My Romantic Tangle

by Shelley Munro

  “I’m thinking more of a partnership. It would work both ways, Jake. I help out on the farm and you help me get the last of the bugs out of my game.”

  “A partnership, huh?” The indignation seeped from Jake. “The farm does need a cash injection. I had to use all my savings and borrow more to pay off my parents. It will be profitable in the future, but right now I’m struggling to stay afloat.”

  “My game will be a winner once I get the final kinks worked out. Jake, we can do this together.”

  Jake nodded, more confident now. “What about Ambar?”

  “She belongs with us, but something is still worrying her. We have time. Neither of us is going anywhere. What we do is court her. Let her take things at her pace. We need to show her we trust her and need her in our lives.” Hari gestured at the livid mark on his upper shoulder near his neck. “This mark proves she wants this, but she’s dragging her heels because she’s frightened.”

  “Probably worried about losing her independence,” Jake said. “When we first started going out together, she said she didn’t want anything permanent. She wasn’t interested in a relationship. From what she’s told me about her parents, she didn’t have much freedom while growing up.”

  “That’s what I think too,” Hari said. “I’ve tried to reassure her, but she’s not thinking things through. She’s clutching her gut reaction and running with it.”

  “So we give her space and woo her. I hope that means seduction because there’s nothing better than fucking Ambar, except when it’s the three of us together.” The color in Jake’s cheeks deepened, the show of embarrassment making Hari smile. The man looked damn cute despite his clear masculinity.

  “Let’s worry about Ambar tomorrow.”

  Jake nodded, skimming his fingers across the mark again. Now that Jake had licked it, the bleeding had stopped. It felt tender and so sensitive to touch.

  Hari groaned as Jake carefully licked it again, his cock growing so hard he thought he might burst. “Now,” he said.

  “Have you ever done this before?”

  “Nope, I told you that before. There’s a first time for everything,” Hari said.

  “We’ll go slow. I want you to like this.” Jake grabbed the bottle he’d discarded and flipped the lid open, squeezing lube onto his fingers. “Probably on your hands and knees is best first.”

  A hard shudder went through Hari at the idea of Jake covering him from behind. The thought of Jake taking him, pushing inside and filling him made Hari’s pulse race. Another tremble sped the length of his body. “I want you so bad.” He laughed as he arranged himself in the middle of the mattress. “I never thought I’d say that about another man.”

  “Me neither.” Jake skimmed his hands over the cheeks of his butt, stroking and massaging Hari’s flesh until he parted it. He blew a stream of warm air across his hole before stroking the nerve-rich area.

  Despite the new experience, not a shred of fear hit Hari. Instead anticipation danced across his skin, his new mark throbbing in time with each brush of Jake’s fingers. The first finger felt a bit weird, a streak of pain taking him unawares. Balancing on one hand, he pressed a finger against his mark and a tide of pleasure replaced the nagging ache at his entrance.

  “Does that hurt?”

  “A little.” Hari didn’t intend to lie because this wasn’t feeling like his idea of pleasure.

  “Do you want me to stop? Ambar says it gets better as long as I go slow.”

  “No, keep going. I think.”

  Jake smiled as he added another finger, slippery with lube, and scissored them, gently stretching Hari. He pushed deeper and brushed a sensitive spot.

  Hari let out a low moan at the zap of unexpected pleasure, the charge streaking from his balls and down his cock. It almost felt as good as when Jake sucked on his mark. “Hell.” His breath hissed out. “Didn’t expect that.”

  “I told you it would get better.” Jake continued his slow, careful preparation, occasionally pegging Hari’s sweet spot. When he finally removed his fingers, Hari felt empty and needy.

  Jake reached for the lube and rubbed some along his length.

  Hari laughed suddenly, looking over his shoulder at his lover. “I don’t know why, but I’m nervous.”

  “A tiger like you?”

  “Don’t start on kitty jokes. I’ve heard them all from my family and cousins.”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” Jake said, and his tone told Hari the opposite. The knowledge warmed Hari’s heart. Jake wasn’t frightened or nervous despite Hari’s obvious strength. Not that he would ever use his strength against Jake. That wasn’t his way.

