Alphas of Summer: A collection of shifter romances

by Lia Davis

  Gentle and soft, he kissed, nibbled and caressed her, moving down her shoulder. Show her pain? Nothing hurt, in fact quite the opposite. He prodded her body into pleasure, running his fingers over her breasts on the outside of her shirt, sucking on her earlobe, and giving her an open mouthed kiss on her shoulder.

  No pain. Like earlier with Julian her body took off and flooded with desire, she had to have more and squirmed beneath him. "Porter." A small amount of relief found her as the evidence of his own need ground against her.

  His hand slid down the length of her body, taking in her waist, her hip, her thigh.

  Every reason why she shouldn't be even glancing in the direction of Porter or Julian entered and left her mind. Her focused remained solely on Porter, what he doled out, what he denied her, what she wanted. His lips drifted to different parts of her body until they reached her jaw line. She held her breath, waiting for him to connect their mouths, anticipating his taste, and soothing the ache he created.

  Suddenly, Porter pushed himself away, and the heat vanished to be replaced by a cold breeze as if someone threw icy water over her.

  "Porter?" She inhaled, choked on the air and coughed.

  He stood, towering over her. "How do you feel now?"

  She covered her mouth with her hand. Anything she answered would come out as a plea for him to quench her desire, ease the pain.

  "Understand now?" He crossed his arms, turned and resumed his seat by the water's edge.

  She forced herself up and ran into the forest, away from Porter and away from Julian. With a quick glance at the sky, she tried to heed Julian's words and remember she wasn't alone, though she’d never felt more isolated.

  Chapter 5

  Porter kept his lock on Alyssa and walked backward onto the beach, joining Julian at the fire.

  "You reek." Julian continued to stare into the fire. "Where is she, cleaning up?"

  "You don't even have a clue." He leaned back on his elbows and took in the full moon. The burning ran rampant through his body, made more acute by the fact he took a taste and the small sampling wasn't nearly enough. Too many full moons had passed since he touched another female. Even though the animal side of him longed for satisfaction, he couldn't let go, no one would compare to what he once possessed. Then along came a little human, someone who should be disposable, but something drew him to her.

  "Don't take me for a fool, she's been all over you." Julian ran his hand through his hair. "You can go to the boat with her. I'm going to stay out here and make sure the two of you stay away from me."

  It appeared the politician had it as bad as he did. Porter couldn't even muster a smile, but he would ease Julian's pain. "Then take a good whiff and you will realize that I merely toyed with her. Do you honestly think if I mated with her I would be sitting with you now?" At their core they were both animals, ones controlled by cycles and connected to the earth, once he had her, the need would become even more fierce.

  Julian turned to him. "Where is she?"

  "For someone who claims to be this great liaison she forgot that even though she may think she's hiding, I know exactly where she is. She also doesn't realize we both know when she's aroused." Porter continued to stare into the trees. "She's not very experienced."

  "What did you do to her?" Julian grabbed his collar.

  He didn't flinch, only plucked Julian's hand off him. "I suppose the cycle is finally hitting you hard. It's torture, isn't it?"

  "I sent her to you, you should be in total bliss." Julian clenched his teeth.

  "I'm in pain, you're in pain. Breathe in. I never mated with her. I merely tried to demonstrate how this felt and she's not too happy with me at the moment." He shook his head. "I could have had her in an instant. The desire was dripping from her."

  "Why didn't you?"

  "Tell me why you sent her to me." He glanced at Julian out of the corner of his eye.

  Julian jutted his jaw out.

  He waited. Eventually Julian would reveal what he didn't want anyone to know.

  "You needed her more than I did."

  They faced each other.

  "Why didn't you mate with her?" Julian crossed his arms.

  "Because she was aroused before she found me." He turned back to the trees. "For someone who has never mated she wants to mate with both of us."

  "Simple solution." Out of nowhere Julian laughed. "It was right in front of us and we didn't even see it."

  "What? Are we going to put her on rotation? Humans are funny, especially females, they like to be the only one."

  "Not too far off from Lykan females." Julian hit his arm. "You're missing the point. We don't put her on rotation, we make her the only one for both of us. We share her."

  "How is that different?" He held up his hand swiping Julian's words away as if it were an unwanted pest. "Lykans don't share females."

  "Untrue. Someone doesn't listen to the elders." Julian's tone mocked him. "Noah once told me that in times where females have been scarce it has been done. Encouraged even."

  "You have nothing better to do than listen to him, he needs to be put out to pasture." He shook his head. Their whole life they engaged in a bizarre competition, pitted against each other as their places in the pack solidified. What would it be like to share? Could he watch as Julian pounded into her, brought her to a release? The image of the two of them with her wasn't unpleasant, in fact, quite the opposite. He crossed his legs in an effort to hide his growing erection.

  "Remember just as we can sense her arousal, I can also sense yours." Julian leaned back. "Also having two males gives the female extra protection, especially when they are extremely rare and special like a human. Speaking of which…"

  They both turned toward the forest. Alyssa's scent and her warmth radiated toward him.

