Tate nodded vigorously. “What Kendall said.”
Ran parked beneath three spruce trees. “Yeah. If you don’t want to shift, don’t. But speaking for myself, I’m excited you can. Tate and I like sharing this part of our heritage with you.”
Kendall squeezed his hand again, and Sax loved her broad smile. He leaned closer and stole a kiss. The physical contact soothed his unease, his frazzled nerves.
A sharp rap on the window had Sax jerking from Kendall.
Josef Swenson grinned at them. “Are we doing this or what?”
“Sax?” Tate asked.
“Deep down, you know you need to shift again.” Kendall kissed the tip of his nose. “It’s better to try now while you have plenty of support.”
Sax released Kendall’s hand and exited the vehicle.
Tate approached him, sympathy shining on his earnest face. “You remember the instructions we gave you?”
“They’re on an endless loop in my mind,” Sax retorted.
“Sax.” Ran put on his reassuring face. “You got this. Your first shift was painful because concern for Kendall ripped your bear free. This time will be more controlled. There is always discomfort during a shift, but you get used to it.”
Sax nodded. He’d heard this before and could recite it in his sleep. Putting theory into practice, though, that was where his brain screeched to a panicked halt. Kendall approached and her empathy had him straightening his shoulders and adjusting his woe-is-me attitude. He’d already shifted once. He could do it again.
“Are you guys ready?” Leif, the oldest Swenson brother, asked.
Sax nodded. A lie. He’d never be ready. Every childhood hurt and insecurity swelled inside his gut to churn uneasily with the breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon he’d choked down earlier. He trailed his two chirpy brothers while the Swenson brothers stomped behind him, making Sax feel hemmed in. The instinct to run flooded his mind, but his legs wobbled.
“Right, I’ll go first.” Tate radiated encouragement. “I stand clear of others. I picture my bear in my head and let my body flow into the bear without fighting the shift.” Tate took two steps away from him and shifted without a hitch.
“Your turn now,” Ran said.
Sax swallowed hard, the remembered pain stuttering the rhythm of his breathing.
“Well, don’t stare at the poor man,” Fiona shouted. “Shift and go play. Let Sax work at his own pace.”
“Yes, Fiona mine.” Arve smiled.
Arve and his brothers shifted and ambled from the protection of the trees onto the open tundra. They galloped and played and leaped on each other, letting out roars and hisses and chuffs that echoed back to Sax. It reminded him of how he’d felt as a kid—the one on the outside. The young shifters teased and taunted him while the humans kept to themselves.
“Focus, Sax,” Ran instructed. “Marie was brave, and you have her blood running through your veins. You have Hallsten blood too. Our father cared about us, despite what we thought.”
“Go with them, Sax.” Kendall’s confident English accent was like a cleansing balm. It calmed him and stilled the churning of his stomach. “Fiona and I will take photos.”
“I can do this,” Sax muttered.
“You can,” Ran said with the upmost confidence, his blue gaze encouraging.
Sax almost laughed. He recalled a similar speech he’d given Ran and Tate. They’d been anxious about leaving Churchill and everything they’d known. They’d worried they’d return failed men. Sax had been confident of his brothers’ skills and expertise. He’d been certain of their success.
And he was procrastinating…
Before he could over-think for longer, Sax stepped away from Ran. He glanced at Kendall, caught her nod and closed his eyes. In his mind’s eye, he painted deft strokes until a polar bear appeared. Silently, he willed his body to change while still holding the image of the bear. For long seconds nothing happened, then heat crept through his veins. His skin prickled, and he hissed at the quick burst of pain in his limbs. His back bowed. He groaned and fell forward onto all fours.
Hold the image. Whatever you do, hold the bear in your mind.
Sax fought to heed his brothers’ advice despite the thumping of his head, the jagged pain torturing his bones. His feet—they were turning furry. White fur. Tate and Ran were white unless they spent time out on the ice with the other shifters and dined on baby seals. After a few weeks of doing that, their fur turned a dirty yellow-white.
