by Becca Van
The lunch hour was upon them, and while most of the time it was the same regulars who came in for a meal most days, Jett had a feeling the tour group would be back soon. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end, but he had no idea why. He and his brothers had checked all the IDs and done quick background searches, and though there had been nothing untoward about anyone in the group, he had a feeling there was a storm brewing. He just wasn’t sure from which direction it was coming.
He wasn’t worried about himself or any of his friends because they could all protect themselves, but he was very worried about Emmy. As a human, she was way more fragile than a shifter. It scared him shitless to think of her getting hurt.
If she agreed to mate with them, her physiology would change. Her DNA would end up with some of theirs. She’d be faster, stronger, as well as having better eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell. She’d also heal much quicker. Not as fast as them, but anything was better than nothing.
Jett grabbed a menu from under the bar and handed it to Emmy. “What do you want for lunch, love?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need to eat to keep your strength up, Emmy.”
“I had a huge breakfast.”
“Emmy.” Declan gave her a warning look as he moved closer. He snagged a bottle of spirits from a shelf and then turned to stare at her.
“I’m not—”
Broden leaned over and whispered in her ear, but of course Jett and Declan heard everything he said.
“We can hear your belly grumbling, sweetheart.”
“Shit!” Emmy placed her hands over her stomach. “Damn shifter hearing.”
Broden let out another deep belly laugh. When he had his mirth under control, he nudged Emmy’s shoulder, and if he hadn’t moved fast to grab her, the big bear shifter would have sent her flying. “Fuck! I’m sorry, Emmy. Did I hurt you?”
Emmy shook her head.
“Why the hell are you so reluctant to order food?” Declan asked.
“I’ve already told you, I’m not a freeloader.”
“Have any of us said that you are?” Jett quirked an eyebrow.
“N-no,” Emmy answered reluctantly.
“That’s right.” Declan pointed at her. “And we never would.”
When Emmy started to scowl, Brooks quickly stepped in. “You’re our guest, darlin’, and as such anything you eat or drink is on the house.”
“But—”
“I’d save my breath if I was you.” Archer winked at her. “This is one argument you’re not going to win.”
Broden tapped her arm and gave her a resolute stare. “You need to eat to stay healthy and recover from your exhaustion.”
“Listen to Broden,” Airen said. “He knows what he’s talking about.”
Emmy frowned and then sighed with resignation.
Jett bit his lip to hold in his smile of triumph. “What do you want, love?”
“I’ll have the turkey sandwich please.” Emmy glanced toward the hallway. “Who does all your cooking?”
“Jayson, Jenson, and Jordan Cannon,” Brooks answered.
“Are they shifters, too?”
Brooks nodded. “Panthers.”
“Wow. This is…just wow.”
“Do you want to meet them?” Jett asked.
“Can I?”
“Of course, love.” Jett gestured toward the hallway.
Emmy slid from her stool and hurried toward the end of the bar. Jett skirted the mahogany counter, and as soon as she was close enough, he clasped her hand in his. His half-hard cock twitched and rapidly filled behind his zipper. Jett hoped he got some relief soon, because if he didn’t, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his hands off of his mate.
The sweet, musky aroma of her arousal grew stronger the moment his skin touched hers, and as he guided her down the hallway, he heard her breathing and heart rate speed up. Jett’s cock began to throb, and even though he surreptitiously adjusted the fit of his jeans, it didn’t help. Every step he took was pure torture and his inner beast started pacing and snarling again.
Without really thinking through what he was doing, he guided Emmy into the empty office and closed the door behind him. He turned to face Emmy, only to find her frowning as she glanced about the unoccupied room.
“What are we doing—”
Jett couldn’t wait anymore. He snagged an arm around her waist, lifted her feet from the floor and pressed her back against the closed door before slanting his mouth over hers.
Her soft moan of desire was like music to his ears, and when she threaded her fingers into his hair, he realized she was just as hungry for a taste of the passion constantly shimmering between them as he was.
Jett stroked his tongue into her mouth and growled as her feminine flavor exploded on his taste buds. Their tongues danced and dueled in a passionate frenzy, and he didn’t even realize he’d moved his hands down to her ass until he squeezed her cheeks.
She whimpered and rocked her hips into his, grinding their jeans-covered crotches against each other. Jett broke the kiss before licking and nibbling his way over her jaw toward her neck. Emmy tilted her head, giving his easier access to all that soft creamy skin, and he growled in approval.
When he realized he was scraping his elongated canines over her flesh, he knew he had to stop before he went too far. He’d been so lost in his mate, he hadn’t even noticed his fangs had lengthened or that he was mere seconds away from claiming her.
Jett lifted his head and stared down into her beautiful face. Her cheeks were flushed, the back of her head was resting against the hard timber door, and her eyes were closed.
“You are so fucking beautiful,” Jett whispered hoarsely.
Emmy shook her head as she opened her eyes. “Thank you, but I’m nothing special.”
“You are to me, Declan, and Brooks, love.”
Emmy blushed prettily.
Jett pressed his forehead against hers and sighed. “Do you think you could be happy here, Emmy? I know there’s no big malls or any hair salons, but we’d love it if you decided to stay.”
