“Just listen for the rattle.” Rodney snapped a few test pictures.
“Hang on. I’m feeling something. It’s coming from the north. I don’t like this. It’s starved, almost manic.” Dani’s voice shook.
Sam looked at the horses. They started acting twitchy. “Settle down. Just watch,” Sam said.
The three men advanced slowly with their equipment. They held a position close enough to get good pictures. They stayed still as something rustled in the tall grass as it entered through Lawson’s fence.
Cameras caught it but Sam stared. He moved closer. It made no sense. He couldn’t explain what he saw. The creature stood up and approached the horses on two legs. The glowing red eyes sent a chill through Sam.
“Getting it?” Sam asked.
“Oh yeah. This is crazy,” Rodney replied.
“It’s going to attack.” Sam moved in further. He stayed crouched down.
“Don’t. Stay here,” Ben insisted.
When the animal leaped for a horse, Sam saw huge fangs. Ben grabbed his pistol and fired into the soft ground away from people or animals. Behind them, Trey sprayed buckshot in the air. The noises sent the creature into a panic.
It darted. Before Sam realized it was headed for him, the creature sped by, knocking Sam over. A stab of pain hit his mangled ankle. Sam cursed his curiosity. Rodney and Ben rushed over as Sam heard another shot.
“I’m fine. Is Dani okay?” Sam asked.
If something happened to her because of his poor reaction, he’d never forgive himself. He hated being the weak link, but the men had learned to fight together as well as help each other.
* * *
As Dani settled ice on Sam’s ankle, she could feel his frustration. The feelings from him were always mixed. Even during sex, he loved the group yet resented them a bit.
“It’s just a twisted ankle.” Dani tried to downplay it.
Ben set a leg brace next to the sofa. “Grabbed it from the attic. Just in case, for tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” Sam nodded.
“Why would it dart at humans?” Trey asked. “That goes against every animal instinct. Sam should’ve been as safe as any of us. Why not run toward the rest of the animals, scatter the herd?”
“You’re right. It makes no sense. Not that what we saw fits any description of a normal animal. It could’ve smelled the female in our group. The urge to mate may be stronger than fear.” Sam shrugged.
“Yuck.” Dani sat on the floor next to the sofa with a laptop.
Ben kissed her. “We’d never let him touch you.”
“Damn right.” Trey sat next to her and looked at the screen.
“Maybe it had friends? It got separated and was running for its pack?” Rodney settled in with his own computer. “I’ve got the movie footage. You’ve got the pics. Let’s see what we have.”
Ben poured coffee as he looked over Rodney’s shoulder. “Looks like a messed up coyote or wolf thing, if you ask me.”
“Running on two legs?” Trey shook his head.
“A shifter might be able to. Looks sick for a shifter though -- no fur, the eyes are messed up… those fangs.” Sam stared at the screen.
“Do you know the shifters?” Dani asked.
“They’re peaceful. Hunt little animals mostly. They’re coyote. This thing is bigger,” Rodney said.
Ben sat back in the recliner. “I think we need to pay them a visit tomorrow. Either they’ve got a sick, messed up rogue, or it’s something else… That Mexican goat-sucker thing.”
“Why would a coyote drink blood? This thing had fangs. If this is a rabid shifter, we’re putting it down. Can’t let it infect the whole pack. We don’t let animals suffer with that sort of disease.” Trey checked the pictures.
“If it belongs to a pack of shifters, sentient beings, then we have to talk to them first. Maybe they have some way of handling this. What disease or condition made it this way? What if they have a cure but just can’t find the creature?” Dani grabbed her map off the end table. Trey wanted to hunt the creature. She had to put a pause on that plan for now. “It’s been all over Houston. We might be able to help them track it.”
“Dani, I love you, but sometimes we have to kill bad things.” Trey kissed her neck.
She rolled her eyes at him. “I understand that. I’m a Texas girl, but we don’t know this is a heifer with mad cow disease. This is new. I say tomorrow we talk to the shifters before you guys form a hunting party.”
“She’s right. We’re not even sure how to kill it. The thing runs fast -- supernaturally fast -- but if it could infect us with something or wants to drink our blood instead of just animal… It’s too dangerous without more research.” Sam eased himself off the couch.
