by Jane Jamison
“But he seemed really angry and was kind of barking orders at you.”
They finished getting the sheet on the bed. Stella took the flat sheet and whipped it out, letting Maddie catch the other end. “He gets intense at times, that’s all. And he was right. It’s not my place to tell you about the Lark men or anyone else.”
“So you’re still saying you’re a werewolf? And that your men are werewolves, too?” Not to mention the Lark men. “And that Shawna’s some kind of shape-shifting cat?”
Stella kept her gaze down. “I’ve said all I’m going to say.”
“So you’re not going to show me that you can change into a wolf?” One way or another, she’d push her sister into admitting it was all a ridiculous joke that had gotten out of hand.
After a brief silence, Stella shook her head. “No. My mates don’t think it’s a good idea. It’s not the way it’s done around here. If the Lark men decide you’re their mate, then they should show you.”
“If the Lark men decide I’m their mate? Don’t I have any say in the matter?” Was this the way women were treated in Fate? Like second-class citizens?
“Of course you do. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do or be with anyone you don’t want to be with.” Stella rounded the bed and took her hand.
Maddie glanced down. There she goes again.
“But don’t block yourself off from them. Give them a chance. Sure, they’re a little more aggressive than most, but they’re still great guys.” She smiled and turned Maddie’s hand loose. “I’d be proud to have them as my brothers-in-law.”
“Wouldn’t they be mates-in-law?” It was clear that Mike and her other mates had put a stop to the joke.
“Yeah. I guess it would be.”
“We heard that Maddie’s here.”
The sound of the deep male voice spiraled through Maddie, sending liquid fire between her legs. No voice had ever affected her so intensely. She and Stella hurried to the door of the guestroom.
“It’s Shane Lark,” whispered Stella.
“What’s he doing here? And how’d he know I was here?” Had Shawna or Stella told them? Was she being set up?
“Go and find out.” Stella gave her a slight shove, forcing her into the hallway.
Shit.
She stumbled forward, only stopping once she’d reached the landing. Shane and his brothers looked up from the foyer. Shawna stood next to them, a Cheshire-Cat grin giving her away. She had to have told them. As embarrassed as she was, however, Maddie couldn’t help but get another heated blast from seeing all three men waiting below.
“Hey, there honey-bear.” Shane’s blue eyes sparkled at her.
Hmm, honey-bear. It’s different, but I like it.
“Hi, darlin’,” added Braxton with a broad smile.
“Sweet thang, are you coming down, or should we come up and get you?” Brandon had his foot on the first step before she could think to answer.
“Sure she is. Hi, guys.” Stella’s hand on her back once more had Maddie moving forward. At least this time, her sister didn’t push. “Say something, Maddie.”
What should I say? “Nice to see you?” Or should I say what I’d really like to say? Something like “I just made the bed, but I’d be more than willing to tangle up the sheets with you three.” Yeah, right.
She gave them a little wave then started down the stairs. Having everyone watching her was unnerving, making her feel as though she was back in high school and about to go with her prom date. “Hi. Um, what’s going on?”
As soon as she was down the steps, they surrounded her. Suddenly, Shawna and Stella were nowhere to be found. She had no doubt, however, that they were out of sight but listening in.
Why did they have to stand so close? Their proximity made it difficult to think. Yet, she would’ve been disappointed if they’d stepped back. “Hi.”
Shane leaned even closer and drew in a long, slow breath. “Damn but you smell good.”
“Thanks. I try.”
Brandon chuckled, the rich sound flowing over her ear. More heat sprang to life in her abdomen and quickly spread outward. If ever a man could make a woman come with merely the sound of his voice, Brandon was that man.
A hand slid down her back then trailed along the curve of her butt cheek. “Darlin’, we want you to meet us at the Wolf’s Den later on.”
“Are you asking me or telling me, Braxton?”
Shane laughed, full and throaty, while his brothers grinned. “Just like before. She’s got the heart of a wolf, all right.”
