“It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got all night. How about you, Reese?”
Jess smiled. “That’s how long you’d have to wait because I don’t intend to tell that particular story right now. I barely know you. If I haven’t told Kara and Lindsey, what makes you think I’m gonna tell you?”
“We’re your mates?” Charles offered.
“Yeah, yeah. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that line.”
Reese squeezed her belly, flexing his palm enough to press her into the bed.
“Relax, tiger. I’m kidding.”
Jessica’s stomach took that moment to growl.
Charles flipped away from the bed and returned moments later with a tray in his hands. “Thought you might be hungry.”
Finger foods of many varieties tantalized her senses as Jessica flicked Reese’s hand from her middle and sat. Without hesitation, she stuffed a small sandwich in her mouth. It hadn’t even occurred to her she was so hungry before.
Both men settled against the headboard behind her while she ate. She’d not had a thing since her small breakfast this morning. Her stomach hadn’t been stable even then.
She stuffed her face in silence. Grapes, apple wedges, carrots, triangles of sandwiches, cheese cubes, and a tall glass of water to wash it all down.
She wasn’t unaware of the men behind her with their hands on her back, but she was suddenly so ravenous she didn’t pay them much mind.
That is until she was satisfied. Grabbing a chocolate chip cookie from the tray, she slowed to reasonable pace, enjoyed the smooth dark chips, and swallowed her dessert after chewing it.
Reese took the tray without a word and set it aside. Both men nudged her to lie back between them.
Her senses returned in full force since she was no longer starving … for food.
Hands stroked her everywhere. Reese leaned over her, his broad shoulders so wide she couldn’t see around him. He was bronzed and so muscular his T-shirt stretched tight across him. Jessica stared at his pecs, fighting the need to lay both her palms across the expanse of male hardness.
She needed to get out from under him, wiggle away before her mind turned to mush again.
This was not in the plan, damn it.
His deep blue gaze burrowed into her until she couldn’t avoid meeting it. “We need you.” His voice was suddenly much deeper, hoarse, as though he’d spent the last several hours screaming at a football game.
Jessica shook her head. “I know, but I can’t do this.”
“Why?” Charles’ words were just as low. He came from the side and settled his head next to hers. “Why are you fighting it? It’s a natural process.”
When Reese took her lips in a gentle kiss, her brain went numb. He kissed her over and over again: her lips, her chin, her cheeks, her eyelids. No inch of her face was missed by the soft brush of his lips.
Breathing him in was unavoidable; his essence filled all the air in front of her nose. Even when she sucked oxygen into her lungs through her mouth, she could still taste him.
Her abdomen clenched again. The sensation was intense with both men crowding her space. Not a pain exactly, more of a longing. She was desperate to be filled by these men.
Reese moved on to her ear, leaving her direct line of sight, which was quickly filled by Charles. The new set of eyes was a deep chocolate, and they flicked back and forth between her own. “Relax. Let it happen.” His lips barely moved as he spoke. And before she could respond, his lips devoured her with much more force than Reese’s had.
Both men flung a leg over hers and pulled hers apart. Even with her jeans on, she had a sense of vulnerability.
“You smell fantastic. I need to see you.” Charles reached for the hem of her shirt, and before she could react he’d pushed the sweater up her chest, exposing her bra.
Reese laid his palm over her belly and kneaded the soft skin. He clearly had a thing for her belly. His fingers were forever dancing across her middle.
A wave of lust grabbed her again, and in reflex, Jessica grabbed both men around their arms. Her knees bucked with the need to fold at the middle while she rode out the achy feeling.
Reese pressed his palm into her. “I’m sorry, love. I know it must be uncomfortable.”
He’d asked her that earlier, and she’d dismissed it. What the hell? “How do you know what I’m feeling? I don’t understand.”
“You’re ovulating. The mating urge wouldn’t be as intense if you weren’t. It’s only a few days each month, but when that coincides with being claimed, I’ve heard it’s almost overwhelming for the female.” Charles breathed into her ear as he spoke, sending a chill down her spine.