by Kris Norris
“Fuck, no. But holdin’ back the urge to kiss you, to touch…”
She snagged her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth as she looked from Jude to Ethan then back again. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Jude growled as Ethan glanced at him, scratching at the dirt in a show of dominance. Ethan nodded, kicking off his boots before reaching for his shirt. McKenna stood there, gaze fixed on the other man as he undressed, pausing with only his pants left. He raised a brow at her, but she simply crossed her arms, hiding the tight press of her nipples against her shirt. She’d forgone wearing her corset since she’d awakened, and there was no hiding how strongly they affected her.
Ethan sighed. “I’ll have to slow it down for you to see anything. After all this time, it happens in the space of a heartbeat.”
She nodded, and he gave Jude one last look before shoving his pants over his hips, his shaft bobbing free. McKenna’s eyes widened, a whiff of sweet musk lighting the air as the other man removed his last piece of clothing, tossing the worn breeches onto the porch. Then Ethan lowered his head.
Jude watched as his friend gave himself over to his wolf, his body stiffening as creaks and groans filled the air. Ethan’s limbs shook, dropping him to his hands and knees as a wave seemed to undulate down his body from the inside out. Hair followed the rippling motion, spreading out across his torso as his arms and legs altered to suit his wolf form, the click of his claws on the dirt rising above the other sounds. His head changed last, elongating into ears and a snout on a shake of the man’s head. A tail swooshed through the air, the hairs swirling up dust off the ground.
McKenna’s hand covered her mouth as she stared at Ethan’s wolf, her gaze finally landing on Jude. He waited, wondering if watching them change would kill whatever spark had grown between them, but it wasn’t fear or disgust he saw in her eyes. Love. Desire. Understanding. She went to her knees, tentatively reaching out her hand to stroke Ethan’s coat. Her fingers disappeared in the thick fur, a sharp gasp breaking the silence.
“Oh, god. It’s really you. Both of you. You’re really wolves.”
She laughed, petting Jude when he ventured closer. Her fingers scratched across his skin, the innocent touch spiking the need coiling inside him.
She brushed her fingers along the sides of their ears. “I knew you’d be beautiful.”
Tears pooled then fell, creating dark circles along the ground. Jude stared at the small, black spots, the man inside the wolf bleeding through. He lowered his head, allowing the shift to twist his body back into a man, the change happening seamlessly. He raised his head, his gaze clashing with hers. She held her ground, shifting her eyes as Ethan reappeared beside him, the man’s skin beaded with sweat.
The heady scent of her desire hit him, his instincts seizing control before he could do more than growl out a warning. He reached for her shoulders, taking them both to their feet. Ethan jumped up beside him, moving in behind her as Jude backed her against the other man, trapping her between them. She swallowed, the strangled sound making his chest constrict. He pressed against her, resting his forehead on hers as he took several quick breaths, trying to regain some semblance of control.
McKenna’s hands landed on his chest, her small fingers like fiery brands. His wolf howled in his head, his teeth lengthening as he lost ground. He scraped the tips across her neck, his wolf demanding he reassert his claim when her body trembled. The man inside cursed, and he clenched his jaw in an effort to hold back. A soft moan breezed across his skin then one of her hands cupped his chin.
“Jude. Look at me.”
He shook his head, still battling against the images flashing through his head—the three of them, entwined. Her body moving above him as Ethan held her from behind. He could feel it, taste it, and he knew if he so much as glanced at her he’d have her pinned hard against Ethan’s chest with his shaft deep inside her.
She sighed. “Please. Just look at me.”
He eased away, forcing his gaze to meet hers.
She frowned, smoothing her fingers along the bridge of his nose. “It’s okay. I can’t fight this anymore, either. The need. The hunger. I look at you two, and I can’t breathe. Can’t think beyond the color of your skin, or the feel of your hands against my flesh.” She leaned into Ethan as her other hand caressed Jude’s jaw. “I won’t lie. I’m scared, but not that you’ll hurt me. That I’m not ready for the next step. I’m scared that once I love you, I’ll never be free. That men like Bret will take you from me. And I can’t…” Her brow furrowed as she glanced away.
