by Zoey Marcel
“We didn’t mean to spring it on you this way,” Jack admitted.
“Jack, you might want to thinking about putting your clothes back on before you attempt to console her,” Mark teased.
Jack looked down at his nude body and grinned. “Right.”
He dressed behind the car while Morrigan tried to process what just happened. “What was that?”
“It looked like some kind of demon,” Mark guessed.
“It wasn’t a demon. It was a harpy,” Jack corrected him.
“How do you know?”
“I’ve seen them before.”
“What is a harpy?” she inquired.
“Something that won’t harm you again,” he promised, coming around to the front of the car now that he was dressed.
Morrigan got out of the car to stand by the side of the interstate with them. The sun came up like a comforting embrace to chase away the oppressive darkness. “Thank you both.”
“Don’t mention it,” Mark said.
“Why were you sleeping in your car?” Jack interrogated. “It isn’t safe. You should be staying in a hotel.”
“I’m broke. It’s no big deal.” She had lived as an ethereal being for eons. The only time she’d been able to materialize was to foretell coming death to some unlucky bastard. She recently found the sorcerer who had turned her into a banshee and he told her how to become flesh and visible to others even when they weren’t about to die.
She probably never would have found him if she hadn’t caught word of his whereabouts from a banshee friend of hers. Apparently, an enemy of his had gone forward in time and Raphael did likewise in pursuit of them.
After thanking him, Morrigan left Grants Pass and he’d been nice enough to give her some money and let her have this Camaro. The money was almost gone from the expenses of living, even without a home. The car was all she had left.
“It’s a very big deal. I would have paid for your room if I had known you couldn’t afford it,” Mark said.
“That’s sweet, but I’ll be okay.”
“No, you won’t.” Jack stepped forward until he stood so close she could feel the heat of his body singeing her. His voice sounded rich and seductive. “It’s not safe for you on your own. You’re coming with us. We’ll pay for your windshield and you can stay with us at the ranch.”
Morrigan was overwhelmed by his generosity and the blatant authority in his tone. The nearness of his body proved distracting. She wasn’t sure if having him in her personal, little bubble was an invasion of space or incredibly enticing. “I appreciate the offer, but—”
“It wasn’t an offer.” He had the darkest brown eyes she’d ever seen. They were almost black and utterly hypnotic. He had a Fu Manchu, a tiny soul patch, and the subtlest of beards along his jawline, all of which were the same rich, dark shade of brown as the hair on his head. It covered his ears but was nowhere near long enough to touch his shoulders.
“We could always use a cook and housekeeper,” Mark offered, “We’ll pay you and you can have a place to stay.”
“Just for a little while,” Jack clarified.
“Or forever,” Mark countered with chocolate-brown puppy eyes.
Morrigan chewed her lower lip in contemplation, trying not to smile. Jack stood unbelievably close to her. His dark, brooding good looks hinted of danger and ardor. His swarthy, entrancing eyes were deep and wicked. “I don’t know.”
“You should. We could use the help and it’s for your own good.” Mark persisted, “We don’t know what that thing wanted, or why it targeted you specifically.”
His brown hair was shorter and a few shades lighter than Jack’s. His milk-chocolate eyes were warm and inviting. He stood about three inches shorter than Jack, around five feet seven inches, but looked buffer. He was clean-shaven and his gorgeous, white smile proved mesmerizing. She was sure he could be a model if he wanted to.
Two extraordinary creations and they wanted her to go with them. Should she? She didn’t really know them, but she didn’t exactly feel safe on her own. Too many traumatizing things had happened to her in her lifetime. Besides, it wasn’t like she had enough money to live off of, or any place to go. They basically offered her a respectable job. She could work for them until she saved up enough money to move on.
“Okay, but I’m paying you back for the windshield.”
Mark flashed her a heart-stopping grin. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll give you shelter and you can make it a nice place to live. You might have to wrestle with Damon for the kitchen, though. Jack, I didn’t think of that. What is he going to say when he finds out we hired a cook?”
“The omega doesn’t get a say in this,” Jack said dryly. “It’s my decision.”
“I don’t want to cause problems,” Morrigan worried.
“You won’t. You’ll free his time up for photography and science. If anything he should be groveling at your feet in worship. He’s trained to do that.”
“Trained?”
Jack’s grin became evil. “Yes, darling, trained.”
“To kiss butt?”
“No. Well, that, too.”
“She doesn’t need to hear about how my brother corrupted Damon,” Mark protested.
“Very well, but in case you’re interested I have a wealth of perverted stories in my head,” Jack told her with a wink.
Morrigan laughed softly. “I’m sure you do. How did you guys know I was in trouble?”
“Instinct, doll,” Jack blurted. “Now let’s go eat. I’m famished. We’ll get your windshield fixed and then head home.”
Home—that wasn’t a word she’d heard or used in a long time. She hadn’t belonged anywhere in ages. It would be nice to have a place to call home again, if only for a little while.
* * * *
On the way to Wyoming, Morrigan drove part of the way, but Jack and Mark each took turns relieving her of the task so she could stretch and relax a little. They bought her chains for her tires to prepare for the snowy drive once they reached the winter wonderland the Jackson Hole area was said to be coated in right now.
