Alpha Mate [Alpha Protectors 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Lyzie Carlisle

  His body arched, water lapping around his gritted jaw as his balls tightened with his vision of Emily. The intense tingling in his lower spine rose upward. His rock-hard penis pumped beneath his fist and a low growl escaped him with the sweet release. Thanks to the shifter in him, he’d be hard and ready again soon enough with beautiful Emily on his mind. He hoped she’d like him as much.

  Chapter Two

  Emily smiled as Jase and Cole strode to one of her tables at the steakhouse. So far, she had held Jase and Cole off, telling them she didn’t have time to go out with them even though she’d rather spend time with those two guys than anyone else. She’d become used to seeing them and they’d always been nice. She hadn’t allowed them to become too friendly with her, either.

  They looked like a couple of potently male guys who were used to their dates having sex with them, and ending the night with having sex. She grabbed a couple of glasses to fill with ice and water for them.

  She had never risked a serious relationship after being put in numerous foster homes following the attack on her mother by her abusive father. But if her father showed up at the steakhouse in Heat Springs where she planned to work as long as she needed to, she wouldn’t refuse the friendship and protection of millionaire ranchers, Jase Farley and Cole Adams.

  In fact she could lose her heart to either one or both Jase and Cole if they proved to her they were worthy of her complete trust and admiration. She tucked a couple of menus under her arm as she let the glasses fill with water. Losing her heart to both of them could be a problem for her.

  What a huge difference her life was now compared to how she had spent her younger years. She’d moved from one foster home to another after the night her mother’s husband forced himself on her mother in their small house. Emily had hidden in the closet of her mother’s bedroom when her mother screamed. She’d never forget the sound of that horrid man slapping her mother over and over before he finally left the house. Emily had never been able to call him her father, and she refused to do so even now. He’d never been a proper, loving father.

  She had never forgotten the nightmare of that fateful night. Since then she’d been unable to ever trust men. She’d been moved from one foster home to another because of the various foster parents’ frustrations in trying to deal with her fears and mistrust. But maybe she could trust Jase and Cole.

  At last she was on her own since she’d finished college, and the future looked promising. She wouldn’t have made it through college if not for someone helping her monetarily. Her expenses and tuition had been paid for by a person whose identity had not been revealed to her by anyone, nor let it be known with any of her queries. She hoped someday to discover her benefactor so she could thank that generous person.

  She enjoyed her work in town now as a waitress at Ben’s Steak House even while she built her online clientele of art investors. She was determined to become self-supporting as soon as possible, but she knew it would take a while.

  During college, she’d worked for a large auction house as their historical art specialist, after studying and training with the department head. After graduating she’d decided she needed a smaller town. Heat Springs had been just the right size.

  She gathered up the two glasses of ice water and turned toward Jase and Cole’s table. Emily found them both to be ruggedly handsome. Their friendly self-confidence drew her inexorably every time they sat down at one of her tables. Yet, Emily had told them she didn’t have time to go out with them even though she’d rather spend time with them than anyone else. She had become used to seeing them and they’d always been nice to her. She just wasn’t sure yet that she wanted to be more closely involved with them, and she hadn’t allowed them to become familiar with her, either, although they had tried.

  One evening she’d helped out the cashier, Mary Jones, when she needed a quick break, just as Jase and Cole headed in the same direction to pay their bill. Before she’d reached the pass-through behind the counter, she’d felt a big warm hand at her back. She’d turned quickly. Jase had stood right behind her, his hand touching her. She’d moved sideways away from him. He hadn’t pressed her. He’d nodded to her as he tipped his hat. “No offense meant,” he’d said softly in that smooth baritone voice. Then he’d winked at her. “See you later.”

  “Save us a table for dinner,” Cole had said with his thick Texas drawl, and he’d smiled at her.

  She hadn’t been able to keep herself from smiling back.

  Last night, she’d turned away when they’d wanted to give her kisses on the cheek. She liked both of them. They made her feel so good, like she was really attractive to them.

  If they asked her again tonight, she might take a chance and go out with them. She set the glasses down on their table along with the menus. “Would you all like a drink?”

  “Sounds great,” Jase said. “I’ll have a beer.”

  “Same here,” Cole said.

  “Hey!” shouted a rough looking man a few tables away in her area. “Are you ever gonna take my order?”

  Emily turned to see who the rude guy was. She didn’t recognize him. ”I’ll be right with you,” she assured him. She turned back to Jase and Cole. “I’ll bring your drinks right out.” She smiled at them both and turned to get the rude man’s order.

  “It’s about time,” he shouted in an ornery tone before she could reach his table.

  Hell, he didn’t need to make a scene. “What would you like to order?” she asked him.

  He reached out and grabbed her thigh under her butt cheek nearest to him.

  She gasped. “Take your damn hand off me.” She kept her voice low. She started to move away and heard chairs scraping behind her. Jase and Cole moved so fast, they were beside her in an instant.

  Jase knocked the man’s hand away from her. “Keep your hands off her.” Jase’s voice growled low and threatening.