The pain intensified. He cried out again, then, seconds later, the pressure on his skin eased and faded.
“Well done, Sax.” Ran clapped Sax on his side. “I knew you could do it.”
Sax glanced at Kendall, half expecting her to run away screaming since this must bring back memories. But she didn’t. She snapped a photo and ran over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard. Sax breathed in her scent and joy suffused him. Kendall pulled back and laughing, pressed a kiss to the tip of his black nose.
“Have fun with your brothers and friends,” she whispered.
So he did.
22 Happiness
Kendall prepared for bed that night, happy and lighthearted, pleased with her decision to stay with Sax, Tate, and Ran.
Sax knocked before entering the bedroom.
“Come in. How is your head?” She picked up her brush and stroked it through her hair.
“My headache has gone. The shifting helped. Most of my bruises have vanished too. Jamie got in a kick or two to my ribs.”
“What will happen to Jamie and his brothers?”
“The senior females of each family police their offspring. Tate’s and Ran’s mother has claimed me, and she approached Mrs. Anders to demand restitution. Jamie will be too busy with his punishment to harass you again.”
“Could you do something for me?”
“Of course, sweetheart. You only have to ask.”
“I want you to consider giving Pieter a job with your construction crew. He’s young and smart. Would you think about it?”
Sax sent her a thoughtful look. “I’ll discuss it with Ran and Tate. Their mother too.”
“That’s all I ask. Are you all sleeping with me tonight?” Kendall decided her swift change of subject surprised Sax.
“I…ah… Yes?”
Kendall chuckled. “Are you ready for bed?”
“Yes. I’ll tell them.” He marched away and disappeared.
Masculine voices murmured and hustling feet thumped down the passage.
“Sax suggested we all sleep in here tonight,” Tate said.
“Well, I’m hoping there won’t be much sleeping.” Kendall winked at him. In the past, she would’ve blushed but now happiness simmered through her. She beamed when Ran and then Sax appeared behind Tate.
All three men tried to squeeze through the door together, and Kendall clapped her hands in delight.
Ran shoved through the doorway first and scooped Kendall off her feet, tossing her in the middle of the mattress with ease. The hairbrush dropped to the floor. She laughed up at Ran while he tugged off her shoes and socks. Sax and Tate approached the bed. Tate pulled her pink sweater over her head, taking her T-shirt at the same time. Sax unzipped her jeans, and in no time at all, she settled again, stark naked and breathless with laughter and joy.
“Strip,” she ordered. “I want to see who can do it fastest. Winner gets the first kiss.”
Sax grinned but disrobed slowly. Tate and Ran shoved and pushed at each other and tangled themselves in their T-shirts, their jeans bunched around their knees.
“You forgot to take off your boots,” Kendall chirped at them.
“My kiss, I believe,” Sax whispered next to her ear. He pressed his mouth against hers and coaxed a response from her. He nibbled and soothed away the sting with his tongue. Kendall enthusiastically returned the kiss, only jumping a little when hands stroked both of her breasts. Fingers tugged her nipples. Pinched a fraction. Then, hot mouths suck
ed on her nipples. Sax continued to kiss her. Tate teased one breast and Ran the other.
The dual—no, three points of contact—had her sighing and relaxing into their care.
Sax lifted his head and brushed her hair away from her cheeks. His eyes flashed gold before they returned to regular blue. A polar bear shifter characteristic, she knew now.
Kendall smiled in return and cupped his cheek, his slight stubble rasping beneath her fingertips.
Either Tate or Ran pinched her right nipple, the sharp jolt of pain making her cry out.
“What did you do to her?” Sax demanded.
“Pinched her to make her remember we’re here,” Ran said.
“Yeah,” Tate said. “We were feeling left out.”
“I’d never forget either of you,” Kendall assured them, and it was true. “One of you come up here. Maybe Tate? Ran, you can direct proceedings tonight. Tell us what you want each of us to do.”
