“Are you sure you’re all right?” River lightly touched her arm. “You looked like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders. I’m also training to be a massage therapist. If you want to work some of the tension out of your muscles, I can always use the practice.”
“Thank you, River. I appreciate the offer and might take you up on it.”
“You do that.” She leaned forward and gave Clara a quick, spontaneous hug. “I like you, Clara. I really do.”
Clara didn’t have much more time then to blink and River was tucked under one of her Mate’s arms. “I get to carry you home this time.” Hugh pressed a kiss against her temple.
Clara’s jaw dropped when River smacked him in the chest. “Gotta catch me first, Grumpy Bear.” River gave everyone a quick wave before darting out the side door as she pulled on her coat. Her Mates all nodded in their direction before following her out at a more sedate pace. If Clara had ever spoken to her father that way or actually hit him, he would have retaliated immediately. The McNamara brothers simply laughed it off as if it were some sort of game.
The winter wind blew through the open door, making Clara shiver. “Isn’t she going to be cold running out without a coat like that?” The moment the words left her mouth she knew she shouldn’t have said anything. Any normal shifter wouldn’t be bothered by the temperature because if it got too cold they could simply adapt or allow their animal side to come forward.
“She’ll be all right.” Nouel wrapped his arms around her and used his body to block her view of everyone else. Or block their view of me? He’d answered as if it was a normal question but even Clara could feel the tension and odd curiosity sitting in the room like a big elephant. “They’d never let her come to any harm.”
He tucked a finger under her jaw and lifted her face up. Brushing her lips lightly, he gently kissed her. “We’d never let anyone hurt you either, you know.” Another quick kiss and then he turned. She watched as he said good-bye to his brothers and then left, closing the door behind him.
The room suddenly felt so much quieter but with Luc and Georges’s large bodies it certainly didn’t feel smaller. “You did all the cooking, let me clean up.” She didn’t meet either of their gazes, although she could feel them looking at her. It made her nervous and excited at the same time. Did they want her, too, or was she simply reading too much into all of this?
“We’re used to cleaning up after ourselves.” Luc collected the remaining dishes from the island. “You don’t have to do anything.”
She ignored him and collected the glasses from her end of the table, taking them over to the counter where Georges was filling the sink with water.
“Thanks, Clara. It won’t take us long to wash these up. Nouel said that you were helping him with some of our paperwork this morning.”
She hoped he didn’t think she was being presumptuous. Looking at their financial information wasn’t the only thing she’d done this morning and standing between the two of them was reminding her of that. “I hope you don’t mind. My mom and I took care of the bookkeeping at my dad’s shop so I know what I’m doing. I have a program on my laptop that you might find helpful if you’d like. It’s really user friendly and I can show you both how to use it.”
“We’d appreciate that, Clara. Anything to stop Nouel bitching at us about this would be a great help.”
“I’ll go out to my car and grab my laptop. I left it in the backseat yesterday.”
“No problem, take your time.” Luc pointed to the same hallway that the McNamaras had gone down when they left. “The last door on the right leads out into the garage. It’s heated so you won’t need to bundle up.”
Clara smiled and nodded. Luc acted like her inability to adapt to temperature wasn’t a big deal and she really appreciated it. She wasn’t stupid and knew that she was sabotaging her abilities by supressing her inner monster but that was the price she would pay to keep everyone around her safe.
It might have been heated, but the big garage wasn’t as warm as the house. Clara rubbed her arms as she closed the door behind her. No point in letting the warm air out.
Their garage looked to be almost as big as the main floor of their house. There was a large motorcycle next to where her car had been pulled in. There was something so common in the smell of a mechanic’s garage. It didn’t take a shifter’s increased sense of smell to pick up on the motor oil and rubber smell that permeated the air. This was a smell she recognized and it put her on edge a bit. The rare times she’d ventured out of the office and into her father’s domain hadn’t been pleasant.
It was neat as a pin in here. Large, red metal toolboxes were lined up against the same wall as the door and she would put money down on the neatness of the tools in them. Spare tires were stacked in the opposite corner next to a classic 1971 Mopar.
Clara ran her fingers along the edge of the Roadrunner. She’d spent enough time around mechanics and cars to know when one was a prized possession. Georges seemed to love cooking and Nouel had only just come back from New Zealand so that left Luc and a ‘71 Roadrunner, April-green exterior, gunmetal interior, and she was willing to bet there was a hemi under the scooped hood. That and the childlike excitement that had filled Luc’s gaze when she’d held out the box with the head gasket in it had also been a dead giveaway.
Unable to fight her curiosity, she opened the driver’s side door and eyed the fully restored dash. Everything looked to be original on this car. This must have cost a small fortune to restore. Slipping in behind the wheel, she looked over the interior. The seat was so far back she couldn’t touch the pedals, but she rested her hand on the wheel and imagined what it would be like to drive it.
