Into the Heart 3: Into the Wild

by Caitlyn Willows

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lupe stood stock-still in front of the wall-size aquarium. Only her eyes tracked the lazy paths of multicolored fish swimming to and fro amid the bubbles shooting toward the surface. Every color of fish she could imagine was in the tank and in a variety of sizes, most of which could be demolished in one bite. It'd be worth getting her paw—her hand—wet to snag one. If only she could discover how to get to the opening. Mrs. Wallace had had a smaller version. Too fearful of drowning to go near it, she'd skirted the edges of the small dining room to avoid the thing. All that had changed. She was braver now, more daring. Would this place really miss a couple of tiny fish? She was starving. Coffee and bagels were not what she'd call a good breakfast. She wanted meat!

  Instead she, Cristían, and Jeremy had been led with their meager rations to this room and told to wait. They'd passed no one on the way, hadn't seen or heard anyone in the thirty minutes they'd been here. The place felt like one of those cages Lupe hated. Amusing herself with the fish was the only way to keep the panic away. The hunger pangs weren't so easily appeased, despite a bite of raisin bagel. She left the disgusting food to the men, along with their coffee.

  The least Joaquin could have done was find me cat treats.

  Lupe chuffed at the annoyance and waited, poised for another fish to come nearer. Her pulse fluttered with the rush of the hunt. A yellow one dared. Lupe whipped her fingers up and tapped the glass. The fish and all those close to it shot away. Lupe shrieked with laughter…and did it again. This was the most excitement she'd had since they'd arrived at the Braden Science Institute's medical facility.

  Deep chuckles drifted from the waiting room sofa behind her. “I really don't think they like when you do that,” Jeremy said.

  The institute or the fish? It didn't matter. “I don't care.” She aimed for another grouping, laughing when they scattered. “I've been poked and prodded, drained of every fluid my body possesses, stuffed into noisy tubes that shattered my eardrums, had things attached to me, been forced to drink foul liquids—”

  “No one forced you, love,” Cristían said. “You refused.”

  And her men had backed her up. “I had to take a stand.” She crept to a school of fish on the other end of the tank. “That person put his fingers in me. I didn't care for it at all. It certainly didn't feel as good as when you do it. In fact, it didn't feel good at all.” She slapped her palm against the glass and giggled when the fish fled.

  “It didn't feel good when he did it to us either,” Jeremy said.

  “Really?” She craned her neck his way. “But you became hard.”

  “A physical reaction we can't help,” Cristían replied. “Our penises have minds of their own.”

  That pulled her around. “Really? They…think?”

  “Only about you,” he said, and they laughed.

  “Come”—Jeremy reached out, caught her fingers, and pulled her to him—“sit with us, and you'll see for yourself.”

  Smiling, Lupe nestled onto his lap. Cristían pulled her feet up to his thighs and slipped off her shoes. She wiggled her toes at the freedom. Of all the things she had to wear in this form, shoes were the most reviled.

  Jeremy's erection nudged her rear. She danced her toes along the ridge swelling Cristían's tan pants. She was sorry now she'd been allowed to dress in her own clothes. The flimsy blue smock thing she'd worn for the multitude of tests would have come in handy, leaving her open and available to their wandering fingers. She'd love to feel their hands on her skin. Inside, too, to help erase the memory of that man's probing.

  Cristían massaged her toes one by one, then kneaded her arches and ankles until Lupe felt like purring. Jeremy cradled her head on his hard chest. His heart beat strong and steady. Oh to be curled naked with them in that big bed they'd been given. She'd been too drained after the myriad of exams to take full advantage of it. They'd eaten dinner—blood-rare steak with her favored asparagus—then showered and fallen into bed, Lupe tucked safe and warm between them. Morning came too soon with that cold breakfast she didn't care for and Joaquin's instructions to go to this private waiting area for their test results.

  At least Joaquin had kept his word. The three of them hadn't been separated once, though after a couple of hours of medical tests, Lupe longed for Joaquin to do so, if only for the pleasure of her seeing Cristían tear the place apart. They'd seen little of Steven during this process. Occasionally their paths crossed, and he looked like he was no worse for the experience than they were. A part of her hated the thought of his being isolated and alone. Lupe had a feeling Steven was used to being on the outside. It didn't make her feel better, though.

