Fire of the Wolf [The Gray Pack] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Lori King

  “I don’t need anything., I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I’m sure you guys have done more than enough. You don’t have to help me. I will be fine from here. I’m actually a nurse here at this hospital in the emergency room, so I have friends here. Thank you both.” She seemed to be dismissing them both as she withdrew her tingling hand from Damon’s large one.

  Caroline pulled her hand away from the big man’s grasp, and even without his touch, she felt the sparks of heat on her skin. She looked up after a second and made eye contact again with Devin. Those eyes could surely see right through her!

  “That’s not up to you, sugar. Damon and I are going to help you one way or another, so get used to the idea. Tomorrow you can come home to our house, and we will get you settled and back on your feet in no time.” Devin said it in such a demanding way that a shiver of excitement caused goose bumps on Caroline’s arms. She loved the authority in his voice, and it crossed her mind that he might be that kind of strong man in bed, too. She had always preferred a lover that was just on the dominating side, but she didn’t like to be pushed around too much. She was a grown woman and had been taking care of herself for the last thirty years. There wasn’t a chance in hell she was letting this strange man tell her what to do and where to go, no matter how delicious he and his brother were.

  She started shaking her head at him. “What do you mean I’ll go home with you? I don’t even know you. Why do you think I would go home with you?” She was getting herself worked up with irritation, and the flush in her cheeks caused both men’s nostrils to flare. Her eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed with anger as Damon said one phrase: “Because you’re ours.”

  Astonishing herself, Caroline started to laugh loudly. She was almost giddy with the hilarity of his statement. Why would this man that she had never met, possibly think that she would just agree to whatever demands he made of her? Why would she be attracted to that kind of a possessive statement? She shook off the brief flash of heat that she felt, because secretly she knew that she was attracted to it. Something inside of her knew that she couldn’t let him know that yet, or she would never get any control back. She had heard of arrogance, but Lord have mercy these men took the cake!

  She could tell that these two overly large men didn’t find the situation nearly as humorous as she did, so she struggled to regain her composure before meeting Damon’s irritated gaze. Chin thrust defiantly in the air, she clearly said, “Not a chance, darlin’.”

  Chapter 3

  Caroline lay in her hospital bed contemplating the scene that had played here earlier. After Damon laid his claim, Caroline had jerked back from him laughing almost hysterically. Once her giggles passed, she had gotten pissed. Devin tried hard to calm her down and explain the situation, but all Caroline understood was that for some reason both of these men felt some sort of obligation to her and wanted her to just go along with them. Well she was not some whore that just picked up strangers and had ménage a trois with them for shits and giggles.

  She had asked them to leave her alone, and Damon had angrily stated that under no circumstances would they ever leave her alone again. Devin quickly agreed with his brother, but seeing her mutinous glare, he seemed to realize that they were pushing her too hard, so he dragged Damon out the door with a promise to her that they wouldn’t be far. Right now they were sitting outside the hospital room in those silly hard plastic chairs guarding her door. Or at least that was what her friend and nurse, Tina, told her when she came into the room to check Caroline’s vitals. Caroline could tell that Tina was desperate to know who the men were, and why they were sticking so close to her, but she didn’t ask. For that Caroline was grateful. She didn’t know the answers to the questions in Tina’s eyes, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to face them yet. She did know that she felt safe with these two men, and in her gut she knew that she needed to explore her reaction to them. She fought her own pride at being ordered around, and having her life “handled” for her, but she knew logically that she didn’t have many options.

  She had no family to call, and very few friends that she was comfortable asking to help her. She needed a place to stay, and according to Devin, they had an extra bedroom at their home with a separate bathroom. He said that they usually rented the room out or let friends use it, but seeing as how it was currently empty, they would happily let her use it. But why would strangers let her live in their home for free? What did they want from her?

