Davies, Corrine - Embraced by Fur [3xtasy Lake 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Corinne Davies

  “And I keep telling you that when you’re eighty-five, you’ll still be my baby girl.”

  “How are Helen and Ann? Please give them a hug from me.”

  Gordon’s smile reflected every bit of the love he felt for his wives. “They’re as beautiful as ever. Oh, and before I forget, I’m under direct orders from my ladies to remind you that you’re expected for dinner tomorrow night.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” That was another plus in favour of staying here. She would always feel welcome and be fed home-cooked meals. Brenna’s mom was an incredible force in the kitchen. She always made elaborate meals when they’d come to visit them in University.

  “Brenna was telling me that Hope wants to be called Lulu now.”

  “Yup, my little girl is as strong willed as her mamas. A friend of Ann’s has been calling her Lulu. It means ‘little rabbit’, and since my Hope bounces around all the time, it fit. She’s taken quite the liking to it.”

  “I can’t wait to see them.”

  “Then we’ll see you tomorrow night. I have to go pick up some groceries for dinner. Can’t have my girls go hungry, because it makes them grumpy.” He pressed a kiss to Carol and Brenna’s heads as he hugged them before heading to the small market across the street.

  “How is it your dad can make me feel like a kid?”

  Brenna winked at her. “Because, he’s older than dirt, so we’re all kids to him.”

  “I heard that!” echoed across the street, sending both of them into a fit of laughter.

  Brenna tucked her arm into the crook of Carol’s. “Let’s get the clinic closed up, and then you and TC can get settled. I cleared out the spare room. It has a sliding door that faces the back, and I want you to be able to enjoy the view.” The back half of the clinic was Brenna’s apartment, which made it easier for her to be there for any animals in her care.

  They sauntered up the street back toward the clinic. Ahead of them, the three little old ladies rocked in matching chairs and, knitting, all smiled simultaneously. “Hi, Brenna. Hi, Carol,” they chimed out in unison.

  “That’s Poppy, Lily, and Lavender McGuigan.” Brenna laughed and headed in the direction of the ladies who greeted them. “We better go over and say hi, or they will be insulted, and trust me, you always want to be on their good side.”

  How did they know my name? Her question must have shown on her face.

  “Look up over the yarn shop and to the left. See the big window?” Brenna nudged her shoulder and pointed upwards.

  Carol followed where Brenna indicated. There was a man sitting in front of a desk with a maze of wires all over the place. He waved down at them, and they both returned his wave.

  “That’s Cris. He’s the voice of 3XTC, our own radio station. I mentioned this morning that you were coming, so he told everyone you were driving into town today.”

  “You’re kidding me. Everyone knows I’ve come for a visit?”

  “Of course, this is a small town, remember? Word would have spread quickly, but Cris makes certain that the truth doesn’t get stretched too much, although he is the cause of some of the best Blavet rumours.”

  They came up on the trio of knitters as they chatted.

  “That boy keeps talking about the creature in the lake as if he knows him.”

  “All that talk is what keeps the tourists coming, but they never see it.”

  “That’s because he’s shy. He only comes around after the tourists go away.”

  “Who’s that?” Carol watched in wonder as the older women all continued knitting as they spoke. Not a single one of them looked down at their fingers as they worked the yarn around the needles.

  “Blavet, of course.” Poppy looked her over, and Carol felt as if she were being sized up for something. “Our local legend doesn’t like strangers, but I think he will like you.”

  Lily and Lavender nodded their heads in unison, and the three of them bestowed a kind smile on her. “You be sure to come down here one day, early morning, and say hello.”

  Brenna gave her a tug on the arm. “All right, I’ll do my best. It was very nice to meet the three of you.”

  “If you will excuse us, ladies, I’d like to get Carol settled in at home. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

  The three of them paused in unison to wave good-bye and then took up their knitting again. Carol was amazed by the fact that the three of them all knit at the same speed and in perfect time with the other two.

