Shifting Currents

by Lissa Trevor

Clark showed them to a semiprivate berth. There were four sleeping compartments, two on each wall, one above the other. A small ladder allowed access to the top bunks and heavy curtains provided a bit of privacy. For the moment, the compartment was empty except for the three of them. Lucas took up most of the floor room and positioned himself so Clark had to either back out or trip over the big cat.

  “Well, I’ll just leave you to get settled. Jesse will be by in the morning to show you where you will be working, Bethany. If you need anything…”

  Lucas growled, a threatening rumble that made Clark hurry away, sliding the compartment door closed.

  When he was gone, Lucas shifted back. He was naked, but the look in his eye was weary.

  “Where were you today?” Bethany ran her hand over his chest, the hard muscles tense under her hand.

  “I’m a little sore,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it. “I spent most of the day flying cover, looking for ambushes.”

  “Did you find any?”

  He shook his head and stifled a yawn.

  “What did you see?” she asked.

  “I think if we can manage not to be attacked before the train leaves the station, we should make it to Ohio.”

  “Too late,” Bethany said and then explained about the troll and the scorpion.

  “I remember Misha. She hired Lisa and me on the first trip.” He broke off as another loud yawn shook him. “I can barely keep my eyes open. You’ll be safe in here. Don’t wander around until the train departs. Once we’re underway, though, it should be fine.” His eyes closed, and he swayed a bit on his feet. “I’m going to grab a quick nap. Do you want the top or the bottom bunk?”

  Bethany had assumed they would share one. “The bottom, I guess.”

  He leaned in and kissed her absently on the mouth and then, with a quickness that made her flinch, leaped vertically into the bunk above her. He fastened the curtains, and she heard him getting settled.

  Blowing out a breath, Bethany felt a little cheated. They were safe, now. Weren’t they supposed to be having this big heart-to-heart talk? Or at the very least having train-rocking sex? Maybe he had gotten what he wanted, a little voice inside her said. And with that depressing thought, Bethany climbed into her bunk and pulled the curtains closed. Digging around in her backpack, she found a small battery-powered lantern. The charge was full, so all she needed to do was flick a switch. The sleeping pallet had shelves built into the wall, and she unpacked a few things. She slipped off her shoes and got into comfy pajamas, but even with all the excitement and travel, she wasn’t tired.

  The door to the compartment opened, and Bethany doused the light. Her pistol was one of the items she had kept out, and she held it ready. Easing the corner of the curtain open, she peeked out and saw two men with towels wrapped around their waists come in. They obviously had just been bathing and just as obviously were a couple.

  “So what do you think of this clusterfuck?” a tall, dark-skinned man asked, taking his towel off to dry himself. His legs were sculpted like a statue, and Bethany was transfixed as he rubbed the towel up and down them. He had tribal tattoos on rangy, muscled arms and the swirl of color added to the appeal. His penis was thick and bobbed slightly at his movements. Bethany eased the safety back on the pistol and put it on the shelf.

  “It’s good money, for stuff we’d do anyway,” the second man said.

  Bethany peeked back out. This one was a pale redhead, and she could see red freckles on his face and chest. He was squatting by the lower bunk, checking over a bow and arrows and a set of bone-handled knives.

  The darker man stretched, showing off fine abs and a pierced nipple. Bethany couldn’t look away from his hardening cock. “You mean the hunting or the fucking?”

  The redhead smiled. “Both, although I’d rather just be with you.”

  “While you’re down there.” The darker man turned so that his penis grazed the other man’s cheek.

  The redhead kissed it, slid his tongue over the head, and then grabbed the shaft and started stroking it.

  “Oh yeah, oh Ben, I’ve been thinking about this all day.” The darker man sighed.

  “Shit, Mark, I would have thought you’d have had enough, considering last night’s party.” Ben increased the pace of his strokes and leaned his head down to lick the other man’s balls.

  “Like you said, it’s better when it’s just you and I.”

