by Jane Jamison
Two more growls came, growls that hadn’t come from Collin. Alarm sprinted through her as she searched the shadows deeper in the alley.
Devin and Will broke out of the darkness. Their eyes, reminding her of Collin’s strangely colored eyes, locked onto her as they strode toward her, their movements fluid yet powerful.
Where had they come from? Had they been watching all along?
Devin went to one side of her while Will took to her other side. They bent toward her at the same time, their faces close against her hair as they both drew in long breaths. She sighed as they slipped their hands under her shirt and captured her breasts in their large hands.
Taking her by the chin, Will turned her head toward him and met her parted lips with his own. The sound of her muted moan vibrated her lips as he snaked his tongue inside her mouth.
Take me. Please. Take me.
She wasn’t an easy woman and wasn’t the kind who would ever have sex in a public place, but she no longer cared about decorum. She wouldn’t, couldn’t, stop them. If she did, it would break more than her heart. It would tear her very soul apart.
Devin tugged her away from his brother, taking her arm and forcing her to pivot away from Will. A low growl was Will’s complaint, but neither she nor Devin let it stop them.
She faced Devin and stared into his mesmerizing eyes. What did he want her to do? Whatever it was, she’d gladly do it.
Although he spoke no words, she understood his meaning as he pulled her in front of him. Collin shifted position behind her. His hands played with her bottom, his fingers dipping into her puckered lips. His licks tantalized her, sending quick shock waves through her skin as he sank his tongue into her dark hole, working his fingers around his tongue. He worked her tight circle, making it looser, ready to accept what he’d give her next.
She tensed, yet was unable to voice her concern. Never had she had anyone take her from behind. Would it be as painful as she’d heard? Or would the pain morph into pleasure? Which of the stories was true? Collin nibbled on her shoulder as he pushed another finger inside her to join the first.
Devin’s mouth took hers, forcing all worries away. His hand dipped between her legs to find her weeping pussy. One thumb rubbed over her clit while the other pebbled her nipple.
Will uttered yet another animalistic growl but held back, his attention running from what one brother was doing to her to the next. “Mine.”
Yes. If she realized nothing else, she realized that. She was his, as much as she was Collin’s and Devin’s. At least for the time being. For now, the time being was all that mattered.
She sucked in a breath as Devin undid his jeans and shoved them to his ankles. His hard cock thrust against her, demanding entry. In that same moment, Collin pushed his cock between her butt cheeks, he, too, demanding she submit to him.
The urge to stop them, the sense to realize what she was about to do, wasn’t a part of her. Without understanding why, she knew she’d never refuse them.
The two brothers entered her, driving their cocks inside her. Her cry was muffled as Devin kissed her again.
The other women had been right. First pain hit her as Collin’s cock plunged into her asshole. But the sting of his invasion soon gave way to the searing licks of pleasure that rolled outward from her ass to her fleshy butt then through her to her pussy.
Their cocks rammed into her, setting up a rhythm with her caught in the middle. Again and again, they shoved into her. Again and again, she let out a small “uh” as they crushed her between them. They filled her completely, stretching both her pussy and butthole muscles until she was sure they’d tear her apart.
The climax ripped into her, sudden and unforgiving, sending her renewed pain and pleasure. She dug her fingers into Devin’s shoulder as her body trembled through the sexual take-over.
Collin, holding her hips, ground into her one last time then pulled away, his tortured sounds filled with both frustration and relief. He stumbled away from her, but she couldn’t see where he’d gone.
Devin took her roughly by the face, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Mine.” He slammed his cock into her again then stiffened, closing his eyes. Groaning, he pulled his cock out of her then shoved her toward Will. He spun toward the wall, covering his cock with the tail of his shirt as he shuddered out his orgasm.
She didn’t have a second to catch her breath before Will lifted her off her feet. He rammed her against the wall then plunged his cock inside her pussy. Her soft grunt echoed his as she wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed back at him.
“Mine,” he murmured.
She ground against him, doing her best to match his fervor, but her energy was winding down. Her next orgasm, however, wasn’t. Hard and fast it climbed higher, spiraling throughout her body. She clung to him, her juices flowing down the insides of her thighs.
Harder and faster he pumped into her. Her hands slipped to the muscles in his ass cheeks, her fingers playing over their flexing movements. Putting his forehead against her shoulder, he shoved into her again then stilled, heralding his release. When he turned it free, he bit her, hard enough for her to feel pain, but not enough to tear into her shirt or break her flesh.
Her body exploded yet another time, taking away what little strength remained. Slowly, she let her legs fall away from him as he lowered her to the ground.
Collin squatted next to her, his eyes missing the strange amber highlights, and brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. Gently, sweetly, he feathered a light kiss against her lips. “Are you okay, baby?”
Did he really expect her to be able to speak after all they’d done to her? The best she could do was to nod.
“Let’s get your clothes pulled together before someone sees you,” said Devin in a gravelly voice.
She let Will and Collin ease her on to her feet and stood still like a child allowing her father to dress her. She couldn’t have managed to pull her clothes back into place without his help.
