Shades of Pink

by 33 authors

  She shook her head and walked around the counter to the kettle. “No. I slept fine.” To keep her hands busy she filled the jug, turned it on, and started preparing her mug for a coffee.

  “That time of the month again?”

  “Christ, Drew!” She turned away from him, hiding her horror. “No! It isn’t that time of the month.” That had to top her most uncomfortable moment’s list...Oh, wait. Nope. The lead went to the time when she walked in on Heath giving himself a little self–love in the shower.

  “You sure?” Heath entered the room and headed to the table, still dressed in nothing but a towel. “You’re a bit edgy.”

  With a huff, she slammed her coffee mug down on the counter and turned to face them. “I am not...”

  They both smirked at her. Drew’s brown eyes gleamed, while Heath’s baby blues did the same.

  Bastards.

  They knew how to get her blood boiling. In more ways than one. She just wished the more enjoyable times weren’t limited to her fantasies.

  “Ha ha, guys. Very funny. Let’s play ‘pick on the female’, yet again.”

  “Oh, come on, Miri. We’re only joking.” Drew’s lips turned from an arrogant grin into the friendly smile capable of making her swoon.

  “So what did you want to talk to us about?” Heath raised a brow.

  Her gaze fell from his roughly stubbled jaw, down his tanned neck, to the muscles of utterly tuned perfection. Why the hell did they both insist on walking around half naked all the time? Hadn’t she asked him to get dressed?

  One of them cleared their throat and her focus shot back to his eyes. “I’m moving out.”

  “What?” Drew snapped.

  “Bullshit.” Heath added. “I won’t let you.”

  “Yes, because we live in an archaic world where I don’t have a say in whether I come or go. Thanks, Heath.” She picked up her coffee mug and lazily swished the dry contents.

  “Tell me why?” Drew pushed from his seat and strode toward her, getting into her space.

  That was another problem. These men could be a mile away and still invade her space. Her little womanly radar would ping, ping, ping whenever they came into sight, sending her hormones straight to hell.

  “I’m not comfortable living here anymore. The whole male–female dynamic doesn’t work for me.” She shrugged.

  Drew stepped closer and she glanced up from her mug, to his frowning face. Disbelief radiated from his narrowed eyes as he peered down at her, scrutinizing her features. Christ, she was a bad liar.

  Heath stood and moved to fill the space beside Drew, caging her into their den of male awesomeness. “We can change the dynamic, baby,” he drawled in a seductive tone.

  Baby? He’d never called her that before. There had been gorgeous, sugar, sweetheart, Miri, Randa and Miri-Biri-Randy-Pandy when he was drunk, but never baby.

  “No.” She put her coffee mug on the counter and pushed past them. “I’ve thought about it for a while and this is something I have to do.”

  She needed to get them out of her mind, out of her heart, and find a whole new set of sex toys that wouldn’t remind her of them every time she required relief.

  “We can speak about it more, later.” She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. Stuff the coffee, she needed a cold shower. “I’m going to get ready. I’ll see you both once you’re back from training.”

  Back from running themselves into a sweat. Then their muscles would be primed to a fucking brutal perfection that would make her want to cry. God-damn it. Why had she agreed to move in with professional football players in the first place?

  Her part-time wage would never be able to pay for all the batteries she would need if she stuck around.

  * * *

  CHAPTER 2

  Miranda stepped out of the shower and dried herself, making sure to spend little attention on her hypersensitive areas. Every day it was the same. She would wake up from lust-induced dreams, share breakfast with half–dressed men who knew they were God’s gift to women, then have a shower and try not to molest herself.

  “I’m too old for this shit,” she muttered. Twenty-seven wasn’t ancient, but all her friends were settling down, getting married, having babies. While they were building castles in the sand, she was building the ultimate ménage scene in her mind. “Stupid, oversensitive nipples!”

  Someone cleared their throat from the next room...Her bedroom. She gasped, and paused in the middle of securing her towel around her breasts, waiting to see if she hadn’t imagined the noise.

  “How long are you going to be, Miri?”

  Fuck.

