by Davis, Lia;
Hurt flashed across Simon’s features. “No, love. I’d let you carve my heart out of my chest if it’d make you happy.”
“Killing them doesn’t make me happy.”
“But it’ll make you safe, and that makes me happy.”
Chapter Fourteen
Nick
Nick left his mate sleeping with Simon and Dex. As much as he hated to leave her, the meeting with her dad was necessary to protect her. He couldn’t ignore this big of an obligation.
“At this early hour, I’m assuming this isn’t a social call?” Daniel Goldilocks sipped his coffee, eying Nick over the rim of the beverage, his demeanor haughty, his scent making it crystal clear he believed he was better than the bear-shifters.
The fucker’s attitude grated on Nick’s nerves, but he decided not to mince words. “Your daughter is safe with me as my mate. I’ve alerted the authorities to her whereabouts.”
“I thought you were gay and you and Dex were an item?”
“She’s Dex and Simon’s mate too.” Not that her father deserved the information, but Nick figured she was safer if Daniel understood she enjoyed the protection of not just three bear-mates, but also an entire clan.
“She belongs to Carl Stewart, a man more suited to her class.”
“She belongs to us. Her mates.” Matings were recognized in a court of law, and just as binding as a marriage.
“Contracts between Celia and Carl are signed and notarized. She’s his property.”
“Can’t uphold a contract like that.”
A slight tightening about Daniel’s eyes delighted Nick. “She’ll cease this bear disgrace”—his upper lip curled in disgust—“immediately and return home to fulfill her duties to Carl.”
Good luck enforcing that.
“Daniel, you seem to be missing the intent of this meeting. Celia’s status in our lives isn’t up for debate.” Irritated by her dad’s contempt, Nick let his bear burst forth a bit, mollified when the smell of Daniel’s alarm wafted to him. “I’m only here to let you know if anyone so much as looks at her funny, even if she twists an ankle crossing the street to avoid you, I’ll blame you, and wipe out your entire group.” Simon would probably suck his cock if he thought Nick would give him the chance to seek the vengeance he craved. “Fuck with our mate, and I will end you.” Everyone knew the law resided with shifters when it came to protecting a mate and offspring. “Make sure Carl receives the memo to stay away from Celia.”
“Hold up, Nick.” Daniel’s words halted Nick’s retreating stride. “No daughter of mine will ever be a bear-shifter’s whore. She’ll return at once or pay the consequences.”
“What consequences would those be, Daniel?” Nick strode back toward his enemy, reining in his temper at the last minute, but not enough it seemed. He gripped a chair and let his bear claws burst from his fingers, defacing the chair in the process. Celia’s father gaped at them, his hand shaking so hard he spilled some of his coffee. Good. He’d rattled the asshole. “Will you have Rico beat her? Or Carl? Or will you nut up for once and do your own dirty work for a change?”
“Is that what she told you? I assure you they’re nothing but stories she’s crafted in her head. She suffers from delusions.”
“Uh huh.”
Daniel slathered jelly on toast. “I had Dr. Billingsly do a work up on her, and he diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. She’s not on her meds. It’s why I brought her home, so we could get her well again. Don’t believe me, check her medical records.”
Daniel had proven time and again paying someone to fabricate records was as easy as paying off a small-town judge. “Do you believe your own lies?”
“She’s a liar, a thief, and a whore. You should know that, Nick. She’ll make you a laughing stock of this town.” Like Daniel gave a damn about anyone’s reputation but his own. “She’s been nothing but a nuisance, causing one goddamn problem after another all her life. Her momma—God rest her soul—is probably turning over in her grave at all the shit she’s caused.” Nick wanted to punch the fucker for bringing God into this. “The girl—”
“The girl has a name. She’s your daughter for Christ’s sake.”
Daniel sniffed. “That’s right. She’s my daughter, and I don’t give my consent for her to mate you or your dirty animal friends.”
“Don’t require your consent.” Seriously, this wasn’t the eighteen hundreds, and they were all adults.
“Do what’s right for her and send her home.”
