by Jane Jamison
“Oh. I assumed Purdy owned the place. Besides, something tells me Purdy doesn’t like to share his spot behind the bar.” She bit her lower lip and reached out for Marrick, but he leaned back, avoiding her.
“Nope. Curtis Podgens is the owner. If he hires you, Purdy has to make room for you.”
“Can we stop talking about other men and get to this?” complained Craig. The bed dipped his way as he got on the other side of her.
“You’re right, man.” Marrick grabbed her jeans and yanked.
She let out a surprised yelp. Her jeans and panties were gone in a flash, leaving her with only her bra. Craig leaned over her. Then with a wicked grin, he took hold of the material with his teeth and tore it away.
“Come here, baby.” Marrick took hold of her behind the neck, pulling her forward. He moved as he did, taking her to the edge of the bed. Wrapping his arms around her, he brought her nipple to his mouth and rammed her crotch against his.
His cock, bigger, thicker than before, pressed against her stomach. Flutters of need erupted inside her as she locked her hands around his neck. “Please, Marrick.”
“No problem, baby.” His fingers dove between her pussy lips. “Are you wet for us?” He grinned and answered his question. “Hell, yeah, you are. You’re sopping my hand with your juices.”
“Move aside, man. I need a taste of her.” Craig pushed against the inside of her legs. “Spread ’em, babe.”
She clung to Marrick as she rocked back and forth, moving her legs apart. Although she sensed what Craig had in mind, it still surprised her when he put his head between her legs and his mouth to her pussy. Gone was the gray in his eyes, replaced with flashing amber, as he stared up at her.
She sucked in a quick breath as Craig’s tongue took up where Marrick’s fingers had left off. But he wasn’t satisfied with only his tongue. He plunged his fingers into her pussy as he sucked and nibbled on her clit.
She trembled in a rush of passion. Heat, an accompaniment to the sizzle already searing through her, whipped her passion higher. She leaned back, luxuriating in the feel of Marrick’s hands and tongue torturing her nipples and Craig wreaking havoc to her pussy. She pushed against Marrick harder, trapping his cock between her stomach and his.
In and around her clit, Craig worked his magic. His fingers dipped into her sheath, driving into her with a force that would mimic his cock’s. A chuckle flowed over her pussy as he brought his other hand to her asshole. She squirmed, the sensation of being filled from both sides overwhelming her. A coolness struck the puckered lips around her anus as Craig made use of the lube.
Marrick’s low groan gave way to a purr as he slid his tongue over her breast and up to her throat. She leaned her head back. Would he bite her? Was that what would happen when they changed her? All at once she had her answer. She’d become like them. She’d become a weretiger.
She whimpered as Craig drove fingers from both hands inside her body. He sucked hard, clenching her clit between his teeth. Lust roared into her, taking her by storm and leaving her body shaking in its aftermath.
“Fuck. Now.”
If she hadn’t been so close to a climax, she would’ve laughed at Craig’s shout of protest as Marrick hoisted her off the bed and away from his friend. With the ease of lifting a small child, he put her on her back.
Would they shift even though they said they wouldn’t? Should she be afraid?
“Guys?”
“Don’t worry, baby.” Marrick shoved Craig aside. “You’re safe with me.”
He was enormous as he rested on his heels, took her legs with his huge hands, and tugged her toward him. With another growl morphing into a groan, he thrust his cock inside her pussy.
She cried out then slapped a hand over her mouth. Damn it. Don’t wake up the kids.
Marrick was a machine made of flesh and bones. He rammed into her time and time again, rocking her body.
Craig cupped her breasts and lavished them with kisses. He nipped at her tits, pulling on them. “You’re beautiful. Perfect. We couldn’t have asked for a better mate.”
Did he really expect her to speak? At best, she’d manage a one-word response. Instead, she took him by the arm and met his gaze, putting all her love into one look.
