I grab scissors from my desk and cut the long drapes free from both sides, promising that I’ll replace them for Lindon after I choose a mate and inherit my pack money. I tie them together and tie one side around the column. I was always good at rope climbing in gym.
I step out on the ledge of my window. This is the start of my big adventure. I wrap my hands tightly around the drapes and start down the building, keeping my eyes focused ahead of me rather than down, and scale quickly down the wall and over the ledge. When my feet finally hit the ground, I exhale in relief and transform.
I do it by focusing on that voice inside me. The one that howls when Lindon kisses me and howls when he has to pull away. An incredible feeling surges through me and the next thing I know I’m on all fours, except it feels just like being on two feet. Comfortable. Except that all my senses are heightened. I run forward, toward the tree line, bolting as fast as I can, hoping no one comes to interrupt me.
I want to be alone right now, just a few minutes to myself without even Lindon or Hawes around. And not trapped inside.
And it’s an incredible feeling, the wind blowing by me, the late afternoon sun on my skin, the trees and brush flying by me as I run out onto the grounds toward the thick line of trees up ahead. I slow a little as I reach it, and look into it for a path. When I find one I trot forward, enjoying the feel of bark and leaves and dirt under my paws.
This is the part of me that’s been longing to be free. Maybe I should spend some time each day just getting to know her. Heck, if I spent as much time getting to know her as I did ‘getting to know’ the males in the house, I’d probably have a much easier time picking a mate.
In a way, as I trot through the foliage and into the darker parts of the forest, I feel a lot more like myself. I’ve always been a loner, and being alone like I usually am is a way to recharge.
But Lindon’s kiss…
I stop walking and look up through the trees at the mountains in the distance, and the moon in the blue sky just waiting to rise higher and take over the job of giving light. But right now, just a pale cookie waiting in the background.
Clouds move over the sun, cooling the air around me, and I continue along the path I’m on, finally starting to feel like myself again. Both Bradley and Lindon’s pheromones are finally out of my system.
I hear something, a little snap in the brush, and flip my head up to look around. I can feel my ears move as I listen, and that’s a little weird, but it’s also cool to hear so many things at once. Smell so many things at once. Wind rustling through the trees. Bugs crawling in the grass. Something cooking from the house. What we called breakfast was really more like a late lunch.
When I don’t hear the same suspicious noise, I take another few steps forward. “Hello? Is anyone there?” I call quietly. I don’t want to yell and risk one of the guys coming out and ruining my alone time. But for all I know one of them is out here in the woods, and Lindon probably wouldn’t forgive me for getting in trouble like that. Especially since I left my bracelet behind in my pile of clothing.
Or did I? I look down at my wrist and see that it’s still there, just above my paw, the band stretched easily over my fur. Interesting, well played Lindon. I was too busy trying to transform properly that I didn’t check to see if I’d left it behind.
Oh well, I’m not going to accidentally press the button this time, but at least I have it if I need it and he can’t say I went out unguarded.
Even though I technically did.
I look back toward the house and mentally knock myself on the head for not removing the drapes from the window. Anyone sees those and they’re going to know I’ve gone. I can’t see the mansion anymore so I don’t know how visible they are.
I mentally shrug. It doesn’t really matter.
I take another step and something glitters in the distance. I trot forward and a huge, blue-green pool with steam rising from it comes into view. I lift my head and look around. Did I just hear some wildlife out here and that’s what alerted me? Of course larger life probably visits these hot springs.
I eye the water intently. Looks good. If I transform, I’ll be naked…but maybe I could go in for just a moment.
Then there’s a rustling in the woods. This time behind me. My hair raises on end and I know someone is there. It’s not just a big animal.
Unless you count a male as big animal.
I turn my head slowly, afraid of what, or who, I’m going to see.
Chapter 8
Tim and Tom stand behind me, hidden behind bushes from the waist down. I look up at their tall, dark, handsome silhouettes, overly aware that I’m in wolf form and feel much shorter than them.
