by Jane Jamison
How’d he get me on top of him?
She wasn’t a heavy woman, but she wasn’t a tiny one, either. With the strength of Hercules, he’d lifted her and deposited her just where he’d wanted her.
Laughter from other people on the streets hit her. Embarrassment as well as excitement flooded her. She struggled to slide off the horse, but Evan held her down.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Put me down.” Her hair hung in her face as she pressed her hands against the horse and attempted to crane around to glare at him. The horse nickered again and did his own bit of looking, putting his muzzle close to her face.
“Take it easy, sugar. If you promise to be good, maybe Evan will let you sit behind him.” Derek’s chuckle didn’t help much.
Tyler leaned over. “This is happening, babe. Just hang on and try to enjoy the ride.”
“Damn it, Evan. Put me down.” She blew out a breath, finding it difficult to take in air with her stomach lying against Evan’s strong legs.
“Be a good girl.”
“Damn you, Evan. If you don’t turn me loose, I’m going to scream like crazy.”
He rested his hand on her butt. “Go ahead, but I doubt anyone’s going to stop us.”
She startled at the hard slap on her ass. “What the hell? Did you just spank me?” He had spanked her, and damn if it hadn’t fired up her pussy.
“I’ll spank you again until you calm down.” His hand rubbed her bottom. “I’ve got to say, though, I won’t mind spanking you again. So go ahead. Keep fighting.”
“Wish I’d been the one to grab her,” joked Tyler.
“Same here,” added Derek. “Are we going or what?”
“What’s it going to be, baby? Are you going to ride on your stomach or sitting up?”
Chapter Six
Emeline remembered the old saying of “pride goeth before the fall” and wondered if they’d meant her situation. She could retain her pride and refuse to give in, or she could ask to sit upright and not fall off the horse and crack her head wide open. Not that she really thought Evan wouldn’t keep her safely on the horse, but it was still something to think about.
She closed her eyes and fought to tame her warring emotions of desire and anger. “Fine. I’ll sit up.”
He caressed one butt cheek then squeezed the other. “Are you sure? I kind of like you where you are.”
“Evan, let her up,” ordered Derek. “You’d better sit her up before all the blood drains to her head.”
Too damn late.
Thankfully, Evan pulled her upright then slid backward over the rise of the back of the saddle so that she ended up sitting in the saddle with him behind her.
“Here, baby. You take the reins.”
His whisper warmed her ear, but not as much as it warmed her insides. It had been a while since she’d ridden a horse, especially one that seemed a lot more powerful than the horse at the riding academy. She gripped the reins.
“Take it easy. You don’t have to hold them with a death grip.” He wrapped his steel-like arms around her and placed his hands over hers.
She didn’t dare glance back. If she did, she was sure she’d see the smirk she heard in his tone. Besides, she was too busy enjoying the sensation of his hard body against her, his callused hands against the back of hers and his breath against her neck.
“Let’s get a move on,” said Tyler. “If you’re okay, babe. You are okay, right?”
She took in the crowd watching them and sat up taller. “Aside from my pride, I’m just perfect.”
“Good to know.” Derek shot her a wink then spurred his horse into a trot. Tyler followed his brother while Evan pulled his horse behind them.
“Where are you taking me?” She squirmed in the seat. Although Evan’s crotch wasn’t pushed against her bottom, she could still feel the heat of him warming her. A breeze blew his scent to her, mixed with the fragrance of his horse.
“To one of our favorite places.”
“Okay. And? Are you three going to answer my questions?”
“What questions?”
At times, Evan could be the most irritating man in the world. “You know what questions. Why do people’s eyes change color? What’s with all the big teeth? Why is there such a fascination with dogs or wolves?”
“We have cat lovers in town, too, you know,” offered Tyler. He’d pulled his horse short until he was even with Evan’s mount.
