by Jane Jamison
“We can’t do this.”
Her eyes clouded over. “Yes, we can.”
“I gave Jackson my word.” He struggled to breathe, fisting his hands against the floor of the pickup.
“I don’t care. Your touch is your word to me.” She parted her lips, then leaned over and pressed her mouth to his.
His wolf roared to life, ripping through him to the outward side of his consciousness. He sucked her tongue into his mouth as she flattened her hands against his chest, then worked her fingertips beneath the buttons of his shirt. She rocked against him, urging him to take her.
He moaned again, the sound more guttural than before. His longing for her tore into him like sharp blades of lust-filled steel. It was pure agony and ecstasy.
“Grant! Damn it! Leave her be.”
She pulled out of the kiss then, her chest heaving. “Just keep driving, Duncan.”
Then, crossing her arms, she took the bottom of her sundress and pulled it over her head.
He couldn’t have stopped himself if the future of the world had depended on it. As soon as he saw her breasts, so perky, so full, his inner wolf burst to the surface and he was lost.
Chapter Nine
Christy yelped as Grant’s teeth came down on her nipple. Pain and pleasure became one as she arched her back. His hands tore away her thong then found her buttocks, squeezing and fondling them.
She circled her hips, loving the way his hardness felt against her. Fumbling with the buttons, she tugged his shirt open then started getting his buckle undone. He turned her buttocks loose then pushed his jeans below his ass. His cock, huge and magnificent, leapt upward to push against her crotch.
“Damn it, Grant! Fuck off!” The pickup weaved back and forth on the road as Duncan kept glancing back at them. Lance pounded on the windshield between them.
She’d never dreamed of anything so wild, so exciting. Having Grant’s hands and mouth all over her body made her feel more powerful than she’d have thought possible. The purples and blues of the sunset ahead of them were beautiful, the perfect setting for making love to one of the men she wanted more than life.
She’d lost control to the need raging inside her, and yet, had gained control over them.
“I have to have you.” Grant’s words were muted against her skin and almost drowned out by the other men’s shouts.
She laughed as Grant started to push his cock inside her pussy. “Not yet. I’ve waited too long to have it done fast.” Taking hold of the top of the cab, she pulled herself to a standing position.
The wind swept through her hair, raking it away from her shoulders and buffeting her upper body. Grant warned her to be careful and entwined his arms around her legs to hold her steady. She turned the truck loose and lifted her hands into the air.
“Woo-hoo!” Every part of her was alive and thriving on the excitement and the torrid burn that consumed her body.
“Babe, sit down before you get hurt.” The plea in Lance’s voice couldn’t mask the lust in it.
“I’m pulling over,” called Duncan.
“Don’t you dare. If you do, I’ll never let you touch me.” She laughed, knowing that would make him do as she ordered.
She gave Grant a different kind of command. “Eat me. Put your mouth on my pussy and suck me.”
The moans of agonized desire coming from inside the cab couldn’t match the roar of “hell, yes” that Grant gave. He swept his tongue over her pussy lips.
She gripped the hood again, keeping upright when her knees went to jelly. Grant worked his tongue between her folds and sucked on her clit. Digging his fingers into her legs, he tugged her against his mouth and feasted on her.
He added a finger to her pussy, pumping her as his tongue worked magic on her. She hung onto the rim of the roof then pushed her lower half back, giving him more room. Her body trembled, pummeled by both the air whipping around her and Grant’s tongue and fingers. In and out he drove his fingers, skimming over the sensitive patch of nerves just long enough to take her to the edge, then backing off. She cried out and dared to clutch one of her breasts to pinch her nipple.
She’d left her small Indiana home to find adventure and see the world, but she’d never have believed she’d find both in another small town. Fate had brought her to Forever, and another kind of magic would keep her there.
She gasped then laughed as the truck hit a pothole. She renewed her grip on the roof, yet she knew Grant would never let her fall. Or if he did, he’d catch her before she could get hurt.
Dirt and gravel blasted the sides of the pickup as Duncan picked up speed. He straightened out the truck and aimed it like an arrow toward the ranch.
Grant dragged his flattened tongue over her clit just as Duncan took the turn onto the gravel road leading toward their two-story home. She whooped again and held on, feeling like a trick rider in a rodeo. She laughed, then let out a cry of surprise when Grant bit down on her clit. Her pussy clenched, then throbbed through her release. The bumps in the road jostled her, making it harder to stand up. Yet the bumps also added to the experience. Her stomach rolled as her orgasm pummeled her insides. She cried out as loudly as she could, making a declaration of release to the world.
The truck slammed to a stop in front of the house, sending her jerking forward, then back. She fell, but as she’d predicated, Grant caught her before she hit the bed of the truck. He lowered her gently onto the mattress, then pushed her legs aside and dove in.
His hunger was all-consuming as he whipped his tongue around her pussy, then up over her clit. He pulled her folds apart again then entered her, using his fingers to search for her sweet spot.
“Christy.” Lance was by her side and ripping off his shirt. He took one breast in his hand only to have to turn it loose to unbuckle his jeans.
