If anything was magical, it was her smile. “Yeah, sure. Why not? Not that I believe in such things.”
“What do you believe in?”
Lance tensed beside him, worried that Grant was taking the conversation in a direction they didn’t want to go. At least not yet.
“I don’t know what you mean.” She eased past them as though she was afraid to touch him.
Which means she must’ve felt the connection when we touched earlier.
“Do you believe in supernatural things?”
Lance shot him a glare, then darted his gaze to the doorway where Duncan stood, his jaw dropped in surprise. He held a suitcase in each hand.
Grant knew he shouldn’t talk about such things. Although he was certain she was their mate, it was too early to tell her about them. And yet, he found himself needing her to know. She’d find out soon enough. Maybe even tonight. Or tomorrow.
She made a show of rummaging through the kitchen, checking out the glasses, plates, and all the usual kitchen tools. No matter how hard she tried, though, he could tell that she was only doing so to hide her nervousness.
“I’m not getting you, Grant.”
“I’m talking about things like—”
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Duncan lifted her suitcases, both battered with duct tape crisscrossing the sides to hold them together, and jerked his head toward the bedroom. “I’ll just put these in there for you.”
“Thanks.” She blinked. “I’m sorry. What were we talking about?”
“You told us how you came here, that’s all.” Lance put his body between them.
Grant had to hold back the urge to take his friend by the neck and hurl him to the other side of the room. And out of his line of sight.
“Oh, yeah.” Her body visibly relaxed. “I guess I’ve always wanted to see the country and all, but I’d never taken the time to do it.” Her smile widened. “So I saved up my money, and once my lease on my apartment was up, I went for it. The next day I was packed and on the road. Crazy, huh?”
“Not at all. I like that you’re willing to take a risk.”
Duncan was back and moved closer to her. Too close for Grant’s liking. Sure, they’d share her, providing they’d all gotten the connection with her, but for now, until he could have his time with her, anyone getting that close, even his friends, was too much. He lifted a lip, knowing Duncan would see it and get the hint.
But Duncan wasn’t one to take hints. Instead, he got nearer, then wrapped his arm around her waist.
Watching Duncan and Christy react confirmed it. They felt the connection as soon as Duncan touched her. They both jolted, then straightened to their full heights. Once the surprise had passed, they leaned their bodies into each other, like magnets, perhaps without realizing what they were doing.
Duncan tilted his head toward Christy and closed his eyes. The ecstasy on his face was clear enough to see. His other arm slid around her, tugging a little closer, pressing the side of her breast against his chest.
“You smell really good,” whispered Duncan.
The sound she made, part whimper and part moan, was like a siren’s call. Grant edged a few inches nearer and fought his inner wolf clawing at the surface, ready to be set free to do what came naturally.
Duncan nuzzled her hair, again drawing in a long, slow breath. The fiery need inside Grant burned brighter, hotter, threatening to sweep over him like a forest fire over the dry Texas land.
She closed her eyes as Duncan tightened his hold on her. The jealousy that hit Grant caught him off guard with its renewed power. He wanted to be the first one to have her.
Duncan’s hand slid up from the swell of her stomach to the rise of one breast. He kept his hand open, hovering over her, tormenting Grant.
Go on, man. Find out how good she feels.
Grant prayed he’d pick up on the sensations Duncan would have when he cupped her full breast.
She moaned and let her head drop back, signaling her acceptance of Duncan’s touch. Lance growled and inched closer. Fisting his hands, Grant did the same, eager to fill his palm with her.
Duncan tossed him a smug look then put his mouth to hers. Her hand came up to clutch his arm as the other flattened against his chest. She shifted her body to face him as he tunneled his fingers into her hair and held her to him. Her luscious body melted against his, her pelvis pushing against the bulge in his jeans.
Grant’s wolf howled, protesting his hesitation to join in. It clawed at him, forcing him to shift enough to bring out his fangs. Hunger for her consumed him as he ground his teeth together and felt the tips of his claws bite into his palms.
If Duncan didn’t stop kissing her soon, he’d lose every ounce of control he had left.