Christmas with Two Alphas

by Vanessa Devereaux

  Yoga studios-Kalispell he typed into the search engine.

  ****

  Lucas smiled when he opened his e-mail and saw the chili recipe. He’d love to try it out and invite Maisey over for dinner. Well, that was if Nick didn’t want to ask her out. Maybe he’d invite both of them when they met at the wedding and they’d take it from there.

  Lucas checked the rest of his mail and saw a second one from Nick.

  You mentioned you’re looking for work and you did carpentry jobs before you were in the army. Interested in some construction work? If so, call me and I’ll give you all the details. And if you’re not doing anything you want to go look at some property that might make for suitable yoga studios?

  Yoga? Hadn’t Maisey said she wanted to open a yoga studio? Just what was Nick up to?

  ****

  Maisey put her key in the door of her parent’s house and went inside, hearing a vacuum running. She had seen Lilly Renner’s cleaning van parked outside and guessed it was the day she cleaned for her parents. As she turned the corner, she saw Lilly pushing a vacuum with her daughter Kaitlin following behind wearing a matching apron and pushing a bright pink, plastic vacuum with neon green bead bubbles floating up and down in its transparent canister.

  Maisey smiled and then jumped when her mother walked out of the living room catching her unaware.

  “Isn’t that the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” she asked. “Lilly said Christopher saw the play vacuum at a garage sale and thought it would be perfect for Kaitlin.”

  The little girl turned around as if she knew they were watching her and waved. Maisey waved back before the Kaitlin returned to her work.

  “Makes me sad to think we only had time to make you and not more siblings for you to play with,” said her mom putting her arms around Maisey’s shoulders.

  Maisey wished that too. Others to talk to, an understanding ear about wanting to do your own thing in life.

  Lilly turned off the vacuum and spotted Maisey.

  “Hi, how are you doing?” she asked.

  “Really good.”

  “Now, why don’t we ladies go into the kitchen and take a break and try some of the chocolate cookies I just made. In fact, let’s eat them before your dad comes home, picks up the scent, and devours every single one.”

  “Cookies,” said Kaitlin following behind with her vacuum in tow.

  Lilly lifted her up and put her on one of the stools by the island in their kitchen as Maisey’s mom handed Kaitlin a cookie.

  “What do you say to Mrs. King?” Lilly asked her.

  “Thank you very much.”

  “Maisey, did you stay the night with your friend?” asked her mom. “I didn’t hear you come in?”

  Maisey took a cookie and nibbled on the edge. “Yes, I got tired and didn’t want to drive.”

  Liar, Liar. Having sex with two men.

  “Is everyone looking forward to the wedding this weekend?” asked her mom.

  “I am because Melanie caught my wedding bouquet, so I want to see who gets hers.”

  “And is Charlotte feeling better? I’m so excited, well we all are, about the baby,” asked her mom.

  Maisey pulled a face at Kaitlin who giggled.

  “She’s doing great. I’ll be throwing her a baby shower in the New Year, so I hope I can count on both of you attending,” said Lilly.

  “Absolutely,” said her mother.

  Babies, babies, babies. The last thing she wanted to think about this morning.

  “How’s Christopher’s business going?” asked Maisey.

  “It’s really taken off. In fact, he’s in Seattle for two days. Which reminds me, I should get a move on because Kaitlin and I are having dinner with Aiden and Charlotte tonight. I said I’d take a couple of dishes so she doesn’t have to rush home and cook.”

  Maisey followed Lilly out into the hallway where she began dusting the picture frames.

  “Something wrong?” she asked Maisey.

  “Is it that obvious?”

  Lilly nodded.

  “Have you ever done anything really foolish? I mean it was fun at the time but after you realized it was just downright dumb?”

  “Who hasn’t,” said Lilly.

  Chapter Nine

  “Whatever you do, do not breathe a word of this to Maisey because I’m in the just checking things out phase,” said Nick as they walked around a piece of land outside of Kalispell.

  “Is this what you do? I mean property development?” asked Lucas.

  “Sort of. I put money into start-up businesses and most of the time I stay a silent partner.”

  Lucas whistled. “When I first saw your cabin I thought maybe you were a recluse who lived in the woods.”

  “I am, well, sort of, and I love it. I have a house in town, but I prefer the cabin. Guess I love my wolf half best.”

  “You said you lost your parents, so how did you get started?”

  “I guess when you’re fifteen and suddenly all alone you over compensate to survive. I worked two jobs, saved up a couple of hundred dollars, and invested in it in some guy’s t-shirt company and that turned into $10,000 for me and it went from there.”

  “And you’re thinking that a yoga studio could be built on this land?”

  Nick nodded. “This land’s got lots of room for expansion so if it takes off we can add a spa. I’m thinking of putting up the money for Maisey to get the thing going and be her partner.”

  Lucas leaned against Nick’s truck. “Are you doing this because you like her or because you think it could make you some money?”

  “A little of both. Instinct tells me you think she might be your mate, right?”

  Lucas wasn’t crazy after all. Nick had seen it too.

  “I was thinking maybe that’s why I was drawn to her, but then you picked up her scent so I guess any wolf-shifter in the area could say the same thing.”

