by Erin West
No, we don’t. I want them both. Fuck, like that will ever happen. “Why are you claiming me as a mate? I mean, we just hooked up.”
His hazel eyes harden. “We both know it was more than that, especially since it appears I was your first. You can’t deny our connection.” He comes closer to me and brushes his lips against mine. “I’m ready for another mind-blowing experience.”
I tremble, unable to stop myself. I do want him, and he knows it. “You’re right. We need to talk.”
He wraps his arm around my waist, tugging me flush against him. “And other things.”
A growl emanates from behind us.
Shit. This isn’t good. I take a step back, trying to get distance before Drake loses it here in front of everyone.
Oren turns around. “Well, you’re smarter than I gave you credit for. I thought we had at least a few more minutes before you appeared.”
Breathing hard, Drake walks over to us and gets in Oren’s face. “She’s mine. I’ve told you that. Why the fuck are you here?”
A guy working out in the free weight area watches us, his face a little pale.
Yeah, we need to get out of here. “All right, enough of this.” I step between them, glaring back and forth at them. “We’re causing a scene. We all need to talk. I have some things to say.” I take a deep breath. “We need to call Eli, too.” I need to come clean with them.
The white glow around Oren pulses. “Who the fuck is Eli?”
Drake closes his eyes and touches the bridge of his nose. “Why do we need him, too?”
I purse my lips to the side. “I think you have an idea why.” I touch Drake’s shoulder, trying to help calm his wolf. “Can we all meet at home?”
He opens his eyes and exhales. “Yeah, but outside in the yard. I’m not inviting that vampire in.”
That’s a good call. Eli is unpredictable. “Thank you.” I turn around and head into the locker room. I’ve been a coward ever since meeting Eli, but that ends now. I don’t need anyone, even these men. I’ve survived on my own this long, and I can continue on. The longer they hang around, the harder it will be when they leave.
I walk out and almost collide into them.
They are standing side by side, waiting on me.
What the hell are they doing? “I’ll meet you both there.”
Oren’s eyes widen. “You rode with him from the restaurant. It’s only fair that you ride with me now, since I don’t know where I’m going.”
Nostrils flaring, Drake takes a step toward me.
I hold up both hands. “Nope, I’ll drive myself this time. Just make sure you follow behind me so you don’t get lost.” Not wanting to deal with any more testosterone battles, I walk out the door and get in my car.
I watch both men walk out and sulk to their vehicles. Yeah, this isn’t a fun day for me, either.
My phone buzzes. Who the hell is that? I grab it out of my glove box and recognize the familiar number. Fuck. Drake must have called him. “Hello, Eli.”
He grunts. “What the hell is going on? I’m busy and don’t have time to drop by for your convenience.”
Sighing, I lean my head on the headrest. “Make time.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are, little girl? I’ll not be told what to do by anyone, especially you.”
Jackass. “Well, if you want to feed within the next few weeks, I suggest you get your arrogant ass there.” I hang up and throw the phone on the seat.
It buzzes again, so I grab it and turn it to silent. I don’t have time to deal with his theatrics.
Oren’s vehicle pulls up behind me, so I take off, heading for Drake’s. I’m sure what I have to say won’t go over well, so I’ll be back at my apartment soon. However, Eli will still need me for his feeding sessions, so I better move. He’d have access to me any time since I’ve invited him in there. I refuse to be convenient for him, but he’ll still have to be in my life in some capacity.
The drive to Drake’s is way too short. I wish we had gotten stuck in traffic or something, but it was smooth sailing the entire way here.
Drake is already here and waiting for us outside.
I park outside the garage bay.
He comes over and opens my door. “Here, let me put your car in the garage. I had them make a spot for you. It’s the one closest to the house.”
“No, it’s okay here.”
His jaw clenches a little. “It’s not a big deal. It’s your home, so let me do this for you.”
This is not something I want to fight about. There are more important things to address. “Okay, thank you.”
Smiling, he looks over, and someone from his pack gets in my car, pulling it into the garage.
Oren gets out and frowns. “Why is he pulling your car into the garage?”
Standing tall, Drake lifts his chin. “Because this is her home.”
“Like hell, it is.” Oren crosses his arms. “She’ll be leaving with me.”
“Enough.” I shake my head. “This is ridiculous.” I turn to Oren. “I’ve been staying here, and it is my home. I’m not going to apologize for that.”
His jaw clenches. “How long has this been going on?”
“Longer than you’ve been around.” Drake’s tone is raspy.
I take a step toward the yard, getting away from both of them. They are treating me like I’m a piece of property, and that’s not cool.
Drake notices that I’ve walked off, and he follows behind me. “Don’t go too far in case Eli does show up. I don’t want him biting you again today.”
Walking toward me, Oren looks at my neck, his aura pulsing again. “You let a fucking vampire bite her?”
Looking up at the sky, Drake makes a fist. “She made the decision, not me. I’m not happy about it.”
Oren looks at me with disapproval. “Why would you do that, Princess? You know how our blood affects vampires.”
