by Gale Stanley
Tanner stood up and blocked the cowboy’s path. “Wait. I don’t want you to leave. Neither does Gage. He’s just a little off the last couple of days. The heat and the drought…”
Shiloh relaxed a little and looked over at Gage.
Gage pasted a contrite look on his face. He was pretty sure it was Kate’s idea not to come, and making an enemy of the cowboy would not get them closer to her. “I’m sorry, Shiloh. My mother was abused, and sometimes I just get a little overprotective when it comes to women.”
Shiloh nodded. “I understand.”
“Can we start over?”
“Sure.” The cowboy smiled and sat down. “I asked her to come. She begged off. Look, I’ll be perfectly honest. Kate and I live together, but we both believe in our personal space. We each have our own lives.”
No surprise there, but it’s Kate’s life I’m more interested in. “You sound like an old married couple already.” Gage sighed inwardly. Shiloh wanted to play, and he was cute as a puppy dog. If only he weren’t human.
Shiloh looked down and fiddled with a napkin. “Look, I feel like we made some kind of connection, so I’ll be honest. I’m with Kate, but I prefer men. She’s okay with it. If you’re not, just say so, and I will leave.”
Tanner jumped in before Gage could open his mouth. “Well, since we’re being honest, Shiloh, I might as well come clean. It’s not a problem. Gage and I are gay.”
Shiloh’s face broke into a big grin. “That’s a relief. When Gage started questioning me about Kate, I started thinking maybe I read you guys wrong.”
Gage scowled at Tanner, but his lover pretended not to see and leaned in close to Shiloh. His lips were very close to Shiloh’s ear, and the cowboy shuddered. “We were hoping to get better acquainted.”
Shiloh hesitated for the briefest second. “I have to be at the rodeo grounds really early tomorrow, and I booked a room here so I wouldn’t disturb Kate tonight.”
Tanner offered the cowboy a slow, sexy smile. “Then let’s move this party upstairs.”
Chapter Five
Shiloh took his time getting naked. He got down to his briefs. His erection, fighting for freedom, had already left a nice little wet spot on the material. Tanner licked his lips, wanting nothing more than to tongue that damp blotch. He settled back against the pillows and snuck a peek at Gage lying next to him. His partner did not look happy. It pained him that he’d put that sour look on his lover’s face. Maybe he should have passed up this playdate, but damn it to hell, he didn’t believe Shiloh was a threat to them. The cowboy appeared to be in the dark about his woman’s identity, so why should he suspect Tanner and Gage? As far as Shiloh was concerned, they were two horny ranch hands. And if Shiloh did know more than he was letting on, Tanner felt he and Gage had a right to know. The rodeo rider could inadvertently put the Southwest Pack in danger. He looked up, and Shiloh gave him a flirty little smile. The cowboy’s expression said, I’m really loving this. So was he. If Shiloh wanted to give them a show, he was all for it. He just hoped those briefs would come off soon so he could see the main attraction. Shi hooked his thumbs in the waistband and shimmied them over his hips.
Tanner was not disappointed. If he had to describe Shiloh in one word, it would be stud. He’d never had a blond before. His partners had all been Lycans, big, dark, and hairy. Shiloh was an exciting, sexy change, six feet two inches of wiry muscle with a smattering of light brown hair on his hard chest, a face like Brad Pitt, and an eight-inch dick slapping against his abs. A dream come true. I think I’m in lust.
Shi came and sat on the edge of the bed next to Tanner. “I think you’re overdressed for this party.”
Tanner looked at Gage from the corner of his eye. His partner’s eyes betrayed his lust, but his mouth was set in a frown. Evidently he still thought this was a big mistake. Gage needed to lighten up, and Tanner knew just how to change his mood. He winked at Shiloh and nodded toward Gage. “Undress him.”
“My pleasure.” Shi smiled seductively at Tanner and stood.
* * * *
The mattress dipped, and Shiloh lowered himself to Gage’s side of the bed. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to do since I first laid eyes on you.”
Gage gasped in surprise when Shiloh gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him close. The cowboy reached around his neck and freed the thick black hair that hung down his back, sighing as he ran his fingers through the long strands.