She tapped the cartoon roadrunner hanging from the rearview mirror and watched him swing for a moment. This was another reason she couldn’t get seriously involved with the Benoits. Car-heads bored the hell out of her. If Luc found her in what was no doubt his “baby,” he’d probably freak out because someone had touched it. Or come running over with a soft cloth and buff out the fingerprints like her father would do when they accidently brushed up against one of his vehicles. She heard the garage door close but didn’t move quick enough to get out of the car. Luc spotted her almost immediately through the windshield. Instead of the frown or scowl she’d been expecting, he grinned at her and sauntered up to the passenger door.
He’ll sit in the passenger seat of his own car?
It felt like the interior of the vehicle shrunk drastically when Luc slid his large frame into the passenger seat. “Do you like her?”
Clara shrugged. “I’m not much of a car person myself, but you’ve done a beautiful job restoring her.” It wasn’t a complete lie. She didn’t like to continually discuss cars and their merits, but she did love to go on long drives.
His silence drew her attention. She glanced over at Luc and was caught by the curious look in his gaze. “What?” she asked.
“Why don’t you eat meat, Clara? As a bear, I would think it would be a large part of your diet,” Luc asked as he laid his hand over hers. She was gripping the stick shift and he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. A delicate shiver danced up her arm and straight to her pussy. How did he do that?
“Even natural bears aren’t complete meat eaters,” she said quickly, her standard answer whenever she was questioned about her food choices. He continued to feather the back of her hand with soft strokes with his thumb. A simple innocent touch, but she felt it echo though her entire body.
“True.” He trailed the back of his fingers up her sleeve to her shoulder. A gentle pressure on her jaw had her turning her head toward him and meeting his gaze. “But, there’s more to your choice than that, isn’t there?”
She shrugged slightly, trying to convey something nonchalant but her heart was thumping hard against her ribs. His face was in a shadow, making his eyes look completely black and unreadable. “Does it bother you?” she asked.
“A bit. I feel like you’re hiding, C
lara.”
His blunt honesty surprised her, but there was a sense of relief as well. She suspected that Luc didn’t play word games and she wouldn’t have to guess what he was feeling. He slid his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her forward a bit to play with her ponytail. She could feel the way he gently wrapped his fingers around it and stroked down the length. When he reached the bottom, he moved back up and did it again, this time sliding his fingers through it as he slid down it.
“Why would you care?” These men confused her. They were similar to her father and his friends in that they were all big men with strong personalities who worked on cars but there was something intrinsically different about the Benoits.
“That’s a question I think I’ll let you figure out the answer to.”
He gripped her hair and gently turned her head so she faced him. There was no avoiding his gaze like this. Anticipation sent a squadron of butterflies straight to her stomach as an ache pulsed between her legs. Her community would condemn her for being completely evil but she wanted Luc just as much as his brothers. This is why I left, so I can do what I want with my life.
“I had sex with Nouel earlier today.” The words were out before she had a chance to second-think her instincts. “Just so you know.”
Luc looked like he was searching for something in her expression and must have found it when the corner of his mouth kicked up slightly as he loosened his grip on her hair. “Thank you for your honesty.” He released her ponytail and turned away, getting out of the car. The air escaped her lungs in a rush as embarrassed shock hit her in the chest. Nouel was wrong. Luc obviously didn’t want to share. She was glad she’d been honest but now wished she’d kept her mouth shut.
She watched Luc shut the passenger door and then walked around the hood of the car. His gaze never left hers as he moved around to her side. It was like she was being stalked and for a moment considered locking herself in the vehicle. Before she could follow through with that thought, he was at her door. He held out his hand and she slipped hers into it.
She couldn’t read the expression on his face as he tugged her out, but it sparked her temper. “I’m sure I’m not contaminating your seats or anything. Geez, Nouel said you guys shared. If I knew you were going to toss me from your precious car I would have—”
The press of Luc’s mouth against hers stopped her verbal rant midstream. Scalding passion burned through her veins as he plundered her mouth. Her world felt completely off-kilter as he slipped his tongue past her lips to stroke boldly against hers. His hands gripped her hips and then slid around to her ass. He gripped her and lifted her up as if she weighed no more than a feather. The thick ridge of his erection strained against the front of his jeans and he pulled her hard up against it.
She felt like she was being branded and would have sworn she could feel the heat of his cock through his jeans. Her pelvic bone rubbed against him as he stumbled a few steps. She felt the cool metal of the car under her ass when he rested her against the hood, angling her hips so he could press up against the aching throb of her pussy. Clara gripped the waistband of his jeans and kissed him back with every bit of passion that simmered inside of her. She had no idea how long they were there, but with every stroke of his tongue she wanted him more.
His hands slid over her curves and she felt him bend over, pressing her back against the hood of his car. The contact with her pussy eased as he continued to kiss her. “Don’t,” she managed to gasp between kisses.
Luc immediately stopped, lifting his head. His eyes were almost black and he looked like a hungry beast set on feasting. A shiver ran over her skin, knowing that she was going to be his next meal. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll dent your hood.”
