by Jane Jamison
“Damn it. You still don’t get it, do you?” Billy’s glittering gaze lightened with amber dots. “We’re not saying all this so you’ll fuck us. We’re saying all this because we mean it.”
Scott took her arm. The sweet gesture was as erotic as his tongue against her clit. “We love you, Betsy. We know it’s fast and all, but we’ve watched and waited for the right time to tell you. We can’t stand to wait another day.”
Love? She started to deny it, to tell him to not take the seduction too far.
“You’ve got to understand two things that are going to be hard for you to believe.” Foster took her chin and turned her to face him. “We care for you more than we care for ourselves. You’re safe with us. From this point on, you have nothing to worry about. We’ll never let anyone hurt you. If you fall physically, emotionally, financially, we’ll always be there to catch you before you get hurt.”
She didn’t want to ruin the moment by crying. To keep from doing so, she bit the inside of her cheek. “And the second thing?”
“You are a beautiful woman. We like your curves, your roundness. We like your breasts exactly the way they are. You are the perfect woman for us.”
Scott chuckled. “I couldn’t have said either of those things any better. Hell, I didn’t know he had it in him.”
Foster shot him a look. “We don’t understand why you don’t think so. Tell us who made you think you’re not sexy as hell.”
“I’ve never had anyone say those things to me. My father…” She’d never told anyone about her father or Robert. Not even her closest friends. She’d been too embarrassed and too afraid they’d agree with the men. Or, worse, that they’d think less of her for putting up with the abuse for so many years.
“Shit. What’d he do to you? Did he touch you? Did he hurt you?” Billy’s anger flashed across his face. “Tell me and I’ll rip his head off.”
“No. He never touched me. At times, I wished he had.” She recognized the horror they felt. “No, not that way. But sometimes I thought if he hit me it wouldn’t hurt as bad as the names he called me. Sometimes words hurt more than fists.” She laughed without any mirth. “The old sticks and stones saying is a bunch of bullshit.”
“Go on,” urged Scott. “I can see there’s more. Get it all out.”
“I’ve never dated much. Fat girls don’t. But the one man I thought I could trust ended up being just like my father.” She pulled her body straighter, willing the emotional wall that would keep her safe back into place. “After he started getting physically abusive, I finally wised up and dumped him. Then I came to Fate.”
“He hit you?” Foster’s face contorted, anger filling him. “What’s his name? I’ll fucking kill him.”
“No. It’s in the past. Let it be.” She wished she’d kept quiet now.
“Is that who called you the other day? The call that upset you so much?”
She couldn’t lie to Foster or to the other men. “It was my father. He wants me to give him money.”
“Are you going to?” Billy’s voice was low, like a warning.
“No. But I don’t know how he found me. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going.”
“Did you use credit cards to make the move? Or to open the store? Did you get a business loan?”
“Yes.”
“Then he tracked you down by checking the records. I’m not sure how, but that’s probably how he found you.” Foster gave his friends a hard look. “Don’t worry. He’s not going to hurt you. We promise.”
For the first time in a long time, she enjoyed a real breath of relief. Ever since her father had called, she’d jumped whenever anyone came into the store, thinking it might be him. “Thank you. That makes me feel so much better.”
“From now on, you tell us everything.” Foster gazed into her eyes, his determination hardening his face. “Got it?”
“Got it.” She felt so much freer, lighter.
“Good. Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s get something else settled. We want you to move in with us.”
She leaned back, suddenly both excited and leery. “Move in?”
“Now hold up. Moving in doesn’t mean we expect to tell you what to do or how to live your life. I know it’ll be tough for these two to put their macho ways in check, but they’ll do it. If they don’t, they’ll have me to answer to.”
“Foster’s right, honey. I get that you’re an independent woman.” Billy leaned closer still. “Just remember, though, we’re the type of men who need to feel needed. Like Foster said, it’s our job to keep you safe and happy. The only difference now is that I know you won’t be happy being just a wife and a mother.”
“Just? There is no such thing as being just a wife and mother. Those are two full-time jobs.”
“Shit. You know what I meant. You want to be everything, mom and entrepreneur. I get it. And I want you to do it all, too. Whatever you want.”
“What do you say, baby? Can you give us the chance to make you happy?”
Her chest hurt, yet it was a good kind of hurt. The kind where she could feel her heart beating rapidly, not out of fear but out of excitement. “So you want me to believe I’m beautiful?”
“You are beautiful.” Scott placed a sweet kiss on her shoulder.
“And you want me to live with you? For the rest of our lives?” She had to speak the words. Had to confirm the hope. Maybe then she’d believe them.
“You’ve got it. So? What’s the verdict?” Foster lifted his eyebrows and tilted his head. Strangely, Billy and Scott tilted their heads, too, silently asking the same question.
“I say you’d better make love to me right now.”
“To make you ours?” The yearning in Scott’s voice was filled with expectation.
“Yes. To make me yours.”
Did their eyes fill with more amber? She didn’t have time to ask.