Dani and the other guys moved out of the way. “You’re not sleeping here?” she asked.
“No way, it’d kill my back. I want my bed.” He put weight on the leg, winced, but kept going.
She felt his pain and looked at Rodney. His expression told Dani that Sam was as stubborn as ever. The ache in her to heal Sam was hard to ignore, but she sensed that now it would only cause a huge fight.
“You’re welcome to join us.” Ben put away the mugs as she powered down her laptop.
“I don’t want to crowd you guys, especially with Sam hurting.” She bit her lip. “I feel like I’m not helping here.”
Ben stared at her. “You found the creature. You made us all feel that power. You’ve got Rodney excited about his work for a change. He loves it, but none of the rest of us understands it. Our eyes just glaze over when he talks about spells. We’re in for the good work. The goddess and pagan stuff is cool, but I’m an action kind of guy. Trey too.”
“I know. That’s what makes a great group -- different skills and specialties. I checked out the online coven. It’s nothing harmful or weird. Looks good to me. I sent the other women an email to ask how they juggle this.” Dani smiled.
“If we’re too pushy or grabby, just smack us back in line like the strong Texas lady you are. We haven’t had a woman around here ever.” Ben shrugged.
“If you’re all bisexual, why?” she asked.
“They’re not you. What works, works. What doesn’t, doesn’t.” Ben turned off the kitchen light.
A chill of love went down her back. She couldn’t do this with any other men. “It wasn’t really the sex part I was asking the witches about. So many relationships and feelings, it’s a lot to manage.”
Ben chuckled. “You can’t manage it. We’ve been a foursome for a few years now. It works because no one tries to control it.”
“Come on, Ben. You’re the leader.” She shook her head as they headed for the stairs.
“I own the ranch so for the daily routine, yeah. For the paranormal crap, I’m not as eager to rush into things. I’ll admit that I tend to trust my practical brain. It just sort of happened. When it comes to the relationship stuff, I don’t lead or even try.” He patted her back.
At the top of the stairs, she didn’t know which way to go. “Things don’t always go smoothly. Maybe I’m a complication you don’t really need or want?”
“You know that’s not true. We’ve been waiting.” He hooked his thumbs in his jean pockets. “We all have relationships with each other and as a group. It’s not easy, but we’d rather be together than not. Don’t manage it, Dani. Don’t worry about anything except if you and someone hit a rough patch. Then you spend the time together. You work it out.”
“Jealousy is part of being human. Possessiveness has to happen.” She frowned.
“Sure, but that’s just someone needing more attention. It’s a family. Someone is sick or having a bad time. Hell, it’s a ranch. The cow about to drop a calf needs more attention than the rest. The one with an injury needs focus. Sam doesn’t like being fussed over because of the old injury, but now he needs it. We do what’s right for each other. Stick around. It’ll get easier.”
She looked in the direction of her room.
&nb
sp; “It’s a double king size bed, plenty of room. You won’t be crowding anyone.” Ben held out a hand.
Dani hugged him tight. “You’re a lot smarter than anyone ever gave you credit for in high school.”
He grinned. “I hated school. All that stuff I’d never use. I loved the ranch life. Some people learn better on the job. As far as animal or human nature, yeah, I’m pretty good at finding a way to make it work. Stick with me. We’ll make Texas safe for all -- plus have great sex while we’re at it, all five of us.”
“Sam’s still hurting,” she whispered.
Ben pressed a kiss in her hair. “Your return brought up the accident. Rodney wants to heal him. He means well. It’ll sort itself out. You leaving won’t fix it.”
“Let me grab a nightgown.” She tried to go back to her room, but Ben held her tight.
“Nah, sex or no sex, there’s no reason to be modest. We’ve seen it all. I want to see you more.” Ben winked.
“You guys go naked too?” she asked.
“Always.” He pinched her ass as she headed for the master bedroom. It felt like a serious step. Sex was one thing, but sharing their bed was special.
Chapter Five
Rod was the first one up. Instinctively, he reached for Sam. Despite ice and elevation, his ankle remained swollen. Sam shifted in his sleep. Rod leaned in to soothe him with a kiss. Whispering a spell, Rod gently touched Sam’s ankle. When Sam woke, Rod kissed down Sam’s chest to his strong abs. Finally, Rod kissed Sam’s morning erection.