“Yeah! The Sex Master. I can do that, babe,” Ran said with a bright smile. “Right, this is what we’ll do. Kendall, take Tate’s cock into your mouth. Sax, why don’t you lick Kendall’s pussy and make sure she is ready for you to fuck her?”
“What about you?” Tate asked.
“I’ll have a turn later and meantime, you all have to follow my instructions while I play with Kendall’s luscious breasts.”
Her men got busy. Tate kissed her first, teasing her lips and pushing his tongue into the corner of her mouth in a manner that made her mind turn to the sexual act.
“Part your legs for me, sweetheart.” Sax’s voice rumbled through her, rich and decadent like her favorite chili truffles.
She followed the order and moaned at the sensation of cooler air on her arousal-dampened folds. She’d imagined sex all evening after deciding during their outing that she wanted to cement their bonds. These three shifter men cared for her. Sax had fought his demons to save her from Jamie and his brothers. Most of all, each of the brothers encouraged her and built her up instead of ripping aside her needs and opinions. She had no doubt that her input into their upcoming jobs would count, and they’d consult her in every decision they took.
“Hey!” Ran clicked his fingers in front of her face. “No retreating into your mind. This is about communication and pleasure.”
Kendall felt the corners of her eyes crinkle, and her heart sang. “I’m happy.”
“Happy enough to marry one of us and make this relationship official?” Ran demanded in a rough voice.
“I thought we were waiting,” Tate complained.
Ran lifted his nose, the angle imperious and full of hauteur. “Am I not in charge?”
“We gave him that power,” Kendall said.
She saw Tate mouth a pithy curse while tension slid into Sax. Even though she couldn’t see Sax because Tate’s head and shoulders were in the way, the tighter press of fingers into her thighs sent this message.
“Sax, you’re the oldest. You make us official,” Ran ordered. “Legally, we can’t all marry her, but Tate and I discussed this. You marry her, and we’ll all live happy ever after.”
“You discussed this? What of romance and setting the scene?” Sax protested. “You read romances. You should know a woman likes a memorable proposal.”
“I took that into consideration,” Ran said. “We already have the romance thing down. You open doors for her and save her from villains. Tate sings to her in the shower. Even though his voice resembles a bullfrog. I read sexy scenes to her and help with the housework. We pick up for ourselves and put the toilet seat down. We rub her shoulders and feet after she’s had a busy day.”
Kendall giggled. Ran was right. They did that stuff for her, and she was a lucky, lucky woman. She’d known the Hallsten brothers for almost two months now, and she couldn’t imagine life without them. She paused as another notion occurred, and she grinned. “Saxby Hallsten. Tate Hallsten. Ranulf Hallsten. Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Wait. Let me up. I need to see each of your faces.”
Ran helped her sit, a broad smile of approval lighting blue eyes.
Kendall patted his cheek. “Your bear is showing. I saw gold before your irises returned to blue. Okay, I can see you all now. I love you guys, and I love my life with you in it. You give me confidence to be myself—the best version of me—and I adore you for that. Please, will you do the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes,” Ran said with satisfaction.
“Yes, sweet Kendall,” Tate echoed.
“You’re certain?” Sax asked, his gaze golden and solemn. “We mate for life. Other polar bear shifters might not. Our father didn’t, but we want forever. Can you agree to that? Do you love us enough?”
Kendall fancied his polar bear half was peeking out at her. She leaned over to grasp Sax’s shoulders and draw him close enough for a kiss. Their lips pressed together in a kiss full of promise. “I love you. Each of you. Desperately and passionately. I want this—a future with the three of you.”
“Yes,” Sax said, and the golden in his eyes receded, replaced by pure lake-blue. He climbed off the bed and left the bedroom.
“Where is he going?” Kendall asked. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, babe.” Ran shared a glance with his brother.
Mystified, Kendall waited for an explanation.
Sax returned and clasped her left hand. Kendall saw he carried a ring and her breathing stalled. “We love you.” Sax pushed the diamond-and-sapphire ring onto her finger.