And love it was. Her heart threatened to burst. How could she ever tell them? Language didn’t have enough words to say exactly how she felt. Her body was telling them the only way it knew how, but would it be enough? In a rush of emotions, tears flooded her eyes.
Marrick froze, a stunned expression on his face. “What’s wrong?”
Craig tenderly took her chin and brought her blurred gaze to his. “Are we hurting you? You have to tell us if we’re hurting you. Sometimes—”
“Shut up and let her talk.”
She smiled through the tears. “No. It just hit me right then. I mean, I knew it before, but not like I do now.”
“What, baby?”
If she hadn’t already had tears in her eyes, the worry in Marrick’s eyes would’ve have brought them. “I love you so much. All I want in the world is you two and the twins.”
At once, relief flooded their faces.
“So we’re not hurting you?” asked Craig.
“No. It’s great.” She smiled and began working her hips, encouraging Marrick to start making love to her again. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you know if you ever get too rough.”
“Good to know since I wanted to do this.”
Marrick jerked her body upward, putting her legs over his shoulders. She gasped as she was positioned with her lower torso higher than the rest of her. Spreading her butt cheeks apart, he slammed his cock deep inside her asshole.
It hurt as he plunged again and again into her. And yet the pain was good, sending her zings of a strange, new kind of pleasure through her.
“Take it easy, babe.” Craig fondled her bouncing breasts, playing with her nipples as he watched his friend take her. “If it hurts too much, then say so.”
She held on to him for support as Marrick forced each breath from her. Marrick rocked back and forth, thrusting into her, spreading her protesting anus to his will. His amber-brightened gaze met hers as he pressed his thumb to her clit and pushed his fingers into her pussy.
She cried out as the climax surprised her, sending roll after roll of release. Her body was no longer hers. Instead, it had become a servant to her men’s needs.
Pleasure transitioned into painful delight. She squirmed, at once fighting to get away, yet wanting to stay. She mewled and reached out for Craig and Marrick.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered.
Marrick tensed, his body stiffening even more. Digging his fingers into her hips, he ground out his orgasm as quietly as he could.
He pulled out and shot his cum onto her stomach. Although he wasn’t inside her, she still rejoiced in claiming a part of him.
“Move.” Craig took her under the arms and pulled her away from Marrick. His friend slid down, coming to rest on his side.
Drawing her close, Craig rested her leg on top of his then, with a quick lick of her nipple, he shoved his cock inside her pussy.
She would’ve thought she’d be ready for him, prepared by Marrick’s lovemaking, but she was wrong. Craig’s cock filled her, stretching her wide as he drove deep inside her. His hand cupped her ass cheek and his mouth found her tit again. His pants matched hers as he set up a hard, pounding rhythm.
Their gazes locked, sending each other silent messages of love. His mouth, like hers, parted, the warmth of his breaths meeting hers. They moved as one, as though they’d been made for each other just as she and Marrick had fit.
The swirling emotions of before joined together with the rush of her body’s sensations. They each paused, telling the other their release was close. She saw his climax as hers ripped her apart. Clutching each other, they moaned through their orgasms with soft muted sounds of passion.
When Craig rolled off her, Marrick moved into place at her other side.
No one spoke. What need was there for talk? Instead, she lay between her men and listened to their breathing.
I’m home. For now and forever, I’m home.
* * * *
Lisa couldn’t imagine being any happier. Not only was she in love, but she had a new home. Even when her boss had called last night and fired her, she hadn’t been upset. Why should she? She’d planned on calling him to quit anyway.
She stretched and luxuriated in the coolness of the bed sheets. Craig and Marrick had slipped out earlier to catch up on chores around the ranch. They’d kissed her good-bye, both planting a sweet peck on her cheeks at the same time. They’d told her they loved her and to sleep in.
“Teagie, hurry up!”
Kitty? What are the kids doing up so early?
