by Jane Jamison
“Yeah. No harm done.”
“The hell you say.” Justin pointed at his butt. “Fucking harm was done right here. She shot my fucking ass.”
Barrett laughed as Justin sent Troy a hard look. “Yeah, but you’ll heal.”
“But do we agree? We felt the connection, right?” asked Troy. “All of us?”
Barrett smiled, relief mixing with happiness. “I sure as hell did.”
Troy bounced to his feet and slapped him on the shoulder. “Yeah, we did. We all did.”
“Yeah, we did. But here’s the question.”
Troy and Barrett stopped celebrating to study their cousin.
“What?” asked Barrett, already hating the answer.
“We all felt the connection.” Justin grimaced as he squirmed to get into a better position. “But to which woman?”
Barrett felt as though he’d been punched in the gut. It hadn’t occurred to him that they were connected not to Pamela, but to her sister. “To Pamela, of course. That’s the one you felt the connection with when you met her on the street, right? Her sister wasn’t anywhere around.” He looked to Justin for backup. “I’m right.” He checked with Troy, silently urging him to say so. “Right?”
“Yeah. That’s what you said, Troy.”
Troy frowned then sat down, his earlier exuberance gone. “But the connection didn’t feel as strong then.”
“Maybe it takes time to get stronger,” offered Barrett. They’d found their mate. Why was Justin questioning it?
“Maybe.” Justin shrugged. “But we have to be sure.”
Barrett nodded, wishing he could say he was certain. “We will be. We will.”
Damn, I sure hope so.
* * * *
“Relax, sis, those wolves won’t be coming back. Especially not the one I shot in the ass.” Mona wrapped her arm around Pamela.
The three wolves had appeared almost four hours earlier, but her sister hadn’t calmed down much since then. What got her was that, if anyone should’ve been shaken up by three wolves, it should’ve been her. Yet, other than being alarmed for her sister’s safety, she hadn’t been afraid. She had, in fact, felt drawn to them, as though she could reach out and touch them without any fear.
What was the odd sensation she was experiencing? Did it have something to do with the wolves? But that made no sense. The first time she’d felt it, she’d wanted to move to the group of men across the street. Especially to the tall one with black hair. So why would she have gotten the same bolt of electricity from seeing the three wolves? On top of that, why hadn’t the one wolf that had been standing on their porch evoked an emotion—other than fear—in her?
Nothing made sense. Especially not the fact that she was more worried about the wolf she’d shot than she was about her sister’s fear. Was it all right? Why hadn’t she shot the gun into the air? Why had she aimed for it? After all, she hadn’t been afraid. In fact, it was quite the opposite. After her initial burst of worry for Pamela, she’d wanted to put the gun down, hurry down the steps, and hug the animals.
Wanting to hug three wolves? Girl, you have officially lost your mind.
“That’s what you said the last time.” Pamela curled up closer, acting as though she were a child instead of a grown woman. “You lied.”
Sometimes Mona wished she could shove her sister away from her. But she couldn’t, wouldn’t, do anything such thing. Her sister was her world. “No, I didn’t. I really believed we wouldn’t have any more trouble.”
“That’s why I don’t believe you now. You don’t know anything for sure.”
Mona blew out a breath, giving up the argument they’d had so many times before. No one could know anything for certain. Except, perhaps, love. She knew she loved Pamela no matter how much her sister irritated her.
“Okay, okay. But still, I really do believe it’s over now.” She could sense Pamela’s continued lack of trust in the sudden stiffness of her sister’s body.
“We should hire some hunters. Real hunters. Men with guns who won’t miss.”
“First of all, I didn’t miss. I just didn’t use bullets. I used buckshot.”
“Then use real bullets the next time.”
“There won’t be a next time. Besides, do you really want to kill them?” The idea of killing such beautiful animals left her chilled. “They didn’t try to hurt us, so why murder them?”
