by Jane Jamison
Her consent was all that he needed. His jeans were undone and pushed to his ankles before she realized it. Taking her tits, he eased her shirt to the side and rubbed his thumbs over her nipples.
“Ty. Now.”
Taking her by the arms, he lifted her up and cupped her buttocks after tearing her panties away. His cock was warm and wet pressing against her pussy. With one smooth motion, he plunged into her.
She cried out and he slapped a hand over her mouth. “Easy, sugar.”
His cock was anything but easy. He jerked her body up and down against the Dumpster as he rammed into her, grunting a little with each plunge.
She jerked her head, getting his hand off her mouth. “Fuck me, Ty. Harder.”
Another groan that sounded much like the growl she’d heard earlier rumbled from his chest into hers. He was an animal and she his prey, but she was a prey that would never want to run from him.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed forward, driving him deeper inside her. Throwing her head to the side, she closed her eyes and rode him like her life depended on it. The whirlwind of her lust spread outward, shaking her body. Her pussy clenched around his huge cock, holding on, trying to drag out every drop of his seed.
She yelped as the sting of him biting her neck hit her. Yet she liked it. If he wanted to bite her harder, she’d welcome it.
“Stormy, say you’re ours.”
She mewled, wanting to give him what he wanted and yet hesitating. What would it mean to say those words? She’d longed for a man who would love her and take care of her and Jazz, but she’d spent too many years doing it for herself and her child. Was he offering her that? Did he mean just him or his brothers, too?
“Damn, but you’re tight. So good. So sweet.”
She rocked against him and reached around to run her nails over the smooth skin of his ass. Part of her shouted that she should stop, that she didn’t do that kind of thing, but she didn’t listen to it, didn’t want to give up what felt so right. Like with his brother before him, she was connected. He was new and fresh yet familiar and steady.
Her orgasm broke free, trembling her body a moment before he stiffened then released, grounding out his climax as he drove into her one last time.
He held her, her legs still wrapped around his waist, his cock still inside her, until their breathing became regular again. She wanted to stay that way for the rest of the day and closed her eyes, determined to commit every detail to memory.
“Shit, Stormy. Pull yourself together.”
Shock registered as Ty dropped her legs then whirled around to shield her from Milly’s view. He tugged up his jeans and buckled his belt.
“Milly. Oh, my God. I’m sorry.” She buttoned her blouse and rushed to smooth her skirt. “This is so not right.”
“It’s my fault, Milly.” Ty still stood in front of her, still trying to hide her.
She eased past him, opened her mouth to say more, but couldn’t think. She could hardly meet Milly’s eyes but forced herself to look at her boss and friend.
But Milly wasn’t angry. In fact, she looked almost pleased. “I came out here to warn you. Jazz is searching for you. Oh, look. Here she comes now.” After making an oh shit face, Milly hurried back into the diner, bumping into the young girl and stalling her long enough for Stormy to get her clothes and hair together.
Jazz looked from her to Ty and back again. “Mom?”
“Hi, honey.” She almost leapt to her daughter’s side.
“What are you doing out here?” Jazz’s gray eyes slid up and down Ty. “With him?”
She hated lying to her, but she had no choice. She should’ve been ashamed at her behavior, but she wasn’t. Only the prospect that Jazz could’ve seen her and Ty together made her squeamish. “Ty was just…”
“I was just helping her take out the trash.”
She shot him a quick smile, thankful that he’d had enough presence of mind to find a logical answer. “Did you need me?”
“Kind of.”
She took Jazz’s arm and tugged her along with her back inside the diner. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Ty’s bright smile and felt the corresponding tug in her pussy. “What is it?”
Jazz pried out of her hold and picked up the pace. “I’m going to hang out at another friend’s house today, okay?”
“Which friend?” Was it a real invitation? Or had the Malone brothers set it up?
“Stacy Tompkins.”
“I don’t know her, do I?” She hadn’t had time to get to meet anyone other than Julie, but that didn’t keep her from asking like a good mother should.
