Courted: A Paranormal Romance (Midnight Huntress Book 2) Read online

  Something tells me that if the little wolf ever decides to make a move, it’s definitely going to be explosive.

  “If mortal men are too stupid to see how gorgeous you are, I’m more than happy to bring you over to the supernatural side.” I grin. “Although, if you’ve already had a taste, maybe it’s more about just keeping you here.”

  She shakes her head as her lips curve up into a smile. “All of you have definitely opened my eyes to a world I never imagined could actually exist. That I could be a part of.” She rolls over, and then scoots up against me, so that her ass is flush with my hips and her head rests just under my chin, propped up on my bicep like it’s a pillow. “What’s with you and Gage? What’s got the two of you always at each other’s throats?”

  “It’s a long story, but it comes down to who we are, fundamentally, at the core. He’s rigid, by the book, all law and order. Who my parents tried to raise me to be. They wanted so badly for me to be the dutiful son, the one who would follow my father’s pawprints.” I shake my head. “They kicked me out of the house when I was sixteen when they found a guy in my bed. I think they were more pissed that he was mortal than they were that he was a guy.”

  She lets out a breath that’s almost a laugh. “A guy, huh? And here I thought you were trying to get in my pants.”

  “Who says I’m not? I already know you look good in my shirt.” I slide my hands just under the hem of the shirt, to touch bare skin. “Life’s too short to live it in a box. Even when you’ve got centuries, like we do, I don’t see why I should limit myself to ‘or’ when ‘and’ is an option.” I gently kiss along her neck, not really trying to start something, but curious to see how far she’ll let me go. “Like I said before, the mortal construct of one man, one woman, doesn’t work for me.”

  “You don’t think you’ll ever find ‘the one’?” She looks over her shoulder at me.

  I shrug and pull her in closer. “My bear still believes in the concept of fated mates, the one person who will make us complete, who we’d give all our loyalty, all our love to. One just seems like too arbitrary a number for me. Why not two? Five? Why, when we’re capable of living for hundreds of years, of loving more than one person at a time, when there’s so much world to explore, so much life to be lived, should such a limited, finite thing be forced on us?”

  She brings one of my hands up to her mouth and kisses along the soft spot connecting my thumb to the back of my hand. “I don’t know. It would be kind of nice, knowing there’s someone out there, destined to be yours. Someone who would love you, even when you’re a stubborn bitch, or when you go against the pragmatic thing and run into the unknown, guns blazing.”

  “You don’t think you’ve already found that?” I don’t know much about her relationship with the wolf, but it certainly sounds like the kind of thing she’s describing.

  “With Gage?” She laughs. “You said it yourself. He’s by the book. He thinks it’s okay to send strangers into my space, into my office, to clean it.”

  The way she emphasizes office is interesting, like she thinks of it more like most people do their homes, than wherever she actually lives.

  “It was by the book, I’m sure. The S.E.A. cleaners are efficient, and some say they’ve got people on staff who can look into the past, so that they can set it exactly as it was before. I’ve always thought they were a little creepy, but they do their jobs well.” I gently skim my fingertips over her belly, enjoying just having soft touches with her. “Even though I’m sure it feels like an invasion of privacy, I doubt he meant anything by it.”

  “Yeah, well, he just better think before he tries to call them again.” She yawns, and her head feels a little heavier, like she’d been trying to keep its weight off me.

  “You should try to get some sleep. Don’t let all this weigh you down. You’re safe here, with three giant shifters who would rip any intruder limb from limb. And if that doesn’t cut it, there’s a few throwing knives in the nightstand.” I kiss her cheek and pull my hand out from under her shirt, trying to keep some semblance of decency.

  Even as my bear demands we try for more.

  “You’ll stay in bed with me? Maybe even…” She trails off, like she doesn’t want to ask it.

  “I’m not letting you out of my arms for anything.” As if to prove my point, I tangle our legs together and slide my hand back under her shirt.

