Oddly enough, it didn’t bother Reid that Nolan had put his lips on Adriana or that he was the one comforting her at the moment. When he pondered his predicament thoroughly, he also realized he hadn’t been upset last night either. Not angry that she was with Nolan in the bed. Just frustrated that he’d been left out. His own doing?
Maybe they were going about this all wrong. What if they stopped swapping her back and forth, making her dizzy, and openly cared for her at the same time? The stress of worrying about stepping on Nolan’s toes or hurting Adriana’s feelings by pressuring her was driving them all insane.
He decided to do an experiment. What harm was there in that? It wasn’t as though things between them could be more uncomfortable.
Reid smoothed one hand up her body, intentionally grazing her breast along the way until he cupped her face.
She shuddered at the slight contact against her swollen chest, as he expected her to.
He closed the distance and gave her a chaste kiss. Chaste but unmistakable, and on the lips. “Deep breaths,” he murmured against her mouth.
“Kiss her,” he told Nolan privately. “Now. Do it now.”
“What?” Nolan’s brows lifted behind her.
“Kiss her,” Reid insisted.
Thank fuck Nolan decided to follow his friend’s instructions instead of arguing the point. They’d been friends forever. They trusted each other, and Reid wanted them to continue to trust each other.
Nolan gently turned her his direction and took her lips before she had any idea what he meant to do. He deepened the kiss a bit more than Reid, but only slightly. And then he released her and held her face in his hands. “Everything is going to be fine.”
She panted.
Reid set his hands on her hips again, this time from behind. He stepped closer until he pressed his hard length against her lower back. He fought to avoid groaning.
Her breath hitched for a second, but when Reid lifted his gaze to Nolan, his friend understood his intent without any communication, and he too stepped closer, nestling his package against her belly.
Reid kissed her neck.
She moaned, her head lolling back against his shoulder.
Nolan kissed the exposed skin of her collarbone.
She grabbed his waist with one hand and reached back to clasp Reid’s belt loop with the other.
Fuck yes. Why didn’t he think of this before?
Nolan and Reid had never shared a woman, not on the same occasion nor at different times. But something about calming Adriana’s nerves in this way felt right. Maybe if the two of them openly showed their intent to her in front of the other instead of pretending to hide and sneaking around, they would actually calm her.
She wouldn’t have to hide anything from them or hold back stressful, unnecessary secrets. This could work. At least for the day. Tomorrow they needed to go back to Calgary. Reid didn’t intend to keep her from her classes. They were the only thing she had that provided some semblance of normalcy. But for today, for the next twenty-four hours, he hoped to drop the façade and help lower her stress.
It wasn’t a contest. It was simply them adapting to their reality. It was temporary. But if it gave her some relief… Could they even get her to relax enough to let them give her pleasure?
He wasn’t thinking about having sex. Just making her feel good. If she weren’t a virgin, maybe he would be able to take things further, but she was, and he wasn’t going to take that from her. He knew Nolan would agree.
Nolan nibbled a path to her ear and must have licked or bit down with his teeth because she shuddered.
“I like this plan,” Nolan admitted to Reid.
“Instinct. Seemed worth a try.”
“It’s working. She’s loosening up.”
She broke the silent chat. “You’re both discussing me. Stop that. Say what you need to say out loud or add me to the conversation. It’s unnerving knowing you’re talking about me as if conspiring behind my back.”
Reid winced. “Sorry. Won’t happen again.”
“Uh huh.”
Nolan spoke next. “Nobody’s conspiring. We’re just worried about you.”
That was true.
“You hungry?”
“You cooking?” she asked, her voice lighter.
“Yep.”
“Starved then.” She pushed on his chest with her hands and bucked her ass backward to dislodge Reid at the same time. “But you better not be lying.” She grabbed a mug off the counter and reached for the faucet. “I guess I’m going to have to heat this in a pan.”
There was no microwave in the cabin, and Reid made a mental note to rectify that soon.
Nolan ushered her to the table and took over the task of heating water and making a breakfast scramble.
Fifteen minutes later the three of them were seated at the table, stabbing into the combo of eggs, sausage, potatoes, and cheese.
“You can cook,” Adriana said after swallowing a mouthful. “I’m impressed.”
“I know Reid can’t cook. I bet you’ve been hungry this week.”
Reid shook his head. “Hell, no. I’m sorry to inform you I’ve been dining like a king. Adriana’s being modest. She’s a world-class chef.”
Adriana rolled her eyes. “Hardly, but I like to cook. It’s relaxing.”
“I have an idea,” Nolan said as they finished eating. “Let’s shift and go for a run.”
Adriana’s smile lit up. “That would be wonderful. Reid took me for a run one night. It hadn’t realized how much I miss the ability to do so at will any day of the week.”
“I can imagine. It’s hard to shift in the city. A huge drawback,” Nolan added. “I’ve lived in Calgary most of my life. It has always been difficult, especially when the call to run presses against your skin like an unsatisfied itch.”
Adriana smiled.
Reid would never tire of that smile.
She pushed from the table. “Let’s do it.”
Leaving the plates where they were, Reid stood at the same time as Nolan. They all three grabbed their shoes and met at the door.