The drive took slightly over seventeen hours, giving her a chance to get to know them better. It felt like a minivacation with the little tourist stops they made.
“So what do you guys do for a living?” Morrigan asked from the passenger’s seat.
“Well, I’m a cop and Jack runs the ranch with Damon,” Mark said while driving.
“We raise horses, train them, and then sell them,” Jack added.
“That sounds nice. I’ll bet your ranch is pretty.”
“Oh, it’s gorgeous, especially around sunset or in the snow. You’ll love it,” Mark told her.
“I’m sure I will. Is Temptation a city or a small town?”
“It’s pretty small. I mean it’s not Mayberry or anything, but it’s not very big, either,” he replied.
“It’s far too racy for Mayberry,” Jack agreed from the backseat.
“Yeah, but it’s got all the usual stuff towns have,” Mark continued, “Stores, restaurants, churches—”
“That’s where Mark goes to confess his many sins,” Jack teased.
“It’s not just for that. It’s for worship too, you know. Oh, I’m sorry you wouldn’t know because you never go.”
“I went with you once.”
“Yeah, that was weird.”
“Why?” Morrigan asked.
“The priest walked up to Jack and asked why he dared to desecrate the house of God with his presence,” Mark explained.
“What? Why? Does he not like werewolves or something?”
“No, that’s not it. I’m a werewolf and he’s never said that to me. I don’t know why he said it. Jack just left calmly, but I was irritated. Jack’s no saint, but he’s not the devil either.”
Jack grinned. “Not quite. I told you my place wasn’t in church.”
“Well, apparently he didn’t think so, either.”
“That’s strange,” Morrigan agreed. �
��Did he say why?”
“No. Before I left he warned me to watch my back lest the evil one devour me. Not really sure if he meant Jack or Satan, but either way he must have been on some kind of funky medication.” Mark shook his head.
“Let’s have music,” Jack said quickly, leaning forward to reach between them for the radio.
Morrigan giggled over his invasive nearness. His face was only inches from hers. “Well, hi there, Jack.”
“Hello, pumpkin.”
“Aw, that’s cute.”
“And fitting considering you smell like homemade pumpkin pie.” Jack flipped through the various stations. “Being around you is like a constant holiday for my nose.”
She laughed. “Thank you. I think that may be the strangest compliment I’ve ever received, but I’ll take it.”
“You didn’t have to climb up here, Jack. I could have picked a station for you,” Mark offered.
“Knowing you it would have been country. I prefer classic rock and the oldies. What type of music do you like to listen to, doll?” Jack asked.
“Pretty much anything.” She smiled over at Mark, “Including country.”
Jack gave her a teasing frown.
“Yeah, good girl.” Mark high-fived her.
“Oh, good, it’s Elvis.” Jack left it on as “Suspicious Minds” started to play.
Morrigan bobbed her head a little, tempted to sing, but too shy to do so in front of two hunks she hardly knew.
“Sing, pumpkin. You know you want to,” Jack’s hushed voice hovered near her ear.
She tried not to shiver. “I don’t know all the words.”
“Let me help you.” Jack began to sing in an exaggerated voice, making her giggle. “‘We can’t go on together with suspicious minds.’ Help me, Mark.”
“Oh, you’re doing just fine.” Mark flinched when Jack massaged his shoulders while he sang, “That’s just wrong.”
“Sing with me and I’ll stop,” Jack bargained.
“You…” Mark shook his head with a faint smile and started to sing along, too.
Morrigan laughed at the two men singing the romantic lyrics and joined in since she knew the chorus. She kept her tone lower than theirs, but sang just loud enough so they could hear her. “‘We’re caught in a trap. I can’t walk out, because I love you too much, baby. Why can’t you see what you’re doing to me when you don’t believe a word I say?’”
Morrigan couldn’t remember having this much fun in ages. It was like they’d been friends all their lives. It seemed natural and she felt a warm sense of belonging she’d missed in her centuries alone, though she had never experienced it so strongly before.
They stopped for coffee and Jack grabbed her arm when she stepped off the curb and pulled her back. A car whirled past.
“We wouldn’t want you to perish before getting to taste your cappuccino.”
“Thank you.”
“You shouldn’t step into the street without looking.”
Before this, cars would pass through her ethereal body, but now that she was corporeal she would have to consider things like looking both ways before crossing the street. “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”
Mark caught up with them. “What’s wrong?”
“Morrigan was trying to become one with a passing car’s tires,” Jack told him.
“Don’t do that.” Mark brushed her sleeved arm gently, but the gesture seemed so caring it felt like a kiss on the cheek to her.
She smiled, trying to think of something to say, but she couldn’t.
Jack put his arm through hers. “Take Mark’s hand.”
Morrigan felt bashful when she joined hands with Mark. His warm hand dwarfed hers and she felt safe walking with them. His thumb just barely glided across the top of her hand before he let go once they reached the car, though he seemed reluctant to relinquish contact.
Jack rubbed her back gently while Mark got the door for her. She wasn’t used to being treated this way, but she definitely liked it.
