He captured her hand, flipped it over, and nipped the inside of her wrist. The sharp intake of breath made him stick his tongue out to lave the soft skin. He raised his head just a little. “I would never make you do anything you don’t want to do, Shiya.”
Kotori stood, and Birk acknowledged his friend had come to the end of his tolerance of being inside. Kotori loved being out in the elements. His polar bear wanted free rein, and Kotori gave it to him more often than not.
“Let’s take a walk,” Birk offered and held out his hand to Shiya. She took it and stood. Birk helped her into her jacket and pulled her close to button it. He sensed more than felt her trembling at his nearness.
Once they were out on the street, Shiya fell into step between Birk and Kotori. He pushed his hands into his pockets and adjusted his long strides to match her shorter ones. Kotori kept pulling out ahead and having to fall back.
Birk chuckled. “When you go up to our cabin, you should wear mukluk boots.”
She peered up at him, her lips pursed, and he resisted kissing them. “When?”
“Yes.”
“What are mukluk boots?”
He pointed them out on a native Alaskan. The weather wasn’t cold enough yet. Most still wore Sitka slippers, a rubber knee-high boot that would keep the feet dry during the wet weather. Birk explained all of this to Shiya.
“When we go to the cabin, you’ll be more comfortable in the mukluk fur boots.”
“The red fox ones,” Kotori added. He stopped ahead of them and turned to examine Shiya’s feet. “Those are not good.”
Shiya stopped walking and tapped one booted foot with her hands on her hips. Birk knew by the pinched lips she wasn’t pleased. “Anything else about me you don’t like? Birk? Kotori?”
“I apologize. We didn’t mean to offend you.” Birk drew her into his arms and ran a hand over her back, but halted short of her rear. “There’s nothing about you I don’t like.”
She blushed, and marched ahead of the two of them. Birk watched her ass in the short jacket, Kotori at his side. When Shiya whirled around, the excitement lighting her face swept him away.
“This city is so beautiful,” she chirped. “I can’t believe how close the mountain is, right at the end of the road. I feel like I can reach out and touch it.”
“You can touch it,” Kotori told her.
To Birk’s surprise, his friend crossed to Shiya and took her hand. Birk dropped back a step to follow them. He thought Kotori would take her toward the mountain, but instead, they followed several streets with shops lining the walks. At a corner, they darted across to the opposite side, Shiya running along with her hair blowing across her face. On the sidewalk, Kotori waited for him, and Birk strode to her to pull the strands of hair from her face. Her eyes widened, and those plump lips parted as if in invitation. He accepted in silence, but he would collect later.
When Kotori stopped at a shop for ladies’ boots, Birk shook his head. Leave it to Kotori to insist, even risking Shiya’s anger, to help her see what they meant. She needed to understand the climate where she visited or suffer while she was there. Otherwise, none of them would enjoy themselves.
Shiya pretended to resign herself to shopping, although he caught the gleam in her eyes. Like many women, she enjoyed it, and Birk didn’t mind indulging her. Soon, with more comfortable shoewear, she dragged them from store to store, loading Birk’s and Kotori’s arms with many bags.
“I don’t remember agreeing to this,” Birk complained.
Shiya piled on another bag. Kotori cast him a questioning glance when she turned her back, and Birk shrugged. “We should be used to this by now. We’re not new to dating women. I’m sure you enjoyed buying her the boots.”
Kotori huffed, “She wouldn’t let me pay.”
Birk laughed. “Stubborn little thing.”
Both of them turned to watch her exclaim over souvenirs of places she hadn’t yet let them take her to. When even Birk’s feet cried out for mercy, he snagged Shiya as she passed him and jerked her to him. His cock twitched having her in his arms, and he spoke against the top of her head. “Enough shopping for today. We’re going to take you to change, and then we go to dinner.”
She wiggled in his hold, and Birk shut his eyes. “Just one more and then—”
“No.” Kotori spoke the word with finality, and Birk looked up to find Shiya observing him as if she questioned whether she wanted to challenge his command. After a while, her shoulders lowered, and she smiled. Birk had never seen a more false grin, and it amused him. The little vixen intended to draw them in pretending to be obedient. She had no idea who she toyed with.
