The Secret Read online

  “You’re a cat. You don’t mind sharing,” Declan reminded him, his tone heavy with anticipation.

  “True. But if you get involved with us, and it will be us, what happens when you do find your mate?”

  Declan’s expression closed down, and Carlos felt a pang of sympathy for the other man. “She’s dead. A long time ago.”

  Carlos wanted to offer him comfort but figured it would be rebuffed, so he returned to the current issue. “If I let you join, you have to recognize my dominance.” He offered a brief smile that he knew was just shy of menacing. “Do you know what that means coming from a cat?”

  There was a long pause and a flicker of knowledge in both wolves’ eyes. Asa shook his head, his expression rueful. “You two may be willing to share her. But I’m not getting involved in a mated group.”

  So he knew how these things worked in a lion pride?

  Carlos watched the two werewolves exchange a long glance and realized with a surge of excitement that these men were, at least occasionally, lovers. And Asa was stepping out to allow him to have Declan. His arousal spiked to a level he’d never experienced before.

  “I think I’ll run a patrol,” Asa said and left the house. His respect for the wolf grew. He almost regretted Asa’s decision. He might have enjoyed watching him and Declan fuck.

  It wasn’t unusual for a dominant cat to keep several lovers in his wider circle of friends, for his and his mate’s pleasure. It was expected. And as the king’s brother and second, you couldn’t get much more dominant. It didn’t hurt that he’d hunted with these two. He respected them. Even liked them. Oh well. It was Declan he really wanted. Declan he was beginning to crave with increasing intensity.

  The wolf was watching him, waiting silently, and Carlos couldn’t ignore the fact he was a strong, dominant male in his own right. It was a heady thrill knowing Declan was ready to submit to him. His cock was so hard it hurt, and he fought the urge to pound into someone. There was no way his human mate could take that, but the wolf could, and he could see the excitement, the expectation in Declan’s eyes. He walked to the overnight bag he’d dropped near the door and pulled out a bottle of lube.

  “Strip. Now.”

  Declan followed the order without saying a word, but his eyes flashed in irritation.

  Carlos smiled. “Who do you think is more dominant?”

  Declan’s eyes narrowed. “Right now? You.” It was clear the other man expected to reverse roles someday soon. Carlos unzipped his jeans and squeezed the base of his cock to keep from coming.

  “We’ll deal with that later.”

  He’d allow that—under certain circumstances. Ground rules could wait for another time, though. Both men were naked in seconds. There wasn’t a soft dick in the room. He gestured to Declan to step forward.

  “On your knees. Suck me.”

  When Declan took his cock in his mouth, Carlos groaned. There was no buildup. No gentle suction. No soft licks. Declan sucked his cock into his mouth hard. With teeth. Carlos felt an orgasm building, tingling in the base of his spine, and yanked Declan’s head away. His eyes glowed, the wolf moving in them, and Carlos flipped him over, pulled him to his knees on the floor.

  Carlos moved into position behind him and dropped to his knees also, the lube gripped in one hand. He squeezed a few drops around Declan’s puckered asshole and worked a finger inside, then two. His muscles tightened around the invasion.

  “If you don’t relax, it’s gonna hurt,” Carlos promised, somehow knowing this wolf welcomed pain.

  With a full-body shudder, Declan relaxed enough for Carlos to work in a third finger. He slowly withdrew and pushed back in, twisting his wrist as did, spreading his fingers to stretch Declan for his cock. When his big body started to move with Carlos’s thrusts, he pulled out long enough to lube his cock. Then he gripped his hips and slowly slid in. Declan’s head fell forward as he gasped. Was it pain or pleasure? Carlos held still and gripped his hips harder.

  “Don’t stop,” Declan demanded.

  Carlos returned to his task, working in and out slowly, as the sound of movement came from the hallway. He looked up to see Sunny, transfixed but ready to bolt.

  “Don’t leave, kitten. Watch us.”

