by Sable Sylvan
“And when you and me go out, Nick can stay here,” said Liam.
“And what about getting to know the two of you?” asked Ann. “You two…you’re a package deal, right? Or is that just a rumor? I have to admit, I don’t know how this works. At the end of this, am I supposed to just…pick one of you to date?”
“Babe, there’s so much wrong with that sentence, I don’t know where to start,” said Nick. “Yes. We’re a package deal. Technically, what we are known as is a triad or ménage, except although Liam and I might…’play around’, a bit, our attentions are gonna be focused on you, in and out of the bedroom. You don’t have to pick one of us. Nick and I? We know we’re meant to have the same fated mate. How do we know? It’s complicated. Don’t worry about it. But, we do. We’ve never found a woman we both are attracted to in such a primal way…at least, we hadn’t found one, until we met you. There isn’t gonna be an ‘end of this’, but what this is leading up to is far more serious than dating. But, hey, you’re the one who said she wanted to take things slow…so you can start out dating us one on one.”
“You should be used to that, right?” asked Liam. “After all, a beautiful woman like you…I’m sure she’s got experience.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve never even had a steady boyfriend before,” said Ann.
“Ah, so you’re more a one night stand type of gal, huh?” asked Nick. “As long as this isn’t a one night stand…”
“I wouldn’t say I have much experience with those either,” said Ann.
“Wait. If you aren’t into casual dating, and you aren’t into long term…” started Liam.
“Then just what the heck are you frikkin’ into?” asked Nick.
“I’m into men, but…I’ve never dated before,” said Ann. “And I’ve never, you know…”
“What? Had a threesome?” asked Nick. “Trust me. It’s just like sex with one guy, but more than twice as good.”
“Okay, see, that part,” said Ann. “I can’t compare it to sex with one guy.”
“Because it’s incomparable?” asked Nick.
Liam’s eyes widened and he punched Nick in the shoulder.
“What?” asked Nick, rubbing his shoulder. Liam’s eyes got wider as he nodded his head towards Ann and gestured. “What? I can’t tell what you’re trying to say.”
“Virgin,” blurted out Ann, in a hushed tone. “I’m a virgin, okay? So, I have no clue how dating or sex one-on-one works, not to mention what a menage’ll be like…but I’m open to a ménage.”
“You are? And…you are?” asked Nick. “You’re really a virgin…and you’re open to trying a ménage?”
“If you told me I’d be a mom of three and a virgin at twenty-eight, back when I was eighteen, I would’ve told you that you were nuts. But that happened, and weirder things yet happen every day,” said Ann. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I do need three extra pairs of hands to help me lift all this luggage. But remember, wooing me won’t be easy. You have to prove that you’re more than just my fated mates. You’re gonna have to prove that this? It’s true love.”
“Challenge accepted,” said Nick. “But, if you don’t mind me asking…why are you…’inexperienced’?”
“I was busy in college, trying to live up to my sister’s legacy,” said Ann. “She had a full ride to an Ivy League college and got an MBA and somehow managed to date while doing that, but me, I couldn’t keep grades up if I thought about boys, so I just shut them out. I planned on dating once I graduated. Besides, it meant there was a lot less drama in my life. Let me put it this way: I’ve never had a pregnancy scare, and I’ve heard they’re…overrated, to say the least. When the accident happened? These kids, they became my whole world. But now, they’re getting older, and they’re in school most of the day, or activities, and they have a stable of babysitters who adore them, so I’m left with enough time to start doing things for me again. If you’re cool dating a virgin mom of three who wears paint covered jeans to dates that have to end before a ‘sleepover’, then…the least I can do is give two black bear shifters who happen to be strippers who want to share me in and out of the bedroom a chance.”
“So what are we waiting for?” said Nick.
“What do you mean?” asked Ann.
“Why are you and Liam here and not out on a date?” asked Nick. “I can handle three five year olds for a few hours. You two should go out and do something.”
“I’ve got to admit, I’m surprised,” said Ann, crossing her arms. “I thought if anything, you’d be the jealous possessive one who wants me all to himself.”