Sucking Sam’s cock, Rod focused all his energy on the man he loved. Sam’s groans encouraged rather than objected. Rod hoped his spell would work. As everyone else stretched and turned to watch, Rod blocked them out.
“Getting a jump on the day?” Dani kissed Sam.
“I woke up this way. Rod’s weird when he gets horny.” Sam pulled her close.
Ben snuggled up behind Dani, kissing her neck. “How’s the ankle, Sam?”
Laughing, Trey pulled Ben around to suck Rod’s cock. “Like Sam can feel anything below the waist. Rod’s into it. Why don’t you focus our energy on healing his ankle and enjoy the sex?”
Dani smiled. “Sounds like a good idea.”
“No, don’t. I’m fine. We can’t use magic for our own good. Throw our energy at every little thing. I’ll be fine.” Sam sat up. He groaned when Rod followed.
“Okay, just enjoy then.” She watched Trey suck Ben’s cock. Dani playfully took the opening to suck on Trey.
Rod licked up Sam’s shaft without hesitation. “Watch them. You love it.”
Sam lifted into Rod’s mouth, and he got his answer. Rod liked the view as well. Dani eagerly deep-throated Trey while Sam fingered her cunt. Ben was humming on Rod’s shaft. He resisted the urge to come. Rod worked a thumb under Sam’s sac while he licked the head until Sam’s hips lifted.
Fucking into Ben’s mouth, Rod felt the energy in a chain of connected bodies. Whether Sam agreed or not, Rod sensed the focus toward the injury. Sam could fight it all he wanted, but he was loved.
“We’re just going to suck all morning, but I don’t get any?” Sam pulled at Dani’s hips.
Taking the hint, she nudged him until he lay flat on his back. Rod guided her into a sixty-nine with Sam and let her suck his cock as he ate her pussy. Grabbing protection and lube from the drawer, Rod didn’t give up his position. With Dani’s help, he tilted Sam’s hips to fill Sam’s tight ass.
Feeling Sam resist a little drove Rod’s lust. Sam loved to get fucked, yet he didn’t want to be the center of attention. Rod nodded to Ben to get the other end of their kinky group.
Condom on, Ben knelt behind Dani and filled her pussy. She didn’t object; instead she groaned on Sam’s cock and Rod got a squeeze. They were so connected Rod experienced a surge of power like he’d never felt. Trey pressed to Rod’s back as if to steady him.
Leaning forward, Rod accepted Trey’s long cock into his ass. Their connection completed the group. Tightening on Trey, Rod loved how he’d used as little lube as necessary to get the job done. Rod loved it a little rough. Trey wasn’t afraid to give it to Rod the way he needed it.
Dani’s hands teased Rod’s balls as she sucked Sam. She was perfect at encouraging what people wanted. He knew she could sense their need, yet she didn’t announce or flaunt her powers. How he wanted to be like her with powers of his own. Right now it seemed like he did. Rod was the conduit, and Trey spurred him on to fuck Sam harder.
The reaction blew Rod’s mind when Sam’s body orgasmed on his cock. Dani moaned, stroking Sam’s cock as he came. The double release left Sam shaking beneath them. Then Rod saw Sam’s arms tighten around Dani’s ass. She gasped. Ben rocked harder into their goddess while Trey worked faster on Rod’s ass.
“Let me turn over,” Sam said.
Rod was too far into it. “Not now.” He held Sam’s hips.
“Damn it, Rod. It works better doggie.” Sam lifted his hips.
“Your leg doesn’t need the strain.” Dani kissed Sam’s stomach.
Sam sighed. “I can handle it. I want it.”
Trey eased Rod back. Ben lifted Dani off Sam. In a smooth motion, Sam flipped over and backed up onto Rod’s cock with practiced moves. Rod leaned forward on Sam. Then he drove deep into Sam like an animal.
Trey naturally matched the strokes, but varied the angle and pressures to give Rod his rougher ride. The position was better. Rod couldn’t last long. Rod looked over at Dani. She bounced on Ben’s cock while Sam licked her clit like a man on a mission.
