“Are you ready for us, babe?”
More than they’d ever know. Every time they made love—the three of them—it was as if she affirmed life over again. She treasured each precious moment. Her hand reached for Charlie’s throbbing hardness and with an instinctive rhythm, she pushed at his control.
With a bark of laughter, Gavin joined in the teasing, concentrating on both of them. A touch of her shoulder. A kiss on her belly. A finger lightly circling Charlie’s nipple. The rasp of his tongue along Charlie’s cock. Soft sighs of pleasure filled the air. Low moans of desire. Like a slow dance, they cemented their love until they shivered and needed more from their erotic duel.
“Condoms. Lube. Where did we put them?” Charlie demanded in a hoarse voice.
“My jeans,” Gavin said.
Charlie searched through the scattered clothing, muttering under his breath until he triumphantly produced a handful of foil packets and lube. He kept one for himself and chucked the rest to Gavin. After ripping it, he rolled it on and lay back on the blanket.
“I’m all yours, babe.”
“Good to hear,” Leticia said, bending over to stroke his powerful chest. She straddled him and guided his cock into her before impaling herself.
“Damn, that is hot,” Gavin said. “I love watching the two of you together.”
“Well, we like it better when you join in,” Charlie said. “Hurry and stop prolonging our agony.”
“Since when is pleasure considered agony?”
“There’s a thin layer between pleasure and pain. You know that,” Leticia chided. “Besides it’s easy for you to say that right now. Payback is a bitch, and there are two of us to gang up on you.”
Eyes crinkling at the corners, Gavin ripped open a condom and rolled it onto his erection. Seconds later, he squeezed lube into the palm of his hand and slathered it the length of his shaft.
Leticia shivered, looking forward to the pleasure-pain of his possession, the closeness that came from being with both of them, the sense of flying. Freedom.
Slippery fingers stretched her, and it wasn’t long before he pushed inside her body. Charlie kissed her, a light and tormenting touch of lips. The caress of lips along her spine brought new sensations then her lovers surrounded her, filled her. They rocked together, sliding in and out until she shuddered, helpless with the pleasure. Her heart thundered as her two men increased the power of their thrusts.
“Each time we do this I can’t believe it can get better,” Charlie muttered.
“It does,” Leticia said.
“Oh yeah.” Gavin withdrew and pushed inside her again. “That’s because we’re mates.”
Leticia groaned at the sense of fullness. Amazing. Perspiration covered her body, and Gavin’s heartbeat pulsed against her back, Charlie’s at her chest. Pleasure bloomed, Charlie’s next stroke brushing her swollen clit. Molten fire exploded through her, squeezing her lovers’ cocks with each silken clasp.
At her back, Gavin grunted, stroked once and climaxed while Charlie licked across her marking site, the rasp of his jaw sending another pulse of pleasure zapping through her. He groaned, shuddered and let go while she luxuriated in the aftershocks.
Gavin pulled out and rolled over to discard the condom. She clambered off Charlie, and Gavin tugged her against his chest. Charlie squeezed closer, and they held each other. Sandwiched between the two, she relaxed, her eyes closed, security and confidence about the future filling her. Only one thing could make it better.
“I want to have a baby,” she murmured.
Both men tensed, and if she’d opened her eyes, she’d have bet she’d catch them exchanging silent messages.
“Who would be the father?” Charlie asked.
“Both of you, silly. We’re a team.”
Gavin released her and moved away. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
She missed his warmth and opened her eyes to protest. “Yes, it’s too soon. I still want a baby. I never thought I’d have the opportunity.”
“I’m in favor of the idea. Gavin’s the doctor though, and he’s right. I’d like more time with just the three of us. You’re not fully fit again yet.”
Leticia speared Gavin with a hard stare. “So you’re not saying no? Are you worried about the baby getting the FIV virus?”
“The chances of passing the virus on to a baby are medically low, the same as it is with a female human with her baby. Once you’re fit you and Charlie can make a baby.”
“No,” she said. “It will be our baby. Test tube if that’s the way we have to do it. Our baby,” she repeated. “The three of us.”