Ran clapped his hands together then patted his chest near his heart. “We’re engaged. Mom will be so happy. She likes you. Is that Marie’s ring?”
“Yes,” Sax said. “My mother would’ve liked you, Kendall.”
“Mom likes you too,” Tate assured her.
“Are you sure?” Kendall asked. “Amelia scares me.”
“She’s a marshmallow,” Tate promised. “All bark.”
“She scares me too,” Sax said.
“No more talk about Mom,” Tate declared. “We’re celebrating.”
“Excellent point. Sax, get back to licking. Tate, back in position,” Ran directed in a stern voice.
Kendall held up her left hand and smiled at the sparkling ring. Her mother would hate her engagement, but after reading her grandfather’s letter, her guilt and anger had dispersed. She felt better. Stronger emotionally. Sax, Tate and Ran would offer support no matter what.
The tap of a cock against her lips distracted her from her thoughts. A delicate lick across her clit anchored her in the present. Ran’s lips surrounded one nipple, and he tongued the peak. She opened her mouth and took the tip of Tate’s cock into her mouth.
Together, her three men hurled her into a world of pleasure, soft and tempting touches and romance.
Ran drew on her nipple while Sax used his mouth and finger to drive her arousal higher. Ran released her nipple with a loud pop that made Kendall want to laugh. “No anal sex today. We’ll work our way up to that. I have toys.” He waggled his brows.
Kendall spluttered, making Tate wince. She released his cock and laughed. “Is that a threat, Mr. Hallsten?”
“We’re speaking of mutual pleasure. You told us you hadn’t had anal sex for a long time. We never want to hurt you, so we’re taking things slow. But with me in charge, I have a way for us to gain our pleasure together. Sax, suit up. We don’t want any surprises this early in our relationship. You do want children, Kendall?”
“Eventually.” Kendall never hesitated. She could imagine these men with children and sensed they’d be excellent fathers. Sax and Tate had stilled to listen to her reply and now each of them smiled. “Will it matter that our children will be half-breeds?”
“Not to us,” Ran assured her.
“Sax has proved that a half-breed can shift,” Tate said.
“It will not be a problem for us,” Sax said. “And if Fiona has children, they’ll have half-breed friends. Kendall, we will love our children whether they have the ability to shift or not.
I promise you this.”
Warmth gathered in her heart, and she nodded.
Sax grabbed a condom from the box they’d stashed in the bedside cabinet. He ripped open the foil packet and rolled the condom onto his shaft.
“Everyone ready for our engagement boink?” Ran asked.
Sax spluttered. Kendall giggled while Tate roared with laughter.
“We’re ready.” Kendall tried to restrain her grin and failed. No matter what Sax said about the lack of romance in this proposal, she’d never forget this moment of love and joy and laughter.
“Sax, you first,” Ran instructed.
Sax reached up to kiss her before he dragged his cock the length of her slit and positioned himself at her entrance. He pushed into her with one even thrust.
Kendall gasped at the perfect stroke and quivered around his cock.
“She’s close,” Sax said.
“Perfect,” Ran replied. “You next, Tate.”
Kendall opened her mouth to take Tate’s cock. She took him deep, gave him one quick lick before backing away and merely holding his shaft in the tight seal of her lips.
“Me next.” Ran tweaked both nipples, the sensation like a bungee leap into the unknown. Then he grabbed the lube from the bedside cabinet and squirted a generous dollop onto his palm. He smoothed it onto his shaft and pushed her breasts together. He fit his cock into the gap and thrust into the valley between. “Ooh, that’s good. How close are you guys?”
“Very,” Tate replied.
“Close,” Sax said.
Kendall nodded. “Me too.”
“All right. Kendall, relax but be careful not to bite Tate. All three of us together will blow your mind.”
Kendall laughed but masked her teeth. Sax started moving, his cock stroking into her and hitting all the right spots. She concentrated on giving Tate enjoyment while Ran pinched her nipple and used her breasts to get himself off.
Kendall's Mates Page 22