  “And shut the fuck up.” Cole’s green eyes glittered cold as ice.

  Emily stared at them, the rude stranger’s behavior forgotten as she took in the lethal threat in the voices and faces of Jase and Cole. They looked like they could easily tear the man apart.

  “Hey, can’t a guy have a little fun?” the man asked.

  “Not here, and never with her,” Jase told him.

  “Ah, hell,” the guy said. “I don’t take orders from you.”

  With lightning speed Cole gripped one of his arms and Jase grabbed the other in one big hand, and they escorted him to the door and outside.

  “Good riddance,” Ben Jones said behind her.

  “I’m sorry,” Emily said to him. Ben had been good to hire her, and she didn’t want to cause him a loss in business.

  “Not your fault,” Ben said. “If you see him come in here again, you come straight to me and I’ll send him on his way first thing.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, feeling rather dizzy from the whole episode.

  “Go ahead and wait on your other customers,” Ben said gently.

  She noticed then that her regular lunch customers Troy and Doug had left their table and were standing close by as well. She nodded to them and headed for the back to get a couple of bottles of beer for Jase and Cole.

  Ben Jones was a good employer. He was always easy-going. She really appreciated that.

  When she returned to the front, Troy and Doug had taken their seats and continued to enjoy their meal. Jase and Cole were already seated again at their table.

  They smiled at her as she reached them and set their beer down. She smiled back at the two handsome guys. “Thanks for coming to my rescue,” she said softly.

  “How about going out with us after your shift is over?” Jase asked, his low voice only for her ears. She liked his consideration of her privacy.

  “We haven’t given up on taking you out for a fun time, you know,” Cole said. “You’re too pretty for us to ignore.”

  “I’m still a little shook up,” she said. “That jerk has bothered me before. Men like him scare
me.” She’d had too much of that in her childhood.

  “You need a change of atmosphere,” Jase suggested. “How about a swim at the lake later?”

  “It would be good for you,” Cole added. “Help you relax after work.”

  Emily thought a swim would take her mind off the awful man’s behavior. “I think I’ll take you up on that offer. Sounds like just the thing.” She had a gut feeling she’d be safe with Jase and Cole.

  They smiled warmly at her. “When is your shift over?” Jase asked.

  Her shift was over at nine pm. Except for Jase, Cole, and a few other patrons talking over the last of their drinks, the restaurant had cleared out.

  “We’ll wait for you out front,” Jase said as she wrote their bills.

  “I won’t be long,” she said.

  The guys strode out the front entrance and Emily picked up their usual large tips and the cash they’d left to pay their bills.

  She handed the dinner money to Mary who waited behind the cash register.

  “Long evening?” Mary asked.

  Emily figured she must have witnessed the scene earlier in the evening caused by that awful guy. “Not too bad,” she answered.

  “Have a good evening,” Mary said.

  Emily couldn’t help smiling at her. “I will.” The sister of Ben Jones, Mary had always been nice to her. She took off her apron and left it on the shelf for the laundry. “See you tomorrow.” She was off for her date with not one but two handsome cowboys.

  Chapter Three

  She hurried out the front door. Jase and Cole were there waiting for her.

  “We flipped a coin,” Jase said. “I won and you can ride to the lake with me if that’s okay with you.”

  She looked at Cole who shrugged. “I drove here in my pickup but Jase drove his Bugatti. You’d probably enjoy riding in it. Next time you can ride with me if you’d like.”

  “That sounds fine,” she said. It was obvious they’d worked it out, and she was happy to go along with them.

  They all three walked to Jase’s sports car. He pressed the button on his key and the headlights blinked on. The lights looked like blue cat’s eyes at night. She smiled at the sight. With the oval grill on the front of the car and the lights, it gave the appearance of a cat’s face. She smiled at the sight. She’d always loved cats but had never been able to have one for a pet. He opened the door, helped her in, and hurried around to the driver’s side to join her.

  “What a beautiful car,” she said in awe. “This must have been expensive.” She had no idea what the different sports cars cost. The interior was beautiful with upholstery that looked like a black jaguar coat, having dark background and light tan-colored spots that were barely discernable.

  “I didn’t buy it new,” Jase said. “I sold a sports car I already had and bought this one. I had a bit more to pay than I made on the previous car to make the purchase, but I’ve really enjoyed it. The guy who sold it to me said he was tired of the black finish. I like the finish just fine.”

  “How fast does it go?”

  “Fast enough.” He grinned at her with a look that told her he’d tested it out, and they headed for the highway.

  He turned onto the pavement and the car took off with a soft hum. She could feel the road beneath the tires but not enough to cause a bumpy ride. She looked back and saw Cole following. His truck looked huge behind them and made her feel like she was practically sitting on the ground.

  A little way down the highway, Jase turned onto the road leading to the spa and lake. About a mile further along the road, he pulled up in the parking area and turned off the ignition.

  “Wait and let me help you out.” He opened his door and exited his side. He held the door for her and gave her a hand, pulling her up to her feet. He stepped aside and she walked out of his way while he shut the door. When Cole joined them, they headed toward the lake. She knew the small, hot springs-fed lake on the Adams Ranch was a favorite place for people to go for a midnight swim.

