He kissed her and hugged her close. “I’m so proud of you, baby,” he whispered as he stepped around the back door that Cole opened.
As soon as he set her down and released her, his brother moved in, pulled her onto his lap and kissed her as well. Summer didn’t fight to sit on the seat. She just relaxed into Cole’s embrace as Dawson climbed in and started driving. She didn’t pay attention to the surroundings as she listened to them talk quietly, and didn’t contribute to their conversation. She perked up when the subject turned to weddings, specifically their wedding and whether or not they should put it off until they were more settled in their lives together.
Lifting her head from Cole’s shoulder, she said, “If I get a vote, let’s go find a preacher right now.”
Her announcement stunned her mates into silence for a moment before they both turned to look at her.
“Are you sure, little one?” Cole asked. “We’d be fine getting married the day after tomorrow along with Spring, Winter, and our brothers, but we don’t want to push you into anything if you’re not absolutely certain.”
Summer smiled up at Cole then turned to Dawson. “I’m sure. I know we’ve only known each other a day, but this is right. I want to marry you both. I just hope Spring and Winter don’t get angry because they have to share their special day with us, too.”
“It will be our special day, too, baby. And I’m sure they won’t mind. After all, they’re mated as well, so they’ll understand.”
“My parents are going to shit purple puppies,” Summer said as she settled back against Cole’s chest. “Two daughters and a son all mated to shape shifters? Yep, purple puppies.”
The brothers laughed before Dawson said, “If they’re wolfhounds we’ll keep them, otherwise, your parents will have to take them home when they leave.”
Summer giggled. “Of course, all this is just talk until someone actually asks me to get married. I am not the kind of girl who will get married without a proper proposal from someone,” she said in a haughty Southern belle tone.
The brothers exchanged a glance and then began to laugh. “We’ll think about it,” they said in unison.
Chapter 7
By the time the Hummer’s headlights illuminated a “Welcome to Sanctuary” sign, Summer was fighting to stay awake and was having a hard time sitting still. In addition to needing to pee and to find something to fill the yawning chasm her stomach had become, she couldn’t wait to see her new home. The thought of meeting the rest of her mates’ family brought a feeling of anxiety rather than excitement. She hoped that with Bridget on her side, the rest of the family would accept her easy enough.
Dawson parked next to the big green van. “Welcome to Sanctuary, baby.”
“Yes, little one, welcome to your new home.”
Summer gave Cole a quick kiss before crawling from his lap. A minute later she jumped from the backseat. Once on the ground, she began to bounce, nature demanding she answer its call ASAP. Cole and Dawson followed her out of the Hummer, then moved to the trunk.
“Everyone will no doubt be in the Wash House, so go on up. We’re going to toss these in the van and will be right behind you,” Cole said with an encouraging smile as he pulled the two dog harnesses from the back of the Hummer.
Summer nodded then turned and started up the wide, well-marked path.
* * * *
Once she was out of earshot, Dawson looked at his brother. “So, how are we going to do it?”
“Do what?” Cole asked as he opened the back of the van and climbed in.
“Propose to Summer. She wants a proper marriage proposal. What the hell do we know about proposing?” Dawson handed the harnesses to his brother, who stowed them in the built-in cabinet with the others.
“I think we should let her stew for a bit. Anticipation will make the proposal special no matter how much we might screw it up,” Cole said as he climbed out of the van and closed the door.
“Huh?”
“I’ll explain it to you later. For now, our mate is waiting for us,” Cole said as he picked up one suitcase and a large shopping bag.
Dawson picked up their bags and followed his brother up the path.
* * * *
Summer looked around, impressed at the wide variety of the architecture that this little valley held. The first house she passed was an ornate peach-colored Victorian with dark green, blue, and white trim. Its wraparound porch and three-story circular tower were detailed with gingerbread trim. It brought to mind some of the historic houses she’d seen in Savannah and Charleston when she’d worked there for a short time just after college.
The next building was a three-story red barn type of building that reminded her of the modern hunting lodge in the mountains of France where she’d spoken to a conference on world hunger. She’d spent the entire time in meetings and never got to walk the grounds or see what other amenities the lodge offered other than a spacious conference room, room service, and her small guest room with Internet connection so she could keep her boss informed of her progress.
The sign on the front of this building declared this to be “The Wash House.” Stopping on the wide deck to wait for her mates, Summer turned and studied the rest of the buildings built along the path that circled around a huge flourishing garden to end up back at the parking lot.
There were three log cabins with wide front porches. The first was silvered with age as if it might be the valley’s original homestead. The other two were twice as large and looked decades newer. These log houses looked like they actually belonged in this mountain hideaway.
The last building sat further away from the others and seemed completely out of place. The two-story stone castle with a flat roof and four squared turrets brought to mind some of the stone keeps and small castles she’d seen in Ireland and Scotland on the last long vacation she’d taken just before starting her current job. The big difference between this one and those were the satellite dishes and antennas that topped one of the turrets. In a moment of whimsy, Summer thought the castle looked like a squat silver and gray alien.