  He held her gaze as he thrust back into Declan. The wolf groaned, and Carlos wondered if Sunny knew it didn’t matter if the sound was borne of pain or pleasure. She needed to understand that he was the most dominant male in the room. That he was responsible for the lives, the pain and the pleasure, of the two people he intended on taking into his care.

  He watched her as he fucked Declan. Freshly scrubbed from her shower, she wore an expression of both delight and embarrassment, but was poised for flight. She had on short cut-off sweats and a tight tank top without a bra, and as she watched them her nipples turned to hard points.

  He leaned over Declan’s back to speak close to his ear. “Look at her. She’s turned on, watching us.”

  Declan moved into the next thrust, taking Carlos farther into his ass, and lifted his head to look at Sunny. When he looked over his shoulder to meet Carlos’s gaze, his question was easy to guess. Was he allowed to make demands of Sunny? He nodded his approval, and Declan turned back to Sunny.

  “Take your clothes off and join us, baby.”

  She shook her head but didn’t budge. “Not a good idea.” Carlos could see her struggle clearly on her face. She wanted to say yes. He wasn’t sure what was holding her back.

  “Come on, kitten,” he cajoled softly. “Think of how good we can make each other feel.”

  He thrust hard against Declan as he spoke, and the man’s hungry moan filled the air. Carlos kept his gaze on Sunny, saw her eyes flash, seeming to change colors for a moment, before she pulled off her tank and shimmied out of her shorts.

  She stood frozen, watching as Declan took him deep. Carlos slid one hand up his back, moved it around the front of his throat, and splayed his fingers. Sunny’s gaze went hot and cloudy as she watched.

  “Sit right there, kitten.” She cautiously moved a little closer, then sat, cross-legged in front of them. Carlos smiled. “That’s right. Right there. Touch yourself, kitten. Show us what you like.”

  She trembled and bit her bottom lip. He could see the indecision warring with desire on her face, and wondered briefly why she was fighting it so hard.

  “Start with your breasts, baby. Touch your nipples for me,” Declan ordered.

  She lifted her hands to cup her breasts. Kneaded them, cupping them a moment before sliding her fingers in and taking her nipples between them. Her eyes slid closed when she squeezed them, harder than he would have expected, turning them a bright red that begged to be suckled.

  Her head fell back, wet hair clinging to her skin, and her breath raced. Her heart thudded a fast rhythm that called to him. More. He wanted more.

  “Now your cunt, kitten. Fuck yourself for me. For us.”

  Her head lifted, eyes snapped open to focus on them. She released one nipple, slid her hand slowly down her torso, over her belly, and finally between her glistening folds. She thrust two fingers in and cried out. Watching her pleasure herself pushed a button in him he hadn’t realized he had. He thrust harder, felt the tingling begin at the base of his spine that signaled his coming orgasm. The more rapt her expression, the more he reached for his own release, and he didn’t do it gently. Didn’t have the control left.

  He was vaguely aware of Declan’s throat convulsing beneath his grip. Knew he was close too. He moved his hand from Declan’s neck to his cock, squeezed and pumped it as he pumped into his ass. They spilled at the same time, the orgasm so intense that for a minute, he was unaware of anything around him.

  When he came back to his senses, he saw Sunny still working her hand against her pussy. Her head was back, her pelvis moving while she moaned. She was beautiful. Declan had rolled away but reentered with a bowl of soapy water and a washcloth. Carlos took them both and quickly cleaned himself. With one last cry, Sunny’s bod
y clenched tightly and she came, sprawling back on the floor.

  She looked over at him, her expression lazy and sated, and he decided to make sure she had that look on her face every day for the rest of their lives.

  A throat cleared behind him, but he didn’t turn. “What?”

  “The sofa is a pullout. I’ll take it. For now.”

  Chapter Four

  Sunny’s heart hammered in her chest, the orgasm leaving her warm and tingling but nowhere near sated. Her mouth went dry when Carlos gave her a heavy-lidded stare. He didn’t bother to respond to Declan, just picked her up and carried her down the hall to the bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

  “We can’t share a room.”

  He smiled. “We’re going to share a lot more than that, kitten.”

