Circe's Recruits 2: Zack and Ace (5 page)

Kelly wished her mother were alive to answer the many questions she now had. But Bridget Malloy had succumbed to cancer several years ago. Doc said her father didn’t know anything, so Kelly had no intention of broaching the subject to him. No, she had to deal with this on her own.

Doc stared at her, his expression patient and understanding. Then again, maybe she wasn’t so “on her own.” She’d always considered Doc and the others her family, but now she felt like a real member of the group, instead of the annoying younger sister on the fringes.

Kelly cleared her throat. “My being able to scent certain things, my attraction for Zack” -- and Ace, she almost added -- “it’s because of the serum?”

“Partly. Are you attracted to the others in the same way?”

“No.” Just Ace.

“Then I’d guess what you feel for Zack is a personal choice. I’m sure his Circ genetics make him more attractive, on a basic level. What’s intriguing about this is, why now? What’s stimulated the Circ within you to come to the fore?” Doc’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. “I think you’ve finally matured. You’re what, twenty-seven now?”

“In two weeks.”

“A year younger than Caitlyn when she fully changed.” He frowned.

“I thought it was the PPA’s involvement that made that happen.”

“Yes and no. They fed her drugs for many years, but I don’t think those drugs had any effect. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if her blood rejected the excess serum. She just needed to let nature direct her growth. Like you.” Yet he didn’t look satisfied by the explanation.

Her mind whirred. “So is my being Circ the reason you never wanted me around when the guys hit their mating heat?”

“Yes.” Doc’s cheeks reddened, but he didn’t look away. “The heat is extreme and can only be satisfied with another Circ.”

“Wait a minute. Only another Circ? So the guys haven’t been chasing down horny women for sex when it hits?” What the hell did that mean? For the longest time, the only Circs in town were the five guys.

Doc continued as if she hadn’t asked the question. “They only satisfy the mating heat with another Circ. As much as you possess the genetic material, you haven’t become a true Circ, not yet. I didn’t want to chance you getting hurt in the event they accepted your nature, not fully formed, as it is. The men can be quite rough, so I understand.”

“Right.” She swallowed hard. “So, what now? Am I going to start wolfing out, or turning into whatever they turn into? The shot you gave me is wearing off. I can feel it.

Yesterday, I smelled Ace. It’s like I identified him through scent. And I’ve been having these weird thoughts.”

Doc cocked his head. “About what?”

“Um.” She didn’t know exactly how to put it.

“Kelly, it’s okay.” Doc squeezed her hand. “What you’re experiencing may be scary or uncomfortable, but it’s normal for a Circ.”

Normal. Great. “I have these odd notions of claiming the men. I keep hearing the word ‘mates’ in my mind.”

“Men? Mates? You mean Zack and Ace.”

She felt her face heat. “Maybe.”

“Kelly, it’s been obvious for some time that both Zack and Ace care for you. When Caitlyn arrived a month ago, a female Circ, they barely spared her a glance. With you, they can’t take their eyes off you whenever you’re in the room. What’s more, it’s obvious you feel the same way. Go with what your heart, your beast, tells you. Listen to your instincts.”

“My beast.” Kelly had heard Caitlyn talk about that.

“In fact, you should talk to Caitlyn,” Doc said, as if reading her mind.

“I think I will. But Doc, can we not tell the guys this yet? I need time to process it all.

Maybe another shot will help?”

“Okay.” He fetched the needle and injected her just as Zack walked into his office unannounced.

“Kelly?”

“Thanks, Doc.” She gave Doc a kiss on the cheek and flashed Zack a brief smile. “I’m going home for the rest of the day. I’ll see you tomorrow, Doc, okay?” Doc nodded. “Sure thing.”

She breezed by Zack but faltered when she caught Ace’s scent all over him. Shocked at what that might mean, she darted for the doorway and lit out for her car. All the way home, she thought about what she’d been told. If the Circs only wanted another Circ for mating, then that meant before Caitlyn arrived the guys had been…doing each other? Holy shit.

Her face flamed at the sudden image of Zack and Ace having sex. And she’d just caught Ace’s scent all over Zack! Had the men been forced into having sex together because of their DNA, or because they liked it? She always overheard them talking about women, and Roane was head over heels for Caitlyn. It had to be the Circ thing.

Which made her wonder. Now that Caitlyn had appeared, was she doing all the guys now? Her guys?