“Trust me. I do want you all to myself…but if there’s someone I can share you with? It’s Liam,” said Nick. “I’d trust him with your life.”
“Well, if I’m gonna trust you with my kids, I gotta show you where everything is and give you the babysitter manual,” said Ann.
Ann and the bear boys got up and she gave them the ‘grand tour’ of the house. Upstairs there was the kid’s room, her room, and a guest room for when relatives were in town, as well as two bathrooms, hers and one for the kids. Downstairs there was another bathroom, and the rooms they’d seen, plus, a play room. She gave Nick the binder with all the information a babysitter could desire bundled inside, everything from acceptable takeout places with kid friendly options to local emergency numbers to ideas for activities to information about what had to be done before bed time. Finally, she introduced the guys to her kids, and they all played a kid’s board game. The kids took to Nick and Liam like fish to water, and when Liam and Ann were finally headed out the door for dinner, all three were begging for them to stay back and eat pizza and watch movies with them and Nick.
“You sure that Nick can handle them?” asked Ann, closing the door behind her.
“Listen, if Nick can handle the hordes of women at Bear Buns, he can entertain three kids for a few hours,” said Liam.
“So what you’re saying is…we’re doomed,” joked Ann.
“Trust me. Everything’s gonna be fine,” said Liam. His hand brushed against Ann’s once, then twice, and on the third brush, he took her hand into his. “You live in a really nice area, Ann. Is there somewhere around here you like to go, sans kids?”
“Somewhere I like to go? Jeez. I haven’t even thought about that,” said Ann. “The only places I know are near my work, which is downtown, but this is suburbia, and I really don’t want to be too far from home in case something happens.”
“Hey, how about we just walk around until we find something?” said Liam, squeezing Ann’s and. “Sound good?”
“Sounds good,” said Ann, and she squeezed Liam’s hand back.
Chapter Five
Liam walked with Ann a few blocks away from her street to the quiet cozy commercial area near her house. There were a few cafes, a bookstore, an art gallery, and a small French bistro that smelled absolutely scrumptious.
“I know I said it already, but, this is a really nice area you live in,” said Liam. “Any place here catch your eye?”
“Gosh, this is embarrassing, but, ever since I started being a mom, I haven’t really thought about what I would want to eat,” said Ann. “Want to walk around and build up an appetite before we get a bite to eat?”
“Sounds great to me,” said Liam.
Liam led Ann into the first business on the street, an art gallery filled with modern art. He opened the door for Ann and once he closed it he put his hand on the small of her back. Just a touch from Liam had Ann burning a crimson so deep it’d have the pigments in the art turning green with envy. Although they were there to look at the art, Ann couldn’t keep her eyes off of Liam. Even in a plain black V-neck shirt and dark jeans, he looked like a superstar. Her area wasn’t one of the areas popular among shifter families, and so there weren’t many shifters around. Liam stood out like a tall poppy among blades of grass, taller, more muscular, and more handsome than any of the other men in the gallery.
After walking around the art gallery, browsing
one of the bookshops, and window shopping, Ann had worked up an appetite. Her stomach growled.
“What’s good around here?” asked Liam.
“I usually just get pizza with the kids, given, y’know, it’s not like we can afford fancy stuff,” said Ann. “So, unless you want to get a slice…I have no recommendations.”
“We saw a French place, didn’t we?” asked Liam. “Do you like French food?”
“Are you sure you wanna take me to Le Bistro?” asked Ann. “That’s pretty pricy for a first date.”
“Well, this isn’t just any first date,” said Liam. “It’s my first date with my fated mate. I think that counts as a special occasion.”
Liam offered Ann his arm and she took it, and the pair strolled back down the street to the French restaurant. From the outside, Ann could smell roasted vegetables, rich cream sauces, and wine.
“Table for two,” said Liam to the maître d’
“Do you have a reservation?” asked the maître d’.
“No,” said Liam. “But I think my friend Benjamin Franklin might.”
Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Before Ann could stop him, he’d passed a hundred-dollar bill to the maître d’.