Tom is standing slightly in front of his brother, wearing a gray blue tee that’s fitted and comes slightly over the buckle of his dark jeans, which display impressive thighs and long legs. Tim, an inch or two taller, stands behind him in a gray tee and light jeans. He has the same impressive legs, and they both fold their arms and eye me cautiously with those smoky gray eyes.
They are amazing looking men but especially striking together, dark skinned with black curls and striking features. Cleft chins, strong noses, almond eyes. Tim tilts his head and a lock falls over his forehead.
I swallow and take a step back, trying to get a read on their scents.
“Misty?” Tom asks, a small smile on his face that I don’t trust fully. I look down at my watch, wondering if I should run back to the house or not. Technically I don’t see how I’m in any danger yet.
“You okay?” Tim asks.
I can feel my legs start to tremble and I look down at them and growl. I don’t need to turn into a human right now, especially a naked human.
“You aren’t used to being in your wolf form, are you?” Tim asks, coming forward. He places a hand on my head, around my ear, and it feels good and I lean into it. “You know, it’s something that takes practice and strength. You’re going to have to change back soon.”
My eyes widen.
“Look, don’t worry about it,” Tom says. “Not a big deal.”
Yeah, sure. Being naked in front of two super hot, aggressive guys. No big deal at all.
Tom whips his shirt off over his head, giving me a glimpse of perfect, muscled abs and then his whole torso. I flinch away, wondering why they’re getting undressed. Then Tom holds the shirt out toward me, dropping it on the ground when I don’t seem to understand. “You can put that on.”
“Tim, give her your pants.”
I look to Tim, who shrugs and starts taking his pants off. I don’t know who to stare at more. Tom, looking good with low-riding jeans showing off amazing ken doll lines and a beautiful chest tapering to tight abs, or Tim, who is about to expose beautiful, long muscled legs.
I decide to be an equal opportunity perv and stare at Tim. His gaze meets mine for a second, and he smirks slightly and then bites his lip as he slides his pants the rest of the way off and tosses them toward me, standing proud in his boxer briefs.
His thighs are even better than I thought. Tight and long and thick, tapering to perfect knees and then defined, bulging calves. The kind of legs that could probably help him jump to the moon if he wanted to.
Eyeing them, I can’t help but try and put the picture of the two of them together. Facially, they’re nearly as similar as the twins. Tom has slightly sharper features, and a dimple in one cheek that Tim doesn’t seem to have. But other than that and the height difference…
If I just put together Tim’s nearly naked bottom half with Tom’s naked upper half…
Tom laughs and starts to take his pants off.
What the fuck? I take a step back. He tosses the pants down and motions for Tim to follow him toward the spring. Ah, they’re going for a swim. Tim follows, stripping off his shirt in one smooth motion, exposing a taut, wide back strapped with muscle as the two men head for the water.
“You can go ahead and go shift, Misty. We’ll just be taking a swim.” Tom looks back to wink
at me. I feel like I’m trapped in the land of the underwear models. But I’m also a little touched. I didn’t expect that they’d be so chivalrous. Lindon had me thinking they were all creeps.
Then again, maybe they know if they pull anything they’ll get thrown out, and the final prize is worth more than any short term benefit of trying to get with me.
I pick the clothing up in my teeth, tilting my head at the scent. Ocean spray. Rain. Aquatics. I inhale deeply and then focus on trying to shift. A quick glance at the guys shows them dipping their toes in the water and looking at each other as they discuss something. Not looking my way at all.
Men like that probably aren’t starved for attention.
My body trembles as I regain my human form, and I sink to the ground next to the clothing, breathing hard. I feel nauseous and a little tired, but I pull the clothing on with a little struggling and move to stand.
But dizziness hits again. Why didn’t Lindon warn me about not staying in my wolf form too long? If it’s something natural, why does it feel so tiring? I lean on a tree next to me, enjoying the piney smell of the forest. The cool air, and the light hint of steam from the spring. A splash sounds and I see Tim’s head break the surface of the pool. He stands and whips his head back, black curls causing water to fly in an arc behind his head.