  A hand stroked his back, a fleeting slide of skin against skin then he felt nothing. Hari’s breath caught, anticipation warring with worry. He wanted this, wanted Jake, but he’d never considered being in this position.

  “Stop thinking so hard.” Jake nipped him on the arse to emphasize the order.

  “I’m not.”

  “I can hear you,” Jake said with a catlike growl that made Hari smile. Before Hari could reply, he felt pressure, a sliver of pain then Jake’s fingers curled around his shoulder and stroked over the mark Ambar had left. Erotic promise twisted in him, his nostrils flaring and drawing in their combined scents. Jake pushed deeper, invading his body while caressing Hari’s mark over and over. It seemed the man learned quickly when it came to pleasure.

  “How does that feel?” Jake asked.

  “Different.”

  Jake chuckled, his warm breath blowing across Hari’s neck. “I’ll see if I can make things better for you.” Invading and retreating, he set up an easy rhythm, taking his cue from Hari’s body. Hari’s ribs expanded with an inhalation, his breath hitching when Jake angled his next stroke a little differently. The air hissed from his lungs, his balls lifting. He clenched his butt muscles as fire exploded in his groin, a cry of pleasure surging from his throat. Damn, Jake was good. Every stroke touched the sensitive spots in him, a mixture of pleasure and pain combining to make something spectacular.

  “Jake,” he whispered, not sure exactly what he was asking for, but wanting it all the same.

  “Want more?” Jake’s hips snapped into a rapid surge and retreat. His hand left Hari’s mark to curl around his cock instead. Hard pressure both inside and out. Hari groaned, lost in the swirl of pleasure. Heat flushed his skin, swelled his cock and squeezed his balls. He sucked in air, gasping, on overload.

  The uneven pumping of Hari’s heart almost drowned out the purring sound of approval that came from Jake. Hari wanted to smile, but Jake’s next stroke slid across his sweet spot, and orgasm consumed him. A line of semen caught him on the chest, his channel clamping down on Jake’s cock. Another spurt shot from his cock, his body shuddering, clenching as the tension in him snapped. He trembled while Jake took his pleasure, the strokes across his gland overburdening nerves already strung tight. Damn, Jake loving him felt good, and he wanted to do it again. Soon.

  Jake stilled, curling over Hari’s body, their skin sliding together in a sweaty kiss. Jake nuzzled at his neck, kissing a trail to Hari’s mark. A hungry noise escaped Hari and Jake laughed.

  “That good, huh?”

  “Better,” Hari said, and it was nothing less than the truth.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ambar didn’t remember much of the drive home. All she knew was the driving need to flee, panic nipping her heels.

  She’d done it this time.

  She’d marked Hari.

  Marked him.

  God, how could she have been so stupid?

  Ambar let herself into the house and rushed down the passage to her bedroom, an ache stopping up her throat. In the living room, she heard the muted sound of voices and saw the faint glow of light under the closed door. Rohan and Kiran would have heard her come inside, smelled her familiar scent. Usually she joined them, but not tonight when her emotions seesawed back and forth.

  She’d marked Hari.

  How had everyth
ing gone so wrong?

  Shaking her head did nothing to shift the frenzied thoughts, the panic and fear. She’d attacked his neck, biting down. Her feline had taken over, instinct driving her to claim what she considered hers.

  Hers.

  Ambar sank onto her bed, her legs shaking so violently they wouldn’t hold her any longer. If she’d stayed a moment longer, she would’ve bitten Jake too.

  The knowledge brought tears to her eyes. She’d fought so hard to keep her freedom. If she gave in now and moved in with Jake and Hari, she’d lose herself. She’d become a wife, a mother.

  A bitter laugh escaped. If she lived with and fucked two men all the time, it wouldn’t take long to fall pregnant, and once children came she really would be trapped. Her dreams of travel and exploration would haunt her for the rest of her life. She’d end up miserable and so would everyone else.

