by Jane Jamison
Dark hole? She’d never had anyone take her from behind, so how the hell did she know what it felt like? But she had a good idea that it would be amazing with Case.
Pressing her fingers to her lips, she hid her pleased smile.
The three hottest men at the rodeo want to be with me. Take that, bitches!
“So I’m assuming Ham’s your adopted brother, right?”
He faked a shocked expression. “Why would you think that?”
“Uh, I mean, he’s, uh…”
He clasped her hand, sending burning tingles through her. If she had her way about it, her flesh would never stop tingling.
“Don’t worry. I’m only razzing you. Our parents adopted him when Jamie and I were still kids. We’ve grown up together, so it’s the same as if he was born into the family. Ham’s as much a Hunter as we are.”
“Did you grow up around here?”
“Naw. We grew up in a little town called Forever, Texas.” He laughed at her clueless reaction. “Don’t worry. Not many people have ever heard of it, but it’s our home. We loved it there, but we left a couple of years ago.”
“If you loved it so much, what made you leave?”
“I don’t know. Wanderlust, maybe. Adventure. You know. The usual.”
But the expression on his face said it was more complicated than that. They’d had a reason for leaving their hometown.
She wanted to skim her palm along the hairs on his arm and feel the hard muscles underneath. Instead, she clasped her hands together and put them between her legs. “When did you move to Passion?”
“Never.”
“Never? I don’t understand.”
“What I mean is that we came into town for the rodeo. Right now our home is in the Montana mountains.”
“In the mountains? But you said right now. What’s that mean? Do you move around a lot?” She hoped he wouldn’t think she was prying too much. But she wanted to know as much about him and his brothers as she could.
“We’re moving back to the place where we grew up. Like I said, it’s pretty terrific there.”
“What’s so great about Forever?”
The mood between them changed in an instant. His body stiffened as he averted his head. She’d worded the question badly. It had come out sounding like a challenge instead of mere curiosity. “I’m sorry if I’m asking too many questions.”
“You aren’t, so don’t worry about it.”
But he kept his face turned away from hers, making her think he didn’t really mean what he’d said. When at last he pivoted back, his bright smile had returned.
“Hey, enough about us. We’re nothing but a bunch of overgrown kids playing cowboy. I want to hear about you. Tell me everything.”
Maya ducked her head, subdued again by his amazing looks. Three gorgeous men were interested in her. Had she won a dating lottery or what?
* * * *
Case studied Maya. Her face lit up whenever she spoke as though the way she used her hands to emphasize her words had switched on an inner light. Her skin glowed with a freshness girls rarely kept past their teens and her green eyes sparkled as though laughing at a private joke. Although her body wasn’t what society would’ve considered seductive or even womanly, he found her as alluring as any goddess of mythology.
But it was the connection he felt with her, the instant “click” that werewolves spoke of, that told him she was the one. The realization had almost knocked him off his feet.
He’d never given much hope to the idea that they could find one woman to share. Forever was a town made up of groups of male werewolves with their one female mate, but, somehow, he’d never thought he and his brothers would get that lucky. Or at least, he hadn’t until now.
And yet, against all the odds, here she was.
Although they’d lived in the secluded shifter sanctuary of The Hidden in the mountains of Montana for a while, they’d grown homesick for their lives in Forever, Texas. They missed the small town and shooting the breeze with their friends over a cup of brew at Milly’s Coffee Spot then dancing the night away at The Moonstone Bar. Jamie and Ham had talked about going home after the rodeo, and he had been quick to agree. Until now. Meeting Maya had thrown a huge, although welcome, wrench into their plans.
“Do you like rodeos? Or are you here just to see Jamie ride?”
She blinked, looking a bit thrown by his direct question. “I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of rodeos, but you know. When in Rome…” She grinned, catching his breath with that simple gesture. “But I do want to see him ride. What about you and Ham? Are you in any of the events?”
“Not this time. We’re just around for moral support.”
She shifted her body toward him. Now if she’d only lean toward him, it’d give him a chance for an impromptu sniff. She smelled like strawberries, and he wanted to breathe in more of the scent.
“So are you hunters like Jamie? Or do you three travel the professional rodeo circuit?”
“Are you asking me how we make a living? Or if we drive big cars?”
“No. I’m only making conversation. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” Irritation brought out the wrinkles in her forehead for a brief moment. “And just so you know, I’m not the type of woman who cares about how much a man makes.”
“Naw, it’s me who should apologize. That came out all wrong.” He tried not to squirm in his seat. “We do a lot of different things. Everything from hunting, to rodeos to ranching. Whatever it takes.”
The anger he’d sensed a second earlier was gone. Her bright mood had returned.
“Yeah. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. So didn’t you say something about moving back to where you grew up? What was the name of the town again?”
“It’s called Forever.”
“Does that mean you don’t like it where you are now?”
“No, it’s not that. We liked it fine, but it’s not home. Who knew we’d be the homesick types?” A wave of nostalgia swept over him. “We’d heard about this place in the Montana mountains and wanted to give it a go, but now we realize where we’re meant to be.”