Kelly’s arms rippled. Her sight wavered, going from normal to superintense. Colors seemed brighter, sharper, and her hearing improved tenfold. Then the sensation abruptly ceased. Thank God she’d arrived home. Shaking, Kelly parked her car and entered the house.

She dropped onto the couch, unable to stop trembling.

Her body was no longer her own. I’m a Circ. The idea still stunned her. I can contribute to Doc and the guys in a whole new way. Kelly paused in thought. What, with my legs spread wide open? She groaned, because instead of feeling embarrassed at the idea, she was strangely turned on. The thought of taking both Zack and Ace made her wet and aching in an instant.

Kelly swore and resolved to maintain control, even if it killed her. “Screw this. I’m taking a bath and going to bed.” Right after she had a tall, stiff drink.

* * * * *

Zack stared in horror at the needle in Doc’s hands. “What did you do to Kelly?” As if he needed one more distraction, with Ace nearly dying and doing a one-eighty in their relationship, such as it was. Normally consisting of verbal sallies and physical fights, now Ace was pushing him into orgasm, willingly. Then to walk in here and find Kelly looking like death warmed over, and sick besides, well, it wasn’t a good mix.

“Easy.” Doc tossed the needle onto his desk. “Close and lock the door, and come here.” Zack locked the door and took the seat Kelly had vacated.

“Kelly wants to tell you this herself. I promised to give her time --”

“Doc,” he warned, his beast close to exploding at the thought of Kelly undergoing harm.

“Kelly is a Circ. She’s teetering on full maturation, which is why you’ve never directly sensed what was in her before now.” Doc gave him a thoughtful look. “Or have you?” Zack couldn’t have been more shocked. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No.” Doc sighed. “I’ve known for some time. That’s why Kelly took shots every month. To suppress her need to change. She didn’t know what the shots were for. Her mother made me promise never to tell her, a promise I regretted giving the moment I said the words.” Doc frowned. “We never wanted to hurt Kelly. And if Elliot had known about her, I can’t imagine what he might have done.” Zack relaxed. “Good point.”

“But Kelly’s starting to reject the blockers. She’s very susceptible right now. Her senses are becoming stronger. I don’t have to tell you she’ll need to be handled very carefully.”

“I’d never hurt her.” Hell, why would Doc suggest such a thing?

“I know that, not intentionally. But imagine finding a female Circ to take the edge off when the next mating heat hits. And not just any female, but the one you’ve been drawn to for a long time.” Doc arched a brow. “Now imagine throwing a rival Circ into the mix. How do you suppose Ace might react when he finds out Kelly is one of you, available to mate?

Have you two come to some accord about sharing?” Zack swore. Though today had been an improvement in the way he and Ace normally dealt with one another, throwing Kelly into the mix would probably harm rather than help them. “We’re working toward a semblance of peace.” Zack knew he’d be wise to keep this from Ace, at least for the time being.

“So you see why I don’t want anyone to know yet. Let the girl have some time to adjust to the idea. Another week and everyone will know just who and what she is, because the meds won’t save her from this next heat.”

The thought of sharing Kelly, as Roane had once shared Caitlyn, made Zack furious.

“Are we, that is, do we need to perform the same kind of bonding ceremony we used with Caitlyn?” Ceremony. Hell, they’d gangbanged Caitlyn while Roane watched.

“I don’t think so.” Doc’s calm centered him. “Roane is your leader, and from what I’ve gathered, Circs are a hierarchical group. Caitlyn is Roane’s mate. She connected with the group as he did. He leads because he dominates, and he established that sexually. The rest of you aren’t like that. You share your duties, and you give your loyalty because it’s a part of you.”

“Then as my mate, Kelly would only have to show her loyalty to Roane…sexually.” Doc squirmed, as though uncomfortable with the subject. Then again, the man treated Kelly like a daughter. “I suppose. It really depends on how Kelly bonds with you and Ace.”

“So you think it’ll be both of us, me and Ace, she takes to?” Hope suffused him. To have to make a choice between Kelly and Ace, or worse, for Kelly to have to make a choice, would destroy him.

“I was convinced of it the first time she met all of you.” Doc smiled. “The girl’s headstrong, and she’s selective. She’s been challenging you in subtle ways for years. But without being a true Circ, she couldn’t test you physically, and we both know how necessary that is for a mating to occur.” Doc paused. “Zack, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“What is Ace to you?”

