of Finn’s reach. His brother, back in human form, shoved him, pushing him farther into the cage. Connor fell forward and landed on his hands and knees. By the time he’d gotten back on his feet, Finn had already slammed the cage door closed and had twisted the key in the lock, capturing him inside.
“Damn it. You lousy son of a bitch.” He threw his body against the door, rattling the bars. “Give me that key.”
Finn grinned from ear to ear. “Lower your voice, bro. I think I heard Brynn.”
Connor lowered his voice all right. But not his anger. “You fuck-head, put that key in the lock and open this door right now.”
Finn’s grin grew even bigger, taking Connor’s wish to wipe it off his face to a whole other level. “Nope. It’s my turn with our future mate.” He sniffed, then sneered. “You already took her, didn’t you? I can smell her scent all over you. And I’ll bet Liam was in on the fun, too.”
“Hand to God, I’m going to kill you. Let me out or else.” His whisper came out in a harsh rush.
“Sure. As soon as you agree that we tell her.”
He wanted to. And maybe they could now that they’d taken her. But that wasn’t what they’d agreed to do. “Call Liam back in here and let’s discuss it. If he agrees, then we’ll do it.”
“Liam’s a tight ass with a stick up his butt. You know how he is about plans. Once they’re made, it takes a major calamity to change them.”
“Finn, I’m warning you. Either open the cage or I swear I’m going to tear you apart once I get out.”
Finn twisted around, tilting his head to the side to listen. “She’s coming, bro. Give me your clothes and change.” The grin turned wicked. “Or not. Once she comes inside, she’ll know.”
Damn it to hell and back. Finn was right. He had no choice.
“I’m going to enjoy wringing your neck.” Yet even as he threatened Finn, he hurried to get his clothes off then threw them at his brother.
“And I’m going to enjoy some alone time with our mate.”
“What if she notices the difference? My bear doesn’t look exactly like yours.”
Finn pulled Connor’s shirt on. “We look close enough. She won’t notice. And if she does, I’ll figure out what to say. Just hurry and shift.”
* * * *
Brynn darted inside the barn, expecting to find Connor and a man-bear. Instead, she found only one man. A quick search didn’t give her any clues as to where Connor might have gone.
“Hey, you must be Brynn.”
He had to be their brother. With those green eyes, there was no mistaking that. She shook the hand he’d offered, loving his firm grip. She would’ve liked to study him longer, but a growl brought her attention to the bear. Did he look different?
“I’m Finn McGarrett. Connor and Liam’s better-looking brother.”
There it was again. That strange, intoxicating, and oh-so-immediate attraction. She’d imagined she’d feel the same way toward him as she did his brothers. But imagining it and having it happen were two different things. She soaked in his chiseled jaw, his wide shoulders, and his lean waist that led her eye to his crotch. His bulging crotch. For a moment, she forgot why she’d come into the barn.
“Do I know you?” She took her hand back, then rubbed her palm against her leg. “You seem familiar.”
“I do? Can’t think why I would. I’d remember you if we’d met.”
She planned on questioning him further.
Until the bear growled.
Stepping around Finn, she studied the animal. He was as huge and glorious as she remembered. And yet there was something about him that had changed. She examined him, going slowly over his length, but what that difference was wouldn’t come to her.
“Brynn, are you all right?”
She nodded at Liam’s question as he entered the barn, then turned to see a very telling look pass between the brothers. “Where’s Connor, Finn? He came in here along with Liam. And why are you wearing the same clothes Connor had on?”
The men shared another look. Something was up. But what?
“I’m not. It’s just a T-shirt and jeans. It’s kind of the traditional outfit around these parts. As for Connor? He went back to the ranch to handle a few things.”
Finn was right. Lots of men wore white T-shirts and blue jeans.
But why hadn’t they mentioned that Connor was leaving during dinner? “So when you came to check on the bear, he was okay?” She shifted her gaze to the bear. What was it that was different? Yet again, she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Yeah. He was fine.”
Liam cleared his throat.
Was the lie choking him? “But your pickup is still here. How’d Connor leave? And how’d he get past me?”
Liam started to speak, then stopped. Finn was the one who answered.
“He left by the back door.” He pointed at the door at the back of the barn. “I told him to take my truck and leave Liam’s.” His own green-eyed hunger slid down her body, stopping to pause at strategic locations along the way. “But enough about my brothers. I’m really happy to meet you. I mean, really happy.”
Again, the sizzle of sexual electricity whipped its slash of power through her. Her mind seemed fuzzy, barring her from thinking clearly. Had the feeling intensified since they’d had sex? Or was it because Finn was near?
The bear butted his head against the cage door and growled, startling her. Was it angry? But if it was, its anger seemed directed at one person. At Finn.
“Do you see anything different about the bear?”
“What do you mean?” Liam came closer, getting in between her and the bear.
Was he trying to block her view? “I don’t know. He just doesn’t look the same. Maybe he’s bigger? I don’t know what it is, but something’s different.”
Liam wrapped his arm around her waist as she moved next to him. “Hey, watch it. You don’t want to get too close.” He pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “Unless it’s close to me.”
She wanted to stay in his arms forever, could feel her body revving up for more of him, for the newness of him. Why was it so difficult to think when they were near?
But curiosity was stronger than attraction. At least for now. She eased out of his hold. “I was hoping he would’ve talked by now.”
“Talk?” Finn had an engaging smile that made her want to return it. “But we are talking.”
“She means the bear.”
“You’re expecting the bear to talk?”
She guessed his brothers hadn’t told him yet. The old embarrassment she’d felt at telling people what she’d seen came rushing back. But the time for holding back was over. “Yeah. I believe this bear is a shifter. A werebear. In fact, the more I look at him, the surer I am that he is a shifter.”