“That’s a great idea,” Charlie said. “Mix our sperm together and wait to see what happens.”
“I love you both,” Gavin said, his voice husky with sudden emotion.
“We know,” Charlie said, leaning back and using his clasped hands as a pillow. “You tell us every day.”
Leticia smiled so wide her mouth hurt. Charlie did the same thing—told them he loved them. She kind of liked it and decided in that moment, she’d follow suit, staring now. “I love you both. You make me feel special.”
“That’s because you are extraordinary,” Charlie said, and Gavin nodded.
“It’s the three of us together that makes us a tight unit,” she said, something she truly believed. A feline girl didn’t get much luckier than this.
Oh yeah. Her lovers were very special.
Bonus Chapter
Storm in a Teacup café, Middlemarch, New Zealand
Feline Shapeshifter Council Meeting.
Present: Sid Blackburn, Agnes Paisley, Valerie McClintock, Benjamin Urquart
Apologies: Saber Mitchell
Sid Blackburn sat at a table for six and nursed a flat white while he waited for his fellow council members to arrive for their meeting.
Valerie and Agnes arrived first, and after a brief stop at the counter to order coffee, they hustled over to join him.
Ben entered the café next and headed straight for Sid. He pulled out an empty chair, his usual happy expression absent and his brow creased in worry lines. “Kenneth will be late for the meeting. He asked me to give his apologies and told me he’d be here as soon as he can.”
“Something wrong?” Valerie asked.
“He hasn’t been well for the last week,” Ben said. “His daughter persuaded him to make an appointment with Gavin.”
Agnes’s eyebrows rose. “Kenneth couldn’t work the appointment around our meeting?”
“Gavin is working reduced clinic hours at present while Leticia is recovering. I heard he’s busy with vet work for the local farmers and is only taking emergencies outside the clinic hours. He needs an assistant,” Sid said. Something they needed to consider for the future. They didn’t want the lad to burn out from stress.
“Well, in that case,” Agnes said, wrinkling her nose. “It’s strange without Saber here.”
“Lad deserves his holiday.” Ben waved at a new arrival. “What’s on the agenda today? The Sevens Rugby tournament?”
Sid pulled a notebook from his shirt pocket and opened it. He peered at his writing as it wriggled about the page in big blurs. His darling mate was always telling him to use his glasses, but they got in the way, so he conveniently forgot them. Unfortunately, he’d truly forgotten them today when he could have used the aid.
“Psst,” Valerie hissed. “Where are your reading glasses? Here let me read your notes. What are they about? Our plan of attack?”
Sid handed over his notebook to Valerie. She pushed her glasses up her nose and started reading. “Teams invited.”
“Done.” Sid leaned back in his chair. “Saber and I contacted the local clubs plus those in Dunedin, Queenstown and as far south as Invercargill. We’ve had an excellent response.”
Valerie consulted the notebook. “Referees?”
“We have a team of six organized plus two reserves. We’ve also arranged ball boys from the school. No shortage of volunteers,” Si
d added as he scanned the busy café. Emily Mitchell worked hard, and it showed with the continual stream of customers. London Allbright was doing the baking while Emily and Saber were away, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she’d just taken a batch of cheese scones from the oven. Delectable scent, and one of his favorites to have with a cup of strong tea.
“Refreshments?” Valerie glanced up and scowled. “Sid, are you paying attention?”
“Multi-tasking,” he said and aimed for the serene smiled that always ruffled his mate.
“I can answer that one,” Ben said, before Valerie went all schoolmistress on them. “I’ve organized two barbecues to cook sausages for a sausage sizzle. The scouts are running those. The Middlemarch Women’s Division is setting up a tea tent. I believe Saber has organized a bouncy castle for the youngsters too. We have also approached the local pub about setting up a beer garden, which would be available to those of age who are not playing rugby. Sid and I were very clear about the rules and told them this would be an experiment. Any misbehavior or hijinks would result in the closure of the beer garden, and they wouldn’t receive a second invitation to participate.”
“That is a good idea.” Slightly mollified, Valerie glanced at the list again and checked off the item. “Prizes?”