“She is home. With us.” Going in circles with this conversation, Nick grew irritated.
“I only want what’s best for her. I’ve never harmed her, not once, Nick.”
“Of course you haven’t harmed her. You have your men do it. Must make them feel good to hurt a defenseless woman.”
“Return her to me and she won’t be harmed. You have my word.”
“Your word is shit, Daniel. Everyone in town knows it. After the stuff she’s told us, I’ve a mind to set Simon on your men and let him play with them until he’s decimated your entire crew.”
Daniel paled. If nothing else, Simon’s temper was useful for something. It was nothing but a bluff because that bloody outcome would harm their relationship with Celia. If Daniel suspected Nick bluffed, Nick couldn’t scent the knowledge on the other man. Neither did Daniel smirk or accuse him of deception. Instead he smelled genuine distress coming off his nemesis.
“Heed my warning, Daniel, or I give you my word”—Nick’s word was respected in this town, this state, with a handful of sitting supreme court judges, and a dozen or more senators—“you’ll regret messing with my woman. And there’ll be nothing left of you to bury.” Nick walked out of the home, placated by the terror rolling off the other man, and unworried if his threat was recorded.
Chapter Fifteen
Dex
“Hello, sweetheart.” Dex eyed Celia as she entered Blackclaw Ink with Nick, their alpha’s arm draped around her shoulders. Admiring the way the black leather pants encased his girl’s delectable curves, he licked his lips and gave a mental grin at her sugar skull shirt that said, ‘Keep Calm and Fuck Off’. He loved her wicked sense of humor, even if her tactless choice in attire offended some of the locals. The pointed toe boots with stitched swirly roses, the same ones she’d squealed over when Simon bought them for her the other day, finished out her attire.
Jesus Christ, she has no idea how sexy she is.
“There’s my favorite lumberjack.” Her eyes lit up at the sight of him, and his heart took a direct hit.
Dex loved the way she looked at him. She crawled straight onto his lap and gave him a toe-curling smooch, dragging her nails across his scalp in the process.
“Mmm… what do you want?”
She rubbed her tits all over his chest, making a growly noise. “Can’t a girl just be happy to see you?”
“Sure, but I can scent your scheming.”
“Not fair.” She nipped his bottom lip, and his dick twitched, while his bear presented itself, always eager for her teasing. “I’m horny.”
“You’re always horny.” So were they, but he also enjoyed the build up of the wait because he had no doubt she’d mate them. Only Simon doubted her commitment.
“Like always, Nick said no when I told him what I needed.” Her adorable pout had him glowering at Nick.
“You fun-sucking bastard.” Dex championed her because it didn’t matter who was right or wrong, reinforcing her pleased both man and beast.
Nick rolled his eyes as she said, “I know, right?”
“Who’s a fun-sucking bastard?” Simon entered from the backroom, and her eyes lit up again. “Thought I heard your sweet voice, love.”
“Nick’s a fun-sucking bastard.” Celia answered his question and twitched her finger at Simon. “Come here, my fuzzy-wuzzy teddy bear.”
She’d nicknamed them all. Simon’s was ridiculous, but despite his ability to go lethal in under a second, with her Simon was indeed a fuzzy-wuzzy teddy
bear. She’d of course dubbed Dex her lumberjack, and Nick got the title of—
“The pussy-tease being mean again?” Simon pressed his lips against hers in a welcoming kiss, as Dex chuckled at Simon’s audacity at referring to Nick by Celia’s nickname.
Pussy-tease. Seriously, she begged for punishment with that one.
“I obviously have to defend myself.” Nick smacked her on the ass. “Celia wanted me to take her to the strip club so she could pick up a chick to do her”—he finger quoted the words ‘do her’—“while we watch.”
“Since when do we object to that?” Simon sat on the sofa beside them, repositioned her legs over his thighs, but gave Nick a confused gape.
Dex noticed Celia smirked at Nick. She’d orchestrated this uprising.