  It was a short walk from the parking area of the spa to the lake. The moon shone full and bright, making it easy to see details in her surroundings.

  When they reached the lake, she noticed Troy Snyder and Doug Hensley in the water, waist deep. It looked like there was a young woman with them. She remembered how they’d been ready to back up Jase and Cole at the steakhouse. Usually they had lunch there. They had an antique store in town that they owned and ran as partners.

  As she watched them a moment the three of them moved closer and put their arms around each other. Troy and Doug kissed the young woman on her face and neck. Emily hadn’t realized they were all together. She looked away, self-conscious and not wanting to stare.

  She glanced toward the sound of several people laughing and splashing water. They weren’t that far away from the edge of the water that rose around their ankles. The moon revealed that they were naked. Oh my, it was Lacy, Derek and Trey. They splashed each other and Lacy spun away from them. She ran through the shallow water. Derek and Trey followed and caught her. She laughed and squealed as Derek lifted her into his arms and Trey moved in close, putting his hands beneath her back and butt cheeks.

  Emily knew she shouldn’t stare, but she couldn’t take her eyes away. Her cheeks grew hot as she watched Trey and Derek caress Lacy, and take turns kissing her as she stroked them in return. What would Lacy’s brother think if he knew? They let her slide down to her feet. She turned toward Trey and wrapped her arms around his neck. He lowered his head, and Emily knew they were kissing. She could see Derek bend down and kiss her shoulders. Oh my God. She looked away, right at Troy and Doug and their date.

  Emily was both a little frightened and fascinated as she watched the lovers. She folded her arms under her breasts, just as Cole put an arm around her shoulders. She shivered. His light touch was warm and somehow comforting.

  * * * *

  Jase noticed the reaction of their cool goddess and decided it was totally worth it for their relationship for him and Cole to stay quiet while she watched. He glanced over at Cole who nodded that he understood the situation. They could also hear what Troy and Doug and their young woman said to each other as they made love. Lacy, Derek, and Trey took things further.

  Jase put his hand at Emily’s waist. He leaned down and brushed his lips against her soft cheek.

  She didn’t protest or move away. Thank God. He watched her reaction as Cole gave her a little kiss on her other cheek. She didn’t shy away from him either. Good, they might have a chance with her.

  Jase moved closer to her. The shifter part of him scented that Emily was aroused, but she still wouldn’t let either him or Cole do more than give her little kisses and gentle touches. She didn’t give them much encouragement. Maybe seeing all the naked people making love out here was too shocking for her. It might help him and Cole build her trust in them if they got together with Troy and Doug and their date, or Derek, Lacy, and Trey, on future dates with Emily. She was obviously interested in watching the others.

  “I’ve never seen anyone make love before,” she said softly.

  Jase took a deep breath of relief. She wasn’t put off by it.

  “Troy and Doug are so very gentle with their date. They all seem to enjoy making love with each other as well as play a bit.” She turned and looked in the direction of Lacy, Derek and Trey. “I’ve also never seen three people making love together.” Emily shook her head. “I find myself curious about the interaction between Lacy and your two big, strong brothers, as well. They’re so gentle.”

  “Of course,” Jase said. “There’s never a good reason to be rough, or hurt someone you want to have sex with or make love to.”

  “I agree, but my mom didn’t have a loving or gentle relationship. The man who lived with her was awful to her. He hit her at night, over and over until I could hear her crying. He was always mean, especially at night and at bedtime. I want to see for myself, if you guys don’t mind, just how long the happy atmosphere continues.”<
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  “We can stay here as long as you want,” Cole said softly.

  “We’re just happy to hang with you, Emily.” Jase smoothed his hand over her nape.

  Emily didn‘t say anything more but just stood there between him and Cole and watched the lovers quietly. After a while, Troy and Doug and their girl left in a good mood, still happy with each other, and not arguing, not that they would. They were very close. Lacy and Trey and Derek were still enjoying each other.

  As they watched, Derek embraced her from behind and cupped her breasts in his hands while he kissed the side of her neck. Trey dropped to his knees in the shallow water and held Lacy’s hips in his hands as he nuzzled her shaved pussy.

  “Oh wow,” Emily whispered, sounding breathless. Her body rocked and Jase gave her more support with his hand at her waist. He noticed Cole did the same. Jase could just imagine the jolt that went through Emily’s body as she saw Trey go down on Lacy.

  Watching that made Jase so hard that he ached, but he was going to have to have a talk with his brother and warn him about not mating with Lacy until they had an understanding. If Trey had feelings for her, until he found out if she shared those feelings with him, he could be in danger of having his heart broken.

  Derek tilted Lacy’s head back and took her mouth with his. They heard her high-pitched moan as Trey slipped a hand between her thighs and moved it back and forth. Lacy’s hips bucked as Trey kept his hand there.

  Jase knew exactly what Trey was doing to Lacy. Did Emily know? He heard Emily inhale a deep breath.