  A shiver racked her body at the thought. Suddenly freezing, Ambar kicked off her shoes, yanked back the covers and crawled under fully clothed. She closed her eyes, but sleep eluded her. Instead, she castigated herself, appalled at her lack of restraint. She thought of Hari and her stomach hurt. When she added Jake to the picture, tears squeezed from between her eyelids.

  It was a long night.

  At six the next morning, she dragged herself out of bed. Not even a shower shifted her sluggishness. It certainly did nothing to wash away the guilt rippling inside her in tsunami-type waves. At least Jake and Hari would have each other.

  She couldn’t commit herself to a permanent relationship. The last thing she wanted to do was end up like her mother, dependent on Hari and Jake for everything.

  Ambar shuffled into the kitchen. She thought of the other Middlemarch women and how they seemed so happy. Like her mother, they didn’t leave their mates, remaining at their sides. Ambar checked the time again and picked up the phone. She was so confused. Maybe Isabella could help her or at least talk her down from the panic threatening to overpower her.

  Five minutes later, she was on her way to Storm in a Teacup since Isabella and Tomasine Mitchell were opening for breakfast. Ambar tapped on the rear door and Isabella—an attractive blonde with blue-violet eyes—let her inside.

  “Hi, Ambar.” Tomasine waved one floury hand, busy rolling pastry. Tomasine—a petite black leopard shifter—was mated to Felix Mitchell while Isabella and Leo, the third Mitchell brother, were mates.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but if I don’t talk to someone I’m going to burst,” Ambar said to both women.

  “No problem.” Isabella grinned, managing to look feminine yet strong and sexy at the same time. Ambar had heard rumors about Isabella being an assassin. She found them difficult to believe, although she knew Isabella helped Charlie and Laura at times with police work. “You’re going to help me set up this morning. I figure the least I can do is listen.”

  Ambar accepted a basket of jam and breakfast spreads and followed Isabella in to the dining area.

  Isabella started setting the tables, ready for opening in half an hour. Ambar followed, working on automatic pilot as she set out the condiments. “I marked Hari last night.”

  “Hari? The guy I’ve seen with Jake?”

  “Yeah.” Tears stung at Ambar’s eyes but she refused to let them fall. “I don’t want a mate. I want to travel and do some of the things I’ve always dreamed about.”

  “Hmmm. Did he bite you back?”

  Ambar sniffed. “No, I didn’t give him a chance. I left Jake and Hari and went home.”

  Isabella issued a small choked sound, and Ambar frowned at her. “Sorry,” Isabella said. “But two of them? You don’t do things by halves, do you?”

  “I don’t want either of them,” Ambar said, a twist of anguish grabbing her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe through the lie. “I feel as if my foot is caught in a trap.”

  “Leo marked me early in our relationship before he really knew me,” Isabella said. “I know he was worried about it, but everything turned out all right. Sometimes all we need is a chance to get used to the changes.” She moved to the next table and Ambar followed her. “Sometimes hormones and our shifters propel us forward before the trust builds. Hari hasn’t been in Middlemarch for long.”

  “No, it’s all happened at speed.” Hari had stormed over her and Jake like an unexpected tornado, taking them both unawares.

  “I’m sure Jake and Hari feel just as stunned by the suddenness of your relationship as you do.”

  “But they’re not trapped,” Ambar said.

  “Why? Why aren’t they committed to you as much as you are to them?”

  Isabella’s question made her stop to think. In a way, they were forced into being with her, especially Hari now that she’d marked him. “But I’m the one who will have to give up my dreams.”

  “Why? How do you know if you haven’t discussed your dreams with your men?”

  Her men. A shudder hit her on hearing Isabella’s casual reference. “How did you know I haven’t said anything to them?”

  Isabella laughed. “I know what it’s like at the start. You can’t get enough of each other. I expect it’s even more difficult with three of you in the relationship. Talking gets pushed aside in favor of sex.”

  A startled laugh escaped Ambar. Well, that was true. The second she saw either Jake or Hari she wanted them physically. When she was with both of them at the same time, it was impossible to think with clarity. “So what do I do?”