Jude looked at Ethan over her shoulder, giving the man a nod. Ethan wrapped his arms around her, picking her up before taking her inside. The man headed straight for the bedroom, stopping just inside the doorway. He placed her gently on her feet, holding her close as Jude claimed his position behind her. She leaned into him, tilting her head to the side, granting him access to the small scars he’d left as proof of his claim. He couldn’t stop from lowering his mouth to her neck and licking her soft skin. She moaned in response, the throaty sound going straight to his cock.
He repeated the slide of his teeth across her muscle. Only this time, the shudder that trembled through her was followed by a hushed, “yes”. He smiled against her neck, some of the tension easing from his body.
He raised his head enough to nip at her earlobe, savoring her rough intake of air. “Do you know what you do to us? The brush of your hand? The sound of your voice? Nothing more than a fucking smile?” He inhaled, allowing her scent to infuse his senses. “Hard to believe you’re really here, between us. Are you sure this is what you want? That you’re ready? After all you’ve been through…”
She smiled her reply and he growled, dragging her body against him as his hands held her tight, one threading through her hair, anchoring her. Ethan helped turn her into Jude’s arms, the flash of red in Ethan’s eyes a telltale sign the man’s wolf was at its limits.
McKenna relaxed, her visible surrender eliciting another snarl.
Jude leaned forward, stopping with his mouth grazing hers. “Be very certain, darlin’, because once we start…” He tensed his jaw as he pulled his wolf back. “We’d never force you, but damn…”
She gave him a fleeting kiss, another stunning smile lifting her lips. “I knew I never should have learned your names. But make no mistake…I want this. Need it as much as you both do. You were right. What we have…” She glanced at Ethan as the man hovered closer. “I know I’m not a shifter, but whatever part I inherited is tellin’ me this is right. Beyond right. So I think it’s about time one of you kissed me, don’t you?”
Jude closed the distance, slanting his mouth over hers, forcing himself to go slowly. Gently. He pressed his lips against hers, giving her time to explore the play of skin-on-skin before running his tongue along the seam, waiting to see if she’d open for him. Her body tensed for one agonizing heartbeat before she leaned fully into him, her lips parting on a sigh.
He slid his tongue inside, moaning as the full taste of her hit him. Sweet with a hint of coffee from dinner, it matched the scent that had been driving him mad since the saloon. He dipped her head back, deepening the kiss before easing away, keeping their mouths grazed against each other’s. Her breath mixed with his, the flavor of her still lingering on his tongue.
“God. McKenna.” He held her close, need and desire hammering in his head. He took a deep breath, glancing at Ethan before giving the man a nod. “As much as I never want to let go, I think Ethan’s been more than patient with me.”
McKenna blinked, lips slightly parted as she seemed to have trouble processing his words until her gaze clashed with Ethan’s. Her pupils widened, hiding all but a brilliant ring of blue. Jude gave her a playful tap on her ass as she moved into Ethan’s embrace, inhaling roughly when the man tugged her hard against him, his mouth crushing down on hers.
Jude watched the couple interact, cursing the punch of lust that seared his gut, bobbing his shaft toward his navel. Tho
ugh he and Ethan had shared women before, it’d always been a means to an end. A mutual release that had left them feeling empty. Divided. But this time… Nothing had prepared him for the intensity of their connection. Even now, Jude could feel a ghosted caress of her lips on his as she gave herself to Ethan, panting for breath when the other man finally pulled back, his head resting on hers.
“I knew you’d feel like home.” Ethan grunted as he seemed to rein himself in, his muscles bunching as he straightened, one hand cupping her jaw. “We’ll take this slow. If it gets to be too much…”
She silenced him with a finger across his lips, her gaze darting back to Jude before returning. “I trust you. Both of you. I’m hardly a virgin, so—”
“What Frank and Bret did to you…” A low, menacing growl vibrated through the room, echoed by Jude. “Tell us. Have you ever willingly given yourself to a man?”
