“Would you mind getting on the sand and clasping your hands behind your head?”
“You sure?”
She giggled. “Just do it.”
He dropped down, tossed his shirt to the side, and placed his hands like she’d asked. Her heart sputtered. She took one full-length shot then straddled his legs to frame his torso.
“If you knelt, I bet you could shoot my better side.” He turned his head as if to prove his point.
She stood directly over his crotch. If she knelt, their two intimate anatomies would line up. Since they couldn’t do anything on the beach in broad daylight, she thought teasing him might be fun. “You’re right.”
On her knees, she leaned close, aimed, and took a few more pictures. Her breath caught at his beauty. When she bought a new cell phone and set up her computer she’d ask him to send her the photos.
He gripped her hips and tugged. Their position turned more awkward when her knees gave way and her crotch landed on his. Heat flew up her face, but she kept her poise and took another shot.
“I think that’s enough for today,” she said.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Clay removed the phone from her hand and placed it on top of his shirt. Even if she wanted to move, she couldn’t. His grasp was too tight. He pulled her shoulders toward him and kissed her.
His long, deep groan surprised her. The kiss was both tender and intense. His erection bulged right under her, and caused something inside to ignite, forcing away all objections about being with Dirk and Clay. Their claim of her being both their mates still hadn’t sunk in, but his kiss helped convince her there was something right about being with them.
“You drive me crazy.” He moaned against her lips and lowered one hand to cup her breast.
His other hand slid under her shirt and rested in the middle of her back. His nails lengthened and dug into her skin.
“Clay!”
He jerked, lifted her, and set her aside. “I’m sorry.” He jumped up and paced. When he turned around seconds later, he was back to normal.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Had her vagina not been vibrating and her heart racing a hundred miles an hour, she might have run, but something about Clay was endearing.
“I actually wasn’t scared.”
“You weren’t?” His brows rose.
“No. Dirk explained everything to me. I’m actually flattered I cause such a strong reaction in you.”
He pumped a fist and dimples creased his cheeks. He bent over and retrieved his phone and shirt. He stuffed the phone in his jeans’ pocket and drew on his shirt. “I think I promised you breakfast.
At first, she thought he was cool with everything, but clearly he was as rattled as she was.
He led them to the water’s edge. She removed her sneakers and though her toes were cold stepping in the water, she loved the ebb and flow of the sea. They walked in silence, hand in hand, enjoying the vista and each other.
In about a mile, a small strip of shops appeared. One was called The Seaside Cafe. Outside seating looked inviting, but the wind had picked up, and dark clouds were rolling in. A clap of thunder sounded in the distance.
“Mind if we eat inside?”
“Anything you wish.”
The glimmer in his eyes made being with him easy. They ordered scrambled eggs from a limited menu at the bar. The waitress pointed to a table in the corner of the cramped but cozy café and told them she’d bring their breakfast to their table.
They wove around the tables, half of which were occupied. They sat facing each other.
She placed the paper napkin on her lap. “So tell me what it was like growing up with such, how should I put it, potential?”
He laughed. “In one word—hard.”
“Why? Because you had to hide your multiple talents?”
“In a way. I grew up in Washington State where wildlife was plentiful. When I was about three, my dad taught me how to explore my other side.”
“Didn’t that freak you out?”
He shrugged. “I don’t think I knew any different. My dad could run and howl, so why not me?”
That made sense. His life sounded almost idyllic. “Were there others like you nearby?”
“Some. Dirk was my best friend growing up. We tried to share our experience with our human friends, but they just ran.”
“They rejected you?” Her hand flattened on her chest.
He laughed. “You seem surprised.”
“But you had a lot to offer. Couldn’t they see how being friends with such a talented person would benefit them?”
He shook his head. “When a real wolf killed a young boy in town, my parents decided it was time to move.”
“Did someone blame you?”