by Jane Jamison
“We’ll see you two ladies later, okay? Unless you’d like us to help you pack up your stuff.”
As much as she wanted to say yes again, she’d have to explain to Winnie what she’d done first. That would be better done alone. “No, thanks. We’ll handle things. See you later, all right?”
“Count on it, baby,” Matt downed the remaining beer in his mug, snatched his cowboy hat off the back of the chair, and set it down on his head. “Let’s head out, boys. Daylight’s a-burnin’, and we still have chores to get to.”
Just when I thought he couldn’t get any better looking.
She’d always had a thing for cowboys. After seeing these three incredible men put on their hats, her thing had grown a whole lot stronger.
* * * *
“Will you get a fucking move-on, man?”
“Just keep your shit together.” Matt shot Ridge a hard look through the rearview mirror. But he still put his foot down harder on the accelerator. Although he could act as though Ridge was driving him crazy, he couldn’t blame his brother. His own nerves were jumpy, eagerness to see Bree again urging him to speed even faster. If he didn’t watch it, though, he’d lose control of the pickup and wind up in a ditch.
“We’ll get there before she does,” added Burton, ever the reasonable one. “She’s got to get her friend then load up their things before she heads out to our place.”
Matt forced himself to take a deep breath, willing his body—not to mention his pounding heart—to relax. Burton was right. They could go as slow as a drugged snail and make it home before she arrived. Besides, they had things to discuss.
“Do either of you doubt she’s the one?” He winced, knowing he sounded like a teenage boy with a crush. “You know what I mean.”
“We know. We want to get to know her, too. To see if she’s the one.” Burton put one knee on top of the other, trying to fit more comfortably into the cab of the pickup. No matter what vehicle they drove, their heights made it difficult to stretch out. Even though at six foot six Burton was the shortest of the three men, he had claimed that one of these days he’d have a pickup custom-made to fit their almost-seven-feet-long bodies.
“I won’t need much time. If my dick has any say in the matter, then I already know she’s our mate.”
Leave it to Ridge to take it physical, thought Matt. “The woman we choose for our mate has to be more than great-looking. She has to have a sound mind and good heart.”
“We already know she’s smart,” challenged Ridge. “She’s obviously done her research after seeing the werelioness change last year.”
“I wonder who the hell slipped up,” asked Ridge. “Damn sloppy, if you ask me.”
“Doesn’t matter. A lot of us screw up at one time or another.” Matt couldn’t care less who the werelioness had been. All that mattered now was the future.
“He’s right. And don’t forget this, either. Bree came back to find more shifters.” Burton toyed with the frayed hem of his jeans. “That shows she’s got guts. Hell, she walked right up to us and asked us if we’re shifters. Not too many visitors have the nerve to do that.”
“True enough.” Although he wouldn’t admit it straight out—at least, not yet—Matt had a feeling Bree was the one, too. “But let’s take things one at a time. First of all, I hope like hell that you gave Ron shit for what he did.”
Burton chuckled. “I sure as hell did. But what hurt him the most was not actually buying him a beer. In fact, I ordered a drink for everyone in the bar and put it on his tab.”
Matt liked the way Burton thought. “Good. Maybe that’ll teach him to keep his mouth shut. Hell, the pride needs to do something about him. He gets worse every year. One of these days, someone’s going to ask him to shift right there and then, and damned if he won’t do it.”
“I thought Bree was going to do exactly that,” added Burton. “But we handled it. I don’t think he’s going to be a problem again.”
“I hope the hell you’re right.” Matt considered Ron a friend. He’d helped them out when they’d needed it, and they’d returned the favor. But Ron’s drinking had grown worse, getting out of control ever since his mate had up and run off with another shifter. Not that Matt could blame Ron too much. The man had to be in a world of hurt. After all, shifters mated for life. It was rare to have a union break apart the way Ron’s had. Then again, maybe Ruth had gotten fed up with Ron’s drinking, too. He made a mental note to talk to Ron and offer him help after Bree agreed to be their mate.
