by Sadie Hart
He tasted like beer and popcorn, salty and sweet. There was the smell of fur just under his skin, feline instead of canine. Feral. Lennox broke the kiss on a sharp gasp, when Tegan cupped a hand under her chin and tilted her head back to steal a kiss of his own.
She didn’t hesitate. One moment she’d been kissing Kanon and the next she met Tegan’s mouth, every bit as hard and fiercely as she’d taken his partner’s. He was softer than Kanon, more playful. Not at all what she’d expected. She’d thought Tegan was the hard ass of the pair, but if kisses could tell, theirs spoke a completely different story than the men acted.
Tegan ran a hand down her jaw and she shoved it away, only to wrap her hand around his wrist so she could hold on. They didn’t scare her, she wanted to scream, but saying it felt too much like evading the truth. So she melded it into her kiss instead. Her knees quaked and she clung to both of them to keep herself from sliding to the ground.
A cold brush of magick touched her skin, like the icy touch of reality, oddly familiar and Lennox pulled away, her tongue pressed to her upper lip. Shit. She’d kissed a lion. Two lions. Calmly, she reached for her beer, took it gently from Kanon’s hand, and started to turn away.
Hot breath slid over her neck as Tegan’s teeth found her pulse and he nipped over her collarbone. Kanon stepped in front of her, mimicking the nip on the other side. “Running already?”
Lennox started to shake her head when the magick nibbled over her skin again. Whoever the witch was, they didn’t have good control tonight. Her gaze darted over the writhing bodies on the dance floor, the stools by the bar. Nothing. Then again, it was hard to find anything in this bar other than the two men surrounding her.
“I think we scared her.” Tegan wrapped her tight against his chest and leaned over her, his hips cradling hers from behind, only to have Kanon press himself flat against her front.
Tegan gave a low rumble of a growl as Kanon’s hand slipped over his, his thumb trailing over Lennox’s side as Kanon skimmed his hand all the way up Tegan’s arm until he’d wrapped them both in a hug.
Lennox jerked, startled, her attention drifting back to them as Kanon took Tegan’s mouth with his, her still pinned between them. There was no gentleness in the kiss, no room for manners. Kanon stole it with every intention of domination and Tegan met him back, every bit as rough and ruthless, and they held Lennox between them, ground against her.
They pulled back, growls rumbling out of both of them, stiff. And there it all went down the tubes. Fuck. She knew better than this. Not that she wanted two men in her life, especially these two, but it just proved her point. One kiss was all it took and it all went to Hell.
Lennox shook her head, pressing one hand against Kanon’s chest to try and shove him back a step. “Cool it. Both of you. I am not a bone and besides, this was as adventurous as I get for a night. We’re done now.”
She felt them both pause. Kanon blinked down at her for a second before a soft smile touched his lips. Almost teasing, chiding. He pitched his voice low as he whispered, “We’re not dogs.”
She snorted. Yeah, and that’s why they were snarling like a bunch of tomcats over a female in heat. “For the record, dogs share better than lions. And it doesn’t matter. I’m not exactly a grand prize, go scrap over someone else.”
Tegan trailed a hand up the side of her neck, twisting his fingers in her hair. “I’m missing the memo.”
“She thinks we don’t share.”
Tegan huffed. “Honey, we share pretty damn well.”
“Really damn well.” Kanon leaned down to nip over her bottom lip. “And for the record, we weren’t fighting.”
Tegan nipped along her jaw. “If anything, darling, the only person between the three of us that has any issues...is you.”
She doubted that. Lennox pressed her hand harder into Kanon’s chest. “This still isn’t going to work.”
Kanon frowned at her, eyebrows furrowed but slowly he took a step back. “All right then. Still need to meet that last witness?”
Yes. Lennox nodded and squeezed out from between them.
“Right this way,” Kanon said and gestured towards a dark skinned waitress passing out drinks at a nearby table. He gave a sharp whistle and the woman lifted her head, flashing him a toothy grin.
