by Cara Adams
“Nah, that can’t be right. She looks at us sometimes the way we look at her. Like there’s a bowl of chocolate sauce the table and someone just needs to hand her a spoon,” said Oscar.
“Yeah, but looking is different from doing. Especially for a woman.”
“Damn.” Oscar knew that was right. Women liked to think about things. Men wanted to get in and do them. “Okay, so we need to invite her out. Date her. Show her we want to get up close and personal with her, but in a way she can back away if that’s what she wants. Hell, I’ve got the perfect administrator. I don’t want to lose her even if my balls turn blue!”
“Mine already are blue,” groaned Danny.
They both laughed. “Okay a date. What kind of date? Dinner? A movie? Dancing?”
“Somewhere the food is good and the atmosphere romantic. The kind of place a woman will like. Then after dinner we’ll dance and hopefully we’ll dance her straight into bed.”
“What’s the name of that place up the mountain? You know, man, where the restaurant revolves and diners look out over the city lights.”
“Observer? Vista? No, City View. That’s a great idea. Why don’t you book it for Friday night? Unless you have surgery scheduled for then?”
“Friday’s good, and we’ll be able to pick Ambrielle up from her apartment because she’ll need to get changed after work. So that’s a bonus, too,” said Oscar.
“Assuming she agrees to go out with us.”
“Fuck, yes.” Oscar’s heart lurched with fear. He hadn’t even thought of that. What if they planned a romantic night and she didn’t want to date them at all? She had to. She couldn’t possibly turn them down flat. Could she? He refused to think about it. “Okay, I’ll make all the bookings. Now, let’s talk about our apartment upstairs. When can you start work on that?”
* * * *
Ambrielle was very excited at the idea of going on a date with Oscar and Danny. She’d been lusting after them pretty much from the moment she first met them. They were both mighty nice to look at, and caring people as well. All the patients adored Dr. Thorne. He really cared about them and treated everyone individually and personally, creating individual treatment programs that worked for them.
Danny liked to laugh and joke. He made everyone smile. He was the one who was repainting the building from gloomy old brown paintwork to sunshine yellow, clean, crisp cream, and feature walls in palest blue or green to prevent the building from looking drab. His paintwork was as cheering to the patients as his smiles and jokes, although he hadn’t succumbed to purchasing any shades of pink as yet.
Ambrielle was twenty-five. She wasn’t a naïve virgin, but she wasn’t very experienced either. She’d had several boyfriends over the years, but none for the last six months and she’d never dated two men at once. Oh, she’d read some erotic romance novels and could imagine how it would work, but she’d never done it before. And she was well aware that she’d jump into bed with these men the moment they asked her, job or no job.
I can always find another job, but I’ll never find two men so kind and charming as these two again. So, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll leave the clinic.
But the thought of leaving the clinic hurt. She was becoming fond of the staff and enjoyed seeing the patients come in so ill then get better. That was the best thing of all. For them to heal and go home healthy again. It made her really happy. Maybe I won’t have to leave. Maybe they’re just being nice and don’t want anything more than to take me out for a meal.
But instinctively she knew the two men wanted more. They both had an indefinable aura of power that came not only from their shape-shifter heritage, but also from the fact they were Doms. Oh, they hadn’t said so openly, but she was aware of the lifestyle and had worked it out herself. Both factors gave her a reason to keep her distance from them. To remain businesslike and impersonal. She truly liked her independence and freedom. They mattered a lot to her. But she was drawn to the men. She wanted them and knew they wanted what she wanted. Sex. A night of sweaty, passionate, no-holds-barred, anything goes sex.
So Ambrielle showered and dressed carefully in her prettiest dress, a slinky, deep blue satin outfit she’d worn to her cousin’s wedding eighteen months ago and had never put on since. “Thank God it still fits,” she said after the zipper was done up. The shiny fabric clung to her breasts and hips, then flowed like water to the floor. She twisted and turned in front of the mirror, but didn’t think her ass looked too big, although it was hard to tell. She was not slender, she had curves everywhere, but she was fit and strong with muscle rather than fat, so hopefully the men would like her dress and not feel they’d wasted their time and money on her.