Why was Reid’s chest beating so fast at the promise of seeing his sweet mate in her bear form again? He needed to stop thinking of her as his mate. In the end, he would be a third wheel at best. Lost to both of them at worst.
Without saying another word, they stepped outside and moved a few yards from the cabin. The day was going to be beautiful. It was chilly out, but later it would warm up. Warmer than usual for this time of year. They were lucky the cabin wasn’t surrounded by snow. That wouldn’t have been unheard of either.
In silent agreement, they each took a step back and let the shift take over their bodies.
Reid had never before been this in tune with anyone shifting, but it felt as though they were in each other’s heads as they dropped to all fours, shrugged off their human forms, and replaced their bodies with fur and claws. A half a minute later, they were transformed.
Reid lifted his snout to stare at Adriana. He’d seen Nolan many times, but he was salivating for a glimpse of her in the daylight.
She made his breath hitch. The same thick brown hair he remembered from the other night shown in the sunshine. And her eyes… Damn. They were the same eyes she stared at him with in human form. He felt like he could see into her soul. She blinked and cocked her head to one side before turning toward Nolan.
Nolan also looked mesmerized, inching closer until he could nuzzle her with his snout. He communicated with both of them, opening up a connection, his eyes still locked on Adriana. “Reid, we can run in any direction from here without detection, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Reid turned around and led the way, loping toward the north and up the mountain. Although it was unseasonably warm, there were patches of snow on the ground from the last freeze. It was melting though, the shiny drips falling off branches and pine needles. The dewy moisture reminded him of spring. But Nature foo
led no one. She would send several more feet of snow before she permitted spring to return to the Rockies.
The evergreen trees were thick in this area. Besides the fact that Reid knew his grandfather would have cut as few trees as possible to build his hideaway, it had been fifty years since the cabin was built. The foliage surrounding the A-frame had nearly consumed the structure, hiding it from anyone who wandered too close.
After giving his companions a chance to get their kinks worked out, Reid glanced back to find Adriana behind him and Nolan bringing up the rear. “Ready to run?” he asked them both.
“Waiting on you,” Nolan teased into his and Adriana’s heads.
Reid growled, more because he wanted to release pent-up frustration than anything else. And then he picked up speed and raced between the branches and brush. It didn’t matter what he stepped on because he didn’t let his feet spend more than half a second on the ground for each step.
He could feel Adriana behind him without looking, but he would rather be the one bringing up the rear. He would make sure to swap positions with Nolan on the way back.
“It’s so gorgeous out here. Perhaps even more than in Silvertip,” she communicated.
“I’m sure that’s why my grandfather picked this spot to build. He loved it here.”
They raced up the mountain so fast they were all three gasping for breath when they reached the spot Reid wanted to show Adriana. He shifted silently back to human form and waited while Adriana and Nolan did the same. And then he nodded at the horizon.
She gasped when she stepped into the clearing and saw the view, inching closer to the edge. “My God. It feels like we can see the entire country from here.” She took a deep breath, her head tipping back to take in the clean air. “Love that smell.”
“What smell is that?” Nolan asked.
“Purity. Life. It’s invigorating.”
“That it is.” Reid wasn’t looking at the scenery though. He was watching Adriana.
When he glanced at Nolan, he found him also staring at the woman who had taken both their hearts and twisted them in knots.
Chapter Fourteen
“What do you mean you lost him?” Joe seethed.
The three imbeciles standing in front of Joe’s desk in his downtown office were white as sheets and fidgeting like preteens, not grown men. A fourth man, Vinny, leaned casually against the wall to one side.
“Vinny insisted Osborn was in the hotel room. We went to a lot of trouble to get a fucking key from the cleaning lady on the hall, but the room was empty.” The taller man shot a glare at Vinny.
Joe honestly couldn’t blame the man. He didn’t trust Vinny further than he could throw him either, but he still needed to figure out where the fuck Osborn was and take him out of the equation. Sooner rather than later.
The shortest man, a balding guy who rubbed his head constantly in a nervous habit, cleared his throat. “I think he knew we were in the hall and escaped through the window.”
Joe’s voice rose as he stood and leaned forward on his hands over the desk. “Through the window? What floor was he on?”
“The third, sir. There was a fire escape.”
“And how the fuck did he know you were onto him? What did you do, knock?”
“No, sir.” Mr. Baldheaded Moron winced. “Somehow he was alerted to our presence anyway. I’m sure of it.”
“Unless you arrived banging drums or playing a trumpet down the hallway, I don’t see why Osborn would have been watching for danger out the peephole. He can’t stand at the door all day and all night.” Joe was pissed. The boss wasn’t going to like this. It was messy. And it got more complicated by the day. He needed to find Osborn and put an end to this latest threat to his boss.
Joe spun around to face his office window. He ran a hand through his short-cropped hair and sighed. Did he have to do everything himself? How the fuck were three men unable to sneak up on Osborn and bring him in?
Vinny pushed away from the wall where he’d been leaning and sauntered forward as if he were in charge. What did this asshole have that made Rimouski suck his dick? Joe would give his left nut to find out.