The heart of a wolf. The first time she’d heard the phrase, she hadn’t thought much about it. But now, after Stella’s joke, she had to wonder. Was Stella’s joke not really a joke?
“Be there at nine, darlin’. And don’t keep us waiting.”
“So you are telling me.” She crossed her arms, which was hard to do with them standing so close.
Yeah, they’re tall. Tall and sexy. And, oh, yeah, bossy.
She jerked back a little when Brandon chucked her under her chin, lifting her gaze to his. “We’ll never make you do anything you don’t want to do. But we’re betting you want to meet us. Are we right? Or are we wrong?”
You’re right. Instead, she stared back at him, trying to act more confident than she felt. “I might be there. If I don’t have anything better to do.”
They leaned closer, wiping away her ability to breathe normally. How could any woman take a good breath when the air was filled with so much testosterone? Testosterone that held an edge to it, an edge that made her jumpy in a very good way. If any other men had crowded her the way they were doing, she might’ve been leery, even afraid. But she wasn’t. Not with them. Not when every cell in her body was alive, loving having them so near.
“Be there, honey-bear.” Shane skimmed the backs of his fingers along her arm. “You won’t regret it.”
“Yeah.” Braxton’s shoulder-length hair fell forward as he bent lower, putting his face inches from hers. “We’ll be expecting you. Head on to the backroom where the pool tables are.”
If I wanted, I could lean in and kiss him.
If I wanted.
Lord almighty, how I want to.
“And if I don’t show up?” Was she daring them? Would they answer her challenge the way she wanted them to?
“Then we’ll come and get you.” The tip of Brandon’s tongue peeked out from between his lips.
She dragged in a much-needed breath. A retort formed in her mind, but she couldn’t get it out. Instead, she remained still, a doe caught in the headlights of their amber-filled eyes.
A jerk of Shane’s head and then they were gone, their broad shoulder expanses filling the doorway as they left her behind, alone and wondering what had just happened.
Chapter Five
At least this time when Maddie walked into the Wolf’s Den, everyone didn’t stare at her. Not for long, anyway. Yet, as soon as she’d gotten ten feet inside the place, a couple of men pointed toward the back of the place as though they’d been expecting her. A long hallway led toward another room where light spilled out into the hall.
I guess there’s no keeping a secret in a small town.
She thanked the men with a quick nod then did her best to walk as casually as she could toward the hallway. Krystal waved from behind the bar then pointed her out to another couple of women sitting on stools at the counter.
She heard the men before she was even halfway to the room. Their low, deep voices, resonating in her, boomed out along with the crack of balls striking other balls. Pool wasn’t her game, but she hadn’t come with the intention of winning a game.
Her reasoning for coming was simple enough. She’d get out of the house and let Stella and her men have some privacy. Plus, if she didn’t come, she knew the Lark men would make good on their promise—or had it been a threat?—that they’d come and get her. Not that she hadn’t thought about letting them. Imagining them storming up the front steps of Stella’s
home was an enticing vision. Would one of them have thrown her over his back and carried her away? Or would they have dragged her out of the house by her hair like three sexy cavemen? Usually she wouldn’t have dreamed of allowing any man to treat her that way, but there was something about these three men that had her wishing she could. But then, what would Stella and her men have thought? Would they have come to her rescue, or would they have enjoyed seeing her taken?
“It’s about time you showed up, darlin’.” Braxton’s huge body broke the ray of light coming out of the room as he stood in the doorway.
“I’m right on time.” Although she tried to sound irritated, she couldn’t. How could she when all she wanted to do was smile? That and a whole lot of other things using her mouth.
“Bring her in here,” ordered Brandon.
At once, Braxton took her hand and tugged her into the room. Two pool tables dominated the area, but the Lark men were the only ones playing.
“You look good enough to eat.”
“Thanks, Shane.” She frowned. “I guess.” Oh, who am I kidding? I’d love to give him a taste.