  I’ve never been that much of a fan of decency anyway.

  Ryanne tosses and turns in my arms, growing sweaty as she makes small moans and grunts.

  My eyes shoot open as her fingernails dig into my forearm, gripping hard as she cries out, “No!”

  Tyler’s in the room almost as fast as I can process what’s going on, and he kneels by the side of the bed, his hands coming up to cup the sides of her face. “Shh, Ry, it’s okay. You’re safe. It’s just a dream.”

  He keeps murmuring things like this, giving her soft words and touches.

  I keep my arms wrapped around her, holding her against me, as she slowly calms down.

  “What’s going on?” Gage stumbles in, his hair a mess, wearing about as much as I am.

  Tyler barely glances over. “She gets nightmares sometimes. She’s seen some shit.”

  My mind immediately starts to think about different tinctures, different teas and potions that could help her sleep more evenly, that could help her brain subdue the monsters she fights in her sleep.

  But I push those thoughts aside. I wouldn’t try to force something on her that she didn’t want. I’ve already heard how well that went over with Gage and the cleaners. I’m not going to add more magic to the mix unless she asks for it.

  Finally, she blinks her eyes open, looking around at all three of us.

  “Oh, God. What did I do?” Her cheeks flush as she sits up and tries to smooth down her hair.

  “It was just a nightmare, Ry. No big deal.” Tyler sits on the bed next to her and I let him pull her away from me, into his arms. “It’s over now.”

  She sighs as she leans her head on his shoulder. “Will you stay in here with me?”

  I immediately go to move out of the bed, to give them space, but her hand clamps down on my thigh, subtly pinning me here.

  “Anything you want, Ry.” He kisses her forehead and smiles softly.

  The wolf is so in love with her, I don’t know how they both don’t see it. How they can stand the intensity crackling between the two of them. Blind as fuck.

  “Gage?” She looks over at him, biting her lip. “Will you stay too?”

  He immediately nods, which surprises me. Maybe he’s not as by the book as I thought.

  Or maybe, like I am, he’s drawn to her, and wants to be near her.

  My bear grumbles low in my gut, reminding me that he’s still a firm believer in fate. And he’s clearly got his sights set on Ryanne.

  But I’d be willing to bet Tyler and Gage feel the same way.

  I’m down to share, but I don’t know how well our animals would play together. Not if claiming is an option.

  Ryanne lays down again, nestled against me, and Tyler takes her other side, one hand on her hip as he gets comfortable.

  Gage paces a minute before he grudgingly climbs onto the bed on the other side of Tyler.

  I can’t help but notice how far out of his way he goes to not touch the wolf.

  As she snuggles in against me, I hear her whisper to Tyler, “Thank you for coming for me.”

  He smiles as she leans in and kisses his cheek.

  “I’m always here for you, Ry. You know that.”

  As we all try to get back to sleep, even with the morning sun starting to peek through the blinds, I can’t help but wonder if fate’s on my side in this, and maybe, at least this once, fated mate means more than one.

  Not that I’m going to bring that up to any of them any time soon.

  I wake to the smell of bacon.

  And the feel of a soft, full ass pressed firmly against my dick.

 
; Fuck, Ryanne feels good in my arms, like her body was made to be pressed against mine.

  It’s almost enough to make me move my hands higher under her shirt, until they’re cupping her breasts, teasing her nipples, making her writhe against me.

  If I didn’t think the wolf on her other side would freak out if I started something while he’s in bed with me, I’d be tempted.

  But as it is, Tyler doesn’t want to even admit he’s got the hots for Ryanne. And I’m still working on getting the demigoddess to admit she wants more than one of us.

  Maybe even all of us.

  So, instead of starting something, I kiss her cheek and whisper, “Time to get up, gorgeous goddess.”

  Ryanne wriggles her hips against me as she stretches, waking up way too slowly for my cock’s liking.

  I bite back a groan as I try to pull my hips back away from her tempting ass.

