Hard and Easy [High-Country Shifters 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Melody Snow Monroe

  They took a seat on the sofa and she sat in the chair across from them. “What do you want to know?”

  Where were his manners? He hadn’t introduced either himself or Brin, so he did so now. He thought she’d balk about Brin being there, but from the way she kept glancing at him, she must have found his sleek good looks irresistible.

  When he touched her hand to shake it, her strong grip surprised him. Apparently, she was no wilting clump of almada flowers ready to close up in the evening shade.

  He tapped his communicator to start the recorder. “I read the transcript of the presentation the Earth woman gave on the cave drawings.”

  Her eyes lit up and her palms flattened on her lap. “Then you realize the way we were taught history is wrong?”

  Getting into a discussion about ethics wasn’t what he’d come for. Some other time he might find it interesting to spar with her, however. He bet she’d be an excellent adversary. “I don’t think I’d garner much sympathy for your cause if the article is focused on what’s right and what’s wrong.”

  Her lips firmed. “Then why are you here?”

  Her dogged determination to prove her point appealed to him, but right now he needed to write an unbiased story. “To find out the facts. Let’s start with how long you’ve been teaching.”

  She exhaled. “I’ve been an upper history teacher at Anterra Prep for four years.”

  He liked that she gave more information than he’d asked for. “If I recall, the archeologist unveiled the meaning of the cave walls about two months ago.”

  “That’s right, and I changed what I had been teaching about a month ago. It took a lot of work to redo all of my lesson plans. I had to figure out the best way to get the information across to the students without any other supplemental material.”

  Brin leaned forward. Larek knew his lawyer mind couldn’t stay static for long. “Besides the cave drawings and the opinion of this Earth woman, do you have any other corroborative proof to back up your theory that the lions wronged the wolves?”

  Her brows pinched. “It isn’t a theory. The drawings clearly show the arrival of the lions after the wolves had already established their kingdom. Furthermore, it shows the lions decimating much of the population.”

  A small smile captured his lips. “So the answer is no.”

  “Let’s just say, not yet.”

  Good comeback. Most women were cowed when they got around Brin, as he could be a little over-the-top sometimes with his approach.

  Larek grabbed back the control. “My source said your principal announced that if you didn’t go back to teaching the old way, you need not bother coming back on Monday.” He wasn’t sure the man could do that. “Aren’t you on contract?”

  “Yes, but it doesn’t matter. I plan to adhere to his request.”

  Brin’s brows arched. “You seem like the type to fight for what you believe.”

  Her chest caved and her pendulant breasts heaved. He wanted to wrap his lips around the tips and suck.

  Larek!

  He jerked out of his reverie and glanced at Brin, who was ever so slightly shaking his head. Can you blame me?

  “I am, but if I leave, my students will be the ones to suffer. It’s so hard to find a substitute this late in the year.” She inhaled and glanced to the ceiling. “But you know, maybe if I—” She shook her head. “No, I need to put the students’ needs above mine.”

  That makes sense. “You really care about them, I see.”

  She leaned forward as if she were really excited to have someone to talk to. In a way, he felt a little sad for her if she didn’t have friends to share her passion.

  “Contrary to what many believe, what I teach is fairly immaterial. The important thing is that I connect with the students and guide them through their fledgling years. If I’m not at Anterra Prep, I can’t do that.”

  Brin crossed a foot over his knee and leaned back. “So it’s not really important to you if you abandon your ideals and teach a bunch of lies, as long as you can guide your students?”

  Madra slowly faced him. Her hands gripped her skirt again and her features hardened. “It’s not that simple.”

  “Help me understand, or don’t you know what you want?”

  They hadn’t come here to grill the poor woman. Brin. Enough. “Ignore him.” He faced his best friend—or at least the man who used to be his best friend. “This isn’t a courtroom.”

  “Life is a courtroom.”