What does that mean? “Aren’t humans their main food source?”
“Well, yeah, until they find someone of our kind willing to let them feed.” He takes my hand. “Don’t let him do it again. Our blood is like a drug to them.”
Growling, Drake stands next to me taking my other hand. “What do you mean your kind?”
The sensations moving through me are indescribable. Oren’s cooling effect is mixing with my buzzing connection with Drake. The combination of the two is an incredible feeling. Instead of combatting against each other, the two connections are working together and causing all my senses to come alive.
Appearing right before us, Eli snarls at the two men touching me. “Let her go, now.”
Stepping back, I force myself to break the connection between the three of us. As soon as I do, I regret my decision.
“Who the hell are you?” Eli glares at Oren.
Meeting his gaze, Oren smirks. “I’m her mate.”
Fangs descending, Eli takes a step toward him. “You’re mistaken. She’s mine.”
This is about to get out of hand. “Stop it, you three. That’s why I wanted to just say this, so we all can move on with our lives. I don’t think I’m any of your mates.”
Oren chuckles. “Really? How do you figure that?”
Tilting his head, Drake looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, while Eli just looks at me with disgust.
“How can I be any of your mates when I feel a connection to all three of you? It’s not possible.” My hands shake with nerves and my pulse quickens. I’m prepared for them all to be disgusted. Well, in fairness, Eli is always in that state with me.
Biting his lip, Oren nods. “Okay, that doesn’t make me happy to hear, but you must be confused. Everything will work out in time. You’ll come to see you’re mine.”
Tensing up, Drake takes deep breaths. “Rose, I already told you, you’re it for me. My wolf even knows it. There is no mistaking this for me, and now that the bond is complete, there is no turning back.”
“You have some nerve.” Eli focuses his attention on me wit
h a look of pure hatred. “You call me here by threatening my sustenance to tell me that you feel a connection with two other men? Who the fuck do you think you are? I have women who beg for my attention, and you think I’ll put up with this?”
I stand up straight and meet him head-on. “Yes, I do. There is something weird and strange going on between us all, and I wanted to address it with everyone like an adult instead of hoping it all just works out.”
“Well, you can just kiss my ass. Don’t worry, one of your connections just got resolved.” He snarls at me and then vanishes.
That went over great. Drake’s not happy, but he keeps his mouth shut while Oren looks around, taking in the house.
Walking back to his car, Oren opens the trunk of his car and pulls out some luggage.
Drake marches over to him. “What the hell are you doing?”
Shrugging, Oren winks at me. “You both claim this as home, and we both are claiming her as mates. I’m hanging around until this whole thing gets resolved.”
Fuck, this can’t be good, but at the same time, I don’t want him to leave. He seems to know something about me, and I want to find out what. I grab Drake’s hand and pull him a few steps away. “Can we let him stay?”
His eyes widen. “Are you serious?”
This is not easy. “Yes. Listen, I do have a connection to him, but that’s not the reason I’m asking.”
He stays silent, waiting for me to continue.
“He keeps referencing what I am. He knows something about me, and I want to know what.”
Letting out a deep breath, he squeezes my hand. “This shows you how much you mean to me. Fine, but he’ll stay on the other side of the house.”
I smile. He’s such a great guy. I hope I am his mate.
He walks back over to Oren. “Fine, but you’re staying on the other side of the house.”
Oren winks at me. “Thanks, Princess.”
Drake storms off to the house with Oren in tow.
What the fuck did I get myself into? Living with just one of them drives me crazy.
One of the men that was with Oren gets out of the front seat and follows behind them.
Drake stops and turns, looking from one man to the other. “What the hell do you think this is, a hotel? Fuck, no. I’m not boarding anyone other than you.”
The burly guy steps up to Oren and shrugs his shoulder. “Where he goes, I go.”
Drake looks at me with glowing eyes and takes a deep breath. Without a word, he walks into the house, shoulders tense.
My day keeps getting better and better.
I stand there hugging myself for a few moments, looking around the estate and breathing in the fresh air. A pain resonates in my chest from Eli’s words. How does he have such an effect on me when he doesn’t seem to care?
Light footsteps fall in my direction.
A hand touches my arm and then turns me around, while buzzing fills my body.
Drake pulls me into his embrace, holding me tight. “We’ll get through this. Everything will be all right.”
His words are like a balm to my soul.
Fingers touch my chin, lifting my face up for him to place kisses on my lips.
My arms wrap around his midsection as someone else joins us.
I pull my mouth away from his, and we turn toward the person approaching.
Oren’s mouth is pinched, and his jaw is clenched. “We’re going to have to set some ground rules while this is being sorted out.”
Drake nods, not letting me go. “Fine. While you’re at my house, you’re not going to touch her unless she wants you to.”
Oren smirks. “She wanted me to touch her a lot last night.” Our gazes lock on each other, both reliving that night. “Didn’t you, Rose?”
Swallowing hard, I step back from Drake, and growls emanate from his throat. Is this how it’s going to be? Everyone at each other’s throats all the time?
