by Treva Harte
Sweat trickled down Arlin’s back.
Tala cried out, squeezing his cock, her movements bumping him up against Hunt’s.
“Oh God,” she cried out, jolting between the two of them.
“That’s two,” Hunt said directly to him, before he smoothed Tala’s hair and kissed her cheek. “Dunne?”
“Just like you said, boy. Bear down. It’s going to feel a lot…better.” Dunne’s voice was behind Arlin’s ear, panting.
The tip of a cockhead pressed against his anus.
“Jesus!” Arlin sputtered.
Dunne was going to fuck his asshole and, from the rough note in Dunne’s voice, once he was in he would make sure Arlin wouldn’t be sitting down for the next week.
Pain. Almost too much pain. Arlin gasped as Dunne worked his cock inside his ass.
Then pleasure. Almost too much pleasure.
“Nothing like fucking a virgin ass, is there?” Dunne’s voice was hoarse. “But you’re getting even more. You’ll feel all this coming and going, kid.”
Everything. He was going to experience everything, just the way he’d wanted. Dunne pulled back and then surged forward again. Arlin pitched forward into Tala and Hunt. The chair rocked dangerously beneath their combined weights. Jesus. This was what he wanted and not at all the way he’d planned.
That was where Arlin lost track of events. That last bit of his illusion of control slipped first. Sensation spun around him: the groans and straining of the other men, the whimpers from Tala, the sparks of fire shooting up in him from pleasure points he hadn’t even known he had. Motion and noise combined as the chair rocked under their weights, and the nips and growls of what was non-were and were sex blurred for a moment into purely animal.
It seemed like there wasn’t an inch of any pleasure point in his body that wasn’t being used to wind him up tighter, make him go higher, build him up and destroy him.
The only thing he was entirely sure of was opening his eyes to see Hunt’s face as he came, hard, gasping against Tala’s skin, whispering over and over, “Ohfuckohfuck. Talafuckohfuckloveyou.”
“Tala!” Arlin screamed out across her back then bit hard at her shoulder. He marked her every way he could, with teeth and sperm and sweat.
And it wasn’t enough. Couldn’t be enough. Never enough.
“God!” Dunne moaned after him.
Tala screamed along with her men as her climax ripped out of her body, squeezing and milking whatever cum was left in his cock.
It was music. He’d meant their time together to be an ode to her. But, though he hadn’t meant it to be, it was also an ode to the men who were giving him and her such pleasure.
All of them together.
Arlin wasn’t entirely sure, but he thought he heard a voice he didn’t want to hear echo in his head, “You little fucker, third times the charm.”
* * * *
He lay there on the floor, shuddering still, fighting the tears that were still leaking out from closed eyelids. When he heard the footsteps, he knew who it had to be. Christ. He was completely destroyed and now he had to face him.
“I’ve got to get out, Hunt.” His voice was as raw as his emotions. “Tell her. I can’t.”
“Why?”
So much for being the top. Somehow Hunt—Hunt, Tala and Dunne—had turned the tables. Now the bastard was going to make him admit it.
“Because—because I want to stay. One more time like that and I’d rip up every shred of pride I’ve got and beg for the privilege. I won’t care. I’d beg to take whatever you’d be willing to give me. It’s that good with all of you.”
“I know. I’m older than you are, kid, and that’s the best…” Hunt’s voice changed, became businesslike. “How about you do me a favor?”
Arlin swallowed, tried to regain some control. “Depends. What?”
“An errand I can’t do myself. I need you to help me track down the scum who tried to kill Dunne and probably take Tala.”
That hadn’t been the favor he expected. More control returned.
He could do that. Hell, he wanted to do that.
“I’m not your errand boy, but that’s a very tempting offer.”
“I figured. Dunne isn’t able to right now. They’re watching for me. But you…you’re an outsider. They wouldn’t expect it.” Hunt held his hand out and, without thinking, Arlin grasped it.