  Larek turned back to Madra. He was proud she’d stood up to his overbearing roommate. “Do you think the principal and a few parents have the right to say what you can and can’t teach? I was taught to believe Anterra endorsed expressing one’s thoughts freely.”

  A knock sounded at the front door, and Madra looked relieved. “I need to get that.”

  From the way she kept shifting in her seat, this conversation wasn’t going as she’d planned. When she opened the door, a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a colorful skirt breezed in. He recognized her as the one who sold shoes in the mall.

  “Oh, my. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” The pretty thing glanced from him to Brin and then back again.

  “Rein!” Madra wrapped an arm around her friend’s waist and led her in. “No. I forgot you said you were coming over.”

  From the way Rein’s mouth narrowed, she hadn’t mentioned it.

  Not wanting to extend his stay, he stood. While he probably had everything he needed for the article, this passionate woman intrigued him. As much as Brin would deny it, he seemed interested, too. They shared their women and Madra might be perfect for them.

  Larek swallowed a smile. Brin couldn’t take his eyes off Madra. You sure you don’t want to stay a little longer, Brin?

  She has company.

  Want me to ask her out?

  Brin glanced at him. She’ll say no.

  Larek forced back his smile. I have an idea. Watch the master at work.

  Chapter Two

  Madra was totally conflicted. The conversation had started to piss her off, yet she loved the way Larek seemed to get her. Thank goodness Rein stopped by or she would have had to spar with that handsome but annoying lawyer. Any other time, she wouldn’t have minded getting into a debate, but right now, her brain was fighting fatigue, anger, injustice, and depression. It was bad enough that she’d stayed up night after night reworking all of her lessons plans only to find out she’d have to abandon them all. The thought of recreating the old lessons weighed heavily on her.

  Larek shoved his communicator in his pocket and stepped close. “I still have a few more questions. I know it’s last minute, but could you meet us at Wild Cat Bar tomorrow at noon?”

  Us? She doubted Brin would even agree to come along, as he seemed put off by her comments. It was hard to decide what to do. The man’s intriguing scent was messing with her body.

  Rein grabbed her wrist and gave her an encouraging tug. She’d never been to that bar. “Do they have good food?” That was a stupid comment. She should have asked him why he wanted to meet. She wasn’t sure what more she could tell him about her situation.

  “Only the best boctrilla burger in town.” Larek lifted his chin as if he’d defy anyone who said otherwise.

  Perhaps he’d have most of the article written and she could go over it with him. Don’t lie to yourself. You think he’s hot. Brin seemed to alter her body somehow, too.

  Larek smiled, and her damned stomach twisted, flipped, and contracted. Though she could ill afford the time, these two intrigued her. “Sure.”

  “Noon then.”

  To appear even more like a tongue-tied female, she just watched them head out instead of escorting them to the door. Once it clicked closed and their footsteps retreated, Rein led her over to the sofa and sat.

  “Skelak. Who were they?”

  Good question. “Did you mean the one with the longish blond hair, whose eyes are as clear as the sky above? Or were you referring to the stockier of the tw
o with the perfectly chiseled chin, piercing brown eyes that seemed to see right through you, and thick arms that were meant to hold a woman tight?”

  Rein giggled. “You got it bad, girlfriend. I would take either one, but let’s start with the first one.”

  “That was Larek, and he owns the Anterran News.”

  “I’ve seen him around the mall but have never spoken with him.” Her friend’s cheer sobered somewhat. “Did he come about the job stink?”

  While she and Rein had become good friends through Sella, Lara’s sister-in-law, Madra hadn’t wanted to talk to anyone about the issue. Even her own mother didn’t know about the possible firing, or so she hoped. Now that the interview was about to be released, she saw no reason not to seek some advice.

  “How did you hear about it?”

  She shrugged. “People think salesmen are invisible. You wouldn’t believe all the gossip I pick up. Now tell me about the other one.” Her friend practically giggled.

  “Brin? He’s an enigma. I couldn’t get a good read on him, perhaps because he’s a public defender.”

  “So that’s Brin.”