“Is it snowing?” She felt tiny, featherlight drops ping onto her nose.
“It feels cold enough for it,” said Mark. He held her coffee while she got back into the passenger’s seat and handed it back to her once she was seated.
She licked the melting snowflakes on the lid of her cup.
Mark got a big smile on his face when he saw her doing so. “You’re adorable.”
Morrigan bit her lower lip while she grinned. “I didn’t know you saw that.”
He nodded. His countenance was tender as he closed her door and got into the driver’s seat while Jack got into the back. Both had snow in their hair.
She had to smile as she brushed some of the melting crystal droplets from Mark’s soft, brown hair. “You guys are both dusted with snowflakes.”
Mark checked out his reflection in the rearview mirror and grinned. He glanced back at Jack with a chuckle. “Jack looks like a snowman.”
Morrigan looked back over her shoulder and giggled. “Aw, he does.”
Jack collected some of the melting snow on his head and wiped it on the tip of her nose, grinning when she squealed.
“That’s cold.” She slapped his leg playfully.
Jack winked at her. “Snow generally is, pumpkin.”
Mark snickered. “You say ‘generally’ like there’s an occasion when snow’s hot.”
Jack chuckled. “Touché.”
* * * *
Nothing could have prepared her for the glory of Wyoming blanketed beneath a veil of white. It looked absolutely breathtaking and blew the picturesque calendars out of the water.
“Home sweet home,” Jack said proudly. “We’ll get around to giving you a tour of the stable and the land, but first, the house. We need to get you warm and unpacked. You can have the guest room.”
“Thank you both so much.”
Mark grabbed her suitcase with a flirtatious smile. “Unless of course you would feel safer sharing a room with somebody.”
She tried not to blush or look too turned on by the invitation. “Thanks, but I’ll be okay as long as you guys don’t have any harpies or other minions of hell running around on the premises.”
Jack laughed loudly and cleared his throat uncomfortably before leading the way inside.
Mark shook his head. “You’ll get used to him.”
She smiled and followed them inside. If the dreamy country log house the place was on the outside had been staggering, she was absolutely floored when she saw the interior. The walls were made of pine logs. It had the cozy feel of a log cabin, but the vaulted ceilings and vast space made it feel more like a mansion in the treetops.
There was an enormous window with a fantastic view overlooking their property which was guarded by snow-covered mountains. The sprawling grounds were veiled in nature’s white lace and antelope foraged through the snow for the tasty grass beneath.
“This is amazing. You guys have such a lovely place.”
“Thank you.”
The massive stone fireplace caught her attention the most. It climbed up the wall and boasted a hearth ample enough to sit on with a mantel that screamed for something other than the big, fat nothing they had decorated it with.
The kitchen made her swoon with its granite countertops, the island in the center, and copper pots and pans hanging over it. The place was decidedly masculine, but it was a masterpiece any woman would be proud to live in and spruce up with homey touches. Her creative juices were flowing and she wondered if they wouldn’t mind her putting up Christmas decorations as they hadn’t seemed to have gotten around to it yet.
As they walked down the hall, Morrigan gasped when she saw the door to one of the rooms was open and a naked man was kneeling on the hard floor with his head bowed. He wore a black leather dog collar with silver studs around his neck and sat perfectly still and silent as though he was waiting for someone or permission to rise.
Jack slammed the door shut and grinned sheepishly at her.
&nbs
p; “Who was that?”
Mark rolled his eyes. “Damon.”
“Why was he like that?”
“Like what?” Jack stalled.
“Naked and collared.”
“He’s waiting for his partner to come home from work.”
“Did he do something wrong?”
“No, they do this sometimes. She could sleep up in the loft,” Mark suggested.
“Oh, you mean with you?” Jack teased.
He grinned. “Sure, why not?”
Morrigan felt guilty that she had seen Damon’s goods, but her eyes were drawn there. It surprised her that the man was erect. It was like the very thought of his lover coming home had him hornier than he could stand. It was endearing and romantic that he was so spellbound by his partner.
She wished someone would feel that way for her again, but she had won the love of two brothers in the twelfth century and lost them. It broke her heart forever, but she should at least be happy she had known love, right? Sometimes she felt like it would have been better to have never loved at all to avoid the heartache and misery of loss.
Jack’s room was near the kitchen and Mark’s was apparently up in the loft over the living room. Morrigan would stay in the guest room in the hall across from Damon and his lover’s room. It was right next to the bathroom, thankfully, but she was shocked when they told her they only had one. Four men shared the same house and only had one bathroom? A woman needed time to get ready, especially before going somewhere. There was hour-long primping to be done and there were luxurious, leisurely bubble baths to revel in.
They wandered into the kitchen after the tour.
“Well, what do you think?” Jack asked.
“It’s incredible. I can’t believe you guys actually get to live here. It’s like a dream ranch or something.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you like hot chocolate or apple cider?” Mark asked.
“Oh yes, please.”
He snickered. “Which one?”
“Oh, sorry, hot chocolate. What time do you guys usually eat dinner by? It’s weird with the time difference.”
“Are you hungry?” Jack asked.
“I was just asking so I know when to start cooking.”