What purse to take with her was a big question. Ideally she’d take a tiny evening clutch just big enough for a lipstick, a credit card, and a condom. But reality said with hair like hers she needed a hairbrush, and with men like them a clean pair of panties would be necessary for coming home again. Then there was money, her door key, ID, definitely more than one condom, maybe some perfume, her cell phone…yeah, she needed a full-size purse.
By the time she was ready she was surprised to see it was only five minutes before the men were due to pick her up. Wow. It had been a long time since she’d been on a real date. She’d forgotten how much time and effort went into getting ready to go out.
But nothing was too much effort to prepare for an evening with Oscar and Danny. She couldn’t quite pinpoint why she liked them so much. Oh sure, they were both totally hunkalicious, but it was so much more than that. More than kind and caring, too. Genuine. That was it. They were genuinely interested in people, and genuine about wanting to be involved in their lives and to help others.
In fact, they were both totally wonderful and she was so very ordinary. Oh well, this was just a date. In her mind she might be building it into way more than it really was.
Right then her doorbell rang and her heart beat faster, her palms were suddenly sweaty, and her knees wobbled. “It’s just a date. It may mean nothing at all,” she told herself firmly. But when she opened her door and saw them standing there looking so totally stunning, her panties dampened and her knees wobbled even more. Every woman they met would want to tear her eyes out for being with them. Well, no one else could have them tonight. For tonight, at least, they were hers. Taking a deep breath to reclaim control over her raging hormones, Ambrielle said, “Hi there.”
“Hi yourself.” Danny’s eyes were hot and heavy lidded. I guess that means he likes this dress.
Oscar stepped forward and brushed his lips over her forehead. “You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.”
Suddenly she didn’t know what to do. What was the etiquette here? Should she invite them inside? But she was ready to go and she didn’t want to risk spilling anything on this dress before they even left. “My purse is right here,” she said, stepping over to the coffee table and picking it up. She took her keys off the hook by the door, then moved forward. The two men stepped back in unison as she slammed her door, then they waited while she dropped her keys into her purse.
“Let’s go,” said Oscar, taking one arm.
“Good plan,” said Danny, linking his hand through her other arm.
And right then and there Ambrielle was the happiest woman in the entire world.
* * * *
In the restaurant, while they waited for their meals to be served, Oscar was very conscious that this was a date, a date, and he needed to keep his mind on Ambrielle, not on her breasts, or her ass, and most definitely not on what it would feel like to drive his tormented, aching cock deep into the welcoming heat of her cunt. Would her silken channel be as smooth as the slinky dress she was wearing? Would she be as hot as he felt looking at her? Would—No, he needed to talk politely to her, like a civilized human, not like the rapacious wolf trying to get out of him and claim his woman.
“Tell us about your aunt and the cats,” he said. He’d watched her with the patients these
past two weeks, and she never seemed to treat them as anything other than the people they were. She showed no fear and seemed completely at ease among them. Now was the time to find out how she knew about shape-shifters and why she understood they wouldn’t hurt her.
“My aunt? Oh, you remembered.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say he remembered everything she’d ever said to him, but that was likely inaccurate, so he just nodded.
“My aunt Kitty lived on a farm and one week each summer I went to stay with her. This was when I was a child, you understand.”
Oscar found himself nodding and he grinned. Danny was watching her just as intently as he was, he noticed.
Ambrielle glanced around the room, but they were not seated too close to other people, so she lowered her voice and said, “Aunt Kitty surrounded herself with cats. Friends who were cats. I grew up thinking this was totally normal, although I was quite disappointed when I discovered I was never going to be a cat. But it’s why I recognized Fergus instantly. People never forget the experiences of their childhood.”
