by Vella Day
“No. Sarah is like us. She needs to be useful.”
Jay nodded. “You know what really sucks?”
A lot of things did. “What?”
“We never asked her what she’d do if she no longer worked for the Bureau.”
“I suggested she work for the General and she laughed, pointing out she wasn’t one of us.”
“That might be to her advantage.”
“I told her that.” Riley dropped his head back. “We are a real pair. Perhaps Sarah would be better off without us—or rather me.” Jay slammed on his brakes, propelling Riley forward, and he had to brace himself from flying into the dashboard. “What the fuck did you do that for?” He hadn’t seen an animal dart in front of the truck.
Jay faced him. He didn’t seem to care that anyone could round the corner and slam into them. “If you don’t stop your pity party and start acting like a man who wants Sarah, then I don’t want to be around you. Just so you know, I plan to pursue her. Can I be sure I’ll win her heart? Fuck no, but I’m going to try. Why? Because I’m her mate and I’m worthy of her love. If you can’t see further than your childhood circumstances then good riddance.”
Riley was unable to respond, mostly because he was pissed—pissed what Jay said was true, and pissed that he had sunk to a new low. “Fine.”
“What does fine mean?” Jay’s lips were pinched and his brows furrowed.
“For my future happiness, I will permanently ban all pity from my life.”
Jay glanced at the ceiling and pressed the gas pedal. “You better, but we have to let her go back to Washington, first.”
“I realize that, but we can’t give her too much time. We don’t want her to take on another assignment.”
“Trust me, she won’t.”
Jay knew something. “Tell me.”
“I put a bug in the General’s ear about hiring her.”
All of a sudden, the sky looked brighter. “What did he say?”
“He said he’d think about it.”
“That’s all we can ask. At least it gives us options,” Riley said, more upbeat than he had been in hours. Jay pulled into the motel parking lot, but Sarah’s car wasn’t where he’d parked it. The anxiety he’d just pushed aside surfaced. “Where do you think Sarah went?”
Jay’s hand clutched the wheel tight as he pulled to a stop in front of the room. “Let’s check.”
They rushed into the room where her scent was so strong, it was as if she’d only left recently, and the animal in him wanted to claw at something.
Jay strode over to the table. “It’s a note from Sarah.” His voice trailed off.
Riley stepped up next to him and read it. “She left? Just like that? Maybe we should try to catch up with her. If she’s heading for Toronto, how far could she have gotten?”
Jay faced him. “We have to let her go.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
By the time Sarah actually made it to the Toronto airport, her gut had been tied in knots even a Boy Scout couldn’t undo. She hadn’t been in a hurry to rush back to Washington, so she’d taken two days to drive across Ontario. Already a mess when she climbed on the plane, by the time she landed at National Airport, claustrophobia and melancholy had settled in.
I’m a professional. Suck it up.
After that quick pep talk, she caught a cab to her apartment, expecting some relief and joy to wash over her when she stepped into her familiar surroundings, but it didn’t. She couldn’t push aside that sinking feeling that she’d messed things up by not saying goodbye properly to the men. The problem was that if she’d made love with them one more time, she might never have left, or leaving would have been exponentially more painful.
Right now, Sarah was so confused she didn’t know what to do. Her logical side convinced her the short time the three of them had been together, coupled with the adrenaline rush and hot sex, was playing a mind game on her. She couldn’t possibly love these men. Hell, she barely knew them. It had to have been all their talk of her being their mate—that they’d do everything in their power to protect her—that had her believing she wanted a forever after with them.
When they’d saved her not only from a burning building but also from Statler, she believed she might have misconstrued her appreciation for love. She pressed her palms against her temples to stop the pain, but her head throbbed too much to think clearly about whether they rescued her out of duty or because she was the most important person in the world to them.
Regardless of her future plans, she needed to shower and head into work. The next few days would be hell, but perhaps it would give her time to figure things out.
* * *
Jay had worked hard these last few days to calm Riley down. His roommate had wanted to fly up to Washington and kidnap Sarah, but Jay convinced him she needed her space.
He and Riley were back in Gulfside when the General called them into his office. Jay sat across from Armand’s desk while Riley paced in front of the window.
“After some consideration, I’ve decided Sarah would make a great addition to the team,” General Armand announced. He glanced over at Riley. “When Jay mentioned I hire her, I started to think of all the things she could accomplish that none of my men could.”
Riley spun around, tension consuming his features. “That’s great. Have you called and offered her the job?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Jay groaned. Riley should know better than to question his new boss. “Because,” Jay interrupted, “I asked him not to.”
Riley growled and looked as if he might attack. “Why the fuck not?”
“If Sarah moved down here, we’d never know if it was because of the job or because she wanted to be with us.” Of late, Riley hadn’t been open to this type of logic.
He narrowed his eyes. “How do we convince her she wants to be with us, oh wise one?”
Jay didn’t miss the sarcasm. “We’ve given her five days to come to her senses. She hasn’t called, which either means she doesn’t think we really want her, or she can’t afford to quit her job.” It might not be prudent to air their issues in front of the General, but given what they’d all been through, having him there as a sounding board might help.