Foster took her mouth, his kiss urgent, possessive. His tongue swiped over her lips then plunged into her mouth. She could barely breathe, but she wouldn’t have ended it to save her life.
As Foster’s kiss took her thoughts, Billy pushed her back, never once breaking Foster’s kiss. With her eyes closed, she could still tell which man was which. Had she noticed the differences between their touches before? Subconsciously, she must have. Billy’s touch, either with his hands or with his mouth, was harder, more insistent than the touches of the other men. Scott’s were tender yet, in no way, weak. Foster’s touches, like his kiss, were solid yet not as forceful as Billy’s, as though he had more self-confidence than his friend.
They took her to her back with Billy finding his way between her legs. He took hold of her legs and tugged her pussy to his face. Sucking, nibbling, lashing his tongue over her skin, in between her creases, then driving his tongue into her pussy, he devoured her. Her clit throbbed, harder and harder until she was sure she’d erupt and spill every bit of her cream into his mouth.
Her body fired up, passion riding a fast track through her body. She trembled, not from the coolness of the cave but from her body’s awareness of what was coming.
Foster’s kiss eased as he shifted and let her lie fully on her back. “Take it in.”
She welcomed his cock, flicking her tongue over the tip to catch his pre-cum before opening her mouth and sucking his length inside. Moaning, she sucked hard, mimicking Billy’s mouth on her pussy. He tasted like more than a man, more than simply musky. He filled her mouth, going back until she almost choked, but she wouldn’t turn him free. Instead, she wanted him to let his seed go so she could drink it down.
“On your side.” Scott cupped her breast as he gently moved her onto her side. His chest, so hard, so rock-like, pressed against her back. “I’ve got to have you. Now.” Fingers played over her tight hole, pushing into her dark hole. He moved them back and forth, side to side, around and around, making her puckered lips give in to his intrusion.
She was flying, lost in the dream-turned-reality. The shadows of the candles’ f
lames played along the walls like tiny dancers reveling in their lovemaking. Cool air surrounded her but was no match for the heat of their bodies. Steam rose around them, proving it was true.
When Billy lifted up, his mouth shone with her juices. “Let me show you how a man takes his woman. How we take our woman. Our mate.”
She wondered at the strange word, but her wonder was quickly lost when he put his cock to her opening and shoved it inside her pussy. Crying out was all she could do as Scott surprised her from behind. The sound worked its way over Foster’s cock, and she reached out, taking his balls. He moaned and thrust himself harder, going to the back of her throat.
Echoes of their lovemaking reverberated off the walls. No longer were they four separate people. Now they were connected, not only physically but also with an intimate bond that flowed its way between them.
They love me.
I am beautiful, and I am loved.
And, almost in as much surprise, came the thought…I love them.
The revelation was so simple. Why had it taken her so long to understand?
Their bodies moved as one. They moaned and whispered loving words to each other. Words that promised everything. Words that would keep the rest of the world at bay.
Foster was the first to let go. He stilled, and she felt his balls draw up. Then, with a roar blasting around the cave, he turned his seed free. She swallowed, but no one could’ve taken him all in.
Billy thundered his climax next, shoving into her one last time. His body stiffened as he laid back his head and groaned. The sound was almost animal-like, thrilling her with the rawness of it.
“Damn it,” muttered Scott as he pulled his cock out of her anus and fell away from her. He lay next to her, letting his cum flow out of him like a human volcano erupting its creamy lava.
She was spent yet full of energy. The smile on her face wouldn’t fade away. Again, she repeated what she’d finally accepted in her heart.
I am beautiful, and I am loved.
* * * *
Foster would never have said so, but he was as close to heaven as any man could ever get. He’d made love to the woman he loved, to the woman who was their mate. Now she had her head in his lap, her hand on Billy’s head lying on her stomach, and her legs stretched over Scott. They’d talked about taking their woman to their secret cave one day, and it had finally happened.
“This has been a perfect day.”
The fact that she thought so made his heart swell. “It’s not over yet, darlin’.” If he could suspend time and keep them there indefinitely, he would.
She gave him one of her soft smiles, wrapping his heart around her finger. “No, it’s not, is it? Although I wouldn’t mind staying right where I am until the sun comes up tomorrow morning.”
Longer. Forever.
“And then what would you do?” asked Billy.
She played with Billy’s hair, twining it around her fingers. Jealousy hit Foster, although he had no reason to get jealous. Billy and Scott being with them made the experience better. Still, a man, especially one with an inner wolf, tended to get possessive.
“I don’t know. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Yeah.” Foster shrugged. He should’ve known his friends would want the same thing. He just hadn’t known they’d answer at the same time.
“What makes me think you three have the same idea?” She moved her head, her hair brushing against his skin.
Like so many places on her body, her hair was soft, inviting. It was a deeply sensual move, and his cock twitched, answering. “I guess great minds think alike.”
“Do you still think a woman belongs in a kitchen, Billy?” she asked.
“I guess great minds don’t always think alike.” Although his wolf liked the idea of their mate being submissive to them, the man he was understood her need to control her own life. His friend would learn to respect her decisions. Sure, Billy would make mistakes, but he’d do his best to make sure his friend changed his thinking.