  How come she’d never heard of these guys? Oh, yeah. She went from her house to the school, with only a stop at the grocery store once a week. She hadn’t been outside in the real sunshine in weeks. “What do you know about him?”

  Rein leaned back and got that dreamy look in her eyes. When Madra’s stomach twisted, she refused to think of it as jealousy. She wasn’t sure she even liked the guy. He was too demanding and sure of himself. A girl would have to watch every word she said for fear he’d ask her to substantiate why she thought the day was nice.

  “I heard he will do everything in his power to get his clients off.” She leaned forward. “That is, if they’re innocent. The man has principles.”

  She did sense that. “They didn’t come seeking a date. They wanted to hear about my possible firing.”

  All cheer left her face. “What are you going to do?”

  “Go back to teaching the old way. I don’t really have a choice.”

  Rein puckered her face. “That’s taking the easy way out.”

  “Redoing my lesson plans won’t be exactly easy.” Okay, she could recycle some of them from last year, but she couldn’t use the same questions. Kids these days had all sorts of methods for sharing test information. “But that’s not the only reason. I can’t leave the kids in the lurch.” They’d had this conversation many times about how much her relationship with her students meant to her. Being a good role model was everything to her.

  “You claim to be putting the students’ interest above yours, but I think you’re trying to do what causes the least disruption in your life. If you really had the students’ best interests in mind, you’d find a way to teach them what you believe is the truth.”

  That allegation was ridiculous. She would have jumped up and shouted, but there was a little part of her that said what Rein said might be true. “You forget. I’m not one to buck the system.”

  Rein waved her hand. “You can tell yourself that all you want.” She leaned forward. “Here’s my suggestion. If you want to keep your principles and be able to connect with kids the way you like, start your own school.”

  “You are kidding, right? Look around here. I have no room and no money.”

  “There are a lot of underprivileged kids who can’t even afford to go to school. I bet they’d be willing to have you teach them aboveground.”

  “Not going to happen. I’m going to go back to my old way of teaching. My stomach hasn’t stopped churning since those ugly parents brought up the charges against me.” Besides, she couldn’t imagine the work it would take to start a school. She’d have to collect funds, learn other topics, and convince parents to let her teach their children. “I know this sounds selfish, but if I don’t teach, I can’t pay my rent.” Teachers were highly respected in the community and were paid well, but she hadn’t been in the system long enough to save money.

  “There is that.” Rein waved a hand. “Let’s get back to the hot men.”

  That made Madra laugh. “Do you ever stop thinking about sex?” Part of her laugh had resulted from relief and the other part was from where Rein’s mind always seemed to head.

  “Who said anything about sex? You thinking of taking one of them into your bed?”

  “No!” Okay, that came out too fast, and from the way heat raced up her face, Rein would be able to see it was a lie.

  Rein crossed her arms in an obviously fake fury then uncrossed them. She tapped her chest. “I have time to find the perfect man, but you don’t. You’re, well, old.”

  Her mouth opened. “I’m thirty-two.”

  “That limits how long you have. Do you plan on having children? If you do, you better get going and find someone or someones.”

  “If I find a mate who wants kids, then yes, I want them. But if I never mate, then I have my students to mother.”

  “Assuming you still have a job.”

  Precisely. That was one more reason not to upset any more parents.

  Rein stood. “I need a drink.”

  “Help yourself.” Having Rein’s probing gaze off her would give her a moment to compose herself. Was she being selfish? Not in the least.

  Her friend zeroed in on the wine rack that had all of two bottles. “Mind if we break this open?”

  One had been a present from her parents four years ago when she’d landed her job at Prep. The other bottle had been given to her by a potential suitor, but she’d kicked him out after he became too grabby. The bottle, fortunately, stayed. “Sure.”

  Rein didn’t need to ask the location of the corkscrew or where to find the glasses. She’d been here often enough with her own bottle of wine. She struggled a bit to get the cork out but eventually opened it. “This is one of many reasons why you need a man around.”

