Catch Me: Time After Time

by Reese Rivers

  “Oh, Luca, I do so love the emeralds but I’m not sure even diamonds would win my…heart!”

  The game devolves from there with the wolves trying to distract her with exaggerated flirting that comes with constant small touches. A hand on her arm, fingers captured for a kiss, and a curl swept behind her shoulder with fingers lingering on her skin has me tensing up with the need to be the one touching her. My hardened cock twitches painfully as it strains against the tight fabric of my breeches, forcing me to pick my book back up to rest it in front of my lap else my arousal be noticed. I finally reach my limit when the witch catches Cade, who has joined her on the floor, passing cards to Finn under the table. She throws her cards down and pretends to attack him while giggling threats. The wolf takes full advantage by wrapping his arms around her waist and dragging her to the floor until his back is flush with the rug and she is laying on top of him with her breasts pushed against him and their lips only inches apart. Her giggling stops with a soft gasp that sends an even more painful jolt to my straining cock.

  Finn pushes to his feet and whines, “Not fair! I was cheating too. Come attack me, lass.”

  I can take no more and retire for the night.

  Eden

  By the time the guys escort me back to my room my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much. It has been years since I had a night of just plain fun with good company. The emptiness and loneliness that I have lived with for so long has been beaten back by three charming, sexy as fuck men and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring. I’m also wound tight and ready to drag one of them into my room after their constant touching and flirting. I never knew that being kissed goodnight on the back of my hand could be so damn erotic and as I watch them walk away down the hall I try and find the courage to call one of them back to stay with me.

  They turn the corner and disappear, leaving me disappointed in myself but I decide it’s probably for the best not to get too attached and I’ll just take matters into my own hands to soothe the throbbing need between my legs.

  Pushing into my room I jump back, on guard as old habits come flooding back but Claudette is only a threat to my ribs and hair so I swallow down the fear that filled me for a moment and give her a smile. The room has been tidied up with all the gowns and undergarments put away and the bed has been turned down. It’s late and I feel bad that she’s been forced to wait up for me but when she goes to work getting me out of the gown and corset I’m grateful because there’s no way I would have managed it myself. She slides a soft linen nightgown over my head before pushing me down on the stool so she can remove the combs and the thousand and one pins holding my hair up. We barely say a word to each other as she works and weariness takes over my body. I feel my eyes start to droop when she rubs my sore scalp before patting me on my shoulder to let me know she’s finished. I reach up and clasp her hand giving it a small squeeze to let her know I appreciate her staying up to help me. When I let go, her hand smooths my hair back from my face with a soft, kind smile and she leads me to the bed tucking me in under the heavy blankets that cover it.

  The door whispers closed letting me know she’s gone and I’m asleep in seconds. My dreams are not filled with violence for a change but vivid scenes of Cade, Finn, and Luca caressing my body. Their hot mouths and strong hands claim every inch of my skin as I beg them to fill me where I need it most. They pleasure me with exquisite torture bringing me to the edge time and again but never take me over. The tall, glaring man with the gold-flecked hungry eyes stares down at us from the end of the bed but won’t allow the others to give me what I need most. It’s not until I arch my back, offering my naked, flushed with pleasure body to him and beg for his touch that he finally nods regally and climbs up between my legs. His strong, long fingers land on my hips in a bruising grasp and lift them causing me to moan in anticipation. He leans over me and stares at me with hot angry eyes before with one hard thrust slams his cock into me as far as it will go causing me to…

  BANG

  My door slamming open has me shooting straight up in the bed with my heart pounding and my breath heaving. I swear I can still feel my pussy stretched and filled with Sebastian’s hard cock as my eyes dart around the sun-drenched room to land on…UGH!

  Fucking Bridgette and her best French resting bitch face. I let myself drop back against the pillows and curse the cow that just cock blocked one of the best sex dreams I’ve ever had. As she slams around the room doing whatever maid shit she thinks will annoy me the most my sad pussy clenches on emptiness and throbs as it begs me to take care of business. I would like nothing more than to close my eyes and get back to that dream while rubbing out an orgasm to the images but clearly the demon maid from hell is not going to go away.

