Taken (M/F/M red-hot menage shifter romance) Standalone (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 2) (12 page)

Katlyn wanted to check to see how Tessa was doing today and knocked a few times at the door of the main house. It was opened by the maid and she was directed upstairs, where Tessa was resting comfortably with Paige cleaning and disposing of the empty plastic bags that had contained blood.

“How is Tessa?”

“Seems good now. Her lesions are even smaller.”

Katlyn walked to the foot of the bed and smiled. Tessa’s skin was pasty white, like it had been since she’d been turned, but this time, her cheeks were rosy looking.

“She looks so much better,” Katlyn said. “I had so worried about her.”

“I know. I promise nothing will pass her lips unless I check it over first.”

“Thanks, Paige. I appreciate you helping Tessa the way you have. Tessa’s not used to being sickly. She’s always been the strong one.”

“What was she like back where you came from?”

“Active. She liked to jog and play basketball. She’s the one person I could always count on for sound advice, unless I had planned to do something like going to a club for hot ménage sex,” Katlyn laughed. “If Tessa had known, she’d have never have let me go that night that I met Brendan and Chase.”

“That would be a shame, since you’re both such a great addition to Shadow Creek.”

Katlyn went on to tell Paige what had happened with regards to Carrie and Melody.

“So, Seth took Melody from Shadow Creek. What a shocker that Brendan allowed him to do that.”

“Yes, he sure swallowed his pride—one of his better qualities.”

“He’s a stubborn man, for sure, and I really hope he can forgive Seth one day. What happened with Wenise was unfortunate, but you can only hold bad feelings against someone for so long. The strange part was that it was Wenise’s decision, but Brendan has only ever blamed Seth for what happened.”

“So they never were involved, then?”

“Seth and Wenise? No. You should go on home now. I’ll let Tessa know you were here. She’ll be up and about tomorrow. Right now, she needs her sleep.”

“I will, but I did want to give you a heads up. I called my parents and they’re planning to head out here. I’m just not so sure if it will be tomorrow or the day after. They just told me it would be soon. Can they stay at the main house?”

“They’ll have to. I’ll make sure I have a room readied for them. It’s so exciting. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any houseguests.”

Katlyn hated to ask, but before she was able to ask Paige, she said, “Don’t worry. I promise not to make them my midnight snack.” She winked.

Katlyn hated that she was poking fun at something that was very real to Katlyn, considering Tessa’s condition. “Fine, then. I’ll head on home. I’d sure like to have a calm dinner tonight at the cabin for a change.”

“As you wish,” Paige said as Katlyn left.

* * *

Katlyn gazed at her roasted chicken with pride, inhaling the fragrance of the garlic, rosemary, and lemon she’d used to season it with. After bringing the mashed potatoes and corn to the table, Brendan and Chase waltzed in with huge grins on their faces.

“You can cook?” Brendan asked with raised brow.

Katlyn’s hands fell to her hips. “Why is that such a surprise?”

“I didn’t mean anything by that, I swear.”

“Of course he’ll say anything to get a home-cooked meal,” Chase said with a wink. “I could smell that chicken cooking from a mile away.”

“Go on and wash up, the both of you. It’s not going to taste good if it gets cold.”

Katlyn had barely settled herself before they returned and Brendan cut the chicken. “I like white meat,” Katlyn said.

“I’m also partial to the breast,” Brendan said.

When their plates were filled, they ate with little to no conversation. Katlyn enjoyed the smiles on their faces that told her more than words could that they enjoyed the meal.

“I love to cook,” Katlyn said. “I’ve just never had anyone to cook for before. Now I have two somebodies.”

“Now that I know, you’ll be cooking for us more regular.” When Katlyn gave Brendan a look, he quickly added, “If you want, I meant.”

Katlyn changed the subject. “Are you really okay with Seth taking Melody off the ranch?”

“Actually? No, but after seeing Carrie’s condition the other night, I think it’s a wise decision.”

“I hope that Carrie really plans to clean her life up,” Katlyn said.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Chase said. “She’s been like that for years, but I hope that she loses that Jason character. He’s really bad news.”

“Don’t worry, Katlyn, I’m not planning to cause Seth any problems. It’s important that Melody is happy.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Brendan. Although, yesterday you weren’t as forthcoming as you should have been. You acted like you didn’t even know that Seth was Melody’s father.”

“I’m sorry about that, but since he’s never really been in Melody’s life, I guess I didn’t want to think about it since I’ve been angry at Seth for so long. I believed Carrie’s stories about Seth, and as far as I was concerned, they were true based on what he had done in regards to Wenise. It never occurred to me that she had lied through her teeth. Carrie knows how to play the victim when it suits her.”

