3#Unlikely Mates: BBW Shifter/Vampire Romance (Their Everything) (14 page)

“I
did it,” Ross blurted. He still avoided eye contact. Pulling a hand through his
hair, he paced to the other side of the room and back.

Becky
didn’t know what to make of this new development. “How the hell could you? I
thought you guys were becoming friends…sort of.”

“It
wasn’t his fault.” Rushe said, making a grunting noise as he repositioned
himself on the bed. “The different species have never gotten along very well.
We’re currently in a sort of a truce.”

“It
doesn’t give him permission to go after you and beat you.” Folding her arms
across her chest, she turned to look at Ross. He finally looked up at her
instead of at his feet. “Please don’t tell me that this had anything to do with
me and this whole mating business.” She looked back at Rushe, a terrible
feeling settling into the pit of her clenching stomach. Rushe’s beautiful blue
eyes clouded, telling her exactly what she needed to know. “Why the hell did
you guys go and do that? You know I’m not looking for a mate. I haven’t even
agreed to date either of you let alone mate you. Once you’re up”—she gestured
towards Rushe—“you can both get the fuck out.”

“In
that case I hurt really bad. It might take days…weeks for me to heal.” Rushe
said as he looked up at her with puppy dog…wolfie eyes. “It wasn’t our choice
to fight. You know that we had decided to each try and win you fair and square
and with honor. It seems our leaders had other ideas though.”

“I
should’ve known those bastard kings were involved.”

“Zane
was unhappy that Rushe had left the coven. The male wanted him back.” Rushe
winced as he tried to reposition himself in a more comfortable position. “In
their own sick, twisted kind of way they felt they would be protecting human
females from vampires. If Ross ended up taking you as a mate he would’ve set a
precedent. Making it okay for the other vampire males to possibly also go after
human females. They don’t want that to happen.”

She
noticed how careful he was with positioning his arm next to him on the bed. His
other hand was clutched at his bicep. “Let me take a look at that.”

“No
need. Ross has already reset the arm correctly.” Rushe glanced at the other
male. There seemed to be no animosity between the two of them. In fact she
would go as far as to say that there was a camaraderie.

“What
do you need me to do then?” She held up her hands.

Rushe
grinned, his swollen eyelids actually hooded. Although the one on the right
drooped more than hooded. “You can kiss me better. I hurt all over.”

She
narrowed her eyes at him but couldn’t help but to smile. “I don’t freaking
think so.”

“No,
really.” Rushe looked up at her with such adoration. “I need kisses…all over
and only your sweet lips will do.”

She
shook her head, trying hard to stay angry with him and failing. “Everywhere
huh?”

“All
over,” he growled. “I would recommend that you clean me up first though unless
you like the taste of blood.”

Her
mouth watered for a second before she realized what she was doing.
Blood?
Really
?

“What’s
wrong?” Rushe tried to sit up.

“I’m
fine.” She said, putting a hand to his chest. “I have a shower in the bathroom
down the hall. This used to be a house before it was converted.”

Rushe
shook his head. “Let me lie here for a while. Heal up a bit more, then I’ll be happy
to take a nice, long, hot shower but only if you join me and wash my back.”

Becky
rolled her eyes. There was a shuffle behind them and Becky remembered that Ross
was still there. She turned to face the vampire. “I don’t care if you were
forced, you should still feel ashamed. You must’ve known that Rushe isn’t as
strong as you, not as good of a fighter. Look at him.”

Ross
shook his head. “Rushe could’ve taken me. He chose not to. I was led to believe
that it had been his choice to fight me for you. I knew that he would probably
beat me so I went at him with full force. Should’ve known better though.” She
noticed how the vampire locked eyes with Rushe. He looked really sorry. “You
weren’t fighting back. I knew that but I didn’t stop to think. I was so angry,
felt so betrayed. I couldn’t stand the idea of you winning. I’m really sorry.”

“You’ve
apologized enough. Let’s forget it and put it in the past.” Rushe glanced at
Becky and back at Ross. “I think given the circumstances that I should be
allowed to date the female first. That and…” Rushe paused for a long time. She
put her hands in her lab coat pockets and then took them out again, noticing
that Ross was also fidgeting.