“I’ve been banking the entrance fees. We’re giving half back in prize money for the top three, plus the winning team receives a cup,” Agnes said. “Our expenses have been minimal. The referees receive an honorarium, and we’ve had to pay for the trophy plus engraving. The scouts and Women’s Division are giving the Feline council a portion of their takings.”
“What about advertising?” Sid asked, now back in council-meeting mode.
“I spoke to London Allbright,” Valerie said. “She is designing flyers for us to help spread the word. She said she’d donate the time and supplies in exchange for a mention of her virtual assistant business at the bottom of the flyer. I told her to go ahead.”
“Where are we sending the flyers?” Ben asked, his feline-green gaze full of interest.
“Agnes and I are going shopping in Dunedin at the weekend. We’ll take a handful and approach some of the shops at the mall,” Valerie offered.
“I believe Lana and Duncan Sinclair are visiting this weekend,” Sid said. “Lana is a good girl. She won’t mind putting up a notice in her restaurant window. I’ll ask Leo Mitchell about taking some for the vineyard.”
“What about fancy dress?” Ben asked.
Valerie shoved her glasses up her nose. “Pardon?”
“Whenever I see the Sevens rugby on telly, the audience are dressed in costumes. We could offer a small prize for the best costume,” Ben suggested. “I don’t mind judging. I’m sure Kenneth would help me.”
“I’ll add that to the list.” She tapped her pen on the page and made a final notation. “I think that’s everything. All we need now is a fine day.”
“I haven’t heard any further rumblings about humans integrating into our community,” Ben said. “Although they might flare up again when the werewolf arrives.”
Sid accepted his notebook from Valerie and snapped it shut. “I don’t care what anyone says. The werewolf we have now is a good lad. He kept his head when falsely accused of murder, and he volunteers to help with our projects. If the stepfather is of the same ilk, and all my inquiries bear this out, then the community will be the richer for his presence.”
“When do London and Gerard leave for their holiday?” Agnes asked. “I was hoping to utilize London with more of the admin work for this rugby thing.”
Ben snorted, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Please. Middlemarch Sevens Rugby tournament. Get it right, Agnes.”
Agnes rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Sid.
“Everyone is flying out this weekend,” Sid said. “Henry, his stepfather, Leo and Isabella are going to Fiji for a three-day stay. London and Gerard are staying on for two weeks. I hear they’re going island hopping.”
“I thought they’d hurry the wedding,” Ben commented. “It’s been a few months since they met.”
Sid shook his head. “Young Gerard told me they wanted Henry’s stepfather at the wedding because the man was like a father to him too. They also waited on Sam and Lisa. Gerard said he couldn’t get married without Sam and Henry. It’s taken a while to organize everyone.”
Agnes released a gusty sigh. “London will be away then. That’s a pity. I like that girl. She deserves her happiness after everything she has experienced. She listens before she talks, not like my granddaughters.”
The bell on the café door tinkled, and Kenneth pushed his way inside.
Sid straightened in his chair, concern flooding him. Kenneth’s feature were flushed and his forehead gleamed with perspiration. More than was normal for the feline. One of the teenage after-school helpers stopped, her hands full of dirty dishes, to let him pass.
Ben frowned. “Kenneth looks terrible.”
Kenneth spotted them and lurched in their direction, appearing none too steady on his feet.
Sid rose and pulled out a chair. Kenneth dropped into it, his breathing harsh, and the heat radiating off his body bore a sharp, sour scent. “You should have gone straight home. We would’ve understood. What did Gavin say?”
“Have elevated blood pressure. Told my son to pick me up here,” Kenneth said. “Gavin had an emergency, and I had to wait longer than I’d planned. Walk here almost did me in. Don’t know why.” He gasped two harsh breaths. “Not far.”
“Not serious?” Valerie whispered in an undertone.
“No. No, of course not,” Kenneth said, slurring his speech. “Gavin has given me a diet sheet. He did tests, took a blood sample and started me on pills to treat the high blood pressure. Told me to rest, and he’d stop by and see me tomorrow. Will have test results then in case there is another underlying problem.”