“You want to take things slow.” Ridge caught Matt’s attention but bumped the back of the driver’s seat anyway. “Am I right?”
“I think that’s the right way to handle her, yes. I take it you don’t?”
“Nope. I remember what our father said. ‘Once you know, you know.’ And I know.”
“You think you know,” interjected Burton as he glanced out the side window. “Plus, there are three of us. We all have to know.”
“Are you saying you don’t?” asked Matt before he could restrain himself. He didn’t want to give in to Ridge’s idea of jumping the gun, but he didn’t want to wait too long, either.
“Nope. I’m not saying that at all.” Burton turned to look at both of them. “I just want to be sure is all.”
“I am,” said Ridge.
“We will be,” said Matt. “But you’re right. As much as we may want to jump right in and claim her, we need to take it easy. There’s no point in scaring her off. Then we’d be in a world of hurt. Nah, man, we need to think with our brains and not our cocks.”
Ridge snorted, obviously not agreeing. “Most shifters give the woman time because they want to ease her into accepting that shifters are real. Bree already knows we’re real. She’s not going to be scared off because of what we are. So, since we’ve skipped that part of it, why not move right on in?”
Matt had to admit that Ridge had a point. “Agreed. We can move faster, but still not too fast. Especially since she’ll have her friend with her.”
“Too bad her friend doesn’t have some men after her. Some guys to distract her while we get with Bree.”
Both Matt and Burton started at Ridge. “That’s not a bad idea,” said Burton. “Maybe we should bring some guys by.”
“And play matchmaker,” added Matt. “How about the Landerson brothers? They’re still without a mate. And I think I saw them giving Winnie the eye earlier.”
“Good idea.” Burton pulled out his phone.
“And if you’re wrong and they don’t like Bree’s friend?” asked Ridge.
“Then we try some other guys.” Burton’s fingers flew over the phone as he texted.
“Okay. Sure. Why not? We keep going until she hooks up with the right guys.” The more Matt thought about the idea, the better he liked it. “Even if she doesn’t hit it off with someone, it’ll at least keep her occupied while we get Bree alone with us.”
“What about just giving Bree The Allure?” Ridge moved over to sit in the middle of the back seat then leaned forward, trying to make his point. “That would make the whole thing a lot easier.”
“She doesn’t need it. She’ll stick around without our giving her our scent.” The Allure was the scent a werelion added to his breath. Once he got a woman to breathe that scent in, The Allure would draw her to him.
“Yeah, Burton, but she’s not the one I’m worried about.”
Matt turned the pickup to the right and slowed down to go over the cattle stop. They preferred that to having a gate to keep the cattle in their pastures. “Maybe. After all, we wouldn’t want some fool like Ron to claim her before we do.”
The pickup bounced over the gravel road, reminding Matt that soon they’d need to fix the many potholes. He’d put that chore on the long list of chores he kept taped to the front of the refrigerator. If only they had more time and money, then all the chores would get completed. Until then, they had to pick and choose which to do.
“So we give her just enough to keep her sa
fe from others.” Burton already had his hand on the door handle by the time Matt pulled the pickup in front of the house. “But we have to remember, not all shifters play fair. Just look at the Conway boys and that Evans guy. They’d already put their allure on their mate, but Evans didn’t hold back and gave her even more of his.”
Matt slid out of the pickup and headed toward the bunkhouse. They needed to make sure the place was clean before Bree and Winnie showed up. “I just don’t get that. Evans broke the rule, and yet the Conway men decided to include him in their home. I’d have beat Evans into the ground if I was them.”
Ridge hurried to catch up. “They gave him a beat-down, all right, but it was too late by then. Their mate gave them an ultimatum. According to her, it was going to be all for one and one for all. They either accepted Evans or she wouldn’t mate any of them.”
Burton called out as he went into the main house, saying he’d get some cleaning materials as well as fresh towels. Matt would head in soon enough to grab some food to stock the bunkhouse’s shelves and fridge. “Then we do what we have to do and make sure no one else tries that bullshit on Bree.”