“I
think I’m going to need a place to live. You mentioned that you were looking for
an apartment here in town, would you mind sharing with a wolf?” Rushe looked
sheepish. “I know it’s not ideal, but…”

“I
think we can both agree, after all that has happened, that we are…friends. My
only wish is that we hadn’t fallen for the same female. At least we can safely
say that we both have excellent taste.” Ross grinned. “Of course you can move
in with me. We’ll go house hunting as soon as your bones have healed.” His grin
widened. “As to you dating our female first. I think you moving in with me makes
us even, so no fucking way.”

Becky
had to suppress a laugh, she was sure it was just a good dose of panic setting
in at the thought of these two moving into Sweetwater. It wouldn’t take long
for one or both of them to convince her. Hell, she was almost all the way there
already. Seeing that blood had made her own blood run cold. To think that
something might have happened to one of these two. The same question still
remained, who the hell would she choose?

“I
don’t think dating is a good idea.”

“Thank
fuck,” Rushe growled. “That means you’ve decided to just go ahead and mate one
of us. Which one of us have you chosen?” His blue eyes turned stormy.

She
had to shake her head. These non-humans were so freaking cocky. It never once
occurred to them that she hadn’t changed her mind about dating them. “Both,”
she blurted. “I mean, neither of you.” She added, feeling her cheeks heat.

“Both.”
Ross looked confused or maybe like he was thinking about something.

“Well,
I’m afraid you’re going to have to just choose, honey,” Rushe said. “You’re
lucky we’re both very patient males.”

Choose.

Now
there was an impossible concept. He may as well have asked her to choose
between water and food. There was just no way. She needed both too damned much.

2
weeks later

“Have
the burger.” Ross’ gorgeous brown eyes bore into her.

Becky
could smell his delicious musky scent over the wonderful aromas wafting out of
the diner’s kitchen, it made her want to press herself up against him and beg
him to do naughty things to her.

“Yes.”
Rushe leaned forward over the table. His foot stroked up and down her calf.
“Have the burger, with cheese and onion rings and a sauce on the side. Make it
the mushroom sauce. It’s your favorite. Don’t try and deny it.” He grinned at
her in a way that made her want to groan. Mostly in frustration. Despite the
continual banter about how one of them or the other was going to get her to go
out with them. It had yet to happen. She just couldn’t choose. Didn’t want to.

The
only problem was that they were withholding sex. For that matter, any type of
sexual gratification. They promised, and in their words, to ease her need when
she decided which one she wanted to date first. Once they were dating, then
they would make her very happy indeed.

Just
thinking of sex did weird things to her insides, but thinking of the last time
they had been together caused her clit to throb and her pussy to weep. Rushe’s
nostrils flared. His blue eyes went from clear sky to deep sea blue in an
instant. “You really, really want the burger don’t you, honey?” He growled in a
deep, gravelly voice that threatened to undo her. “I’m going to order one for
you.”

Ross
made a growling noise that she knew signified his arousal. “If Rushe doesn’t, I
will. We insist.”

“I’m
trying to eat healthy.” She narrowed her eyes at both of them. “The cholesterol
in that thing will kill you.”

“We
don’t get cholesterol,” Rushe said, smiling.

“Nope,”
added Ross while throwing her a lopsided grin. “You really need to mate one of
us already and then you won’t have to worry about it either.” He leaned
forward. “Besides, we really want to ease your need. To have you ease ours. If
I have to listen to the grunting and growling coming out of Rushe’s room one
more time, I’m going to lose it.” Ross smiled, his whole facial expression at
odds with the statement.

Rushe
narrowed his eyes. “If I have to listen to you roar Becky’s name one more time
then I’m going to move the fuck out.”

“You
say my name?” Becky’s heart gave a little leap in her chest.

“Who
else would I think about? You’re it for me.” Ross’ eyes softened as he spoke.

“Actually,
I’m pretty sure I heard you calling my name the other night.” Rushe looked
concerned. “What’s up with that?”

“Oh…”
Ross’ face turned a lighter shade of bright red. “I still kind of have that
little fantasy concerning…” His voice dropped about a hundred octaves and Becky
had to struggle to hear. “The three of us. The one in which we both get to fuck
this sexy female.” Ross put his arm around her and squeezed.

She
tried to smile but couldn’t. Her heart raced so freaking fast that she was sure
she was going to faint at any second. How would it feel to be filled by both of
them? They were both so big, she was sure it wouldn’t be possible. Though, if
it were possible…

Rushe
slid in on the other side of the booth and also put his arm around her. “Don’t
let him scare you.”