“She wasn’t even thinking about your touch a couple hours later as I took her against the side of the car.”
Oren steps into Drake and throws the first punch, knocking him back a few steps.
Damn, that was powerful. I take another step back.
Drake’s amber, glowing eyes lift, and he wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth as the wound heals. He chuckles. “Hit a nerve, did I?” He comes back with a combo of two jabs and an uppercut, but Oren avoids the last.
They circle each other in the driveway.
I’m not dealing with their childish shit. Let them have their fight. I’m going to take a shower. Sweat is not a good smell for me.
The sound of fists hitting flesh continues. Both men are oblivious to the fact that I’m leaving them out here.
Oren’s guard is standing with an amused expression as he opens the front door for me.
“Aren’t you going to do something?” I hold my hand out toward the grown men acting like juveniles.
With the same expression, he shakes his head. “Nope.”
“Hmm.” I walk past him, and he closes the door behind me, remaining outside. At least he’s staying outside, so he might keep them from killing each other.
I don’t know what either one is truly capable of.
Walking down the hallway, I pass Drake’s door. What does his room look like? Does he have a bachelor pad or is it like the rest of the house? Does he have pictures around his room and clothes thrown everywhere?
I look both ways down the hallway, then open the door and step inside. Drake’s smell surrounds me, making me feel comfortable with my decision.
Dark wood furniture fills the room, from the heavy sleigh bed and night tables, to the dresser that butts up against several windows. The walls are a soothing light blue, giving the room a more open, airy vibe. He has several family pictures on his dresser, more casual poses than the ones in the hallways and throughout the house.
A dark brown leather couch faces an armoire with a small table in between. There aren’t any clothes lying around, and it’s pretty tidy. Not what I expected from a man living alone, but he always surprises me.
I run my hand along the butter-soft leather on the back of the couch. What would it be like to curl up with him here? Would he hold me close? Stroke my hair? Would he make love to me slow and sweet, or take me hard and fast?
There’s an open door on the right of the bed. It’s a bathroom that is identical to mine but reversed. Does he think about me as he showers?
Thinking about taking a shower with him sends arousal coursing through me. Get yourself under control. Nothing else needs to happen with any of the men until some shit gets figured out.
I’m a one-man kind of girl. Or am I?
These three men challenge me and frustrate me like no others. Isn’t your better half supposed to make you the best version of yourself? What if there are three of them? How is that even a thought for me?
I drag myself out of the bathroom. There are too many fantasies to think about in there, and I have enough of them to last me a lifetime.
The picture on the bedside table draws me out of the bathroom.
I pick it up and gasp. It’s a picture of me sitting at the patio table on the back porch in a gray cashmere sweater, a candid shot of me smiling at someone to the right of me. I remember that day. Drake was grilling dinner for us, and I had been watching him with a smile on my face. Did he take this?
My heart swells with love. Wait… did I just think about love and Drake at the same time? No, no, no. This can’t be happening. Panic grips my throat.
My knees hit the edge of the bed, and I fall backwards onto it with the picture still in my hand.
Love.
Holy shit.
Is this real?
The door opens as Drake walks in and stops.
Damn. Should have left sooner. I raise up and take him in with new perspective.
Even though he's covered in blood and grime, he’s so sexy my heart hurts. Or is that the revelation I just hit myself with?
A smile lights up his face. “Well, this is a nice surprise. I could get used to finding you in my bed.”
Play it cool. “Umm. I’m not… It’s not what it looks like.” Ugh. That was not cool.
He chuckles, taking in my body as if he didn't just see me moments ago, walking toward me with a gleam in his eyes.
Oh, no. That is not happening after all the shit that’s happened. I take a step back, and his look falters.
He stops within reach but doesn’t touch me. “I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to come into my room. What’s mine is yours.” He holds his arms out to encompass everything.
The urge to run into those strong arms is hard to resist. “I'm going to take a shower.” I step to the side to walk around him.
His husky voice stops me. “You're welcome to join me. We could conserve water.” He winks.
Heat builds in my core, and I clench my legs together. “That's not a good idea right now.”
A panty-melting, dimpled smile graces his face.
A groan threatens to escape, but I hold it back. Damn that man and his dimples.
“The offer stands anytime. For both.” He holds his hand out.
I look down at his hand, back to his face, and then back to his hand. Does he still think I’m going to take a shower with him?
A chuckle draws my attention back to his gaze. “Can I have the picture back, please? I love to see your beautiful face when I wake up. The real thing would be better, but I’ll wait for now.”
Caught red-handed. I hand the picture frame back to him.
His fingertips brush along my palm as he takes it back. Buzzing erupts along my hand and up my arm.
I’ve got to get out of here before I do something like join him in the shower. That wouldn’t be fair to the other guys. Even though Eli is being a grade-A asshole, I still have feelings for him. Who knows why, but I do. “I’ve got to go.” I leave as fast as I can without it appearing that I’m running.
The shower is calling my name. At least it will give me some solitude to collect my thoughts. Drake makes the situation worse with his sweet words and gestures. How am I going to choose between the three?