Riley scrubbed a hand down his chin. “We can’t wait too long or she might be sent out on another assignment.”
The General cleared his throat. “Actually, out of courtesy, I called Bill Hampton to let him know I was interested in her. While he wasn’t happy, he said if that was what Sarah wanted, he’d give her his blessing to come here. Bill told me he’d give me ten days to offer her the job. It’s been five already, so you two need to do your magic and convince her to move here.”
For the first time in a long time, Riley smiled. He then saluted. “Yes, sir.”
Jay stood. “Okay then. Let’s go home and pack.” He faced the General. “Do you happen to have her home address?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” He handed him a piece of paper from his desk with not only flight information but how to find their mate.
Riley nabbed the paper and studied it. “We can catch the four o’clock flight, no problem.”
Jay chuckled. “Assuming there are seats available.”
“I’ll pay someone to give up his seat if need be.”
This time, Jay smiled. Riley was good and hooked. Now all he had to do was convince Sarah they belonged together.
* * *
Riley thought he’d be nervous when they arrived at Sarah’s apartment, but he wasn’t. He loved her and was pretty sure he could entice her to return to Florida with them—not just for the job, but to make a life with them.
“Remember,” Jay said as they approached her apartment door. “Don’t pressure her. We don’t want to smother her. We might know she belongs in our life, but she’ll need convincing.”
Riley smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I can be the king of persuasion.”
He handed her the bouquet of flowers they’d picked up at the airport. “These are for you.”
“Thank you. Ah, come in.”
Disappointment stabbed his gut at her stunned reception, but he told himself he needed to be patient. “We missed you,” he blurted.
“Way to go, Romeo,” Jay telepathed.
“Fuck off. You said to tell her how I felt.”
“Let her take a breath first. She has to think about why we’re here.”
This was the reason he’d never had been in a serious relationship. Riley sucked at the emotional shit.
She spun and faced him. “I missed you, too. While I put these beautiful flowers in water, why don’t you make yourselves comfortable in the living room.” Sarah averted her gaze and hugged the flowers to her chest. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Riley glanced at Jay. “She’s acting nervous. I wonder why.”
Jay look to the ceiling then slightly shook his head. “I’d love a beer if you have one.”
“Me, too,” Riley added. Having something in his hands would help keep him from ripping off her clothes.
Sarah returned a moment later with two beers and sat across from them. “I’m glad you came, but what’s the occasion? You don’t have a job up this way, do you?”
Jay had lectured Riley about pushing her too fast, but with her scent in his brain, Riley was having a hard time controlling himself. He set the opened bottle on the table in front of him, stood, and walked over to her, never taking his gaze from her face. “No, we came because we can’t live without you.” Jay groaned, but Riley didn’t care.
“Riley, I don’t—”
“Shh. Let me say my peace and then you can kick me, or rather us, out if you want.” He was about to slice open his chest and expose his heart. If she rejected him, then so be it, but he needed to tell her everything. “I know I was a jerk at times, but it was because I was afraid you’d walk out on me. You are my mate—the woman I need in my life. I don’t want you to say anything other than to nod to let me know that you’ll give me—again I mean, us—a chance. We belong together, Sarah.”
Her eyes watered and she bit down on her bottom lip.
Please say yes.
Sarah nodded and he nearly burst out of his skin. Without thinking, he pulled her to her feet, dipped his shoulder, and lifted her up in a fireman’s hold.
“Riley, what are you doing?” Sarah was laughing so hard she nearly slipped off his shoulder.
“Put her down, you oaf,” Jay commanded.
Riley wasn’t going to listen to anyone. “Where’s the bedroom? We have a lot of lovemaking to make up for.”
“It’s right behind you.”
Almost as fast as he could run, Riley reached her bedroom and pushed open the door. The sheets were tangled and her clothes were piled high on a chair, but he’d never seen a more welcome sight. With care, he placed her on the bed. If the back of his hands hadn’t sprouted so much hair, he would have taken off her clothes in a flash, but he needed a moment to settle down.
“Jay,” he said, “how about helping her with her shoes?”
Sarah smiled. “How about all three of us undress ourselves. It will make things go faster.”
She was so amazing. “I wanted to tell you one more thing before we begin—before I lose my courage,” Riley said, his heart beating so fast it was sure to punch out of his chest.
“What’s that?”
“I love you.”
* * *
Sarah was speechless but elated. While she’d dreamed of her men flying up to Washington to be with her, she never thought they would. And then there was Riley’s pronouncement that he loved her. Wow. Tears burned her eyes.
Only then did she notice his clenched hands and his total stillness, as if he was waiting for her to respond. Expectation of rejection was written all over his face.
She smiled, eased off the bed, and moved closer to him. She placed her hands on his chest, in part because he seemed to need her assurance more. “I love you, too.” She glanced over at Jay and smiled. “I knew how Jay felt, but I wanted you both, and I thought you didn’t want me after our assignment finished.”
