by Jane Jamison
“You’ve got a great ass, baby.”
A thrust of Ford’s fingers, barely touching her sensitive patch inside, gave her no chance to answer. Her core was aflame with passion, her heart alight with the realization that she was making love to her mates.
John’s hard cock slid over her butt cheek. It warmed her skin, his balls playing over her leg.
“No need for lube. You know that, right?”
Weretigers could take more pain than humans and didn’t need lubrication. Although she’d never been taken from behind, she wasn’t afraid. It would hurt a little, but it would feel amazing, too. It had to when it was coming from one of the men she loved.
She did love them. Did they feel the same way?
Although the connection brought shifter mates together, love wasn’t always a guarantee. Their bond was akin to love, but the all-encompassing kind of love she’d yearned for was so much more. As her mates, they’d be loyal and protective. With any luck, they’d love her soon, too, if they didn’t already. And if not, with the connection keeping them together, they’d love her later.
John positioned his cock at her dark hole. He wrapped his arm around her and cupped her breast. “Ready, darlin’?”
“I’ve been ready for you for so many years.”
Ford lifted away from her. Her juices glistened on his lips. With a low purr, he moved onto his hands and knees. “Do like it rough?”
“Sometimes.” She trusted them, but even the kindest of weretigers sometimes forgot how strong they were. “Just not too much.”
Suddenly, Ford took hold of her legs and pulled them upward until her knees rested on his shoulders, her butt lifted off the bed, taking her away from John before he could plunge his cock into her anus.
“Damn it, man. Knock it off.”
An answering snarl flowed from Ford as he put his cock at her pussy. Snarling again, he dug his fingers into her flesh and drove his cock into her.
It was quick and hard and everything she’d ever wanted. The pain hit her but it was soon gone, replaced by an overwhelming craving. Her inner tigress roared, telling her it wanted its mate.
Ford slammed into her. The thrusts were almost brutal, animallike, just as their beast counterparts would’ve wanted.
She lost her breath then gasped to find it. Reaching for John, she brought his mouth to her nipple again. “Suck hard.”
He wouldn’t have obeyed her if he hadn’t wanted to. His hands grabbed her breast and he sucked in her nipple, using his teeth to pull hard, stretching her skin. It hurt but the pain felt damn good.
Eden was in heaven. She’d found her mates and had fallen in love. The only thing left was to let them claim her. After they did, she’d follow them to the ends of the earth. Wherever they wanted to live, however they wanted to live, she’d happily do the same.
Ford rammed into her harder and harder. His huge cock filled her, stretching her farther than she would’ve thought possible. Her body rocked back and forth over the bedspread. She held on, first to the men, then the bed, and then back to hanging on to the men. Her gaze jumped from watching John lavish her breasts to Ford’s face, his eyes almost filled with amber, the muscle in his jaw clenched and his muscles flexing.
She couldn’t hold the wild spinning inside her any longer. Her tiger clawed at her, eager to take control, to turn their lovemaking into real animal sex. She could either set her orgasm or her tigress free. Crying out, she closed her eyes and chose to let her orgasm go.
Ford’s cock left her all too soon. When she opened her eyes again, John had taken his place.
“My turn, darlin’.” He let her ass stay on the bed. Instead, he pushed her legs open wider, took one sexy look at her then slammed his cock inside her. She cried out again at the ferocity of his move.
Over and over, their bodies pounded into each other. Each time they came together was harder than the last. She wasn’t sure if she could take much more, but she was determined to give her men everything she was.
Ford groaned, the sound soon morphing into a low growl. Pumping his cock, he stayed ready for more.
“I want to see your tigers.” They’d be magnificent, animals of incredible power and command.
“We’ll all shift soon.”
“We can run tonight.” Ford’s attention stayed with her breasts. “Like we did before.”
Like we did before?
