by Jane Jamison
She stumbled once and would’ve fallen if Raine hadn’t caught her and kept her upright. As soon as he touched her, her body awakened, betraying her with a yearning that had her breath coming out in quick pants. His mesmerizing gaze met hers, then slid lower to her chest and on to her feet.
“Are you hurt?”
She could’ve sworn he’d asked an altogether different question. “Are you hot?”
“I’m sorry?”
He took his hand away, throwing her off-balance emotionally, and stared at the place where he’d held her. “I asked if you’re all right?”
“Oh. Uh, yeah. Are you?” She felt the pink rush of embarrassment in her cheeks. Why had she asked such a stupid question?
He chuckled and swept a strand of her hair out of her face. “Yeah, I’m good.” Then, dropping his tone lower, he added, “More than good.”
“Keep moving.”
At Blue’s urging, she put her back to the luscious body of Raine and found her gaze locked on the wide shoulders of Blue. His form didn’t bulge like a bodybuilder’s, but she could sense he had more strength, more power in his body than two of the barbell junkies ever could. He strode forward, his head moving side to side once in a while, scanning the forest. His graceful movements reminded her of a leopard or mountain lion.
No, nix that. He moves like a wolf. Like fluid, coiled energy ready to be released at a moment’s notice.
Her pussy heated up as her nipples pebbled and she had to jerk her attention away. But that didn’t keep her mind from going down another road of taboo.
If Raine had wanted to take things further when he’d lain on top of her, would she have let him? Would she have gone along with him? Her pulse quickened as her heart pounded in her chest. Sweat that had nothing to do with their fast trek beaded on her forehead and slickened her palms. She would’ve spread her legs for him if he’d taken the knife from her then kept her flat on her back. Her blood boiled inside her thinking about how his cock had felt pushed up next to her pussy. She’d inhaled his scent, a strange aroma that made her want him even more. Her tits had rubbed against his chest and an ache had spread through her. An ache that she’d would’ve voiced if the situation had been different.
She groaned then inhaled and found his scent again, along with his brothers’. Raine and Blue had a similar musky fragrance mixed with sweat and an indefinable wild aroma. Pete had a wild edge to his as well, but his scent was different, spicier than his brothers.
Although Pete was adopted, they acted like brothers. She could see the familiarity between them in the way they communicated, sometimes speaking in fragments while other times all it took was a look. Were they talking about her? Were they as attracted to her as she was to them?
What is wrong with me?
She shouldn’t be thinking in those kinds of terms about any of her captors. But she couldn’t help it. They hadn’t treated her badly other than tying her up. But even now she sensed that they didn’t mean her any real harm. They were right. Running off in the middle of the night even in an area she was familiar with was just asking for trouble. But in the woods she didn’t know well and in a part of them that she’d never seen before? That was just plain stupid.
They came into a camp almost before she was aware that they’d broken through the underbrush and into a clearing. She stopped, stunned to see tents, huts, cabins, and even a few teepees circling a large area where other people gathered around campfires. The grass was a dark green, greener than she remembered any grass being, while wildflowers of every possible color swayed in a breeze she didn’t feel. The scene reminded her of a mix between a Native American tribe and modern-day hippies. The women wore long gowns with moccasin-style shoes while the men wore slacks or jeans, most without a shirt, and a range of footwear from the same shoes the women wore to rough cowboy boots. A few older children dashed around the encampment then stopped to stare at her before returning to their laugh-filled fun.
“Good. You told them we were bringing her back.”
Raine nodded at Pete’s question. “Isn’t it obvious?”
She scanned the area again, but couldn’t tell how it was obvious. Pete, however, must’ve seen the question in her eyes.
“We don’t usually wear clothes. Just when we have a newcomer to the group.”
Great. They took me to a nudist colony. Well, at least they had enough courtesy to put clothes on for me.
“What is this place?”
“Home.”
Pete gestured to those around them. “Stay put and keep to yourself. At least until we say otherwise.”
“That sounds ominous.”
Raine’s grin was forced. “Yeah. It is. A little. Just do as Pete said.”
The brothers moved away to greet two men. One was an older man with white hair and a white beard. He held himself in a regal stance even though he leaned on a cane as he listened to Blue. The other was tiny, barely standing over three feet, and yet he didn’t have the characteristics of a little person. Instead, he reminded her of the elves in her favorite childhood books with his red hair, fair skin, and large feet.
“What the hell am I going to do? I’ve been abducted and forced deep into the woods. Not at all what I’d planned on when I started this trip,” she muttered.
Blue glanced back as though he’d heard her even though she was sure she’d spoken too softly. Did he have sensitive hearing like her?
She darted her gaze away from his and studied the people around her. They were of different ethnicities, sizes, and ages, but they all appeared to have one thing in common. Their faces were filled with joy.
What the heck is going on here? How can everyone be so damn happy? Unless they’re all drinking the Kool-Aid.
Was everything as idyllic as it seemed? Or were they brainwashed to the bone?
“That’s not possible.”
She jerked back to see the older man glaring at her. The protest that she hadn’t chosen to come was on her lips, but Pete shot her a warning look. Deciding that it was safer to follow their rules for now, she pressed her lips together and tried to act like fear wasn’t taking a hard hold on her.