  Bethany felt a tug of guilt as she watched Ben’s mouth slide over his lover’s cock. Mark grabbed the back of Ben’s head and began to move his hips.

  “Yes,” he hissed, and Ben dug his fingers into the other man’s ass.

  Bethany couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight of Mark’s penis pumping into Ben’s mouth. It was long and thick, and the satisfied grunts from Ben were making her wet. Her nipples felt heavy, and she unbuttoned her pajama top so she could tug on one. She felt the ache deep into her core. She stroked her fingers across her breasts. Leaning back on the pillow, she made sure she could still see the two men.

  “Swallow it,” Mark gritted out and increased his pace. Sweet, slurping sounds filled the compartment. “Oh fuck, Ben. Your mouth is incredible.”

  With an inarticulate shout, Mark shuddered, and his grip on Ben’s head loosened. Ben eased his lover’s cock out of his mouth, and Bethany nearly moaned as she saw the wet cum on his lips.

  She moved her thumb over her nipple and slipped her other hand into her panties. Flicking her finger, she was hot and creamy. The slightest touch on her clit sent her hips up.

  “My turn,” Ben said and tugged off his towel. His penis was long and thin. It strained toward his lover.

  Mark gripped the back of Ben’s head again but this time to pull him in for a deep, long kiss. Bethany watched their lips slide over and over each other as their cocks touched and rubbed in an intimate dance. Ben turned Mark around, trailing kisses over his shoulder and neck.

  “Reach down into my bunk and pull out my lube,” he said, and after Mark obeyed, Ben poured some down the crack of his lover’s ass. When it was wet and slick, Ben slid a finger into his ass.

  “Oh yeah,” Mark said, his head and upper body inside the compartment. “Why don’t you come in here and do me right.”

  “Because I’ll bang my head instead of you. Grab those pillows. We’ve got plenty of room out here.” He slid a second finger inside and pumped a few times before stopping.

  Mark quickly arranged the bedding on the floor while Ben squirted thick liquid into his palm and coated his cock with it. Bethany’s fingers flew faster, hot sparks of desire making her restless, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning.

  “Hands and knees,” Ben said and clutched at Mark’s hips.

  Bethany’s orgasm hit her as soon as Ben thrust into Mark. She rode out the waves of pleasure as Ben hammered away inside Mark. Mark’s eyes were glazed, and animalistic grunts panted out of his mouth. He rubbed his cock into the blanket while his hips undulated up to meet Ben’s thrusts.

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Ben said.

  “Faster,” Mark pleaded. “I want you to feel your cum inside me.”

  Ben’s lips curled back into a grimace, and he leaned into his lover, rocking with speed and force. “God, I’m so close.”

  Bethany was still riveted and dipped her fingers back inside again, stroking herself to feel the delicious tingles. Her breasts ached. She wished Lucas was with her. She wanted his mouth tugging and sucking on her nipples. She wanted his hard cock fucking her like Ben was fucking Mark. Bethany spread her legs wider and rubbed her clit with her thumb.

  Ben shouted, and his face collapsed in joy. For a moment, he just rested his face between Mark’s shoulder blades and hugged him tight.

  “We should have done this before the shower,” Ben said.

  “Not me,” Mark said. “You were filthy. I wouldn’t have touched you with a ten-foot pole.”

  “Speaking of which.” Ben grinned wickedly and slid out of his lover. He turne
d him over slowly. Mark was hard. Bethany watched as Ben stroked the lube all over his lover’s cock.

  “I could stroke you all night,” Ben said.

  “Take another bath, and I’ll suck you off while you do it.”

  “Tempting,” Ben said. “But I want your cock inside me more.” He stood up and faced the beds, reaching his hands up to hold the top bunk.

  “Assuming the position?” Mark said.

  “You going to frisk me?”

  Mark pushed down on Ben’s back and eased into him.

  Bethany saw Mark’s fine, muscled ass contract as he gave Ben a fucking that had all three of them gasping. She jammed her fingers deep into her pussy and turned her head into the pillow to muffle the noises she was making.

