Babies for Nikki (24 page)

“Let’s go,” he told them, smiling.

Nikki’s dazed look met his and he chuckled, loving the expression of need on her face. He wanted to lean into her softness and cuddle her to him and love her forever.

Nikki reached out and took Butler’s hand in hers. He smiled and brought her hand to his lips to kiss it lightly. He loved that she craved both of their touches and felt the sense of rightness that engulfed all of them as they walked toward the lake.

Alex’s smile widened at the way their mate scooted down his body until she was able to tuck her head into his neck while he scooped her legs to the side so he cradled her in his arms. He couldn’t stop the rumble of contentment that escaped him as she cuddled against him. Looking at Butler, he smiled when he saw the happiness on his triad partner’s face.

“Really, Alex, do you have to be such a big ape all the time?” Janine’s sarcastic voice cut through the air.

Nikki’s head snapped toward the voice. She felt Alex tighten his arms around her and she could sense the immediate tension that raced through him. She could also feel his deep sadness and immediate insecurity at the words the young woman hurled at him.

“Janine, you will not speak to your brother that way,” Butler admonished her sharply, anger radiating from him.

“Shut up, Butler,” Janine shot back at him. “I feel sorry for you. You’re unlucky enough to be his triad partner. You’re going to be alone forever because no woman will put up with him, or you for that matter. I doubt Laurie will be happy that you’re spending time with her friend,” she told them, looking up at both men with cold eyes. “You know you’ll just scare her and hurt her. Any woman in her right mind would turn and run away the minute you came near her.”

Alex turned and glared at his younger sister. It was such a shame that such a beautiful young woman could have such an ugly heart. He usually ignored her when she began her frequent rants, but her attack this time hit too close to home.

“Alex, put me down,” Nikki told him angrily.

Alex slowly lowered Nikki to her feet, holding onto her until she gained her footing. He stepped back and watched as Nikki slowly made her way over to his sister. He didn’t say a word to Janine. He knew she was right. He
was
a big man, and he knew women tended to fear him. As an enforcer for the pack it was a trait that worked in his favor, but as a man who wanted his mate to desire him, it was a sore spot for him. He had always feared hurting his intended mate. Now that they had found Nikki, all those fears compounded, and he truly did fear hurting her just as Janine accused.

“Janine, I’m only going to say this to you one time,” Nikki’s strong voice cut through the silence. “You will
never
speak to Alex or Butler like that again, or you will have to deal with me.” The fire in Nikki’s eyes as she looked down at the young woman showed she was ready to take her on. “Trust me, honey. You don’t want to mess with me.”

Janine’s laugh was sharp as she looked at Nikki. “You don’t scare me. You’re not wolf. I am.”

Nikki nodded. “No, I’m not wolf, but I am a seriously pissed off woman who will rip your hair out and blacken both of your eyes before you have a chance to shift. Try me.”

Janine looked at Nikki with disgust. Assessing her silently, she knew she would have a serious fight on her hands if she accepted the challenge. She remained silent.

A surge of pride filled both Alex and Butler. Their mate was a warrior. She had already proven to be an unselfish protector with Laurie. Now she was stepping forward to defend them. Her courage and loyalty astounded them. At that moment, they felt humbled and unworthy of her.

Nikki stared at the girl silently, her anger boiling over at the cruelty with which Janine had hurt both Alex and Butler. Waiting until she saw her lower her eyes and look away, Nikki turned and reached out to take Alex’s hand in hers and led him over to Butler. She took his hand as well, and they slowly resumed their walk away from the ranch home.

“Okay, take me to the place you wanted to show me.”

Dean stepped toward Janine as she watched the trio leave. He crossed his arms across his muscled chest as he looked down at her quietly, trying to decide what, if anything, he should say.

“You can be a real pain in the ass, you know that, Janey?” he told her quietly.

“My name is Janine,” she corrected him angrily.

“I know, but I think Janey suits you better.”

“Well, since I don’t have to deal with you for much longer, I don’t care what you call me. I’m so out of here.”

“Bye, Janey. Work on that attitude, honey. Nobody likes a brat,” he told her, amusement evident in his voice.

“I know,” Janine whispered to herself as she walked away, heading back into the lodge. “I’m used to it.”

Dean watched her go, suddenly worried for the young woman. There was something about her that drew out his protective instincts. He really didn’t think she was as bad as she made herself out to be in front of the rest of the family. She was definitely a contradiction and a puzzle that he was determined to figure out.

* * * *

Alex was quiet as they walked away from the ranch home. Nikki watched him covertly, her attention wavering between him and Butler. Alex’s face was hard and devoid of emotion, but she could feel the emotions that still consumed him. She would wait until they reached their destination before speaking. The farther away from the ranch home they got, the better she felt about her decision. It would guarantee them privacy, and she wanted the isolation to see to the comfort of her men.

Her men
.

She had denied it from the moment she had met them, but she had to admit to herself that they were definitely a part of her life. And she wanted to keep it that way. It was time to push aside her fears and grab for the happiness she knew a life with these two men would give her.

Although they walked at a leisurely pace, Nikki could feel the tension that emanated from both men. Their hands held hers tenderly, but she could feel the anger and deep sorrow that poured from them. It was as if she was connected to them. It was confusing, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she could feel their emotions. Drew and Carter had been correct in their explanation of the bond that was forming between them. She was afraid of the bond, but at the same time she cherished it. She liked feeling connected to them.

They walked for nearly fifteen minutes. Alex led them around the wide lake to the far side of the crystal body of water until they stood at a spot that looked vaguely familiar to Nikki. The area had a small sandy beachfront and a good amount of land. It was surrounded by a natural framing of trees that made the area secluded. The view of the lush countryside and sparkling lake from this particular area was stunning.