  But the little vixen just moves right along with me.

  I whisper as softly as I can, “Ryanne, we’re not alone.” I don’t want her to get embarrassed—I’d put on a show for Tyler if I thought he’d be okay with it. Hell, I’d invite Gage in here too to watch me fuck her.

  If I thought they’d be okay with it.

  She slowly rolls over, sleep still heavy in her eyes, as she bites her lip and looks up at me. “Sorry. I didn’t realize what I was doing.”

  I lean in and kiss her slow and soft, my lips just barely dancing over hers, before I pull back and smile. “When we have the bed to ourselves.” I kiss the tip of her nose.

  Ryanne blushes, but this time it’s not from embarrassment. I can smell her arousal on the air, and at least this one time, I know it’s for me.

  “I should head to the bathroom. Make myself presentable for breakfast. It smells like Gage has already started cooking.” Extricating myself from her arms, from the warm soft cocoon of the bed, is like torture, and I resolve to get her back here soon, when it’s just me and her, so that none of the other shifters in her life interfere.

  She watches me walk to the bathroom, and I can’t help but puff out my chest proudly at how much time she spends with her eyes on the front of my boxer briefs.

  I turn on the shower so that she doesn’t have to hear what I need to do to get rid of my erection. This isn’t just blood flow, morning wood that could be taken care of by a blast of cool air outside of the bed and an early piss.

  This is all about her, and I’m not going to soften until I get some relief.

  As I take my dick into my hand, all I’m picturing is her.

  It doesn’t take me long at all to climax, and as I do, I bite my lip to keep from roaring out her name.

  The room is empty when I come out of the bathroom, the king-sized bed a tangle of sheets and blankets. I can hear laughter from the kitchen—a strange sound in my house—and I follow it to find Ryanne sitting on the counter, eating a piece of bacon with a huge grin on her face.

  Gage is busy plating up the works for breakfast—eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and it looks like he even dug out an old waffle maker I don’t remember owning.

  “Did you invite the entire S.E.A. to breakfast?”

  Gage smirks as he sets another platter on the table. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? All your old friends.”

  Ryanne’s foot comes out and smacks him on the ass so quick, I think we’re all surprised.

  “No starting shit this early. I need coffee and more food before you three start bickering again.” She hops off the counter and settles at the table. “And even then, I kind of feel like you can just shove it. We have bigger problems coming down the pike without you all acting like children.”

  “I’ll have you know I’m—” Ryanne’s hand comes up over Gage’s mouth before he can finish the sentence.

  “Nope. I get that you all can live for centuries, and that you probably stay young and hot for a long time, but I don’t want to think about it. I don’t need to know if you were alive during the Civil War or whatever.”

  He holds up his hands in surrender before she uncovers his mouth. “I’m not a child, is all I’m saying.”

  “Then quit acting like one.” She smirks as she grabs a pancake and rolls it up to start eating it, just the way it is.

  I sit at the table and start dishing up a plate for myself, surprised that she was able to quell Gage’s holier-than-thou attitude so easily.

  I’m thinking Ryanne should be around to intervene every time Gage and I have to interact.

  We all settle at the table, and it almost feels like we’ve done this for years. Passing plates back and forth, bantering and laughing as we eat.

  Exactly like none of the family meals I ever had growing up.

  Even Gage seems to be in better spirits today, joking with Tyler, stealing berries off Ryanne’s plate.

  I don’t know how long this tenuous peace can last between us, but for now, I’m grateful.

  By the time we’re almost done with breakfast, we all seem to be in good moods.

  Until Ryanne says, “I’m going back to my place today.”

  It’s Complicated

  RYANNE

  The silence in the kitchen is deafening.

  It’s not like I expected any of them to take it particularly well, but I didn’t expect such a sharp turn from the jovial mood into these dour expressions. Maybe I should’ve held off just a little longer. It was nice having a pleasant meal with them.