“What about your aunt? Was Kitty more than her name?” asked Danny.
“As far as I know she was quite ordinary, but I’ve often wondered if she had a boyfriend or a lover who was a shifter. Little children wouldn’t notice that sort of thing. I was just aware of a crowd of her friends.”
Oscar nodded. That seemed right to him, too.
“Did your parents know about your aunt’s friends?” asked Danny.
Oscar watched as Ambrielle thought before she answered. “I’ve wondered about that over the years. My parents—I don’t know. But I think, perhaps, they did know and wanted me to experience the alternative lifestyle, rather than just telling me. Also, of course, it meant I had a vacation each year.”
“So your family wasn’t concerned about your safety?” asked Oscar. This was getting to the depths of what he needed to know. Ambrielle appeared to have no fear of shape-shifters but there were some people who seemed to believe every stupid horror movie ever made. He supposed they were the ones who wouldn’t ever let their child pat a dog either.
“They trusted Aunt Kitty to look after me. Of course, growing up among shape-shifters as I did is the very best way to break down any barriers of fear between the species. It pains me that shape-shifters aren’t free to live their lives openly in society because of old-fashioned prejudices.”
“Have you got any questions you’d like to ask us?” asked Oscar. He hadn’t ever told her he was a wolf, or even hinted at it, but she was very intelligent and he rather suspected she knew, or guessed, since he was the one who’d established the clinic and worked only with shape-shifter patients. Still, now was not the time to broach that topic. If he was wrong and she was unaware of his heritage he didn’t want to go opening that can of worms as yet.
A slight blush stole across her cheeks. If possible, it made her look more beautiful than ever. His cock leaped inside his black dress pants and he spread his legs a little wider to ease the constriction.
“Tell me about your grandparents who left you the house,” she said.
“They were my father’s parents, Grandma and Grandpa Thorne. We used to visit them every Easter. I loved being outside where I could run around and kick my football without worrying about breaking a window or getting into trouble. Every now and then my uncle and aunt and cousin George would be there, too, but George was a lot younger than me, eight years younger, so by the time he was old enough to come outside and play it was more a case of me watching him to make sure he didn’t get hurt. Then Grandpa got ill and I’d usually help Grandma by doing some yard work while George played. I miss them. They were good people,” said Oscar softly. He did, too. They’d offered him a future that he wanted with every fiber of his being and he was truly grateful for their gift to him. If only he didn’t have a nagging feeling that George wasn’t happy with him anymore. George the small boy had looked up to him and he’d taken his role of protecting the child seriously. He’d like to think that now they were adults they could be true friends, but George had stared at him in such a way that it was almost as if the man hated him. That can’t be right. I must be misremembering.
Their food arrived then, and they talked and laughed. Oscar was consumed with desire for Ambrielle. The more he watched her, the more delightful she was. Every little thing about her turned him on. He could tell Danny felt the same way about her. He and Danny had been friends for such a long time he understood all of Danny’s little gestures and the nuances in his voice. He noticed how she gently teased Danny and how it made all three of them laugh. Danny was the one who told jokes and made the patients laugh, but tonight it was Ambrielle who quietly gave him the forum where he could shine.
Oscar had booked a suite in the hotel. He hadn’t been sure whether or not Ambrielle would agree to go with them. He knew taking her to bed was what he and Danny wanted, but it had to be what Ambrielle wanted as well. Hopefully she’d agree to spend the night with them. She certainly seemed to be enjoying herself and they hadn’t started dancing yet. That was the next thing on their program for tonight.
“Thorne Clinic,” Ambrielle said.
“What?” asked Danny.
“You really need to name your clinic. Why not call it Thorne Clinic after your grandparents.”
“I’ve been meaning to think of a name for it,” said Oscar, remembering that had been one of the many things on his list to do that hadn’t ever gotten done.
“I like it,” said Danny.
“You don’t think it sounds weird because it’s my name, too?” he asked. Oscar looked at Ambrielle, then at Danny.