Then he smooths his hair back with his hands, eyes meeting mine as he walks forward in the spring, an intense gaze in those gray depths, muscles wet and glistening and defined.
Oh. My. Gosh.
A loud laugh sounds from next to him, and my eyes go to Tom, resting lazily at the side of the pool with one leg bent up and an arm sexily draped over it. “Well don’t just watch, come on over, Misty. After all, we’re your potential mates,” he calls out to me, waving a hand.
It’s not a bad idea. It’s cool out here, and I feel chilled and a little bloodless from being tired. The wind isn’t helping. I miss my fur, which was protecting me well.
“Come on, we aren’t going to hurt you. Plus our luscious bodies look better up close.”
I gulp. “I just bet.”
Another warm laugh from Tom. I get the idea that he likes teasing, and that he’s very confident about his body. Very aware that he and his brother are beautiful men.
“You aren’t going to try anything?”
He raises a dark eyebrow and shrugs. “Not if you don’t want us to. Not that I even remember the last girl who turned down a good time with me and my brother.”
I look from one to the other. Tim gives me a slow, sexy wink, and bounces both of his impressive pecs one at a time. It’s like my own personal show.
I think briefly about Lindon, but then lick my lips at the sight in front of me. Two of them. Two.
More than enough, and definitely something every girl should experience at least once if she gets a chance, right? I mean, it won’t be sex, after all. Just a bit of play.
I walk forward, hands over my chest, covering the fact that I have no bra over my substantial breasts. The clearing is beautiful, partly shaded by a canopy of leaves overhead, with foliage all around. The pools are beautiful and clear and blue, and I can see Tim’s legs all the way down in the water. Something I enjoy.
I walk forward, holding Tim’s enormous pants up around me, though honestly just Tom’s shirt would probably cover me adequately. My legs are shaky though, and a few feet from the tree, I start to stumble.
Tom is there in a moment, supporting me and giving me a front row seat to perfect, dark abs and a bare male chest. He lifts me easily in his arms and carries me toward the spring. “This is for your own good, Misty,” he says.
“What is?” I ask, eyes narrowing, as he reaches the edge of the spring.
Then he tosses me in. My heart stops midair and resumes as I hit the surface. I choke and lock my mouth closed. Scared and thrashing. I can’t swim. I’ve never been able to.
I was planning to just dip my feet at the edge. I flail until strong hands come around me, and I look up into two pairs of concerned eyes. I cling to Tim, feeling small and bedraggled and chubby, surrounded by two powerful, muscular dudes.
Then Tom laughs. “You can’t swim?” he asks.
Tim glares at him. “Dude, not cool.”
Tom raises an eyebrow at him and Tim ducks his head, as if he shouldn’t have dared to say anything. I check to make sure my clothing is still stuck to me. It is. Tom puts a finger under my chin and tilts it up so he can study my face. I glare indignantly at his impassive blue eyes.
“What the hell did you do that for?” I ask, still glaring.
Tom shrugs. “You were shivering. And how I was supposed to know a grown woman can’t swim? Not to mention, I thought you were just being shy and I was hoping to surprise you, loosen you up.”
“Well here’s a newsflash for you, ladies man. Women don’t like to be randomly tossed into things.”
He caresses my cheek gently, coming a little closer, and I don’t have the heart to chew him out anymore. “Hm. What do ladies like then?”
His body is caging me back against Tim. Not a bad place to be, muscles on all sides. My heart is beating in a new way now. The heat of the water contrasts well with the cool air over my wet skin and hair. Tim lowers in the water, wrapping his hands around my waist and nuzzling my neck so that I sigh and lean my hair back.
Meanwhile Tom comes closer, twirling one wet lock of my hair around one long, perfect finger.
“Hm, what should we do with you, Misty? You smell so damn good.”