  “It's sad to know Steven has not had relations in over a year,” she said.

  Cristían's fingers froze. Jeremy pulled back to stare down his nose at her.

  Lupe wiggled upright, tucking her toes under Cristían's thigh. “I can't imagine a year without physical contact. No one to snuggle with. No one to pet you. No one to sleep with.”

  Jeremy dropped his hand to her hip. “There's nothing to say he hasn't had those things.”

  She slid into the narrow space between them on the small leather sofa. Each had to turn to accommodate her. “He hasn't. I can tell. He's so lonely. So sad. So…burdened.”

  “We are not inviting him into our bed.” Cristían sliced his hand through the air, a clear signal he wanted the discussion over. Normally the commanding gesture filled her with pride and more than a bit of awe. Today…

  “I can't see what it would hurt.”

  “It would hurt me,” Jeremy quietly replied. “It would hurt my heart.”

  The admission made her feel all squishy inside. The reason was good enough for her. She resumed her former position, sitting on Jeremy's lap with her feet on Cristían. Content, she sighed.

  “I wonder what's keeping Joaquin?” Cristían worked his way up her calves. “He's normally never late.”

  “I can think of something to pass the time.” Jeremy jerked his head toward the adjoining door.

  Cristían grinned. “I like that idea.”

  “What idea is that?” she asked.

  Both men slid their hands to her crotch. Pleasure shot through her. But… “Joaquin said to wait here.”

  “I don't care,” they replied. They were doing that a lot lately. One mind, one voice.

  “After all he's put us through the last twenty-four hours, he can wait for us,” Cristían added.

  Lupe liked that attitude.

  “Unless you're not interested,” Jeremy said.

  “Oh…I'm interested.” A delightful thought tickled inside. Could they? “I've seen some interesting mating positions while watching TV with Mrs. Wallace.”

  “Animal Planet does have interesting programs.” Jeremy gave a little laugh. “Each time I watch something, I think about how much it would blow their minds to discover shape-shifters exist.”

  Lupe clucked her tongue and nudged his shoulder. “Not animals mating—humans.”

  Cristían's fingers stopped their ascent. “Porn? You watched porn…uhm…people having sex on TV?”

  “Oh yes, it was Mrs. Wallace's favorite. Afterward, or sometimes during, she would—”

  “That's okay,” Jeremy interrupted. “We get the idea.”

  “Oh good…then I won't have to explain much.” She knelt in the narrow space between them. “Maybe we could try one of those positions?”

  “Any you'd like.” Jeremy waved his hand toward the exit. “Lead the way. We'll let you have your way with us.”

  Cristían grinned. “If you're done deviling the fish.”

  “For now.” Lupe slipped her feet into her shoes, grabbed their hands, and pulled them with her. She half expected Joaquin to choose that moment to arrive and held her breath all the way down the corridor to their private room. They passed no one and heard nothing. Finally Cristían shut and locked the door behind them. They were all hers.

  “Undress for me.” She raked her
nails over their backs and let the words whisper through them. Jeremy shivered. Cristían's muscles rippled. Pressure built between her thighs.

  Lupe kicked her shoes to the side and wiggled onto the edge of the bed to admire them. She couldn't count the number of times she'd watched them strip over the months, curled up on the center of the bed, wishing herself to be human. Now…

  She licked her lips, earning a groan from one of them. They were perfect monuments to mankind—Cristían, solid and muscular; Jeremy, more slender but still well defined. Her gaze wandered down the stair steps of their torsos. She paused at their navels, those dark wells that marked the beginning of the trail to full cocks staring right back at her. Both were thrust skyward, their tips glistening with fluid.

  Lupe slid to her feet and undressed, tossing her clothes to the corners of the room. She watched their brown eyes glaze over as they watched her. The urge to tease them was too much to resist. She cupped her breasts and brushed her thumbs over her hard nipples, flicking back and forth, back and forth.