“Are you any good at this game?” he asked.
“If you’re asking if I’m a shark, then the answer’s no. Actually, I’m horrible.” What was the point of lying? They’d find out soon enough.
“Show us.” Brandon chalked up a cue stick and handed it to her as Shane racked up the balls. “Go ahead, sweet thang. Break them.”
At least she knew enough to know what he meant. Getting the cue ball in position, she leaned over the table, lined up her shot, and sent the ball flying—right off the pool table. Heat flamed in her cheeks as their chuckles rolled over her.
Shane held up the ball, having caught it in midair. “I meant break up the balls, honey-bear. Not aim it at my head.”
She thrust out her chin, determined to put on a good front. “Sorry, but I wasn’t aiming for your head.” Pointedly, she let her gaze slide lower.
Braxton’s laughter roared, along with Brandon’s. “Good one, darlin’.”
Her gaze locked on Shane’s crotch, suddenly finding it difficult to look away. Yeah. He’s got a good one, all right.
“Wrong balls, darlin’.”
She jerked her attention upward, straight into Braxton’s dark eyes. “Right.”
“Technically, that’s a scratch, but we’ll let it ride this time. Go ahead and try again.” Braxton leaned on the table, his mouth curved into a sexy smirk.
“Thanks.” Suddenly finding it harder to hold the cue with her suddenly sweaty hands, she stepped around the corner of the table, bent over again, and concentrated on keeping the ball going where it should. The break wasn’t great, but at least she didn’t embarrass herself again. A striped ball fell into a pocket.
“Nice one, honey-bear.”
A hand gliding over the curve of her hip brought her back into a straight position.
“Good shot, sweet thang. That makes you stripes.” The warm breath against her ear, however, weakened her knees and almost sent her crumpling to the floor.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
“I’ll play the first game, and then you two can play next.”
Braxton and Brandon gave small snarls to Shane calling dibs, but backed off.
Snarls. Like wolves?
“I thought one of them would have to play the winner.” She couldn’t remember all the rules, but that one seemed logical.
“Usually, yeah. But not when all three of us want to play with you.”
Play with me.
The way he’d said the word play made her shiver. She could think of all kinds of games she’d like to play with them.
“Go on, darlin’, take your next shot.”
“Am I supposed to say which pocket it goes into?”
“You can, but we’re playing for fun, so do whatever you want. Just stick to the striped balls.”
She nodded then forced her mind back on the game. Her next shot sent another ball flying into a pocket, but the shot after that one bounced off the side and rolled across the table. When she looked up, she was all too aware of them staring at her ass. Once she stood up, their hot gazes shifted to her breasts then, finally, up to her face. Instead of minding it, as she might have with any other men, she felt her pulse pick up speed.
They like what they see.
Which was a good thing since she loved what she saw.
“That’s okay.” Shane chalked up the end up of his stick. “You’ll get better.”
“I hope so.” She stood back from the table. “Right now I suck.”
Brandon’s gaze, so much like Braxton’s, met hers and held it tight. “I’ll bet you do.” He shook his head as though pretending he’d made a mistake. “I meant to say I’ll bet you don’t.”
Shane sent a solid ball rushing across the table and into a pocket. Then one more. Then another. And another.
She narrowed his eyes. “Something tells me I’ve been played.”
“Nope. I never said I wasn’t any good. Just didn’t say I was better than you.” He shrugged. “I’m not great, but I do okay.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you do,” she joked teasingly.
Braxton’s chuckle drifted along the air with Brandon’s low whistle. The corners of Shane’s mouth twitched up.
“Run the table so I can play her,” urged Braxton.
“Nah. You two play.” Brandon wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I’ll keep her company.”
She startled then realized how wonderful his body against hers felt and leaned into him. He was as solid as he looked. Heat rolled off him, warming her. The warmth spread throughout her, going from her back and butt cheeks to whip around to her abdomen. If he’d wanted, he could’ve taken hold of her breasts, and she wouldn’t have minded one damn bit.
