by Jane Jamison
An awkward silence fell between them. She was certain she’d made a mistake in coming to the ranch. “Anyway…” What more could she say that wouldn’t make things worse?
“Anyway,” copied Martin, “like Rogan said, we were going to come to your hotel and ask you a question of our own.”
“What do you want to know?” She hoped Travis would realize she’d taken his words and made them her own.
“We want to know if you’ll—” started Martin.
Rogan finished Martin’s sentence at the same time. Not, however, with the same words.
“—spend some time with us,” ended Martin.
“—fuck us,” asked Rogan.
Had she heard Rogan right? “What did you say?”
Rogan tugged her against him again. “We want to know if you’ll fuck us.”
Martin groaned. “Damn it, man. How about a little tact?”
“I agree with Martin.” Travis shook his head at Rogan. “Sometimes you act like the animal you are.”
She stared up, searching Rogan’s eyes. Was it her imagination or did his eyes have amber flecks in them? “What does he mean?”
“Never mind Rogan.” Travis shoved Rogan’s shoulder, forcing his friend to turn her loose. “How about we take you whale watching?”
Confused, she looked from one man to the next. Rogan definitely wanted her. She could see the front of his crotch growing larger. Strangely, his hair seemed to be longer, a dark shadow forming along his jaw. Martin’s hopeful expression said he’d like getting her into bed, too.
But what about Travis? Had he offered to take her whale watching as an excuse not to take her to bed? What was wrong with him? What man turned down a romp in bed? Hell, what was wrong with her? Why did she want them so much?
“What do you say, babe? We know there’s a tour leaving around noon? Do you want to go?”
If she pushed, she could get Rogan to haul her into bed and ravish her there and then. Yet something held her back. Martin and Rogan were ready, and the two of them should’ve been enough. Regardless of her earlier thought to take just Martin and Rogan to bed, she wanted Travis, too. They were a package deal, three or none.
“Okay. Sounds good. I’ll meet you down by the clock tower around noon.”
“We’ll be there.” Travis stepped in front of Rogan, blocking his friend from grabbing hold of her again. “So if there’s nothing else, you should go.”
She would’ve sworn she heard a growl.
“Okay, I guess. See you then.” Still confused, she hopped on the scooter, gave them all one last smile, then headed the scooter down the road. What was with Travis, anyway?
Halfway down the driveway, she glanced back. A large animal—definitely not a dog—darted around the side of the house.
* * * *
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Martin whirled to confront Travis. “She was ready to take us up on going to bed.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Travis backed up.
“Then why the hell did you cut us off? Why’d you suggest going whale watching when we could’ve carried her ass inside?” Martin could barely restrain himself. He’d have no chance against a wizard like Travis, but after seeing her plump lips, her silky hair, and after imagining her lying on her back, legs spread, he couldn’t think straight.
Travis took another step back then nodded toward Rogan. “That’s why.”
Martin twisted around to find Rogan in mid-shift. The anger washed out of him. “Shit.”
Rogan fell onto all fours and pulled his lips back to reveal his sharp fangs. The wolf growled, shook his head, then bounded away.
“Didn’t you see him? He almost changed right in front of her.”
“No. I didn’t. I wasn’t paying any attention. At least, not to him.” He felt like an idiot. If it hadn’t been for Travis running her off, she would’ve found out what Rogan was. Explaining to her what Rogan was, then what Travis was, so soon could result in her total rejection of them.
“Well, I did.” Travis started for the house. “But I messed up, too. I never should’ve offered to take her whale watching.”
It didn’t take a genius to understand why. “Damn. That’s right. If he’ll shift here, he’ll shift anywhere, including on a boat. And if he shifts there, other people will see him, too.”
“Yeah, well, we only have the one option.” Travis shoved open the front door, leading the way inside. “We have to cancel the whale watching excursion.”
“No.” His voice was gravelly, the word almost unintelligible as Rogan stumbled into the room from the kitchen. He was still part wolf with fur trailing along his arms and face.
“That was a short shift.”
Yet Martin knew why. Rogan would fight the change even after he’d already transformed. The pain in his friend’s eyes cut through him. If he could’ve switched places, he would have. When he was in control, Rogan liked being a werewolf. But when the wolf took over, the shift was more painful than usual.
“Why the fuck is this happening to me?” Rogan stretched his body, working through the last shudders of the shift. “I’m not sure how much longer I can fight it.”
Travis clapped Rogan on the shoulder, doing his best to comfort him “You’re going to get through this. We’ll get through this.”
Rogan attempted a wan smile, but it died all too suddenly.
“We don’t know why. I’ve asked everyone I can think to ask.” Travis dragged in a breath. “No one’s ever heard of this kind of thing happening. Not from a wizard’s curse or a disease. But don’t give up, buddy. Like Travis said, we’re going to get you through it.”
Rogan nodded, yet his expression left little doubt. He was frightened and angry.
Travis cleared his throat. “We should’ve gotten her number, but don’t worry. I’ll call the hotel, and they’ll pass along the message that we’re canceling.”
“No, damn it.” Rogan, back to fully human, scowled. “I want to go.”