  "Humans find it painful to go unfulfilled." He decided to let him in on why their human wasn't with them. Their human? "She stomped away and took a field trip through the trees. I allowed it because we know the its only some birds and bugs on the island and we know she won't swim away."

  "She wasn't that happy with me either." Julian held his hand out. "Do we finally play nice?"

  "Is this just one of your campaigns? Why do you want her?"

  The fact Julian paused before spewing out words at least let Porter know he gave the question some thought.

  "I think I finally understand what everyone means when they mention a connection."

  "Yes. I'm finally ready for someone." He understood. "She's a human and she's a virgin."

  "We all have our faults and we will be careful. At least we'll have each other to keep us under control."

  "Fair enough." He raised his chin. "Here she comes. Keep quiet about the lunar cycles. Humans are more emotion driven."

  Alyssa came out from around the trees. The moonlight illuminated her form and she stopped when she saw them on the beach. An assortment of various items overflowed from her arms, some leaves, flowers and what appeared to be fruit. Fruit? "Damn it!"

  They both bolted up and dashed for her.

  "Stay away from me." She held out one hand dropping several of her treasures.

  "Did you eat?" Julian swiped her hand away.

  He skidded down on his knees and scanned what fell, tensing when he spied the tell tale hourglass shaped fruit. Sweet enough to make any human smile before they became violently ill, and that was the best scenario. “Did you have anything to eat?” He kicked the fruit aside. At least the one on the ground didn’t have any bite marks.

  “Leave me alone.” Alyssa hugged the remaining items to her and tried to pass them.

  “Stop!” Julian grabbed her arm.

  She resisted and jerked away, succeeding in dropping the rest of her things. “Jerks!” She freed herself and fell to her knees, scrambling to pick the items out of the sand.

  Porter stopped her from touching anything else. "Alyssa."

  She narrowed her eyes.

  "Did you or did you not eat anything?"
He picked up one of the fruits.

  "What do you care?"

  "Answer, Alyssa." Julian joined him in the sand and rifled through the items, making two piles.

  She reached over and retrieved one of the flowers and a stick, pressing them to her chest. "Just a piece of fruit."

  "What did it look like?" He held up the hourglass fruit. "Please be honest."

  Julian stopped his sorting.

  "That one." She pointed down at the sand.

  "How much did you eat?" Julian reached over and with one side of his mouth twitching to abate a smile, held up a different fruit, a plump pink one, round, juicy and known for a whole different set of side effects, but ones they could handle. The two of them stared at each other for less than a second, but it was enough to exchange an entire conversation.

  "One before, and that one."

  Certainly enough to do the job and then some. Before celebrating their good fortune, Porter needed to ask the next question. "What about this one? Did you even take a taste?" He lifted the hourglass fruit and held his breath.

  She glanced between them and shook her head.

  "This will make you sick." He threw the fruit away.

  "You make me sick." She narrowed her eyes at him.

  "At least I won't have you throwing up."

  "That is debatable." With the scant few items she decided to keep, she stood.

  "If you're still hungry, you can have this." He handed her another one of the pink pleasure fruits.

  "I suddenly lost my appetite." She took a few steps back.

  "Then when you decide to eat, don't put anything into your mouth that we haven't approved." Julian coughed, no doubt to cover up a laugh.

  "Don't worry I won't be putting anything in my mouth." She stomped away.

  Julian kicked the last of the poisoned fruit aside. "She's going to have to put something in her mouth eventually."

  "She doesn't like being in a state of need." Well, if Alyssa didn't know the pain they were in before, the fruit would seal the deal.

  "It is torture." Julian rubbed his hands together. "At least we know she wanted us before."

  The both walked toward the ship.

  "Remember she's a human."

  Julian stopped and once more held his hand out. "She's our human."

  Porter shook his hand.

  Alyssa cupped her hands full of water and splashed it on her face, but the icy liquid did nothing to cool her down.

  "I'm a mess." She frowned. The simple act of seeing them turned her body into raging inferno of unused hormones. When Julian toyed with her and Porter did whatever he did by the lake, they created a yearning in her, something she needed quenched, satisfied. The sensation seemed only amplified, growing stronger with each passing minute and they weren't even with her.

  How she could have imagined someone like either of them would want her was beyond her. They thought she was a silly human joke. Man or male, it didn’t matter, the opposite sex was something she would never master. She had to face it like she had to face a lot of things, and she stared at her reflection in the small mirror. Water dripped down her skin, her hair was all over and she wasn't wearing any makeup.

  At the moment, her only option was to get herself together, stop dreaming of yet another species that didn’t want her, and figure out what would happen to her after they got off the island.

  She combed her fingers through her hair and smoothed down the shirt she found to sleep in, her hands grazing her breasts. A jolt shot through her, a bit of pain from touching overly sensitive skin along with a wave of pleasure. "Oh."

  With a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure no one saw even though she was behind closed doors in the ship's head, she closed her eyes and ran her fingers over her nipples. Like when Porter caressed her, they were already hard, and the small amount of attention filled her body with such a need she clenched her thighs together. Rather than alleviating any of the pressure, her body throbbed in response. Giving in for a moment, she pressed her hand to her center. Her breath quickened and she wondered how fast she could satiate herself without anyone being the wiser.