Shane shot Braxton a hard look then went to work clearing the table. Maddie didn’t care in the least. Not with Brandon’s strong arms wrapped around her. He bent lower, pressing his lips to the back of her neck.
“You’re trembling.”
“I’m tired is all.” No doubt he could see through her lie.
“Uh-huh. Then I’m glad I’m here to hold you up.”
Me, too.
“Am I holding you too tight?”
“Yeah,” answered Shane in between shots. “Way too tight.”
“You bet your ass you are,” added a frowning Braxton.
“I’m asking Maddie, you jerks.”
She answered with the truth before even thinking. “No.” Not tight enough.
“Good, because I’m not going to turn you free.”
“Are we playing pool or what?” Shane’s tone was close to a growl.
“You’re running the table. I’m just keeping her company while you do.”
Shane returned to shooting with a vengeance, sending balls flying toward the pockets. He cleared the table in quick time then tossed his cue stick on top. “Screw pool.”
Shane and Braxton stalked toward her like predators out to run down their prey. Brandon turned her around, took her stick, and tossed it aside.
They surrounded her, their bodies tense, their amber-flecked gazes traveling up and down her. She tensed, but in a good way, the way a woman does when a sexy man is close by. Wonders of all, she had three sexy men close by.
Brandon took her by the hips and jerked her against him. “We can take this slower, but we don’t want to. We’re not the kind of men who beat around the bush.”
She swallowed and tried to regain her composure. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“We’re talking about you, darlin’.” Braxton skimmed his palm down her arm then back up, setting her nerve endings on fire.
“Me? How?” She counted herself lucky to be speaking at all. Forget more than one-word sentences.
“Come one, sweet thang.” Brandon brushed her hair back, his fingertips playing along the curve of her ear. “You’ve got to know what we’re getting at.”
“I’m not sure.” Even if she had been, she wouldn’t want to say it out loud. Hearing it from them would be better.
“Fuck this pussy-footin’ around.” Shane cupped her roughly behind the neck and tugged her toward him. His breath washed over her lips as he put his mouth mere inches from hers. “We want you, Maddie Connor. Now.”
She swallowed again, harder. “What?”
He smiled. “You want us to say it again, don’t you? Fine. I will. We want you to be our mate.” Shane spoke softly, yet the urgency speared her, sending the heat between her legs into overdrive.
“I don’t understand.” Spell it out for me.
“We want you as our woman. Our mate. Call it being our wife or whatever other term you want to use. We don’t give a fuck. As long as you’re ours, that’s all that matters.”
“But why? We just met.”
They moved in even closer, their huge bodies vying to be the closest one to hers. To get any closer, they’d have to crawl on top of her.
Go on. Crawl on top of me.
“Yeah, maybe, but that’s the way it sometimes happens,” added Braxton.
“We know what we want, and you’re it,” said Brandon.
“This is crazy,” she whispered. But it was crazy sexy.
“We want you to be our woman for the rest of our lives.”
She studied Shane’s eyes and saw the amber flecks. She was certain they hadn’t been there earlier. Her sister’s words came back to tighten her chest. “Look at the eyes, Maddie.”
Could her sister have been telling her the truth? Were these men really werewolves? She almost laughed out loud. The idea was ridiculous. And yet, their eyes were filled with bits of amber.
“You’re attracted to us.” Shane’s eyes grew brighter, more amber-filled.
“Are you asking me or telling me?”
“Just answer the question, honey-bear.”
She bit her lip. Should she answer truthfully? A smart woman would get the hell out of there. After all, getting trapped in the back room with three men could be dangerous. Although she wasn’t sure what kind of dangerous it could be. Maybe even the good kind.
She blew out a breath. “I am.”
“And we think you’re hotter than the sun,” added Braxton. “In fact, we want to take you right now.”