McKenna’s composure faltered slightly before she drew herself up, eyeing both men as Jude moved in beside Ethan. “You both know I haven’t. How could I after…”
Ethan’s expression softened as he looked at Jude then back to McKenna. “Which is why we’ll take this slow. We’ve got all night. And a lifetime of nights after that. There’s no need to rush.” He motioned for Jude to move behind her again. “But since we’re already here, and Jude and I are naked, it’s about time you caught up.”
Jude smiled as her gaze slowly drifted down their bodies, as if she just now remembered they weren’t wearing any clothes. Her mouth opened on a hushed breath, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips.
He stepped closer, trailing a finger along her arm. “Soon, darlin’. But this first time is all about you.”
One brow lifted as her hand landed on his hip, her fingers coasting down his body until they reached his cock. He hissed out his next breath as she stroked the length of his shaft, swirling the bead of fluid across the crown.
Jude growled, cursing when her fingers wrapped around him, gently squeezing. “Fuck, darlin’. We’re trying to ease you into this, but if you keep touching me like that…”
Uncertainty clouded her eyes. “Don’t you like it?”
He grabbed her hand, holding it in place when her grip faltered. “If it were any better I’d have come on your hand already. And I’d rather not embarrass myself before we’ve even started. I promise…you can explore mine and Ethan’s bodies as much as you like next time. Now I believe you were supposed to be getting naked.”
She glanced at Ethan as the man reached between them, fisting the hem of her shirt. McKenna sighed as the material ripped slightly, Ethan’s mumbled apology barely registering as he lifted the garment over her head, revealing her soft skin to the fading sunlight. Lightning flashed outside the window, skittering shadows along her torso. She jumped as thunder rumbled through the walls, the low vibration prickling her skin with goose bumps.
Ethan moved in behind her, gently dragging her back into his chest as his hands splayed out across her belly. “Easy. It’s just a storm.”
“I know, it’s just…it was raining that night when…”
Ethan muttered something under his breath, kissing the top of her head. She smiled and relaxed against him, inhaling sharply when the man’s hands slowly smoothed up her body, avoiding her injury before stopping at the lower curve of her breasts.
Jude stared at Ethan’s fingers, noting the how pale her flesh looked compared to Ethan’s. His cock pulsed as his focus centered on her nipples, the light pink tips puckered against her chest.
Ethan’s gaze met his, and the man smiled, easing his hands up to cup each side. McKenna moaned, her head falling into the crook of Ethan’s shoulders as he presented her breasts to Jude. He glanced at his mate’s face as he leaned in, blowing a heated breath across one distended peak. She arched toward him, the hard bud tightening further. He grazed his lips over her nipple, licking her skin before finally taking it into his mouth, sucking gently on the firm bud.
“God, Jude.” McKenna’s fingers speared through his hair, anchoring him to her breast.
The light scrape of her nails against his scalp satisfied the animal side of him, soothing the creature as her taste filled his senses. But it wasn’t just hers any more. A hint of male musk wove through the sweet, flowery essence, a testament to the bond he and Ethan already shared and how it grew stronger with every touch.
He lapped at her flesh, releasing long enough to move to the other side, revel in her heated moan as she tugged on his hair, silently begging for more. He eased back, ending with a light nip as he looked up at her, noting the nearly black depths of her eyes. A flash of red surrounded her pupils, and he spared Ethan a quick glance, raising his brow in silent question before cupping her jaw.
“McKenna? Are you well?”
A low growl rumbled through her chest before she blinked, a ring of blue returning to her gaze. “Need…” Her head pressed into Ethan’s chest, the raspy sound of her plea hanging in the air. A shiver shuddered through her body, only it didn’t seem as if she was cold.
Ethan lifted his head, looking as if he was scenting the air, before he gathered her closer, moving them backward. “Bed, sweetheart. Before we end up making love to you standin’ up.”
She glanced at both of them, her gaze clearly suggesting she didn’t care how they made love. She paused at the edge of the bed as Ethan shoved her pants over her hips then she climbed onto the mattress with the man, leaning against his chest as she settled between his splayed thighs. He wrapped his feet around hers, opening her legs, finally baring her to their gaze.