Pamela pushed away from her, frowning. “Murder? It’s not murder when you get rid of a dangerous animal.”
Although she still thought the word murder fit, she knew better than to argue. “I don’t want them dead. Maybe they’re merely curious about us. After all, they haven’t done anything threatening.” Yet.
“They haven’t done anything threatening yet? What are you waiting for? For one of them to bite your face off?”
She must’ve winced.
“Oh, shit, Mona. I did it again. I just don’t know when to shut my mouth. But I can’t help it when you say things like that. How can you sit there and be so calm about all these wolves?” Pamela shook her head then stood and moved away before turning to confront Mona. “I’m sorry, but it doesn’t make any sense. After what happened to you, I’d think you’d want to see all wolves destroyed.”
“I’m not going to blame every wolf for what that one wolf did to me. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Wow. Seriously? It wouldn’t be fair? You’re talking like they have feelings like us. Like they’re more important to you than me. I don’t get that. I really don’t.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. No one’s more important than you.” For some strange reason, she had to try again. “Tell me you didn’t think they were beautiful. Tell me you didn’t want to touch them.”
Pamela opened her mouth to deny it, but couldn’t. “Okay. Sure. They’re pretty. I mean I like dogs, and they’re kind of like dogs. But I don’t want them coming around for a visit.”
Mona chuckled. “Trust me. I won’t let that happen. But I’m glad that you see them for the amazing animals they are.” Why was it important to her that her sister like them?
Pamela pulled out her phone. “This is a very odd conversation, but never mind for now. I need to respond to this text from my agent.” She spun around gracefully and hurried out of the living room, her earlier fear finally forgotten.
The knock on the door startled Mona, but she quickly recovered. After all, it wasn’t as though wolves could knock.
Yet when she opened the door to find two men standing there, she couldn’t help but get the impression that they reminded her of the wolves. Not in their appearance, but in the way they held themselves, their bodies somehow relaxed yet ready to spring into action, their eyes cautious yet curious. “Hi.”
“Hey there.” The one with a streak of white through his dark hair grinned. He held a bouquet of flowers while the man next to him held a box of candy cradled in his arm as though it was a football. “I’m Dillon Collinsburg. This is my brother, Will.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” They seemed friendly enough.
Will took off his cowboy hat. Recognition dawned on her.
They’re the men from the street.
“And you are?” asked Dillon.
“Oh. Sorry.” She shoved open the screen door and extended her hand. “I’m Mona Frost.”
Will’s gaze slid past her. How many times had she had a man look past her hoping to see her sister? More than she could remember.
“Is your sister home?” asked Dillon, following his brother’s gaze.
“She might be.” The protectiveness was back up, the old familiar wall built, as she planted her feet apart. “What do you two have in mind? Why do you want to see my sister?” She arched an eyebrow and blatantly studied the flowers and candy. Again, it wasn’t the first time men had shown up with gifts for her sister, although most of the men who garnered attention from her sister brought more expensive gifts. Like jewelry. One had even presented her with a new Jaguar. She felt sorry for the two c
owboys who thought a box of candy and a bunch of flowers would win favor with her sister.
“We just want to say hello to Pamela. We met her in town,” answered Will. He leaned to the side, his gaze searching past her. “She’s home, right?”
He’d keep asking if she didn’t answer. Yet, she sensed he already knew her sister was there. Had they been reporters or photographers, she would’ve sent them packing. But as locals, well, then, she at least had to be civil. “Yes. She’s home, but she’s busy right now.” She wasn’t lying. Pamela was probably still on her phone with her agent. Those conversations were rarely short.
A scowl came and went from Dillon’s face. “We’ll wait. Then can we talk to her?”
Mona hadn’t decided which way to go. It would be easier to tell them Pamela couldn’t be disturbed. But if Pamela found out that she’d sent two sexy men away, she’d more than likely have a fit. As it turned out, she didn’t have to make the choice.
“Hi.”
Mona stepped back as her sister came up behind her.