“Damn it, Billy, be careful. She could kick me in the balls right now,” warned Scott.
“Fuck that. She could turn her head and bite my cock off,” joked Foster. “Although I wouldn’t mind her giving my cock a lick or two.” Or three. Or a dozen more.
“I bet you wouldn’t.” She jumped an eyebrow up and down, telling him she’d felt his cock growing hard again.
“Don’t worry, guys. I’ve got this.” Billy cleared his throat and answered, “It depends on the woman.”
Ah shit. Don’t ruin the mood.
She lifted her eyebrows at him. “Oh, really? How’s that work?”
“The way I see it, some women want to stay in the home, get knocked up, and spend their time baking.”
Her eyebrows darted south. So did Foster’s hope of taking her again anytime soon.
“While some want to do other things like run their own businesses.” Billy rolled onto his side. “The way I see it is like this. Why can’t a woman do both? Why can’t she raise kids and cook—only when she wants, of course—and have her own successful business? Especially if she has three men who can help her do it.”
Billy had thrown them all a curve. One Foster didn’t mind getting.
“Wow. Listen to you. You’ve come a long way, baby.” She smiled, mimicking Billy’s term of endearment.
“Damn straight I have. How about giving me a reward?”
Just like Billy. Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.
She laughed and shoved Billy’s head. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
He hated to mention it, but time was running out. “There’s something we need to talk about.”
Scott, Billy, and Betsy, however, continued to laugh and talk as though they hadn’t heard him. Had he purposefully spoken too softly? Judging from the quick looks his friends gave him, they’d heard him but had decided to ignore him. Who could blame them when the idea of revealing what they were to her was scarier than anything they’d ever faced?
But they’d have to tell her what they were soon. Perhaps they should’ve told her before taking her again. Yet he hated to think of changing the comfortable mood into one that might send her running.
No werewolf ever knew how his mate would react once she learned what he was. Sometimes the woman was so frightened that she’d run, even to the point of endangering herself. Sometimes she was too terrified to move. A few, however, were entranced and readily accepted the existence of their kind.
Foster let his mind wander, thinking ahead and envisioning her walking around their home, telling them where to move furniture and adding the woman’s touch their place badly needed. He’d complain about the extra pillows and bright colors, but he wouldn’t really mind. She could change everything, and he wouldn’t care. As long as she was with them, then life would be exactly the way he’d always hoped it would be.
The low roar of the waterfall gave a background to the others’ voices. He let the noises waft over him, lulling him close to sleep. The voices, the water joined together to form one cohesive litany.
A sound jarred him out of his daydream. He glanced at Scott and Billy, but his friends and his mate hadn’t seemed to notice. Had he imagined it? He shifted, bringing out his sensitive hearing and listened.
The growl came again. He sat up, alerting the others.
“What—”
He held his fingers to his lip, silencing Billy, then pointed at his ear. His friends took his hint and cocked their heads to the side to listen.
“Did you hear it?” he finally asked.
“I don’t hear anything except the water.” Betsy looked to each of them.
He didn’t explain that she wouldn’t hear it, even if she tried her best. No human could have. “We’re not alone.”
Chapter Eight
Betsy sat up and listened, but she couldn’t hear anything other than the falling water. How could they hear something when she couldn’t? “I don’t understand. What is it?”
�
�Take her with you.” Billy jumped up and headed toward the cave’s entrance. “I’ll get to the pickup and grab the gun.”
Scott pulled her to her feet then motioned for Foster to take her with him. “I’ll be right behind you after I blow out the candles.”
Foster grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him. When they had to crawl, he got down on his knees. “Keep close and head toward the light. Once we’re outside, stay close to me.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“I heard an animal. A big, dangerous animal.”
“Wouldn’t it be safer to stay inside the cave?” Still, she got onto her hands and knees and followed him.
“Maybe, but I’d rather take my chances out in the open and not cornered in a cave.”
Did he think they were going to be attacked? “What kind of animal?” she whispered.
“The bad kind.”
As in the man-eating kind?
Soon they’d made it to the entrance and the rock shelf behind the flowing water. He slid into the water without a ripple then helped her ease into the chilly pond.
“Stay close.”
She nodded, a knot in her throat. When he jumped through the waterfall, she hesitated a moment before holding her breath and diving under it. When she came out, he was waiting.
“Stay close,” he said again.
She did her best to keep up, but every so often, he had to stop and wait for her to catch up. With the bank sloping gently upward, she hoped she’d see Billy but couldn’t. By the time they’d made it to the shore, she was breathing heavily, her chest tightening with fear.
“Get dressed as fast as you can.”
She hurried, pulling on her jeans and then her shirt. Foster was dressed by the time she stood up from putting on her shoes. He was crouched over and moving carefully toward the nearest trees.
“Foster?”
“Stay there.”
She glanced around. Scott was halfway back to the shore. Billy was farther away, striding toward them with a rifle in his hand.