“I’m
not scared,” she blurted.

“Maybe
a little,” Rushe remarked.

She
giggled. “Maybe a tiny bit. I’m only a tiny human after all.”

“Tiny
in all ways.” Ross’ gaze heated. “Now admit that you’re mostly excited by the
idea of the three of us.”

“You
know it excites me. It doesn’t mean we’re going to actually do it though.” She
said, working hard to keep her voice even.

“No,”
Rushe growled. “First you have to agree to date us.”

“We
are sort of out on a date right now.” She raised her eyebrows looking at each
of them in turn.

Ross
made a frustrated noise. “You know what Rushe means.”

“Yeah
as in get to know you both individually so that I can choose. I don’t think I
can.” She sighed, feeling a weight settle on her chest.

“You’ve
said that a hundred times. Rushe and I are going to keep asking you until you
finally agree and in the meanwhile we’ll have to listen to each other as we tug
ourselves around the room mostly shouting your name.” She noticed Ross give
Rushe a look.

Becky
had to giggle. “I guess I know what you mean. I blew the little motor on my
pink vibrator, so I’m using black magic these days.” She caught the confused
look on Ross’ face and added. “I’ve been using my fake, rubber cocks…a whole
hell of a lot.”

“Whose
name do you shout when you come?” Ross leaned towards her.

Just
then, the waitress arrived with a little notepad. Becky sighed with relief. The
truth was that she shouted both of their names and normally several times every
time she had an orgasm. Just thinking of both of them deep inside her made her
eyes roll back and her pussy clench to the point of pain.

The
waitress’ mouth fell open as her eyes drifted to first Ross and then to Rushe.
She glanced at their arms, still around her waist, and then up at Becky’s face.
Turning to a new page on her notepad, she swallowed hard before asking if she
could take their order.

They
rattled off what they wanted. Ross ordered a coke, both she and Rushe ordered
burgers. Becky agreed to share some of hers with Ross.

“You’re
not sharing mine.” Rushe narrowed his eyes at Ross. “You get enough from me
already.” Ross clutched his neck suggestively.

Becky
clasped a hand over her mouth and gasped. “Really?”

Ross
nodded. “I wasn’t aware that wolf blood could taste so good.” He grinned at
Rushe, who actually blushed. A grown male, freaking huge at that, actually
blushing. It was a weird sight to see.

“You
wouldn’t want me taking from another female would you?”

“No,”
her voice was raised and a little high pitched. She might have to just punch
anyone that Ross drank from, although she didn’t feel jealous about him taking
from Rushe. “I mean…” She didn’t have a hold on him. Yet, the thought of him
taking from another person besides Rushe made her feel really pissed, followed
by really upset. “I don’t know what I mean. I shouldn’t be seeing you guys. I’m
just putting off the inevitable.”

Ross
smiled. “What, breaking our hearts?”

“First
off, I would break at least one of your hearts just by choosing the other.” She
shook her head. “And then I would most likely end up destroying the other one
of you down the line. I can’t choose and I won’t, so there. The end.”

Ross
lifted his eyes in thought, then looked deep into hers. “Just say that you’ll
give us a chance.”

Rushe
squeezed her around her waist, causing her to turn to look into his blue
depths. “Please, we’ll figure out the details.” The two males looked at one
another.

She
so desperately wanted to say yes. They were already seeing each other as it
was, just without the sex. If she agreed then they could at least fool around.
Maybe even all three of them. She loved spending time with both of them. The
thing was, it would be weird to just be with Ross, or just Rushe. She would
miss this easy camaraderie that they had fallen into. They were good together.
All three of them. That night that they’d all slept in the same bed was the
best sleep she’d ever had.

“You
care too much about us to let us go?” Ross nuzzled into her neck.

Becky
giggled. “Can’t all three of us date?” She giggled even louder when Rushe
nuzzled her on the other side.

Rushe
stopped as soon as her statement registered. “Just because we all get along,
doesn’t mean it would work long term. It’s not a good idea. It’s another way
for you to keep from committing to either of us. It would be better if”—his
eyes darted outside and he sniffed the air. His face clouded with confusion—“What
the…?” he growled before shaking his head. “Can’t be,” he muttered. “Where was
I…?”

“What
is it?” Rushe growled.