“I—”
“Don’t say anything now, love. I know you need time to come to terms with everything. I, we, won’t rush you. Take all the time you need to make up your mind. Okay?”
Emmy licked her lips and nodded.
Jett lowered her feet to the floor, laced his fingers with hers, and then guided her toward the kitchen, all the while hoping she chose him and his friends.
* * * *
Emmy couldn’t believe how nice everyone was being to her. She’d met Jayson, Jenson, and Jordan and thought they were nice. They’d smiled and nodded but weren’t all that talkative. She was beginning to suspect that most of the shifters were men of few words. Although the Kodiaks seemed to be more talkative than the rest.
Emmy was just finishing up her turkey sandwich when the tour group entered the hotel. She was glad she was sitting with Broden, Airen, and Archer instead of a both all alone like she’d planned. Jett had settled her on the barstool just as Jayson had brought out her lunch. He’d put the plate in front of her and hurried away before she could thank him. She had a feeling the panther shifters were the least social of the bunch, but it didn’t bother her anymore. From what she’d read and seen on TV, felines were independent and only sought attention when they felt like it. It seemed those attributes were right on the ball.
Emmy glanced at the tourists when the hair on the back of her neck stood on end, but she didn’t see anyone paying her any attention and figured she was just being paranoid. Having to look over her shoulder for so long was beginning to become a habit. Now that she was here in Ambrose with her mates, she might be able to relax a little more.
She certainly hoped so. She was tired of being on edge and alert all the time.
“You look tired, darlin’,” Brooks said.
Emmy nodded and covered her mouth with her hand to try and stifle a yawn. “Why is it that after eating all I want to
do is sleep?”
“It’s your body’s way of telling you to rest.” Brooks frowned. “Why don’t you let me help you upstairs and get you settled in bed?”
“I can find my own way,” Emmy said as she slipped to her feet.
“I know that, darlin’, but I want to.”
Tears of gratitude burned Emmy’s eyes. She couldn’t understand why she was being so emotional. Over the last eighteen months she hadn’t had the luxury of falling apart. So why now? Was it because of their kindness? Emmy suspected that was one of the reasons, but also because she already cared for Brooks, Declan, and Jett. If someone had told her a few months ago that she’d meet a man that would change her life, make her stop and think about staying on the run, she would have laughed in their face. How could she feel so much for three men after such little time? Was she being a fool, jumping in with both feet with no net under her?
“Emmy?” Brooks frowned.
She blinked and then blushed when she realized she was still standing next to the stool and Brooks was right next to her. She’d been so lost in her introspection, she hadn’t even noticed him moving out from behind the bar.
“Come on, darlin’.” Brooks clasped her hand in his. “You’re almost asleep on your feet.”
Emmy nodded and let him lead her down the hallway toward the stairs and up to their apartment. By the time they were in the bedroom, her eyes were so heavy she could barely keep them open.
“Let me help you?”
“‘Kay.”
“Arms up, darlin’,” Brooks ordered.
Emmy raised her arms, and Brooks tugged her shirt up and off over her head. When she heard him suck in a noisy breath she looked down, but she wasn’t hanging out of her bra and there was nothing to see other than her bra-clad breasts.
“Sit down, sweetheart.” Brooks grasped her waist and helped her sit on the edge of the bed, and just like that her arousal perked up and the weariness began to wane.
She couldn’t believe how good it was to have his hands on her bare skin, and if she’d been bold, she would have asked him to touch her some more.
Brooks knelt at her feet, undid her shoes, and pulled them and her socks off. After standing again, he helped her up. His gaze locked with hers at he flicked the button on her jean-shorts open, and after a brief hesitation, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband and shoved them over her hips. His blue eyes hazed over with heated need, but as he pulled her shorts down her legs and over her feet, he never once looked away from her eyes.
When she saw a muscle in the side of his jaw repeatedly flex, she realized that he was just affected as she was. Without any conscious thought on her behalf, Emmy lifted a hand and caressed his stubbled cheek. The rasp of his whiskers against her fingers and palms had her imagining how they would feel on other parts of her body. Cream dripped from her pussy and her clit distended as it filled with blood. The sensitive bundle of nerves began to throb along with each beat of her heart, and her nipples hardened.
Brooks inhaled through his nose and groaned as he closed his eyes. “You’re killing me, darlin’.” He shoved to his feet, turned away from her, and hurried toward the bedroom door.
“Brooks?” Emmy whispered, wanting more than anything to have him hold her, touch her. She wrapped her arms around her waist and shivered. Her skin was hot and with each shallow breath, she just seemed to get hotter. Her insides felt as if they were on fire, and she was so damn horny her panties were soaked through.
“What do you need, Emmy?” Brooks asked without looking at her.
She licked her suddenly dry lips and shook her head as she hesitated. If she said the words on the tip of her tongue, Emmy had a feeling there would be no going back.
Was she ready to make such a life-changing commitment? The bigger question was, could she live her life happily if she didn’t give these three amazing men a chance? Emmy knew the answer before she’d even finished with the question in her mind. The answer was a resounding no!
“You,” she finally answered. “I need you, Jett, and Declan.”