Once her jeans were back up, Collin stroked her cheek with his thumb, his face once more close to hers. “My brothers and I want you, baby. You’re going to be ours. Hell, you’re already halfway there.”
“I don’t understand.” She didn’t know them. Not really. Other than what she’d heard about them from others and what she’d observed as she’d studied them every time she’d seen them.
“You don’t have to understand all of it.” His thumb brushed her lips. “The only thing you need to understand right now is that you’re ours.”
“Listen to Collin,” added Will. “What’s important is that we’re meant to be together.”
As what? As their woman? Or their friend-with-benefits?
Yet she didn’t have the nerve to ask. Instead, she studied their expressions and saw their need rising to the surface again. If they’d commanded her to get on her knees, she would’ve obeyed.
Finally, however, she regained enough sense to ask a question. “What happened to your eyes? I saw flecks of amber in them.” She studied his brothers. “And both of yours.”
“Don’t worry about details right now, baby.” Collin cupped her breast, renewing her craving for him. “Just remember this the next time we meet.” He searched her face as though thinking he’d see her answer there. Without warning, he moved in to take another kiss.
Her lips still sang from his last kiss. Yet, although she tried to hold his arms, tried to keep him with her, he moved away. With one last smile, he strode out of the alley, leading his brothers away.
Oh my stars. What the hell did I just do?
Yet, although she knew she should, she didn’t regret it.
* * * *
Arizona hugged her cell phone to her ear while she flipped through her tablet, studying the latest trends in the construction field. “I don’t know how to explain what I feel around them, Vera.”
Vera Landers had been her best friend for the past two years. They’d met soon after the worst time in Arizona’s life had le
ft her reeling from the loss of her best friend. A friend that, if it hadn’t been for her, might still be alive.
It had been Vera, a girl who lived down the street yet she had never spoken to, a girl who had been bullied by others as an outsider and loner, who had shown up at just the right time, ready to help Arizona through those dark days. From the first moment they’d met, Arizona knew Vera would be in her life forever.
“You know what? I don’t think you should try to understand it. For once in your life, try not to overanalyze every emotion you feel. If you want my opinion”—Vera’s laugh came—“and even if you don’t, I’d say go for it. They sound like terrific guys.”
Arizona didn’t bother pointing out that Vera had never had a steady boyfriend, much less three men who wanted her at the same time. “They are.”
“So what’s the problem? Don’t you believe Collin? Or do you think he’s playing you?”
The thought that he’d made a fool out of her had crossed her mind. After all, it wouldn’t have been the first time he’d played games with her. Yet her gut told her he’d spoken the truth. “No. I think he was on the up and up.”
“Then, like I said before, I’d go for it.”
The silence that hung between them clued Vera in.
“What the matter, Arizona? Why are you hesitating?”
Vera had always been great at reading her, even when they weren’t face to face. “If they’re so into me, why haven’t they called?”
“Do they have your number?”
Well, hell. “If you’re asking if I gave it to them, then no. But I’ve given my number out all over town. It wouldn’t take them five minutes to get it. And it’s been three days since we—”
“Got it on in the alley.” Vera’s laughter, light and airy, rang out.
“I knew I shouldn’t have told you. I haven’t told anyone else, by the way, so if it gets out, I’ll know who couldn’t keep her mouth shut.” She kept her tone light, telling her friend she trusted her to keep her secret.
“Oh, no you don’t. I don’t live in Fate. If word gets around, it’s the men who spilled the beans. But from what you’ve told me about them, about how they’re solid, stand-up kind of guys and run their own ranch, I doubt they’ll say anything.”
“They won’t.” She relaxed, secure in the knowledge that none of them would talk. “But that still doesn’t answer the question. Where the hell are they?”
“Beats me. I’d give them a few more days. They’ll turn up.”
A loud thud jolted Arizona into dropping her tablet. “Did you hear that?”
“Yeah. It must’ve been really loud on your end. What was it?”
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s right outside my window.”
“Do you think you should call the cops?” Vera’s voice was strained, worried for her.
“There aren’t any cops in Fate. At least not the kind you’re talking about.” She eased off the side of the bed. “Listen, Vera, I’m going to go check it out.”
“Are you sure you should? I mean, isn’t this where the girl in the movies always gets killed?”
Arizona stopped in her tracks. “No. This is the part where the girl’s best friend gets killed.”
“Not if she’s in another town, she doesn’t. Please be careful.”
“I will. I’m going to hang up now. If I don’t call you back in fifteen minutes, call out the National Guard.”
“Shit, Arizona, you’ve really got me spooked.”
“Me, too. Just do what I said, okay? Bye.” She ended the call without waiting. Putting the phone down on the bed, she reached into the nightstand, found the gun, and pulled it out.
She hated having a weapon, but after Duke, she was thankful she had one. Although she knew how to shoot it, holding the gun still didn’t feel right. She hated the idea of shooting at anyone, much less hurting them, but a girl, especially one living alone, had to do whatever she could to stay safe.
Gripping the gun with both hands, she made her way slowly to the back door. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure anyone could hear it. If anyone were around to hear it. Praying the noise was nothing, she opened the door, peeked out, then stepped over the threshold.