  God. His insistence was tempting, and if they hadn’t been speaking of mates earlier, she would have jumped at the chance to touch him, taste him, feel him deep inside her. And didn’t that make her the worst kind of tease? After getting herself off in front of them, letting them direct her. Teasing them. After watching the two of them find pleasure in each other. Man, had that been hot. She wanted more, but instinct told her it wouldn’t be some simple coming together. It wouldn’t be just about sex. To feel his touch, to touch him, might be forging a connection she would never be free of. She would be risking her heart if he acted like a typical cat and went on his merry way afterward. She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  Then he stepped forward, catching her hips before she could dodge him. He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, and spoke softly. “You’re scared of us being together. Why?”

  “I don’t do permanent.” But there was so much more. She was afraid she was already falling for him. That he’d eventually get bored and take part of her with him when he left. Or worse, that he wouldn’t leave, but that he’d take her over. Take her will, her independence.

  He slid his hands up her sides, stopping on her lower back. They were warm. Searing. “Who said this was permanent?”

  Oh God, maybe she’d misinterpreted his intentions? Maybe he’d only brought up mates with Asa and Declan to get them to back off because he just wanted to get laid? Well, he’d already done that, hadn’t he? She ignored the knife that twisted in her throat, but he must have anticipated her thoughts. He tightened his hands on her, drew her so close his cock pressed against her belly, and she could feel it throbbing. He bent his head to her neck, and when he pressed his lips against her skin, she let her head fall back. She wanted to feel him around her. On top of her. Inside her. She’d deal with the fallout later.

  He scraped his teeth along her skin before he sucked it into his mouth. She felt the laving of his tongue all the way to her core. He kept one arm around her hips and slid the other to her belly, slowly moving it up to cup her breast. She moaned at the contact, tried to move away enough to regain a little control, but his low growl froze her in place.

  It wasn’t fear that held her still. There was so much possession, so much promise in that growl, she couldn’t budge an inch. She wanted more. A lot more. Her cat scratched at her insides, responding to the dominance in his voice.

  “Carlos,” she begged, not sure exactly what she was asking for. He didn’t wait to find out. Bowing her back to shove up her breasts, as if in offering, he moved to capture a nipple in his mouth. She had to cling to his shoulders, sure she’d collapse without support, when his lips closed over it for a long, slow pull.

  He took his time, seemed to savor her taste like a special treat. She whimpered when he let go and lifted his face to meet her gaze. She saw more emotion in his eyes than she had ever imagined possible. They swirled with desire and passion, need and hope and longing. But she only got a glimpse of them before his expression shuttered. The change made her feel exposed.

  “Beautiful.”

  Hands on her hips, he backed up to the bed, pulling her with him until he sat on its edge. He pulled her between his thighs and leaned forward to press a kiss against her belly, hands sliding up her sides to rest on her nape. Then, in a move swift enough to remind her his charm concealed the soul of a predator, he pulled her down and under him on the bed.

  His lips covered hers in an explosive kiss that made butterflies take flight in her stomach. Her tongue dueled with his, and when she tried to angle her body to take more control, was secretly thrilled when he growled his dominance low in his throat.

  She realized with a shock that both she and her cat side wanted to submit to him. Mate. The word whispered through her mind. She tried to ignore it, but she wondered if she could tie a man to her the way male shifters could? If she bit him, broke the skin and mixed the enzymes in her saliva with his blood, would it create a mate bond? It was a tempting idea, and she forced her canines to retract before she could give in to the urge. She wanted him to stay with her because he wanted her, not because she’d given him no choice.

  He broke the kiss and glared down at her. “You’re supposed to be concentrating on me, not worrying.”

  He pressed against her. Ground against her. It felt so right, like watching him with the werewolf had felt right. She smiled, gave in to the longing. Looping her arms around his neck, she pulled him to her. “Then shut up and kiss me again.”