  “But you picked up her scent first. I like her, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think she’s my mate. I think mine’s still out there someplace.”

  ****

  “It says and guest. I don’t have one so I don’t really feel like going,” Maisey had told her parents two hours before they were supposed to head out to Dane and Melanie’s wedding. The truth was she didn’t want to run into Nick and Lucas with her parents in tow. Not that they’d probably say anything, but she’d feel awkward.

  “No honey, that’s not the way it works. These are the type of events where you’re most likely to meet your mate,” said her mom.

  “Your mother’s right, they’ll know you’re unattached and you’ll be looking beautiful. This could be your big chance to find your one and only,” said her dad winking at her.

  There was no getting out of this and maybe Nick and Lucas had changed their minds about going or maybe they’d found dates.

  Both of them being with other women after they’d been with her. How did she feel about that exactly? Strangely she wasn’t too jealous about Nick, but deep in her heart she was hoping that Lucas might have at least called her during the week.

  “So put on your best dress and let’s show those wolf-shifters what a catch you are,” said her mom.

  ****

  Nick spotted Maisey as soon as he was shown to his seat. She was even more beautiful today than she’d been the other evening, but he knew by conceding to Lucas, he was doing the right thing. She finally looked his way and smiled. He lifted his hand and waved and noticed Lucas sitting two rows behind. They exchanged head nods, having planned how the evening would play out. Maisey was in for two wonderful surprises.

  Nick looked around. The shifters were a great group of people; loyal, close-knit, and all sharing one dark secret. He glanced at Dane standing at the front with Trent as his best man. Both dressed in dark suits. He was happy for Dane. The poor guy had lost his wife and child—that couldn’t have been easy for him. Music began playing and everyone, including Nick stood as Trent’s wife Emily headed down the aisle followe
d by the bride Melanie accompanied by a man who had the shape nose and face, and was clearly her father.

  She looked stunning and Dane was beaming from ear to ear as he turned to watch her approach him. The front of her dress was loose, but he could see a distinct bump. They hadn’t announced it yet, but rumor was Dane was going to be a dad again.

  Wife, baby. A lot for a guy to take on all in one shot.

  They sat and Nick glanced over first at Maisey and then at Lucas. Yeah, he was doing the right thing. His turn to find the perfect mate would come one of these days.

  ****

  Lucas focused on the back of Maisey’s head. He remembered the other night when he’d looked at it while pounding away inside her. He crossed his legs, feeling his cock begin to stir again. He glanced across at Nick. The guy was one of a kind and what he’d planned for him and Maisey, well, he’d never be able to thank him enough.

  Maisey fidgeted in her seat, turning around and catching his glance. She smiled and he had the same feeling wash over him that he’d had in school when he’d gotten a crush on the teacher. Just like back then, his heart was beating double time. If everything went well, and Nick pulled this off, he’d get to be with Maisey later tonight.

  Lucas pulled down the tie from his collar just a notch. Was it getting hot in here or was it seeing Maisey and remembering their night together? In fact, he hadn’t realized that the ceremony was over until he heard everyone clapping and Dane and Melanie heading back down the aisle holding hands and waving to everyone. He stood and clapped at the happy couple. Maisey was looking his way again. He winked at her and she winked back.

  Lucas made his way out of the room where the ceremony had been performed and down the hall to where dinner would be served followed by a band playing music into the wee hours of the morning.

  He followed behind Aiden and Charlotte Renner, and saw Christopher holding his wife Lilly’s hand as their daughter Kaitlin skipped along ahead of them.

  Once inside the room, he looked for his place card on the table. Just so happened he was seated with Aiden and Charlotte and two cougar couples.

  “No date today?” asked Aiden.

  “Nope, I’m flying solo.”

  “Lots of single ladies here,” said Charlotte.

  “How are you adjusting now you’re back in town?” Aiden asked him.

  “Pretty good. Nice to be back in my old apartment and I think I might have some work lined up.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Aiden tells me you’re in construction,” said Charlotte.

  “Yep, that’s right. You need any work done?”

  “Actually we do. We’re in the middle of building a new clinic and hospital that I’ll be running,” she said.

  “A hospital for…”

  Lucas stopped talking when a waitress hovered around the table.

  Charlotte nodded and winked at him. “We have to get a move on if I’m going to have my baby there,” she said patting her belly.

  “Give me a call because it’s definitely something I’d like to be part of.”

  He leaned back. Two job prospects. Things were looking up. He glanced over at the next table and saw Maisey and her parents just taking their seats.

  She was wearing a red dress with a zipper down the front, and the color complimented her dark locks. He threw his napkin over his lap hoping no one would see his erection.

  ****

  Maisey knew she was blushing because her cheeks were burning. Lucas was at the table next to hers, Nick just two tables over and sitting almost directly opposite her. The salad in front of her looked delicious, but she couldn’t eat because guilt was washing over her again. What if Lucas was supposed to be her mate because he’d found her first? What if she’d ruined her chances with him by suggesting Nick join in? Did he think her a slut who wasn’t worthy of being a mate to anyone?