Everything. “Why do you ask?”

“Because during the mating heat, you two segregate yourselves from everyone else, correct?”

“Yeah.” He knew Hale often provided details so that Doc could study them. But it still made him uncomfortable. Sure he liked sex with both genders, but he didn’t advertise it.

“I think you two bonded some time ago. So long as you’re both secure in that, you shouldn’t have any problem in mating with Kelly. But you really need to make sure there’s no sense of rivalry or insecurity between you two.”

“You know, that’s a good point.” Zack took the initiative, an idea forming that might help all of them. “I think it would be best if Ace and I took off for a little bit. Maybe sorted out our issues before the next heat comes.”

“You only have a week.” Doc looked worried. “Make sure you two fix your problems. If not, things may become dangerous for Kelly and you when the time comes.”

“Right.” Zack stood. “Uh, maybe you could keep this quiet for now. Just say we’re taking time to recuperate or something. I don’t want to make Ace feel weird about this. He’s not as comfortable about us as I am.”

“No worries.” Doc turned to his computer. “I’ll announce at dinner tonight that you’ll both be busy recuperating elsewhere. It might be best if you left before the meal to ward off any questions.”

“Done.” Zack unlocked the door and left, stunned by what he’d just learned.

Helluva day. He’d been given the best massage of his life by the man he loved, a man who’d never before reciprocated his feelings. That Ace had touched Zack sexually meant he might finally be coming around to a real relationship with Zack. Then to learn that Kelly could fulfill that aching need that lived deep in Zack’s soul? Like a dream come true -- one that had the potential to blow up in their faces if he didn’t manage this right.

He needed to smooth things with Ace, and he couldn’t do that here. They needed privacy, some alone time. But more, they needed to bond with Kelly prior to her change.

When the beast took over, impulse and instinct reigned. No one would be safe, unless they all trusted each other on a basic level, before the wildness ruled them all.

Zack passed by Caitlyn, who had her arms filled with rolls of paper and paint samples.

Two seconds later, he nearly knocked Roane down on his way toward the stairs.

“Easy.” Roane narrowed his eyes. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry, gotta go.”

“You’re supposed to be resting. Doc’s orders.”

“Right. I’m heading back to my room.”

“I mean it, Zack. We could have lost you and Ace. You need to go easy,” Roane ordered in a thick voice.

Zack warmed. He could feel Roane’s sincerity. The look in his eyes suggested he still worried about the pair. “We’ll be fine. But you might not be. I think Caitlyn’s taking decorating to a whole new level. She has paint samples, and she was heading to your room.”

“Shit,” Roane muttered under his breath as he went back the way he’d come.

Smiling, Zack bounded up the stairs and entered his room. Neat as a pin, he had no problems locating all the clothes he would need and packed enough for a week’s absence.

Finished, he heard the shower running. His body tightened as he imagined Ace naked and covered in water.

Forcing away thoughts of sex, he took a deep breath and knocked on the bathroom door. No one answered. Probably can’t hear me because of the water. Zack let himself in and stared at Ace’s broad back through the glass door of the stall. His dark hair shone blue-black in the light as greedy droplets of water clung to his shoulders and lower. Down the small of his back to that muscular ass to those thick thighs he could easily imagine spread wide while he pushed between firm cheeks…

“Zack.” Ace turned around, sporting a hard-on. He spoke as if nothing was amiss.

“What’s up?”

Wanting nothing more than to get down on his knees and take Ace’s cock between his lips, Zack concentrated on looking only at Ace’s eyes. The dark brown irises appeared jet-black, deep pools of emotion Ace normally kept under wraps.

“We need to get out of here for a while.”

Ace frowned.

“There’s a situation. Nothing serious,” he said quickly before Ace could ask. “Well, yeah, it’s serious, but in a good way. I can’t explain here. Too many ears.” Too many Circs.

“Bottom line is that you and I need to come to an understanding. I’ll tell you all about it once we’re gone. Pack enough for a week.”

Ace blinked in surprise. “We’re leaving?”

“Just for a little while. Like I said, we need to handle this away from the others.” Ace nodded and turned off the shower. Just like that. No questions, no arguments. Zack was instantly suspicious. Ace stepped out of the shower, dripping on the floor. The two men stood face-to-face. Zack wasn’t surprised to see a measure of cunning reflected in Ace’s black gaze.