Alpha Contender Boxed Set: BWWM Paranormal shifter romance BBW

by Terry Bolryder

  Lock shakes his head. “Maybe not a 500 meter or something at full pace, but it’s a myth that casual swimming will hurt you if you’ve just eaten. Plus, there wasn’t a lot of eating going on.”

  I groan at that. The males pushed food at me all dinner, but I just couldn’t make myself eat much of it. Even if it was cute that they were all so encouraging.

  “I’ll get dressed and meet you down there,” I say. “See you soon.”

  I push my chair back and slump up to my room. As I pass Lindon’s room, I hear loud voices behind the door. But they’re muffled, like they’re in a room within a room. I don’t stop to eavesdrop, I just open the door to my room and go straight to my clothing to rummage for a swimsuit.

  I find one with a supportive top and control panel in the tummy to make me feel less self conscious and pause when the voices break through the walls between Lindon’s room and mine.

  “Ava, Lindon. I didn’t know about Ava. What was she to you?”

  I frown. Ava. The name sounds vaguely familiar, and I don’t know why.

  Oh well, what Lindon does is none of my business.

  “A book. A whole book about her, Lindon? Why the hell didn’t you tell any of us?” I hear something hit the wall, like it was thrown, and I hope it wasn’t the book I just lent Hawes.

  “It was none of your business. None of you cared. So you don’t have to care now. You can just walk away, Hawes. No one asked you to stick your nose in.”

  “I’m your family, Lindon. I love you, whether you believe that or not. And I should have known. I thought we were close.”

  Silence.

  I pull on bottoms that match my tankini top. A small skirt that looks great on my butt and hips. I look in the mirrors and actually feel pretty happy with my curvy shape. I’m not sure if it’s the male attention or just being more confident in my own skin, but it feels good.

  I grab a large towel from the bathroom and freeze on my way out when the voice speaks up again.

  “What was the point of saying anything? It’s over. She’s dead. I’m doomed.”

  My heart thumps. That was Lindon’s voice. I shouldn’t be listening. I know Lindon has baggage, but if he’s determined to live in the past and not tell me about it, then there’s nothing he can do.

  He doesn’t want me. That’s all I need to know.

  “Ironic that’s she’s reading it, though, right?” That’s Hawes’ voice.

  I just stand there, holding my towel, not meaning to eavesdrop but not sure how to just put one foot in front of the other and walk away when I know they’re talking about me back there. The voices quiet and I force myself to take a few steps to the door and put my hand on the handle.

  A door opens and closes loudly outside, and no one says anything else. I open my door and head out, only to find myself face to face with Lindon, who is also leaving his room. He raises to full height, a slight frown on his face and a vein twitching by the side of his forehead.

  “Were you listening?” he asks.

  “No,” I lie. After all I didn’t hear anything enough to know exactly what was going on there. Lindon shakes his head and storms away, and I watch his tall, impressive figure and perfect back and ass walk away, trying to remind myself he’s an jerk who lied. Trying to pretend I’m not attracted to him anymore.

  Hawes comes out of Lindon’s room, looking a little deflated. When he sees me he gives me that fake, twinkly smile that he seems to use on anyone to pretend everything is okay. I don’t buy it.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “Nothing,” he says. “Here’s your book back.” He eyes me. “Going for your swimming lesson? Lock should be a good teacher.” He puts out an arm. “Come on, I’ll walk you down.”

  I take his arm. It doesn’t feel odd, he already sort of feels like a brother to me.

  “Hawes, what does Lindon do for a living?” I ask, realizing I don’t really know what anyone does here.

  “Oh, this and that,” he says. “To be honest my family has the money to do whatever they want with their free time.”

  “But, does he have any hobbies? He’s in his room a lot, and Rowan said he was living here in this huge place alone before we came to do the alpha challenges here.”

  Hawes stops and pulls his arm away and stares at me with serious eyes. Orange flashes in the irises. “I think you’ll have to ask Lindon that. He does have a job though. One he’s rather successful at. I think you’ll find he’s a man of many talents.”