“Back in Forever.”
“Yeah. Be it ever so humble and all that stuff.”
They fell into a comfortable silence even as he resisted the urge to ask her right then and there to be their mate. He couldn’t put it into words, but he instinctively knew she was the one.
He checked to see if Ham had started heading for them and saw that he had. A few of the girls, “rodeo groupies” as Ham called them, were still hanging on, but he was doing his best to get rid of them. At last, he hurried over to their seats then stopped in front of Maya. His entourage grumbled and cast mean glances at Maya but then split away.
“Jamie’s an idiot.”
Maya shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun as she craned her head up. “Wow. For brothers, you guys don’t think much of each other.”
Ham gave her what Case liked to call his “star-quality smile.” The man had charm, he’d give him that. He’d never felt anything but pride at how many women his brother attracted, so the twinge tightening his gut caught him off guard. But why? They planned to share their mate, to revel in the love she’d give them. He squashed the unwelcome feeling and imagined Ham sliding his cock into her as she took his dick into her mouth. With her blowing him, he could have the pleasure of watching one brother fuck her from the front while the other did it from behind. After that, they’d trade places.
Ham forced the man on her left side to scoot over as he took the place next to her. “I’m my brothers’ biggest supporter, but when they get it wrong, I tell them.”
“So what makes Jamie an idiot?”
A flash of amber in Ham’s eyes told Case everything he needed to know. Ham felt something with her, too, and he hadn’t even touched her yet.
“He’s an idiot because he called you beautiful.” Ham took her hand then placed a kiss in the middle of her palm. “You’re much more than simply beautiful.”
Case rolled his eyes. His brother wasn’t called Ham for nothing. Never mind that he’d said the same thing. But the kiss added another dimension. “That’s what I said. But I called Jamie a prick.”
“Idiot. Prick. It’s all the same difference to me.”
Maya’s giggle was light and flirtatious, making his cock twitch to life. He wondered what sounds she’d make when she rode on top of him. “Maya was about to tell me about herself. Go on. I’m sure Ham will shut up long enough to listen to you.”
Ham arched an eyebrow at his brother. “Yeah. Tell us, babe. I’m all ears.” His Hollywood smile erupted again. “Among other body parts.”
Maya tipped her head down. She seemed to do that a lot whenever her assertive nature appeared to fail her. But as fast as she’d dipped her head, she brought it back up and thrust out her chest and chin.
She’s got spunk. I like that.
“There’s not much to say really. Um, I was raised in Passion and lived here until my parents moved to New York City. I went along to help them open a store. But that didn’t last long.”
“New York City?”
She laughed at Ham’s imitation of the cowboys in the well-known Pace Picante commercial.
“Never mind Ham’s bad acting, Maya. Keep going.”
“Before long my parents decided that they’d had enough of the big city and moved back home to Passion. By then I had a job and wanted to try my hand at selling my own jewelry line. But that didn’t work out, either. I was stuck in a dead-end job with a chain jewelry store, and I hated it.”
Case slid his arm around her waist and felt her tremble. “And that’s why you’re back now? Are you planning on staying in Passion? Maybe doing your jewelry line here? You could get something going in the small boutiques, I bet.”
He ignored the smirk Ham gave him. His brothers had teased him about knowing about fashion.
Her face took on a faraway look. “I’m not sure. I’d like to create my line using natural stones and the like. I want to draw my inspiration from the woods and hills. I want to capture the spectacular sunsets in a necklace or mirror the color of the trees when they change. Damn. Do I sound lame or what?” She laughed and waved her hands in the air, dismissing what she’d said.
“I don’t think you sound lame at all.” He leaned against her. The sizzle he’d noticed before rippled into him, and he closed his eyes for a moment to relish the sensation. If she feels this good simply touching her, how incredible will it be to have sex with her?
“Have you ever thought of living somewhere else other than Passion? Someplace different than the Big Apple, that is. A place that’s a bit more like here and what you’re used to.”
She blinked. “Like where?”
Case shook his head at Ham, warning him. Don’t go too fast, man.
“I don’t know. Like Texas, maybe?”
She laughed, reminding him of tiny bells ringing in the wind.
Again, he shot his brother a pointed look. Ham had obviously felt the same intense connection to her that he had.
Ham, as was his usual style, ignored him. “I’d love to show you around Texas. It’s like Passion. It’s got cowboys and rodeos, and a whole lot more on top of that.”
Damn it, Ham!
“Really? What’s so special about it? Other than the sexy cowboys?”
His brother’s brilliant smile almost blinded them. “I didn’t say anything about the cowboys being sexy. I know the cowgirls are, but I never thought much about the cowboys.”
To her credit, she didn’t blush. Instead, she pivoted so she could face Ham dead on. “I guess I’m just assuming that they’d be sexy. You know. Like how women always think firemen and policemen are sexy.”
He kept a grin from exploding onto his face. She was good at thinking on her feet.