  “I’m a little bit naked right now, Drew.” She opened the door enough to poke her head out. “Do you mind coming ba–”

  They sat on her bed, both of them side-by-side staring at her with expressions of concern.

  “What’s wrong?” she inched the door open wider. They weren’t usually stern men. Well, Drew was a little more adept with the seriousness that life could throw at you, but Heath thought the world was one giant playground.

  “We don’t want you to leave.”

  She blinked at Heath, unaccustomed to his humorless tone.

  “Can you guys give me a minute to get dressed?”

  “Sure,” Drew mumbled, fixing his gaze to the floor.

  She waited for them to move, her eyebrows rising higher and higher with each passing second. “Guys! I have no clothes in here. Can you please get out so I can get dressed?”

  Heath pressed his lips together, trying to hide a grin.

  “Oh, fuck it.” She flung the door open and stormed from the bathroom, heading to her dresser. They’d seen her in a bikini before. The towel covered far more than her flimsy swimsuit did.

  She felt their gazes on her skin, blazing a trail of goose bumps from the top of her neck to her tailbone.

  The mattress groaned and she didn’t doubt Heath had turned to get a better view, reveling in the way he sucked her privacy out the window. She flung open her middle dresser drawer and pulled out a pink lace G-string and matching bra. Taking a few quick steps to the side, she headed for her walk-in-robe and ran smack into a hard wall of muscle.

  Strong hands gripped her upper arms as she squeaked. His scent hit her first, sweet, classy with a hint of spice.

  Drew.

  “Sorry,” he whispered.

  She nodded, speechless, but he didn’t let her go. He was waiting for something and she didn’t dare glance up into his mocha brown eyes to find out what it was. Instead, she clutched her panties, hoping they would miraculously slide onto her body of their own accord.

  Heath moved to stand beside Drew and leaned into her. She held her breath, swallowed, and tried not to double over from the rapid pounding of her heart.

  “We have something we wanted to suggest adding to the living arrangements.” His touch slid down her arm and her nipples tightened, sending a shot of pleasure straight to her needy pussy.

  “Oh?” Her voice broke and she straightened her shoulders to feign courage.

  They knew what she wanted and they were teasing her with it. Manipulating her. Testing her pathetic resolve.

  Heath chuckled in her ear. “Yeah. We want to reward you for all the hard work you do for us.” He stepped behind her, sandwiching her in between their hard bodies. His gentle hands pulled her damp hair to the side and he placed a kiss on her neck.

  In shock, she focused on Drew’s chest, at the tiny threads of woven cotton, determined not to let her eyes roll to the back of her head.

  “Drew thinks we may be able to convince you to stay.”

  She panted out a breath and lifted her gaze. Drew stared down at her, his lips set in a firm line, his eyes reading hers. “If that’s what you want,” he added.

  Miranda opened her mouth and her bottom lip quavered. Heath’s hands lowered to her hips, pulling her ass against the steel of his erection. She wavered, and was thankful that firm hands still gripped her arms to keep her upright.

>   “We’ve wanted you for a long time, Miri, and neither of us can watch you leave.”

  She shook her head as the heavy throb of lust made her legs weaken. Drew raised a brow and grinned down at her nodding his head to reiterate.

  “Believe it, baby,” Heath spoke into her neck, leaving a trail of kisses down to her shoulder. Each gentle press on her skin left a burning fire.

  “Can I?” Drew leaned close, his concentration turning to her mouth.

  She licked her lips. It was instinctual, unstoppable, and before she caught her breath he was kissing her, his mouth molding to hers in a soft, slow tango. His tongue swiped once, twice, demanding entrance and she had no self-control to deny him.

  “Damn. I’m jealous already.” Heath ran his hands up her waist, around to the front of her body and gripped the top of the towel.

  Miranda dropped her underwear, the G-string and bra falling to the floor. She gripped Drew’s arms, digging her nails into his skin. He deepened the kiss in return, taking her to her tip toes with harder swipes of his tongue.

  “Don’t be greedy.” Heath loosened the towel and the soft material slid down her body to pool at her feet.