  She didn’t have to tell him twice, and this time the kiss was slow and lazy. Seductive. She followed his lead, let him take control. He rolled to his side without breaking the kiss, freeing his hands to plump her breasts. He molded the flesh before concentrating on her nipples. She moaned her pleasure, rocking her hips against his, as he pinched the hardened tips. Finally, when she was sure she’d come with no further stimulation than his touch, he broke away and positioned her on hands and knees.

  His cock pushed against her backside, and she thrust against him, a desperate need to be filled, to come, overwhelming her. Long, slim fingers stroked her back, trying to coax her down. “Shhh, kitten. We have plenty of time.”

  She shook her head violently. He might. She didn’t. “Carlos, now.” She felt him hesitate. “Please.”

  With a sound more sigh than moan, he gripped her hip with one hand and found her pussy with the other. He stroked her for a moment, testing her wetness before the head of his cock pushed in. She gasped. She’d seen he was big, but she hadn’t considered how long it had been since she’d had sex. He was going to hurt going in. And he did. Slowly. One teasing inch at a time. So good. Pain and pleasure.

  He was making her crazy.

  She thrust back against him, taking him as deep as she could, and squeezed her inner muscles around him. Snarling, he slapped her ass. “Behave.”

  But she wasn’t the least bit cowed. She could hear the control slipping in his voice, knew he would be wild and out of control in moments. It made her giddy.

  “Fuck me, Carlos,” she ordered, hoping to push him into action.

  He moved, thrusting shallowly, not too fast. It wasn’t enough. Would it ever be enough?

  “More,” she said with a moan.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Of course. He didn’t know she was a were. Faster, stronger, more resilient than a human woman. She considered confessing on the spot. “You won’t.”

  He slid almost all the way out of her, then back in, gradually increasing his pace until it was fast and hard. She moved with him, trying to take him deeper. The penetration was so good, hard and getting rougher as his control continued to slip. He took her clit between his fingers, rubbed and pinched and stroked, until a fine tremor overtook her. The need to let go of everything, to come, was like a fire inside her, an inferno getting hotter and hotter. She was so, so close to the edge. He took her over it, his teeth closing over the vulnerable spot on the side of her neck and biting down, breaking the skin.

  She came so hard her brain stopped functioning, her vision went colorless, and she was grateful she wasn’t facing him. He couldn’t see, wouldn’t guess, at the cat hidden inside her.

  They fell to
the bed together. Her breath came in fast pants, and her heart still hammered in her chest. But it was from panic, not the aftereffects of great sex. She felt a trickle of blood slide down her collar, smelled it, but she didn’t dare move to wipe it away. He’d just brought her worst fear to life, and she’d loved every minute of it.

  Chapter Five

  It took a long time to slow her racing heart, to get control of her alarm. Sunny lay still, focused on the sounds of the house. When she heard nothing but soft snores and was sure all three males slept, she rolled carefully out of bed. The door snicked softly when she opened it, but Carlos didn’t budge. She crept down the hall and gathered her clothes from the living floor before retracing her steps to the back door.

  Her cat side, sensing her unease, wanted out to roam, to run off some energy. She kept it caged so much of the time it was nearly bursting from her skin. She considered going out naked, but couldn’t risk coming back for her clothes and finding anyone awake. They’d be damned curious as to why she was roaming the swamp in nothing but her skin.

  She wasn’t getting dressed before she was forced to, though. Even two weeks shy of Christmas, the south Florida swamp was hot and muggy. She headed into the trees, searching for a good place to stash her shorts and tank. Shrugged when she realized she hadn’t bothered with shoes. She found a bunch of low hanging branches that created a cradle about four hundred yards in. Her belongings were hidden from view when she put them in, and hopefully it was far enough from the house to avoid attracting anyone’s attention.

  Satisfied she’d covered her ass as much as possible, she dropped to all fours and called for the lion, let it take over. It was pain and joy as her muscles changed shape, her bones and joints popped. But it was over in seconds and she was the big hunting feline, no longer the woman.

  The cat wasn’t without thought or cunning, though, and the woman was still inside, still the one ultimately in control. She had a mission, and in this they were agreed. The sister, the littermate, must be found. She allowed that side of her to take over and followed its instincts in the wild.