  She chuckled. “If I had a man around, trust me, I wouldn’t have invited you in.”

  Rein grinned. “Good point. Which one of the men turned you on the most? Or are you willing to entertain two men at a time?”

  “Rein!”

  “What? Women have needs. Don’t you?”

  Coming home to an empty house each night wasn’t her idea of the perfect life, but she rarely made herself available to find someone. “I suppose I like—” Hmm. Which one would she pick if they were interested in her? Larek seemed the obvious choice as he didn’t make her uncomfortable, but Brin did something to her insides. “How about both? That way if one turned out to be a jerk, I’d still have one left.”

  Rein handed her a full glass. “I like the way you think. So how are you going to entice them?”

  She sipped from her glass. “I’m thinking you’re the one who’s interested in them. Feel free to go after the men.”

  “Nope. They both seemed a little too alpha for me.”

  “Yes, they have strong personalities, but you could handle them.”

  She shook her head. “Uh-uh. My perfect man, or men as the case may be, would be sensitive and caring. They would want to explore the world with me and would treat me like a princess.”

  “Maybe you should try Earth. Perhaps their men are like that.”

  “Maybe.” Rein polished off her glass. “What are you going to wear for your lunch date tomorrow?”

  “Like it matters? Besides, it’s not a date, and in case you haven’t noticed, I own seven skirts, one for each day of the week, and five tops. I don’t have many options, nor do I care.”

  “You are such a terrible liar. I can see where Brin would eat you alive if you didn’t tell the truth.”

  He already seemed to be able to see right through her. “All the more reason not to go out with him.”

  “How about if you do your eye makeup at least? You have such beautiful deep blue eyes.”

  “I appreciate the compliment, but I’m not into looking false, and as I said, this isn’t a date.”

  Rein laughed. “Tell me that after you
have lunch with them.”

  * * * *

  Madra pulled on a baggy shirt and smoothed down her skirt. If her breasts hadn’t been so large and had been perkier, she might have considered going bare breasted. Who are you kidding? Her ass sagged and her waist hadn’t seen tiny in years. She wanted to cover up and not show her flaws.

  Rein’s words came back to her. Did Larek and Brin think of this as a date? Or did they really want to get more information? She hadn’t answered Larek’s last question, but she wasn’t sure there was much more she could offer him. From the way Brin seemed relieved to get out of her house, he’d only come because Larek had asked him.

  What did it matter now? She’d said she’d go, so go she would. She inhaled. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Part of her was thrilled to see them again, but the other part wasn’t ready for the inquisition. While it saddened her to perpetuate the myth that wolves were scum-sucking vermin, she didn’t want to be tossed out of her job.

  She stepped out of her house and then looked down at the sandaled heels Rein had convinced her to wear. Damn things made her a giant. She’d considered walking to the restaurant, but she feared she’d be late. Besides, she bet her feet would be swollen by the time she arrived.

  “The tram it is.”

  She walked to the station. Since heels weren’t her usual apparel, she had to be careful not to twist an ankle. It was a ten-minute wait before the tram arrived, and a lot of people had gathered. She was thankful she even got a seat. She just wished her stupid palms would stop sweating. Being around sexy, powerful men always jumbled her nerves, and these two had an extra dose of sexiness each, which made it worse.

  They are here to help you. She repeated the hopefully true mantra until her stop. The mall was crowded, which comforted her somewhat. As she headed toward the bar, no one seemed to take notice of her. At least all of Anterra hadn’t learned of her possible job loss.

  The Wild Cat Bar sat in a nook across the mall center and looked a bit dingy. The letter C wasn’t lit on the sign and a piece of the fencing bordering the entrance was missing. At least the front was well lit and the flower bins at the front made it kind of inviting. She’d heard a few skirmishes had happened there over the years, but they’d occurred mostly at night when the clientele had too much to drink. That didn’t surprise her. Anytime a bunch of shifters got together, it was like waving a match near something inflammable.