  I let out a sound of frustration that is half screech, half groan and sit back up pinning the back of her head with my best “gonna fuck you up” look but it’s wasted as she’s got her back to me.

  When I see that it’s my phone she’s leaned over with a hand reaching out to touch I bark, “Hey!”

  She spins around like I just hit her with a bolt of lightning with a touch of fear on her face but it quickly turns sour as she jabbers a bunch of French at me ending with her eyebrows raised and a small sneer on her lips. It’s a petty power play on her part as she knows I don’t speak or understand her language so I just point at the door for her to leave. When she lifts her hands and shrugs like she doesn’t know what I want, I curse.

  “For the sake of Fuck, get out!”

  Her sneer turns into more of a smirk as she drops the most sarcastic curtsy and then sails out of the room like she has better things to do. Grumbling that I’m starting the day in a foul mood, I throw the blankets back and jump down from the bed so I can close the door the brat has left wide open. Turning back to the bed I consider crawling back into it to try and recapture the mood of my dream but know it’s pointless so I start looking for something to wear. I find the gowns hanging in an armoire but as pretty as they are I’m not liking the idea of being tortured back into a corset. My ribs still feel like I took a couple of punches to them from wearing the one last night. The punches thing reminds me that Luca said I could train with them this morning which immediately brightens my mood. It’s been a few days now since I last worked out and my body is more than ready to feel the burn of some hard activity. I feel my cheeks heat up at the hard activity my pussy would rather have so I fan at my face and turn away from the gowns.

  Without any actual workout clothing to wear I start going through drawers until I find my leggings, tank top, bra, and underwear that I came to this time in. The black lace bra won’t give the support of a sports bra but it’s better than nothing or worse, a corset. I cringe as I use the chamber pot but a small evil part of me chuckles in glee knowing Bridgette will have to empty it. A quick wash with the fresh water she brought and I throw my clothes on ready to find some coffee. When I reach for the doorknob to leave and see my bare arm I stop with an annoyed sigh and grab my robe, throwing it on and sliding my phone into a pocket. It’s ridiculous that it’s acceptable for me to bare most of my chest in one of the fancy gowns but scandalous for me to walk around with only a tank top on. I would kill for a hoodie right now so I don’t have to wear the robe and wonder if I can sweet-talk one of the guys into lending me one of their billowy shirts to use instead. As I shove my hands deep into the pockets of my robe my fingers brush against something that makes me close my eyes in happiness. I yank out the black fabric-covered circle and hold it up to my eyes and do a small happy dance. I’m not all that surprised to find the thick elastic band in my pocket. With the sheer amount of hair that I have I buy the damn things in bulk and usually have one around my wrist and in most of my clothing’s pockets. I work quickly to gather my curls up into a high ponytail and give it a quick bouncy swish before leaving my room. Finding the hair elastic in my pocket reminds me of the lip balm Sebastian confiscated and never returned. I wonder if he will give it back or hold on to it out of p
ettiness.

  When I reach the morning room we had breakfast in yesterday all of the men are already at the table. As soon as I’m spotted all four of them rise to their feet. A warm feeling fills my stomach at the respectful action. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a total girl power feminist but there’s just something about the old fashioned manners they use that makes me a little swoony. Looking at them all is a reminder of the naughty they got up to in my dreams but I do my best not to flush crimson as I walk to the table. They stay standing until I take my seat and then reseat themselves after offering up morning greetings towards me, well three of them do anyway. Sebastian just gives me a once over before dismissing me and goes back to reading from a pile of documents stacked next to his plate. An attendant is quick to fill my teacup with what looks like coffee made to my liking. The first sip confirms that the brew has been made just how I doctored it yesterday so I turn in my chair and call out an enthusiastic “Thank you!” The poor guy must not get thanked very often because he practically trips over his own feet as he moves away. With a shrug, I turn back to load up my plate.

