by Jade Carr
The shifters were done. All three of them had gotten what a ménage was supposed to be about, right? Today's chapter was over, no reason for—anything.
"Stand up," Nokoni said.
"All right," she muttered but didn't move, because Hah-Tee wasn't done with her breasts, and she didn't want the afternoon to end. Didn't want anything about today to be over.
No one spoke. No one moved. All except for the younger shifter's fingers toying with her hard and hot nipples. She smelled cum, sweat, and earth.
"Come on." Nokoni held out his hands. "I'll help."
Grateful, she let him haul her to her feet. The pins-and-needles sensation in her legs was distracting, but that was nothing compared to the emotional impact on her heart.
They'd become a trio, a unit. More to the point, they'd all seen each other at their strongest and weakest. There might not be any secrets left, no vulnerability unrevealed.
"What is it?" Nokoni asked. "You look—I don't know."
"I'm not sure either." She unselfconsciously fingered her breasts where Hah-Tee's hands had been seconds ago. "I'm feeling overwhelmed."
"So are we."
We. The word made it possible for her to break free of self-absorption. No doubt about it, their eyes had increased depth. She searched for but didn't find any hint of embarrassment or regret in their expressions.
"Uncharted territory," she said. "All of us in the same boat."
Their puzzled expressions told her that her phrases meant little to them. "Never mind. Maybe, I don't know if we'll continue, but—"
Nokoni brushed hair back from her temple. "This is just the beginning."
Chapter 28
Terena lay on her back with her arms over her head because Hah-Tee held them in place. Moments ago, after seeing the shifters' growing erections, she'd gotten onto the mattress. They'd had maybe a half hour to recover, time for her to fully absorb that, yes, things were just beginning between them. Her intent in getting on the mattress had been to offer herself to them and let them take it from there.
Well, they had.
She'd no sooner found a comfortable spot than they'd positioned themselves with Hah-Tee kneeling by her head while Nokoni did the same near her feet. Caught between them, she'd licked her lips in anticipation. Perhaps there'd been another of those silent communications between them, but maybe each was simply doing what they wanted to her.
"This time you won't be moving." Hah-Tee pressed down on her wrists. "Earlier you did what you wanted to. Now it's our turn."
She had no objection to that, none at all. In truth, imagining herself as their captive had her squirming in anticipation, or she would have if she'd been able to move. She couldn't because in addition to Hah-Tee's control over her arms, Nokoni had hoisted her legs into the air and rested them on his shoulders.
"He's right," Nokoni said. "What is it they say, calling the shots? This time you aren't doing that. We are."
Instead of admitting she hadn't felt in control of anything—least of all her body—today, she waited.
"Such an incredible place." Nokoni slid his fingers from one end of her already aching pussy to the other. "Endlessly fascinating. Much as a woman's body weakens a man, it does the same to her."
"Who, then, is the weaker?" Hah-Tee asked.
Nokoni stroked her again, forcing her to press her buttocks against the mattress. "I'm not sure we'll be able to answer that today."
"But we can try."
"Yes, we can."
She knew what was coming, no way she couldn't anticipate. Unfortunately—or was it fortunately—she couldn't do anything about it.
"Her breasts intrigue me," Hah-Tee said.
Nokoni chuckled. "So I've noticed."
"The only time a mare's breasts have any size is when she's nursing."
Hah-Tee shifted his hold so he controlled both of her wrists with a single hand then touched his forefinger to her hairline and began a light journey over her nose, to her chin, along her throat.
"Women are quite different from mares. I wonder if they like their breasts the way they are."
"I hope they do."
"So do I. There's something else I've been thinking about." Hah-Tee flattened his hand over her breasts. "Why do you suppose women are so sensitive here?"
Nokoni stroked her thighs. "Maybe they're less likely to injure themselves there if they're always aware of their breasts."
"I guess that's possible."
Nokoni nodded. "But I'd rather think the awareness is tied to their sexuality, a way of increasing their pleasure."
Go on. Talk as if I'm not here. That way I can concentrate on what you're doing to me, enjoy.
"We need to educate ourselves about the depth of pleasure our woman is capable of," Hah-Tee said.
Our woman. The words sang through her, distracting her from the hand on her breasts and the other trailing over her thighs.
"You're right," Nokoni said. "It is our responsibility. So you're mainly interested in her breasts?'
Smiling, Hah-Tee shook his head. "I can't think of a part of her that doesn't fascinate me."
"Maybe the bottom of her feet, between her toes." Nokoni bent her knee and ran a finger between her toes. "Nothing particularly interesting here."
Stifling the need to squirm, she tried to think of something to say. Just then, Hah-Tee started fingering her right breast. The touch was light, little more than a butterfly's wing. Nevertheless, she shivered.
"Ah, interesting," he said. The corners of his mouth lifted. "I'm liking being human more than I thought I would."
Why was she on the verge of tears? Certainly he hadn't meant anything serious by the comment, had he? Her mind spun, but she was aware that Nokoni had stopped playing with her foot and her leg was back on his shoulder with her sex within easy reach.