“Not as many, though. Betsy even caught flak from a few people when she called her store Classy Cat.” Her attention drifted to Tyler’s strong forearms. His hands were big, and he held the reins with one hand, sure and easy. Imagining his hand cupped over her pussy was easy enough. She blew out a breath as another kind of heat burned between her legs.
“Damn stupid. Who cares what a store’s called?”
She looked to Derek and compared his forearms to his brother’s. All three men were as strong as they came. All three could’ve modeled for a women’s sexy magazine. All three could’ve made a good living from their looks alone. They were like the romantic heroes from books and movies, but they were real.
They had said she was theirs. Had they meant it? If so, what did it mean?
Yet even better than the way they looked, they were hardworking, honest men any woman would’ve been proud to call her own. Present kidnapping aside, of course. Although, she had to admit, she’d love the whole “take her now” thing. If she could live the rest of her life with only one of them, she’d consider herself lucky.
But I want them all.
Having only one or two of them would be wonderful, but true happiness would come only if she could claim all three men. They were like separate and equal parts to one puzzle, the puzzle that would finally make sense of her life.
With her fantasy so close to becoming a reality, the pain of the truth threatened to rip it apart. If she had any kind of a future with them, she’d have to tell them everything.
I can’t think about it right now. Not yet.
“You’re still not answering my questions.”
“And what about answering ours?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Derek.” That was the problem with asking questions. Often it led to others asking her questions she didn’t want to answer.
“Why’d you come to Fate? What did you do in Denver if you weren’t a companion for a senior citizen like Miss Charlotte? Were you a nurse?”
“I already told you. I came to Fate for a change. And I didn’t do anything special in Denver. In fact, I had several jobs.” She’d just lied again about where she’d come from. How would she ever get away from her lies? If they found out, would they forgive her?
“But you seem educated.”
She laughed at Tyler. “Gee, thanks. Yes, I did get an education.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. I meant it seems like you’ve had more education than most folks. We can see it in the way you hold yourself. We can hear it in the way you speak. You have a confidence that makes us think you’d be suited to doing an important job. Like you should be a doctor or, God forbid, a lawyer.”
She could ask them why they didn’t like lawyers, but for most people, it was the same. They simply based their opinion on incorrect stereotypes. “Like I said, I already answered your questions.”
“How about telling us about Neelson?”
Shit. She hadn’t wanted to bring up Neelson. “He handles Miss Charlotte’s money. What more is there to tell?”
“You mentioned before that you think he might be doing her wrong.”
She couldn’t look at Derek. If she did, he’d see the truth on her face. “I don’t think I accused him of anything, but yeah, he might be. Still, I’m not a financial expert by any means.”
“But you saw enough to get suspicious.”
Derek wasn’t going to let it go, and she doubted the others would, either. “Like I said, I’m no expert, but I’ve had some experience recognizing shady dealings, especi
ally when money’s involved. From what I can tell, he shifts a lot of her money back and forth between accounts. Maybe there’s a legitimate reason, and maybe there’s not. I’d liked to see a real financial expert take a look at her records, if for no other reason than to make sure everything’s okay. Besides, and I hate to say this, but my gut says not to trust Neelson.”
“You must have a good gut. I sure as hell wouldn’t put it past Neelson to cheat her.” Tyler’s groan sounded like a growl. “Damn lawyer.”
She wanted to get off the topic but couldn’t resist asking. “You guys really don’t like attorneys, do you?”
“Not a lot. No. Why do you ask?”
Derek searched her, making her avert her gaze. Did he suspect something? What would they say if they knew what she’d done for a living? Her secrets were bound to catch up with her, but she couldn’t say anything. Not yet.
“No reason. I’m just trying to understand your reasons for not liking Neelson. Other than the fact that he’s a lawyer.”
“We trust our guts, too. He gives off a sleazy vibe.”
But was Tyler’s explanation enough? Somehow she sensed there was more to it. “Okay, back to the original topic. It’s your turn to answer my questions.”
Evan clucked, spurring his mount into a faster trot. “We will, baby. We will. For now, let’s just enjoy the day.”
