My Second Chance

by Shelley Munro

  “He’s serious?” Leticia asked.

  “Oh yeah.” Gavin stroked the back of her hand, light of mind after Charlie’s blunt speaking. “Sounds as if we have quite the night in store for us.”

  * * * * *

  “Are you sure Leticia is well enough to do this?” Charlie grabbed two beers and a juice from the fridge.

  Leticia planted her hands on her hips. Her glare held a glint of frustration. “Hello. I’m right here. I have FIV. I’m not deaf.” She watched the two men communicate without words, a flutter of nervousness trembling through her.

  What if she lost control and used her teeth? She couldn’t bear it if she spread the disease to Gavin.

  “Maybe this isn’t a good idea. I might hurt you.” After accepting the juice she’d asked for, she sank onto a chair at the small kitchen table. Already she could imagine the reaction if she passed along the infection—the mass hysteria and panic amongst the feline residents of Middlemarch. They’d run her out of town. A shudder worked through her body and her hand trembled so bad she set her juice onto the table. “This is a bad idea.”

  “I want this,” Gavin said, crossing to her side. He pulled out the chair next to her and sat down, taking one of her hands between his. Warmth filled his green eyes, and she struggled to remain calm, not to pull away from his touch. She swallowed in an effort to hide her nerves. Gavin had filled her dreams for months, yet she’d told herself to keep away. She’d managed well too—until this week.

  “You didn’t hurt me. What we did together was amazing.” Charlie took possession of the chair on the other side of her. He scooted close so his thigh touched hers.

  Warmth crept down her leg and she swallowed again, not sure whether to move or not.

  “Besides,” Charlie said. “I have a plan to keep your mouth very busy while Gavin fucks you.”

  Leticia flinched, his candid speaking bringing conflicted feelings. “I…um…”

  “Everything we do tonight and in the future will be consensual,” Gavin stated. “If you don’t want this, Charlie and I will retire to our own room. But you will stay here with us so I can monitor you professionally.”

  The silence seemed to throb. Leticia didn’t know what to do, what to say. The hairs at the back of her neck and on her arms and legs lifted, and she knew if she were in feline form, she’d appear larger due to her discomfort. A ragged sigh whispered past her lips. Despite the temptation…no, she couldn’t do this.

  She had to do the right thing. “I don’t want this.”

  Gavin’s hand tightened on hers. “Define this.”

  “Sex. I don’t want sex.” She refused to look at either of them, her chest tight with both fear and acute disappointment. Never let anyone say she hadn’t done the right thing.

  “You had sex with Charlie.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” Damn, why was she such a bitch?

  Charlie’s intense gaze scanned her before his shoulders lifted in a faint shrug. “It’s all right, Leticia. We won’t force you to sleep with us. I’ll start cooking dinner.”

  “Fine.” Gavin released her hand, the loss of contact like a rejection. “Charlie’s right. Neither of us is interested in forced sex. While Charlie’s starting dinner I’ll get you set up in the spare room.”

  “Okay. Thanks,” Leticia said. At least they weren’t making a big deal out of her refusal.

  “I thought Leticia would say yes.” Gavin sprawled out on the bed, naked and watching his mate’s every move.

  “She’s scared. We need to give her time.” Charlie unbuttoned his uniform shirt and tossed it aside. Making short work of the rest of his clothes, he strode to the bed and dropped down beside Gavin. “Forget about Leticia. Kiss me. I need attention.”

  A snort escaped and he rolled toward Charlie to find him grinning. His mate understood and wanted to distract him. Gavin read it on his face. His gaze dropped to the small bruise near his mark. He hadn’t left the bruise on Charlie. Leticia. Damn, he had to get a grip on his jealousy.

  “Any particular place you’d like me to kiss you?”

  Charlie smirked. “I could draw you a diagram. Let me grab the can of whipped cream out of the fridge.”

  Gavin grabbed his forearm before he could roll away. “Don’t need a map. I’m skilled with anatomy. It’s my specialty.” Leaning over, he brushed a light kiss to Charlie’s lips. When Charlie took the initiative, deepening the kiss, Gavin groaned. Instant heat reverberated between them. The lazy stroke of Charlie’s tongue against his sent pleasure surging. He let his weight settle on his lover, trapping their cocks between their bodies.