Matt pushed open the door of the bunkhouse. “Can you imagine having to share her with Ron? I mean, I like the guy and all, but as a fellow mate? Hell, no.” He stopped and gazed around the tight quarters. Everything was in one room except for the tiny bathroom off to the right. “Okay, let’s get this place presentable.”
Chapter Three
Bree was relieved. When the men had offered her their bunkhouse, aka “guesthouse,” she’d been a little worried that the place would be little more than a shack. But as she took in the entirety of the small building, she had to admit that it was actually kind of nice. And it was sure a lot better than sleeping on the ground in a tent. Two twin beds took up one wall with the kitchenette taking up the other wall. At the back was a door leading into a small bathroom. She and Winnie looked around as the men waited near the door.
“This is great. Really.”
“You sound relieved.”
She saw the humor in Ridge’s expression. “Okay. Yeah, I admit it. I am relieved.”
“I don’t blame you.” Ridge turned to Winnie. “And how about you? How do you like the place?”
“It beats sleeping in a tent.” Winnie hurried to make up for her rudeness. “I’m sorry. That came out all wrong. It’s nice, and I’m very grateful to be staying here.”
Ridge had a husky laugh. One Bree could listen to for the rest of her life. “Then set your things down and make yourselves at home here on the Twisted Tree Ranch. You’ve got food in the fridge and the necessary bathroom things in there. If you need anything else, just let us know.”
She laughed and teased him. “You sound like a bellhop.”
Ridge didn’t take offense, instead playing into her comment. “I can be your maid, too. I’d be glad to turn down your bed.” He ran his hand over the sheets of the nearest bed. “Want me to turn down your bed? I could get in it and get it all warm and cozy for you, too.”
Bree wasn’t the blushing type, but she felt the pink surge into her cheeks. These men made her feel like a woman in the height of her sexual peak. All without touching her. They turned her on with only their voices.
“Knock it off, man. You’re making her uncomfortable,” warned Matt.
No, he’s not. She reconsidered. Or maybe he is. But uncomfortable in a good way.
Yet instead of telling Matt that, she merely smiled, reassuring him. She inhaled, quietly drawing in more of their heady aroma. They smelled like real men. Part leather, part sweat, and all testosterone. Although they’d left the door open, the air inside was getting thicker. She took in another breath, loving the fragrance.
Why don’t all men smell this way? Or is it because they’re shifters?
The bunkhouse was very small, and with two women and three very large men inside it at the same time, the place was very cramped. Not that she minded, of course. The men could get as close to her as they wanted.
Remember. These guys are real, live shifters.
She didn’t know how she knew, but she did. After all, she’d seen a few signs that pointed in that direction. The amber in their eyes. The graceful way they moved yet they were still as masculine as any men she’d ever met. More than masculine, in fact. She was attracted to them, hot for them. After all, what red-blooded woman wouldn’t be? But she had to remember that they were also animals.
Are they werewolves or werelions? Maybe even werebears?
She was determined to find out.
“Hey, look who’s here,” said Burton.
Bree turned around, bumping into Burton as she did. Instantly, heat flared inside her as her shoulder pressed against his oh-so hard abdomen. For a moment, she forgot Winnie was there.
I could just reach out and touch them. Here. There. Everywhere.
“Bree?”
She jerked her mind out of the burgeoning sexual fantasy and followed the men out of the bunkhouse and back into the yard. Three other men, men she vaguely remembered seeing at the bar, stopped their conversation as Bree and Winnie came outside. They were handsome men, as tall and as brawny as Matt, Burton, and Ridge. They didn’t, however, have the wow factor that had caught and held her attention the first second she’d met her men.
My men?
Once more, she reminded herself to be cautious. She had no clue what it would be like to become involved, sexually or romantically, with a shifter. Would it be dangerous? Yet the thought that should’ve given her pause sent a wild and wonderful shiver through her.