They weren’t going to tell her until they were ready, no matter how many times she asked. Letting the subject drop—for now—was her only option. Instead, she relaxed in the saddle, leaning back a little more than she probably should to get even closer to Evan.
When in Rome…
I guess the same thing goes for when in Fate, too.
* * * *
A half-hour later, traveling over a one-lane dirt road then out over a pasture, Derek turned in his saddle to see Emeline and Evan coming up behind him. Riding double had slowed them down.
If he’d been thinking ahead, he would’ve grabbed Emeline before his cousin had. Once again, he wondered about Evan’s powers. Werewolves were faster than their human counterparts, but they weren’t as fast as vampires. Even if he’d tried to make the first move, to lift Emeline onto his horse, he doubted he would’ve gotten to her first.
His cousin was lucky to have her next to him. He could imagine how her supple body felt pressed against his chest. And when Evan had spanked her, Derek’s palms had burned to feel the jiggle of her bottom.
She grew more beautiful every day.
Damn vampire speed.
He cleared his mind as he cleared his throat. “We’re here, sugar.”
The easy rocking of Evan’s horse must’ve lolled her into relaxing. She perked up, sitting up in the saddle and gazing over the green pasture to the tent they’d erected earlier in the morning. The tent had mesh sides to keep out the insects and a thick canopy to shade them from the sun. Without that, Evan wouldn’t be able to join them for long. As it was, Derek could see the strain on his cousin’s face. Wearing a hoodie was hard enough under the hot Georgia sun, but staying out in direct light for almost an hour had taken its toll. But he wasn’t worried. Vampires rebounded fast.
Did she like what she saw? He couldn’t tell. So far, she’d simply sat there, studying everything.
Being romantic didn’t come easy to them. They’d had to enlist the aid of a few of the females in the pack to come up with the idea. The other males in the pack had noticed and had given them a good razzing about “getting in touch with their sensitive sides.” At the time, he’d had to hold back his wolf from letting them see his less-than-sensitive side, but seeing Emeline’s face slowly change, a smile curving her lips, as she realized all they’d done for her, made all the jokes worth it.
A large air mattress rested in the middle of the tarp they’d spread out over the ground under the tent. A comfy blanket was folded at the end of it. The folding table held bottles of wine and champagne as well as covered platters filled with cheese and other finger foods.
“Do you like it, babe?” asked Tyler as he swung his leg over his horse and dismounted.
She slipped off Evan’s horse into Tyler’s arms. Once again, Derek was hit with his mistake of not getting to her first. “All of this is for me?”
“Well, we were kind of hoping we could join you,” joked Tyler.
She placed a hand on Tyler’s cheek and gave him one of the sweetest smiles Derek had ever seen. “It’s so thoughtful and sweet. I can’t believe you guys did this for me.” She smiled at Tyler and added, “For us.”
“Are you hungry?” Derek held out his hand, feeling all the world like a hero in a romance book. Not that he’d admit to having read one of those kinds of books. He was a man, after all.
“I could have a bite. Or, better yet, a drink. The ride left me with a dry mouth.”
It was foolish of him to think so, but he couldn’t help but believe he felt a certain sizzle pass into his hand when she took his. “Then let’s have at it.” It wasn’t what he would’ve liked to have said, but being near her had a way of short-circuiting his brain.
He led her to the tent along with Tyler and Evan. His cousin was more than ready to get out of the sun and immediately tugged off his hoodie. Derek wondered how he could keep from sweating, but that was yet another mystery of being a vampire. One he was sure Evan wouldn’t explain.
“I’ll get the drinks,” offered Tyler and slid a palm along Emeline’s shoulder. “Champagne, babe?”
“Yes, please.”
“We have folding chairs or we can sit on the mattress.” They hadn’t bothered to put out the chairs, hoping, of course, she’d sit on the mattress.