“Yes, but I’m only telling you what I know. She wasn’t anywhere near the water, Charlton.” Blue stood straight and tall, but she could see an underlying uneasiness in the way he shifted back and forth on his feet. The fact that the white-haired man called Charlton made him nervous was apparent.
“But it was The Time of Coming,” added Raine. “That much we know. And remember what Jerry said about the odd sensation he felt when he chased her? Could another portal be open? One in the forest?”
Who’s Jerry? I didn’t see a man there.
Charlton kept quiet as his smaller friend shook his head vigorously. “Anything is possible in The Hidden. But let’s hope not. Still, even if that’s true, she shouldn’t have been able to enter on her own.”
“And yet she did. Jerry wasn’t touching her when she came through. She led him inside then fell into the pit The Cursed dug. She’s lucky they abandoned the trap a while ago.”
Came through what? And what is a Cursed?
“Which, again, isn’t possible.” Raine rubbed the back of his neck.
“Unless she’s one of us.” Pete brought her closer to Charlton, then gave her a quick, comforting smile before shifting his attention back to the group.
“That, at least, would make sense.” Charlton studied Blue, his own eyes a deeper shade than Blue’s. “Do you feel anything about her?”
What is he supposed to feel? Damn it all, why don’t they let me in on their discussion?
She had to refrain from demanding answers. If she did, she knew one of the men would end up hauling her away. She might never get any answers if she made them angry.
Charlton leaned on his cane, but she got the impression that he didn’t really need the crutch. His body was fit and possessed a strength not shown in brawn. “Let’s not discuss this anymore outside. I’ll call the other members of The
Council and we’ll come to a decision. Meet us in the cabin once you have her settled in your tent.”
“Our tent?”
“Yes, Blue. Yours. Who else’s home should she stay in?” The stern expression on Charlton’s face softened. He patted Blue on the shoulder. “I doubt you’ll find her too much of a hardship.”
“Fine. If that’s what you think is best.”
Pete edged closer to Charlton and said something she couldn’t hear. Charlton’s hard look returned and his piercing blue eyes landed on her again. He gave Pete a curt nod then spun around and strode away. The small man started to speak then clamped his mouth closed and twirled around to scurry after Charlton.
Blue took one look at her, nodded at Pete who took the backpack from Raine, then motioned for Raine to follow him as he walked in a different direction—away from her.
Pete stood for a moment then waved her over to him. She tried not to hurry, but she did feel more comfortable closer to him. Yet halfway there, she slammed to a stop and gaped at the animal at the edge of the tree line. The buck that had chased her dropped his head then shook his mighty antlers before springing back into the forest.
“That’s him! That’s the buck that chased me.” She pointed, uncaring if she made a scene and drew everyone’s attention. “Did you see him?”
Pete took her arm and pulled her along with him, slinging her pack over his shoulder. “Yeah, I saw him. That’s Jerry.”
“Jerry? He has a name?” She craned her neck back trying to find him and almost fell. Pete kept her on her feet as he pushed through the opening of a large tent, bringing her along with him.
The tent was huge and unlike any tent she’d ever seen except in the movies. Gloriously colored quilts lay everywhere while candles rested on wooden platforms. A hole in the top of the tent let out the smoke that would come from the fire pit directly below it. It was like a sheik’s tent and all that was needed was the beautiful harem women.
Is that what I’m supposed to be?
“Jerry isn’t a pet. He’s our friend.”
“O-kay.” Lots of people considered their pets their friends and even part of the family, but a buck? “But your friend chased me into a hole.”
“He didn’t mean to.” Pete released her arm then dropped her backpack.
“Oh, well, then, that’s good to know. Listen, I don’t know what this place is, but I know it’s not where I want to be.”
“I wish it was.”
Had she heard him right? “What did you say?”
Pete ducked his head then brought it back to give her the most incredible look she’d ever had. The heat in his eyes could’ve melted her on the spot and her pussy clenched as that heat shot out of him and into her. He was smoldering inside for her and had ignited a flame in her. The need, however, was tinged with another element, one born of the yearning she’d sensed earlier. He wanted her body, but he wanted more than that.
“What did your brother mean? Why did he say I’m yours?” Did she really want to know?
“He meant what he said.” He tilted his head at her. “He wants you as much as I do.”
She didn’t step back when he took a step toward her. Still, she had to leave, had to get away before she lost her will to get back down the mountain. He grabbed her roughly and it took her a few moments before she tried to tug out of his hold.
“No. I don’t want this.” She pushed away from him, but he held on. She stared at him, then whimpered and pulled back. But not hard enough to break free. “Let me go.” Her voice came out weak and shaky as though she hadn’t meant what she’d said. Had she? She yanked again.
He suddenly let go, sending her falling to the floor. Her landing was softened by the quilts made of a material she’d never seen.
“Yes, you do.” He fell to her side and bent over her. He gripped her behind the neck and lifted her head. He brushed his mouth close to hers, lightly, teasing her. And damn it if his tease didn’t work.