Riley stroked her cheek and butterflies beat against her stomach. “Well, I’ll be damned,” Riley said then grinned. “We wanted you all right, but we didn’t want to rush you.”
Now she felt silly that they hadn’t talked more. “I was afraid to say anything because I wasn’t sure about your intentions or what I wanted, but these last few days have given me clarity.”
“I’m glad,” Riley said.
Jay stepped next to them. “I know of a way to show you how much I love you, and that we want to be with you.” He cupped her rear.
As much as she wanted to remind Jay that sex and love weren’t the same thing, her pussy was pulsing so hard that if she didn’t make love with them right now, she’d never be able to have a conversation with them about their potential future.
She twisted toward Jay. “Show me.”
While she wanted to slowly undress them, her need was too high. She slipped out of her shoes, top, and jeans in seconds. Before she could reach behind her to undo her bra, her men were naked before her. Whoa. Both chests were furry and Riley’s incisors were poking out.
“You’re not going to shift on me, are you?” While their wolf form was beautiful, she wanted their human half in bed.
Riley glanced away and his teeth retracted, as did some of his hair. “Sorry. I can’t seem to control myself around you. I want you too much.”
Sarah dragged a finger down Jay’s chest. “How about you boys hop on the bed where I can show you how much I want you?”
Jay grabbed his hard, thick cock. “Boy? I’ll show you boy.”
Fighting a smile, Sarah pointed at the bed. They grunted then obeyed.
“You’re not totally naked yet,” Jay said.
“Don’t worry about me.” Sarah climbed on the bed and motioned they scoot next to each other. She had a plan. “That’s it. A little more.”
Once they were in position, she slipped a knee between each of their legs. From this vantage point, she’d never seen anything finer.
Riley lifted his dick. “Staring at it won’t get you any.”
She shook her head. “Get your mind out of the gutter and relax. We have all night.”
He bared his teeth. “You might last, but I won’t.”
Before they took over, Sarah flicked Riley’s hand away and grabbed his cock. When she squeezed tight, his eyes shimmered a pretty greenish-gold hue. Wanting to ratchet up both his desire and Jay’s, she lifted Jay’s dick in her other hand, leaned over, and swiped her tongue from his balls to the tip. They both groaned and grabbed her. Riley clasped his hand over hers and pumped his fist up and down, and if his eyes hadn’t closed and his breaths hadn’t increased, she might have scolded him for taking charge. He was such an Alpha man.
Jay reached up and unhooked her bra, but with her hands full, she couldn’t stop him. “That’s not fair.”
“Yes, it is,” he grunted. “If I don’t taste those tits soon, I’m going to expire.”
He was exaggerating, but she loved him even more for it. To give him better access, she let go of his cock and slipped one arm out of the strap. A second later, he dragged her toward him and when he captured a nipple, lust sped through her and dampened her panties. Oh, what these men did to her.
Since Jay had drawn her near, putting her out of range of his cock, all she could do was continue to play with Riley while she supported herself on her elbow.
The men slipped out of her grasp. “We’re about to burst,” Riley said as he hopped off the bed. A second later he returned with a tube of lube.
She smiled. “I see you came prepared.”
/> “You got that right.” He grinned.
Now that she’d lost control of the seduction, she might as well enjoy the experience. Jay scooted to the middle of the bed and dragged her fully on top of him. “Care to give him a test drive?” Jay asked as he grabbed his cock that was wedged between them.
The thought of being impaled with his big dick sent spasms traveling up and down her body. “I can’t wait.”
This time, she’d go slow, stopping and starting just enough to make him almost lose it. As she slid back on her knees to grab his dick, Riley slipped behind her and twirled her nipples. Bolts of electricity charged through her, forcing her to lean her head against his shoulder.
“I love when you play with them,” she panted.
“I bet I’m enjoying this more, but trust me, I have big plans for you.”
She bet he did. “What are you waiting for?”
Jay reached up, cupped her shoulders, and drew her toward him. “Kiss me.”
Just as their lips met, Riley slapped her ass, shocking her to the core, even though it didn’t really hurt. She broke the kiss. “What was that for?” she demanded.
“For lots of things, the first of which was leaving a note and not saying goodbye in person, and secondly for sucking on Jay’s dick first.”
Sarah had to laugh at his antics then glanced over her shoulder. “We’ll discuss my departure at a later time, seeing as I’m a little busy here.” She nipped at Jay’s mouth again, loving the way he smelled. “As for the second offense, I feared you’d shift on me if I sucked on you first.”
He rubbed her rear. “I see your point. Okay, you can continue kissing Jay while I prepare you.”
She turned her face back toward Jay, smiled, and shook her head. “Thank you for letting me proceed.”
Jay mouthed, ignore him. Happy he was on her side, she pressed her lips to his and let all of her pent up frustration fly away. This was where she needed to be—kissing Jay and loving Riley. These two men gave her hope and showed her what she’d been missing all these years.