* * * *
Birk stood in the living room of Shiya’s suite, while Kotori waited on the street. The luxury beachside inn didn’t surprise him as her choice—or her family’s. The room included a private entrance and private balcony. She’d gushed over the view when he arrived, telling him how she enjoyed the water, the mountains, the birds, and the whales that sometimes showed themselves. He’d seen this all his life and loved it, but what interested him tonight was the fireplace and, of course, the Jacuzzi tub. They could spend hours before one, and in the latter, pleasuring each other.
At last, she appeared in her bedroom doorway, dressed in jeans so tight she appeared to have been poured into them, and a lilac blouse that accentuated his favorite of her assets. On her feet, she wore boots she’d purchased earlier that day, but not the mukluks. The weather hadn’t turned cold enough for those, but the ones she had on complemented her. They were flat, warm, and appeared waterproof.
“Beautiful as usual,” he told her. “Come on. We shouldn’t keep Kotori waiting. He gets grumpy when he’s hungry.”
“Okay, can’t starve the bear.”
He started at her choice of words, but she continued past him while pulling on her coat. At the door, she tried opening it, but he shoved it closed, standing behind her. She tipped her head up to look at him, and he focused on her lips. Tonight she’d added a gloss to them, and whatever shower gel or perfume she’d used tickled his nose. She smelled good enough to eat.
“Let me get that,” he said and reached around to button her coat. With deliberate movements, he allowed his cock to touch her back, and he felt the tremor when it passed through her. “That’s better. You’re not used to the weather here.”
“Th-Thanks.”
He opened the door, and they started down the short flight of stairs to the street where his SUV waited. Kotori leaned against the side of the vehicle, and when he spotted Shiya, he examined her from head to foot and nodded.
She made a sound of mock annoyance. “Glad to meet with your approval, oh great Kotori.”
Birk chuckled at the scowl on Kotori’s face, and they headed out. The restaurant they’d agreed on was a nice, quiet place, but driving by the port, Shiya exclaimed, “Oh, I wanted to try that place. They say you can see planes taking off right beneath you, and it’s a great view of the water and the ships coming in.”
Birk hesitated. “Baby, there are two cruise ships at port.” He pointed with his chin. If we go there now, there’s a possibility of it being crowded and having slow service. Tourists everywhere.”
“I’m a tourist,” she reminded him. “Okay, we can go wherever you want.”
She wriggled her feet in the boots and turned them side to side. “After trusting you two to selecting my boots, I’m good.”
“Well as long as you’re good,” he teased.
She smacked his arm.
They walked into the restaurant not too long later, and Birk kept his hand at Shiya’s back as he held the door for her. Kotori followed behind them. Just as he knew it would be, the place was full, but not overcrowded. The low lighting and the music worked, in his opinion, along with great food he enjoyed. Besides that, he and Kotori were good friends with the owner.
“Birk, Kotori,” came a shout from several feet away. Heads turned in their direction, and Birk stepped forward to shake Lara
mie’s hand.
“Been a while, Laramie.”
“Good to see you, Birk. You dragged this beast out of the mountains, I see,” his friend commented, and they laughed together.
From the corner of his eye, Birk noticed Shiya perk up at Laramie’s choice of words. Did she think they would slip and admit what they were? He intended to pull her close to him, enjoy her, and draw her family in. Then he would take them all down so they would never come to Alaska again. His people would remain safe, which was his and Kotori’s number one priority. Whether the hunters’ destruction would include Shiya wasn’t clear yet. He’d already broken his resolve just getting involved with her.
“This is my friend from outside,” Birk told his friend.
Laramie’s attention locked on Shiya’s chest, and Kotori grunted a warning from behind them. “Welcome, little lady. Whatever I have is yours.”
Shiya tugged her hand free of his when he held it too long. “Thank you.” She cast a confused glance at Birk. “What do you mean I’m from outside?”