She reached up and took him by the hair to crush his lips against hers. At first he let her take the lead, but it wasn’t long before his grip tightened on her. He pulled her lower lip between his teeth as she tried to do the same to his upper lip.
She moaned, not caring if anyone outside could hear. She hadn’t realized it earlier, but she’d wanted this to happen. Almost from the first moment she’d seen the Deacon brothers, she’d wanted them. Not just Pete, but his brothers, too. Did the knowledge that Blue wanted her, too, upset him? She shoved away the question of what he’d think.
He deepened the kiss, making it harder yet softer at the same time. Nibbling on her lower lip gave way to giving her his tongue and she took it with relish. She sucked on it, drinking in every drop of his taste, then offered him hers in return.
He groaned and cupped her breast to rake his thumb over her nipple. She arched, urging him to do anything he wanted. The rumble of a growl rolling through his chest didn’t scare her. In fact, it had the opposite effect. Excitement rushed into her and, if he hadn’t had his mouth on hers, she would’ve asked him to make the sound again.
When he ended the kiss, she was left trying to breathe, trying to think straight, but it was as impossible for her to do as flying to the moon. “How do you do that?”
Hunger flashed in his eyes. “How do I do what?”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “You know damn well what I mean. How do you make me─”
He pressed his mouth against hers, cutting off her question. The kiss was different than the first, more leisurely, more sensual, more seductive than any kiss she’d ever experienced. He took her lips, at first tender, then tempting her to take the kiss further. He traced a path along them with his tongue as though asking permission to enter a second time. She gave it and moaned, enjoying the intoxicating taste she’d already started missing.
Snaking his arms around her waist, he pulled her torso closer, flattening her breasts against his solid chest. She inhaled the spicy scent that tingled the insides of her nostrils and had her breathing in fast for more of it. Sliding her arms over his wide shoulders, she let her fingers explore the muscles that strained against the material of his shirt. She locked her fingers behind his neck and held on.
He slipped a hand lower and cupped her butt cheek. Her heart sped up along with the throbbing of her pussy.
She wished she’d worn a skirt. Anything except her usual jeans. Heat boiled inside her and she bent one knee, spreading her legs in invitation. He accepted and moved his hand around to find the button of her jeans. She clutched him tighter and shifted her body to make it easier for him.
Callie recognized his power as she’d recognized his brothers’. Their bodies were hard, but they had an inner strength that she didn’t quite understand. It was that strength that drew her to them like a moth to a flame and she didn’t care if she’d crash and burn against their light. At that moment, she would’ve risked anything and everything to have him.
When he’d gotten her zipper down, she lifted her hips and let him slide her jeans and panties down her legs. He stopped kissing her long enough to mumble a curse as he yanked her boots off so he could rid her of her clothes. He paused, taking in her body, then slid his fingers along her leg.
“I need you so much.”
She should’ve insisted that they stop. She should’ve grabbed her clothes and dashed away. But it was too late. It had been too late from the moment she’d seen him and his brothers.
Can I have Raine and Blue, too?
The exhilarating idea gave her the courage to go on. She’d always been so careful, so responsible in anything to do with sex, but now he’d turned loose a part of her that she hadn’t even realized was caged. She smiled as she pictured a wild animal breaking free inside her. The image of a wolf with fur the color of her hair slashed through her mind and her smile grew wider.
If only that were real.
But that was ridiculous. How could that ever be? And yet, somewhere deep inside her, she thought she heard a
howl.
She arched against him, urging him to take her. Cupping his bulging crotch, she closed her eyes and fumbled with his button. If she didn’t get his cock out soon, she’d explode with need.
She hadn’t made much progress in getting his jeans undone when he surprised her by dropping her back on the quilts. She opened her eyes to find him standing over her, hurriedly stripping his jeans off. He wore no underwear, and as soon as it was free of its constraints, his cock shot out, hard, long, and oozing pre-cum.
She swallowed and wondered if he was too big. Could she handle a man his size? Whether she could or not, she’d damn well do her best and try. She sat up and pulled off her top along with the sports bra she wore.
He inhaled, his focus intent on her breasts, and for the first time in her life, she worried that she wasn’t big enough or perky enough. But those fears soon left her as she took in his desire, his gaze skimming down her body, then up again to linger on her breasts before moving to her face.
“You’re incredible.”
Had he sensed her worry?
“Every damn inch of you is incredible.”
He tugged off his shirt and fell on top of her. His hands skimmed over her, along her legs, slipping to her inner thighs, then teasing her as he touched her pussy then moved over her stomach to take a breast. Bits of amber flashed in his eyes.
He pressed his mouth to hers again as she clenched his back. She concentrated on the hard, hot flesh searing her palms as she skimmed her hands over all the ridges and valleys of his body.
Pete gripped her harder, rubbing her clit and sinking his finger into her pussy until she wanted to scream at him to fuck her. Only his mouth on hers again stopped her cries. He lashed his tongue with hers, daring her to try and keep it in her mouth.
She was about to make good on her scream when he pulled back. He studied her, his finger still in her pussy, yet unmoving.
“Do you want me?” His voice was low to the point of changing his words into a growl.