The maître d’ smiled. “I think a table just opened up,” said the maître d’. “Right this way.”
The maître d’ led them through the crowded restaurant to a candle lit table for two. Liam pulled out Ann’s chair for her and the pair sat down. The maître d’ brought their menus over right away.
Ann looked over the menu and got sticker shock. The meals were all so expensive! Thirty bucks for a chicken dish? Eighty dollars for a good cut of steak? “Liam…are you sure you wouldn’t rather get pizza?” asked Ann.
“No, this place seems perfect,” said Liam.
“Are you sure? Look at the prices,” whispered Ann. “This place is really, really expensive.”
“Ann, this is a date, let me treat you,” said Liam. “Plus, you know, I don’t exactly have…a low paying job, if you know what I mean. I can afford this.”
“Alright, alright,” said Ann. “I guess I’ll have…the salad nicoise.”
“Are you sure you want that, or are you picking it because it’s the cheapest item on the menu?” asked Liam. “Come on. Pick something good.”
“I don’t know that much about French cuisine,” said Ann. “Do you have any recommendations for me?”
“Well, are you in the mood for chicken, seafood, or beef?” asked Liam.
“Chicken, really,” said Ann. “I smelled a delicious red wine when we were outside the restaurant.”
“Ah, then you want coq au vin,” said Liam. “Chicken with wine. It usually comes with some vegetables. It’s a very filling stew.”
“How sexy, stew on a first date,” said Ann sarcastically.
“Hey, the French can make anything sexy,” said Liam.
A waiter came over to the table and Liam ordered for himself, Ann, and a selection of appetizers.
Ann watched as Liam interacted with the waiter. He had a way of making everything look so…natural. He didn’t seem awkward in a new restaurant like she might be. He knew how to pronounce all the French words, knew what wine to pick, and knew what foods would go well together.
“Earth to Ann,” said Liam. He waved his hand in front of her face.
“Oh, sorry,” said Ann. “I got distracted.”
“By this?” asked Liam, gesturing over his face and giving a genuine smile. “I can’t lie…I’m quite flattered. What do you think, do you prefer me with blue hair, or with my natural hair?” Liam ran his fingers through his thick black hair which looked absolutely luxurious in the warm light, like ebony silk. It was nearly entirely black, but there were naturally dark brown highlights too.
“I like your natural hair,” said Ann. “But the blue hair’s cute too.”
“Ah, but what makes me look more handsome?” asked Liam. “What accentuates this strong jaw line, these high cheekbones?”
Now that Liam mentioned it, Ann couldn’t help but look over his face. He did have a chiseled, strong jaw line that was oddly like Nick’s. He had gorgeous cheekbones she could imagine herself kissing, and could imagine holding between her thick thighs. He had just a whisper of a five-o-clock shadow, but it worked on him, because it made him look like he wasn’t trying too hard. Even in his plain outfit, he looked like he fit into the bistro perfectly, like this was a world he belonged in.
“Black hair,” said Ann. “Definitely. The blue hair’s…a little much.”
“Okay, what looks better, my blue hair…or Nick’s pink hair?” asked Liam.
“I’ve gotta say, I’m on Team Liam in regards to hair,” said Ann. “The blue doesn’t look as crazy. And your natural color, the black with a bluish tinge? Don’t get me started. But Nick, he’s so handsome too...Oh. Sorry…this is our date, I shouldn’t bring up Nick.”
“Hey, Nick and I? We are a package deal,” said Liam. “That wasn’t just talk. It’s true. And you definitely need to have chemistry with the both of us if this is gonna work…but that has me wondering. Whose body do you like better?”
“Whose…body?” said Ann. “That’s not exactly the kind of question I can answer easily. I only saw you guys on stage, and the lights were too low to tell the difference between your physiques.”
“Then you’re gonna have to come up with an answer after we give you another show,” said Liam wickedly. He watched as Ann’s cheeks burned bright pink.
