by Tamsin Baker
“Come on, Lacey, hop out and join me.”
Lacey scrambled to undo her seat belt and slid out of the car. Ryan was there to help her. Wrapping his strong warm hands around her waist, he lifted her easily up onto the tray. He quickly followed her up, and a shudder of pleasure ran through her as Ryan wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
“Don’t be scared, beautiful girl. These animals are gentle. Just lean against me and enjoy it. Being this close is pretty damn surreal, isn’t it?”
Lacey nodded, her belly still quivering as her heart raced in her chest as excitement, fear, and arousal warred inside her. She knew that they wouldn’t eat her, but it was intimidating to say the least.
“They’re just so huge.”
The animals kept on chewing, and Ryan pressed his lips to the top of her head, inhaling against her hair.
“You smell so good.”
“Ryan…” Lacey admonished as she wiggled against him. Her nipples tightened, and heat warmed her cheeks. She was far too aware of how beautiful this man was.
“Sorry … damn. Ah, did you know that giraffes have seven vertebra in their neck just like we do?”
“Really? That’s incredible, especially considering the length of theirs compared to ours.”
Lacey stared up at the animals that couldn’t possibly share a similar anatomical point to her. There was just too much of a difference!
“Yeah, really. They get a second feeding this afternoon. If you want you can go up on the boardwalk and hear the talk.”
Lacey glanced up to see a uniformed woman animatedly chatting away to the crowd of tourists, obviously about the giraffes.
She glanced back at the pole just as a smaller giraffe left the branches and came toward them.
“Um, Ryan? What’s that one doing?”
Ryan chuckled as he released her shoulders and dug his hand into his pants’ pocket.
“This cheeky girl is after a carrot. Want to feed it to her?”
Images of losing a finger clouded her mind. “Ah, no. That’s okay. I’ll just watch you do it.”
He gave her a smirk with a raised eyebrow, like he knew she was being a coward, but fortunately he didn’t comment. He moved to the back of the tray and held the carrot out for the young giraffe. The animal took it gently with its long tongue and quickly ate it. Naturally, the animal came back in for another go until Ryan held his hands out. “All gone, sweet girl.”
Totally spellbound, Lacey stared as the animal lumbered back to the few remaining branches still tangled in the chains. “We better head back for lunch, and then I’ll take you up to the cheetah area.”
Lacey grinned and got back into the vehicle, buckling up and tapping her hands on her thighs with excitement.
“Awesome.”
Ryan chuckled again as they began driving back. “So, this isn’t too boring of a first date?”
Lacey laughed, unable to keep the noise inside. “This is the best date ever. I can’t believe you get to do this every day.”
She giggled as they bounced their way over the track and back through the gate. She felt so happy whenever she was around either of these two men, and Ryan had such a good aura, it settled her instantly and made her feel like she’d finally found her home.
They pulled up in front of a large glass fronted building, and Ryan turned off the jeep.
“Let’s go see Dylan at the restaurant. He said he was making you something special.”
“Oh, I can’t wait!”
Her belly fluttered at the idea that she would soon see Dylan, the dark and sexy one. That man brought out every little part of her that had always been attracted to the bad boys. He exuded an air of alpha male all the time.
Ryan took her hand as they walked along the path through a beautifully designed native garden, his easy confidence making her sigh. People turned their heads and watched them as they moved past, and Lacey felt a smile lift up her lips. Ryan looked so healthy and strong in his uniform, and she was proud to be standing beside him.
“After you.” He opened the door and indicated the way with a flourish of his hand and a smile.
“Well, thank you, kind sir.”
She winked at him as she stepped through, her breath catching in her throat as Dylan’s impressive figure walked towards her, a grin plastered all over his gorgeous face.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Dylan stopped before her and held up his hands. He made quite the statement in his white chef uniform. The paleness of the clothing seemed to make his shoulders look broader, and it also made him look taller. “Can’t kiss you out here in the open while I’m on the clock unfortunately, because you have no idea how much I want to do just that. You here to eat?”