  Stranger and stranger…

  Chapter Three

  Hisss whisk merooow hisss.

  TC flew out of the waiting room at top speed, shooting past Carol’s feet and disappearing down the hallway. “What the hell?” Carol poked her head around the corner of the doorway to see what could have upset her so much. She hadn’t heard anyone come in. The sight that greeted her made her heart skip a beat.

  She blinked at the man standing there looking at one of the pictures on the counter. Her first thought was that he had the most beautiful smile. Incredible white teeth and bright blue eyes that looked her from head to toe. Uncomfortable with his open perusal, she pulled her sweater over her chest and crossed her arms. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Can I give you a list?” His lips curled up on one side, in what might be the most wicked grin she ever witnessed. It made her stomach tighten and her breasts tingle.

  “Pardon me?”

  “First thing you can help me with is your phone number.” He placed the picture back and started toward her. Thankful of the counter, Carol stepped behind it, using it as a shield. He was much taller than her and had long curly hair that made her think of freshly ground cinnamon, kind of like the American who won gold in the Olympics. “I can’t see why you would need that.”

  “Oh, I can…What’s your name, beautiful?”

  Part of her ached to move around this counter and step into his arms. He was the beautiful one, and she was just herself. Men like him didn’t think those things about her unless they wanted something. Part of her wanted to play the game, but she knew too well how it would end. There was something about this man that whispered encouragement to try one more time, but she was done changing herself for other people.

  “Aren’t you a smooth one?” Tamping down her crazy thoughts, she flipped open the appointment book. Looking down, she ran her finger down the list of pets in the shelter, looking for a man’s name. “Are you here to pick up your pet?”

  “Nope.”

  She looked up and found herself eye to eye with him. He had both arms braced against the counter and was bent over to lean on it. Only his gaze wasn’t on her face. How typical. It resided about six inches below her chin. Lifting the book like a shield, she moved back and adjusted her sweater again. “What are you here for?”

  He was about to answer when she heard Brenna’s voice behind her. “Hey, Sloan! How are things?”

  That incredible smile never left his lips when he looked past her to her friend. For a moment, he looked disappointed by the interruption, but that had to be her imagination. Once Brenna walked in a room, she naturally attracted all the attention.

  “I’m thinking of getting a pet?”

  “Yeah, right.” Brenna laughed out loud at the man, surprising Carol. Usually her friend was much more tactful when dealing with the general public. Had living in a small town made her bitter? “What would your brothers say to that? Jaxon would freak at anything being disrupted, and Kaden would have to hold him down from killing you. That is if he didn’t scare the poor animal into fleeing.”

  “I’m looking into getting my own place, and I think another feline would keep me company. What about the cat that was in here a moment ago?”

  “That’s TC,” Carol replied. “He’s not up for adoption.”

  “Oh, god. I’m so sorry, Carol.” Brenna wrapped her arm around Carol’s shoulders. “Sloan, I want you to meet my closest friend. We met when I lived in Guelph. This is Carol McKade. Carol, thi
s is Sloan Henderson. He lives with his brothers Jaxon and Kaden. Don’t listen to him about wanting a pet. He’s only thinking of doing it to piss his brothers off.”

  “Now, that’s not fair.” Sloan looked annoyed at Brenna’s accusation, but she could still see a mischievous curl to his lips. It made her wonder if he was the type of man who didn’t take much seriously.

  “I’m not that mean to animals, and Jaxon needs to be shaken up every once in a while.” Sloan continued. “I’m serious about getting my own place. I think it will be good for the three of us.”

  Carol didn’t understand the concerned look that crossed her friend’s face. Considering Sloan’s age, it made sense he would want a place of his own, but she’d get the details from her friend later.

  “Besides, I think my life is going to be shaken up quite enough.” That beautiful smile turned back to her, and she could feel her insides turning all warm under his gaze. He smiled at her as if he knew what a crazy mess he was making of her thoughts.