  She froze for a second, then pulled back, needing this one moment to breathe. Opening her eyes, she stared at Drew as he panted, his face mere inches from her own. He peered down the length of her, his gaze raking every inch of her naked flesh.

  “Gorgeous,” he murmured, his stare lazily climbing back to her face. “So fucking gorgeous.”

  Heath growled from behind and ran a strong hand down her spine, over her bottom. She arched at his touch, grazing her nipples against the thin material of Drew’s tank top.

  “Umm, shouldn’t we maybe talk about this first?” she stammered, clenching her thighs together as Heath’s caress slid lower, brushing the lips of her sex. Talking was the last thing on her mind, but she needed time to think. Things between them would change. And what about logistics? Where was she meant to…put them both?

  “Hey,” Drew gripped her chin. “Stop thinking. Just feel.” He brushed his knuckles over the top of her breasts, then lower, over her nipples. “How are you going down there, buddy?”

  “Fucking awesome.” Heath’s voice came from below her.

  She jerked her gaze over her shoulder and gasped. He knelt on the carpet, his face poised directly in front of her ass.

  “Spread em’ for me, babe.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Come on, Miri. Live a little. I promise I’ll make you feel good.”

  She turned back to Drew and swallowed to alleviate the sandpaper in her throat.

  “Trust him.” Drew ran his fingers between her cleavage, past her belly button and abdomen, to the apex of her thighs. “I’m told he can do great things with his tongue.” He leaned in and pressed his lips hard against hers.

  He seduced her with soft nips and licks. When his hand travelled lower, encouraging her legs to part, all she could do was mewl and comply with his voiceless request.

  More sensation came from below her waist, more hands and fingers and intimate touches. They coaxed her thighs wider with every stroke against her pussy, until her feet were spaced enough for Heath to fit between.

  “Mmm, you smell good,” he growled. “Lift her leg, Drew.”

  Drew’s rough hand moved to her hip, ran down her thigh and behind her knee. He lifted her limb pulling her shin into his body.

  “Oh, hell yeah. Such a pretty kitty.” Heath’s breath tickled her sex before the soft lick of his tongue ran straight down the middle of her heat.

  She moaned and clung tighter to Drew, seeking his mouth. Their kiss mimicked the attention Heath gave to her pussy—slow, tender strokes. Hands cupped her breasts, tweaked her nipples, and her core convulsed on the brink of climax.

  Two of Heath’s fingers pressed into the juices of her sex, gently gliding bit by bit, further and further, until they were planted inside her. He circled, plunged in and out, then flicked her clit with his tongue. Drew was right, Heath really could do great things.

  Her lungs filled with fire, expanding with the pressure of emotion and sensation. What was she doing? She loved these men. Inside and out. But sex wouldn’t fix their living situation. It would only complicate matters and make her heart cling to them even more when she left.

  She placed her hands on Drew’s chest and pushed back. “No.” She panted, her chest heaving. “I can’t.” Her body wanted nothing more than to be sated and dominated by them, yet her mind knew better.

  Heath didn’t stop. He continued to torment her, adding another finger to her channel and stretching her wider.

  “Yeah, you can.” Drew’s self–assured voice made her sway. “Not only today, but every damn day until we convince you not to leave.”

  She shook her head and opened her mouth to reply but Heath’s fingertips found her g-spot. Her eyes rolled and her back arched. A tight hand gripped the opposite arm to her raised leg and she let the exquisite sensation consume her. She floated, drifting in rapture, the pulse of ecstasy surging through her veins and filling her chest.

  “That’s it, gorgeous.” Drew’s mouth was on her chest, the rough flick of his tongue brushing her nipple. “I wish I was between your legs, licking your juices, tasting your flesh.” He grazed his teeth along the upper curve of her breast. “Maybe next time.” He moved higher, nuzzling her neck, hitting that sweet spot that made her body explode in goose bumps.

  She was going to come. Every nerve ending was on high alert, buzzing with every undulation of Heath’s fingers, every flick of his tongue. The bliss touched her to her very soul.

  “And maybe then you’ll get to ride my cock.” Drew’s nose nuzzled her earlobe, his warm breath heating her ear. “I can’t wait for that.”