With her mouth suddenly dry, she couldn’t speak so settled with nodding. Heat bloomed between her thighs as her eyes roamed over his face. The spiky black hair, the liquid chocolate eyes, and the strong square jaw…
Yum.
“Good, grab a seat and I’ll send your meal out shortly.”
He nodded at his twin, and Ryan put a hand around her waist, directing her towards a square table set against the back wall and in a corner. Nice and private, for an open plan style restaurant. The whole place was so clean for being inside a zoo, she was impressed already. There was a great buzzing atmosphere, too, with all the families settled in at the tables around the glass walls.
“Is your brother a good cook?”
Ryan barked out a laugh as they slid onto their seats, his eyes bright and mischievous.
“I try my best not to blow up his self image any more than it currently is, but yeah, he’s damn talented.”
A waitress walked up with two plates and set them down in front of them.
“Enjoy.” She smiled and stared at Lacey for a second longer than she should have, then walked away.
“What was that about?” Lacey asked, indicating to the waitress as she walked away.
Ryan shrugged. “Probably just curious. I’ve heard rumors about me being gay because I don’t fall into bed with every female who offers.” He picked up his knife and fork and inhaled deeply. “Oh, that smells good.”
Lacey glanced down and smiled at the beautiful plate of food. So many colors.
“Looks great.”
She picked up her own fork and took a bite of the rice and curry concoction on her plate. “Hmmm.” She nodded and chewed, flavors exploding across her taste-buds. Coconut rice, chicken satay, and vegetables, all balanced with perfect creaminess and freshness.
“So, you haven’t had many girlfriends then?”
She took a sip of water and waited as Ryan finished his mouthful.
“No, not at all. Like we explained last night, I knew that Dylan and I would probably share a mate and that we’d know her when we met her. There was no point bonding with someone else and then hurting them when I found you.”
Lacey grinned and hid it while eating her food. “But you have had…”
Heat flushed her cheeks, and she swallowed. She couldn’t say it.
“What? Sex? Well, yeah. Just nothing long term.”
Lacey’s belly dropped as hot envy pulsed through her. It was unreasonable of course. She’d had men in her bed before meeting them, too, but she hated to think of Ryan, or Dylan, with anyone but her.
He must have seen her inner turmoil because he reached over and squeezed her hand.
“I had to make sure I knew what to do to pleasure my mate, once I found her. No way was I going to risk losing her because I couldn’t fulfill all of her needs.”
Shock had Lacey choking on her mouthful of rice, and she grabbed for her glass of water. All of her sexual experiences with her ex-lovers had been uncomfortable, over way too quickly, and had left her always feeling extremely unfulfilled. There had never been any orgasms, not on her side of the fence anyway, and certainly none of the soul bonding passion that she’d always been hoping for.
“You, ah, pardon?”
Ryan grinned at her. “I can’t talk for Dylan, but I’ve made it my mission to become the best lover possible. I’m only twenty-three of course, so I haven’t become an expert or anything. But now that I’ve found you, I intend to learn everything you need and desire, then give it all to you and more. And Lacey? I can’t wait to start.”
Chapter Ten
With his heart pounding, Dylan rushed through the last of the lunch orders so he could get out to Lacey. His hands were literally shaking as he flipped burgers and arranged salads. Despite her insistence that he and Ryan take it in turns to date her, he was going to crash their date. To hell with waiting, he had to see her.
He glanced over the head high counter and noted the short line. So long as he could get all these orders done and out before they finished their meal, he’d be there to see her lap up the special, completely off menu, dessert he’d made for her.
He glanced up at the clock, clenching his teeth together as he quickly calculated the times. They’d had twenty minutes to eat already, and he was sure Ryan would have things to do.