“So pretty.” His hands twisted in Gage’s hair. Shiloh held his head still and looked into his eyes. The first press of his lips set Gage’s on fire. His heart beat faster as Shiloh forced his mouth open with his thrusting tongue and they shared a kiss.
Soft lips left his and traced a path over his jaw to nibble on his earlobe. “Shi…” Gage sighed, knowing he was lost. He might as well enjoy the ride.
“Shh. Lie back,” Shi whispered. Slowly he unbuttoned Gage’s shirt and pressed kisses to his chest. Finally, he took a nipple in his mouth and sucked lightly, flicking it with his tongue.
Gage arched his back, pressing his chest against Shiloh’s mouth, wanting more. The cowboy sucked harder then bit him. Fuck! Gage’s nipples were hardwired to his cock. His erection grew rock solid, and he reached for his own zipper.
“Uh-uh.” Shiloh sat up and pushed his hands away. “I was told to undress you.”
Gage eyed the cowboy’s leaking dick and groaned. “You’re taking too long.” From the corner of his eye, he saw Tanner smirking, but he was too hot to give a shit.
Licking his lips, Shiloh worked the zipper down and reached inside, groping Gage’s cock and balls, then freeing them. His erection stood straight up like the mast of a ship, the foreskin rolling back to expose the swelling head. Shiloh gave it a few strokes and pushed the foreskin back to his balls until the shaft was completely smooth. He spread leaking pre-cum over the head with his thumb. Then he bent to tongue the slit for a taste.
Fuck, Gage was impossibly hard. His breath growing harsher by the minute, he gripped the sheets in frustration. When Shiloh tried to straighten up, Gage held his head down. “Oh God, I want that sweet mouth on my cock. Suck me, cowboy.”
Shiloh struggled up and flashed an evil grin. “Not yet. I have my orders.”
“Fuck!” Gage growled. He heard Tanner snicker, and he looked over at him. His lover’s eyes were hot and hungry. Tanner liked to watch, and it was obvious he was enjoying this.
Gage had already taken off his shoes and socks earlier. He let Shi help him with his shirt then lifted his ass so the cowboy could remove his jeans. Despite the AC, Gage was on fire, and a fine sheen of sweat covered his body. His balls tightened at the look on the cowboy’s face as he lowered his head. But instead of sucking Gage’s aching dick, Shiloh pushed his legs in the air and spread his cheeks. A callused thumb rubbed over his exposed hole. Then Shi buried his face in the crease, and his long, wet tongue licked and sucked at his opening. Gage shuddered and let out a cry.
Shi lifted his head and grinned. “Like that, do you?”
“Urgh ha huh!”
“I thought so.” Shi laughed and began anew to drive him crazy. He sucked and nipped. His talented tongue breached the muscle and flickered in and out. Just as Gage reached the edge of an orgasm, he stopped.
“Motherfucker!” Gage groaned. “Don’t stop now.”
He was dimly aware of Tanner’s harsh breaths next to him, and he looked over. From the glazed look in Tanner’s eyes, he could tell that his lover was extremely turned on, maybe as much as he was.
“Yeah, suck it. Suck it all you want,” Tanner encouraged Shi.
The cowboy took the hint, rubbing the stubble on his jaw against the soft skin of Gage’s shaft, then soothing it with his tongue, licking from base to head. Soft animal sounds escaped from Gage’s throat as Shi’s wet heat enveloped him. The man’s sexy lips felt so damn good wrapped around the weeping head of his dick, Gage couldn’t hold back a moan and his hips bucked, pushing more of his engorged cock dow
n the cowboy’s throat. Shiloh swallowed his length then let his lips slide back up the shaft. Pleasure raced through him as Shiloh started sucking, and he writhed, straining for more.
“God yes. Harder, cowboy. Suck me dry.” Deep, throaty moans and loud slurping noises filled the hotel room.
Then Shi slipped a hand underneath him to caress the sensitive skin between scrotum and sphincter. A finger, slippery with spit and pre-cum, pressed against his hole, and Gage clenched his buttocks in anticipation. Shi breached the entrance, pushing the tip of his finger past the ring of muscle, and pleasure shot through Gage’s body. Approaching the point of no return, Gage bit his lip to hold back his release.
