by Watts, Mia
Maybe it was animal pheromones. Damn pheromones. And so much easier to blame than the fact that apparently Ben was horny for all three men. God, he needed to get laid. That foursome was looking better and better.
“Ben? Clothes?” Charlie reminded, though he looked more than moderately amused by Ben’s prolonged silence.
“Right.” Ben leaped to his feet and went to the back room. He always kept an extra set there in case something happened in the field. He came back with the clothes and held them out, like a hare—Charlie—could take them.
“You want me to shift right here?” Charlie asked skeptically.
“I’d kind of like to watch. I’m feeling a bit crazy at the moment. Do you mind?”
“No.” Charlie hopped off the desk and toward the back door. “Can you bring the clothes and get the door for me?”
Ben followed the hare, feeling a little odd for holding open the door to let him pass. He’d have to remember to shred the incident report on the bite Charlie gave him. Otherwise there’d have to be follow up on whether or not the vaccination had been reported, and boy, wouldn’t that take some explaining.
Charlie hopped into the examination room. He moved to the middle of the open space and faced Ben. His little furry body began to shake. Ben’s ears flattened against his back and he closed his eyes. The front paws curled under, almost sedately tucked, despite the apparent tremors wracking his body.
His nose shortened, pulling in the whiskers, and slowly, slowly the fur reverse-grew until what Ben saw looked more like a naked mole than a hare. The ears shrank back. Charlie’s animal form doubled, then tripled in size, continuing until he reached normal proportions. Finally, the rest of his skin and bones reordered, until Charlie was before Ben, hunched and trembling on the bare floor.
Ben crouched down. His hands shook as he opened the shirt for Charlie.
Charlie lifted his head. A pained smile touched his lips. “Was it everything you were hoping it would be?”
Ben nodded. “Amazing.”
It also left no doubt that everything Ben had heard and seen was exactly what Charlie had promised. There were shifters in the world, and Ben knew three of them.
Chapter Ten
Duncan called after Gibbs to wait up.
“Why?” Gibbs wanted to know.
“You’re going to see Ben, right?”
“Yeah, and get Charlie.”
“I want to be there, too,” Duncan said, running after him as Gibbs slammed the front door. Duncan tried to shrug casually, but apparently Gibbs wouldn’t let the subject drop.
“Say it.” Gibbs waited in stony silence.
Duncan’s smile dropped. “Fuck off.”
“Really? That’s what you come up with? I want to hear you say that you have to check on Charlie personally.”
“Why would I want to do that?” Duncan countered. He dropped his hands on his hips, stubbornly refusing to give Gibbs what he wanted. Seriously, weren’t a guy’s feelings his own domain?
Gibbs held the keys by the ring off one finger. They dangled there. “I’m not taking you anywhere unless you admit that you’re worried about Charlie.”
“Of course I’m worried about Charlie. Aren’t you?”
“Sure, but I don’t have the driving need to make sure all his parts are in order,” Gibbs mocked.
“They’re in order,” Duncan grumbled. “But how do you plan on getting Charlie back if I can’t at least help you distract Ben long enough to grab him, because that’s what this is gonna be. Snatch and grab.”
“So illegal, but so necessary. Tonight is the full moon.”
The reminder did nothing to ease Duncan’s anxiety. They’d tried all the other avenues that morning, calling around to ask about how to get their “exotic pet” Charlie released. All the other DNR offices had said the same thing. Ben was playing by the book. Unfortunately, this book’s story ended with Charlie fighting fleas and ticks for the rest of his life.
Duncan wasn’t about to let that happen. “Stop fucking around. We don’t have time for this shit.”
“I know, it’s already three and the office closes in two hours. I just think that you need to figure out your priorities before we pick up Charlie.”
“It’s none of your business,” Duncan argued.
“Like hell it isn’t. You’re in love with him, and we all happen to fuck. I don’t want you confusing your concern over his current situation with anything other than what it is. You love him.”
“Whatever.” Duncan had no desire to say it out loud. Not to anyone that wasn’t Charlie, at least. He agreed that certain realities had become apparent about his feelings for Charlie since his capture, but that didn’t mean Gibbs needed to hear about it first.
Gibbs sighed. “Fine. Let’s go.”