“If you’re worried about sounding a bit vain you could call it Thorne House Clinic then. Adding the ‘House’ emphasizes it’s your grandparents who are being remembered,” Ambrielle said.
“I like that.” Danny nodded.
“Yes, it’s a much better name. Thorne House Clinic it shall be.”
Oscar wasn’t one hundred percent convinced that was the best name, but he was well aware he had to give his shape-shifter clinic a real name, and he liked the idea of honoring his grandparents, so unless he could think of a better name in the next few days, Thorne House Clinic it would be.
They ordered coffee then Danny stood up. “May I have the first dance?” he asked Ambrielle.
She looked at Danny then at Oscar. Oscar smiled at her. He was happy for Danny to go first. Sharing her was what tonight, and hopefully the future, would be all about. Besides, he loved to watch her. She moved so gracefully, certainly as gracefully as a shape-shifter, her actions flowing one into the other with fluid beauty. In this slinky outfit she was wearing he could see the muscle tone in her arms, and he bet her legs looked just the same. He loved her rounded curves, but liked the idea she had muscles and strength, too. It took a very special woman to keep two men content and he knew Ambrielle would be perfect for him and Danny.
Oscar wondered if she knew they were both Doms. BDSM was not a subject that had ever been raised among the spreadsheets and patient care of their daily lives. He and Danny had planned to only introduce it in the most minor of ways tonight, assuming their dreams came true and she agreed to spend the night with them. Tonight was more about romancing her, showing her they appreciated her as a person and as a potential partner, and getting her to agree to spend personal time together with them in the future.
Then Danny was bringing Ambrielle back to their table. She was smiling and happy and Oscar could only hope gathering her into his arms for his dance with her didn’t cause his cock to explode. He wanted her so badly, needed her so much, but had to keep forcing his mind back on the “this is a just a date” track. He hadn’t asked her for anything more than a date, and it wasn’t yet time to talk about the next step. Right now was for romance, no matter how much his cock wanted it to be about fucking.
“My dance now, please? You aren’t tired yet?” he asked.
Ambrielle’s dark brown eyes were sparkling w
ith happiness. “No, I’m not tired. Of course I’ll dance with you.”
Oh, good. He didn’t think he could wait another minute to hold her in his arms. Where she belonged. She was his. Oscar blinked. Was she really his? Did he really feel that strongly about her? Yes, I do. She’s mine, well, ours. I’ll think about it later. Right now I need to concentrate on making this good for her.
Oscar led Ambrielle back to the dance floor then pulled her gently into his arms. Automatically she rested her head on his shoulder, and his wolf sat up and howled with joy. His cock was standing up and howling, too, but it’d have to wait a while longer. He breathed the scent of her shiny black hair deep into his lungs. Ah, so sweet. Sort of florally and girly but perfect for her.
She fit in his arms perfectly, her body pressed against his as they moved slowly around the dance floor. Oh, how he wanted her. He smoothed his hand down her back and felt her shiver and press closer to his chest. He breathed deeply, enjoying the smell and feel of her. She was so right, so perfect resting against him like this. He had to force his legs to move, because all he wanted to do was stand here holding her, but they were supposed to be dancing. Slowly he rotated them around the dance floor. She made no attempt to speak to him, but she also didn’t try to pull away from him. So he had to guess she was happy like this. He sure as hell was. The only thing that would make him happier was getting her into their bed.
Oscar had no idea how he managed to survive the dance with Ambrielle. On the one hand, it seemed like the longest five minutes of his life, because he wanted to touch her in ways that were sure to get him arrested. On the other hand, it was heaven just holding her in his arms, and he wanted to stay like that forever. Finally the music stopped and he led her carefully back to where Danny was waiting for them. Danny gave him a decisive nod as they approached, so Oscar guessed he’d already called for the bill. Good. Oscar was more than ready to move the evening into the hotel bedroom.