* * * *
Seeing Gage wrapped up in the pleasure of having Shiloh suck his cock made Tanner’s own cock weep for attention. These two men together were so damn hot. It was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. For the moment, he was content just to stroke himself while he watched them.
Suddenly Shiloh released Gage’s cock with a soft pop and looked over at Tanner. His cobalt eyes darkened even more. “Fuck me.”
Tanner didn’t need a second invitation. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Shameless, the cowboy groaned and bent over with his ass in the air. “There’re condoms on the nightstand.” He widened his legs before sucking the head of Gage’s cock back into his mouth.
Lycans didn’t get human diseases. Tanner had never used a rubber in his life and didn’t plan on starting now. “Don’t need them. We’re both clean.” He came up behind the cowboy and stroked himself, spreading pre-cum over his shaft. Then he traced the crease of Shiloh’s ass. Shi tensed and grunted, then pushed back, encouraging him to do more. Tanner teased him, finally pushing his finger past the tight ring of muscle. Satisfied with Shi’s sounds of approval, he added a second finger and searched the tight passage for Shi’s prostate. A harsh grunt let him know when he found it.
Fuck! Enough! He couldn’t hold off any longer. He removed his fingers and lined his dick up at Shi’s hole, pushing inside slowly until the head of his cock entered. Shi pushed back against him, letting him know he wanted more. One hard thrust, and he was inside, Shi’s muscles gripping his length like a glove. Tanner started moving, and a tidal wave of unfamiliar emotions flooded over him, a feeling of deep affection and belonging. Somehow, it felt right having Shiloh between him and Gage.
Tanner heard Gage cry out with his release and felt himself approaching the point of no return. He reached around Shi to grip his cock and stroke him to completion. A garbled sound came from Shi’s throat, and his wet heat spread over Tanner’s hand. Tanner gave one last thrust and felt the ball-tightening spasm that signaled an orgasm. Shi ground back against him, he saw stars behind his eyelids, and his hot cum filled the cowboy’s ass. Abandoning himself to one of the longest, hottest orgasms of his life, Tanner rested his head against the broad back under him and rode out his climax.
* * * *
The three men lay next to each other in companionable silence. Shiloh, in the middle, shifted and rolled to his side. He propped his head on a hand and looked down at the dark-haired man on his left.
Gage’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled up at the blond. Shiloh thought he had never seen anyone more attractive, except maybe the man on his right. Gage looked delicious with his long, dark hair spread over the pillows, his heavy-lidded gaze wandering up and down Shi’s body, leaving heat in its wake. Shi played with the man’s hair, letting the long strands slide through his fingers. A twinge of guilt made him uneasy. Although he didn’t know anything about them and he made it a practice not to see any man more than once, he wanted to see Gage and Tanner again. If he did, it would take more time from Kate, and he really didn’t like leaving her alone so much. One day she would tire of him, find a man who could give her what she wanted, and he would lose her. The thought made his heart ache. Despite their strange situation, he loved her.
Gage narrowed his brows. “Something bothering you, cowboy?”
Shi pursed his lips and shook his head. “No, I was just wishing you could stay the night.”
“Why don’t you go home?”
“No point to it. It’s getting late, and pretty soon, I’ll have to get ready for an early show. It’s the last day of the rodeo.”
“We have an early day tomorrow, too,” Gage told him. “This has been great.” Gage reached up a hand to smooth back his hair. “But we need to get back.”
Tanner rolled up behind him and put an arm around him. Being sandwiched between them felt right. Shi looked over his shoulder. “I wanted you since the first time I saw you, both of you.” He hesitated. “I want more…”
“But?” Tanner asked.
“But I don’t want to hurt Kate.”
Gage scowled. “I thought you said she knew about your affairs.”
“She does. We don’t hide anything from each other.” Shiloh hesitated as he caught a strange look pass between Gage and Tanner.
“Go on,” Tanner prodded him.
“Kate knows me really well. She picked up on my interest and attraction to you guys, and she never intended to come tonight. Look, Kate and I want to be together, but we both know we’re not getting everything we need from each other, so we found our own solution—outside friendships.”
