Bethany [Eminence Shifters 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)
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“I like being a Bethany sandwich,” she said, standing between Jason and Samson under the warm spray of the shower. She had her plastic wrapped hand resting on Samson’s shoulder, away from the water’s reach. Her other arm was around Samson’s waist, her hand resting on one of his firm ass cheeks.
“Do you mean now,” Jason said, pushing tighter against her back, “or before, when you had Michael’s and my cocks buried deep inside you?” She could feel his cock hardening against her spine and her pussy throbbed in response.
“Both,” she said, not even feeling embarrassed at the admission. She didn’t even know this person she was becoming. But I like her. “God. How do mated couples ever get out of the house?” Samson said, groaning into her hair. “I want you again, kitten.” He took her mouth in a hard, lingering kiss, and her body responded. Her nipples peaked and pushed painfully into his rock-hard chest. Her clitoris began to pound.
“If you three don’t get out of the shower, now,” Michael called from the bedroom, “we’ll be late.”
“Shit,” Samson said, releasing Bethany’s lips with another groan.
“I have a whole new respect for our friends,” Jason said, continuing to kiss along Bethany’s shoulder. “I love the taste of you. The feel of your skin.”
Bethany was shaking a little with the force of her emotions. She’d never craved anything the way she craved these men and their touch. The craving wasn’t painful, as it had been through the mating ritual, but it was powerful.
She squealed as Michael plucked her from the shower. He sat her on the bathroom vanity and wrapped a towel around her. When she opened her mouth to beg for him to put her back between her two naked mates, he held his index finger to her lips.
“Do you want to be late the first time you meet our parents?”
“No,” she said, mumbling curses against his finger.
He gave her a devastating smile, and she melted inside, all frustration forgotten.
“You’re looking forward to me meeting them. Aren’t you?”
“We all are, darlin’. But yes, I’m excited for them to meet my wonderful mate.”
“Will they be disappointed because…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, her good mood evaporating, her throat suddenly dry. What parent would want their child, or in this case children, stuck with someone defective? Someone like her.
“You don’t know our parents, Bethany,” Jason said, stepping from the shower and reaching for a towel. “So I won’t take offense at what you’re implying.”
God, he had a great body. He may not have been as tall as Samson, but his shoulders were just as wide, his arms huge with his muscles, all of them rippling as he dried himself.
“You’re distracting our mate,” Samson said, turning off the shower and reaching for a towel.
“So are you,” she said, licking her lips. Then her sex-soaked brain finally grasped what Jason had meant. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
“We know what you meant, kitten,” Samson said. “Our parents are thrilled we’ve found our mate and will finally give them some cubs to dote on.”
. Did she want children? She’d had a very difficult childhood in foster care, and an adolescence spent in an institution. What sort of a mother would she make?
“Babies, not cubs, Bethany,” Jason said. “You look a little shocked.”
“I don’t know anything about being a parent. I never had one.”
“You won’t be alone when it happens, darlin’,” Michael said. “We’ll be there, too, the three of us to help you, plus our parents will probably come over so much we’ll have to build them their own room.”
It didn’t seem so frightening the way he described it. She looked at each of their faces and saw their love for her, a love she could also feel in her heart through their mating bond.
“It’s a lot to get my head around,” she said. “A few days ago I was in Tijuana, with no prospects or direction. Now, I finally know who I am. What I am.”
Michael wiped away tears she didn’t know she’d shed. His expression was sober, his smile gone. “Are you sad, darlin’?”
“No, I’m happy. It’s all happened so fast, but I know in my heart, that this is where I belong.”
* * * *
Samson sat in the back seat of the truck with Bethany on his lap. They were nearly at the end of the ten-minute journey to his parents’ home, and he was excited for them to meet his mate. He and Michael had remained close to their parents, always finding the time to visit whenever they were home on leave. Jason, however, had avoided them, despite his living in Eminence for the last five years.
Jason was driving the truck and looked pensive. “They’ll be glad to see you, Jase,” Samson said. “They love you.”
“I’ve been a prick,” he said baldly.
Michael cuffed him on the side of the head. “And yet, they still love you.”
“We’ll face them together, Jason,” Bethany said. “I’m nervous, too.” She smiled and reached forward to rub Jason’s shoulder.
His mate had a loving heart. Samson squeezed her around the middle and teased the ticklish spot they’d discovered beside her hip bone. “They’ll love you, too.”
Their parents were waiting on the porch when they arrived—on time, thanks to Michael dragging them from the shower. His mother looked radiant in jeans and a bright green blouse. It complemented her shoulder-length, white-blonde hair and fair complexion.
Their father was still a bull of a man, standing six foot three inches tall and leanly muscled. His thick head of hair was still worn long, the red strands devoid of any grey, despite his age.
They met them on the lawn as they all exited the truck.
“You’re here, you’re here,” their mother said, clapping her hands together. “You owe me a week of laundry duty, Connell,” she said, elbowing her husband lightly in the stomach.
“Do we even want to know what the bet was?” Jason asked, stepping up to their mother and lifting her in an embrace.