Duncan came to her other side. “I can’t wait any longer.” He bent low and brushed his tongue along the swell of her breast before capturing her nipple between his teeth. His moan of pleasure warmed her skin as his hand found its way to her thigh. A slap brought a quick inhale from her then a plea for him to spank her again.
“Suck.” Lance took hold of her hair and turned her head toward his cock. He stroked it as he inched close enough for her to draw it inside her mouth.
Her body hummed with a vitality that came from more than finally getting all three men together with her. Her flesh burned under their touch, building a fire that went out and in, linking to the bond that she could almost see bringing them together. The connection was real and a thing of ultimate satisfaction.
She released Lance’s cock, then drew him in again, working her hand around his hard length. He tasted like nothing she’d ever had, musky, sweet, and tangy. Taking his balls, she played them over her fingers and heard his appreciative moan.
Grant pushed her legs higher, bending her knees and moved his head side to side. The effect against her pussy was like a motor purring against her flesh. Her body tightened, preparing for the inevitable.
Duncan pushed her onto her side, then spanked her rump, sending biting slices of pain through her flesh. She whimpered, keeping Lance’s cock in her mouth.
“That’s it, baby. Suck on him.” Duncan plunged a finger into her dark hole, at once thrilling her and scaring her.
Grant’s noises grew louder until he pulled away and lifted up. “Tell me to fuck you.”
She turned Lance’s cock loose. Was he commanding her because he wanted her permission? Or was he asking her permission to let go of his last ounce of restraint?
“Fuck me, Grant.”
The three of them startled her as they lifted their faces to the sky and groaned, long, low noises. Their cries grew louder, the crescendo escalating into sounds that were more animal-like than human.
For the first time, she worried that she’d made a mistake.
“Get away from her right now.”
* * * *
Grant turned his amber-filled gaze toward Jackson and his brothers. “Fuck off
.”
As thick as his throat was, as close to shifting as he was, he doubted anyone could’ve understood the words. But Jackson would get his meaning clear enough. Fangs burst from his gums to replace human teeth and claws tore out from the tips of his fingers. He growled, warning the three men striding toward them to back off.
If not, all hell would break loose.
Jackson lifted his rifle and pointed it at him. “Don’t make me pull the trigger, Grant. I don’t want to, but I’ll damn sure do it.”
Grant rose, getting to his feet and planting them apart. Duncan and Lance, both beginning their own transformations, stood along with him. The only thing greater than their need to claim their mate was their need to protect her. They turned toward the Carr brothers, ready to fight.
“Grant?”
Gone was the command in her voice. In its place was fear, bordering on absolute terror. The shift reversed itself in the minute it took his mind to realize that Christy had spoken.
The amber-filled world blurred, then returned to fill with the greens of the trees and the muted hues of the setting sun. Jackson’s sad face told him how bad it was.
He swallowed as his stomach churned with despair. Then he looked down and saw her.
Sitting up, she’d retrieved her dress and clutched it to her chest. Her horrified expression cut through him, slicing with wicked precision.
She saw me start to change.
He didn’t need to check his friends to know that they’d shifted back and were going through the same torment he was.
“Christy, let me explain.” He reached down, offering his hand.
She jerked away from him, then away from his friends before scrambling back to the corner of the pickup. Keeping her dress in front of her, her mouth slack in shock, she stumbled over the side of the pickup then ran for the house.
“Christy!”
He shook his head and put his arm out to stop Lance from following her. “Let her go. She’s going to need time.”
“We blew it big-time.”
He couldn’t say anything to Duncan’s whisper. They all knew the truth of what they’d done. They’d lost control from the force of the amber moon. If Jackson and his brothers hadn’t shown up, they would’ve shifted all the way, taking Christy in a brutal, animalistic way, perhaps even fucking her so brutally that they could’ve torn her apart from the inside out.
Grant slumped to his knees. “We’ve lost her.”
* * * *
Christy’s breath hitched in her throat as she burst through the front door and into the house. She paused, glancing around her. She wasn’t sure which way to turn since she hadn’t come into the house the first time she’d visited. The only thing she was sure of was that she couldn’t go back outside.
Spinning to the left, she opened that door and ran inside the dark room. She slammed the door shut behind her, threw the lock into place, then fell to the floor, her dress still clutched against her chest.
She had to have imagined it. No one had fangs and claws. She’d gone insane and was only now beginning to realize it.
She brought the dress to her mouth and muffled a cry. No, she had to be quiet. She didn’t want them finding her.
She went still, trying hard not to breathe too loudly. What about Jackson and his brothers? They had guns, but would that be enough to protect them?
But protect them from what? From the men she loved? Or were the men she loved beasts in disguise?
Werewolves and the amber moon. It’s all true.
She forced herself back on her feet and pulled her dress over her head. Timidly, she walked around the den, filled with a large desk and several large bookcases. Family portraits as well as other items cluttered the room. She had to find a phone. She had to have some way to call for help. Both for her and for the Carr brothers.
A small cry escaped her and she clamped her hand over her mouth. If she didn’t get a grip on her fear, she wouldn’t think straight. She made herself breathe in and out, in and out, telling her body to relax, urging her mind to stay calm.