  “I probably won’t find out much,” I say. “I don’t want to anymore.”

  “Ah, you found out about the secret,” he says, eyeing me with pity.

  I growl. “I was bound to.”

  “For what it’s worth, I think he thought he was doing the right thing. Our father can be…persuasive.”

  “It’s one thing to lie to me. It’s another to lie while kissing me.”

  Hawes rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, that’s why I told him it wasn’t fair.”

  “It wasn’t. You were right to intervene.”

  “Thank you,” he says. opens the door to the downstairs and we descend in quiet for a few moments. “You know, there’s a lot you don’t know about my brother. But he’s a good man, Misty. A good person. He’s just been through a lot,” he says.

  “A good wolf, you mean?”

  He laughs. “Yes, I guess so. But he’s in a rough place right now. An unmated male, confused about the past, trying to stay distant from you while trying to protect you, in conflict with his own feelings.”

  “I get that, but it’s been hard for me too. And I have to look out for myself right now.”

  “I understand, I was just…I don’t know. I thought you two would be good for each other.” Before I can respond, Hawes opens a new door and I gasp at the large, sparkling lap pool. There’s a beautiful tiled floor to the side of the pool and a hot tub raised up above the ground.

  “Man, this place is huge,” I say.

  Lock is sitting on one of the deck chairs and stands to greet us. He smiles at me and puts a hand out for Hawes to shake and then pulls him into a man hug. They exchange friendly banter, apparently having known each other for some time.

  I shyly put my towel down at the side and dip a toe into the water. Cool, but a nice temperature considering the warmth in the room.

  Hawes waves to Lock and leaves us alone.

  I fold my arms across myself. I like Lock. I think he’s one of the hottest, nicest guys in the house. But I still know there’s a murderer on the loose, and sometimes it’s the person you’re least expecting. I eye him warily and he reaches out a hand for me to join him in the water.

  Chapter 5

  “I think we’ll teach you to float first,” Lock says.

  I press my lips together and nod.

  “Hey, don’t be so nervous. As long as I’m here, nothing’s going to happen to you.”

  The statement makes me blush. I wade all the way into the water, which comes to a little bit above my waist in the shallow end of the pool. Lock puts his hands on my shoulders. They’re warm and reassuring, but my brain has a slight fear that he could push me down under and hold me there.

  I look up to see amber brown eyes searching mine, gentle concern in his face. He has taken his piercings out and looks quite different right now. His beautiful almond eyes have long lashes, and little drips of moisture cling to them, and to his hair, which is tied back by a headband, though a few wild pieces escape to frame his face.

  He’s shirtless and was probably swimming for a bit before I came down with Hawes. His tanned chest is dotted with moisture, little drops running around well-formed pecs.

  He puts out a hand to brush a stray hair out of my face.

  “What’s wrong, Misty?”

  I frown at him. “It’s just been a rough day.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  I smile up at him. He’s the first person to ask me if I just wanted to talk and have someone listen. Too bad I can�
�t tell him anything about what’s bothering me. “No, thanks for offering though. How are things going for you?”

  He grins and runs a hand through the hair at the back of his head, shaking water out of it as he ruffles it. “Not too bad. Excited to finally get you wet.”

  My eyes widen and when I look up I notice his lips are turned up slightly at the corner.

  Ah banter. He remembers that it seems to relax me. My brain is almost too tired to get into it, but I still try to think of something to counter with.

  But what he said is so dirty. I laugh out loud just thinking of possibilities to respond with, and he comes forward and pushes my shoulders down.

  I gasp but then his hand comes up under my waist, holding me on my back.

  “If you’re too tired for witty comebacks, then we better make sure nothing like what happened today ever happens again. I’m going to teach you how to float.”

  I nod and give him a grin, regaining trust with him again. I haven’t been with him alone since our motorcycle ride. There’s such an easy chemistry between us, it’s fun.