Her moans filled the room. The men watched her climax. All that blonde hair covered her face as she leaned in, kissing Rodney over Sam’s body. Slowly she eased off the men. Ben removed the protection. Sam swallowed Ben’s cock to the base before Dani even had a chance.
Instead of sharing, she slid back to kiss Trey. Rod pulled her to him. The kiss was frantically consuming. Having her female form pressed to him while Rod fucked his lover and took cock the way he needed meant he finally had it all. Sucking her breast, he came as he pressed deep into Sam. Trey refused to let up, driving into Rod, smacking his balls as Dani pinched Rod’s nipples.
Having all the hands and the focus on him sent Rod to another climax deep in Sam’s ass. Slamming back on Trey, Rod grunted. He bit at Dani’s chest until she moaned. Her noises blended with Ben’s groans. Rod watched as Sam swallowed Ben’s come like he was sex starved.
“That’s quite a way to say good morning.” Dani fell back on the bed next to Sam.
“Rod just wanted to heal my ankle.” Sam crawled away from Rod to lie on top of Dani.
“Oh, poor baby, we all love you and want you to be pain free.” She kissed him. “It was such a sacrifice. I came twice. Rod came at least twice. So did you.”
Sam looked back for a second, refusing to meet Rod’s gaze. “Trey and Ben barely got any.”
“One good orgasm doesn’t count? And who said it was over?” She nodded to the men.
Rod and Sam both looked. Trey was pushing Ben on his back, kissing his mouth.
“They never get enough.” Sam chuckled.
“I like watching them kiss. Men together is so hot, it’s an added treat for me. I say we shower. Let them have some solo time to catch up -- unless you want to join them?” She kissed Sam’s shoulder.
Ben winked at them. “No, you guys go get cleaned up. I need to give Trey’s ass a workout. A little couple time, that’s all.”
“Shower sounds good, as long as you’re there.” Sam nuzzled the spot between Dani’s breasts.
Rod knew he’d pissed off his lover, but then he saw Sam walking with only his normal limp. His ankle looked much better. Rod knew it was worth it. With Dani as a buffer, the shower would be fun. Sam would eventually get over being so loved.
* * *
Leading the group, Ben approached the old house with care. Trey and Sam tended to sound too much like hunters. Rodney wanted the shifters under a microscope. The tense peace Ben’s group had
made with the shifters had to be preserved. The pack was pretty big. Their leader, Grady, never acted like the sharing type. He spooked too easily. The pack had some very active young males who liked to roam.
Dani walked beside Ben. He hoped her presence would keep things calmed down. The shifters weren’t short on females so at least there was no danger they’d try to take Dani.
Ben knocked on the door. An older female answered. Grady’s mom had kept the pack civilized even after her mate’s death. “Ben. Trouble?”
“Just a little, ma’am. Grady around?” Ben removed his hat along with the others.
Dani smiled at the old-fashioned manners.
“Come on in. He’s on the back porch.” She led the way.
Dani went first, and Ben kept a close eye on her. The curious of the pack poked their heads out to see the humans. Ben didn’t feel any negative intent. Of course, he’d check with Dani later since she was far better tuned in with those vibes.
On the back porch, Grady, along with his top dogs, stood as soon as Dani stepped out. Ben appreciated the attention. Showing manners to his lady was respect to them all.
“Grady, this is our old friend, Miss Danielle Embers. Dani, this is Grady. He leads the local coyote pack.” Ben kept his manners.
“Nice to see someone is around to keep these men in check.” Grady tipped his hat. “To what do I owe the honor?”
“You men always this overly polite?” she asked.
“I detect a bit of Yankee in that voice. You went north.” Grady grinned. “We’re not buddies, Miss Dani. We’re acquaintances with similar interests.”
Rodney stepped forward and held up a picture. “Currently, we’re interested in what this is. It looks like a shifter but messed up. Sick. Do you know if it’s something new or one of yours?”
Grady squinted at the pictures. “Sick is right. You’re in luck. I can help you.”
“What is it?” Dani asked.
“Sick. One of my coyotes went rogue. We’re not sure exactly what it caught. We’ve tried to capture him, but he’s turned very feral.”
“She might be able to help. Led us right to where it’d show up last night.” Ben nodded to Dani. “That thing isn’t afraid of people. It damn near ran us over.”
Four Cowboys & a Witch Page 4