“You can’t,” insisted Martin. “You’d just be asking for trouble.”
“We promised her. I’m not about to let her down.”
“Rogan, man, I don’t like breaking promises, either, but we have to. Unless you want Travis and me to take her without you coming along.”
“Fuck that.” Rogan stalked to the wet bar and poured himself a stiff drink. “I’m going.”
“Come on, man. Be reasonable. What if you shift in front of some kids?”
“Then I’ll handle it.”
“Rogan, you’ve got to face facts,” urged Travis. “You can’t go.”
The glass shattered against the fireplace. “Fuck!” Rogan fisted his hands, fur spreading across his jaw, fighting yet another shift. “I have to go. I have to do normal human things while I can. No matter what the risk, I’m going.” His eyes held spots of amber. “Don’t try and stop me.”
Martin, hurting for his friend more than he could say, looked to Travis. Silently, they agreed. “Okay. You’re going.”
The fury on Rogan’s face died. With a curt nod, he strode into the kitchen then out the back door. Before the door had closed, he’d already landed on four paws.
* * * *
“Are you having fun, Lilli?”
Lilli held on to the railing of the boat and twisted around to smile at Travis. “You bet.”
The waves weren’t very choppy, but for someone who didn’t spend any regular time on a small boat, it was enough to make her feel unsteady. As the men had said, they’d met her at the clock tower then headed down to the marina before boarding Blue Sea Excursions’ boat. Around twenty other people were along with them for the whale watching tour. Many of them were at the front of the boat while she, the men, and four other people had taken the back. A few others, not enjoying the wind whipping in their faces, had decided to stay in the cabin area.
So far they’d gone directly out from West End Marina and had already skirted past the island’s rock outcroppings. They’d spotted a
majestic eagle in a tree before coming across several sea lions basking in the sun atop a large rock. Cutting the engines, the boat’s captain steered them closer to the rocks, giving the excursionists plenty of opportunities to take photos and laugh at the antics of the animals.
“But where are the orcas?”
Travis leaned against her, helping to support her as the boat shifted to the left. “They’re farther out, away from the shoreline.”
“Be patient,” advised Martin. “They’re around. We’ve already had several alerts of sightings from other boats.”
“Good. I can’t wait to see them.”
As if on cue, the boat’s engines roared to life. The captain piloted the boat farther out to sea.
The men crowded around her, even when it wasn’t necessary. She wasn’t about to complain. The closer they came, the closer she wanted them. The wind whipping around them brought the scent of salt water, but it carried their scents, as well. Was it their aftershave that was smelled so masculine?
The boat dipped to the right side, pushing her against Rogan. He wrapped his arm around her waist and met her gaze. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall overboard.”
“I doubt I could fall past the three of you.”
“Are we crowding you?” Yet Travis didn’t step away.
“Nope. I’m good.”
The captain cut the motor again and opened up the speaker. “Okay, folks, here we go. Check out the pod swimming to the left of the boat at eleven o’clock. That’s Millie, Herman, and Gertrude. Gertrude’s the mom.”
Lilli was entranced by the black and white orcas. One would shoot out of the water, showing off its markings, then the other, then the final one. Although she couldn’t tell which one was which, it didn’t matter. All three were beautiful, splendid specimens of Mother Nature perfectly at home in their own world.
“They’re amazing.” Amazing was such a pitiful word for such a sight, but she couldn’t think of any other way to describe them.
“They are. But they’re not the only amazing sight around here.”
She turned to ask Martin what he meant and found the answer in his eyes. Although she’d received her fair share of compliments, his was special somehow. “Oh.”
“When the man’s right, he’s right.” Travis pointed to the other side of the boat. “Check it out. There’s another pod.”
A second later, the captain announced the arrival of the same pod and called out the names of each whale. People hurried to take photos.
This day is perfect.
Although it was a warm day, the wind put a chill in the air. But she didn’t feel it. Not when the men were blocking the wind.
“I wish I’d brought a camera.” She’d done her best with her phone but doubted the photos would be very good.
“Yeah, I guess we should’ve warned you,” added Travis, his brown hair ruffled by a fresh gust. “Or brought ours.”
“It won’t be a total loss, though.” Rogan pointed at one of the boat’s helpers who stood next to the captain in the second story cabin. The girl was taking photos with a very professional-looking telephoto camera. “They send their photos to everyone onboard.”
“That’s great. Still, getting good ones of my own would’ve been nice. Hopefully, I’ll have a few that won’t be blurry from all the rocking.”
“I’m sure you will,” added Martin as he nodded toward the second pod. “Looks like they’re moving away.”
“Aww.” The only thing bad about having the men surround her was trying to see past them. But the problem was solved when Travis moved her to the left then stood out of the way, making a small window for her to see better. “Yeah. There they go.”
“We might see more.”
Surprising her, the gravely sound of Rogan’s voice had her turning toward him. His scowl was another surprise. “What’s the matter? Are you all right? You look a little…” She searched him, trying to figure out exactly what was different.
“I’m fine.” His tone was low, almost menacing.
She leaned back, again surprised, but this time at the intensity of his voice. “Okay, okay. I was only asking.”