Hunt pulled him to his feet.
“There is one catch.”
“Yeah?” Arlin wiped his face.
“You have to tell Tala. She has to accept that you’re leaving from what you say.” Hunt shrugged. “You’re too important to her to have me explain. She might not understand or forgive me.”
“You do care about her then?”
“What do you think?”
I think he’s never screamed those words to anyone else in his life.
“I think you’d beg for her yourself, if you had to.” Arlin almost smiled.
“Think whatever the fuck you want. She’s mine. I want her to stay mine.”
And he’s not sure of her. I wonder if anyone will be sure of Tala.
“She’ll be here to see me in a minute. If I promise to be fully clothed when she arrives, will you give us ten minutes alone? I’ll handle her. I know how.” Sometimes.
“I know. That’s what I’m afraid of.” Hunt almost smiled back at him.
“I DON’T LIKE it, Arlin.”
“You’re not my Alpha, Tala. You don’t have to like it.”
“But you’ll take orders from Hunt?”
“For now. Because we want the same things. To get whoever took Dunne down. You want that yourself.”
“Yes, but—”
“I’ll be back, baby. Keep that ass warm for me.” He winked, gave her ass a pat, and was gone before she could come up with an argument.
“Is he gone?” Hunt strolled in, his timing too perfect to be an accident, not giving her time to think about how empty she was feeling inside without Arlin.
“For awhile. He said he’s doing some scouting for you, Hunt. Is that safe?”
“No. But it’s safer than if I look like I’m doing it or if Dunne does. And he wants to. He’s young. He needs a little danger while he finds his place.” Hunt picked up the newspaper. “And you both need to absorb that he’s going to find that place away from you.”
“I know.” Tala sat down. Hunt was going to spring something. She finally knew enough about him to know he was being too casual. She braced herself.
“I’ve been thinking I need to move my base of operations from Vegas after we get married.”
“Oh. We’re getting married and moving too? I’m sure you were going to ask me my opinions about that really soon.”
“I’ve been busy.” Hunt smiled at her over the financial section. “But I think I may need to make sure I have a legal claim on you among non-weres if things get…troublesome.”
“You intend to marry me and leave here just because someone is after us?”
“Not entirely. The Strip is slowing down right now. It may be time to focus more on some of my other ventures. And I want to be sure there won’t be any legal complications if I need to hand things over to you someday.”
He was worried he might die over this? Tala’s eyes narrowed. Not if she could help it.
“Then maybe you’d consider moving to Palo Alto?”
“What?”
“I did have plans before I met you, if you recall. Did I mention I intend to go to Stanford this year? Or Berkley. I haven’t done my final acceptance yet. I guess you can pick since I suspect having you as a husband won’t allow me to claim any financial aid. Besides, I’m now sure where I want to focus my studies, which means I can take a hard look at both programs.” Tala stretched as Hunt eyed her.
“And that would be, what, theater?”
“I am not a drama queen, you jerk. I had always planned to major in business—now I want to focus on fundraising. I have a plan for the future and it will r
equire money and networking. I bet either university would work out just fine for acquiring both.”
“I have money.”
“We need more money. And we really need the networking contacts.” Tala kissed his nose. “I’m going to start setting up medical research for weres. That’s going to take us a lot of sweet-talking and influence. I have no idea how many weres there are out there. Do you?”
Hunt had narrowed his eyes and put his blank game face on. But Tala knew he was impressed. She was getting better at reading his emotions.
“I have a better idea than you, but no, I don’t know for sure.” Hunt scowled. “And none of the weres I know would have any reason to trust me with their money or their secrets.”
“But they need medical information. We all do. I think I’ll be in an excellent position to make some trades, especially with you backing me.” Tala smiled.
“You’re going to use me to strong-arm weres until they buy into your plans?”