  When he lifted his head, Charlie grinned at him. “Damn, I think you’re right. Anatomy is one of your best subjects.”

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

  “Show me,” Charlie whispered, spreading his thighs and relaxing beneath him. The trust on his face humbled Gavin and made him happier.

  “You bet.” Gavin pressed another soft kiss on Charlie’s mouth while his hand smoothed across the raised marking site. He kept the kiss easy with gentle suction of his mouth while his hands skimmed with purpose and skill, driving the pleasure between them. He rocked his hips, grinding his cock against Charlie’s belly. With each pump of his hips, he pushed up the tension between them until Charlie moaned without reservation, bucking against him to get the pressure he needed against his cock.

  Gavin strummed his fingers across the mating mark and watched Charlie’s face lost in pleasure. His dick wept freely against Gavin’s stomach, yet still Gavin took his time. His lips lingered against Charlie’s throat, the rasp of five o’clock shadow bringing a shudder of desire.

  “Soon I’ll get the lube and stretch you ready for my cock. I’ll fill you, slide deep and make you hot for me.” Gavin’s mouth sought the mark, rasping his tongue back and forth.

  Charlie gasped, angling his head to give Gavin better access. “How hot?”

  “So hot you’ll whimper with it.”

  “Don’t do whimpering.” A choked, breathless sound squeezed past his lips when Gavin used his teeth on the mark. “Shit. Yeah. Okay.”

  Gavin grinned, his heart lightening. “That’s what I thought.”

  “If I’m going down whimpering,” Charlie said, “then I’m taking you with me.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” Charlie rocked against him, hissing when their cocks rubbed together, the friction incredible.

  Gavin couldn’t prevent his moan of pleasure. This—being with Charlie—he could get used to big time. He dipped his head and kissed his lover, accepting the eager pressure of Charlie’s lips, the open giving in return. Charlie needed him, and he needed Charlie.

  The creak of the bedroom door lifted his head. Gavin turned his head, growled at the interruption.

  “I couldn’t sleep.” Leticia stood in the doorway, her tawny blonde hair hanging around her shoulders. Her oversized T-shirt hung in loose folds around her slender body. “I—” She broke off, a delicate flush flooding her cheeks. “Sorry. I’ll go.”

  “Don’t go, babe.”

  Gavin hid his amusement. Charlie looked distinctly predatory, and damned if it didn’t turn him on. His hips shifted, and he ground his dick against Charlie.

  “Wouldn’t you like to watch?” Charlie purred.

  Hell, the man even sounded like a feline now.

  Charlie didn’t wait for Leticia to reply. “Come closer. You’ll get a better view.”

  Leticia hesitated, and after sending a warning glance at Charlie, Gavin climbed off his mate and went to her.

  “Come on. You can sleep in here. There’s room for three.”

  “But…but I shouldn’t be here.” Deeper color suffused her face when Gavin caught her ogling his erection.

  “Of course you should.” Gavin suppressed a satisfied smile, clasped her hand and led her to the bed. He hoped like hell that they didn’t scare her off again.

  “Come on, babe,” Charlie said
. “I need a hug.”

  She slipped into his arms, and Gavin let his breath ease out with relief. He returned and reached for the bedside lamp, flipping the switch and plunging the room into darkness.

  Gavin slid across the mattress until his body lay flush with Leticia. She clung to Charlie, although this time jealousy didn’t stir. He smoothed aside her long hair and nuzzled her neck. Before he could think, his tongue flicked out to lick. Her spicy flavor filled his mouth. Temptation rocked him and he gave in, pressing a kiss against a throbbing pulse point. For an instant, she froze before the tension seeped away and she relaxed, giving him free rein without objection.

  “Gavin. Charlie,” she whispered.

  “Now we have you right where we want you, babe.”

  Gavin chuckled at Charlie’s lascivious tone. “We certainly do. The question is what are we going to do to you first?” A quick glance at Charlie and they decided. Just like that, without a word spoken.

  With his right hand, Gavin stroked the smooth skin of her throat before grasping her left shoulder and exerting enough force to make her lie on her back. She blinked once, long lashes falling to screen her eyes. Nerves. He’d seen them before her lashes hid her thoughts from view. Understandable. The faint tremor in his hands spoke of his own anxiety. He could scarcely believe this was happening—the two people he cared for most were in his house, his bed.