“Bree, Winnie, these guys are the Landerson brothers. That’s Danny, Shane, and Jason.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Bree smiled politely then turned to Winnie. What she saw on her friend’s face was pure need.
I don’t find them all that sexy, but Winnie sure does.
She glanced back at the Landerson men and saw the same frank hunger on their faces. She nudged Winnie. “It’s nice to meet them, isn’t it, Winnie?”
“Oh. Yes. It is. It really is.”
Jason, with his dark brown hair and laughing green eyes, didn’t even pretend to show any interest in Bree. His attention was set on Winnie and only on Winnie. “So you ladies are going to stay in the bunkhouse, huh?”
Again, Bree poked Winnie in the arm. “We are, aren’t we, Winnie?”
“Uh-huh.”
Come on, girl. Show some personality!
“Because you’re in town for the festival?” asked Danny.
It was an obvious question, but Bree assumed it was all any of the Landerson men or Winnie could handle. “That’s right. We’re staying in the bunkhouse.” Could the conversation get more boring?
“And these jerks didn’t invite you to stay in their house?” A white streak slashed through Shane’s dark brown hair.
“Of course we did.” Matt’s gaze jumped between Bree and Shane, amusement in his expression. “But they felt better about staying in the bunkhouse.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” Jason narrowed his gaze, finally taking it away from Winnie to Matt. “We wouldn’t want anyone catching you alone in the kitchen and pawing you two. Yeah, you’re safer staying in the bunkhouse.”
“Trust me. Winnie’s perfectly safe staying with us.”
Winnie? She searched Burton. Why had he mentioned only Winnie? Wasn’t she safe, too? Yet she had to wonder. Did she want to be safe?
Danny stepped forward and took Winnie’s hand. Bree’s eyes widened as her usually cautious friend didn’t shy away from him.
“How about meeting us at the bar later tonight?” He seemed to realize that he’d left Bree out. “Both of you.” His focus, however, never once shifted away from Winnie.
“They just came from the bar.” Matt’s tone was light, filled with humor.
“Yeah? So what? They weren’t there with us. We’ll show them a good time.”
“A real good time,” added Shane as he took Winnie’s othe
r hand.
Bree waited for her friend to say something, anything. Then, when she couldn’t stand it any longer, she answered for her. “She’d love to, but I’m kind of tired. I think I’ll hit the hay early tonight.”
That, at last, seemed to bring Winnie out of her trance. “What? Tonight?” The yearning to say yes was as clear as a bell in Winnie’s voice. “But I couldn’t. I don’t want to leave Bree alone.” Winnie’s own cheeks had turned pink.
“No, Winnie, it’s okay. Go ahead and have fun. I’ll be fine.” Bree wasn’t only thinking about her friend. If she could get Winnie entertained for the evening, then maybe she could get the other men to open up to her. Confessing that they were shifters to just one of them might be easier than confessing to both of them.
But Winnie was uncharacteristically shy. “No. Thank you. I’m a little tired, too.”
Bree could feel the disappointment radiating off the Landerson men as well as her own. Had Matt, Ridge, and Burton planned on getting her alone? She tingled at the prospect.
“Okay. We won’t push. But only if you promise we’ll get together another time. And soon.” Danny tilted his head, a charming smile trying to win Winnie over.
“She promises. And I’ll make sure she keeps her promise.” Bree gave Winnie an encouraging look and decided to go for broke. “In fact, the next time she sees you, she’ll say yes.”
Hopefully, she’ll say yes to anything and everything.
“Bree!”
“It’s okay, Winnie,” assured Shane. “If you keep your promise, we’ll promise to be on our very best behavior.”
Ridge chuckled. “Not that that’s saying much.”
Bree couldn’t help but wonder if he would be on his very best behavior with her. She fervently hoped not.
Winnie tugged on her hand. “Let’s get settled in, okay? I’m worn out.”
* * * *
An hour later, Bree was still waiting for Winnie to go to bed. Or to explain why she hadn’t taken the Landerson men up on their request to meet her later. “I still don’t get it. Why would you turn three amazingly hot men like them down?”