“Very telling that you should think that’s how it should work. Reason and charm might be effective instead. But of course I’ll need to be sure no one lets on what I’m really fundraising for while I say I’m doing work to preserve wolves in their natural habitat. I know you can keep weres quiet.”
“Tala—I want you marry you, you know. Does that fit in with your plans?”
“I know you do. And I want to marry you. I love you.”
“I hope so.”
Each love I have is different, but that doesn’t make it more true. I finally get it. And Hunt needs me to marry him. He might not even admit it to himself but more than any of the others, he needs me.
Tala stood on tiptoe to cup her hands on his face. “So let’s. I’ve always wanted to be the trophy wife.”
“Lots of chapels in Vegas.” There was a smile in his eyes.
“I’m inviting my family. I want them here for this. Besides, this is going to be the start of a lot of networking.”
“You’re taking all this well, Tala.”
Taking Arlin being gone? Becoming an adult? Being with the man she’d taken as a mate even though she wasn’t sure about what that meant?
“I’m accepting things, Hunt. And being with you? That’s not so bad. Not at all. In fact, it’s kind of a plus.”
He bent down and kissed her hard. Passionately. Tongue, teeth, soul.
When he was done, they looked at each other. Tala realized she had no words. What were the right words for a whole new world opening in front of you? Hunt nuzzled against her cheek. “I look forward to watching you at work, love. Oh hell, I just look forward to watching you.”
“I won’t disappoint you, love. I promise.”
He kissed her hands. “You couldn’t. You’re Tala.”
“That’s very sweet but I don’t know if you’re right.”
“I’m always right, my dear. My only worry is—”
“The mighty Hunt is worried?”
“Smartass. My only worry is that you don’t know what you want yet. Not really. Nothing will stop you once you find out.”
“I just told you my plans. You don’t think I want you and a life with you?”
“I’ll know what you want as soon as you know, my dear. Maybe even before then.” He smoothed the line between her eyebrows.
“And you don’t think you can make me choose? You got me to choose to bond with you.” I just hope I’m worth it to you.
“You’re young. You can change your mind still.”
“I’ll get older. And you’ll have to make sure I don’t. You up for that?”
“Pick a chapel. Any chapel. We’ll have ourselves a wedding and see.”
~ * ~
Prologue
“She’s about ten miles outside Vegas. Near Summerlin.”
“Why are you telling me?” Dio hunched closer to the phone, blocking out the noise of the bar in the background.
“Why do you think?”
“You want something.”
“I always want. That’s why I am what I am. Now you can figure out what I want and if it’s safe for you to take my tidbits. Your decision. That’s why you’re Alpha.”
And Alpha was a good thing to be. The position had always gotten him what he wanted. Right now one of the things Dio wanted was her. It had been a long time since he’d seen little Miss Ruth. Dio ran his tongue over his teeth, remembering what it had been like.
Nasty. Vicious. Just the way he liked it.
She wasn’t getting away this time. He hated unfinished business.
“I’ll take your little love offering. But don’t get in my way.”
“I do what I want, asshole. Just the way you do.”
How the hell had he known just what Dio wanted? The dude was a little scary. Fortunately he was also on Dio’s side.
Dio smiled, a tight, appreciative grin. “I can appreciate that attitude. But, like I said, don’t get in my way. I don’t appreciate anyone that much.”
Chapter One
Arlin watched Ruth through the window of the café. She was studying the menu as carefully as if she’d be taking an exam on the contents at the end of the day. He suspected she did everything as intensely, important or not.
She wasn’t his type really.
Ruth was attractive in an ice queen way, looking remote and cool with her ash blonde hair braided back from her face. He didn’t go for ice queens. He liked women to be warmer. More emotional. Prettier. Younger.
More like Tala.
There was no reason for the memory of Ruth to linger in his mind. He’d been fascinated when she’d first smiled at the sight of him—as if she was stunned to remember what it was like to smile but had to do it. There had been something there when they started to talk.