  The two men tumbled into the bottom bunk afterward, and she heard them kissing and murmuring low words to each other. The loneliness hit her again, making her cold and aching for Lucas. She straightened her pajamas and closed her eyes against the familiar ache.

  “Help me!”

  Bethany flinched. It was the same mournful female voice she had heard in the train station.

  “Who’s there?” she whispered.

  There wasn’t any answer. The silence chilled Bethany. Shivering, she pulled out a blanket from her pack. Clutching it to her, she waited tensely for the next noise. But she must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew, the lurching of the train woke her up. They were moving. Not bothering to get dressed, Bethany slipped on her shoes. As a second thought, she grabbed the pistol and clipped the holster Karen made for her onto her pajama pants and underwear, covering it with the heavy flannel top. Pushing the curtain aside, she heard light snores from the bunk above her where Lucas still slept. She could also hear Ben’s and Mark’s deep breaths mingling in sleep. After easing out of the compartment, she stumbled out on a platform, feeling very exposed.

  The wind whipped through her, plastering her pajamas against her. She steadied her hands on the car in front of her and the car in back. Bethany surfed the floor as she got used to the rocking motion of the train, trying not to be sick at the cold, smelly air and the speed. Gripping the next car’s handle, she thrust it open and jumped inside, letting the door slam shut behind her. There were a few nasty words shouted at her.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up.”

  She sank to the floor of the car, shivering. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she rocked back and forth. They were going too fast. They were going to crash and die. Fighting panic, Bethany took a few deep breaths. No. They were going to be fine. Lucas said they had cleared the tracks to Ohio. They would be in Ohio by this time tomorrow. Wonder replaced the fear curling in her belly. She’d never been so far west before. Suddenly it became very real. She was heading away from the East on a whim that maybe her brother would be in California. She was traveling with strangers who could easily turn on her, and she had only her pistol to protect her.

  What about Lucas?

  If she was truly Lucas’s mate, he’d protect her because he needed to. If he wasn’t her mate, he’d still protect her until he found his friends. Either way, the caravan needed her. She was probably the safest person in the expedition.

  A soft moan from the upper bunk made Bethany start a little guiltily. She had enough voyeurism for one night. The aching loneliness and the keen edge of desire hit her. Bethany didn’t want to go between the cars again, but she couldn’t stay here. Pressing forward, she opened the door and shut it quickly but quietly behind her. Another sleeping chamber was ahead and then another. By the time she got to the dining car, moving from car to car didn’t bother her. There were a few people in the seats, drinking beer and plastered against the window.

  Bethany accepted a drink from a passing waiter and found her own window to look out. The lights in the car reflected back her face. But in the moonlight, she could make out trees and boulders as the train jostled and jounced along. Her heart was still tripping but this time with excitement. She thought riding her motorcycle was a treat. It was almost worth the smell of burning coal and thick kerosene to travel on someone else’s power.

  “You should get some sleep,” Jesse said, sliding into the booth across the table from her.

  “Too restless,” Bethany said. “What’s your excuse?”

  “The same I guess. The speed, it gets to me. I start thinking about things I can’t change. People I left behind.”

  “Why did you leave them?” Bethany yawned.

  “I was bored. I done all I could. There had to be something more to life than planting a crop and hoping to hell the weather doesn’t turn sour and you starve for the winter. I’m not much good with my hands, but my mouth keeps me fed in lean times. Of course, you don’t have to blow men to eat, do you?” Jesse rested her cheek against her fist. She also accepted a beer from a passing waiter.

  Bethany shook her head. “No, but I’m guessing you know that a man likes you for you and not because you can make a water heater run.”

  Jesse gave a snort. “Seems to me we both are in the same business. I can charge up a man’s batteries and keep him entertained. You do it with your mind. I do it with my body.”

  “Cheers,” Bethany said, clicking glasses.

  “So how come I get treated like a whore and you get treated like a princess?” Jesse sighed after taking a big gulp of beer.

  “I don’t treat you like a whore,” Bethany said.