The twins usually slept late and when they woke up, they immediately started asking for breakfast. Like their uncles, they ate like horses. They’d never go outside until after they’d had a full plate—sometimes even a second helping—of bacon, eggs, and toast along with a huge glass of milk.
She threw off the cover and hurried to the window. Kitty had Teag by the hand and was racing toward the same trees where she’d talked to John Bask.
No.
Fear struck her, propelling her into movement. Tossing on an old T-shirt then tugging on a pair of jeans, she rushed out of the bedroom and hurried to the back door. Her breathing came in shallow pants as she burst outside.
“Kitty! Teag! Kids, stop!”
The twins paused, glanced back at her, and then started running.
What are they doing? Why do they keep running from me?
She took off, wishing she’d had time to find her sneakers instead of the sandals she’d hurriedly pulled on.
“Stop! Kitty! Teag! Stop!”
They didn’t look back at her again. Instead, they picked up speed, leaving her farther behind.
A stitch hit Lisa’s side, but she kept on going. She couldn’t let them go into the trees. What if John was waiting, hiding for just such a chance?
Pain stabbed in her side and still she tried to push on. Her breath burned in her throat and her legs ached. Unable to go another step, she bent over, her hands on her knees as she struggled to breathe. “Kids, come back.” She doubted they heard her.
“Daddy!”
Teag’s shout brought her head up.
Oh, God, no.
A dark silhouette stood a few feet inside the tree line. The man stepped out into the open then spread his arms wide as the kids ran toward him.
John Bask. Her fear had come true.
“No.” Why were they going to him? Hadn’t Kitty said she didn’t want to go with her father? They’d seen what he’d done to their mother and yet, they still wanted to be with him. But she couldn’t blame them. Children loved their parents no matter how bad they were.
Lisa pushed herself to get moving again. The pain in her side tore into her and her voice was lost in her panted breaths, keeping her from calling out for help. But she wouldn’t give up again.
Please, don’t hurt the kids.
She loved them so much. Somehow, while she was falling in love with Craig and Marrick, she’d fallen in love with the twins, too. If their father did anything to harm them, if he took them away, she’d lie down and die.
At last, she had to give up. She turned, hoping to find them again, but they were gone, nowhere to be seen. Exhausted, she fell to her knees.
Marrick. Craig. Please, help.
Several minutes passed until she could get to her feet again and stumble back to the house. She was panting, dragging in short gasps of air by the time she made it into the living room.
“Lisa, what’s wrong?” asked Craig.
Thank God.
She glanced up to see the men striding through the front door. They’d come back early.
“We forgot our phones.” Marrick grabbed hold of her and pulled her to the couch. “What’s wrong? Where are the twins?”
“He…has…them.” She sucked in a hard-won breath then turned it loose in a stream of words. “John has the kids.”
Chapter Ten
Marrick’s tiger roared to the surface. Even if he’d wanted to keep it in check, he couldn’t have. The fury was too great to contain. But he didn’t want to stop the beast. His inner animal’s need to find John Bask and tear him apart was a part of him. A part he welcomed. A part he’d gladly turn free to exact the revenge he so desperately craved.
“Get as many people as you can together and get out here.” Craig, his own eyes telling how close his tiger was to getting out, met Marrick’s gaze. “Now. We’re going after him. Lisa will show you which way we went.”
“No. I’m going with you.” Lisa paced across to the other side of the kitchen. “I can’t stay here. You already told them he was in the trees. I don’t need to show them where.”
“Stay here.” Marrick snarled as he ripped off his shirt. “You’ll just get in the way.”
“He’s right, babe. We don’t want to worry about your safety.”
“I’m coming with you. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have slept in.”
Her stubborn streak showed with the lift of her chin. Marrick knew all the arguing in the world wouldn’t keep her at home. Although he admired her resolve, he wasn’t happy about it.
“That’s a bunch of bullshit. He lured the kids outside.” Could she understand him? Fangs pushing out teeth didn’t make speaking easy.