“I’ll give you a ride home. Where is your fancy phone?” Ben held out his hand. “I’ll ring your son for you.”
Kenneth fumbled in his jacket, and even that seemed to zap his strength. Sid frowned, his instincts roaring on high alert. “Ring Gavin,” he ordered. “Tell him Kenneth isn’t doing well.”
Ben stood and helped Kenneth remove the phone from his jacket inner pocket.
The café doorbell tinkled, and Felix Mitchell walked inside. He grinned at Tomasine, his mate, who was serving at the counter and started to go out the back.
“Felix, lad,” Sid shouted.
The café went quiet and heads turned to stare. Somewhere out in the garden, a child started wailing.
Felix strode over to them, reminding Sid of his old friend Herbert in that moment. “What is it, Mr. Blackburn?”
“Kenneth is sick. We’ll need help to get him to the car,” Sid said.
Ben finished his call. “Gavin is on his way. Five minutes, he said.”
A tremor slipped through Kenneth’s big frame, and he clutched his chest. “Feel peculiar.” He slumped and would’ve fallen if Felix hadn’t grabbed him and hoisted him upright. Kenneth’s harsh breathing ceased without warning.
“He’s out,” Felix said, and Sid was grateful for the younger feline’s calm manner. “Check his pulse. I can’t hear a heartbeat.”
With a trembling hand, Sid reached out to check a pulse at Kenneth’s neck. Young lad was right. He couldn’t hear a heartbeat either. No pulse. Sid swallowed and a feline yowl of distress escaped him.
Valerie gave a harsh sob.
The doorbell tinkled. Gavin strode over to them, medical bag in hand. Charlie, one of the local cops, was with him.
“Crap.” Gavin set down his bag and kneeled beside Kenneth. “What happened? He was ill, but not too bad when he left the surgery. I wasn’t worried about him.” He tested for a pulse and his frown intensified.
“He walked here.” Ben’s green eyes were full of fear.
“He clutched at his chest,” Felix said.
Agnes clapped a hand over her heart, her green eyes echoing
Sid’s own unease. “Will he be all right?”
Gavin stood, his demeanor somber as he glanced at each of them with sorrow etched into his features. “I’m sorry. He’s gone.”
“Dead?” Sid whispered.
Agnes’s eyes filled with tears. “Dead?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry,” Gavin said. “I suspect it was his heart. I won’t know for sure until I get him back to the surgery.”
“What are we going to tell his family?” Valerie pulled off her glasses and wiped them free of tears with a paper napkin.
“I’ll contact Laura,” Charlie said. “She’ll notify his family.”
Felix called for Ramsey, the teenage shifter who was helping London in the kitchen. Numb at the suddenness of Kenneth’s passing, Sid forced his trembling limbs to walk to the door. He held it open while Felix, Charlie, Ramsey and Gavin carried Kenneth from the café.
Tomasine Mitchell came to him and took his arm. “Come and sit with your friends. Emily keeps a bottle of whisky out the back. I think you could do with a glass.”
Sid allowed Felix’s mate to guide him back to their table. His three friends had aged in the last five minutes, and he sank onto his chair, feeling every one of his years too.
Tomasine bustled over with a tray and four cups. “Don’t tell anyone I’ve given you whisky,” she whispered. “I don’t want to get into trouble.”
“Thank you, lass,” Sid said.
They waited until Tomasine left before picking up a cup each.
“What are we going to do without Kenneth?” Agnes asked, her voice full of anguish. “He’s always been with us since we met at school.”
Ben sighed, the sound heavy with pain. “We carry on. He’d hate to think we’d faltered because he wasn’t here.”
Valerie sniffed and wiped away a tear before it rolled down her cheek. “Fool man will haunt us if we don’t do the right thing.”
Sid barked out a hoarse laugh. “He’ll probably haunt us anyway.” He swallowed away the lump attempting to grow in his throat and lifted his cup. “Let’s drink a toast to Kenneth. Go in peace, old friend.”
My Second Chance Page 20