She started to question him, but John’s last thrust was too strong to allow anything to penetrate her mind. Another explosive release built its way higher, dominating every sense she had. Instead, she concentrated on her own soft “uhs,” poignant utters of her delight, as John rammed into her.
In a quick, faster-than-the-eye move, John pulled out of her, took her by the waist, and turned her over. “Back side now.”
Alarm pricked at her as John lifted her onto her knees only to push her forward. Her face pressed against the bed while her ass was in the air.
“My animal is raising hell, darlin’. Let’s give it what it wants.”
Pain stung her as John plunged his cock inside her ass. His cock stretched her protesting walls, but the feel of him taking her as their animals’ liked was the greatest source of joy. She moaned and pushed her rump back at him. Slaps on her butt cheeks came after each thrust. He worked her flesh, stinging it. If she could’ve seen her bottom, she knew it would be a pretty pink.
Ford kept pumping his cock, keeping it primed and ready. Every so often, he’d add his own handprint to her butt flesh.
John snagged her head and pulled her head back. “Are you ready to come again? Say you are.”
“Yes. Hell, yes.” She let out a throaty scream, one that sounded like her cat’s snarl, as the orgasm swept over her.
John spanked her bottom again before digging his fingers into her hips. “Damn!” He growled then leaned forward as his body shuddered out his release.
“Mine now. Before her climax ends.” Ford quickly moved in front of her. Taking her by the arms, he jerked her away from his friend and brought her down on top of him.
Her orgasm was at its peak as he sank his cock deep inside her pussy. Latching onto her tit, he drove his hips up, hard, bouncing her. They clung to each other, arms wrapped around to cocoon them. Her breaths echoed his harder ones. Her sweat joined with his.
Putting his forehead between her breasts, Ford turned his hot seed free. She felt the warmth of it shoot inside her then flow down the inside of her legs. They stayed still for several minutes until, at last, their exhaustion weighed them down, sending them crumpling onto the bed.
John rested his back against the bedposts at the end of the bed. His eyes had lost their amber, but the hungry look told her it wouldn’t take long for the color to come back.
“Darlin’, you are fucking fantastic.”
The question she’d asked herself earlier came rushing back. She already loved them, but did they love her yet? She almost asked, but couldn’t get the words out. What if asking frightened them away? Saying as much to a human male might, but would the connection be strong enough to hold them?
Worse. What if the answer broke her heart?
She forced the questions away. Later.
Instead, she gave John a satisfied smile. “You two aren’t so bad yourself. Now change for me. I want to see you as white tigers.”
“Don’t you want to wait until tonight when we run?” Ford danced his fingers along the curve of her hip.
“Uh-uh. I want to see you now.”
“Fair’s fair, darlin’. You show us your tiger and we’ll show you ours.”
“Deal. You first.”
They rolled off the bed and, of course, landed on their feet. She could sense the change in them even before their bodies started transforming. Bones broke and fur replaced skin. Eyes changed to full amber while tails swished back and forth. It only took a minute or two before two amazing white tigers stood on either side of the bed.
Ford crouched and jumped on top of the other twin b
ed. He snarled and she understood him perfectly. “Okay, okay. I’ll change, too. But first, I have to touch you.”
She slid off the bed and pulled off her waitress outfit. Her hand flowed over John’s soft white fur as she traced one of the many black stripes decorating his body. His purr warmed her leg. “You’re so amazing. I’m so glad I found you.”
John rubbed his head against her hand, urging her to stroke him. She laughed and petted him. “I can’t wait until we can run together.”
Ford’s low growl was his complaint, wanting more of her attention. He lowered his body to the bed and snarled.
She took his broad head in her hands and brought his muzzle close to her face. “Stop fussing. You’re amazing, too. I’m just surprised you haven’t broken the bed down.”
He nuzzled his head against her cheek. Another purr warmed her shoulder.
“Now it’s my turn.” She closed her eyes and let her inner tiger take over. Growing up as a weretiger, she was used to the pain that always came with a shift, but it was gone soon enough. She dropped to the floor.