  “Good morning, Eden. Were the other gowns not to your liking or did they require alterations?” Luca asks with a slight frown that I swear has a hint of insecurity in it.

  “Oh, no! They’re gorgeous, Luca. It’s just, um, you mentioned that I could train with you guys this morning. I’m pretty good but sparring in one of those gowns would be a bit of a challenge, even for me.” I try and joke hoping I haven’t hurt his feelings. When he just nods I bite my lower lip in nervousness. “Um, is it still ok if I join you guys? I mean, if you’re not comfortable with that I could maybe use the space after you all are done. I, to be honest, I’m not used to not working out every day so it would be great if I can get some time in on it.” When he still hesitates I focus my eyes down on my plate and move the eggs around on it in disappointment until Finn reaches over and places his hand on my arm.

  “Lass, it’s not a bother. We were more concerned that it would make you uncomfortable to be with us while we hone our skills. We can get pretty brutal with each other as we train. It may offend your more womanly sensibilities.”

  My eyes track to each one of them to see if they’re serious or just pulling my leg but they are all practically cringing causing me to bark out a laugh. “Seriously?” I ask. “You mean the womanly sensibilities that brutally killed five men in front of you when we first met?” I feel myself cringe at the reminder of what I had done but push it away. “I appreciate your concern but the place I train in every day has way more men than woman in it and trust me when I say they don’t take my gender into consideration when we’re sparring in the ring.”

  I chew on a piece of toast as they all share a look before each one of them turns their eyes to Sebastian as if waiting for him to give his permission. I let out a deep sigh causing him to finally look up from his paper and nail me with a glacial look. I’m so over his intimidation tactics so I just roll my eyes so hard it would put a fourteen-year-old bratty girl to shame. One corner of his mouth lifts ever so slightly as he regally nods his approval.

  “Let the wi…woman join us, then. If her sensibilities are scandalized by what she sees that will be her problem to deal with,” he tells the others.

  The look on his face says he’s going to enjoy putting me in my place but the guy just doesn’t get it. The only scandalous thoughts will be me objectifying their hot bodies as they fight and dreaming about what they could do to mine.

  Cade

  I share an excited look with Finn across the table as we finish the morning meal. We’re both completely enamored by the lass and now we’ll get to show off our fighting skills to her. Her beauty is the likes you would find in legend but it’s her boldness, confidence, and the pull I feel in my chest when she laughs so freely that has me gobsmacked. Finn feels the pull as well. After our pack was massacred and we were forced to flee our home and territory we never believed we would ever find our mate or even someone who we felt a deep connection to. We’ve had many a toss with women and most likely broke a few hearts since then but neither of us has ever felt the pull like we do with the fiery lass at the table with us. I want her in a way that I’ve never wanted another and the scent of her arousal that we’ve caught a few times lets us know that there’s a chance we might have her. Just the idea of getting my lips and teeth onto that smooth perfect skin has my cock growing. What she told us about women choosing their own lovers has me hoping she will be open to having both Finn and me as I know he wants her just as badly as I do.

  The way she shows no fear of our Alpha and the battle skills she displayed when we first met only makes me feel like she would be an equal to us. I peer at Luca from the corner of my eye and see him watching her. The look in his eyes is one of intrigue and consideration. It’s a bloody nice change from the dark depths of sadness and sorrow that have filled them since he and Bas took us in to form our own unique pack. Looking the other way to the vampire Finn and I consider our Alpha, I try and not grin at how hard he’s working not to look at the woman beside him. I love my brothers all and I know they love us in their own way but between Bas’s rigid control and Luca’s martyr complex, Eden is just what our pack needs to shake off the dust of the long years we have lived.

  When she swallows the last of her coffee and pushes her plate away, I can’t contain my eagerness any longer and jump to my feet.

  “Finn and I would be happy to escort you to the hall we train in, lass,” I tell her as she accepts Finn’s hand to rise from her chair.