Some good mother I am. Letting two men I hardly know screw me. All in less than twenty-four hours!
“No, you don’t know her. But it’s okay, right?”
“And she invited you?”
“Well, duh. I wouldn’t go if she hadn’t invited me.” Jazz rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong with you anyway?”
“Nothing.” She reached into the front pocket of her skirt and took out her tip money. “Here. Buy some popcorn and other snacks for you two to share.”
Jazz snatched the money from her and spun on her heels. “Thanks. I’m going to stay over if Stacy’s mom says it’s okay.”
“Fine, but call me.”
“Aw, Mom.”
“Call me.”
Jazz didn’t bother answering again. Instead, she pushed through the double doors and was gone.
Stormy didn’t want to know if the customers were watching. Her innocent daughter might not have noticed her mussed hair, but she’d bet the adults in the room would. And they’d know why her hair was messed up. Without making eye contact with anyone, she went behind the counter and took Milly’s hand. Milly didn’t protest when she dragged her toward the ladies’ room. Once inside the one-toilet room, she threw up her hands and let out a horrible moan.
“I am such a slut.”
Milly brought her into a quick hug then took her by the shoulders. “You are not a slut.”
“Yes, I am. You don’t know what I’ve done.” She caught her reflection in the mirror. Her lipstick was smeared and her hair looked like she’d just gotten out of bed. She took the paper towel Milly handed to her and wiped off her lipstick.
“Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea.”
“You do?” Stormy tossed the towel away and combed her fingers through her hair. “No. You can’t.”
“Let me take a wild guess. You made it with one or more of the Malone boys. Am I close?”
Her jaw went slack. “Too close. Oh, my word, is it that obvious? Am I now the whore of Forever?”
“Hardly.” Milly shook her head, her eyes dancing with mirth. “So which one did you take to your bed last night? Rent? Beckett? Or all three?”
“All three?” Yet she could hardly act shocked after fantasizing about doing that very thing.
“Come on, girl. You don’t fool me. Anyone with eyes in their head can see how hot and bothered you are for them. And them for you. Hell, half the time they come into the diner I think I’m going to have to mop up the drool off the floor.”
Stormy pressed her palms to her head. “Like I said. I am such a slut. Yes, yes. I slept with Rent last night and then Ty today and”—she waved in the direction of the Dumpster area—“next to the trash. I should throw myself into the trash, I’m so dirty.”
“If you did, you’d have to make room for most of the town to join you.”
“What do you mean?” How could Milly not think she was awful? Especially after what she’d seen?
“Sweetie, tell me. When you’re close to the Malone brothers, do you feel something that you can’t really explain? Like a tugging at your insides? And I’m not talking about lust. It’s more than that. Stronger.”
It was the second time Milly had surprised her. “How did you know?”
“Because that happens a lot around here. It’s an instinct, an invisible pull that makes them irresistible. That connection you
sense between you and the men overwhelms you. You don’t have a choice. You couldn’t resist them if you tried. It’s bigger than you. Your body and your spirit take over because you know that’s the one, or ones, for you. You’re not a slut for acting on those feelings. No one could withstand them. And why would anyone want to? Am I getting this right?”
“Yes! That’s exactly it. Have you felt it, too?” But Milly didn’t have a husband or, as far as she knew, a boyfriend. She’d thought that strange because she was so attractive, with her oval face framed with golden hair and a body a man would lust over, but she hadn’t wanted to pry.
“Not yet.” Sadness clouded her friend’s eyes. “But I hope I will one day.”
“But why me and not you? And you say others have experienced it?”
Milly shrugged. “Who’s to say why you’re lucky and I’m not? And yes, lots of people in Forever and elsewhere have had it happen. My mom called it The Lightning Bolt of Love. In the split second when you first meet your future mate, you get struck with the absolute knowledge that he, or they, are the ones for you. Sweetie, you’ve been struck by lightning.”