“You have visitors, Pamela. Or would you rather I send them away?”
Pamela didn’t take her focus off the men. “No, no. After all, I wouldn’t want to be rude. You can go back to doing whatever you were doing, Mona. I’m sure I’ll be safe with these strong, handsome men.”
Oh, brother.
“Fine. Just call if you need me.”
Now that her sister was there, the men wouldn’t even notice if she left. She eased away, not bothering to say good-bye. They were already too entranced with her sister to care.
As she drifted back into the living room, she decided to listen in. Not to be snoopy—okay, maybe a little—but to be sure these two strange men didn’t have anything nefarious in mind. She leaned against the wall closest to the front door.
“Hi. You remember us, don’t you? I’m Dillon, and this is Will.”
“Of course I do. Are those for me?”
That’s my sister. Forget the small talk and get straight to the gifts.
“You bet. Sweet and pretty for someone sweet and pretty,” answered Will. “Can we come inside?”
Will was nothing if not persistent. Still, Mona was surprised when her sister didn’t answer straight away. Usually, Pamela would take the gifts right away, end the conversation, and close the door as politely as she could. Which was, sad to say, sometimes not that politely. But she’d still get rid of them as fast as she could. Mona pressed against the wall harder, trying to hear better. Again, Pamela surprised her.
“How about we sit out here and talk?”
Good. She’s not bringing them inside. But wait. She’s going to talk to them? Why?
She heard their footsteps on the porch and scurried into the dining room, putting her closer to the rocking chairs on the porch. Thankfully the curtains were closed so they didn’t see her tiptoeing up to the big window.
“You’re very pretty,” said Will.
At once, pity for the man rushed through Mona. If he wanted to make an impression on Pamela, he was going to have to come up with better flattery than calling her sister pretty. Pretty was almost an insult after all the praise the world heaped on her.
“Thank you. I’m happy you noticed.”
At least Pamela was being nice. Very nice, in fact. At least, for Pamela.
“We want you.”
Mona came to attention. Talk about getting right down to the nitty-gritty. Not that it would do Will any good.
“Um, I’m flattered. But I don’t even know you.”
Mona could almost hear her sister’s thoughts. Big deal. Every man wants me.
“We met on the street, remember?”
Mona stifled a chuckle. Will didn’t catch on fast. Or maybe he wasn’t very intelligent. Or, more likely, he was so enamored by Pamela that his mind wasn’t functioning at full capacity. Her sister had a way of turning otherwise intelligent men’s minds to mush.
“Yes, I know. I mean I don’t usually give men the time of day that I don’t know very well. I usually meet men through friends or business.”
Or, in other words, those men she’d figured out didn’t have the prerequisite assets. Men she became involved with had to be either rich or famous. Being handsome and great in bed alone wouldn’t cut it. So why was Pamela talking to them, anyway?
“Look, babe—”
Babe? Did Will call my sister “babe”? That is so not the right thing to do.
“—we know we’re not the kind of men you usually go for, but you have to feel something between us, right? Like a kind of electricity?”
Mona paid even closer attention. What he was describing was dead-on to what she’d felt. Not right now, but earlier in town.
And again, later, when the three wolves were here.
She shook off the ridiculous thought. Becoming curious about wolves after the attack was understandable. But now she was becoming obsessed. She was thinking far too much about wolves lately.
“It’s a connection between us,” added Dillon. “It lets you know that we’re the men for you. And you’re the woman for us.”
“I’m the woman for you? Are you talking about both of you?” asked Pamela. “At the same time?”
Shit. Pamela’s getting curious now. And intrigued. Maybe these two cowboys have more game than I thought. Or maybe Emma’s talk of ménage was behind her sister’s curiosity?
“Exactly. We want you for our own.”
“For your own? I don’t think I understand.”
Mona frowned. Her sister’s voice sounded odd. Husky. Turned on.
What’s going on?