But it died down before they’d finished the first cup of coffee. By then she’d tried to put distance between them, reminded him she was the doctor who was taking care of the patient he’d brought in. She hadn’t said he was too young, not out loud, but he could tell.
She was too much work. He was not interested. Much.
He watched the tip of her tongue peek out as she pushed her glasses up and focused on the menu. His fists tightened. So did his cock.
Damn it.
He should find some other way to deal with the situation if his little head insisted on taking an interest in her. But his feet were already headed inside and she looked up from the menu as the door opened. He shoved his sunglasses up and she smiled as she met his eyes. The smile was uncertain, a faint reflection of the warmth she’d shown once, when they’d first met.
“Ruth.”
“Mr. Kinkaid.”
“I know that’s on my business card but Kinkaid is my middle name.”
“Oh! Ah… Arlin.” He perversely enjoyed the slight hesitation as she forced herself to say his first name. He figured she’d love to keep things formal if she could. “How are you?”
“Horny.”
Her mouth dropped open as he sat down. “What did you say?”
Not what he’d meant to. Why the hell did he do this around her? But Jesus, now that she was close she smelled just the way he’d tried to forget. Spicy. A little aroused already. Tempting. Her steely outside and that tantalizing inner warmth didn’t match up. He picked up the menu. “Well, aren’t you hungry? Going to have the tarragon chicken salad?”
HUNGRY. SHE MUST have misheard. Maybe she was putting her own thoughts into his mouth.
It just wasn’t fair, feeling that sudden jolt of interest the minute he walked into the room. He was just a pretty boy. Boy being the operative word here. Even if she had been looking for someone that young, he was involved with someone else. It didn’t matter if Tala, the “someone else,” was married and related to him. She’d seen the looks on the male faces when Tala was near. And when Tala left, she’d taken all her men—including Arlin—with her. Arlin hadn’t contacted Ruth since.
Until now. He’d called and said she had to meet him without saying why.
What did that mean?
For just a moment, back when they’d first met, she thought Arlin had been—that there had been something. She didn’t even know what to call it, it had been so long since she’d felt anything at all. It was safer to not feel, not hope, not be hurt.
It was better not to feel this prickling awareness that a particular, too-special man was in the same room with you and that just having him near was making everything around you brighter, sharper, more intense.
She yanked her mind back to the conversation.
“Y-yes. How did you know that’s what I’ll get?”
“You asked for the tarragon chicken last time. I get the feeling you like to stick with what you know.” He smiled over at the waitress who immediately walked toward the table as if she’d just been waiting for Arlin to acknowledge her.
“Order?” The waitress stared at him.
“Hamburger. Rare as you’re allowed to cook it.”
The waitress scribbled down the order. “New here, aren’t you?” She winked at him.
“Tuna salad for me.” Ruth’s eyes narrowed first at the waitress and then at Arlin. There. She didn’t always stick to the same thing. “Thanks so much for asking.”
Of course she wasn’t the only one who noticed Arlin. Just she, and Tala, and the waitress, and probably every other woman with eyesight was interested.
Arlin handed the waitress the menu and then propped his chin up so he could look directly at her. “How are you, Ruth?”
“Busy as usual.”
“Save any of my kind lately?” Not everyone knew about weres. As far as she knew she was the only one. The only non-were, anyhow.
“You sound so matter-of-fact about that.”
“It’s just my life, Ruth. I’m used to it. But I guess you still haven’t quite adjusted to what it meant to have saved Dunne.”
“I guess I haven’t. That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I think.”
He let his hand rest close to hers. She glanced at their hands and then away, willing the jumpy excitement to leave. “We’re all still grateful to you, you know. We haven’t forgotten.”
She shrugged.
HE COULD FEEL something hot and strong under the surface of her iced calm. Something, maybe the same something, boiled inside him. But whatever it was that Ruth felt or was, it was under a tight leash. So he reined himself back. Down, boy. No fresh meat today.