She nodded, even though half of her screamed it was a mistake to get into a small enclosed space with these two.
Keegan opened the passenger door of Trace’s black Ford Ranger, and before she had a chance to think, he grabbed her waist and lifted her into the cab. “Scoot over, hon.”
She wiggled herself into the center as Keegan climbed in beside her.
Two seconds later, Trace climbed into the driver’s side.
She stopped breathing when they both shut their doors. The pheromones filling the cab were beyond powerful. Her dress was no longer covering her butt, and she lifted slightly to attempt to pull the skirt down as far as possible.
When Trace swung his arm behind her head to twist and look out the back window, Keegan set a hand on her thigh at the same time.
She nearly jumped out of her skin. His fingers on her bare leg seemed directly connected to her sex, as if he’d stroked between her lower lips instead of her thigh. She stifled the moan threatening to escape her mouth and immediately set her own hand on his, squeezing his fingers and then prying them off her. “I can’t…um…think with you touching me.”
He gave a soft chuckle but didn’t remove his hand. Instead he flipped it over and threaded his fingers with hers, his knuckles resting on her leg. “Hon, if you were able to think for the last five hours, even before I touched you, we may have issues.”
Trace grabbed her other hand and set it on his own thigh as he drove. That was no better. His hand was warm. His thigh was warmer. She glanced down, realizing how precariously close to his crotch her fingers were. And then she jerked free of both men’s clutches, crossed her arms, and tucked her hands tight against her body.
A shiver raced through her. She was a giant pile of lust and nerves. Not a feeling she welcomed.
“Relax, hon. What you’re feeling is totally normal. It happens to all of us when we meet our mate.” Keegan twisted his body so he faced her more directly. “When my sister Kiera met her mate, the two of them nearly ran from the room and none of us saw them for about a week.”
She stared at him. “This is different.”
He nodded. “It is. There are two of us, but we promise to take it at whatever pace you need.”
She pursed her lips and didn’t say a word. Yeah, well, the pace I need is off-the-charts slower than you can begin to imagine…
Melinda faced the front, trying not to breathe much. Maybe if she inhaled through her mouth… Nope. That only caused her to taste them on her tongue. She held herself stiff, but her legs bounced with a mind of their own against her will.
“How about I tell you about myself,” Keegan said, his tone low and soothing.
“Please.” Good plan.
“I’m thirty-one. My family moved here when I was five. My parents still live near Trace’s family. They’re friends. I called them earlier. They’re dying to meet you, of course. Luckily I managed to put them off for now.
“I have one younger sister, Kiera. She’s mated to Brantley and has a baby boy named Kent. He’s almost one.
“I’m a building inspector for the county, so I’ve been busier than ever since the earthquake. And I’m currently knee deep in the new casino project.”
She jerked her gaze to him. “The casino? That eyesore?”
He scrunched up his forehead. “Well, yeah. Of course it’s an eyesore right now. It’s been on hold for months awaiting permission to continue. It’s a pile of rebar and concrete. When it’s finished, it will be a piece of art.”
Now she glared at him. “Are you kidding?” Her voice rose. “That giant monstrosity will never be anything but a way to defile the land and draw unwanted big business to the reservation.”
Keegan inhaled sharply and then blew out a breath. “We might have to agree to disagree on that issue.”
“Or you might need to see my side,” she responded defiantly.
His face lit up as he grinned. “Feisty.”
“Don’t you forget it.”
“Our woman is passionate,” he added.
Trace glanced at her. “I’m not sure now is the best time to get into a pissing match.”
“True.” Keegan rubbed his hands on his legs. “For the record, I’m assigned by the city. I don’t choose the buildings that need inspection, hon. But I can’t wait to argue with you in the future.”
“Oh, we aren’t arguing about that ugly casino blocking the view of the lake, bringing unwanted superstores to the area, closing down the mom and pop shops that have been there for over a century, including my shop.”
“Think of the financial gain—” Keegan started to protest.