Nikki pulled at both men’s hands, drawing them to a stop and making them turn to face her. Only Butler met her eyes, not even trying to hide the worry and sadness he was feeling. Alex never made eye contact, and she could feel his hurt deep in her own heart.

“She’s wrong, you know,” Nikki finally said quietly but firmly.

“About what?” Alex asked, never taking his eyes off the secluded spot before them.

“You two are the most tender and gentle men I know, Alex,” she told him quietly. “The way you and Butler treat me makes me feel special and cherished. Neither one of you would ever hurt me. And you certainly would have no chance of scaring me,” she insisted, nearly snorting at the absurdity of it. “Your sister is an idiot. And a mean idiot at that.”

Stepping toward Alex, she reached out and touched his chest lightly. He covered her hand with his own immediately, finally turning to look at her.

“Yes, she can be mean, Nikki,” Alex told her softly. “But she’s right. I don’t really know how to be gentle, and I do know I frighten women.”

“Bullshit!” Nikki interrupted him immediately, stunning both men, who looked at her with equal measures of surprise and humor. She pulled her hand away and rubbed her hands over her face in frustration. “Are you honestly going to stand there and tell me you aren’t gentle with a woman when you just spent the last few days being nothing but caring and gentle with me?”

Butler looked at Alex and grinned as he saw the stunned expression on his triad partner’s face. “She’s got you there, Alex,” he told him, laughing.

“You’re just as guilty of the same thing, Butler,” Nikki turned on him, pointing her finger at him angrily. “You think you’re too tough and brutal because of your job as enforcer of this pack. Don’t you dare deny it.”

Both men remained silent. Neither one could deny what Nikki said because it was the truth. As pack enforcers they had to be strong or their packmates would be at risk.

“Nikki, our role in this pack is set. We have to be what we are in order to protect our people,” Butler told her softly. He suddenly couldn’t face her and was glad to turn away from the intensity of her gaze. He pulled the blanket from his shoulder and spread it out on the white sand before turning back to stand before her.

Nikki stepped forward and placed one hand on Butler’s chest and one hand on Alex’s chest. She smiled as they tenderly covered her hands with both of theirs.

Not gentle, my ass!
She nearly snorted at the thought.

“Alex, Butler.” She spoke softly, her heart nearly breaking at the expression of worry on both men’s faces. “The strength that you use to defend your family is admirable. The toughness you show is necessary to do a good job.” She stepped toward them and gently pulled her hands from theirs to reach up and tenderly caress their faces. “That doesn’t change the fact that when you care about someone, you are the most considerate and gentle men I have ever known.”

She leaned forward and kissed the underside of their jaws, rubbing her face affectionately against their necks. Without hesitation, she slowly dropped to her knees before them, leaning her head against Alex’s right hip as he faced her.

“You’re gentle and sweet,” she whispered as she rubbed her cheek along his rapidly growing erection. “You’re a tender lover when I need you to be, and you know just when I need you to be rougher. Both sides of your personality make me want you. I wouldn’t want you to be only one or the other. I want both.”

She looked up at him, her blue eyes open and trusting. She fought to control the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Turning to face Butler, her heart melted at the soft expression that was on his face as he looked down at her. She leaned forward and rubbed her cheek against his leg to offer him comfort. Reaching up, she ran her left hand up and down the hard length of him through his jeans.

“I need you both to take off your clothes,” she whispered. “I need to show you just how much I value you.”

Both men stepped back slightly and pulled their shirts off and threw them to the ground behind them. Nikki remained on her knees as she watched them unbuckle their belts, and unzip their jeans. Making quick work of divesting themselves of their boots and socks, they pulled their jeans and boxer briefs from their bodies and stood before her naked, waiting.

Nikki reached forward and gently lifted both men’s heavy cocks in her hands. She kissed the tips of each shaft with utmost care and gentleness, licking at the weeping slits and moaning at the taste of them.

“I have no doubt in my mind that you both will prove to be gentle, loving, and faithful husbands to the woman you’re mated to. I truly hope that woman is me.”

The men’s instant angry growls shocked her, and she sat back on her heels quickly. Before she could even ask what made them upset, they pulled her up by her arms and pinned her between them, holding her tightly between their bodies. Alex grabbed her hair, wrapping the soft length of it around his hand as he tipped her head up to meet his gaze. His eyes were hard and flashed golden as his wolf fought to be free. When she looked at Butler, she saw that he was just as angry and was barely containing his wolf.

“The Fates have chosen
you
as our mate, Nikki,” Butler growled. “You need to accept this as we have. There will be no other woman for us.”

“There will be no other,” Alex repeated angrily. “We only want
you
.”

Nikki’s breath caught in her throat, and her heart pounded against her chest. The same old fears assaulted her. The voice of caution echoed in her mind, telling her to be careful and not allow herself to be sucked into a relationship that would only end in heartbreak for her. She had learned the hard way not to allow any man close enough to bury himself deep within her heart only to destroy her.

But they don’t even know about my money.

The ever-present nagging voice echoed in her mind. As much as she hated to admit it, her nagging voice was right.

Give them a chance.

The voice continued to scream in her head. She told the voice to shut up.

“Say it, Nikki,” Butler demanded as he stared down at her with fire in his eyes. “Say you belong to us.”

Pulling back slightly, Alex touched her face gently. He placed his index finger beneath her chin to tip her beautiful face up to meet his gaze.

“It’s okay, Nikki,” he told her quietly. “You don’t have to say anything right now. You’re our mate. Deny it if you want, for whatever reason, but know that there will never be anyone for us but you.” His eyes searched her face slowly. “We know we’ll have a good life with you. If you search your heart, you’ll know it, too.”