There. Better.
No phone.
She began tugging the drawers of the desk open. If nothing else, she might use the letter opener she found as a weapon. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.
As soon as she thought the way was clear, she’d crawl out a window and run for her life.
The window.
She hurried over, pulled back the drapes, and pushed at the windowsill. It was locked, at first killing her hopes of escape, then bringing her relief when she saw the men walking toward the back of the home. She ducked behind the drapes and peeked out.
Why aren’t they fighting? Or keeping their guns pointed at them?
Yet Jacob and Jayden walked side by side with Lance, Grant, and Duncan, all dressed again. Their heads were bowed and their voices low, but it was obvious that they weren’t in conflict. She watched them until they turned the corner of the home and went out of sight.
Run.
She’d made it to the door when she realized that she hadn’t seen Jackson. Her hand froze on the doorknob. If anything had gone wrong, if Jackson was injured or worse, she’d blame herself for putting him in harm’s way.
“Christy, are you in there?”
She threw open the door, overjoyed to see Jackson alive and well. “Oh, thank God. You’re okay.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He walked past her into the den and motioned for her to shut the door and stay with him.
“No, Jackson. We have to get away. Come on. Let’s get out of here while we can. We can try to help your brothers, but…” But what else could they do but leave them behind and get help?
Jackson tipped his hat back, taking the shadow off his eyes. She gasped, stepping back when she saw the amber flecks glistening in them.
“Christy, it’s all right. I won’t hurt you.”
“You’re one of them, aren’t you?” It made sense now. He’d known what they were all along. “Why didn’t you warn me?”
“I tried to get you to go back to the apartment.”
“You should’ve told me that they…” She put a hand to her aching head. “You should’ve told me what they were.” And yet, she still couldn’t get the right words out. “What are they?”
“They’re your mates.”
“My what?” She kept backing up until she ran into the desk. Her body shook, losing its strength to keep her on her feet.
“This isn’t my place to tell you, but things have gotten out of hand.”
He rested his rifle on a nearby armchair, and for one wild moment, she dared to think she could grab it and shoot her way out of the room.
“Tell me. I have to know.”
“I don’t know how else to say this so I’m going to say it straight-out.” He paused as though reconsidering his decision. “They’re werewolves. My brothers and I are werewolves. Milly is a werewolf. Almost everyone in Forever is a werewolf.”
She laughed. What else could she do in the face of such an incredulous remark? And yet, it made sense. The amber eyes, the fangs, the strange behavior of the people. Her laughter died in a strangled sob.
“You’re telling me that I’ve fallen in love with werewolves? I don’t know which of us is crazier.”
The smile he gave her was filled with sadness. “We’re as sane as anyone else in this world. But I’m glad to hear that you love them. They love you, too. You know that, right?”
“Do they? Is that why Grant looked like he wanted to tear me apart?”
He bowed his head. When he lifted it again, his jaw was set and his face had a determined look. “He’s a werewolf and it’s the amber moon. Werewolves are naturally drawn to their mate and their mate is drawn to them. But during the amber moon, unmated werewolves like your men lose control of the wolf inside them.”
“Tell me the truth. Do you think they’d kill me?”
“No. I don’t. But there’s no way to know. Emotions, rationality, morality, ever
ything is questionable when the amber moon phase is on us. I’ve never heard of a wolf killing his mate, but then again, I’ve never gone through this before. I’m thinking anything is possible.”
“You’re mated. That means it doesn’t affect you.”
“Then you know. That’s why Grant made me promise to take care of them tonight. He wanted to make sure they didn’t come near you.”
“Then he was afraid he’d hurt me.”
“Not in that way. Or maybe. I don’t know. What I do know is that he didn’t want to risk burning out the connection between you four and losing you forever. Lance and Duncan felt the same way, but they had less control over their wolves. Grant had no choice when he saw Lance grab you. What he didn’t plan on was how much the moon would affect you.”
He was right. She’d been unable to control her emotions or her need. She’d gone almost as wild as they had.
“And after the amber moon is over? Will they still be werewolves?”
“Yeah, they’ll still be werewolves. But more importantly, they’ll still be the men you love. And they’ll be back in complete control of their inner wolves.”
Questions came and went without any answers. If Jackson was right, and she sensed that he was, did she dare wait to see them once the amber moon was gone?
“Where are they now?”
“My brothers took them into the cellar to chain them up.”
“What?” At once, worry for them overtook her fear of them.
“It was their idea. They wanted us to chain them up until the phase was over. That way they couldn’t risk their connection with you.” He picked up the rifle and hefted it into the crook of his arm. “Let’s get back to town where you belong.”
She couldn’t believe the words that tumbled out of her mouth. And yet, they felt right. “No. I’m not going anywhere. Take me to them.”
* * * *
Jackson led her down the stairs then toward the back of the large root cellar. He put out his arm, blocking her way. “Are you sure about this? Your best move is to come back into town with me. If you want, I’ll drive you back out in the morning when I come to set them free. For tonight, it’s best to leave them be.”