“Who’s there?” If she saw someone, she’d shoot into the air and hope she could frighten them away.
Nothing but the chatter of crickets answered her.
Moving her head side to side to abate the tension in her neck, she moved toward her bedroom window. Was it a neighbor? Maybe the landlord checking in on her? But, of course, neither of those made any sense. A neighbor and the landlord would’ve come to the front door.
Right then, she found herself wishing she’d stayed at the local B&B. But at the time, the house had seemed perfect for her. It was close to town but far enough that the nearest neighbor was a half-mile down the road, giving her the privacy she’d craved after living in Atlanta. She’d been thrilled to find the rental home and even more thrilled when the owner had agreed to trade rent for fixing up the place in her spare time. Had she made the right decision?
Carefully, scanning the yard, she made her way to the window. She searched, carefully checking behind the bushes next to the house. And found nothing.
She frowned. What could have made that noise? Breathing easier, she lowered the gun, thankful she hadn’t had to pull the trigger. Could she have shot an intruder? A Peeping Tom? She wasn’t sure, and she was happy that she hadn’t had to find out.
Taking another look didn’t help. At least, not until she looked down at her feet. Leaves were scattered on the ground near one bush, but not around the others. Having raked the yard earlier that day, she knew she hadn’t left any leaves behind.
Her gaze slid from the leaves to the bush and then to the window. Her throat tightened as she realized what had happened. Someone had looked in on her, brushing against the bush and dislodging some of its leaves. Had that someone perhaps tripped and fallen against the house? Was that the sound she’d heard?
Alarm pricked at her nerves as she backed away. Keeping her attention on the yard, she hurried back to the house. As soon as she could, she closed the door behind her and flipped the dead bolt lock.
Someone was spying on me.
Chapter Four
“What the fuck’s going on?” Devin paced from one side of the kitchen to the other, his knuckles white from gripping his phone so hard. “I saw Duke today, driving along like he didn’t have a care in the world. If it hadn’t surprised me so damn much, I would’ve run him off the road and torn his head off.”
“Just take it easy. Quinn’s out of town, so things are taking longer than usual.” Drake Hardwick’s calm voice was enough to make his head explode.
“So Quinn’s not around and nothing gets done? Duke needs to be strung up by his balls for what he tried to do to her.”
Will and Collin stood nearby, watching him pace, their expressions reflecting his own anger and frustration. If he hadn’t stopped them, they would’ve already tracked Duke down and extracted their own brand of justice.
“I understand your frustration, and I’ve tried to locate him, but he’s hiding out.”
“Bullshit. The pack’s looking for him and his pride, too. How hard is it to find him?” He lost his control and shouted, “Fuck! He drove right past me!”
“Calm down, Devin. I swear we’re doing the best we can. Even his wife doesn’t know where he’s at.”
Devin closed his eyes, telling his inner wolf to stop howling, demanding retribution. “I get that, but that doesn’t make me feel any better. That asshole might go after her again.”
“I don’t think he will.”
“Are you shitting me? You don’t think he will? Come on, man.”
“Devin, I understand how you feel, but losing your cool isn’t going to help. You know Duke. He’s not the brightest bulb in the carton, but he’s never out and out hurt someone. He was drunk.”
“Tell me you’re not making excuses for him.”
“No, I’m not. I’m just trying to get you to understand that he’s unlikely to pull that stunt again while he’s sober. I’ve let everyone at the Wolf’s Den to the market know to call me if he shows up to buy alcohol. We’ll keep him off the booze until we can locate him.”
Devin rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease a little of the tension setting up shop there. “And in the meantime? How do we keep Arizona safe?” He motioned to his brothers, silently telling them to get ready to leave. They’d make sure she was safe.
“I’ve got some of the pack watching her house.”
“Since when?” He’d been a fool to trust someone else to handle Duke. Had, in fact, assumed the pride had already taken Duke out of the area. Fear tightened his gut. If his foolishness had cost Arizona her safety or, worse, her life, he’d never forgive himself.
Drake’s hesitation didn’t help. “They’re there tonight.”
“Which means they haven’t been there until tonight. Fuck.” How could he have been so stupid? He’d never fully trust the pack, much less the pride, again. Thankfully, they’d seen her earlier that day.
The memory of her legs wrapped around his had his cock twitching to life.
“Just don’t go jumping the gun. Give us more time, Devin.”
He’d give the pack and the others more time, but he wouldn’t risk her life. “Fine. But I can’t promise that if I see him again, I won’t tear his head off.”
“And start a war between the pack and the pride? You know I’m right. She’s safe. Let us handle this.”
“Whatever you say.” Yet he was sure Drake didn’t believe him. And he shouldn’t. He ended the call and turned to his brothers. “He says we’ve got men watching over her, but I want to make sure that’s true.”
“Then let’s get going.” Will was already halfway to the back door with Collin on his heels.
Devin shoved his phone into his back pocket and rushed after them.
* * * *
Arizona strolled down the street, the same questions running through her mind for the thousandth time.