  She felt her face flush again at the lascivious thoughts that filled her brain whenever she asked herself that question. She could see in their eyes what they wanted from her, and she wanted it as much as they did, but she was determined to prove that stubborn Damon wrong. She was no man’s possession.

  Caroline had called Molly and Tyler’s hospital room, and Molly assured her that they were doing wonderfully. She told Caroline that she had already spoken with her sister in Denver, and she was coming to Kansas City tomorrow to load them up and take them to her house until they could get back on their feet. She cut the conversation short when Molly started to cry and thanked her for saving their lives. In Caroline’s mind she hadn’t done anything that anyone else wouldn’t have done, but she knew better in her heart. She had almost died saving Molly and Tyler.

  As she thought about everything that had happened, Caroline heard the brothers’ gruff voices outside arguing with another voice that was softer, but definitely male. She leaned forward to try and see around the privacy curtain that blocked the doorway. Just then her coworker, Carter Lawrence, came hurrying into the room followed very closely by an angry Devin, and an equally angry Damon. Clearly they were not happy to see Carter, but she smiled politely and reached her hand out to take the bouquet of daisies that he held.

  “Caroline, I’m so glad to see you’re okay! When I heard what happened and how close you came to dying…” he broke off and looked at her with so much emotion in his eyes that Caroline felt her heart break. She knew that Carter wanted her, and he had asked her out multiple times, but there was no spark with him. She saw him as a brother, but not a lover.

  The two thunderclouds standing next to the other side of her bed, however, caused her to clench her thighs as she caught another whiff of their masculine scent, and felt their dominating anger radiating out at this intruder. They looked dark and dangerous, and she couldn’t help but feel her insides melt, and her heart race.

  “Thank you, Carter. As you can see I’m just perfect, in fact Dr. Lou says I’ll be out of here tomorrow. The flowers are lovely. What a sweet gesture!” Carter grabbed her hand and held it close to his chest, and Caroline had to twist her arm back and forth to loosen his hold so that she could take her hand back. She rubbed it absently with her other hand, trying to soothe away the discomfort his touch brought her. It was odd how hot she got when one of the twins touched her, but how Carter’s touch just gave her creepy goose bumps. Though they remained alert with their arms crossed, both Devin and Damon seemed to relax slightly when she broke contact with Carter.

  “I ummm, uhhh…well, I just wanted to check on you and see for myself that you were okay. It looks like you have plenty of help.” Carter paused, glancing at the glowering faces of the two powerful men, and took a small step backward.

  “That was really nice, but you didn’t have to come all the way down here, Carter. Don’t you work this evening in the ICU?” She was attempting to chat and distract him from the wall of intimidation that the brothers had become.

  “Yeah I do, but I told Sara at the desk that I would be a little bit late so that I could come and see you. Do you need anything? You can stay at my place if you need to when they release you. I would be happy to have you.” He sounded like a small puppy begging for his master not to kick him, just staring at her with some sort of crazy longing. Her bodyguards both growled again at his last statement, and his face turned a pale shade of green.

  “Thank you, Carter, but I’m sure I will be okay. I haven’t quite figured it all o
ut, but I will let you know if I need anything, okay?” She said it as casually as possible, trying to figure out how to ease the tension in the room.

  “You know I would do anything for you, Caroline, right?” His voice was quiet, but not quiet enough. She could tell the brothers heard him and knew his feelings for her.

  “I know, ummm…I just prefer to keep my coworkers as coworkers. You know that, Carter. I appreciate the thought though. It’s good to know that someone is worried about me.” She saw the pain pass through his eyes when she dismissed his affection for her. She couldn’t continue to let him believe there was a chance though, especially with the feelings that she had for the two men next to her. How she could possibly have feelings for two strangers, she had no idea, but she had to face the truth, and so did Carter.

  As Carter stood silently on the left side of the bed, he was obviously determined to ignore the other men, and concentrate on her. She rolled her eyes, and set the flowers down on her bedside table. After crossing her arms across her chest, she decided to just address the elephant in the room—so to speak.