She gave a surprised little gasp, but wrapped her arms around her eldest son, and hugged him back. “Welcome home, Jason.” Her voice hitched a little as she spoke his name.
“It’s been too long, Mom. But I’m back now,” Jason said, his voice cracking a little, too.
Michael cleared his throat and, with an arm around Bethany’s waist, ushered her forwards. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Bethany Granger, our mate.”
“It’s good to meet you, Bethany. I’m Connell. This is my wife, Rose.” He shook Bethany’s hand, and when Jason set their mother down, she came over and embraced Bethany warmly.
“Welcome, Bethany. You’re a tiny thing. I hope my enormous sons are being careful with you.” She took Bethany’s arm and led them up to the porch, where morning tea was neatly laid out for them.
As their mother regaled Bethany with exploits from their childhood, Samson watched as Bethany relaxed and became increasingly animated. His parents had really taken to her, but the happiness she’d brought to Jason would have been enough for them to adore her.
“So you met in Scotland, one hundred and fifty years ago? That’s incredible. You both look about fifty years old,” Bethany said, peering closely at their mother’s lightly lined face.
“Shifter genetics would be a boon to the beauty industry if they ever found a way to bottle the effect,” Rose said.
Michael’s cell rang, and he stepped over to the truck to answer it.
“What was the bet you lost, Pop?” Jason asked. Samson watched Michael stiffen and walk further away as he spoke on his phone.
“I bet your Mom that you’d be least two hours late today,” Connell said, his eyes gleaming with humor as he looked at his wife. “She bet you’d never keep your Mom waiting.”
“You have Michael to blame for the week of laundry duty, then,” Jason said, lifting Bethany from her seat next to him and placing her on his lap.
Samson chuckled at Bethany’s blush. Shifters were all very op
“Do you like to ride, Bethany?” Connell asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve never even been close to a horse before.”
“Why don’t you and I go and meet some of our horses, then?” Rose said. “We’ll let the men get the steaks and salad ready for lunch.”
Bethany looked excited at the prospect, and leapt off Jason’s lap to take their mother’s outstretched hand. She’d reached the top step of the porch when she ran back and gave both him and Jason a long, hard kiss on the lips. Then, with a radiant smile, she ran back to link arms with their mother, before walking to the barn.
“She’s a lovely young woman, boys,” Connell said, gazing at them until they entered the barn. “Have you got any more information on the trouble following her?”
“I think that’s what Michael is dealing with now,” Samson said.
They all turned to look at Michael. He stuffed his phone back in his fatigues, swore loudly, and walked over to join them.
Chapter 23
Michael was dressed in jeans and a button-down dress shirt as he anxiously paced the living room and waited for the others to finish dressing for their night out.
They’d arrived home from their parents’ house with only thirty minutes to shower and change before they had to leave. Bethany was using the master bedroom, as all of her new clothes were there. His parents already adored Bethany and she seemed to really like them, too. She’d groomed and ridden a horse for the first time, and was looking forward to taking riding lessons.
It was the phone call he’d received that had killed his enthusiasm for tonight’s outing. Bethany, however, was so excited to be going on a date with them that they couldn’t disappoint her by cancelling their plans. Having never had any long-term friendships before, she was also excited about spending the evening with Melanie and Peata.
Jason had also pointed out, that there would be ten members of the pride there to protect her. So, despite the news that Cristian Renta was likely on his way to Eminence, they were all going dancing.
He’d heard from a contact in Claremont’s local law enforcement that Doctor Jenkins, Bethany’s treating psychiatrist, had been murdered in his home earlier that day. He’d been brutally tortured before finally having his throat slit. Michael was certain it had been Renta.
He’d had been concerned that Renta would follow the same trail he had to Claremont, but he hadn’t fully estimated his ruthlessness. They had to assume the doctor had told Renta everything he’d wanted to know.
Finn had been contacted, and Cooper, the pride enforcer, had put the entire pride on notice as well as increasing patrols around Eminence.
“She’ll be safe tonight, Michael,” Samson said, joining him in the living area. “I won’t let her out of my sight. She isn’t even going to the bathroom without me checking it first.”
“We’re a strong pride,” Jason said as he joined them.
Michael ran his hands through his hair and sighed, trying hard to accept their reassurances. “Any idea what this surprise is?” Bethany had told them she had a surprise for them, refusing to tell them what it was, even when Samson threatened to tickle her.
“No, but I found out that Melanie was involved. Dane called to warn me to stay calm,” Samson said. “Whatever the fuck that means.”
The sound of their bedroom door closing had them all wheeling around to look in that direction.
Samson swore loudly as Bethany came into view.
“Calm, Samson. Remember? You were warned,” Michael said under his breath.
Shit, Michael was having trouble remaining calm himself. Bethany finished walking into the room and did a little pirouette. She was a vision. Beyond beautiful.
“Don’t you like my dress?” she said, her contrite tone transparently disingenuous.
She was dressed in a fire-engine-red dress that hugged her lithe frame so tightly he wondered how she’d gotten into it. The hem reached to just under her firm ass, the color complementing her pale complexion and hair. Her lean legs were bare and she was wearing matching red shoes with long stiletto heels. So that’s what fuck-me shoes look like?