“Yeah, you do. You understand all right. At least, inside you do. All you have to do is let your brain catch up with your gut.” Will’s tone had taken on a huskiness, too. A growl that sounded very sexy. “But even if you don’t right now, you will. All you have to do is listen to how you’re feeling.”
“Sorry. I still don’t understand.”
Alarms went off in Mona’s head. Pamela sounded confused, even worried. She inched toward the front door, ready to run out to the front porch if needed. She’d fought wolves for her sister, and she’d sure as hell fight two men for her.
* * * *
“I don’t understand,” said Pamela, her voice trembling a little. Granted, Will and Dillon were incredibly good-looking. Maybe not in the overt way that the black-haired man was, but there was an extra layer to them, a quality she couldn’t define that was so much more appealing than superficial looks. They were sexy as hell with that cowboy thing going on. Sitting next to them stirred a craving that made her mouth water. Plus, they were also right. She did feel something, although she couldn’t have described what it was. At least, not until the men had described it for her.
Electricity. A current of sexuality beyond any normal attraction. Yeah. That summed it up nicely.
They wanted her. She wasn’t sure what they really meant. Did they want her for a fun time? For a country fling? As long as they kept it quiet, she wouldn’t mind indulging. Yet she had a suspicion that they wanted her for so much more and for a whole lot longer. Worse yet, she had a suspicion she might want the same thing.
“All you have to do is trust us, honey.” Dillon put his hand on top of hers. “You won’t regret it.”
Her reaction to his touch was primal, powerful—and scared the hell out of her. She was used to being in control around men, used to wrapping them around her little finger. But whatever was happening between her and these two men was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Not only did she not feel in control, she was at their mercy, a suddenly willing subject, ready to do whatever they wanted.
But she was Pamela Frost, rising supermodel. Could she give herself to two small-town cowboys? By the looks of their clothes—not to mention their modest gifts—they didn’t have the money she expected a man to have if he had any chance of dating her. Their looks were amazing, their sensuality incredibly compelling, but they weren’t famous or rich.
&nbs
p; Yet, as long as the media doesn’t find out. Or my fans…
Still, she couldn’t shake the growing urge to have them, to submit to them, to give herself to them, and, thus, make them hers. They wanted her, and God help her, she wanted them, too. More than she liked to admit. In fact, far too much.
Terror at that thought was more than she could handle. She pulled in one slow breath after the other, trying to calm down. No man, much less two men, had ever had her turned on as much or as fast as these two men did.
“You’re supposed to be ours. You know it. I can see it on your face.” He drew in a long, slow breath.
Was he smelling her? Strangely, she liked it.
“You’re turned on,” he added. “You want us as much as we want you.”
She stared at Will, thinking he must be insane, yet wondering if he wasn’t saying exactly what she wanted to hear.
No, that can’t be right. These guys are perverts. Crazy sexy cowboys. What the hell am I thinking? I need to get the hell out of here.
“Okay, guys, I have to admit it.” She forced a smile on her face. “You’ve thrown me a curve. To tell you the truth, I don’t know what to make of it. Or of you.”
“We’re going too fast, aren’t we?” Dillon frowned as she removed her hand from under his. “Damn it.”
“No. Um, yes. But…” But what? Don’t stop? She let out a breath and got to her feet. “I don’t know. I can’t think straight.”
“Take it easy, babe. You’ll figure it out soon enough. Just listen to your gut.”
More confused than ever, she lifted her hand toward them as they stood up. Although it was difficult, instead, she gripped the flowers and candy tightly to her chest. “I have to go. I, uh, have to call my agent.”
“Then you’re not saying yes,” added Will, dejection reflected in his frown.
“But you’re not saying no, either. Is that right, babe?” Dillon looked at her expectantly.
Yes. No. “I don’t know. I—I can’t think straight. Please. I need to go.” She rushed toward the door then turned around at the sound of a growl. Her gaze scanned the yard. “Are they back?”