He blinked a couple times, confusion apparent until his gaze suddenly cleared. “You’re kidding me.” He leaned his entire body over her, pressing her back against the metal hood. His lips traced the line of her jaw as he moved toward her neck, sending shivers down her spine. “I don’t give a good goddamn what gets bent wear as long as you aren’t hurt.” His breath was hot as he spoke against her skin. He wrapped his hand around her thigh, encouraging her to lift her leg up against his waist.
It took Clara a moment to realize that he was more interested in her than his car, something she really wasn’t used to. The pressure of his large body against the length of hers ratcheted up her pleasure. Following his lead, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his body. She pressed her aching pussy against his stomach by digging her heels against the top of his ass.
“God, this feels good.” She rocked against him, tilting her head so he had better access to her neck. The feel of his lips against the sensitive skin under her ear was making her shake.
“This is nothing, darlin’. Imagine if Georges were here as well. Four hands, two mouths, two cocks all focused on you and what you need.”
Curiosity, excitement, apprehension, they all pounded wildly at Clara’s emotions. “I’m not sure if I could keep up with you both.”
He hadn’t missed her whispered words and had to understand the emotions behind them because he braced his arms under her shoulders and cupped her head with his hands. His face was only a few scant inches away from her face and both of them were practically panting.
The pulsing ache in her pussy hadn’t let up and she didn’t know how to ask for what she didn’t know she wanted. Luc obviously understood her dilemma because he kissed her lightly and let her catch her breath before answering her.
“You don’t need to worry about keeping up to us. You’re an incredibly passionate, sexy woman and we’d love to be able to worship you. Let us show you how good it can be.”
“But Nouel…” She didn’t want him to be hurt by her actions or step over any sort of invisible line she didn’t know was there.
“He left to give us some time together. We didn’t want to overwhelm you by all three of us coming onto you at once but Georges and I want to show you how good we can make it for you. When Nouel joins us, you will have three men at your feet.”
“I don’t want any of you at my feet.” She’d seen her father force people to bow to his wishes and she didn’t ever want to be like that. “But I would like to understand what you are offering.”
“I’d much rather show than tell you.” Luc moved one hand to her waist and stood up, bringing her with him. Once standing, he cupped her ass in his large hands as he walked toward the door to the house.
“Are you sure he’ll want to?”
“Ask him yourself.” Luc nodded behind her.
She turned in his arms and noticed Georges standing in the doorway. The intense look in his face made her breath catch. He stepped back and held the door open.
“Get in here.”
* * * *
It was a short conversation that he and Luc had after Clara wandered into the garage after lunch. The original plan was for the three of them to approach and seduce her separately but both he and Luc had thought it best to start as they meant to go on. When Luc followed Clara with the intention to see if she would be open to their attentions, Georges charged upstairs and arranged his room for them. He had the biggest room of the three of them, but they had already made plans to renovate now that their Mate was now in their lives.
My Mate. Two words that up till now had seemed like a hazy fantasy, a dream, or wish, but not anything he ever expected to be blessed with. Realistically he knew that they would have hurdles to overcome, but she was meant to be theirs so hopefully that meant they had a better chance of making it. Of course standing in the doorway watching his brother plunder Clara on the hood of his car had him questioning if they’d make it to the bedroom.
Luc hadn’t made it entirely into the house when Georges stepped in the way. Unable to stop himself, he dipped his head and kissed her with all the hunger he’d been fighting since he walked into Nouel’s room earlier today. Luc relinquished her into his arms and she flowed against him as if this was meant to be. Geo
rges paused and pressed her back against the hallway wall to deepen his kiss. She tasted of risotto, coffee, and a natural sweetness he knew he was already addicted to.
He caught the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, exposing the delicate lace bra that hugged her generous breasts. Georges rubbed his cheek against the creamy skin and licked a path along the lace edge. The heady scent of her arousal perfumed the air around them as she rocked her pussy against his chest. The temptation to lift her higher and press his face between her legs was almost too strong to resist. He felt Luc close in next to him and kiss her as Georges worshipped her breasts.
“I need…” Her voice cracked as she groaned low in her chest and gripped handfuls of Georges’s hair.
“Upstairs”—Luc slapped Georges’s arm—“before we take her here in the hall.”
“I don’t mind.” She gasped, making both him and Luc chuckle.
“It’s going to take more than a quick fuck to satisfy us.” Georges pressed another kiss against her soft skin.
He unhooked her bra with one hand as he carried her, heading straight to his room. Her breasts bounced slightly against his chest as they moved, making his cock harder than it had ever been. He gently laid her down onto the bed, covering her body with his own. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips, arching up against him.
“Take off your clothes.” Her words were quiet against his lips. “Get naked.”
“I will, but for now I think that Luc wants to pick up where he left off.” Georges could hear his brother’s clothes dropping to the floor behind him. He felt cold when he lifted himself off her, as if he’d stepped out of a ray of sunshine. Fighting the urge to drop back down and claim her, and to hell with Luc, Georges unbuttoned her pants and slipped them down her legs as he backed off.
Chasing Peace, Love & Fur [3xtasy Lake 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 9