The Lightning Bolt of Love? Was that what had happened to her? She’d heard of people falling in love at first sight, but she’d never known anyone who said it was true. But it did explain her uncontrollable actions around Rent and Ty. Or was she taking any excuse she could find to justify her outrageous behavior?
“Come on, girl, we’ve got a diner full of customers to tend to.”
Milly pushed through the door and led the way back into the main room. She hurried behind the counter while Stormy headed for the nearest table.
Could there really be such a thing like The Lightning Bolt of Love? And if so, had it struck her? Wouldn’t that explain the zing of attraction she felt whenever the Malone brothers were around?
She refilled Mrs. Tyler-Walker’s cup of coffee, but her mind was on the Malone brothers. If love had found her, was she ready to accept it?
* * * *
Beckett didn’t want to tell Stormy, but Miss Clara, the elderly spinster checker at the High Tide Market, was adamant when he’d come through the checkout lane and she’d found out why he was buying such a large container of liquid soap. He’d give anything to take back his slip of the tongue. But Miss Clara’s kind face and her loving manner always got him to talk.
He’d spilled the truth to her and she’d wasted no time in taking a break and handing over her position behind the register to one of the other employees. With an imperious wave of her hand, she’d promptly escorted him out of the place and down to the diner. The fact that she should’ve mentioned her leaving work to her boss was never an issue. Miss Clara was an institution at the market and, by right of seniority both in longevity at her job and in her advanced age, she decided when she’d work and when she’d take a break. If her boss had dared to chastise her, most of the town would’ve skinned him alive. No one messed with Miss Clara.
Milly and Stormy were hustling around the main dining room, and every time he looked at Stormy, he couldn’t help but smile. How the hell had he gotten so lucky?
She’s as pretty as she was last night. If only I’d asked her for the date instead of Rent, I would’ve gotten to take her to bed.
He and Ty had wanted to kick each other’s asses when it had become apparent that Stormy hadn’t expected three dates. But, since Rent had asked her, he and Ty had bowed out of the date. Considering how skittish she was, Ty reasoned that one of them would have a better chance of getting closer to her than the three of them at the same time.
Then when Rent had come home last night, they’d found out that Ty had called it right. The connection between his oldest brother and Stormy had done its job, sending them into the bedroom. If only Rent hadn’t opened his big mouth and blown it all to hell and back, he and Ty would’ve had an easier time getting closer to her.
Miss Clara crooked her finger at Stormy, and he cringed. If the sweet old girl didn’t remind him so much of his mother, she wouldn’t have so much influence over him. “Young one, come here, please.”
Stormy hesitated then walked over to them. “Can I help you?”
Young one was what Miss Clara called anyone under the age of sixty. Beckett shot Stormy a look that begged her forgiveness then added, “Stormy, I want you to know it’s okay. I wouldn’t have bothered mentioning this, but once Miss Clara found out—”
“Once I found out I knew any good mother would want to know what her daughter had done.”
Chapter Five
Beckett hated to see the concern marring Stormy’s smooth forehead. He placed a hand on Miss Clara’s shoulder. Not that he had any illusions that it would stop her, but what else could he do? Hog-tie her and slap a muzzle over her mouth?
“It’s not a big deal. I’ll take care of it. After all, she didn’t do any damage and she didn’t even do that much.”
“What did Jazz do?”
“Again, it’s nothing that should take you away from work. Milly?” He sought out his friend, who was watching from behind the counter. “Doesn’t Stormy have tables to wait on?”
It was a cowardly way out of the situation, but again, his options were limited. It was either divert Stormy away from Clara or drag the elderly lady out the door.
“Go on and tell her what she needs to hear.” Milly, always one to jump on a chance to razz her friends, leaned on the counter. “It’s fine. I’ll cover for her.”
Thanks for nothing, Milly.
“Will someone tell me what she did?” Stormy crossed her arms and adopted the defiant-mother stance, ready to defend her daughter even when she probably had a good idea that what they were about to tell her was true.