“I’ve got blueballs.” As if they needed validation, Nick gripped his jewels and squeezed. “I hurt all the goddamn time. We will fuck her before anyone else does.” Their alpha strode to the door and locked it. “And you, you minx, I’ll show you how well I excel at being a pussy-tease after I turn your ass red for pitting them against me.”
Celia squealed with giggles and took off, but Nick caught her before she made it across the room. She screamed like a maniac captured her, and their fearless leader clamped his hand over her mouth, while she continued to struggle. Great acting on her part because her fear was almost believable. Good thing Dex could scent her arousal or he’d have bolted to aid her.
“Borrowing your room.” Nick hauled her into the enclosed space where Simon applied tattoos.
Dex felt Simon tense before he bolted. He followed in time to hear Nick ask Simon, “Got anything I can gag her with?”
“Use her panties.” Simon ogled them as if he couldn’t understand their game.
Dex knew she got off on this as much as she did orgasms, so he leaned against the door, folding his arms across his chest, ready to enjoy the show.
“Brilliant.” Nick’s eyes glowed with his bear. “I don’t want to chase her down again. Will you strip her, Simon?”
“Oh, yeah.” The ink master retrieved a pocketknife and proceeded to cut her clothes off.
Nice touch and plays right into their original game. His bear and cock agreed, but Dex made no move to hide either.
Celia squealed for real behind Nick’s palm.
“Hush,” their alpha said against her ear, his voice harsh. “Shouldn’t have provoked me if you were fond of these clothes.”
Outfit ruined, and boots removed, all that remained were hot-pink panties. Simon pressed the blade beneath one side of the silk, and met her wide-eyed gaze as he cut the material. The other side he sliced with a bear claw. Nick released his hold on her mouth, and Simon dragged the crotch of the underwear along her lips.
“Feel how wet you are.” And then Simon scrunched the silk into her mouth with slow, single-finger pushes, until all of the fabric was inside and Dex was so hard his dick throbbed in time with his heartbeat.
Fuck. Seeing the pink panties peek-a-boo from between her lips was so hot his bear prowled beneath his surface. Her eyes had softened, her arousal a strong fragrance in the room, which increased his lust.
Dex hoped they weren’t interrupted because he wanted to finish this scene out. “You got any clients coming in anytime soon, Simon?”
The tattooist glanced at his watch. “Not for another hour. Keep your legs straight, and bend over, Celia.”
When she hesitated, Nick said, “Now, minx, or your punishment gets worse.”
Celia elbowed Nick in the gut, surprising Dex since he’d expected her to submit quietly. Nick reacted swiftly and forced her over the table. Her eyes creased at the corners, and Dex knew she grinned, delighted by the rough treatment.
“You shouldn’t have done that, love.” Simon trailed his fingers along her spine. Only her shoulders and breasts rested on the bench, her ass elevated in the air. The tattooist gripped her nape as Nick peppered her ass with rapid swats.
Celia squealed her surprise but wiggled her ass when Nick stopped.
“Christ, she’s begging for more of a bite.” Nick kicked her feet apart until she was adjusted to his preference. Her intimate lips were swollen and wet, her clit already peeking from its protective hood.
The ink master threaded his fingers into her hair, and twisted her head so her face turned to the side, facing him. “I want to watch her face as you spank her.”
Dex had the perfect view of it all. Face, pussy, and ass.
Nick’s belt whirred as he stripped the leather free of his pant loops. Folding the leather belt in half, he gave her the first real whack. A muffled cry, her eyes rounding, and she gripped the padded seat.
“Tap the bench twice if it’s too much, Celia.” Nick delivered another blow on the heels of his instruction, leaving behind a second two-inch strip where the leather hit her. He alternated between rubbing her heated flesh and smacking her ass with the belt. Her cunt dripped with her arousal, the moisture sliding down the inside of her thighs, but the tensing of her muscles and the squeaks behind the panties verified she felt the sting of those licks.
Nick shoved two fingers into her cunt, fucking her with them as he showered her with blows.
If she hadn’t been so aroused, Dex would’ve been mortified. But from across the room he could see her clit pulsing, while her arousal saturated the room so strongly he choked on it. Bear and lust gripped him, taking control as he slipped his cock free of his jeans and jerked on his length as the leather kept striking skin.