Tim inhales my hair and moves his hands down to my hips. Such big hands, lighting up my skin as they go. The wolf inside me is definitely interested in the benefits of two mates for the price of one. Even if I can’t get Lindon out of my mind.
Even though we can’t be together.
I want to forget. So I reach for an errant curl on Tom’s forehead and brush it off to the side, exposing his handsome face and full lips. He comes closer, just inches away, twirling my hair until it’s wrapped around his finger and I couldn’t pull away from him if I wanted to.
The last thing I see is smoky eyes, and then my eyes close in pleasure as he takes my mouth.
It smells like smoke and the ocean. Like hot sex at night under the stars on a beach with a bonfire nearby. With two men. Tim kisses the back of my neck, nipping his way to my ear as Tom explores the inside of my mouth. Two pairs of hands explore my body, running up and over my arms, my thighs, my waist. They’re playing fair, not going anywhere naughty, but just the fact there are two mouths on me, four hands on me, feels naughty in and of itself. I let out a sigh against Tom’s mouth and he growls and flips me around toward Tim. Tim takes my mouth and opens it aggressively, entering with his tongue almost if he’s in competition with his brother.
I sigh as Tom’s hands find their way to my side and his mouth finds the back of my neck and shoulders. Nipping along it while I gasp into his brother’s mouth. Holy hell.
Tom’s hands just graze me and then move lower, over my waist, down to my butt, which he squeezes lightly before coming back up to my waist and holding me tight as his lips move over the most sensitive areas of my back and Tim pleasures my mouth.
Holy crap, I could do this for days.
It’s lazy and comfortable in some ways, and exciting beyond belief in another. So why do I keep seeing a pair of golden, disappointed eyes?
I blink it away and sink into the pleasure as Tim raises me in the air so that Tom can place a biting kiss at the base of my hip. I wrap my arms around Tim and lean in as he kisses my neck and nips the skin there. His arms touch my back and Tom’s caress my thighs.
Holy hell again. I inhale deeply, trying to hear anything but the howling of my wolf, who is a little tired of being teased without me choosing a mate. But I can’t help it. I’m still getting to know everyone.
And even if mentally I’m a little turned off by the idea of brothers sharing, something about the way Tim and Tom do it feels alright.
Except for the fact that
I’m so turned on and overwhelmed by sensation that I can barely breathe.
“Lindon’s gonna kill you guys,” a low voice says. I look up, embarrassed, into Jack’s green eyes. He’s standing there in an olive green flannel shirt, and I’m not sure when he got out here or how we didn’t hear him.
Well, I guess it’s not surprising since all I can really hear is the echo of my own want.
I blush deeply as Tom and Tim keep their hands on me and smirk at Jack.
“You want to do something about it, big boy?” Tom asks mockingly. Jack is slightly taller than him, but I doubt he could take both Tom and Tim. And there’s really no need to. This is plenty consensual, and I’m allowed to have some fun.
“You okay, Misty?” Jack asks, and I sigh, looking up and down his long frame and then meeting his intensely green eyes with those dark, long lashes. Can’t he smell that I’m okay?
Heck, if he just got in here…
But judging from his glare and the hard set of his jaw, I can’t see him sharing with anyone. Too bad.
And yet, when I was with Lindon, I didn’t wish for anyone else. I didn’t see how more could be perfect.
Misty, stop thinking about that.
I need to keep it in my pants where he’s concerned. Why do I have to suddenly want what I can’t have, when there’s finally so much I can have?
“We should go back,” Jack says, checking the time on his phone. “Lindon’s not going to like this.”
I move away from Tim and Tom and splash the water. “I just needed some time alone.”
Jack puts his hand over his face. “Misty, you have to understand, you can’t…”
I shake my head and glare at him. “I’m tired of people telling me what I can and can’t do, okay? Why don’t all three of you go back to the house, and make sure that all of you are there? Then I can stay and have a little more alone time in the spring, and you guys can know I’m safe because there’s no one around to cause problems for me. After all, I’m not the one bothering any of you or Lindon. You are,” I say, pointing at them.
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