“Or is it a specific town you want me to see? Like maybe Forever?”
Case slashed his finger across his throat in the universal “cut it out” gesture. Ham’s gaze bounced to him then back to Maya.
“I see Case has mentioned it to you. But talking about it doesn’t do it justice. You’ll have to let me show you some day.”
“I think I’ll take your word for it for now.”
Maya relaxed, putting some of her weight against Case. If she got any closer, someone would have to restrain him from claiming her. He drew in her scent, committing the delicate fragrance of strawberries to memory. Was it her bodywash or her shampoo? And yet underneath was another aroma, one that filled with pheromones and the heat of her sexual need.
“What is it you want, Maya?”
She shifted toward the front again to search his face. “What do you mean? I told you.”
He studied the bridge of her nose then let his gaze slide to the small mole next to her right ear. Soon he’d slide his tongue over that mole. “I want to know what you want in a man.”
She stared at him as though she hadn’t quite understood what he’d said. When she finally spoke, her voice had dropped to a whisper and her tone held a hint of awe.
“I want a real man. A man who is confident and strong and macho, but not in an overbearing kind of way. He has to be sensitive, too, and understanding.”
Her eyes clouded over in a dreamy way. Would they look that way after she’d had an orgasm?
“Yeah. Go on.”
“I want a wild man I can tame with love. He takes what he wants but he’s not a brute. I want him to throw me over his shoulder then into his bed and make me his.”
“And if there were more than one man to do that?” He kept his voice to a whisper as Ham leaned closer, intent on hearing her answer.
“That’s too much to ask.”
“It wasn’t too much for Shay and Tatum.”
Her eyes sparkled with moisture. “But they’re different. They’re…more.”
The shock of her words sent his mind reeling. Did she not realize how attractive she was? Could she not feel his and Ham’s desire for her?
“You’re right. They’re different from you.”
“You’re much sexier than they could ever hope to be.”
She stared at him, searching him, clearly wondering if he spoke the truth. He’d tell her again, but he hoped she’d see the truth of what he’d said in his eyes.
“He’s right, baby.” Ham’s tone held the desire that Case felt.
She blinked again, as though breaking out of a hypnotic spell. “Uh, I don’t know what to say. Except that I can’t believe I told you that.” She tucked her head again then glanced at him through lowered eyelashes. “Please keep what I told you private, okay? Both of you?”
He crooked a finger under her chin and made her meet his eyes. “I promise. We won’t say a thing.”
* * * *
I told my deepest dream to a stranger. And not any old stranger but one of the hottest men I’ve ever met. What is up with me?
Maya found it difficult to look either Ham or Case in the face, so she fixed her attention on the arena. As luck would have it, the bull riding event had started. She leaned forward, resting her forearms on top of her knees, and concentrated on watching the chute where the first rider and bull were getting ready. The rider, wearing a helmet much like a football helmet, positioned himself as his spotters made certain that nothing would go wrong before the gate opened.
“What’s with the helmet, Case?”
“It’s becoming more customary for riders to wear protection.”
“Makes sense to me.”
“Maybe, but it’s up to the riders to decide. No one mandates that they wear one.”
“Why not? I’d think the people who run the rodeo would require riders to wear a helmet to keep them safe from major head injury.”
Case took off his hat and shaped the brim. “Nobody makes a helmet that’s specifically made for riding bulls, so the rodeo sponsors can’t require something that might turn out to be a liability. Until they come up with a helmet made for these events, they’re on their own.”
With a nod, the rider signaled for them to turn the bull loose.
The light-brown bull barreled out of the gate. He twisted and turned, trying to throw the rider, but the cowboy held on. Five seconds later, the rider flew off the back of the bull but still managed to land on his feet. He took off running for the fence as the bull whirled around and stormed toward him. The cowboy jumped to safety a second before the animal thrust his horns upward, narrowly missing the man’s buttocks.
“Five seconds isn’t too bad.” Although she’d gone to rodeos as a child, she couldn’t recall all the details of how the riders were scored. “Or is it?”
Case shook his head. “Eight’s better, of course, but you need to understand that there’s two judges on either side that rank both the rider’s and the bull’s performances.”
“Why the bull’s?”
Ham inched closer, snaring her between the two hunks. Oh, how I’d love to be the meat to their bread. She clasped her hands and forced herself to listen to Case’s explanation.
“Here’s the thing. Say you’ve got a really good rider, but he gets on a bull that doesn’t do much bucking. It doesn’t take a great rider to stay on an animal that’s not trying hard as hell to get him off his back. So let’s say the guy hangs on for the solid eight seconds. Should he get a better score than another rider who stays on a really wild bull ride for only six seconds?”
“I see your point. So if a cowboy gets a good ride from a bull and stays on for the whole eight seconds, then he gets a really good score. Am I getting it?”
“Yeah. The two judges give a score to both rider and bull then average them for the final score. Best ride plus best rider gets the best score. And the best score at the end wins.”
She nodded then thought of another situation. “What if the bull doesn’t even get out of the chute?”