One second, she mouthed, finished passing out the drinks and headed their way. The woman had no qualms whatsoever sidling right up to Kanon’s side as if she owned it. She pressed a kiss to his lips, but not before Lennox saw the flash of fangs. Then she leaned over a pressed a kiss to Tegan’s cheek as well.
Apparently they hadn’t been lying about sharing.
“Aiby, this is Lennox Donnelly. Remember that—”
Oh no. Lennox grabbed her badge out of her back pocket and flipped it open. “Shifter Town Enforcement, Lennox Donnelly,” she said, promptly cutting Kanon off. She was not about to have him leading a witness. “Do you remember the altercation between Kanon and a Hound last Wednesday?”
The waitress stiffened, grimacing. “Aibileen Walters and yes, I do.”
“Ms. Walters, can you tell me what happened?”
“Kanon had just gotten done dancing with some poodle-shifter. She’s a regular and an easy lay. I remember thinking he was gonna go filch a condom from Tegan before following her out.” Lennox slid a gaze to Kanon and he had the grace to look guilty, the corners of his lips pulling back in the slightest hint of a wince.
“Tegan was at the bar, chatting up some cowboy with a Stetson. Can’t remember if he was a shifter or not, but probably. I was watching ‘cause I still had hopes of getting off shift in a quarter hour and if Tegan waylaid Kanon, I was getting doubly fucked that night.”
Lennox fought the irritated twist in her gut. They weren’t her type, but the pair of them kissed like demons and if Lennox were into the bad boy brigade she’d have to admit she’d be tempted. Though how two incredibly gorgeous, sexy men weren’t her type even for one night was beyond her.
She blew out a soft breath. Focus. Aibileen hadn’t stopped chatting and so far, her story corroborated with the two written statements she already had.
“There was a trio of Hounds at the bar. Fishing for information, they’d already asked me about Mack who runs the auto store up the street.” Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Kanon paused behind Tegan, leaned over to whisper something when one of the Hounds turned and butted in. He must not have liked Kanon’s response ‘cause he jumped him.”
Which concluded a trio of witnesses all claiming that the assault had not been started by Kanon.
“Kanon finished the fight, Tristan called it in, I got off shift...” She grinned. “So we all went back to my place to hang low.”
And do things Lennox really didn’t want to think about. “You willing to give me a written statement on that?”
“Of course. Gotta give me a few though. Table three’s been waiting while I’ve been blabbering.”
“Thank you,” Lennox said.
“Thanks Aiby,” Kanon said.
“Any time boys. I’m free tomorrow, if you wanna make the trip twice in a row.”
Lennox swallowed the urge to growl. It wouldn’t matter because tomorrow she’d be so far out of their lives that this would all be done and over with. Then Tegan slid a hand around her waist, his chin finding the crook of her neck and Lennox felt him relax against her. Calm. “Maybe another time,” he said softly.
Aibileen took the hint and left, hips swaying as she headed back for her table. Kanon turned on her, a teasing smile slipping over his face as he reached a hand out to cup Lennox by the jaw. “I thought you said something about dogs and bones...”
“No, it was something about how she wasn’t a bone,” Tegan supplied. The corners of his lips twitched. “Didn’t appreciate being fought over...”
Great. She was never going to live that one down. “I didn’t...”
Kanon stopped her with a soft kiss, his hands finding her hips as Tegan traced small circles against he
r belly, his lips trailing kisses down the back of her neck and along her shoulder.
“Of course not. Now, you have three testimonies telling you I’m innocent.”
“You’re officially off duty.”
Kanon took her beer and set it aside, only to turn back with one hand extended for each of them. “So, shall we dance?”
She should have said no.
But they were off the hook and tomorrow no one would have to know.
Lennox let her tongue trail a quick, wet line over her lips. She nodded and let the pair of them lead her out onto the dance floor. After all, what could a few dances hurt?