“Come on her pussy, Dex.” Nick caressed her reddened flesh, his thumb pressing against her asshole as his fingers fucked her hard. Her aroused pants fell like static rasps, fast and hard, just like Dex’s breathing.
Dex shot a glance at her face, but she didn’t protest, so he stepped forward, tightening his grip on his dick, and delivered fast, firm strokes. Nick flung the belt down and flipped her to her back. Another muffled cry surfaced when her bottom hit the leather bench, but then Dex came, drenching her pink pussy with globs of his release. He blinked when he realized Simon joined him, leaving ribbon after ribbon of white cum on her cunt. Nick executed a face-dive between her thighs and cleaned away their seed, while their little mate’s eyes went glassy with pleasure… until their alpha pulled away.
A desperate moan broke through the panties, and she clutched Nick’s head in an effort to direct him back to her clit.
“Slap her tits,” Nick instructed to no one in particular as he swatted her pussy.
Simon glanced at Dex, and he shrugged at his blond friend. Dex liked being dominated sexually, but he’d never acted as Dom. Thankfully, Simon took up the gauntlet, giving each breast a smack. Back bowing, pussy dripping all over the table, her eyes dilated.
Twice more Nick got her close to coming and withdrew at the final moments, before standing, gripping his cock, and stroking until he left his seed on her pussy too. Dex took up where Nick left off giving her a solid tongue fucking, while gauging the nearness of her release and drawing back right before she flamed out with a climax.
Desperation filled her face when Simon pulled her to her feet. The ink master tugged her panties from her mouth, kissed her, and finger-combed her hair. “Nick damn sure owns his pussy-tease nickname.”
Celia whimpered, but before she could protest being left unfulfilled, Nick cuddled against her backside, squashing her between them. Nick held Simon’s gaze as the bear alpha pressed his lips against her ear. “Protest once, and we’ll start over, minx.”
Funny how their mate could behave when offered suitable incentive.
Chapter Sixteen
Celia
Celia roused from sleep nestled between two bears. Regardless of the cool nights and her nakedness, no blankets were necessary thanks to their warmth.
Snuggled against Simon’s chest, with his morning erection tapping against her thigh, she kissed a pectoral as she wrapped her fingers around his woody.
“Celia,” his sleepy voice warned.
&nb
sp; “Simon,” she shoved the same warning into her tone. “I like that you’re happy to see me every morning.”
“You’re mine. Of course I’m happy to see you.” Yeah, he was always pleased to see her, even when she showed up unannounced at his tattoo shop. Every day when he came home from work, he’d kiss her like the lip lock was his oxygen, making her heart swell because she could feel his emotions toward her. That couldn’t be faked.
“She’s ours, Simon.” Dex nuzzled the back of her neck. That one little action sucked all the air from her lungs, and goose bumps paraded across her skin. It was a delightful move she loved and hated because it made her horny with no imminent relief.
“It’s been a week, Celia.” Simon cupped the underside of a breast and held the globe as he sucked on her nipple, his tongue toying with the steel bar.
“If you want forever with us—”
She didn’t let Dex finish. “I do. Fuck me, mate me, do something to me.”
“Why do you want us forever?”
Celia groaned at Nick’s question because it put off what she wanted. But she had no trouble answering. “You’re upstanding men.”
They were. She’d ventured into town with them over the week, had even been a nosy body in their home when they were gone, and had talked to as many people as she could find that’d chat about the bears. Only two said anything bad, and it’d become evident they spoke ill for petty reasons. Little ole blue-haired women praised them and blushed in their presence. A couple of the kids at the Y chatted up their basketball skills and how the bears spent time with them as big brothers teaching them the sport. Then they’d invited her to join them on a hike through the woods. They’d been in bear form, and she’d taken turns riding on their backs. That’s when she’d realized she was falling for them.
“You’re good men. More than I deserve.” She was no saint, and she came with baggage. “You’re men I’ve fallen for. You’re protective bears that’ll make good fathers, and excellent husbands.”