  Isabella finished setting the last table and turned to Ambar. “If it were me, I’d think about taking some time out. Why don’t you pick one of the things you’ve always wanted to do and go for it?”

  “You’re saying I should walk away?”

  “No, I’m suggesting you take some time away from your two men and think about what you really want. Is there a place you’d like to visit for a week? Time away from Middlemarch will help you see things more clearly. At the very least you’ll find out if you actually miss Jake and Hari.”

  “You’re telling me to keep running.”

  “But if you intend to return in a week it’s hardly running.” Isabella winked at her. “If you leave and never come back, that would qualify as running. Leaving Hari marked and alone would qualify as running. Think about things. Maybe make a list of pros and cons, and when you come back to Middlemarch, go and see your men and tell them what you want to do.”

  “I like the idea, but I can’t leave Rohan alone with the store. We’ve been busy lately.”

  “That’s no problem. Tell Rohan to give me a call.” Isabella headed back to the kitchen, and Ambar followed. “I think I have a way to get Emily back at work again,” she said to Tomasine. “Ambar needs to go away for a week, but doesn’t want to leave Rohan short-handed at the store. I said I’d help.”

  “Ooh, sneaky,” Tomasine said with approval. “No matter how bad she’s feeling Emily would never turn her back on someone needing help.” She turned to Ambar. “We thought Emily was doing well, coming to the café for a few hours each day, but suddenly she did a U-turn and tells everyone she is heading to Storm in a Teacup but she goes off to spend time on her own. It’s not healthy.”

  “I don’t know. Rohan might not—”

  Tomasine waved a hand, dismissing Ambar’s protest. “You’d be doing us a favor.”

  “Exactly,” Isabella said, beaming at Ambar. “You have to go now.”

  Since they were ready to open for breakfast, Ambar left and drove back to her home, deep in thought. What Isabella said made a lot of sense. She wandered into the kitchen.

  “What’s wrong? You look like something the cat dragged in.” Kiran stood, grabbed a mug and poured her a coffee, fixing it the way she liked. He shunted the mug across the counter. “Sit. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I marked Hari.”

  A smile blazed across Kiran’s face. “Congratulations.”

  Ambar yanked out a chair and collapsed on it. “You don’t understand. I didn’t mean to do it.”

/>   Kiran frowned, and she could tell he didn’t comprehend her misery. She’d have to explain. Heck, maybe talking about her problems again would help her come to a final decision. Sometimes talking with Kiran was easier than communicating with her brother.

  “I don’t want a mate.” Jake’s image popped into her mind. “Mates,” she corrected automatically. That instant correction made her stomach jump with nerves. She really did want them both. Crap.

  “So you ran away again.”

  The trace of disappointment in his voice made her defensive. “It’s not like that.”

  Kiran took a seat opposite her. “Explain it to me.”

  “I’m frightened I’ll lose my independence and end up like my mother with nothing. Hari and Jake will become my world, and I’ll never have a chance to do all the things I’ve dreamed about—the things on my bucket list.” Ambar swallowed. “I want to travel. See the world. I want to go to concerts and to the movies. Eat different food. Run as a tiger in India. Africa. I want to taste what freedom is really like.”

  “Have you told Hari and Jake that?”

  “You don’t understand.” She threw up her hands. “How could you? They’ll expect me to have children, to stay at home and make a home for them.”

  “How do you know if you haven’t talked to them?”

  “It’s just the way it is, the way my parents and their friends did things.”

  “The Mitchells aren’t like that.”

  “They are. They never leave Middlemarch.” But Isabella’s words echoed through her mind. The mating trapped the men just as much as the women. Guilt filled her because she’d marked Hari. Lord, what had she done?

  “None of the women seem unhappy,” Kiran said. “Why don’t you ask them?”

  “I did. I talked with Isabella this morning.”

  “And?” Kiran waited before speaking again. “I know one thing—you can’t keep running away. It’s childish. If you want us to treat you as an adult you have to act like one.”

  Ambar raised her chin to glare at him even as she acknowledged he spoke the truth. Her behavior had been infantile recently, and she was better than that.