  “What are you going to do?” The bleed through of uneasiness was evident in her voice, the throaty drawl uncertain.

  Gavin opened his mouth to speak, except nothing came out apart from a croak. A searching look from Charlie transformed into understanding. The reality of being with both his mates had thrown him into a place he’d never imagined and now worry and satisfaction combined inside to bring distinct apprehension.

  Charlie answered her question for him. “We’re gonna love you, babe. Give you pleasure and receive it in return. We’re gonna make you see how it could be with the three of us together in one tight unit. Can you deal with that?”

  “I…I’m frightened,” she said in a rush of words.

  “Gavin is terrified too,” Charlie said, taking him by surprise even though every word was truthful. “Just as well you both have me here to act as an anchor.”

  The moment Charlie spoke, Gavin understood the accuracy of his statement. An anchor. One human and two felines. Charlie was the cement to make them strong if only he and Leticia were brave enough to take this step.

  “This will be good,” Charlie said with quiet confidence. His certainty eased some of Gavin’s nerves, and Gavin noticed Leticia relaxed a fraction too. Charlie trailed his fingers over Leticia’s shoulder, sending an encouraging wink in his direction. Taking a deep breath, Gavin mirrored Charlie’s actions. He traced Leticia’s collarbone and shoulder, savoring the gift of being able to touch. A purr of contentment erupted from him, rivaled only by Leticia’s soft sighs as she succumbed to their touches. Every tight muscle unclenched and she seemed to melt into the mattress.

  “Let’s take off your sleepshirt before you get too comfortable.” Charlie helped her to a sitting position and lifted her to whisk the oversized T-shirt over her head before she had time to blink. Dressed in only brief white cotton panties, she relaxed into the mattress again. It was the first time for ages Gavin had allowed himself to look at her as an attractive and sexy female instead of his patient. His cock lifted in reaction and unbidden his hand reached for one breast.

  He must have made a sound because Charlie leaned over and placed an unhurried kiss on his lips, soothing and gentling him. For a second their mouths clung and a groan escaped. His groan. Damn, this man made him forget everything. When Charlie drew back, he smiled and turned his attention to Leticia.

  “Would you…ah, like me to go?” she asked.

  Gavin had never heard her sound so diffident, and her uncertainty shored his own flagging confidence. “No. Didn’t you listen? We both want you here with us.”

  With a conspiratorial smile at Gavin, Charlie dipped his head and kissed the curve of one breast. Good idea. He couldn’t wait to touch her more intimately and let the passion build. Gavin bent and copied Charlie, mirroring his actions. His mouth settled on the plump curve of a breast. Damn. Emotion rushed through him, tightening his throat and stinging his eyes. He’d never thought this would ever happen, and he wondered if he’d wake up and find the entire situation nothing but a fabrication made up by his desperate mind.

  “Take her nipple into your mouth, Gavin,” Charlie ordered.

  Gavin stared at his mate, their gazes connecting and holding. He couldn’t believe this man wanted him, wanted Leticia as badly as he did. Yeah, dream territory.

  “Go on,” Charlie said. “You know you want to. Touch her how you’ve always dreamed. Do it. Now.”

  A harsh breath whistled through his lips. How he’d dreamed… A quick look at Leticia showed her tension. Their thoughts ran in parallel. Hell, Lucas would kill him if something happened to Leticia because of him, and nothing Saul did would save him from Lucas’s wrath.

  Shoving aside his unease, he cupped her jaw with his hand and kissed her. His tongue slipped into her warm mouth. Heaven—more, better than he’d dreamed. He savored the soothing touch of Charlie’s hand at his shoulder as he deepened the kiss, excitement soaring through him. His heart thumped in erratic stutters while the rest of his body reacted in a purely masculine manner.

  Sexual. He snorted, knowing he wouldn’t last long. Touching and kissing Leticia wound him tighter than a feline teenager about to experience a first shift. When he lifted his head, Charlie squeezed his shoulder again.

  “You could follow my order now,” he said. “Get with the program and suck her nipple.”

  Gavin’s brows rose. “Or what?”