Damn, he hoped they hadn’t left already. He slapped the bell, sliding the last plate onto the servery and made a dash for the fridge. He opened the glass doors and grabbed the plated desserts he’d come in especially early to prepare for his mate. Snatching up a couple of forks and spoons on his way through the door, he headed to the back corner where Ryan had sat with Lacey. His breath left his lungs in a rush when he saw that they were still there. The table was clear of dishes, and Lacey looked like she was reaching for her bag.
“You don’t have to leave yet, do you, Ryan?”
His twin glanced at his watch.
“Nah, we still have some time.”
He placed the plates onto the table and sat down next to Lacey, making sure he moved close enough to feel the warmth of her thigh against his own. She had Ryan on one side and him on the other. How it should be.
“Hope you like strawberries, beautiful.”
He carefully moved one plate in front of Lacey, before he handed the other to Ryan.
“This looks amazing, Dylan! The bowls are so gorgeous. How did you do it? Or do you buy them in like that?”
“I made it all from scratch. Well, except for the fresh strawberries.” He paused to wink at her. “The chocolate bowls are made by dipping a balloon in melted chocolate. Then they’re filled with a vanilla bean whipped cream and topped with fresh strawberries.”
Pride swelled in his chest as his mate stared at him in awe, her big hazel eyes shiny and wide.
“You made that sound so simple, when I’m certain it’s not! I can’t wait to try it.” She reached across the table and tangled her fingers with his. “Thank you, Dylan. I can’t believe you went to all this effort just for me!”
A lump rose in his throat, making it impossible for him to speak. He loved to cook, and the fact that she obviously appreciated the effort he’d put in to make this simple dessert for her, made his day. Turning his hand, he raised hers to his mouth and laid a kiss against her warm palm, a sly grin forming as he heard her gasp in a breath.
“Eat up, Lacey. I believe Ryan’s not finished with the activities he has planned for you today.”
With a slight shake of her head, she pulled her hand from his and set about delicately eating her dessert.
“So, Dylan, how’d you go with what I requested this morning? Any luck?”
Without taking his gaze from Lacey who was moaning as she swallowed the first mouthful, he responded to his twin.
“Yeah, there’s a baked trout in the warmer ready to go.”
With a quirked eyebrow, Lacey glanced toward him, and when she saw him staring at her a sweet blush colored her cheeks.
“What on earth are you two planning to do with a whole baked fish?”
Ryan ran his fingers down her cheek before cradling her jaw and turning her to face him.
“You remember last night at my parents’ place? How things got out of hand? Dad gave Max a punishment for starting it.”
His sweet mate dropped her spoon, and it made a clanging noise as it collided with the plate. She gasped, her mouth opening into a large O. “Oh no! It’s not his fault I freaked out!”
Ryan’s thumb moved to stroke the line of her jaw, and Dylan couldn’t look away.
Fuck, that’s hot.
“We could have, and should have, handled telling you about us so much better. But I agree, it wasn’t all his fault, but he’s copping the punishment for it. He has to spend ten days here in the feeding yard in his cheetah form.”
“Feeding yard?”
“There’re two areas for the cheetahs. One is a large open plain area where the tour buses drive through. The other is a smaller area with a raised caged platform where people can get quite close to the cheetah. There’re never more than three animals in there. Twice a day they get publicly fed. Great big chunks of raw meat. Max isn’t going to be very happy in there for all the world to gawk at him.”
Lacey covered Ryan’s fingers with her own before she lowered his hand from her face. With a frown of concentration marring her beautiful face, she ate another small bite of her dessert.
“But he’s in animal form, right? So how could he be aware the way a person would?”
Ryan had just filled his mouth with a large piece of his own creamy dessert so Dylan took up explaining.
“Our animal half isn’t a separate entity. We’re one being. We have the same thought patterns whether we’re in human or cheetah form. For example, Ryan and I would do anything to keep you safe as men. If we were in cheetah form, and someone threatened you? We wouldn’t think twice about defending you. We would know exactly who you are to us, no matter what form we are in. Keeping you safe is our number one priority, especially as you’re our mate.”