***
She didn’t remember what time they’d gotten in, only Tristan’s low laugh as he’d handed one of the boys a key, promising them the rental was empty and that it was cheaper than a motel because he didn’t charge friends. After that, there’d been nothing but a stumble down the sidewalk and a large puppy pile on the bed.
Lennox rubbed at her eyes, the rest of her body tightly wrapped between two sleeping, happy men. Her breath hitched for a second. She hadn’t. There was no way. She’d never... Lennox stared down at Tegan and Kanon, both cuddled up to her as they cradled her between them. The only thing even remotely good about the situation was that she was still clothed.
That they were all still clothed.
Lennox blew out a breath. The chances of them all getting naked, screwing around, then all climbing back into their clothes before bed…yeah, she was safe. The knowledge did wonders for her sanity. She hadn’t actually slept with her job, just next to him.
Shit. She needed an inhaler.
Her chest gave a painful squeeze and Lennox wriggled her way out from between them. She was going to need one heck of a shower before she headed back to Enforcement. If the other Hounds scented lion on her skin... Lennox shook her head. Her credibility would be shot, her reputation, poof, up in smoke.
She could lose her job over this.
Breathe. She’d just call Bree, let her boss have the PG-13 rundown of everything—that Kanon was cleared and Lennox would be in later after she was back in the state. All further mentions of lions she could just disregard. After she took those showers. Lennox dug her phone out of her back pocket and flipped open her Contacts just as a knock sounded on the front door, firm. Demanding.
Both lions stirred on the bed. Tegan stretched out, arms lifting above his head, so that his shirt rode up revealing the flat of his stomach, muscles clenched. Kanon buried his head under a pillow and groaned.
The knock sounded again.
“Ugh,” Kanon muttered and chucked the pillow off the bed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it,” Lennox muttered and stuffed her phone back in her pocket.
Peeking through the peep hole she caught a glimpse of an angular face, dark brown eyes, rust red hair and her nose caught the very distinct scent of dog. Shifter. And not just any dog. Rhodesian ridgeback.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Shit. A Hound? And not just any Hound but a ridgeback. And oh God, she smelled like lions. Like she’d been groped and cuddled and nearly-fucked all night long. By lions. Rhodesians were bred to hunt lions, like wolfhounds had been to hunt wolves. The shifter versions weren’t that different. And here she was, cavorting with the enemy. Shit, shit, shit.
Lennox spun on her heels, knowing damn well whoever was at the door could hear her hasty retreat, and made her way back to the bed. “Get up. Get up now.”
Tegan peeked up at her, his eyes still hooded with sleep.
“Ridgeback at the door. Get up.” Panic swelled in her voice. There was no time for a shower. Anything they did could be considered cover up.
The Hound knocked again. “I know you’re in there.”
Lennox swallowed back a groan and stalked back towards the door, flipping the locks before yanking the door open. “What?”
The word came out a snarl, but she knew damn well it wasn’t the tone of her growl that left the ridgeback on the front stoop stunned. His nostrils flared, catching the distinct whiff of dog, under layers and layers of lions and a pretty hefty dose of lust.
She couldn’t imagine finding another Hound in her predicament. It just didn’t happen. Ever. The ridgeback swallowed and dug out his badge, flipping it open to flash ID at her. “Walker Hennessy. Shifter Town Enforcement,” he broke off and stared at her for a moment. He inhaled a sharp breath, scenting.
Lennox squeezed her eyes shut for a second, gathering strength and pride, though there was more dignity on a bathroom floor than the scrap she had left. She yanked out her badge and flashed it at him.
“Lennox Donnelly. What do you want?”
Walker froze, his eyes locked on her badge and she watched as the astonishment sank in. Her reputation preceded her. Her track record was impressive. The sheer stunned silence on his end told her more than she wanted to know.
Like the fact that up until now—with her stinking of lions, lust, and her hair fresh rumpled from bed—he’d been thinking she was the Hound to look up to. The Hound to want to be. And all his dreams were fizzling down the drain alongside what was left of her ego.