They all chuckled again at her expense. Laramie was the one to explain. “That just means you are from outside of Alaska. There is our wonderful state of Alaska, and there is outside.”
“Meaning everybody else. Gotcha.” She shook her head in amusement.
Soon they were provided with a nice table in the corner, and Birk perused the menu. Shiya did as well, but Kotori always ordered the same meal, so he didn’t need to look.
Birk ordered sauvignon blanc for the three of them, and put a hand on the back of Shiya’s to lean closer to her. “Have you decided?”
Her head popped up, bringing her mouth dangerously close to his. He remained where he was, watching the emotions flit across her expressive face, and then raised an eyebrow when she didn’t say anything.
“Oh yeah, um, can I get the halibut on a bed of green beans, and I also want salmon chowder, please. I’ve never had that. I wonder if it tastes similar to clam chowder. Guess I’ll find out.”
Birk put in his and Shiya’s order and let Kotori handle his. When Kotori’s appetizer arrived before the rest of the food, Shiya watched him eat the grilled tiger prawns with cherry tomatoes. Her interest in the food was so obvious, he picked one up and fed it to her. Shiya bit into the meat and moaned as she chewed.
“Mm, that’s so good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I saw you eating.” She stuck a finger to her mouth and licked a bit of sauce from it. Both Birk and Kotori caught her wrist and put her hand down. She looked from one to the other. “What?”
“Nothing, I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Birk murmured.
When she was done and had cleaned her fingers on a tissue, she turned to Kotori. “Okay, so I know Birk’s a vet. What about you, Kotori? What do you do?”
His friend didn’t hesitate or look away from her face, which told Birk she was special for him as well. “I own several fishing vessels and supply many of the local restaurants and a few in Anchorage.”
“Nice.”
Birk’s mind drifted while they spoke, and he sat in silence, half following the conversation. His thoughts were more consumed with Shiya and their plans for her. He and Kotori spoke the truth when they said they’d shared lovers.
A female shifter had the drive and the strength to take both him and his buddy, but this was their first time with a human. As an African-American, she was also a first, because of the low population percentage in Juneau for her race. If he had found a woman like Shiya who tempted him like she did, he would have already enjoyed her. Race meant nothing to him, but he had to admit, Shiya’s smooth cocoa skin intrigued him and gave him fantasies of licking it from top to bottom. She would give in to their desires, but would she be able to handle him, let alone Kotori? Maybe it was a mistake to share her when every move she made, every sound and gesture, reminded him of how much he wanted her. Even now, he envisioned reaching across the table and ripping her blouse open so he could see her nipples. To think of holding those heavy globes in his palms hardened his dick to the point of discomfort.
“Hey!”
Birk blinked and focused on Shiya’s face.
“Where were you?” She smiled at him, and he felt a stirring inside. He’d been in love once, and it turned out badly. He didn’t care to repeat it, ever.
“I’m right here.” He laid a hand on her thigh and slid it higher. Seeing the desire he evoked pleased him as he pushed a finger against the spot where her clit hid. He cursed the jeans for keeping him from the treasure. Shiya bit her bottom lip, and her lashes fluttered down before she forced her head up. She covered his hand and pushed it back.
“That’s not playing fair.”
“I don’t remember agreeing to fair.”
She turned to Kotori. “Don’t you think he’s cheating?”
“He cheats at cards too,” was the rough reply.
Shiya laughed, and he frowned at his friend. “Thanks a lot, buddy.”
Kotori shrugged. “I always tell the truth.”
When a light of interest shone in Shiya’s expression, he should have known she would pounce on Kotori’s words. “Do you? Well tell me this.”
Birk stiffened.
“Are you married, or do you have a girlfriend? Have you ever slept with a black woman?”
Her questions surprised Birk. Did she let the opportunity slip by on purpose? She could have asked Kotori anything, like did he believe in shape-shifters, or was he one. She could have queried him in any number of ways that would lead her closer to the affirmation that they were what she thought—polar bear shifters. Then again, this could be her tactic to make them trust her, to get careless and let her into their world. If so, she was a very clever woman, and unfortunately, the knowledge made him want her more.