A large white truck came to a stop in front of Gibbs and Duncan. It only took a moment for Duncan to recognize Ben and—Charlie.
“Sweet baby Jesus in a manger,” Duncan breathed.
His chest stuttered on an inhale. His throat burned. Duncan pushed passed Gibbs, reaching the passenger side door as Charlie stepped out of the truck. Duncan grabbed him by the shoulders. “God, I missed your ugly mug.”
“Fuck you, too,” Charlie said grinning.
Overwhelmed, Duncan had no words for what he was feeling. He stared at his hands stupidly still gripping Charlie’s shoulders, unable to let him go, unable to pull him closer.
Charlie’s lips quirked. “Dude, I was gone, like, a night.”
Suddenly the damn of words broke. “You stupid idiot! Gibbs warned you about the trap and you hopped right into it anyway! You have to listen!”
Charlie started laughing. “And you need to live a little. It all turned out fine.”
“By getting collared and trapped?”
“Spontaneity, moron,” Charlie’s tone had softened, taking the sting out of the insult. “Like this.”
Charlie hooked his hand behind Duncan’s neck and dragged him closer. “I missed you, too,” he whispered just before their lips met.
Duncan’s ears rang. As if playing a part in one of Duncan’s many dreams, Charlie captured his lips, broke, and reclaimed them with a hungry groan.
Duncan’s hands seemed to regain some life. His arms wrapped around him, holding on, afraid it would be over too soon, or worse, just a fantasy where it only seemed like Charlie missed him most.
Holding him closer made the moment blissfully real. Charlie’s lean body lined his, leaving no room for Duncan to second-guess himself.
“You think they’re happy to see each other?” Ben’s voice carried to them.
“You have no idea how close they came to losing each other before ever admitting how they actually feel about each other,” Gibbs said.
Duncan tuned them out, fighting the tears that threatened to manifest.
I’ve been so stupid.
Pride had kept him silent. Charlie drove him crazy in so many ways. He challenged Duncan, baited him, taunted him, teased him, and never ever left his mind for even a moment.
The truth of Ben’s words sank in, bringing truth to everything Duncan was feeling. Maybe Charlie was right. Maybe he needed to leap first sometimes.
Duncan cupped his face, holding Charlie in a deep kiss. Their tongues rubbed against each other. Charlie suckled Duncan’s tongue, bringing to mind the other things Charlie was good at sucking.
Duncan pulled away. “Don’t ever get caught again.”
“I knew you’d come for me,” Charlie answered with a cheeky grin.
“Don’t worry. Now that I know, he’s safe from the local DNR,” Ben told them.
“But not from hunters,” Duncan argued.
“Maybe it’s time we called the annual race quits?” Gibbs suggested.
“I like the race. It’s the one thing I’m good at,” Charlie complained. “Even if I always lose.”
“No, it’s not,” Duncan winked at him. “I like chasing your tail, but we could confine it to the bedro
om.”
Charlie frowned. “You might be the only guy I want all the time, but you aren’t the only guy I want.”
Gibbs snuck in for a hug. “I’m glad you’re back, and safe, buddy. I think this calls for a celebration dinner.”
“To snub the new moon for not catching me this time,” Charlie agreed joyfully.
“For reminding us all what we nearly lost,” Duncan added. “Of what I nearly lost.” He pulled Charlie closer to him, pressing a tender kiss to his lips.
“I love you, too,” Charlie replied, answering Duncan's unspoken admission.
“Celebrate with us?” Gibbs asked Ben.
Ben nodded. “As long as it’s not a shifters only party,” he joked. “I’d be wearing the wrong outfit for that.”
“Trust me. Everything you need to come to this party, you already have,” Gibbs said with a warm smile.
* * * *
Ben lifted his glass with the others.
“Here’s to the Hare Moon,” Charlie said.
“Cheers!” they responded in unison.
Ben smiled curiously as he watched the men over the rim of his wine glass. They were beautiful, each of them. He still wasn’t certain why they had included him on the festivities that evening, but he did know he was exactly where he wanted to be.
Yesterday evening, on his porch, he’d played devil’s advocate with Duncan, pretending he didn’t believe that Gibbs’ kiss had been more than a seduction attempt. But he had known, because Gibbs had held nothing back. Just like Ben had been unable to do less than commit himself to the awakening of something potentially awesome between them.