Her eyes sparkled, and he knew she’d understood the real reason for the chairs not being set out. “You boys sure like to have picnics, don’t you?”
She’d obviously meant it as a joke, but she was right. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a picnic with any other woman. Have we, guys?”
“Nope.” Tyler waited for her to get comfortable then handed her a glass filled to the brim with champagne.
“No one else was worth the trouble,” added Evan. He stood off to the side as he often did, watching and waiting.
“Wow. Thanks. I’m touched. Seriously.”
Derek scanned the length of her as she stretched out her long legs. The dress she wore was modest, covering all of her breasts and going down to her knees, but on her, it was the most erotic outfit he’d ever seen. Nothing could hide her curves, the slight swell of her breasts. The light material fell around her body, hinting at the carnal pleasure he already knew lay beneath it.
He saw himself kneeling beside her and toasting her with his drink. That was the romantic thing to do, the nice way to come on to her, but he wasn’t in the mood to be nice. Like an addict who sees his favorite drug lying in front of him, he could no longer control himself.
“We want you.”
She blinked as though surprised, but why should she be? They’d told her enough times, hadn’t they?
He tossed his hat to the ground, something he never would’ve done if he’d cared about anything other than being with her. Tugging, he pulled the front of his shirt apart and yanked the tail end out of his jeans.
Her mouth parted, enticing him further. “Derek?”
He growled, barely controlling his inner wolf from breaking free. But he wouldn’t take her as an animal. At least not solely as an animal.
“Don’t talk, babe,” ordered Tyler. He began jerking off his boots.
I’ll be damned if I let him get to her before I do.
Derek glanced at Evan. His cousin hadn’t moved, but the yearning, the craving was on his face for all of them to see. Off came Derek’s boots, and then he started working on his belt buckle.
Her eyes stayed fixed on him then jumped to Tyler and over to Evan. Disappointment shadowed her face when she noticed that Evan hadn’t moved.
They’d planned on sharing her. Had, in fact, already done so. But he wouldn’t let his cousin d
isappoint her. He couldn’t stand to see anything but happiness and desire showing in her eyes. “Get with it, cousin.”
Evan frowned, unused to taking orders. Slowly, he undid the buttons on his shirt.
By the time Derek dropped his jeans to the ground and stepped out of them, her attention was back on him. The hunger he felt reflected back to him from her wide eyes. The need churning in his stomach, raising his cock, showed in the hard, round nipples pushing at her dress.
He went to his knees, took her glass from her, and tossed it away. She didn’t speak, didn’t fight him. Instead, she acquiesced as he cupped her neck and brought her lips to his.
How had he gone so long since he’d last tasted her flavors? How had he not gone insane as he watched her and waited for the next time he’d feel her against him? His growl flowed into her mouth as he leaned back, taking her with him. He had to fight to keep from tearing her clothes off.
“Lift your arms, babe.”
Tyler would take care of her dress. Derek’s only contribution was to stop kissing her long enough for his brother to pull her dress over her head. What he saw next almost made him lose all his control.
“Fucking yeah,” whispered Tyler.
She wore nothing underneath the flimsy material. Had Evan noticed when he’d slung her onto his horse? If he had, he hadn’t said a damn word. And if he hadn’t noticed, he was most likely kicking himself right now.
She was better than he’d remembered. Hell, better than he’d fantasized about. Her skin glowed, giving her an ethereal essence. Her soft hair, backlit by the sun, added the crown she so richly deserved. For a moment, he thought her too beautiful, too mystical to touch.
Thankfully, that moment passed.
She deserved champagne and flowers and jewelry. She deserved to be treated like the queen she was. She deserved to be cherished and adored. If he could’ve given her the world, he would have. Instead, at that very moment, he gave her his heart.
His wolf howled inside, urging him to sink his fangs into her shoulder and claim her. He gritted his teeth as she began to undulate, tempting him to do what he’d planned to do all along. Keeping his gaze to hers, he lifted her up then brought her back down on top of him.