“Well, that’s where you’re wrong.” She rose to her full height, at least average for a woman, but paling in comparison to these brutes crowding her apartment with their damn pheromones. “I didn’t work so hard for the last twelve years to get out of school, earn my teaching degree, and find a good steady job, just to toss it all away the first time a pretty face—or two—shows up at the door.”
Both men flinched. In a dance that reminded her of a wrestling match, the three gradually circled each other—two of them waiting for just the right opportunity to pounce and go in for the pin.
Charles spoke. “Is that what you think? That we’d strip away your identity?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Of course not, love.” That was the second time Reese had called her by that endearment, and the second time the tingling sensation ran down her spine when he did. It rolled off his tongue so fluidly, as though he’d called her that for years. And it pissed her off her body reacted so positively, affirming his claim, instead of rejecting his overture.
Jessica gave a strangled false laugh.
Confused, contemplative brows met her gaze.
“We have no intention of changing you, babe.” Charles reached across the space between them and let his fingers stroke her arm from her biceps to her wrist. Two more inches and the act might have elicited the opposite reaction that it did. Perhaps if he had reached for her hand, entwined his fingers with hers, she’d have seen the gesture as equalizing. Instead, especially considering the current line of conversation, him stopping at her wrist and grasping her—no matter how tenderly—brought only visions of dominance to her mind. Not equality. And why did that make her squeeze her legs together? Lupine dominance shouldn’t have this effect. Damn it.
Would he hold her wrists like that while he fucked her into submission?
While she held her breath and glanced at his enormous fingers wrapped around her wrist, making it appear much more fragile and dainty than she’d ever considered, Charles pulled her onto the couch.
Against her better judgment, she sat, landing hard.
“I can see why you’d think along those lines, having witnessed both Lindsey’s and Kara’s claimings, but keep in mind they are both human. It’s not the same for wolves. You’ve met my sister, Tessa. That is not a woman living under the thumb of her husband, by any stretch of the imagination.” Charles shuddered. “Tessa says you’re a fantastic teacher and Miranda adores you. We wouldn’t dream of taking that away from you. We just want to … add to your life, and ours.”
“Riight,” she drawled. “That’s why neither of my educated friends are teaching, using their degrees, and both of them spend their days conforming to the needs of their mates.” This conversation was so irrelevant and not at all the root of her problems, but she’d let them continue this line because it worked in her favor.
Reese plopped on the other side of Jessica, crowding her between the men. “Kara and Lindsey are living a life they chose. No one is forcing them to do anything. I’ve met them. They’re the happiest groups of people I’ve ever known. It’s a tough adjustment at first when you’re human and this unknown world is sprung on you. It’s not the same for you, Jess. Right now, you’re only dealing with the pull of your body to mate with us. It isn’t compounded by the influx of information about the existence of our species or the inability to comprehend what’s happening to your body.”
No. Not compounded by anything at all. If her thoughts could bleed sarcasm, she wouldn’t need to roll her eyes at these mates of hers. She shivered when she realized what could happen to the ideas that ran through her head. If she let these two men claim her, she’d never have a thought she could keep to herself for the rest of her life.
Charles drew her attention his way. “I think there’s more to it than you’re saying.”
No shit. But Jessica flinched. The last thing she needed was for them to delve any deeper into her life. She shook her head and bit into her lower lip until the pain forced her to let go.
“Uh-huh. Fine. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out as we go along,” Charles continued. He leaned in gradually until his nose nestled in the crook of her neck. His breath brushed her skin, and his lips nibbled behind her ear. Warmth spread down her arms. It felt so fucking good. So perfect. So right. And before Jessica could stop herself, she relaxed her shoulders and leaned in to his touch.
Her nipples strained against the material of her bra, making her wish she hadn’t chosen lace today of all days.