The butterfly fluttered away. Now it felt as if her breast was being touched by a larger bird, maybe the tip of an eagle's wing. A whining, muttering moan spilled from between her tightly closed lips, and no matter how hard she tried to remain still, she couldn't.
Hah-Tee rubbed his palm over her breast, deserted it so he could do the same to the other. The tingle spread out and down, and she found scant relief in tossing her head. Her animal sounds increased in volume.
More tingling and heat, Hah-Tee's hand working ever faster while switching from one breast to the other. Nokoni's fingers again glided over her thighs. It was all too much, nerve endings confused and flesh short-circuiting.
After caressing her legs while she feebly struggled to free herself, Nokoni stopped. The end to the burning sensation was both wonderful and horrible. Not sure what she was trying to do, she rolled her lower body from side to side. Her pussy was alive.
"Ah, ah, hah. Fucking good!" Shocked by her outburst, she clenched her teeth. Her jaw started to ache. Nokoni wasn't touching her right now, thank God. He must know she needed time to recover. Why, then, wasn't she thanking him?
"You're strong, Terena," he said. "Determined. If you weren't, you wouldn't have gone to the effort of learning what you did about us. We'll always be grateful to you for that."
"I don't feel strong now."
"What do you feel?" Hah-Tee asked.
Ignoring his question would have been easy, the coward's way. But earlier Nokoni had said this was the beginning between them. The words had stayed with her, growing and expanding.
"In love," she whispered. "With both of you."
Nokoni slid away, lowering her legs to the mattress as he did. "The other night, before the medicine the Hopi left for me had done its work and I had a fever, I thought about what sharing you would be like. Who needed to do what."
"I've wondered the same thing," Hah-Tee said and released her wrists. "Our woman has more than one opening capable of accepting a man's sex."
"Yes, she does."
"You're the oldest. What part of her do you want—if she's willing."
"I'm willing," she managed around numb lips.
> Nokoni took hold of her legs and drew her toward him so one leg was on either side of his hips. She wanted to be part of his plan, wanted to cooperate in every way she could, but a dream was coming true today. More than just a dream. She was walking into the future with them.
Silence slipped into the kiva as Nokoni's cock filled her. Pressing her heels into his back, she held him in place, loving her dual role as captive and captor. His expression had that faraway look she'd seen on him before. Then Hah-Tee filled her vision. She captured his erection and brought it to her mouth.
This was no dance—more like frenzy. Nokoni didn't make love to her, he attacked and pummeled, prompting her to repeatedly close her inner muscles around him in joyous retaliation. Hah-Tee knelt beside her with one hand in her hair and the other between her breasts. Nokoni needed little from her beyond energy, heat, and willingness, leaving her free to suckle and bathe.
They'd broken her apart, separated her into two pieces. One part gave, the other took. It all met in the middle like a tornado, a hurricane. In her mind's eye, she saw an eagle hovering overhead, its wings beating away the worst of the heat.
But she wanted the heat, needed it! Fed off it.
She couldn't speak, couldn't think. Felt.
Then one of them, she didn't know which, slid a finger between her and Nokoni. The finger kissed her clit, causing her to bleat around Hah-Tee's cock. The touch returned, stronger this time and full of movement. She reached out and seized the man's wrist, held on to it with all the strength in her.
He knew what she wanted, what she needed! Made her clit quiver and beg.
She came silently with her body quaking.
And didn't leave the kiva until the next day.
Epilogue
Fall wouldn't be there for another month, but the mornings carried a chill that encouraged Terena to snuggle under the blankets. She'd mentally prepared herself for the loss of long evenings outdoors. This morning had called for a jacket, which was secured to her saddle. The mare under her shivered and pranced in anticipation of being allowed to run—again.
"It's all right, Lady." She patted the solid neck. "You'll get your chance."
"What do you think?" Quana asked from his position on Red's back as the Comanche joined her. "Can I get mustangs to accept humans or what? Go on, say it. I'm the best damn trainer this world's ever seen."
Laughing, Terena rolled her eyes. "Biggest ego. You wouldn't have made the progress you have with her if Nokoni and Hah-Tee hadn't gotten through to her." She again patted the young mare's neck. "Don't pay any attention to him," she crooned. "His ego gets in the way of his brain."
Quana looked about to reply but turned his attention to the horizon. She caught the sound of hooves rapidly striking earth. Soon enough, five horses flew more than galloped into view. Lady reared.
"It's okay, girl. Don't ever lose your wild spirit."
"She's old enough to be bred," Quana said.
Bred by Hah-Tee because she's Nokoni's daughter. "I know."
"How do you feel about that?"
Instead of answering, she watched the horses approach, the shifters in the lead. The others were proof of Quana's skilled horsemanship. Her cousin rode a young rangy black stallion with knowing eyes. Yamka was astride a chestnut mare while her uncle had chosen a pinto. Their chest markings identified them as Nokoni's offspring. None were older than three.