  “Really, and what prank do you have planned for him now?” Brenna asked.

  “Oh, I think I’ll let Fate take the lead on this one.” He flashed those baby blues in her direction and winked at her. Carol knew there were undercurrents to this conversation she didn’t understand, and that annoyed her. What really bothered her was the way Brenna stiffened up as if in shock. “What’s wrong?”

  Brenna looked back and forth between Sloan and her and back again, her eyes wide with surprise.

  “What?”

  Brenna paled considerably. “Nothing, nothing at all.”

  Carol worried if somehow this guy and his brothers were a threat. All his flirting was an act anyway. It wasn’t like he would really be interested in her.

  “I’m going to take a walk with Sloan and explain why this idea of his is crazy.”

  “It’s not crazy.” He didn’t look like he wanted to move, but Brenna tugged hard on his arm.

  “We need to talk, Sloan. Now.”

  Carol felt sick for a moment, thinking that maybe she read the situation wrong. Brenna didn’t mention anything about seeing anyone, but what if Brenna was interested in this guy, and instead he stood there flirting with her.

  Brenna grabbed her purse and asked, “Carol, you’re still coming to dinner at my dad’s tonight, right?”

  As if she was not going to show up after the large man practically demanded her attendance the day before, not that she minded for a moment. “A home-cooked meal I don’t have to make myself? You bet I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Awesome. See you later, Carol.”

  “You, too, Brenna. It was nice to meet you, Sloan.”

  Faster than Carol could see him move, he stood in front of her, lifted her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles. “Until later, Carol.” She looked up into his face and completely lost her train of thought. His incredibly blue eyes made her forget anything and everything else. What was the problem here again?

  He leaned closer to her, sending her heart into a wild tattoo against her chest, only to press his lips reverently against her cheek. Her body felt like she was having a hot flash, and a fine tremor ran along her limbs. Moisture flooded her pussy, and all she could imagine was Sloan lifting her up against the wall, pressing himself into her hard and fast. Her fingers curled into his shirt.

  “Sloan.” Brenna stood there glaring at him, her arms crossed against her chest.

  Crap. How did I forget we weren’t alone?

  Staring up at him, she saw the way his gaze flashed in annoyance. The way the lights from the window shone, it looked as if his eyes changed slightly. She was spending too much time with animals because it looked like his pupils elongated for a split second.

  “I’m sorry to leave you like this.” His eyebrows drew together slightly in a disappointed frown. She could almost believe he didn’t want to leave.

  She pulled her cardigan back over her chest, her armor back in place. “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine. See you around.”

  His eyes narrowed slightly before he jerked away from her. As he stalked past Brenna, she heard a low, aggressive growl rumble in the room.

  Was that Sloan?

  “Okay, so I’ll see you tonight.” Brenna said, smiling at her as if nothing was wrong.

  Carol could feel her skin warm up and knew she must be beet red. “I’ll lock up for you and see you over there in a bit.”

  With a bright smile and wave, Brenna spun on her heel and raced out the door after the man who had slammed through it a moment before.

  Stranger and stranger…

  * * * *

  Sloan figured he could be back on a mountain peak in Whistler and not feel the cold. Fuck, he felt so hot he figured he’d be able to melt all of Baffin Island. Carol was everything he ever wanted in a woman. She looked a bit shy, had a pretty smile and lush…oh god, those curves of hers. He wanted to curl up against her and wrap his arms around her. Better than that, he wanted to bury his face between her luscious breasts and taste every inch of them.

  Her scent tempted his nose and arrowed straight to his cock. He never met a woman as responsive, and he wanted to learn more about her. What he really wanted was to scoop Carol up and take her home. She was perfect for the three of them. They wanted someone who would fire their passions and give back as good as she got. No stick for a woman would do for them, either.