  “No way.” Gage scowls as he pushes back from the table and starts to pace, mimicking the jungle cat I know is just under the surface.

  “Now, wait. She can’t just stop living her life. She won’t be alone. I’ll be there, any time she needs me.” Tyler reaches over and squeezes my knee.

  “Because you’ve been so good for her up to now, kid?” Gage snarls.

  “First of all, I’m in the room, so you guys can quit talking about me like I’m not here. Second, it’s my decision. It’s my life. If I want to go back to St. Cloud and find Eranear and let him use me as his sex puppet for the week, it’s none of your business. None of you.” I get up, crossing my arms over my chest as I try to exude more presence than I naturally have—especially around these three. “I’m going. You guys want to stick close by and keep an eye on me, I can’t stop you. But I’m going to live my life.”

  Brandis just leans back in his chair and shakes his head at me. “I think you should stay, but not for the reasons these guys could come up with. You’re new to your abilities. We don’t even know the extent of what you can do. What better place to test it out than in the woods, away from town, away from mortals who might get caught in the crossfire?” He smirks. “I have excellent wi-fi, so your techno-wolf can bring up his laptop and do research from here, while Gage and I test your limits. Find out where your strengths lie, and maybe get a feel for which god you might be descended from. Or even which pantheon.”

  Gage wheels around in his pacing, and for a second, I’m sure he’s going to pounce on Brandis and the entire idea.

  Instead, he swallows hard and grunts, “That’s not a bad idea.”

  Great. The men are ganging up on me.

  I have no doubt they could, in fact, keep me here if they wanted to. That just conjures images in my head of being tied up in Brandis’s bed, and I really don’t need to be any more aroused than I already was this morning when I woke up.

  “Fine. But I’m still going into town, so that I can get clothes, maybe even something to wear to bed that doesn’t mash my girls down and ride up high enough for everyone to tell whether or not there’s lace on my panties.” The compromise isn’t a bad one. I’ve gotten enough smaller bounties this month that bills should be covered without much worry. I should figure out what I’m made of.

  What the men are too. Even in the couple of times I’ve gotten to see Gage and Tyler shifted, ready for a fight, there’s been too much going on to really understand the extent of their power.

  I want to learn as much as I can, and this way, at least they won’t b
e at each other’s throats.

  As much.

  “It’s settled then. I’ll drive Ryanne back to her apartment, we’ll get what we need to stay up here, and come back before dark.” Tyler smirks. “I’ll even bring dinner.”

  Gage’s lip curls up, but he doesn’t argue any more.

  I have a feeling he and I are going to have to have a serious conversation before the day is done.

  I’m not used to having one guy show major interest in me, let alone two, and I’ve never had to really explain my friendship with Tyler. But with the tension in the room, and last night before bed, I know that I probably owe it to Gage to stop treating him like a one-night stand that won’t go away and give him a real indication of where we stand.

  If I can figure that out for myself first.

  Brandis smirks. “Should I figure out some extra space in my room for all of us to sleep together every night, or are we going to be spacing out a little more going forward?” He looks specifically at Gage as he says, “I think I have an air mattress somewhere I could set up on the floor.”

  I bite my lip, knowing that no matter what choice is made, someone’s probably going to have to compromise on it.

  I didn’t really expect Gage to climb onto the bed last night either.

  “I think at least one of us should be in with Ryanne every night.” Tyler looks over at me. “I don’t like that you’re having nightmares, Ry.”

  I shrug. “Some nights are better than others. I’m sure last night was just compounded by the added stress of being attacked.” I don’t like making a big deal of my bad dreams, especially when there’s nothing to be done about them. Even knowing that the monsters who hurt me won’t be doing it again doesn’t keep the memories at bay when I’m asleep. “But I don’t mind sharing the bed.”

  Amusement dances in Brandis’s eyes. “I’ll find the air mattress, just in case.”

  Gage rolls his eyes as he strides toward the front door. “I need to check in with the agency.”