His gaze flicked up to hers and she forced herself to hold a thin smile, barely keeping it from a grimace. A Hound did not cower, and Lennox would be damned if she tucked her tail now. One eyebrow arched, she cleared her throat.
“Uh...” Walker swallowed. The floor board creaked behind her and Lennox titled her head just in time to see Kanon, shirtless and barefoot in his blue jeans, striding up to the door. Tegan tugged his shirt on in the background.
This so was not happening.
“Problem?” Kanon said, leaning against the doorframe beside her. He swallowed the extra space with sheer bulk, and the moment Tegan stepped up behind her she was surrounded. None of this was doing one iota of good for her credibility.
Walker tensed, but he shifted his gaze to hers and held it, professional decorum coloring his words. Polite, respectful, but she could read the stunned shock in his gaze. She couldn’t think of a single ridgeback who’d ever slept with a lion-shifter.
Looked like she was going to be the first, and protesting whether or not sex had actually happened, wouldn’t save her any face so she didn’t bother.
“Tristan Hale was murdered last night while leaving his club. He was ripped up pretty bad. Looked like a lion.”
The Hound glanced between the pair standing behind her, eyes narrowing, but as rough with sleep as they looked, Lennox knew they didn’t look—or smell—like men who’d showered last night...and they definitely didn’t look like they had blood dried on their hands.
“Witnesses placed the pair of them at the bar last night, the only lions there.”
“Hold out your hands,” she snapped at both of them.
Kanon flinched and held his out in front of him, while Tegan stretched his out over her shoulders. They had a fine layer of dirt under the nails but that was it. Her gaze struck the Hound’s and held. He gave a slight nod. His nose would tell him the rest.
Walker nodded. “Just following leads, thank you.”
Tegan withdrew his hands only to place them against her shoulders, squeezing gently. A tremor ran down his arms, and anyone with a good nose would smell the sadness rolling off of them. “Tristan’s dead?”
Walker let his gaze slide away, almost guilty as he pondered the bush by the door. “I apologize; it’s not how I normally would have broken the news.”
Kanon rumbled next to her. “And how would you normally have done it?”
Lennox caught him with a hand against his chest. Now was hardly the time to thrash a Hound. She’d cleared his name last night and now one of their witnesses was dead. Lennox stiffened. The testimonies.
She dug her fingernails into her palms and forced herself to focus. “Could you pick up a trail?”
Hennessy shook his head, tired. Bags darkened his eyes and he looked like a man dragged from bed too early. “Couldn’t get a scent to save my a
ss.”
He raked a hand over his face, a sigh slipping from him.
“As far as I know, a baboon could have done it. But the claw marks on him look big, too big for another wolf—though we haven’t ruled that out—and lions are known for having nasty tempers. Took a hit and went with the first names on my suspect list.”
Lennox understood. She’d have done the same thing. Lions were violent in general. Look at any pride in the wild and scars and gashes abounded. They battled over food, slamming claws into the foreheads of blood relatives as if that were a normal Sunday meal. Adding the human element didn’t always settle the beasts, and by the tension strung out between the two men behind her, it took a hell of a lot of control to rein in the inner lion.
“Well, I can vouch for these two if you need any more proof. They came home with me.”
The reproach in her voice dared him to say something, but Walker shook his head, a small smile toying at the edges of his lips. “They don’t smell like they’ve showered. The physical evidence is enough.”
The Hound started down the stairs, only to pause, one hand on the rail as he tilted his head to look up at her. “If you wouldn’t mind, I could use your opinion at the scene. You’re the best, or one of them. Caesar Torres, you, and your pack are the best.”
As if she didn’t know that. And Torres and Bree were going to kick her merry little ass soon if she didn’t call and explain things.
“Never really thought you of all Hounds would be—” He broke the words off midsentence, cringing.
It would have been easy to take offence. To lift her inner hackles and snarl at him. Except, she really hadn’t seen herself spending the night with two lions. “It’s not quite what it seems.” As if that cliché would save her. She raked a hand through her hair and sighed. “But yeah. Neither did I.”