Her eyes widened and her mouth turned into a perfect pouty O. “Walk around naked?”
He grinned. She probably didn’t realize it, but when he’d said people have sex anywhere, her cheeks had turned a dark crimson and she’d licked her lips.
“Yes. Sex is natural. So is nudity. We’re very sexual creatures.” If she was going to be part of the pack, she needed to know what she would be getting into.
“So you...” She cleared her throat. “You and Theron, you want me?”
“Yes.” God, how they wanted her.
For the first time ever, the men and the animals were in sync. She’d been the answer they needed. They wanted her for a mate. And there would be no turning back.
“For how long?” She scrunched her nose. “You want me as a lover, shared between the two of you for a while?” She pushed her cup to the side and pursed her lips. “So if one of you gets tired of me, does the other one get me? Or do you both pretty much just go with mutual votes?”
SIX
“Don’t do that.” He shook his head. “That’s not how we are.”
She leaned forward on the table, the scent of her distress mingled with anger. A new light of hostility sparked in her eyes. “I’m sorry but I just don’t see how a relationship of being lovers could work long-term.”
That was the main problem with non-shifter mates. They didn’t get the different way of life. “We are born and raised this way.”
He knew he wasn’t getting through to her, so he stood and marched around the table. He offered her his hand and watched her stare at it for a second. She took it. He moved to her long sofa and pulled her on his lap. She struggled for a moment, but once she saw he wasn’t letting her go, she stopped and sighed in defeat. He shifted her so her back was leaning on the armrest and he could look at her face.
“What is the one thing you’ve always wanted in a mate?”
“A partner? I guess someone who is honest and can love me for me and not for who he feels I should be.”
“Think of us as the first men that will give you that.” He pushed a stray curl behind her ear. She blinked with curiosity behind her glasses.
“What do you mean give me that?” She glanced down at his mouth.
He wanted so bad to stop the conversation and kiss her. She had the most beautiful pouty lips and he’d never tire of watching her slide her tiny pink tongue over them.
“When we search for a mate, it has to be someone who is perfect for us on multiple levels. Mainly we have to be attracted to her in our human bodies. Your scent has to attract the animal inside.”
She raised her brows in obvious shock. “Wait, you and Theron had to want me and so did your...eh, wolves?”
He nodded. “We hadn’t had luck until you. We love a woman with curves. That is just our preference. You’re gorgeous. I wouldn’t dare compare you to anyone else because nobody else has made me want her as much as you. No other female has made Theron and I agree she is the one meant to fit as our third and make us whole.”
“I...I don’t know what to say,” she mumbled. “There’s so many women out there that have a lot more experience with two men.”
“Oh, darling.” He brushed his lips over hers, not able to contain himself any longer. “You are the one. No matter what any other woman has, you have given our connection the emotional boost it needs for Theron to lead and for me to engage the pack. You’re who we need. Something about you is perfect for us.”
“Connor, this all sounds so nice, but what happens when you tire of me?” She sounded sad.
“That won’t happen.”
“What do you mean? It happened with my ex-husband and a host of ex-boyfriends. I have bad luck with men.”
“A mate is for life. There are no others once one is found. Only one mate for our pair.”
“You mean to tell me that without knowing me at all, but based purely on instinct and scent, you two feel I’m right to spend the rest of your lives with?” The disbelief was obvious in her tone.
“Yes.” He didn’t bother denying it.
“Connor, come on. I’m a pretty modern person, but taking on a relationship with two men, something I’ve never done, is scary enough. Added to that you want this to be something committed? I don’t know if you know this, but we just met. This is crazy.”
“Give us a chance, Tally.” He glanced deep into the fear he saw in her eyes and tried to soothe the tumultuous emotions in her heart. She was a strong woman, but fear could make her choose the path they didn’t want for her.
“I have to think.”