“So, what do you think?” Dawson asked as they joined her on the deck.
Summer took one last look around before facing her mates. “I think I understand why the first Sullivan men settled here. It’s beautiful, peaceful and everything a home should be.”
Her men smiled their approval of her assessment before Cole opened the door. “Time to meet the rest of the family, little one.”
“Is there somewhere I could clean up and pee?”
“Sure,” Cole said as he put down the bags he carried. “We can sneak in the back door and use the locker room before the rest of the clan realizes we’re here.”
Taking her hand he led her down off the deck then around the big building. The backside of the building faced the forest. A third of the way down the building, Cole stopped at a door in the wall. It turned silently, and he pulled the door open with only a slight squeak of the hinges.
“Just inside on the left,” he said, kissing her temple as she passed in front of him.
“Thanks.” She paused to turn and return the kiss. “I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Take your time, little one.”
After answering nature’s call, Summer looked in a mirror and gasped. She looked rumpled and windblown, like she’d just walked out of the back country after roughing it for months. Washing her hands and then her face, she realized that’s exactly what she’d done. She’d spent months without a mirror or makeup other than sunscreen and never missed it. As she ran her fingers through her hair to try and comb some order into it, she wished she had something available to help her show her men that she wasn’t the plain-Jane woman they’d seen for the last two days.
But they’d seen her, claimed her, and had talked about marrying her without the benefit of artifice, so why did she want to start now? After all, she never really had gotten the hang of putting on makeup so that it looked flawless and natural. Better to just go as
they’d begun, fresh-faced and with a smile.
Running her fingers through her hair one last time, she giggled as a leaf floated to the floor. “Oh yeah, you’re a real prize,” she told the woman in the mirror. “But it doesn’t matter. They’re going to love you anyway.”
Finally, having done everything she could to make herself look presentable, Summer left the safety of the large, airy locker room. Cole waited in the hall just outside the door, looking a little nervous.
“You okay?”
“I’m tired, hungry, and would like another shower, but I’m fine,” she answered before turning and heading down the short hall to the main room, once again overwhelmed by curiosity.
“Well, let’s go find something for dinner,” Cole followed closely, bumping into her when she suddenly stopped to look around. He wrapped his arms around her to keep her from falling on her face.
The corner by the front door was what appeared to be a library. Bookcases lined two walls and were filled to capacity with books. Several comfortable-looking chairs in burgundy and navy waited for someone to curl up on them and spend the afternoon reading. Each chair had a small table next to it with a reading lamp.
The center of the room contained what looked like a bar, but when she got closer, she recognized the tools of a fully stocked coffee bar, complete with everything that would make any coffee drinker happy.
The kitchen sat at the opposite end of the huge room that took up the entire main floor except for the two locker rooms where they stood. The kitchen was separated from the dining area by a counter with a half dozen stools. There was a dining area with a long table in the center and a half-dozen tables around the edge of the area with a black and white tile floor. The large dining table was painted black while the smaller ones were painted a deep barn red.
Next to the dining area was a living room. The floor was covered with dark gray carpet, with several couches, recliners, and overstuffed chairs in gray and blue denims. All the seating was angled to face a large flat-screen television that covered the wall over the fireplace. Since it was summertime, the fireplace stood empty.
To her right stood a line of stainless-steel washers and dryers with tables for folding laundry. The area just to her left was curtained off.
Looking up, Summer found the ceiling in the center of the room soared up two stories above her head. Taking three steps into the room, she saw second and third floor balconies that ran around three sides of the room. She counted ten rooms on each floor.
“Wow, it’s got everything,” she whispered, looking over her shoulder at Cole.
“We like to think so. And whatever it doesn’t have that you might want, we’ll figure out how to bring it here for you. We want you to be happy here, sweet Summer. Now, are you ready to meet the rest of the family while we eat dinner?”
Summer took a deep breath, but the vultures flying around in her stomach were making her nauseous. Shaking her head, she looked up at him. “Would they think us horrible if we didn’t join them? I’d rather be alone with my mates right now.”
Cole wrapped his arms around her shoulders and gave her a hug. “Whatever you want, little one. The family can wait until morning to meet you, but you need to eat something.”
“What’s wrong?” Dawson asked, moving in to press gently against Summer’s backside.
“She’s tired and hungry and needs her mates, not a family dinner. Can you get something from the kitchen for dinner while we go upstairs and get a shower?”
Dawson nodded. “I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thank you,” Summer said, looking over her shoulder. “And if you could bring some juice, too?”
Dawson brushed a kiss at her temple. “No trouble, baby. You and Cole get cleaned up, and I’ll be up with food in a few minutes.”
With that, Dawson walked away and Cole escorted her to the third floor. By the time they reached it, Summer’s pussy overflowed, though her entire body was telling her that jet lag had caught up with her.
Once they were in a bedroom with a king-size bed, Cole stopped and looked at her. “You’re exhausted,” he said, cupping a hand around one side of her face.