  “Alyssa!” Julian called to her.

  In a flash she jumped up, moved her hands away and gasped. Not only were these males set on torturing her, she was teasing herself as well.

  "Alyssa!" Porter yelled from right outside the door.

  "What?" Her voice cracked and she inhaled to try to gain any composure.

  "We wanted to make sure you were all right." Julian strummed his fingers on the door.

  She dug her fingernails into her thigh. Frustration followed her and with no point in trying to continue, at least here, she slid the door open only to be faced with their bare chests. Also, she swore their pants were even tighter than before.

  "Everything good? Are you in any pain?" Porter reached for her.

  His voice socked her in the stomach. She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to look him in the eye again, but she was certain she wouldn't allow him to touch her. "I'm fine, I'm going to bed." She pushed passed them, the thumping ache in her core only seeming to intensify with every step she took.

  Somehow she managed to make it across the room, chose what she dubbed her bed, kicked off her shoes and slipped inside the sheets, pulling the blanket up over her and turned her back to them.

  Like an ostrich she supposed if she couldn't see them, they couldn't see her. Her entire body seemed inflamed and her shorts twisted around, binding her.

  The sounds of them doing whatever shifters did before retiring for the night echoed around her. She drummed her fingers on the thin mattress while she listened to them opening and closing cabinets and padding around the quarters.

  Even though she wasn't watching, in her mind's eye she could make out each move they made, down to when one of them unbuckled his belt. She twisted the sheet in her fist. They didn't even have the decorum to sleep in their clothes.

  Everything was loud, too loud, the image of them without anything on stirred her even more. She broke out in a sweat. Every piece of fabric grazing her skin taunted her and she shimmied out of the shorts leaving her entire bottom half naked and needy. A moan escaped her throat as she pulled her knees up.

  "Are you sure you're all right?" Julian asked.

  Since she wasn't talking to him, she didn't bother with an answer.

  "Well as long as your fine, we should all go to bed." Porter yawned.

  She waited for them to settle down. A shudder crept down her spine with along with the distinct feeling they stared at her.

  "Yes, bed." Julian's voice strained with a stretch.

  The room went dark and she bit her lip. Only the night before she slept between them, too bad she wasn't conscious to remember it.

  Maybe they would do her a favor and go sleep outside or somewhere else, or maybe they would fall asleep first and she could take care of her needs. No way could she take a chance with their acute hearing. She ground her teeth together waiting for them to settle onto their respective cots.

  The bed dipped. "Alyssa." Julian put his hand on her shoulder.

  "Julian! What are you doing?" At the intrusion her heart pounded.

  "We…" Porter also joined them on the bed, moving her over to take the other side. "…are getting in bed with you."

  "There are several other bunks." True she took the one they shared the night before, but that didn't give them an open invitation. Trapped in between them, she held her hands out.

  "This is the only one that fits the three of us." Julian moved her hair off her shoulder.

  "I don't know what the two of you are doing, but you don't want me, and we can't share a bed. " Their naked bodies pressed against hers. They wouldn't dare fill her night with more torture and misery.

  "Well, I'll start by telling you what I'm doing." Porter took her shoulders.

  She set her jaw, priming every muscle to take action should the need arise. Jokes and games may be one thing, but if they thought they would ta
ke anything from her, they had another thing coming.

  "I am going to do what I should have done earlier." His glowing eyes stared into hers as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  At last he gave her what he denied her before, a real kiss. She tried to resist, keep her lips tight and prepare for him to use force. Instead, he did the exact opposite, took his time, and waited for her.

  His lips brushed against hers, soft flutters designed to create the exact same sensation throughout her already heated body.

  Almost beyond her control her mouth contoured to his, and she relished in what she missed out on before.

  "Open your mouth he wants to taste you." Julian grasped her hand and ran his tongue along the rim of her ear.

  She moaned and obeyed, parting her lips and squeezing Julian's hand the moment Porter's tongue met hers.

  Porter held her tighter, and let out a growl. On her own she opened her mouth wider wanting to take in his sweet taste, better than the fruit she indulged in on her walk back to their campsite.

  "That's right." Julian kissed her neck, making his way up to her jawline. In only what could be a coordinated move, Porter moved aside to make way for Julian. Unlike Porter's kiss, Julian took over, guiding her tongue to his and sucking. His and Porter's taste merged together, creating a sweet and spicy combination.

  Wait. Julian. Porter. She kissed them, both of them. All three of them were in bed together, kissing while she squirmed between them.

  She needed to breathe, think, clear her mind and she put her hands on each of their bare chests and pushed back. Again, she acted and didn't think of the repercussions. "What are we doing?"

  Julian licked his lips, his eyes also lit up.

  Porter stared at her, but for the first time not with a scowl.

  "However, there is something we need to tell you." A small smile graced Julian's face as if he were about to let her in on the joke.

  She froze and she focused beyond them. Though she might have to hear the words, she didn't have to see them. How did she fall into the same set of circumstances every time? "Tell me."

  "The fruit you ate before, it acts as an aphrodisiac." Porter cleared his throat. "We know how aroused you are, and it's making us insane."