Jude’s wolf howled inside his head, the sight of her pink flesh urging the creature on. He moved onto the blanket, staring at the smooth skin between her legs. It glistened in the light, her arousal clinging to the silky lips.
He reached out, drawing a single finger along one side. “Now this, I didn’t expect. You shave?”
A delightful blush stained her cheeks as she snagged her bottom lip with her teeth. “Is that a problem?”
He chuckled. “Are you kiddin’? I can’t wait to feel that smooth skin beneath my tongue. It was more idle curiosity. It’s not very common to our knowledge.”
The blush deepened, but the way she tilted her head to the side sent off warning bells in Jude’s head.
He reached for her, brushing his thumb across her cheek. “McKenna?”
Shame radiated from her before she met his gaze. “Let’s just say it was a choice I made after…” She swallowed audibly. “My way of riddin’ myself of their touch. Have ever since.”
“Fuck, darlin’.” He’d kill the bastards. Plain and simple. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… If this is scaring you…”
Her smile soothed the panic coursing through his veins. “Trust me. Scared isn’t what I’m feelin’ right now. In fact, I’m about to melt into a puddle of need if you don’t do something.”
He felt his lips kick up into a grin. “Sounds like our little mate is getting antsy. Can’t have that.”
He leaned in, once again claiming her mouth in his, only this time, he commanded her response, thrusting his tongue inside—expending some of the tension bunching his muscles. Her taste filled his head, making the room dip when he released her, licking his way down her neck. He paused to nip at his mark, knowing he’d have to bite her again after they’d made love. Reassert the claim he’d feared wouldn’t be enough to save her.
Her chest heaved beneath his lips as he kissed his way lower, stopping to tease her breasts again before continuing along her ribcage. Her wound had closed, an angry red scar still marring her soft skin. He dropped a series of kisses on it, offering a prayer of thanks before moving on. Her muscles contracted, highlighting the lean lines of her stomach as he settled between her legs, his head even with her groin. Her scent infused his body, the heady fragrance making his cock impossibly harder. He calmed his inner wolf with the image of her writhing beneath him, his tongue buried in her pussy.
He glanced up at her, moaning at th
e sight. Ethan had his hands cupped around her breasts, his fingers teasing her nipples. McKenna’s head was pressed against his shoulder, her eyes heavy lidded as she watched him from beneath a veil of eyelashes.
Jude dipped his head, dropping a light kiss on her mound. “God, you smell incredible. I bet you taste just as sweet.”
He placed the tip of his tongue against her slit, flicking it along her cleft, humming at the honeyed flavor that burst inside his mouth. It mimicked her skin, only with a hint of musk. He eased back, licking her essence off his lips before lowering his head again, pressing his tongue harder against her folds.
“Jude. God.” Her voice was a strangled rasp as her fingers landed in his hair again, her nails scratching his scalp. “Please.”
He lapped at her flesh, swirling his tongue around her clit, pausing to suckle it. Her grip tightened, her thighs flexing around his shoulders as her body arched upwards. Her breathing quickened as he raised one hand, probing her sex with the tip of one finger. Her channel closed around him, the tight clasp sending a ripple of need skittering down his spine.
“Oh, darlin’. I can’t wait until you hold me this tight inside you.” He glanced up at her. “I think Ethan should help me out, what do you think?”
Her mouth parted, nothing but a low, throaty sigh escaping as Ethan released one breast, his hand landing on her inner thigh. He slid it toward her groin, his fingers dancing over her mound before trailing through her slit to her sex. The man paused for only a moment, gathering her juice on his finger before easing it inside her, his digit disappearing amidst pink flesh.
“Fuck. Jude’s right. You’re so damn tight. You’re going to kill us, sweetheart.”
McKenna panted out a series of breaths, her muscles tensing further. “Kill you? I feel as if I’m going to explode. God, what are you doing to me?” Her eyes closed as she arched higher, opening her thighs more to grant them better access.
Jude lowered his mouth again, smiling against her mound as he licked around Ethan’s finger, nuzzling her clit then giving it a nip. “Just makin’ you feel good. Relax. We’ll give you what you need.”