  “Carter, this is Devin, and Damon…”

  “Gray. Damon and Devin Gray,” Damon said through his gritted teeth. Then he ground out in a quiet voice, “Who are you to Caroline?”

  “I’m a friend.” Carter put emphasis on the friend, and even Caroline could see the lust and longing in the small man’s eyes. He had sweat on his brow, and his limp brown hair was cropped close to his scalp. Caroline would have to explain to the men at some point that Carter was not an intimate friend, but their jealousy struck a nerve inside of her, and it was obvious that Damon still wanted to force the point to Carter that he was staking his claim.

  “Not anymore,” Damon growled. His hands were now clenched at his sides, and his breathing had quickened. It almost looked like he was growing in size, as his anger became more palatable.

  Carter went pale, and took a quick step backward. He seemed torn between wanting to run from the twins, and wanting to step to her side and stand his ground. She could see his indecision, and she could damn well understand his confusion.

  “What?” She gasped, and stared at Damon. “Who do you think you are, just announcing that like you can decide for me? I don’t even know you, you arrogant jerk!” Her face became flushed again with her fury, and she moved up onto her knees pulling the oxygen tube off of her face and throwing it to the floor beside her bed. The bouquet of flowers hit the floor as Carter bumped her bedside table as if he, too, was surprised by her fury.

  Were these men all idiots, or just arrogant? Did they all think that a woman was a toy that they could own and use? Well they were about to learn the hard way that Caroline Trainor was no ordinary woman.

  “I will not let you scare my friends off you…you…overgrown ogre! Carter came here to see me out of genuine concern and friendship, and he has as much right to be here as either of you two cavemen!” Her voice had gotten lower and tighter as she ground out her anger at them.

  Damon reached out to her, trying to calm her. Instead it only infuriated her more, and she jerked back away from him. These men were absolute strangers to her, and here Damon was intentionally trying to scare off a man much smaller than they were, as well as making the choice of her friends for her like they owned her. Well, we will just see about that! Caroline thought to herself.

  Caroline glared at them complete silence, seething as her frustration struggled to stay under control. Carter took that moment to reach over and kiss her on top of the forehead and wish her better. She tipped her head up so that his lips would have better access to her head, which caused Damon to give an exasperated grunt and stomp from the room.

  Carter stared at Devin for just another moment as if he expected him to leave the room as well, but Devin stood like a gargoyle and was clearly not leaving him alone with Caroline.

  “I guess I will just have to come back later to check on you. Please let me know if you change your mind about a place to stay, or if you just need anything. I mean it, Caroline. Anything at all.” He headed to the door with one quick look back. His eyes took in the scene of Caroline damaged and weak in the hospital bed with her enormous guard dog Devin at her side, and she thought she saw a glint of anger in them. She shrugged it off. Surely she misread his intention. Then he flashed a tentative smile and waved as he left her room.

  Devin put the flowers back on the table and then sat down in the chair next to Caroline’s bed to watch his mate as she fought to control her temper. He watched her breasts thrust forward, the nipples hard points as anger pulsed through her. The flush on her high cheekbones was almost regal as she continued to glare at him, and at the door where the other two men had left. Up on her knees on the bed he saw every bit of her curvaceous body. She was magnificent, and he couldn’t wait to see her passion when he held her beneath him and pushed himself inside of her.

  Caroline stopped when there was no one left to grumble at, and slowly settled back down to rest on her heels. She glared at Devin and waited expectantly for an explanation.

  “Are you done?” he asked in a soft voice trying to restrain his amusement. There was no reason to upset her more. He admired the way her light, caramel-colored skin glowed with her impatience, and a muscle ticked in her jawline.

  He wondered how long it would take her to notice that she only wore a scrap of a hospital gown that wasn’t even tied in the back, and it barely covered her breasts when she leaned forward. Her ponytail had fallen out, and her long, curling hair was wildly falling down past the top of her ass. She was magnificent when she was in a temper.