  Charlie snorted. “Probably a punishment of some sort in there, except I don’t have the energy to think of it right now. Let’s just say if you don’t follow my orders—and make no mistake I am in charge here—there will be consequences in the future.”

  “What about me?” Leticia asked.

  “Consequences for you too, princess. Obey and there won’t be any trouble.”

  “I guess we’d better do as he says,” Gavin said, a spurt of happiness taking him by surprise. Charlie—the catalyst for change. Dang, he was glad he’d found the human. Still smiling, he leaned over Leticia and teased a little first, taking tiny bites out of the creamy flesh of one breast. Her soft sigh of pleasure filled him with satisfaction, made him want more.

  “Gavin.” The warning in Charlie’s voice jolted him, an electrical charge rushing through his body to settle in his shaft. Grinning against Leticia’s breast, he finally obeyed. His mouth opened and closed around one pouting nipple. He laved it with his tongue, heard Leticia’s throaty groan, felt it vibrate through him.

  Charlie moved and settled at Leticia’s other breast. When Gavin lifted his head a fraction, their eyes met. Charlie’s cheeks hollowed as he sucked, and Gavin followed suit. The heat in Charlie’s eyes intensified, and Gavin could read his mate’s thoughts. He loved the soft cries coming from Leticia. He liked being with both of them, and Charlie loved being in charge. It was giving him a real buzz. Hell, Gavin was finding it strangely liberating giving up control for a change and following orders instead of being the one issuing them. He hadn’t realized how much the stress in his job ate at him. Giving over control might benefit him. Something to ponder later once he was alone.

  Charlie lifted his head. “You stay up here for the moment. Kiss her mouth, her breasts and make her desperate to take us.”

  “Don’t I get a say in this?” Leticia’s eyes glowed in the same manner his did when his feline came to the surface. An answering surge came from his feline, as if he recognized a mate.

  “Not today,” he whispered against her lips. “Charlie’s in charge tonight.” He cradled her head and kissed her again, savoring the slow dance of tongues and lips. Damn, he’d missed out on so much time. The back of his eyes
stung as he glided his fingers over her thin blonde hair beneath his fingers. It brought home what they faced with the progress of the disease.

  His lips slid across her firm jaw and he forced thoughts of disease and death away. He was bloody lucky to have this time with Leticia. If it weren’t for Charlie, he didn’t think he’d have progressed this far with her. His lips nibbled at her neck, moving downward toward her chest. He savored her tentative fingers running through his hair, and as her confidence built, the firm press on his shoulders, the teasing swish across the marking site.

  He swallowed, the sizzle of pleasure brutal. Intense. Gasping hoarsely, he struggled against the need to tease, to bite in return. A low groan slipped free when she repeated the move, using her teeth. “Damn, Leticia. Don’t tease me. I can’t…I’m not sure if I can keep control if you do that.”

  “Leticia. No teasing. Close your eyes and concentrate on what we’re doing to you. I want you to let the pleasure build. Part your legs for me, babe.”

  Gavin started, having forgotten about Charlie for a second, although he was glad of the reminder, the buffer between steering a straight line and jumping straight into stupidity. Leticia’s fears of spreading the disease to him weren’t groundless. Blood contact would do it easily enough.

  Sensations flooded Leticia, running so close together and with such power if felt as if she were in a vast undertow. Two men paying attention to her, telling her to close her eyes and suffer through it. Heck, she was suffering all right. A pair of lips brushed over hers, a barely there touch. Gavin’s musky scent with the underlying sandalwood and citrus flooded every panting breath.

  “Lift your hips for me, Leticia.”

  Like a mindless robot, she followed the husky instruction, pushing up with her legs. Charlie whisked off her panties, leaving her as naked as the two men. She swallowed, suffering a moment’s hesitation. Two men at once. It wasn’t right. She shouldn’t…

  A kiss at her breast broke into her tortured thoughts. Gavin. He drew her nipple into the warmth of his mouth and sucked hard. A ribbon of sensation twirled through her body, heading straight to her pussy. A slow-trailing finger moved the length of her slit, and like an echo, the magical sensation zapping straight back to her breast. She gasped, her body straining, alternatively arching upward into mouth and finger, wanting more touches, more pleasure. Just more. A moan sounded, and it took a while to realize the sound came from her.