  “What’s wrong honey?” Her father’s voice startled her. “You haven’t touched any of the salad.” She knew her father well enough to know that he was probably eyeing everything on the plate. Since retiring he’d gained ten pounds and now her mother nagged him to go running more.

  “I’m watching my weight,” she finally said.

  “Since when?” asked her mom.

  She’d lingered over the salad so long that the waitress arrived with the main course.

  “I might have guessed it would be salmon. Those bears and their salmon,” said her father.

  “And what are you going to serve when Maisey gets married?” asked one of the other wolf-shifters at the table.

  “Venison of course,” said her father.

  When I get married. She looked over at Lucas. The other night I might have blown my chances of ever doing that.

  Chapter Ten

  Nick glanced over at Lucas. He nodded to him, and it was time to put their plan into action. He noticed Maisey was talking to two other women. He stood up and walked over to her.

  “I love this song and I’m looking for a partner to dance with me.” He put out his hand to her. At first he thought she was going to turn him down but she finally put her hand into his palm and let him lead her to the dance floor.

  “Let’s see what sort of moves you have, yoga lady.”

  She didn’t hold back. She certainly was agile but of course he knew that from their threesome. She’d gotten her body into some fantastic positions.

  The band eased into a slow tune, and without being asked if she wanted a second dance with him, he pulled her into his body.

  “Are you still interested in running your own yoga studio?” he whispered into her ear.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then I think I can help you. I’ve found a piece of land just outside town and we can build a yoga studio to sort your needs.”

  “But I don’t have enough money saved.”

  “No problem because I’ll back you and continue to be your silent partner.”

  “But what if I couldn’t pay you back?”

  He squeezed her close to him. “Maisey, if you’re going into business one thing you have to do is have positive thinking. So you want the yoga studio or what?”

  “Yes, yes, I do.”

  “Great, I’ll have my attorney draw up all the paperwork on Monday and we can get started.”

  “Thank you.”

  He smiled. Now onto to surprise number two.

  “I arrived by limo, my driver is over there sipping ginger ale and I have a gift for you sitting on the back seat. You want to come collect it?”

  ****

  Maisey’s head was spinning as she headed toward the limo with Nick. She was finally going to have her own studio, but how she was going to break the news to her parents she didn’t quite know. She’d been so deep in thought that she didn’t see Lucas already sitting in the limo when Nick opened the door.

  “This is where I say adios for the evening,” said Nick. “Go and have some fun with your mate. My driver’s been instructed not to disturb you for an hour so make the most of it.”

  She looked between Lucas and Nick.

  “Go on, what are you waiting for?” said Nick.

  Lucas held out his hand to her. She quickly kissed Nick on the cheek and got inside. Nick closed the door and they were alone.

  “Did you guys plan this?” she asked sliding next to him.

  “We did, and I hope you accepted his business offer.”

  “Actually I did.”

  She turned to face him. “I want to say that the other night. I mean the threesome was totally out of …”

  He put his fingers over her lips and then quickly replaced them with his mouth. He glided his tongue into her mouth and tickled her own one. She wasn’t in her cycle anymore but this guy still knew how to make her feel horny.

  Lucas pulled away and began unzipping her dress, exposing both her bra and panties.

  “Wow, red, red, and red,” said Lucas.

  He slid down onto the limo floor, first helping her ease out of her
dress and then reaching up and unclasping her bra which was secured at the front. It fell onto her lap and she flicked it off until it landed on the seat.

  Lucas ran both his hands up her thighs.

  “You going to show me some yoga positions later?”

  “Only if you’re good.”

  “Oh, I’m going to be good all right.”

  She lifted her butt, allowing him to drag her panties down her thighs, over her knees, and then she raised her feet so he could free her of the underwear.

  “You are the sexiest she-wolf in town.”

  She actually felt like it too. He pushed her thighs apart, quickly running his fingers around her folds, outlining her entrance. He spread wide her pussy lips and soon his head was between her thighs, lapping at her like he would drink her dry.

  Maisey dragged her fingers through his hair, feeling the heat of his scalp, loving the roughness of the stubble on his face as it brushed against the delicate area around her pussy.

  She glided her handover the leather seat, hoping her long nails wouldn’t tear into it and ruin Nick’s limo, but Lucas and his talented tongue were making her go crazy. He speared her pussy and flicked and licked and made her groan.

  The limo had tinted windows so no one could see in, but hopefully it was soundproof too.

  She lifted her legs, pushed up against this mouth, bucking slightly as he brought about not one but two orgasms in very quick succession. She held her body in that same position as Lucas lapped some more, making her howl as she enjoyed another climax.

  Lucas looked up at her before spinning her around and pushing her down flat on the limo seat. He unzipped his fly, and Maisey reached up and stroked his erection. Lucas leaned over and kissed her, putting his hand around hers as they both glided him inside her.

  Maisey sat up just a tad, feeling Lucas’ cock hit the back of her pussy making her almost whimper as he gently began to thrust. She took some of his weight before bringing her legs up over his butt, crossing them at the ankles, and setting up more friction.

  This evening had taken some unexpected turns and now she was glad that she’d taken her father’s advice and attended the wedding. He’d been right; it was the perfect place to find a mate.