Chapter Nine
Murphy cursed a blue streak when he realized he’d lost the slut.
Even though he was only about a month or so behind her, he’d been so sure he was going to find her. She’d turned off the main highway and out of camera sight. He’d followed her from Houston, Texas, to New Mexico. From Arizona to Utah and Colorado. From there she’d gone to Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. He’d been hoping to find a pattern to her meanderings, but there was none. He’d even done a name and social security number search, but the bitch was lying low. If she was working, she had to be being paid under the counter, cash in hand. He didn’t give a fuck how an employer paid their staff, but in this case, it pissed him off since it made his job that much harder.
Murphy suspected the cunt was slowly working her way toward the border and Canada. If she managed to cross the line, he might never find her again. Urgency was driving him, and the back of his neck was prickling in warning. He couldn’t let her go. He had to find her and get his revenge. If it wasn’t for her, he and his comrades would have been sitting pretty. The story Dwayne had told the cops was only partially true. There was so much more to their attempt to blow up the hotel and get rid of those political assholes. Five million reasons, in fact.
The man pulling the strings had contacted Murphy directly and offered him the five million to make sure the job was finished. Even though he and Dwayne were friends, there was nothing he could do for the other man, now. He had a feeling that Dwayne wouldn’t be around for much longer. The head honcho had acquaintances from all walks of life and a lot of money. Murphy wasn’t about to cross the asshole because he knew the results if he did. He’d be on borrowed time just like Dwayne was.
He pushed his thoughts aside when a soft alert pinged on his laptop. He took a seat at the small table in the cheap-assed motel room, and when he saw her face on a traffic cam in Billings, Montana, he knew he’d been right. The slut was heading toward Canada.
There was no way in hell she was making it across the border and out of reach. He wanted that five million dollars, and nothing was going to stop him from getting it.
* * * *
Brooks was so hungry for Emmy he wasn’t sure he could move. His muscles were tight and pumped, and he barely dared to breathe. His polar bear was chuffing and pacing with avid excitement to claim his mate, but Brooks wasn’t sure their mate realized that once they crossed that line, there’d be no going back.
He needed his friends here with him so they could explain everything to her. He knew he should wait until the hotel was closed but he had a horrible feeling that if they did, Emmy would feel rejected and decide to leave.
That was the last thing he wanted. He needed her just as badly as he needed to breathe. From the very first his beast had been pushing at him to claim her, but he’d resisted giving her the information and the time she needed to process everything. Now, here she was waiting for a reaction, a response, and he was too scared to reply.
When he realized his lungs were burning, he inhaled and almost went to his knees when the sweet musky fragrance of her desire embedded into his olfactory senses. He released the air in his lungs and swallowed down the groan building in his chest. His dick was so fucking hard it was aching, and he was so close to the edge he was leaking pre-cum. When he was sure he wouldn’t pounce on her the second he set his gaze on her, he turned to face her.
“Declan, Jett, get the Kodiaks to cover the bar and get upstairs. Now!”
Emmy frowned and glanced toward the entrance to the bedroom. “What are you doing? Do you think they heard you? You didn’t speak very loudly.”
“They heard me, darlin’.” Brooks took a step toward her and then another and another. He stopped a few yards away from her just in case his hunger took over. He was worried if he so much as touched her right now, it would be game over.
Brooks sank to his knees and clenched his hands into tight fists. When he saw where
her gaze was he couldn’t hold back the lusty groan. She was staring at the front of his jeans where his cock was pressing up against the zipper. He was harder and fuller than he’d ever remembered being, and the head of his cock was almost peeking out of the waistband of his boxers and jeans. If he so much as moved another inch, he was worried his jeans would bust open.
“What’s going on?” Declan asked just before he and Jett entered the room. He took the scene in at a glance, sucked in a noisy breath, and quickly turned his back to the room.
Emmy frowned at Declan and grabbed hold of the quilt before pulling it over her nearly naked body. When she lowered her head and her cheeks flushed, Brooks knew she’d misunderstood Declan’s actions.
“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t,” Brooks said.
“What’s wrong?” Jett asked as he stared at Emmy through narrow passion-heavy eyelids.
Brooks licked his lips before asking, “Do you agree to be ours and accept all of us as your mates, Emmy?”
Jett made a low growly sound and his muscles tensed, but other than that, he showed no outward reaction to his question. Declan spun around, met his gaze with wide eyes, and then turned to stare at Emmy.
She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, Jett held up his hand. She snapped her mouth shut, and Brooks heard her teeth click together.
“You need to know what will happen if you do accept us,” Jett said.
“You will be ours for the rest of our lives,” Declan explained.
“No other man will touch you. Ever!” Brooks stated.
“I don’t want—”
“We will make love to you individually and collectively.” Jett shifted on his feet and crossed his arms over his chest.
“When we make love to you, we will each bite into your flesh. Doing so will mark you as ours and let every other shifter in this town know you are ours.” Declan adjusted the fit of his jeans.
Brooks cleared his throat. “After we’ve each made love to you and bitten you, we will take you together and bite you again. Our saliva and seed will change your DNA on a physical level.”