“Your daughter egged the Malone brothers’ house.” Miss Clara crossed her arms, an older version of Stormy.
Stormy closed her eyes for a second then opened them. Her nostrils flared as she glared at him. “Did you see her do it?”
Fuck. How did I let this happen?
“No.”
“Then how do you know it was Jazz?”
He’d faced down a mother wolf before and hadn’t felt as intimidated. “I don’t. But I’m not the one accusing her.”
That’s right. Throw the old lady under the bus.
“Why else would a teenage girl come into the store and buy three dozen eggs?” Under the proverbial bus or not, Miss Clara wasn’t backing down.
The air seemed to deflate out of Stormy. “She did? And you know it was Jazz?”
“I’ve seen her around and I’ve noticed her with you at the store. She’s a pretty girl with long black hair and gray eyes. She bought those eggs and a box of microwave popcorn.”
Stormy shook her head. “Yeah. I gave her money for popcorn and other snacks.”
He was pond scum. Or whatever was below pond scum. And a snitch, even if Miss Clara had forced the issue. “It’s okay, Stormy. She didn’t make a big mess. Like I said, I wouldn’t have mentioned it and I wish Miss Clara hadn’t either.”
“Well, someone had to tell her, and I knew you wouldn’t.” Clara peered above the glasses resting on the end of her nose. “You’re too sweet on this girl to let her know her child’s acted like a brat.”
He met Stormy’s eyes and saw a flicker of joy. At least he hoped it was joy. Then embarrassment swallowed her. “I am so very sorry. I–I’ll come over as soon as I can to clean it up.”
“You’d best make the girl do it. Otherwise, she’ll never learn her lesson.”
“Miss Clara, please. Let me handle it. Anyway, it’s no big deal. Miss Clara, let’s get you back to the store.” He took the woman’s elbow and with a firm grip headed her toward the door.
“Beckett?”
He twisted around without turning Miss Clara around with him. No way would he let her stay any longer. “Yeah?”
“Could we come by later this afternoon?”
“Do you know where we live?”
“I do.” The softest of smiles came over h
er face.
“Of course she does, boy.” Miss Clara shot him a pointed look. “And even if she didn’t, her girl sure does.”
* * * *
“She’s here.” Rent had the door opened before either of his brothers could respond.
Beckett caught up to him on the front porch that wrapped around the two-story house built by their ancestors.
“You mean they’re here. I think she’s brought Jazz along to apologize for the egging.”
The Malone family had come to Forever during the Great Depression and found not only a way to survive but a sanctuary for werewolves. They’d grown to love the small town and had hurried to buy land on which to build their home. Following others in the community, they’d included the word moon in the name of their ranch and had dubbed it Half Moon Ranch.
Ty joined them as they started down the steps to greet Stormy and Jazz as they got out of the battered old Toyota Celica. “Hey, Stormy, it’s good to see you.”
Rent lifted his hand in greeting to her then switched his attention to her daughter. Jazz stood off to the side and glanced at them every so often. “Hey, Jazz, you’re just in time. We’re having fried egg sandwiches for dinner. You like eggs, right?”
The young girl gave him a look filled with worry and regret. At least she had some remorse about it. A lot of kids her age would’ve put on an arrogant attitude and pretended they weren’t sorry for what they’d done.
“Don’t let him get to you, Jazz.” Ty grinned at her and got a quick smile in return.
Stormy slipped her arm around her daughter’s waist, who then ducked out of the embrace. “I want to apologize for what Jazz did. She was upset because she saw Ty and me—”
“Don’t worry about it. I won’t even tell you how many houses we egged when we were kids.” Rent could tell she hadn’t known how to finish her sentence, so he’d come to her rescue. “But we could use a hand washing it down.”
Stormy’s relief was palpable. “That’s why we’re here. Jazz wants to make amends. Don’t you?”
Jazz’s voice came out in a whisper. “Yeah.”