"Incredible," she said. "I don't care how many times I see them run, it always thrills me."
"You aren't the only one."
She knew what Quana was talking about. He'd just started working with the mustangs when people began asking about purchasing them. Not surprisingly, those in the racing world had been the most persistent. Fortunately, the Hopi Tribal Council had gone to Washington DC to present their concerns. To her and the shifters' relief, a bill had been passed making it illegal for anyone other than those the Hopi approved of to own a reservation mustang. Eagles, as they were called, wouldn't be allowed on traditional racing circuits.
"Have enough pictures, do you?" Quana asked.
Even though she'd taken hundreds, she snapped more shots. At the last moment, the riders drew on their reins, causing their mounts to skid to a halt inches from Quana and her. Instead of doing the same, the shifters thundered past. She followed them with her camera, hoping she'd captured powerful muscles and rapid-fire legs in action. They raced each other, maturity against youth, strength testing strength.
If she pulled it off, which she was pretty sure she could, people who read the heavily illustrated book she was working on would understand.
"Damn!" Quana exclaimed. "There's nothing civilized about them. You sure you're safe?"
I don't care. They make me feel alive. "Don't worry about me."
Red danced and flung her head, prompting the Comanche to mutter calming words. Lady continued to watch where the stallions—one of them Lady's father—had gone.
"I'm delighted you were able to find her," she said, indicating Red. "I'm so happy she's where she belongs, not—"
"Not being exploited. It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't taken down the license number of the truck that took her from Ahote."
She hadn't told the shifters anything until Quana arrived with Red last month. Tears had glistened in Nokoni's eyes when he saw his daughter. Nothing to it, Quana had said when Nokoni asked him for an explanation. Once he had the license number, Quana had shown it to the law-enforcement officers he'd been working with. They'd learned Red was being stabled by a man under investigation for a number of things including drug dealing. The police had shown up with a warrant that included the right to seize Red as part of the investigation. Once the police turned Red over to him, Quana had started showing Red that humans could be trusted.
Quana indicated where the shifters had been headed when they disappeared. "Do you want to go back with me? Maybe you intend to wait for those two to be done with trying to run each other into the ground and return to you."
"I'll wait."
"That's what I figured." He pointed to the east where the herd had been grazing earlier. "I wonder how many of those foals will grow up to be shifters?"
"I've been asking myself the same thing."
Quana rubbed behind Lady's ear. The mare whinnied low. "I wonder when she or the one Ahote is riding will start shifting."
"Probably before long."
"I think you're right. I'm still trying to understand how my father and the other Comanche elders accomplished what they did. It's magic for lack of another word."
"I don't believe they know."
He nodded. "Yeah. Some things…"
"Are beyond comprehension?"
"Exactly." He studied the horizon. "Because interest in the mustangs is so high, you should write the book, but once people learn some of the horses are shifters—are you going to include that?"
"I have to. There's no way we can keep it secret."
"No, we can't. Protecting the shifters—hell, protecting the whole herd—isn't going to be easy."
"I know."
Even though she couldn't see them, she sensed that Nokoni and Hah-Tee were coming back to her. It didn't matter that the three of them had spent last night having sex in the kiva as they frequently did, she wanted them. Now. "I have to trust Nokoni and Hah-Tee. Defending the herd is built into them."
"You're right. It is. So what do I tell your uncle and the others? Should we wait for you?"
"No."
"All right. Look, tell the shifters that I'll go to the herd with them whenever they say. The sooner we get all the mustangs used to people—to Hopi—the sooner they'll have that layer of protection."
"I will."
He winked. "And for the record, those are two lucky men. They couldn't have hooked up with a better woman."
No, she thought as she waited for her shifters, she was the lucky one. Thanks to the book advance, she should be able to build a modest house for the three of them to live in on the reservation. Becaus
e of his herd-leader duties, Hah-Tee wouldn't be there as much as Nokoni, who was starting to work with the Tribal Council on policy regarding the mustangs, but when it was the three of them—
Oh, God, there it was. Her body superheating at the thought of being with Nokoni and Hah-Tee. Loving them. Them sharing her.
"Hurry!" she called out. Lady's ears swiveled back toward her. "Sorry, girl. I'm not talking to you. The request is for my lovers."
My lovers.
The End
Jade Carr
A bit wild. Okay, more than a bit wild.”
Jade Carr heard those words throughout her childhood. Not one to ignore a compliment, she dove into adulthood with the same frame of mind. She has done many things before and since reaching adulthood, most of them legal, and sees no reason to change. Maybe it’s spending most of her life in Florida, where a minimum of clothes is par for the course. Maybe it’s dropping out of college three times before knuckling down and getting that degree. Maybe it’s her wildly out of control imagination. Whatever the reason, she decided the time has come to corral the fictional characters clogging up her mind and turn them into words on a page. Wherever this delightful and sometimes overwhelming compulsion takes her, she’s all in.
She lives with her understanding and supportive family in Florida, indulging in seafood and trying to keep alligators out of the yard.
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