Summer nodded as her lips trembled. “I’m sorry. I want you, but…”
“But jet lag has caught up with you, and we pushed you way too hard today with shopping and then a long hike in the woods,” Cole finished when she couldn’t.
She nodded again and was surprised when he stepped close and hugged her. “It’s okay, little one. We have the rest of our lives to worship your delicious body.”
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
He stripped them both and led her to the shower. She was surprised when he washed her quickly and completely, ignoring the erection that occasionally brushed against her. He then quickly washed himself before getting them out and drying them off. Grabbing a clean T-shirt, he helped her into it before leading her out of the bathroom.
Dawson was waiting for them with a plate of sandwiches and three glasses of orange juice. They settled on the bed and ate without talking, but it was a comfortable silence. Afterwards, while Dawson jumped in the shower and Cole carried their dishes back downstairs, Summer curled up in the middle of the bed and fell asleep.
Chapter 8
“Summer Margaret Ryan, you’ve got ten minutes to get yourself and your mates dressed and downstairs for breakfast,” an unfamiliar voice bellowed through the locked door, harshly yanking Dawson from his dream of waking up to a beautiful woman in his arms.
“Go away, Winter,” a woman’s voice called from right next to him. “We’ll be down when we get there.”
“I’ll pass that along to Bridget,” came his amused response.
Dawson opened his eyes as someone soft and cuddly snuggled into his side as if hiding from the world. Her hand brushed all over his chest and the inside of her thigh brushed up his legs to almost, but not quite, touch his cock. The feel of her skin against his sent the blood from his body surging into his cock until it was standing at attention and waiting for action.
“Good morning, baby,” he murmured, brushing a kiss over whatever part of her he could reach before relaxing back into the pillow again, trying to keep from rolling over and sliding deep in her pussy for some early morning loving.
“Morning, Dawson,” she replied softly before rolling away again, causing him to growl from the unintentional snub. “Morning, Cole.”
“Good morning, little one. Feeling better this morning?”
“Yes and no,” she said. “I feel better, but I’m feeling guilty. I also need some TLC from my mates.”
“Mmmm, we could help you out, but we only have a few minutes,” Cole said. “How about a quickie now and after breakfast, we’ll go to our house and spend the rest of the day having hot doggie sex.”
Summer moaned and shivered in anticipation. “Oooh, I’d like that.”
Dawson reached into the nightstand where he’d put the lube and the brand new butt plug he’d bought while she and Cole had been looking at sexy lingerie. By the time he turned back, Cole had Summer on her back, with her legs pushed to her chest and was slowly sliding his cock in and out. In this position, their mate couldn’t fight what he was about to do to her.
After slicking up the plug and the fingers of one hand, Dawson moved to kneel between his brother’s legs. His cock was so hard that he began to stroke himself slowly as he gently but persistently pushed one finger through Summer’s puckered back hole.
“What the hell did you do?” Cole growled.
“Why?”
“She just clamped down on my cock like a fist.”
“He’s got his finger in my ass again,” Summer said in a voice that sounded both strained and approving.
“I’m going to stretch you a bit and then slide a plug in to help open up this pretty little hole. After lunch, if you’re a very good girl, I’m going to fuck this beautiful sexy ass.”
Dawson slid his finger in and out, twisting it as he w
ent. The feel of her muscles clenched around the digit sending pulses of heated excitement straight to his balls.
Cole groaned in response. “I think she likes that idea, brother. She’s clamping down on my cock again like she’s about ready to come.”
“Dawson,” Summer panted.
“Yes, baby?”
“Get the plug in my ass and get your cock up here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dawson said.
He twisted his finger as he slid in and out once more. Then he eased out before sliding the plug in, gently but firmly past the clenching rings of muscle.
“Oh, shit, yes,” Summer moaned as he continued pushing until the flat base pressed against the skin around her asshole.
Dawson wiped his fingers on the towel he’d left on the nightstand for that purpose and then crawled up the bed until he knelt beside his woman’s head. “How do you want it, baby?”
Summer looked at him with a wildness in her eyes he’d never seen before. That expression sent ripples of need pulsing through him until he wasn’t sure he would be able to hold back his orgasm long enough to do her any justice.
Cole shifted back to kneel on the bed and pulled her legs around his middle, allowing her to turn her upper body and take Dawson’s cock into her mouth. He hissed as the feel of the hot, wet silk of her mouth engulfed his cock. “I’m too close,” he said glancing at his brother.
Cole nodded. “Me, too. Summer, come with us, little one.”
Dawson began to thrust into Summer’s sucking mouth as Cole fucked harder into her cunt. When each man took hold of a nipple and twisted it, Summer screamed and bucked between them as she came.
A heartbeat later Dawson’s orgasm slammed through him. He could feel his scalding hot seed leave his balls, barrel through the length of his cock, and explode out the tip to Summers waiting tongue. As he filled her mouth, he heard Cole growl with his own orgasm.
Forcing his eyes open, Dawson looked first at his brother and then down to their woman and knew this was one of the moments frozen in time that he would be able to recall for many years to come that would cause him to immediately get hard.
Summer Loving Page 5