The waiter came over and served the couple a rich red wine before serving their appetizers. Over the white table cloth, there was a smattering of small dishes. On one dish, there was a set of six small savory tarts. On another, there was a small pot of melted cheese with baguette slices, vegetables, and two pokers. On a third, there was a rather large pastry with some small pieces of toast.
“What did you order?” asked Ann.
“A savory tour of France,” said Liam. “Over here, we have a set of savory quiches, little egg and cheese pies. There’s a quiche Lorraine, with gruyere cheese and pork lardons. There’s a Provençal vegetable quiche, and finally, a spinach and bacon quiche, one for each of us. There’s a classic fondue, made with gruyere and white wine, with pokers for us to use to dip various edible delights. Finally, there’s a baked brie, with bits of toast, topped with some raspberry preserves.”
“Oh, it all looks so delicious,” said Ann.
Ann put a small quiche on her plate and tried it. It was the quiche Lorraine. It was very rich as it was made with fine cheese and lardons rather than the common substitute bacon, so the pastry almost melted in her mouth.
“You like?” asked Liam, as he served himself a mini quiche.
“Liam, this is divine,” said Ann.
Ann and Liam took an international flavor trip together. Ann was nearly stuffed. The fondue was hot but the pieces of fresh vegetables and soft French breads were perfectly matched with the rich creamy cheese fondue. The baked brie was Ann’s favorite by far. The dough-wrapped brie, topped with genuine French raspberry preserves, was sweet and savory, almost like a dessert appetizer. Luckily, portions weren’t huge, so Ann wasn’t too full by the time her main course came.
While Ann had ordered the coq au vin, Liam had chosen the French fusion surf and turf style platter, which had a thick, juicy steak, and fresh grilled salmon, with a side of grilled vegetables. Both dishes looked absolutely scrumptious. The coq au vin was made with a good quality red wine, infusing an oak and cherry flavor into the chicken, as well as into the root vegetables in the dish. The chicken was paired with carrots and potatoes, as well as celery, button mushrooms, and there were savory cloves of garlic, not too many, but just enough to give the dish a bit something extra.
The chicken and potatoes practically melted in Ann’s mouth. The red wine that Liam had picked went perfectly with her dish. Handsome, well-off, with a sexy job, and good taste in food? This werebear had to have a dirty secret. Ann closed he
r eyes and savored the flavors…but when she opened her eyes again, she noticed Liam wasn’t eating.
“Something wrong with your food?” asked Ann.
“No, it’s just a lot more satisfying to watch you enjoy yours,” said Liam. “Trust me…I could watch you roll that tongue around in your mouth for days.”
“Liam!” whispered Ann sharply. “You can’t say that sort of thing in a restaurant!”
“Oh, I can, and I just did,” said Liam. “The only thing I can’t do here is put what I want to put…into your mouth.”
“You mean your…” started Ann.
“That’s right,” said Liam. “My delicious homemade torched custard, with fresh marionberries…followed by something else with a hot, creamy filling that you’ll love feeling go down your throat.”
“Liam!” said Ann. “If you keep talking like that, you’ll have me blushing. Please, tell me I’m not blushing…”
“So you want me to lie?” asked Liam. “I’m sure that’s not the only reaction your body’s having to what I’m saying.”
“Prove it,” said Ann.
“Trust me, I could if I wanted to,” said Liam. “But even better, I can sense it.”
“Sense it?” asked Ann.
“The scent of your arousal…it gets stronger at the same time as you blush,” said Liam. “You’re lucky I’m the only shifter here who can sense it.
“You can…smell my arousal?” whispered Ann. “Liam! You can’t just tell a gal something like that. Now I’m self-conscious.”
“Now?” asked Liam.
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” asked Ann, before she could stop herself.”
“See, that’s the Ann I like,” said Liam. “The sassy, bossy, almost…bratty Ann.”
“As opposed to?” asked Ann.
“As opposed to the one who overthinks what she says because she’s afraid of embarrassing herself,” said Liam. “Nothing’s a bigger turn off than fear, and trust me, that’s another thing I can sense.”
“You can smell it?” said Ann.