  “Not you. The others.”

  “I guess it’s because anyone can suck their dick, but only I can make their electronic gizmos go.” Bethany shrugged to take the sting out of her words.

  “That must be it,” Jesse sighed. “I’m getting sick of it, though. I’d like to settle down. I’m hoping to get some serious stash, sell it, and set myself up so I don’t have to fuck anyone I don’t want to again.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Bethany said and toasted her with the beer bottle.

  “You think Lem would go for that?” Jesse asked, staring at the table.

  “I think so,” Bethany said. “He’s more of a follower than a leader, so don’t expect him to make the first move.”

  “You and he ever traded together?”

  Bethany shook her head. “Our chief ordered him to, but I wasn’t interested.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  They both looked up when the door to the dining car opened. Lucas stood there, scanning the room until he found Bethany. Then he stalked toward her with purpose in his eyes.

  Bethany felt a throb between her legs.

  “Oh,” Jesse said. “I see.” She got up. “So we wouldn’t have a problem if I set my cap on Lem?”

  “Not from me,” Bethany said. “But I think someone else might.”

  “Who?”

  “Clark seems a little fixated on you.”

  “Clark’s dance card is pretty full. I ain’t worried about him.”

  “Jesse, this is Lucas.”

  “Her mate,” Lucas bit out.

  “You two have a good night,” Jesse said and moved along.

  Lucas waved off the waiter and sat across from Bethany. “You should have told me you were leaving the room.”

  “You were asleep. I didn’t want to wake you. Besides, you said once we got going it was safe enough.”

  “I wanted to be with you.”

  “Did you?” Bethany felt a flash of hope that maybe this wasn’t all in her mind. “You seemed to blow me off.”

  “You don’t know a lot about Shifters, do you?”

  “You know my brother is one.”

  “He ever run all day?”

  “No.”

  “Have you?”

  “No.” Bethany finished the beer in one long drink. It had a kick. She could probably go to sleep right here.

  “What’s the longest time you’ve ever run?”

  “I don’t know, across camp in an emergency.”

  “Remember how you felt after the adrenaline wore off?”

  Bethany started
to feel sheepish. “I get it. Multiply that by eight hours or so.”

  “You got it,” Lucas said. “But unlike humans, I can rebound faster, which is why I’m here now.”

  “You must be starving,” Bethany said, trying to make amends for acting like an idiot. She flagged a waiter down and ordered some sandwiches.

  She watched him eat and wondered if she would be able to believe that he was really hers. “So tell me about this mate business. What do you expect out of this…relationship.”

  He didn’t flinch from the word. She gave him credit. Lucas chewed a bit and swallowed before he answered. “Well, had you wanted to join in on Ben and Mark instead of just enjoying the show, I would have had an issue with that.”

  Bethany felt her face heat up. “You were awake?”

  “Not exactly. I was aware. I was aware of your arousal. I smelled your desire and could feel your need.”

  “Well, why the hell didn’t you do something about it?”

  “I couldn’t move. I had pushed myself beyond exertion.”

  “Oh,” Bethany said. “I was thinking of you.”

  Lucas pushed his plate away from him. “I can assist you now.”

  Bethany grinned. “Not just yet, cowboy.”

  He bared his teeth at her in a feral smile. “Don’t make me wait or I’ll take you on the table here in front of everyone.”

  Bethany looked around. “You wouldn’t. There are too many people.”

  “Babe, with this crowd we’d have to worry about people joining in.”

  “Yeah, why is that?”

  “Lewis and Clark have special requirements of some of their workers.”

  Bethany thought about what Jesse said. “They force them to have sex?”

  He shook his head. “They don’t have to force anyone. But let’s just say the parties are swinging around here.”

  “Ben and Mark made mention of that.”

  “And like Ben and Mark, I would prefer just one partner rather than the group activities.”

  “You mentioned that. So even with all this temptation, you want to be exclusive to me?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “So you’re not just into me because I’m a Tech?” Bethany knew she was fishing, but she wanted to hear it anyway.