Gibbs, Duncan, and Charlie really were a package deal, it seemed. They finished each other’s sentences, set each other up for jokes, and lovingly took the jesting that they all seemed a part of. What was more incredible, they had already accepted Ben as part of the group. So fast, possibly too fast. He wasn’t sure. He supposed he’d have to see how things went.
He liked Gibbs. A lot. He definitely hadn’t been loved the way Gibbs had loved him that night a year ago, with such depth. Duncan and Charlie teased and flirted with Ben too. Could Ben really become one of them? Even though he didn’t share their gift of shifting?
He sipped his wine, then smiling up at the moon of honor, he contemplated the bright yellow orb and the men laughing nearby.
Gibbs walked over to stand behind Ben’s chair. He tenderly ran his fingers through Ben’s hair and Ben looked into his eyes, upside down.
“Hi,” Ben said.
“Hi,” Gibbs answered, a small smile on his lips. “I’m glad you’re here tonight.”
“Me too.”
Gibbs leaned over and kissed him. The unfamiliar positioning made Ben smile against Gibbs’ lips, but he opened for him, rubbing his tongue against Gibbs’. Ben flickered the tip against the roof of Gibbs’ mouth. But the contact wasn’t good enough, sweet enough for what Ben wanted. He hooked his fingers around Gibbs’ biceps and tugged him around to sit on Ben’s lap. Once he had Gibbs where he wanted him, Ben linked his arms around his waist and settled in for a hungry exploration of Gibbs’ mouth.
He wanted so much more than a kiss. Ben undid a button on Gibbs’ shirt, sliding his hand inside for a surreptitious feel. Smooth skin met his questing fingers, and he couldn’t help but spread his fingers wide, to touch as much of Gibbs’ chest as he could.
Gibbs laid his hand over Ben’s hand, the fabric trapped between them.
“You can feel even more if you take my shirt off,” Gibbs told him.
“Here?”
“Sure. Nothing these guys haven’t seen already, and what could be more perfect than sex by moonlight?”
Ben wiggled his eyebrows. “Sex, huh?”
“That is what you were intending, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I just thought I was being more discrete than that.”
Gibbs smiled, bent to take one of Ben’s earlobes between his lips. “Who told you that feeling me up was discrete?”
“Skip discrete. Gibbs, take your clothes off. I’m going to fuck you al fresco.”
“Now you’re talkin’.”
Gibbs ripped his shirt off, popping buttons as he did so. Duncan cheered him on with his version of an owl hooting. Charlie got out of his chair, pulled Duncan to his feet and began a slow grind to some unnamed melody only they could hear.
Ben relaxed a little more as it became clear that they were in their own world, not concerned with what Gibbs and he did. Ben unzipped Gibbs’ pants and reached inside, pulling his cock free. Ben lifted the other man, laying him back on the table.
“I want to get a better look at you. Do you mind?” Ben asked.
By way of answer, Gibbs shucked his pants. None of them wore shoes, opting to feel the spring grass between their toes while they’d been enjoying the evening. Ben marveled at the foresight.
Gibbs propped himself up on the table with his elbows. His legs dangled over the edge as his proud cock gradually filled before Ben’s eyes.
“Wow,” Ben murmured.
Gibbs removed his glasses, a sly grin playing on his lips. “Your turn.”
Ben paused only a minute to glance at the other two men before he pulled off his polo shirt and removed his jeans.
“You look as fantastic as I remember,” Gibbs said.
“How did you see me—oh, wait, owl night vision?”
“Not quite as keen in human form, but better than most,” Gibbs acknowledged. “One night was over far too quickly. The other was too quick to really appreciate you. I’m hoping you stick around.”
Ben lifted a shoulder. “Let’s see where things go.”
Gibbs nodded to his erect penis. “I’d say up.”
Ben’s smile was slow and suggestive. “I don’t know,” he challenged. “I think maybe they’re going down.”
Ben kissed one perfect collarbone, admiring the way the slight moisture left from his lips glistened on his skin in the moonlight. Gibbs’ cock already teased Ben’s chest, but he promised himself to take it slow. Last time, he’d been denied the chance to take his mysterious lover in his mouth. This time, Ben was going to do it right.