  She lets out a musical laugh and sends me a saucy wink.

  “Don’t be too eager, boys. I seriously plan to kick your asses in a match!”

  As I move around the table I can’t help but grin even larger. She can kick any part of me she wants if it means she’s going to take off her cloak and I get to put my hands on her body. The lass makes us laugh as we lead her to the weapons hall when she asks us to draw her a map of the manor so she won’t get lost but the laughter dries up when we take her into the weapons hall and her eyes widen – at first with surprise and then with delight.

  “Do you like it then, lass?” Finn asks as she scans the large room with all the weapons of war hanging from the walls.

  She shakes her head in wonder and says, “Fan-fucking-tastic!”

  I don’t know what that means but I’m taking it for her being happy with what she sees. She walks deeper into the room, going around the rugs that are spread out over the wood floor until she stops at a long, thick tube of tightly sewn leather filled with sand that’s hanging from a chain attached to one of the wooden beams in the ceiling. She runs her hands over it like it’s a lover’s body and flashes us a tempting smile over her shoulder.

  “This…is my favorite!” She laughs as she takes her robe off and hangs it on a nearby peg. My eyebrows shoot up as she slips her shoes off as well but I have an entirely different reaction when she takes a few hops back towards the bag and spins her body with one perfect leg kicking out above her head to snap into the bag with force. I feel my wolf surge forward hungrily in want at the display and have to clamp down on it. The choked noise Finn lets out beside me tells me he feels the same way.

  “I would be grateful if you would instruct me on how to do that move, Eden. I believe it would be very effective in battle.” Luca says in his calm voice as he walks past us.

  She focuses on him with a happy smile and nod, giving Finn and me a chance to turn away and wrestle with control of our beasts. The sharp look Bas hits us with helps tamp down the primal desire flooding us a bit so that we can turn back to the main room.

  “It takes some practice to control as well as a lot of flexibility but I’m sure it won’t take you long to master.” She tells Luca. “I’m just going to do some stretching to warm up and then I’ll show you.”

  Luca frowns. “Are you cold? I can have the fireplaces lit to warm the room if you’d like.”

  Eden laughs again. “No, no, I mean warm my mu
scles up. You know, get limber so I don’t strain them. At his look of understanding and nod, she drops down to the floor and begins a series of poses that twist and arch her body into positions that are borderline indecent. With the tight clothing she is wearing that cups every sweet curve the four of us just stand and watch her, entranced, and I know I’m not the only git in the room whose cock is weeping in desire. When she comes out of a stretch that has her biteable arse up in the air with her hands down on the floor and sees us all staring at her, she freezes and then quickly stands. In the dead silent hall I can hear her mutter under her breath, “Awk-ward” In a sort of sing-song tone.

  Sebastian gives a half snarl and spins away to choose a sword from the many that are hanging on the wall. With another look at the rest of us, Eden laughs uncertainly.

  “Um, do you guys mind if I put some music on? I have a kickass workout playlist on my phone.”

  When we just look at her in confusion she closes her eyes briefly and shakes her head.

  “Right, my device will play music like…uh, never mind. I’ll just show you.”

  She walks quickly over to where she hung her robe and removes the picture device from one of its pockets and swipes at the front a few times. She holds it up and gives us all a stern look with even Sebastian back to watching her. “NOT MAGIC!” She tells us loudly before she taps it again and music comes blaring from the device. But it’s like no music I’ve ever heard before. I canna recognized most of the instruments being played but after the initial shock of it I find my head starting to nod along to the beat and a grin fills my face as a man sings about needing a spark to ignite, to light them up. It’s loud and brash and the pounding beat of it makes me want to move my body. It’s a braw tune to train to.

  Seeing approval from Finn and I and a small nod from Luca, the lass leaves the device on a pedestal near the middle of the room and wanders back to the leather bag where she sets her feet and begins punching it in different combinations. I could stand and watch her every move until she tires but Bas smacks me in the back of the head with a glower.