As expected, her white tiger was smaller in size. Her form was sleeker. She was strong, but not as strong as they were. For several minutes, they rubbed against each other, enjoying the simple act of being together in their animal forms. Purrs filled the room as they reveled in each other’s scent. She positioned her body between them and tilted her head to lean against Ford’s strong flank.
Her amber-filled gaze drifted to the alarm clock on the nightstand. Growling, she shifted back. Seeing her change, the men transformed, too.
“I’ve got to get back to work.” She moved away, knowing they’d keep her there if she let them. Knowing she’d love to stay.
“What? Hell, no. You can’t show us your fur then run out on us,” complained John.
“Damn, man. I think that’s supposed to be the woman’s line.” Although he’d attempted to joke about her leaving, Ford’s frown said he wasn’t happy about her running off, either.
“I know and I’m sorry.” She pulled on her uniform then dragged her fingers through her tousled hair. “I’ll see you tonight, right?”
“Damn straight you will. And don’t be late.”
“I won’t be.” She risked planting a quick kiss on both their cheeks, narrowly slipping away from their attempts to keep her with them. Laughing, she ran to the door and took one look back before hurrying toward the stairs.
Tonight would be even better than today. Tonight, they’d go on their first date and then shift again and run under the stars.
“Like we did before.”
What had Ford meant? She almost turned back, but decided not to tempt them or herself.
I’ll ask them later.
Chapter Five
John paced back and forth outside Roar. “Tell me why we couldn’t meet her inside.”
“Beats the hell out of me. Maybe she’s afraid of running into an old boyfriend or something.”
Ford lounged against their pickup, looking like he was relaxed, but John knew better. They hadn’t stopped talking about Eden since she’d left Lena’s. Even while they’d talked to Howard Zeka, one of the ranchers who needed help building a new barn, they hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Every time they glanced at each other, they’d share a small smile. They’d smiled so much that Howard had finally asked them if they’d eaten the canary raw or cooked.
“Bullshit. She’s not the type who keeps secrets.”
“Maybe not the Eden we met today, but the other one?”
Ford was right. It was almost as though they’d met two different women. One was more outgoing, but the second one was more alluring. One they’d felt only a carnal attraction to, the other they’d felt everything for. “So the connection was definitely there today, right? I was about to give up and head back to Phoenix.”
How could they feel drawn to Eden one day and then not the next? As far as he’d ever heard, the connection wasn’t fickle.
“I don’t get it, either.” Ford checked his phone.
“Has she called?” They’d given her their number yesterday even when they’d felt so distant from her.
“Nope, but don’t worry. She’ll be here.”
He wished Ford sounded more confident. “What if she shows up, but we don’t feel anything again? What next?”
“As far as I’m concerned, she’s our mate. Hell, we should have claimed her today.”
If they could’ve claimed her earlier, John would have. If they had, he wouldn’t feel so nervous about seeing her again. “Do you think asking Lena about it would help?”
Ford laughed. “Lena? Are you serious? If we said anything to her, the whole town would know our business in under an hour.” He shook his head and checked his phone again. “No way. We keep our mouths shut. I don’t want Eden finding out we’re not always connected to her.”
John nodded at the phone in his friend’s hand. “If you’re so sure she’s going to show, stop checking your phone. She’s not late. Hell, we’re early.”
Ford pushed the phone into his back pocket. “Yeah, I know. Just anxious to see her again, I guess.”
“You and me both.”
“Hi, guys.”
He and Ford turned toward Eden. The tight jeans she wore had some kind of sparkle thing going on and her shiny silk shirt accentuated every curve of her luscious breasts. “Hey, yourself. You’re early.”
He went toward her, expecting the sizzling tug of the connection to grip him. The closer he got, however, the more disappointed he became.
Nada.
Nothing.
The connection they’d shared earlier was nonexistent.