  Cristían flexed his fingers at his sides. She knew he wanted to take control, or at least stroke his cock. Jeremy clenched his fist against his stomach, closer to succumbing to the urge to fist himself. Lupe so wanted to push them over the edge. She crawled backward on the bed and lifted her heels to the edge. Their gazes were riveted to her crotch. She opened her knees as far apart as possible and slowly parted her nether lips with her fingers until the ripe flesh at the top stood alone.

  “You want to taste it, don't you?” she whispered.

  A guttural yes came from them.

  She pushed one finger inside and drew out her juices. “It was quite pleasant to have Cristían's fingers inside me here.” She pointed to the tight hole below. Cristían smacked his fist against his thigh. Jeremy raked his fingers at the hair around his cock.

  “When that man thrust into me yesterday, he used something to ease the way. I recalled something similar on those shows. I thought perhaps we might try that position.”

  Lupe smelled the rush of pheromones. Good.

  Cristían cleared his throat. “It's not as easy as it looks, my queen,” he rasped out.

  She loved the endearment. It made her feel powerful and worldly.

  “You are physically a small woman. We are big men. I doubt there's a man in the universe bigger than Jeremy. Doing what you want might hurt you.”

  Oh but she could see he wanted it badly. His erection had swelled to impossible proportions, deep red and pulsing, and still he—they—held back for her. How could she love them any more than she already did?

  “Oh, Cristían, you and Jeremy would never hurt me.”

  “You make me want to fall to my knees and worship you.” The words came out a near snarl. Cristían grabbed his cock and gave it one stroke, squeezing the fluid from the tip until it dripped to the floor. Her brain screeched to a temporary halt.

  “Like I worship you?” she managed to say.

  “More,” Jeremy said on a half groan.

  “Then that's a lot,” she whispered, moving farther onto the bed. “I don't think I have the patience for seduction.”

  “That makes three of us.” Cristían closed the distance between them.

  “Lubricant, Cristían,” Jeremy cautioned from behind him.

  Oh how she wished she could mindspeak with them! At least she could understand them when they did. It was better than nothing.

  Cristían pressed his fists into the mattress. “I'll find some. Give me a moment.”

  “I could give you relief now, if it will ease you.” Lupe traced her finger along the underside of his cock. Fluid kissed her at the tip. She brought it to her lips and sucked it off.

  The mattress dipped with Cristían's weight. He crawled to her on his knees, pushing her back with each inch he gained.

  Lupe grinned and feathered her fingers up his thighs. “Would it help if I told you I took the liberty of slipping one of those tubes of lubricant into my smock pocket?”

  “Where is it?” The question came out rough, like he could barely speak.

  Lupe glanced toward the small bag containing her clothes. Jeremy reached it in two strides. She swore his erection reached it in one. He dug through the bag, found the lubricant, and tossed it Cristían's way. Cristían caught it with one hand.

  Jeremy rolled onto the bed, pulling her on top of him. His cock smeared moisture over her belly. When he grabbed her hips, she knew he was going to slam into her. She guessed wrong.

  He urged her upward, a gleam lighting his eyes, until her crotch reached his mouth. Lupe whimpered when his tongue darted out. It looped around her clit like he had all day. She dug her fingers into his hair, determined to put his face right where she wanted. Then cool fingers against her rear startled a gasp out of her. Cristían gave her no further warning before he sank beyond the tight muscle.

  Lupe tossed her head back on a hard moan and grappled for a handhold. Finally she smacked her palms on the wall and tried to ride them both. But her men were the experts, she the mere novice. Jeremy twirled his tongue around, teasing her orgasm up, only to move at the damnedest time. Cristían pumped his fingers into her ass slow, then fast, soft, then hard, rolling, widening.

  She braced one hand against the wall and reached for her breast. Cristían beat her to it, pinching and tugging her nipple until she swore that alone could make her come. Spasms clenched her thighs around Jeremy's face and gripped Cristían's fingers. She rolled toward climax, praying this was no tease, begging…begging them to… “Please, oh please.”

  And then she was coming. So sweetly, all Lupe could do was feel and let it sweep her away.