  He saw on her face when she got her emotions back under control, and she settled down. “Why are you guys here, Devin?” she asked quietly, though her breathing had yet to slow. She eased herself back down onto the pillows and pulled the blanket back over her lap, lacing her fingers on top of it.

  Devin contemplated what to say to her, inwardly groaning when his brother gave in to his impatient frustration.

  What’s going on? Damon thought to him.

  She’s calmed down and wants answers.

  Tell her I’m sorry, man, I don’t want her mad at me.

  Damon, you just scared the hell out of her friend, and took away the chance we had to explain all of this slowly.

  I know, but I can’t help it. I have to protect her.

  Just shut up and wait outside, I will talk to her just give me a few minutes.

  “As Damon indicated to your friend, he wants you, and I want you just as much. I can’t explain everything now, but please trust me. We would never do anything to hurt you, and we will always be there to take care of you and protect you. We just get a bit overprotective.” He smiled his most charming smile. The dimple in his left cheek flashed.

  “How can you want me? You don’t even know me. And why are you so determined to protect me?” She sounded heartbreakingly confused, but Devin knew that now wasn’t the time for explanations. It would only succeed in making this situation harder.

  He stood up and moved to her side, taking her hand and placing it on his chest, holding it against his heart firmly.

  “I told you I can’t explain it all right now, but just know that I can feel my need for you deep inside of me.” As he said it he searched her eyes for some recognition of his soul. The mating bond was undeniable, and he could see her shiver at the unexpected intensity of his emotions. He knew this woman was meant for him, and he would not give her up, even if it meant sharing her with his brother. “Do you feel something when you look at me?”

  “Sure, I’m attracted to you. I mean look at you. But I’m well past the age of letting lust rule my life, Devin. Sex doesn’t equal stability, and that’s what I want in my life. I need some logical answers and a plan for tomorrow.”

  “I don’t mean lust, Caroline, but it’s good to know you want me as much as I want you.” He paused and watched the flush of heat rise in her cheeks and her breathing pick up. “I mean deep down, can you honestly
tell me that you don’t feel a connection?”

  Caroline’s hand rested on Devin’s hard, muscular pec, and she could feel his steady heartbeat. She couldn’t find any air in her lungs, and her voice wouldn’t work, so she remained silent. As they stared at each other, her lips parted, and her eyes drifted over his face. With his high cheekbones and that square jaw, he looked like he was cut from a slab of granite. He had a strong nose, and it reminded her of a picture she once saw of a proud Native American warrior. Domineering and controlling, he was hard in all the right places and soft where a woman needed him to be. Her gaze reached his mouth. He had sensual lips that were fuller on bottom, and perfectly straight teeth. Her gaze held steady there until his lips turned up into a satisfied smirk. She had just enough time to think to herself yes, and his lips met hers in an explosive kiss.

  She felt the struggle within him to keep his control as his lips explored hers. The kiss was possessive and demanding, but so soft she knew that she had the choice to stop it. To her surprise she didn’t want to, and she melted into it. Her hand grasped a fistful of his shirt while his hand came up to hold her jaw. His tongue drifted softly across her bottom lip as she opened to him, and their tongues began to dance. Never had she experienced a kiss so powerful. She could feel him to the painted-pink tips of her toes, and she wanted to pull him into the bed with her and tear his clothes away. She wrapped her fingers tightly into her blanket, forcing herself to sit still and just enjoy his embrace.

  Devin pulled back first, still holding her chin gently in his strong hand, and he stared into her eyes as he let out a sigh.

  “Shit, sugar. That was intense. I knew you would taste good.” He smiled that dimpled smile, and she almost smiled back.

  The arrogance of the statement settled into her brain again like a cold tidal wave, and she jerked her head away from his grip. What was she doing? The smoke must have ruined her brain or at least damaged it somehow.