Lacey coughed a little. “We’ve only just met. You can’t feel so much for me.”
Dylan shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. “You were always meant to be ours, Lacey. But if you need some time to see it’s real, that’s fine. Ryan and I will just keep proving it to you.”
Slowly chewing another mouthful, Dylan could see her plotting questions.
“So why is Max going to be unhappy? Other than being watched while he eats.”
His mate was an inquisitive little thing. Duh, of course she is. She’s a reporter!
“We need to spend time in each form. We can’t remain in either human or animal state for long periods of time without becoming uncomfortable in our skin. The aches turn to pain, which becomes debilitating agony if we stay in one form for a really long time. Ten days is pushing close to that limit. That, and the other reason Max will be grumpy is that he’s being fed nothing but raw meat. Even as a cheetah, we’re human enough to like our food cooked.”
She smirked up at him. “Are you trying to tell me, if you were in cheetah form and a rabbit ran in front of you, you wouldn’t chase it?”
“That’s different, beautiful. Stalking and hunting our own prey is great fun and the only time we don’t mind eating raw meat. And in that case, it would still be warm so nothing like the cold lumps of lamb or beef they’ll be tossing at Max for the next ten days.”
Lacey screwed up her face.
“Eww, Dylan, that’s just gross.”
Dylan shrugged with a chuckle.
“I am what I am.”
Lacey took the final bite of her dessert and sighed, her shoulders sagging while a happy smile lifted her beautiful lips. Ryan took her now free hand in his and got her attention.
“So, I asked Dylan if he had a spare fish to bake for Max. We’re heading up to the cheetahs now, and if you like, you can feed it to him?”
****
Standing beneath the platform where the tourists gathered, Lacey was out of sight of anyone who’d come to see the cheetahs up close. Her fingers trembled as she cupped her hands beneath the tinfoil that held the cooked fish. She reached out to the huge, spotted and wild cat that Ryan had assured her was his brothe
r, her heart drumming an erratic tattoo against her ribs.
How the hell is this possible? Please don’t let him eat me.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Come on, Max. Step forward.”
The cheetah that had been sitting patiently on his haunches watching them, now moved forward with a slow stealth like grace. Lacey’s instincts took over, and with a squeal, she dropped the fish and backed away while shaking her hands.
“No, no. I can’t.”
Her feet danced on the spot, stirring up the dirt beneath her, while her skin was feeling like ants were crawling over every inch of it. Her instincts were still screaming at her to keep running.
The cheetah stared down at the fish she’d dropped and lowered his head, a sad expression passing over his features as he nosed the now dirt covered fish.
She cocked her head as she wandered what he was doing. Why wasn’t he eating it?
“Max hates muddy food, sweetheart.”
Lacey stilled when a weird guilty ache settled into her belly as her eyes took in the beautiful animal before her. He was here because of her, and she’d just ruined his treat.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Ryan bent down and picked up the fish, carrying it over to a drinking tough where he turned on the tap and doused it with his water, being careful to not let any of the muddy water land in the trough.
Lacey shot one more quick look at Max to make sure he wasn’t going to pounce or anything, and then ran over to Ryan.
“Is that all right now that you’ve washed it? Can you get all the dirt off? I’m so sorry I dropped it.”
She bit her lip and looked back at Max. “Why’s he so sad?”
A chuckle erupted from Ryan’s beautiful mouth. “Aside from the dirt issue, because we don’t really like being in a zoo, Lacey. We’re meant to be running wild, chasing animals and drinking healthy, clear water. Being here means we get stared at, have to eat raw cut up meat we don’t catch ourselves, and especially in this enclosure, Max doesn’t have any room to run. That’s normally the only reason any of us shifters join the coalition here at the zoo, to run free without having to worry about being seen or caught.”
Lacey’s eyes darted over to the fences, noticing for the first time how small the feeding enclosure was, considering how large the animals were. For a smaller animal, like a dog, it would be a huge yard, but for wild cats? It seemed way too small.