“I
thought I scented…” His brow was still creased. “Never mind, couldn’t be.”

“What?
What did you scent?” Rushe insisted.

“I
thought I scented elves, but they don’t venture into—”

“Actually,
it probably was them…” Ross held up a hand. He filled Rushe in on what had
happened a couple of weeks back. How they had trailed the elves. “I’m going to
check it out.”

“Wait,”
Rushe growled. “You can’t go without backup.”

“You
stay with our female,” Ross growled back.

“Wait
just a freaking minute.” Becky nudged each of them with her elbows to try and
get some space. They were crowding her big time. “I’m a grown-ass woman and I
can take care of myself. I don’t like the idea of you going on your own.” She
glanced at Ross.

“Fine,”
he growled. “Here”—he handed her the keys to his SUV—“eat your burger. If we’re
not back by the time you are done. I want you to go home. Lock the door and
call Tanya.”

“Oh
shit. Maybe you shouldn’t go then.” She grabbed each of their hands. “I don’t
want you to go.”

Ross
threw her a lopsided grin. “How many times do I need to tell you that the elves
are pussies? We’ll be fine.” He kissed her quick and hard. “I’m glad you care,”
he said as he released her.

“I
don’t,” she managed a whisper.

Rushe
pulled her into his arms and kissed her as well. Her toes actually curled.
Non-humans were damn good learners. “You do care.” Her wolfie said as he
released her, he quickly dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t worry, we’ll be
back before my food even gets cold,” he said as he slid out of the booth.

****

Becky
stared at the congealed sauce on Rushe’s burger. The chips were cold and sad
looking. The onion rings were limp. If she left this diner, she would have to
admit that something had happened to them. At the same time, she couldn’t just
sit here and do nothing. Maybe they needed rescuing. It was on that thought
that she raised her hand and asked for the check.

Once
she was in Ross’ SUV, she fished her phone out of her purse and called Tanya.

“Have
you finally agreed to be one of their mates?” Tanya gushed as she answered.
“Oh…oh…please tell me you’re with both of them. The whole sandwich thing is
freaking amazing—”

“Stop!”
Becky had to take a deep breath to calm her racing heart. “They’re gone.”

“What
do you mean gone?” She went on, not giving Becky a chance to answer. “No that’s
not right, they wouldn’t just leave because they both claimed you. They’re
freaking crazy about you. Where have they gone?”

“If
you give me a freaking chance to talk I’ll tell you.” Becky couldn’t help the
edge of irritation in her voice.

“Sorry.”
Tanya said softly, making Becky feel bad for snapping at her friend.

Taking
another deep breath to calm her nerves, Becky told Tanya everything leading up
to Rushe and Ross’s disappearance.

“Don’t
panic. The elves wouldn’t dare harm a vampire.”

“What
about a wolf?” Her voice was a bit shrill but she couldn’t do anything about
it.

“I
doubt they would hurt one of Ward’s pack.”

“You
doubt they would?” Becky was panting but couldn’t seem to control her breathing
or her racing heart. The thought of losing either one of them was just too much
to bear.

“Try
and calm down, I can hear that you’re freaking out. We don’t even know that the
elves took them, maybe they’re having a chat or something. Wait a sec, Zane
just arrived. Let me fill him in on the whole situation.” The phone went
muffled for what felt like hours but was actually less than a minute in
reality.

“Come
on.” Tanya said as she removed her hand from the phone.

“What
did he say?” Becky failed to keep the panic out of her voice.

“He
muttered something about Ross being exiled and choosing his own path.”

“What
the fuck does that mean?” she shrieked.

“Look,
please don’t tell him I told you, but Zane is a little hurt over Ross up and
leaving. He’s tried to contact him over the last two weeks, but Ross is
ignoring him flat out,” her friend said.

“So
what does that mean? He’s just going to abandon him. Shit! If only I knew how
to get ahold of Ward. The wolves would definitely come. They’re not a bunch of
dickheads.” Becky couldn’t help the outburst.

“Don’t
call my mates that. I understand why you’re mad but you have to understand that
they have their roles to play and the good of the covens to keep in mind. It’s
often really hard for them. They always have to think of the good of everyone
ahead of individuals and therefore often seem cruel.” Tanya sounded like she
was on the verge of tears. “You have no idea how upset Brant was when Stephany
left. He really cares for her so freaking much. As king, there are very few he
considers to be true friends.”