  Hands spread over her hand, guiding her down. She felt the nudge of Jeremy's cock and sank onto him. Her muscles tightened around him and drew her pleasure out and up once more. Trying to catch her breath, she lay with her cheek pressed to his chest. More cool slickness bathed her back hole; then Cristían's warm thighs pressed against the backs of hers. He probed his fingers deeper, and—oh my!—it felt so much different with Jeremy's cock spreading her wide. Her clit swelled to attention. She rocked, trying to find the friction she needed.

  “Easy, love,” they whispered.

  “Let Cristían do this.” Jeremy kissed her, teasing her lips and tongue the way he'd teased her clit.

  She tensed when she felt Cristían's cock nudge her entrance. Jeremy deepened the kiss. Cristían feathered his fingers down her spine, over her hip, again and again…petting her. She eased by slow degrees, tensing again when he slid a little farther inside. She dug her nails into Jeremy's shoulders. Instinct had her pushing against Cristían. He grunted a protest. Her whimper fell into a moan when his fingers found her clit. And then he breached the barrier. Cristían circled her clit, chasing the pain away instantly. She was coming quicker than she'd ever imagined. The feeling pooled deep inside and rushed outward.

  Cristían jerked his hand upward, tangling his fingers into her curls. She would have screamed a protest if Jeremy's mouth weren't clamped to hers. Instead all Lupe could do was fall into the kiss and the feeling holding her climax hostage below.

  Cristían moved first, drawing out slowly and easing back. Jeremy's groan rumbled into her throat. His hold on her back tightened. Cristían hauled in great huffs of air. Heat rose between her. Safe…secure…loved. She wished…she wished…

  “I love you. I love you both so much.”

  She felt them both jerk, then heard their voices inside her head when they replied, “I love you too.”

  Lupe wanted to weep with joy. She wished, and it was so. Twice. Would a third time hurt? “I wish to have your babies. I wish it. Make it so.”

  Their control burst. Jeremy broke the kiss on a gasp for air. She watched his jaw clench, felt Cristían grip one hip, cried out in wonder when he pinched her nether lips closed over her clit. And then they moved, slow at first, each taking his turn. Then faster and deeper, together and separately.

  The sky opened, dark pur
ple as far as Lupe could see, with sparkles of gold that promised to rain down and bless them all. They soared into it as one.

  Chapter Sixteen

  They were down to this—the big information dump. Cristían had expected it to be in the more formal setting of the conference room. Instead the black leather club chairs in Joaquin's office were set up in a circle, everyone equal, nothing between them but a small round table where bottles of water sat untouched and steam curled up from a few burgundy coffee mugs.

  Wyatt had joined them this morning. He looked no more rested than Joaquin. Their auras emitted tired, among others, like irritated. Neither commented on the fact that Cristían, Lupe, and Jeremy were an hour late. The men had noses and would know what the three of them been doing, even with their having showered.

  Cristían and Jeremy helped themselves to cups of coffee from the pot on the credenza. Lupe took a generous mug of half-and-half for herself. Only Steven glanced up when they sat down. Cristían couldn't tell if that was hope or despair he saw in his eyes.

  The most notable absence was Barry. He was always present whenever there was anything going on that remotely affected the clan. Now there wasn't even an extra chair to indicate he'd be joining them. Cristían tried to figure out if there was a hidden message here somewhere, and wondered if Barry's absence had anything to do with Steven's presence. Three high-profile members of their clan and one very important support person were in this room. Did they really want to add another and give away Barry's role?

  Cristían tossed that idea aside. The mountain lions already knew Barry's role. He'd negotiated that worthless treaty. So where was he? Working behind the scenes on something else, something bigger? His pulse rate increased, drawing Joaquin's attention. The man's eyebrow lifted a hair. Cristían ordered himself to calm.

  “Now that we're all here…” Joaquin pulled a folder to his lap. The clasp inside held a small sheaf of papers. Other folders tucked by his side were thicker. Cristían presumed those were individual files on each of their medical tests.

  “As agreed, we're going to share everything we've gleaned from the tests.” Joaquin placed his palm on top of the folder. “Any preference on where you'd like to start?” He glanced at each of them, finally settling on Cristían.