Gage’s brow furrowed and his expression turned dark. “So you’re saying Kate has other men? Or women?”
Shiloh shook his head. “No, she hasn’t met anyone she’s interested in, but I have, and she’s okay with it as long as I’m careful. Up ’til now, it’s only been one-night flings. This feels different, and I’d like to see where it leads, but I don’t want to rub her nose in it. We’re sensitive to each other’s feelings.”
“You don’t have to worry. We don’t want to hurt her either. Right, Tanner?” Gage asked.
“Of course. What happens between us stays between us.”
Shi sighed in relief. “Good, I’m leaving with the rodeo after tomorrow’s show. I’ll be back in a week. You have my cell number. Use it if you want to.”
Chapter Six
Tanner kept one hand on the steering wheel. The other fiddled with the AC. “Are you sure this is a good idea? We don’t even know if she’s at home.”
“Well how else are we going to find out?” Gage shook his head in disgust. “Maybe I should have just come out and asked Shiloh. Ah, excuse me, but are you sure Kate will be home tomorrow so we can fuck her? And by the way, she’s a wolf.”
“Well at least we know how she keeps her secret. He admitted they have separate lives, and he travels a lot. That would make it a lot easier.”
“Yeah, and living so far out, she can run without worrying about being caught.” Gage leaned back in his seat and looked at the passing landscape: dry creek beds, tumbleweeds, dust devils, hazy heat waves, as if they were in a fucking desert. “Although I’d bet she’s not doing much running in this heat.”
“Yeah, about as much as we are,” Tanner complained. “I don’t think she’ll be happy to see us.”
“You don’t know that. Shiloh wasn’t the only one we connected with. Kate felt something, too. She didn’t show up because she doesn’t step on Shiloh’s toes. Besides, she’s on the down-low and hiding. Actually, they both are. The cowboy identifies as straight but prefers sex with men, and Kate…well, Kate’s hiding who she really is, and I want to know what she’s afraid of.”
Tanner snorted. “Us, for starters.”
“Right. Don’t barge in there like a wolf in a china shop.”
“What do you take me for, anyway?” Tanner chuckled.
“I can’t trust you. Look what you got us into last night.”
“Me? You’re the one who made the date. And you had a good time, didn’t you?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll take half the blame. Just keep your eyes on the road, and be good when we get to her house.”
“I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.”
They rode in silence for a few miles. T
hen Gage spoke up. “I’m surprised she puts up with his fooling around. Wolves are territorial. Despite the Alpha’s crazy breeding schedules, we don’t like our rightful partners running with strangers.” Gage paused for effect.
“I hope you’re not insinuating that I would do something like that.”
Gage laughed. “Course not. You can hardly keep up with me.”
“You’re so full of wolf shit, your eyes are brown. I think I held up my end pretty good last night.”
Gage cupped his crotch. “Yes, you did, sweetheart. I’m getting a hard-on just thinking about.”
“Want me to stop the car and take care of that?”
Gage sighed regretfully. “No, I don’t want to meet her smelling like I just got fucked.”
“Gotcha.” Tanner agreed. “And she puts up with it because it suits them. They’re using each other. He’s in the closet, playing macho cowboy, and Kate is the beard. She’s hiding, and he’s providing security. But is she hiding from her own kind or someone else? It’s important to find out. Maybe we should be hiding, too.”
Gage furrowed his brow. “You’re right. I never thought of that.”
“Whatever the problem, she’s better off with her own kind. Humans can’t be trusted. And I’d bet my last dollar she hasn’t told Shiloh what she really is because deep down she doesn’t trust him.”
“But she doesn’t know us well enough to trust us either, and convincing her might not be so easy.”
Tanner pounded on the wheel. “So let’s just take her. We bring her in and—”
“And what? Keep her under lock and key? That’s not going to work.”
“What if she doesn’t want to come willingly?”
“She will.” Despite the confidence he tried to project to Tanner, Gage had his own doubts. And if Kate wouldn’t listen to reason, they might have to take her against her will. That was a last resort.