Trailing kisses to Gibbs’ nipple, Ben took the distended tip into his mouth, laving it with deep, sucking pulls, teasing the tip with wet flicks of his tongue. Gibbs groaned and threw back his head, his eyes closed.
So intent was Ben in perfecting every sensation for Gibbs, that he almost didn’t hear the other men approach. Someone kissed Ben’s shoulder blade, tracing the under curve of bone with his tongue. Ben glanced up sharply to see Charlie climbing onto the table to kiss Gibbs. He dug around in the centerpiece and pulled out the lube and condoms.
Ben snorted in surprise. The boys indulged in multiple partner sex, but having never been one of those partners, himself, Ben wasn’t sure what protocol was. But Gibbs arched his neck, reaching for Charlie who ducked his light brown head to openly tangle tongues with him.
Ben watched, fascinated as they kissed for their audience, licking before their mouths touched, biting lips and tugging sensuously. Ben’s eyes glazed over with the eroticism on display, while Duncan feathered kisses down Ben’s spine.
It tickled, like tiny butterfly wings on his back, yet hot and moist too. Gibbs urged Ben to keep kissing his chest, and Ben bent to the task, keeping his eyes glued to the sexy dance between Gibbs’ mouth and Charlie’s.
Gibbs sucked in sharply as Ben reached his abdomen. Ben nudged Gibbs’ cock aside, continuing his downward track. He pushed Gibbs’ thighs apart forcefully. Gibbs looked up to watch Ben take his balls in his mouth. Charlie rained kisses across Gibbs’ shoulders, his fingers locking on Gibbs’ nipples to pull and twists rhythmically.
Ben had never been part of anything more erotic.
Behind him, Duncan reached the top of Ben’s ass. Duncan must have kneeled, because he split the globes of Ben’s ass and dragged his tongue through the crevice. Ben shuddered, inadvertently suckling hard on Gibbs’ balls. Gibbs mo
aned roughly.
Charlie shifted Gibbs. Ben complained about the interruption, only to find that the new position put Charlie beneath Gibbs, his cock shooting up the inside of Gibbs’ thigh. Two cocks, two sets of balls.
Duncan’s tongue made another pass. Ben cried out. He temporarily lost his train of thought as Duncan focused on Ben’s anus, rimming the sensitive flesh with his diligent tongue, probing, flicking, kissing.
“Ben,” Charlie said, getting his attention.
Ben looked up, dazed. Charlie handed him the tube of lube from the table. Ben looked at it blankly for a moment before realizing what he was supposed to do. He took the lube and slicked up Charlie’s long, narrow, condom covered cock. Then taking it in hand, he placed it at Gibbs’ hole.
Gibbs pushed himself up, and sank on Charlie’s cock, groaning desperately as his body was forced to take the sudden imposition. Charlie swore viciously.
“Fu-uck, Gibbs. Warn a guy. I nearly lost my load,” Charlie complained.
“Pass the lube,” Duncan said from behind Ben.
Ben practically whipped the tube at Duncan’s face. Cool and slippery, the gel touched his ass. Ben could no longer ignore the lovely thick rod in front of him. Holding Gibbs’ cock steady, he eagerly took the tip into his mouth.
A finger entered Ben’s ass. He moaned around Gibbs’ cock. Gibbs fisted Ben’s hair. He rose to his knees, kneeling over Charlie as Charlie began to pump into Gibbs, and Ben reflexively took the cock in his mouth deeper in time to Charlie’s efforts.
Duncan grabbed Ben’s hips and thrust forward. Ben cried out, the vibrations carrying to Gibbs who seemed lost in his own world of ecstasy. Duncan took Ben’s ass in hard, balls-deep thrusts.
Gibbs ground forward. His pelvis rubbed Ben’s nose. Ben’s mind swam in the scent of male. It smelled like cock and hot skin, like crushed grass and pine. Suddenly, Charlie erupted, adding the fresh aroma of cum to the cries that pierced the night. Duncan fucked Ben harder, slamming into his ass. Gibbs flexed his hips, gripping Ben’s hair to hold him where he needed him. Gibbs panted hard, his gasps hissing from him. In one last yell, he emptied into Ben’s throat. Ben swallowed quickly, sucking him off.