  He’s patient with me, laughing when I can’t seem to relax my muscles the right way or keep exhaling and sinking. He keeps me up and sticks with it until I’m finally floating on my own.

  “There!” he says, folding his impressive arms and looking pleased. “Perfect! No more drowning for you.”

  I grin at him and hold my float, staying relaxed and keeping my lungs half full of air. Then I put my legs under me and stand in triumph, pumping a fist into the air.

  He can’t resist stepping forward and pulling me in for a hug. The feel of my warm, wet body up against his is irresistible and I swear I can actually feel the pheromones releasing. He tenses against me, but then just tucks his head into my shoulder and nuzzles, inhaling deeply.

  “I’ve really never smelled anything like you,” he murmurs. “I’m not usually so affected.”

  “Is it just because I’m wet?” I ask, finally rebutting his earlier statement.

  He barks out a laugh and holds me tighter. “I’d like to get you a different kind of wet,” he murmurs in a low, quiet voice.

  I freeze at that. I can hear the want in his voice, hear the wolf in me responding to it in shock. Lock, gentle, funny Lock wants me like that? I mean, explicitly? He just said the most graphic thing of anyone here and yet is just standing there holding me tenderly.

  “Do you believe in love at first sight?” he asks.

  Lindon flashes into my mind and I shake him way. “No.”

  “Me neither. How about love at third sight?”

  “How many times have we seen each other?”

  “A few. But I’m counting the special times. Like this morning,” he says in a low, sexy voice.

  Tension fills the room, and he sets me back on my feet but keeps his hands on my much smaller arms.

  “Lock…” I don’t know what to tell him right now. I barely know him. I like him, but I’m not anywhere near a decision.

  “I won’t mate you,” he said. “Not unless you ask me. There’s lots we can do without going all the way.”

  He runs his tongue up my neck, gliding easily along the wet, exposed flesh. He comes closer and kneads a hand into my waist, pulling me against him so that I feel small and owned by him. I can feel his need for me to be his in every touch.

  Maybe it’s just because I’ve been bonding with him more than with the others, maybe that’s why he feels so free.

  But the things I think he wants to do. I’ve never done them with another man. I think a stupid part of me wanted to do them with Lindon first.

  But I should have known when Lindon resembled Sylvester that I was just romanticizing him as someone who reminded me of the people in my books.

  I reach up to wrap my hands around Lock’s neck and offer my lips for a kiss. Make me forget.

  His lips take mine, more aggressive than before. His hands stay gentle but his teeth take my lower lip, dragging it slowly through them and then releasing with a little nip that has me gasping. His tongue sears into my mouth and his hand cradles my head, pushing me up against him. My hands press his chest, not sure how else to react to this assault on my senses as his other hand sweeps down my body and over my stomach, pausing to thumb my belly button lightly as he invades my mouth, pleasuring every inch with his tongue.

  My body is heating, warming, wet from more than just the water, so I guess he got his wish. He lifts me in the water and puts my legs around his waist. He puts one hand under my butt, holding me easily, and I admit the feel of my thighs against his taut abs is hot. He walks me to the side of the pool and presses me to it as he comes to take my mouth again. His tongue goes deep, nearly gagging me, but pulling back to stroke and love. I feel utterly filled, and can sense an ache in a certain part of me that wants to be filled also.

  Despite a little heart twinge at the thought, I know that it’d be easy to let him go all the way and just have this whole thing be over. And it’d be too late for the murderer to get me before someone would have the pack inheritance. There’d be no point in killing me.

  But I pull my mouth back and look up at Lock. His amber brown eyes are glowing and happy, his mouth wicked and slanted, and from the intent look on his face, I can tell he’s ready and wanting more. I offer my neck and he comes back, licking and kissing the skin there, but as much as I try to get into it, I don’t think I can right now.

  My body is still responding, like it was with Jack, but something isn’t right.

  Maybe I’m just too tired.