Right now his only concern was fixing this problem. Fast. He waved all four idiots out of his office. “Get out. I’ll find someone else to do the job.” Fucking morons.
“I got this one,” Vinny suddenly stated. “Should have done it myself in the first place. I’m the one who located Osborn. I should have taken him out myself instead of waiting for the team to come in.”
Stephen didn’t issue any directives that indicated he wanted Vinny to do the dirty work. Joe was leery. He was also in over his head. Why not let this guy give it a try? “Okay. Find him. But keep me updated several times a day. I want to know what’s going on and where you are. Got it?”
“Yep.”
“If you fuck this up and make me regret this decision, I’ll hold you personally responsible for the SNAFU.”
Vinny nodded. “You won’t be disappointed.”
“Prove it.” Joe lowered back down in his seat. “Now, I’ve got work to do. Get out of here.”
»»•««
It was late morning when Nolan returned to the cabin with Reid and Adriana. Nolan shifted first and opened the door for the others. When they were safely ensconced back in their tiny haven, he headed for the fireplace. This wasn’t his first visit to the cabin. He’d even come there alone a few times over the years when he needed peace and quiet.
It was rustic, no denying that, but he loved it for its simplicity.
“I think I’ll take a shower,” Adriana announced.
Nolan gritted his teeth. The idea of her getting naked in that tiny bathroom only yards from where he stood made his libido shoot back to full force. A glance at Reid told him his friend was experiencing the same discomfort.
They held their breath until the water was running and they were certain she was out of earshot.
Nolan spoke first, plopping down on the couch. “This isn’t long enough for your frame. How did you sleep here last night?”
“Mostly I didn’t.” Reid dropped himself next to Nolan.
“So what are you thinking is the plan for the day?”
“I’m thinking my experiment earlier was a success. She hates feeling like she’s sneaking around behind our backs when she’s with one of us. We eliminate the sneaking, and she’s calmer.”
“I agree.” Nolan picked on a loose thread on his jeans. “It’s weird though. Both of us touching her at once. Kissing her.” He shuddered. “I never imagined sharing a woman with you.”
“Well, it’s not like we’re going to have sex. I’m only suggesting we not avoid contact just because the other one is in the room.”
Nolan nodded as he glanced at his best friend. Did Reid know she was a virgin?
Reid either read his mind or guessed his line of thinking. “She told me.”
Nolan swallowed. This alternate universe he’d stepped into kept getting weirder.
Reid leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I would never take her virginity, you know. It wouldn’t be fair. Only one of us will get that piece of her. In the end, I mean.”
Nolan stared at his friend. Damn, he was lucky. How did he deserve having Reid of all people for a best friend? Any other man would have run off with Adriana and never looked back. That humbled Nolan. It was also tough to swallow, and he had to remind himself to return the favor. “Do not forget your promise.”
Reid rolled his eyes. “How could I? You remind me every day.”
“Rope.”
“Rope. Got it. Stop harping. It won’t come to that.”
“It might.”
“It won’t.”
Nolan glanced across the room. His mind wandered to the scene next to the sink earlier. His dick had kicked into overdrive as he pressed his length against her belly and kissed her. It didn’t even bother him that Reid had been watching, also holding her by the waist. Guiding her. It was hot.
It
was crazy, but it was still hot. Sure, there were men who shared women in the world. He simply didn’t know any of them. And he certainly hadn’t ever done so himself. Why hadn’t it been awkward? He should have felt guilt or at least some discomfort touching Adriana so intimately in front of Reid. Or fuck, watching Reid do so. But none of those feelings had surfaced. He’d felt nothing but…consuming arousal, and once again, heat.
He shook the thought from his mind. It was only for today. One day. He just prayed his friendship would still be intact when this was over.
Except who was he kidding? There was no way their friendship could survive this woman. Only one of them would win. The other would spend their life without her. The world wasn’t perfect enough for whoever got left behind to hang around like a third wheel. No matter how strong the binding was, Nolan for one knew for certain he would never forget how he felt about Adriana if she chose Reid. It was insane to think it could be erased.
“When are you going to call the police? They must be crazy wondering where you are,” Reid pointed out.
Nolan chuckled. “My dad called them last night. Told them they could take a chill pill for a few days since they failed to keep me safe. He was a bit livid. Wouldn’t even hint at where I might be, although I didn’t tell him. I doubt they care very much. Every day I’m hiding on my own is one more day they don’t have to foot the bill.”
“So we get this entire day before we have to return to reality.”
“What do you think we should do with our time?” Nolan wiggled his brows.
“I can think of a few things. Let’s make her forget this cabin exists.”
Nolan’s cock jumped to attention. The idea of what Reid was suggesting should have given him pause. But it didn’t. It made his arousal spike. He could do this.
The bathroom door opened, making both of them twist around to find Adriana standing behind them wrapped in nothing but a towel. “So, the worst part is not having clean clothes.”
Nolan opened his mouth to tell her Reid always kept spare clothing in the cabin and that the drawers upstairs were filled with various items she could go through, even things Nolan’s sisters had left on occasion.
Grizzly Perfection_A Paranormal Shifter Menage Romance Page 15