  The visual sent her over the edge. The one leg supporting her weight buckled with the wash of climax but three strong hands held her up. They lavished her body with attention. Kissing, stroking, licking, and sucking. Drawing out her passion with fingers, lips and tongues, not stopping until the pleasure left her limbs.

  She closed her eyes as the men lifted her off the ground, placing her limp body on the bed. Silk rustled in her ears before the room fell quiet. Too quiet.

  Miranda measured her breaths, deep in, slow out. Opening her eyes would be the first step into a new…and highly uncomfortable situation. One she didn’t want to venture into in a hurry. If ever. Maybe if she kept lying here, unmoving, eyes closed, they would think she’d fallen asleep.

  A throat cleared, snapping her attention back to his eyes. With a swallow she opened her eyes and directed her gaze to Drew and Heath at the foot of the bed. She didn’t know why she was surprised that they weren’t looking at her face.

  Heat suffused her cheeks and she thrust her legs together. “Shows over.”

  Drew grinned, his focus still at the apex of her thighs. “So damn pretty and pink.” His gaze lifted to meet hers, stopping her heart at the intensity in his stare. “Next time I’ll be between those gorgeous legs of yours.”

  Heath glanced at the clock on her bedside table. “Shit, we’re gonna be late for training.” He gave her a lazy salute. “Round two starts as soon as we get back.”

  She opened her mouth but nothing came out. All she could do was watch him leave.

  “Be here when we get back, Miri.”

  She turned her gaze from the doorway back to Drew. Her heart pounded at the plea in his dark brown eyes and the now straight line of his lips.

  “Don’t make me come after you, because I will.” He winked, defying the seriousness in his tone. “I’ve gotta go.” He knelt on the mattress and walked forward on his knees until he was closer to her face. He leaned in and she held her breath, unintentionally thrusting her breasts out. His gaze lowered to the expanding area and he grinned as his lips came down to meet hers in a delicate caress.

  “Be prepared for the next round, Miri, cause we’re only just getting started.”

  ~~~

>   Eden Summers is an Aussie author with a passion for romance. Check her out at www.edensummers.com

  HIGHLAND ECLIPSE

  Laura Hunsaker

  As a member of an elite Time Ops team, Declan Wallace and his fellow Eclipse Agents keep the timeline in order. But what happens when he jumps back in time and meets the woman of his dreams? Staying in the past is forbidden, but Fiona McClure is his destiny.

  ~~~

  CHAPTER 1

  Travelling through time was a bitch. If he had to do it again today, his head might split open. Declan Wallace worked for the Department of Homeland Security, but he worked for a non-existent sector. His job? Time Ops. They called themselves the Eclipse Team. The first time anyone had time jumped had been during an eclipse, so the name stuck.

  Working undercover was always exciting, with each job bringing its own risks. Normally, he didn’t mind the constant work, but this time, he was ready for a break.

  His Commanding Officer Captain Jackson Tremaine stopped him.

  “We need you to go to Scotland ASAP. I know you’ve just returned from assignment, but our contact is requesting you.” Jackson’s British accent softened the words, but it was still hard to hear.

  Mentally exhausted, Declan nodded, figuring he’d pop a couple of aspirin and head back out into the field. Besides, he was intrigued at who the contact could be. They had very few who knew about them; it was dangerous to let natives know what Time Ops was.

  “Which contact do we have in Scotland?”

  “MacRae.”

  Declan nearly growled. He should have guessed. The damn MacRae men had been poaching women from the twenty-first century, and if he had to go clean up one more of their messes, he might not be as professional as he ought to.

  Sometimes fate stepped in and through magical means people were dragged back in time. Declan’s job was to intervene making sure those who were meant to remain in the past stayed there. Every now and then though, someone would cross time who wasn’t meant to be there. That was another part of Declan’s job. The hunt. He’d track them and drag them back where they belonged. And if an agent went rogue? Well, no one could hide from Declan. No one. There’s a reason he was the best. For this assignment he would use his skills for recon only. Piece of cake. Not one to complain, he rolled his shoulders and held his hand out for the flash drive his CO held.