“And does this pay the bills? Are you with PETA?” Rick crammed a huge bite into his mouth, then grabbed a steak off the platter and dropped it on the ground at his feet. She heard the sound of Rebel chowing down.
She wished she worked for PETA. That was her dream job. “Not exactly. My day job is at a bank, but on the weekends I work for an organization called Animals for Humans. We provide service dogs to people with disabilities. Researching possible animal cruelty is what I do in my free time.”
Half expecting a joke, she was surprised and more than a little pleased when both men put down their food and gave her appraising looks.
“That’s great,” offered a sincere Rick.
“It figures.” Gunner hurried on at the sight of her lifted eyebrows. “I mean, you obviously care a lot about animals, everything from dogs to cows. I’ll bet you’re very good at your job. All your jobs.”
“She is.” Kid’s words were muffled as he chewed. “She’s got a way with animals and people. And a kind heart.”
“I get that.”
She shivered, loving the way Gunner smiled at her. “So how long have you two lived on the ranch?”
“All our lives.” Rick took a swig of his beer. “Our family’s owned the land for some time.”
She had to ask. Had wanted to ask since she’d first met them. “For a long time, huh? So your father or grandfather named the ranch? I kind of figured you two named it. You know. After your porn addiction.”
Gunner choked on the last bite he’d taken. Laughing, Rick thumped him on the back. “I hate to disappoint you, but the name comes from the fact that our ancestor, the one who first laid claim to the land was illiterate. He wrote his name by making three Xs on the paper.”
She felt the warmth of embarrassment form a ring of heat around her neck. “Oh. That makes sense.”
Gunner cleared his throat and downed a long drink. “I like your reasoning better. Maybe that’s the story we’ll use from now on.” His gaze jumped to Kid and back. “Although you could help us make the Triple X Ranch a real triple x place.”
She was the one to almost choke on a slice of zucchini. Was that a proposition? She found herself hoping that it was.
Suddenly, she could picture them standing over her, their shirts off and their jeans unzipped. Their cocks would thrust straight out at her, prompting her to take one in her hand and the other in her mouth. She swallowed and imagined how musky and deliciously sinful Gunner’s shaft would taste.
When she saw Kid watching her, she shook the lust-filled thoughts away. She’d already caught enough flak from him after he’d noticed her attraction to them. “Um, if you don’t mind, I think I need to rest a while. It’s been a long day.”
Kid gave her a curious look, but she ignored him. Thankfully, he didn’t say anything about their having gotten up late before making the trip from Dallas to the ranch. He should’ve been more tired than she was since she’d fallen asleep during the drive.
“No problem.” Gunner stood up.
“Do you need help with anything? You’ve got an attached bathroom if you want to take a shower.” Rick’s eyes seemed to grow lighter with bits of amber. “Just let me know if you want me to wash your back.”
She stumbled a little as she stood up from the picnic table. “Uh. No. I’m sure I can bathe myself.”
Halfway to the house, she heard Gunner call out.
“You can bathe yourself, but it wouldn’t be half as much fun. Holler if you want us.”
Us?
The only thing more shocking than Gunner’s offer was the fact that she wanted to take him up on it.
Both of them in the shower with her? Hell, yeah.
* * * *
“Why don’t we just get it over with and tell her?”
Rick finished rubbing the oil over the saddle. He’d assumed Gunner would ask that question sooner or later. And sooner it had been.
“It’s too soon. Give it time. We’re having a rough time getting her to believe that we’re not sending our cattle to a shady processing facility. You think she’d handle, ‘Hey, that strange feeling you’re getting? That means you’re our mate. And, oh, yeah. We’re werebears. You know. Men who can change into bears?’” He laughed at Gunner’s groan. “Yeah, that’ll go over easy.”
“You’re right. It’s just that I can’t keep my hands off her for much longer. At least you got a kiss.”
“I did. Which makes it even harder not to take her.” Rick led the way back to the house. His gaze lifted to the bedroom window.
There she is. Up in that bedroom. If I wanted, I could march up the stairs and spread her legs.