“Listen to Marrick.” Craig yanked off his boots and sent them flying. “You’re not to blame.”
She shook her head and paced over to the small window above the sink. “I’m going.”
“You won’t be able to stay up with us,” countered Craig.
Marrick shoved his jeans off along with his boots. He didn’t bother talking any longer. The words would only come out as growls. Instead, he closed his eyes and gave up the final layer of resistance to the transformation. Pain seared into him, but it was pain he was used to. Pain that didn’t hurt anywhere near as much as the pain goring through him for the children. John would pay for killing Donna, but he’d make John’s death a slow, agonizing one if he’d hurt the children.
He hit the floor on all fours, turned to see Craig completing his shift, and then bounded out the back door. Lisa’s calls for him to hold up went unheeded as he stretched out his powerful legs and raced toward the trees.
Although his cat mind didn’t work the same way as his human one did, it locked onto the problem. Emotions and sensations overtook complete sentences. He felt what he was thinking more than actually putting the ideas into any kind of formal structure.
Prey.
He was hunting his prey. Saliva fell from his jaws. His tongue lolled.
Where?
A car?
No.
A house?
No.
He ran through the trees and came out the other side and into a meadow. Grounding to a stop, he lifted his nose to the air and drew in a long, slow breath. A multitude of aromas struck him.
Rabbit.
Feces.
Trees.
Coyote.
Flowers.
He sorted through the scents.
Yes! Man. Weretiger.
Children.
He growled as Craig came to his side and did his own sniff. A snarl rolled out of him. Together, they changed directions, going toward the smells.
Anyone could have seen them. If the council found out they’d shifted in the daytime, out in the open, they’d have hell to pay. But none of that mattered. Only the children, the small weretigers, mattered.
“Wait for me.”
Marrick did a circle, snarling as Lisa came running toward them, and dug his claws into the ground. Pride for his mate’s courage struck him, but he didn’t have time to waste trying to get her to turn back. Tensing his muscles, he was off again with Craig by his side. Her shouts to let her catch up meant nothing.
He and Craig kept running, going as fas
t as their tigers could go. After traveling several more yards, they paused and again sniffed, picking up scents that were even stronger than before.
Closer now.
With a growl, he led the way toward the sloping hill. If his memory was right, there was an old hunting lean-to near the hill. He’d forgotten it existed until now. He picked up speed and ran toward the shelter.
My prey.
Him.
A man stood at the entrance to the lean-to. As soon as John saw them, he darted inside the small enclosure.
Craig and he pushed their bodies to their limits, taking the hill in short order. They were close, so close, when John reappeared with Teag at his side. The boy squirmed as his sister stood in the shadow of the shelter, tears streaming down her cheeks. John lifted a gun and pressed it to the boy’s head.
Marrick skidded to a halt, his claws digging into the hard ground. Craig almost barreled into him as he came to a stop.
“Marrick, change back or I’ll blow his head off,” ordered John.
He didn’t have a choice. As much as his tiger wanted to taste John’s blood, he had to think of the children. Marrick let the transformation slide over him. Craig went through his own shift. Soon they stood side by side, sneering at the enemy. Although weretiger children were used to seeing others naked, they tried to cover themselves.
“Let him go, John.” The final stages of the shift shuddered through his body.
“They’re my kids. Back the fuck off.”
He laughed. Where the humor came from, he wasn’t sure. It was ludicrous to think he’d let him walk away with the twins. “After you killed their mother? You are one fucked-up asshole.”
John’s gaze jumped to Craig and back. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.” His voice cracked.
Did he really think he’d buy the remorseful act? “Oh, sure. You just ran her down and tore—”
He stopped as Kitty let out a small cry. “It’s okay, honey. Your father’s going to let you and Teag come back home with me. Then he’s going to go away. On a business trip.” He struggled to lie, but he couldn’t bear to tell them the truth.