  But then they weren’t in any condition to bring a woman into their lives. Just because sharing a woman had brought them such enjoyment before didn’t mean it was to be forever. Although, the idea of each of them having different mates didn’t sit well with him. Up until the last few months, they had assumed that one woman would be perfect. Now he wasn’t so certain.

  He needed to get himself under control before he did something stupid. Like turning around and following his cock back into the clinic to claim his mate. My Mate. He knew she was meant to be his the moment she walked around the corner in the clinic. She was the last thing he’d expected to find today, and now he fought the urge to run back to her.

  Jaxon and Kaden had to meet her, soon. A sick feeling cramped his stomach. What if she wasn’t their mate as well? The three of them accepted that they enjoyed sharing a woman. In fact, they assumed that one day they would find someone who could fill that role for them. This was one of those rare instances that they didn’t take into consideration the ramifications of his being a different breed. What if he wasn’t meant to share a woman with them? Could he walk away from her and share his brothers’ mate? The tiger inside him snarled a distinct negative. He found his mate, and there was no way he would not claim her as soon as possible.

  “Sloan!”

  “What!” Brenna stumbled as she ran toward him. Belatedly, he realized that he’d snarled at her and was baring his teeth. “Sorry, Brenna.”

  “Eyes.”

  Sloan flicked his sunglasses off the top of his head and put them on to cover his eyes. His inner kitty was riding him hard to go and get their mate, and anyone who didn’t like it could fuck off.

  “Do I need to ask what happened in there?”

  “She’s my fucking mate. I can’t believe this.”

  “Wow.” Brenna ran both her hands through her hair. “That’s amazing. Oh, are you in for it.”

  “What?” Sloan wasn’t in the mood for games right now. “You know what? I’ve changed my mind.” Brenna could lock up her own animal clinic. He was going to take his mate home and introduce her to his brothers.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Brenna’s hand wrapped around his arm and squeezed. “Come walk with me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you are one big hormone right now, and you need to relax a moment and stop to consider your next move.”

  “I already know what I plan to do.”

  “I know. I can smell you, too. Geez. You two almost burnt the place down in there. Good thing that Carol’s sense of smell isn’t as sensitive as ours, or I never would have been able to separ
ate you.”

  He laughed and wrapped his arm around Brenna’s shoulders. They were close in age and practically grew up together, so he did think of her as a younger sister. Because of that, they rarely pulled punches when it came to telling the truth between them.

  “Jealous?”

  “Of you? Hell no.” Brenna shrugged her shoulders under his arm. “But I will admit to a bit of envy that you have found your mate. Carol is the sweetest person in the universe, you know.”

  “She’s a friend of yours, so that is a huge point in her favor. But...”

  “But what?”

  “What if she isn’t Jaxon and Kaden’s mate? We haven’t been getting along so well. What if this is Fate’s way of getting us ready for our own mates?” The idea of not sharing a mate felt so very wrong.

  “I think you’re missing a more important question.”

  “What’s that?”

  “What if she doesn’t want to be a mate?”

  Sloan had no plan to acknowledge that idea. Carol was theirs, and nothing was going to change that. “She will once we convince her.”

  “Oh my god, the arrogance of you three is incredible. Maybe you should give Gaspar a call. I heard that they almost got their mate hurt by arrogantly making decisions for her.”

  “Nice try. I was talking to Vencel, and he said that their mistake was not telling Mai everything up front. I’ll take Carol home with me, and once she meets Jaxon and Kaden, then we will all live happily ever after.”

  “Sloan, she just got here. She’s had a lot of garbage heaped on her shoulders lately. As a massive favor to me, please wait a couple days, and I’ll owe you forever. I understand what you are saying, but let me have a bit of a visit with her first before you sweep her off her feet. Go slow, enjoy this, you only get to find your mate once.”

  She had a point, even if it went against every demanding instinct in his body, and Jaxon was the one always on his ass for jumping before looking. If it wasn’t for the fact that Brenna was such a good friend, he would have flipped her off and run away with Carol. “All right, but I’m still going to tell them about her.”