  Lock seems to sense the decreasing passion and pulls back and sets me down. Then he notices tears on my face. His expression falls and he reaches out and pulls me against him, and just holds me, rocking me in the water gently.

  This is what I needed, and I wrap my arms around him and just relax.

  I know what I need to do when I get back tonight. I need to read my book, get back to feeling like myself, and figure out how to do all of this without depending on Lindon. I need to figure out how to give people like Thor, Lock and Jack an honest answer about what I want. And I need to start getting to know them.

  “Lock, tell me about your family,” I say, pulling back slightly.

  He smiles and scratches his head. “I would sweetheart, but honestly, the last few minutes have just wiped my thoughts. You’re so…”

  “So?”

  “Confusing,” he says, laughing and hugging me again. “The minute I met you I knew we’d get along. But then it’s been more than that too. I find myself wanting to touch you, wanting to comfort you.” He gives me a guilty grin. “I’ve always been the player, the one who didn’t care. I admit I’m a bit baffled.”

  “You, a player?” I ask, leaning back against the pool wall to get some much needed space for my body to calm down. “But you’re so nice.”

  “That just makes it easier,” he says, shrugging. “Women come to me, I don’t say no. But I never seemed to want it as much as others, either. I’ve never been the type to want more. With you, I think I want more.”

  I laugh. “Why would you have come if you didn’t?”

  He studies me with a side glare. “To protect Thor. I mean, I wanted to make sure the mate he was competing for was good enough for him, not someone who just wanted to use whatever male she could find however she could.”

  “You protect him a lot, don’t you?”

  He nods. “I always have. It wasn’t easy for us, being twin alphas without parents. There were always people who wanted to hurt us.”

  “Somehow I would have seen Thor as the protective one.”

  “You’d think so, but he wasn’t always tough like this. Back when he was Thornton he’d hide behind me.” He grins at me. “I’ll have to show you a picture. Baby Thornton is super cute.”

  I smile back at him. He seems to have something of a brother complex. “I’ll have to see that. So is that why you haven’t really been competitive?” I ask. “But then why were you just trying to get
me to do things with you?”

  He flushes slightly, something that’s rare for the calm shifter. “Well, the pheromones, for one thing. And there’s no reason you couldn’t make out with me and mate my brother. I doubt he’d mind, as long as he wins in the end.”

  “You’re incorrigible,” I scold.

  He just shrugs and grins guiltily. “But yeah, I don’t like competing against him. It’s always been him and me against the world, and I’ve wanted to protect him. I thought I’d do anything for him.” He takes a step forward, reaches for a lock of my hair and takes it in his fingers. “But the longer I know you, the more I question that.”

  I swallow. That’s intense. “I…”

  “I know, you can’t answer now. You’ve got a long way to go. But maybe you should know that choosing a mate in our world is a little different than choosing in the human world.” He lets my hair go and stands straight. I can smell that enticing vanilla and burnt sugar smell that is entirely his and sexy in its own way. “You can let your intuition tell you what you want, and be confident that you can get to know them later. So don’t feel like you have to know everything about each of us.”

  “But what about love?” I ask. “How does that develop?”

  He tilts his head. “Interesting. I’m not sure, I’ve never felt that. Certainly there are many successful matings without that. I’m not sure anyone except fated mates ever feel that.”

  “Fated mates?”

  “Um, maybe someone else like Lindon should explain that. I think Rowan, his dad, had one.”

  “Oh,” I say, disappointed.

  “Hey, don’t look sad. I can explain it as well as I can. Some shifters can find any mate and be happy, and some, some find one and fall in love deeply, nearly instantly, and then never again after that. Once that bond is formed, the shifter doesn’t tend to feel anything for another one again.”

  My heart shudders at that, wondering if that’s what happened to Lindon, why he says he’s not looking for a mate. Hawes was saying something about that to him in his room.

  Lock puts a hand in my hair and rubs it good naturedly. “Try not to think about it too hard, sweetheart. I don’t think you have to worry about that. If you already had a fated mate here, you’d know it. So would he.”