Mallory's Bears(40)

She didn’t want to ask them any questions save one, but asking them to take her to bed seemed off somehow. Instead, she finally gave in and asked the question that begged to be asked. “Um, then what are you doing running around without any clothes?”

A horrible thought came to her, almost knocking her off her feet with its brutality. Were they out having sex with another woman? But why? Wasn’t she enough for them? And why wouldn’t they have gotten dressed afterward?

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Mallory.”

Rick acted like he was angry at her for even thinking that way. His tone was sharp and unwarranted as far as she was concerned. “You don’t know what I’m thinking.”

“You’re thinking that we’re cheating on you.”

Were they cheating on her? But she didn’t have any right to accuse them of cheating, did she? After all, they’d never committed themselves to her or said they were exclusive. But he’d said the C-word, not her. “Okay, fine. You do know.”

She steeled herself against the answer. “So? Are you?”

Gunner pulled her against him, then sought her eyes with a look that smoldered with need. “We’d never do that to you. It’s not our way.”

Confused, she made her mind work against the sizzle that rushed between them. “Then what’s going on?”

“It’s nothing that concerns you.” Rick growled.

“Nothing that concerns me? You’ve spent very little time with me since we got back from Shatland and now you come in late at night and butt-naked. And that’s not my concern?”

Damn it. I sound like a nagging wife.

“Rick, maybe it’s time.”

Gunner wanted to tell her, that much was clear. He was right. It was time to clear the air. “Tell me what’s going on. I know you’re holding something back.”

Rick started to say one thing, then changed his mind. She was sure of it.

“Not tonight. I’m worn out.” He seemed to mellow. “But we will. I promise we will when the time’s right. Until then, you’ll just have to trust us. Can you do that?”

“I don’t—” She gasped, just now seeing the wound on Rick’s hand. “Oh, my God. You’re hurt. What happened to you?” The only thing that could wipe away her desire for them was her concern for their safety.

Rick lifted his arm, acting as though he hadn’t noticed the bloody wound on his forearm. “It’s just a scratch.”

“Are you kidding me? It’s deep and it’s still bleeding.” She broke away from Gunner to take hold of Rick’s arm and get a better look, but he wouldn’t hear of it. “We need to take care of it. You should see a doctor. You might need stitches.”

“I don’t need a doctor or stitches.” He jerked his arm away when she tried to take hold of it again. “Leave it be, Mallory.”

“But—”

He was pounding up the stairs before she could finish her sentence.

“Don’t let him get you down.”

“Why is he acting that way? I didn’t do anything wrong.” Tears sprang to life. She’d had hopes that they’d spend the night together, but those hopes had gotten trampled on. Even having Gunner so close to her, ready to comfort her, didn’t make her feel any better.

“We had a rough go of it tonight. But that’s no excuse. He’s an ass for taking it out on you.”

“Why? Please tell me what’s going on? Is it about the wolf?”

He tilted his head at her. “Yeah. That damn wolf has been at it again.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re naked.”

He glanced up the stairs, then gave her a small smile. “I can’t get into it without Rick. But like he said, we will tell you.” He skimmed his palms along her arms. “Can you hang in there a little while longer?”

“I shouldn’t have to. Gunner, please tell me.”

He was trying to decide if he should tell her, but once he’d made up his mind, she could see that he’d decided not to.

“Please, Gunner.”

“I can’t. Not yet. Just know that we’re doing our part to catch him.”

Him? Instead of it?

She backed off from his advances, unable to stand to have him touch her when he wouldn’t open up to her.

“Give it time, Mallory.”

“I’ll try, but I can’t promise that I can.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

He started up the stairs, leaving her alone again.

Her chest burned with his rejection.

How could she feel so close to Rick at one point, then feel like she didn’t know him at all in the next? Had she made a mistake in staying? Yet, she’d had no choice. The attraction, the ever-present pull she had with both men gave her no choice. As badly as she hurt at that moment, that pain was nothing compared to the pain she’d suffer if she never saw them again.