Jason’s voice came out as a rough growl, his cat very apparent. “Fucking hell.”
“I’ll have to kill everyone who looks at you, Bethany,” Samson said.
“You really are a minx, darlin’,” Michael said, slowly walking up to stand in front of her. “You better be wearing panties.”
Her mouth popped open in surprise. “Of course I am. I don’t want to flash my bits to the whole club.”
Laughing at her shocked expression, he wound his hands around to her ass and pulled her tight against his throbbing erection. “I think what we’re trying to say…is that you look amazing.”
* * * *
Bethany was surprised at how big the bar was. Rory’s was massive, with three separate bar areas, a huge stage and a dance floor. The lighting was dim, but not so dark that you couldn’t see who you were talking to.
Michael and Jason each had an arm around her, with Samson walking close behind, as they walked down to meet their friends. They weren’t hard to spot, as they were the tallest and biggest men in the place. Melanie’s husband, Finn looked to be nearly seven feet tall.
Bethany didn’t see the women until they drew closer, and Finn stepped to one side.
“You’re here,” Melanie screamed, throwing herself into Bethany’s arms. “How did they like the surprise?”
“You were right, they hate it,” she said, smiling at her men.
Samson cupped one of her buttocks in his hand and kissed her on the cheek. “We don’t hate it. We just wanted to stay home and take it off you.” The smile he gave her was so heated that she felt her panties grow damp. She glared at Samson when he inhaled sharply. He’d negated all her hard work at keeping Michael’s hand out of her panties on the trip to the bar. “Payback’s a bitch, kitten,” he added, squeezing her ass for good measure.
“The band’s about to start,” Peata said, giving her a warm hug. “You made it just in time.” Peata quickly stepped back between Max and Axel, who embraced her warmly.
By the time everyone had exchanged greetings, the band had started to play a cover of “Hey Soul Sister” by Train.
“We have to dance,” Melanie said, taking her and Peata’s hands and dragging them toward the dance floor. Being early, there were only a few other people in the bar, and no one was on the dance floor.
Bethany relaxed and enjoyed dancing with her two new friends. Melanie wore a green empire-line dress that fell to her mid-thigh and flattered her pregnant belly. Peata was wearing a black wraparound dress and killer heels.
“You both look so beautiful,” she said. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“We all look gorgeous,” Peata said happily.
Bethany didn’t recognize the next few songs, but they were good to dance to, and the dance floor began to fill. Peata stopped dancing and looked around anxiously at the encroaching dancers. Calder appeared moments later and tucked Peata under his arm before leading her back to their table.
“Is she feeling sick?” Bethany asked, concerned for her.
“She just isn’t comfortable with crowds yet,” Melanie said. “It’s great that she came tonight.”
Melanie smiled warmly over at Peata, who was now sitting on Max’s lap, with Calder and Axel holding her hands. She still looked a little pale. Bethany wouldn’t ask Melanie what was wrong. If Peata wanted her to know, she’d tell her herself.
The band started to play a slow song, and just as she was about to suggest they join Peata, Jason appeared and wrapped her in his arms. Turning her head, she saw Hunter and Melanie already swaying to the music.
“This is my song, sweetheart,” Jason said, pulling her tight against him and bending to kiss the column of her neck. It sent shivers through her and she purred against his chest.
Each of Bethany’s men took turns dancing with her, and each of them drove her crazy with their drugging kisses and intoxicating caresses.
When the band finished up their set with a rousing rendition of “Boot Scootin’ Baby,” they all danced together. They spun and twirled her between them with an ease that showed what great dancers they were.
“Their shifter genes come in handy on the dance floor,” Melanie said. They were both splashing water on their faces in the ladies’ room.
“They sure do move like cats, so graceful.” She laughed and dried her face with a paper towel. “Why did Samson have to check the bathroom? Is it because you’re the queen kitty?”
Melanie stopped smiling and took her hand. “No, it’s because of your doctor in Claremont getting murdered.”
Bethany couldn’t speak. She felt sick. Her vision dimmed. Dr Jenkins had been a kindly man. She felt no animosity toward him, despite the six years of useless treatments and drugs he’d subjected her to.
* * * *
Samson caught Melanie as she ran out of the ladies’. He’d been standing right outside, preventing anyone else from entering.
“What’s wrong, Melanie?” he asked, taking in her pink cheeks and tear-streaked face.
“I didn’t know.” She gave a little hiccup. “I’m sorry, Samson.”
Finn appeared out of nowhere beside him. He must have moved with preternatural speed through the club. “It’s all right, sweetness,” he said, lifting her into his arms.
Samson barely noticed the exchange. As soon as the Alpha’s mate was safe, he barged right into the restroom, looking for Bethany.
He found her in the first cubicle, her head bent over the toilet as she vomited.
“Kitten, what can I do?” She didn’t answer, just continued to empty the contents of her stomach. He wanted his brothers here, but wouldn’t leave Bethany, so he rubbed her back in what he hoped was a soothing manner.
The door to the restroom banged open loudly. He rose, instantly taking a defensive stance. He relaxed as his brothers appeared in the doorway.
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