Martin put his body between them, blocking her view of Rogan. “Don’t let him get to you. He doesn’t like the water much.”
“He doesn’t? Then why’d he come on the boat?” She tried to peek past Martin. When she finally managed to do so, Rogan was gone. “Where’d he go?”
“Downstairs to the head.” Travis added, “The bathroom.”
“Then he is sick.” She felt horrible. If she hadn’t wanted to go whale watching, Rogan would never have been on the boat. “I wish he’d mentioned that he didn’t want to come along.”
“But he did,” assured Martin. “More than anything.”
“But why? Why would he get on a boat when he doesn’t like—” She stalled, suddenly understanding. “He wanted to be with me.”
Shit. Should I have blurted it out?
Yet they had to know she was interested after showing up at their ranch then taking them on a whale watching excursion. Why not just get the truth out and into the open?
“Yeah. He did.” Martin took her arm as though to steady her, but she sensed it meant so much more. “We all did.”
“And I wanted you to go with me.” She thrust out her chin, daring them to reject her.
“Good. That makes it unanimous. We all want to be together.”
Rogan leaned past Martin’s shoulder. “Did you miss me?”
Relieved, she gave him a huge smile. “Sure we did. Where’d you go?”
He made a face then glanced at the interior. “Uh, to the little boy’s room is all.”
“So everything’s okay?” asked Travis.
She studied both men, noticed a quick exchange that meant something. But what? “Why wouldn’t he be okay now?” Didn’t people get seasick all the time, vomit, and then feel better?
Travis regrouped quickly. “No reason. Just asking is all.” He pointed behind her to the left of the boat. “Look, another pod. Or the same one as before. I can’t keep them straight like the captain can.”
Another look passed between Travis and Rogan. She glanced at Martin, who turned his attention to the pod.
She wanted to ask, but what exactly would she ask? About Rogan’s bathroom habits? Not on her life. Instead, she leaned against Travis as the captain headed the boat toward one of the smaller islands near Westlandia.
Time seemed to stand still as though in a beautiful dream. More whales were spotted, along with several kinds of birds. As they skirted closer to the shoreline, another rock outcropping had its own bunch of sea lions. With each passing moment, she grew more comfortable with the men, leaning against one and then the other.
When Travis wrapped his arms around her from behind and nibbled on her ear, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. As natural as the whales and the birds.
“We want you to come back to the ranch with us.”
She’d half expected, half hoped they’d invite her. Had, in fact, planned on inviting herself if they didn’t. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” Rogan clutched a hunk of her hair, forcing her to look up at him.
Kiss me.
She knew without a doubt he would’ve kissed her if they hadn’t been on the boat. Knew, down deep, that if all four of them had been together, alone, they would’ve done so much more than kiss her.
And she would’ve let them. Lord, how she would’ve let them.
Martin held back, but she didn’t sense him holding back emotionally. “We were hoping you’d come home with us.” A soft smile formed on his lips. “It’s not officially my place, but I’ve always considered it home. Especially now that you’re here.”
“Besides, he’s at the ranch more than he’s at his own house,” added Travis. “Yeah. It’s home for all of us.”
As though their home was hers.
She squinted, both at the gust of wind in her eyes and in an attempt to believe
what she’d imagined. Logically, she knew she was reading more into the words than she should, but her gut told her she wasn’t. “I was hoping you’d ask.”
Travis turned her around, cupped her face, then pressed his lips to hers. A couple of school-age children giggled, and she smiled into the kiss.
This is what love looks like, kids.
Her thought came out of the blue, catching her off guard. Yet, instead of pulling back, instead of being stunned at the idea, she leaned into the kiss, deepening it with nibbles to his lower lip. His tongue swept through her mouth as she clung to his arms.
“Mine, too.” The guttural sound of Rogan’s voice was almost animal-like, thick with need as he pulled her away from Travis then crushed his mouth to hers. Where Travis’s kiss had been sweet, explorative, Rogan’s was desperate, hard, filled with raw emotion.
“Easy, boys, we’re not alone. We wouldn’t want to break any laws.”
Martin was joking. She’d heard as much in his chuckle. Yet when she came up for air from Rogan’s rough embrace, she reached out and grabbed hold of Martin’s shirt. “This isn’t the time to play sheriff.”
His eyes widened a moment before she kissed him. Hard, with a craving equal to what she’d felt for the others, she possessed his mouth then gave up possession when he commanded it. His hand cupped the back of her neck. His arm wrapped around her, keeping her steady. Yet it wasn’t the rocking of the boat that had her unsure on her feet. His kiss, like those of his friends’, made her mind reel.
Please, I want so much more. More embraces. More kisses. More everything.
As though answering her unspoken plea, Martin groaned and intensified the kiss.
“Shit.”
A growl followed the curse word, drawing her attention away from the kiss.
“Fuck. Martin.”
She felt Travis’s shove against Martin’s arm. What was wrong?
Martin turned her free, helping her keep steady long enough for her to sit on one of the seats molded into the side of the boat.
“What’s going on?” Confused, she glanced around. “Where’d Rogan go?”