What the hell is going on?
“You’re earlier than me.” Her green eyes out sparkled her jeans. “I guess we’re all anxious to get together again.”
Did she mean together as in sex? He hoped so, but decided not to push it. “After what went down at Lena’s, can you blame us?”
A flicker of a frown swept over her face, almost as though she’d already forgotten. Then, in the next second, it was gone as she gave him a big smile. “Uh-huh. It was pretty terrific.”
Ford swept his arm around her and pulled her toward the truck. “Let’s get moving. Unless you’ve changed your mind about the drink?”
She glanced at Roar and shook her head. “Nope. I’d rather go to Crosston.”
“Then that’s where we’ll go.” John put a big smile on his face, matching hers. And yet, when his gaze met Ford’s, he knew his friend was asking the same question.
What happened to the connection?
Ford helped her into the passenger side of the pickup. He gave a slight shake of his head then continued around to the driver’s side.
John felt like someone had reached inside him and yanked out his gut.
No. His heart.
Something had to be wrong. The connection didn’t come and go, turning off and on. He stopped in his tracks.
“What are you waiting for, John?” Eden motioned for him to hop into the truck.
“I need a drink.” He didn’t have a plan, but he knew he wasn’t going anywhere with her until he figured out why the connection was gone. “Let’s go inside and grab a beer.”
Eden frowned, looked at the bar, and then shook her head. “I thought we were going to Crosston. I don’t want to hang around Twisted.”
John gazed past her at his friend sitting behind the wheel. Hopefully, he’d get the hint. “Didn’t you say you were thirsty, Ford?”
“We can get a drink in Crosston. Right?” Eden turned to look at Ford, no doubt expecting him to take her side.
Thankfully, Ford caught on fast. “Naw, I’m with John. I could really go for a beer.” He opened the door and got out on his side. “Come on, baby, we’ll get one drink and then we’ll go.”
Eden pouted, showing a side of her he hadn’t seen. A side he didn’t like very much.
This is not the woman we love.
And y
et, the idea didn’t make any sense. She was Eden, the woman they’d met and run with. The woman who’d taken his world and made it hers on top of a twin bed. The woman he and Ford were destined to love.
“We’re getting a drink.” He held out his hand, determined to make her do as they wanted. Just to be sure she wouldn’t argue, he let his white tiger climb toward the surface. The tips of his fangs slid over his bottom lip and the world took on an amber hue.
She wanted to refuse, but she knew better. “Okay. If you’re really that thirsty. Still—”
Another hard look silenced her. He took her hand and waited until her heels hit the pavement. Not giving her a chance to say anything, he took her hands and pulled her toward the front door.
Ford passed them and swung it open. “Ladies first.”
John put his hand on Eden’s lower back to escort her inside and felt her push back. Was she still resisting?
His cat’s eyes adjusted quickly to the dim lighting. Being a weeknight, the bar was only half-filled. A big burly guy manned the bar while a waitress stood talking to a couple of men seated at the far side of the place. An older style juke box played a country tune.
Eden pivoted toward a table away from the bar, but John kept hold of her hand and steered her to one of the worn leather stools at the counter. After helping her slide onto the stool, he motioned for Ford to take the one on her right while he chose the left one.
“What can I do you for?” The bartender nodded a greeting to Eden before leveling his gaze on Ford. “Are you two passing through?”
“We’re here to stay for a while,” answered Ford. “Three beers will do just fine.”
“Name’s Purdy. Tap or bottle?”
“Bottle of whatever you’ve got.” It was obvious Purdy and Eden knew each other. The bartender kept shooting her strange looks while Eden tried to avoid making eye contact. Was he the reason she hadn’t wanted to come inside?
“So what brought you to Twisted?”
John noticed that Purdy didn’t sniff to see what they were. He’d probably learned early on that some shifters, especially the larger cats like panthers and tigers, considered it rude to sniff.