“No to all three,” Kotori admitted.
“Does that cancel the deal?” Birk interrupted. “That we have not been with a black woman?”
“Well there’d have to be a deal . . .” One side of her mouth turned up playfully. “But no, it doesn’t. We’re not talking a relationship anyway.”
“How long can we keep you?”
She grinned. “I have two weeks—longer if I need it.”
Something in the way she said “if I need it” made him think her family had pressured her to get it done. Didn’t she do this kind of thing all the time? He wondered just how much of the personal information she shared with him was true, and what was all a part of the hunter’s plan. They had no conscience when it came to getting what they wanted.
When their dinner arrived, they ate and chatted about what Shiya wanted to do the next day. Taking the tram up Roberts Mountain stood at the top of the list. He had no problem escorting her, but his and Kotori’s goal included getting her into bed by the next day.
The night turned bitter cold by the time they left the restaurant. Birk yielded to Kotori when he wrapped an arm around Shiya’s shoulders and drew her into his side. She moaned softly, a sound that vibrated along his nerve endings and ended in his ball sac.
“You’re so warm, Kotori,” she murmured from his chest, and when they climbed into the SUV, Kotori took the front seat across from him, putting Shiya on his lap. Yeah, they would have her tomorrow for sure.
At the entrance to Shiya’s room, Birk decided to take things to the next level so there would be no misunderstandings. He stood above her, crowding her space. She had nowhere to go but into his arms with the door at her back. “I think it’s time for me to show you what you’re missing.”
“You’re that confident, huh? I’d heard that . . .”
He leaned down, bringing his lips within an inch of hers. The warmth of their breaths mingled, and he tilted his head a little, but waited to claim what he desired. “You’d heard what?”
She seemed to change her mind about whatever it was she’d intended to say. “I heard Alaskan men are bold.”
“Hm, I can’t speak for the rest. I know what I want, and I don’t hesitate to take it.”
He grinned. “You won’t say no.”
Then he covered her mouth and explored the sweet interior. He cupped her face just beneath her ear and took the kiss deeper. Sweeping her tongue with his own, he tangled the two together and showed her what he had in store. A hand around her waist, he drew her tight to his chest until he flattened her breasts. A cry of pleasure escaped her, and only then did he raise his head and take a step back. She reached a hand to her swollen lips, her gaze unfocused, but before she could recover, Kotori moved in.
He laid his hands at her waist. “My turn.” She had just enough time make a small noise of surprise when he raised her off her feet. Kotori crushed her to him, molding her body to his and giving Birk visions of the two of them taking her—one in front, the other in back. His friend ran a hand over Shiya’s back until he reached her ass, and then he squeezed the round cheek until she murmured against his mouth. He forced her head back and assaulted her mouth with a hunger Birk knew Kotori fought to contain.
The grip Shiya held on Kotori’s jacket sleeves went limp, and Birk touched his buddy’s shoulder. Kotori kissed her moments longer and then set her on her feet. Shiya wobbled, and Kotori steadied her. “Shall I carry you inside?” he teased.
“Please, I’m fine. Good night, boys. See you in the morning.”
Birk chuckled under his breath when she stumbled after opening the door and walking across the threshold. Once again, he wondered if she could take them both, but he refused to back down now. One taste had him determined to eat Shiya up.
He and Kotori returned to the SUV, and Birk threw it into first gear. “You heading home?”
“No, I’ll have to visit my grandmother,” Kotori said. The frown on his face told Birk he wasn’t looking forward to it. Kotori might be head of his family, but his grandmother could be a handful.
“Think she knows about Shiya?”
Kotori swore. “Of course she knows. She always does. I didn’t tell her anything, but I’m sure she will say the spirits told her Shiya’s from a family of shifter hunters. Damn it, sometimes I wish she was wrong once in a while. Then I could get peace.”
Juneau Heat Page 2