“I’ll have to agree with that, but I just think she’s selfish and only thinks about her needs. You just can’t do that when you have a child. I’ve been told when you have a child, your entire life is completely changed forever.”

“I’m sure that will be the case for us, too, but I hope at least some of our life won’t change completely.”

Katlyn knew exactly what he meant, but changed the subject instead. “Soon, we’ll have something else to deal with.” She took a drink of her milk, trying hard not to make a face. “I called my parents. They’ll be here in a couple of days.”

Both men swallowed hard, and Brendan asked, “What did you tell them about your life here?”

Katlyn sighed heavily. “Actually, nothing. I didn’t think it was something I should say over the phone. It’s hard enough for me to come to grips with the fact that I’m pregnant with twins and have two mountain lion shifters for mates.”

Brendan looked somber now, as he said, “I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with an angry father before.”

Katlyn’s brow knitted. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, it’s true. Then again, we’ve never taken a mate before.”

“Didn’t you almost, once? Wenise?”

“I loved her. I won’t deny it, but back then Chase and I weren’t doubling up on women. I thought I was ready to take that step, until Wenise began seeing other men behind my back.”

“How positive are you that she ever carried your child at all?”

“She told me it was my baby, but she didn’t want to be exclusive, and we were just too young to be mates. I’ll admit that she broke my heart and that’s why I began having ménages with Chase. I never thought I’d ever get to the point where I’d want to take a mate,” Brendan said. “Until you came along. When I first laid a hand on you back at the club in Wisconsin, I knew I was lost.”

“At first, it was for fun, until we met you, Katlyn,” Chase agreed. “I’m willing to share you with Brendan since we run this ranch together. And now that you carry our children, we’re forever bonded.”

Katlyn smiled. She loved the sound of that. “I’m glad I came to Wyoming, and I love you both despite your issues.”

“What issues?” Brendan asked.

“Oh, come now. Brendan, you have control issues for sure, but I know deep inside you’re a very emotional man. You’re also a very proud and kind man. That day when you both were helping that mare give birth was the day I knew that I’d made the right decision to become your mate.” Katlyn turned to Chase, “And you, Chase. You need to stand up to Brendan more. You let him call the shots when I can tell that you’d rather not.”

“Fine, my turn,” Chase said. “Katlyn, you need to speak up when you don’t like something instead of allowing Brendan to lead you any way he wants.”

Katlyn didn’t think she did that at all.

“I can stand up for myself just fine, like yesterday when Brendan wanted me to leave so he could have alone time with you. I refused,” Chase informed her.

Katlyn smiled. “I’m glad you did, but we had our alone time when Brendan left last night. I’d like an explanation, Brendan.”

Brendan moved to clear the dishes as they were finished eating.

“Don’t walk away from me,” Katlyn said. “Tell me.”

He turned to face her. “Fine, I damn near shifted into animal form. I had to leave or it would have gotten very awkward fast.”

Katlyn’s mouth formed a big O. “I see. Well, in that case, I’m not mad at you for leaving.”

Brendan and Chase insisted that Katlyn rest while they cleaned up since she had cooked, and it was the nicest thing she’d ever had anyone do for her. These two shifters had more decorum than any human male she’d ever known.

Katlyn went over to the sink just as Brendan and Chase had finished discussing how they should handle it when Katlyn’s parents showed up. “We’ll let Katlyn decide when and how to tell them about the babies.”

“Yes, that’s exactly how it will have to go. My dad is really overprotective,” Katlyn explained. “I’m not sure what will sound worse to them, me being pregnant or that I have two mates who happen to be mountain lions.”

Brendan nodded, rinsing the sink out. “I’d hate to let all these bubbles go to waste.”

“Oh, what did you have in mind?” Katlyn asked, unbuttoning her dress suggestively. “I’m game if you are.”

Katlyn had no idea what Brendan had in mind, but she was more than willing to find out. She took her dress off and tossed it on the counter, unhooking her bra, but didn’t directly take it off. She’d give him what he wanted, but she wanted to tease him first. Katlyn drooped her shoulders a tad until the straps of her bra trailed down to rest near her elbows. Brendan licked his lower lip suggestively, and only then did he pull her bra away. As Katlyn’s breasts bounced free, Brendan took one in his hand, squeezing a sensitive nipple until it hardened under the pressure of his finger and thumb as he rolled it. Katlyn let out a long sigh and turned her to face the sink. “Make sure you use plenty of suds, honey,” Brendan instructed her.

She ran the water and her panties filled with wetness. Katlyn made a motion like she was about to wash the dishes, feeling Brendan rolling her panties down to her knees. It was then that she heard his zipper pulled down and he slapped his hardness against her ass, so hard that she winced slightly. It didn’t hurt, exactly, but it stung a bit.

Brendan pushed Katlyn against the sink, reaching for the suds, and smeared them on Katlyn’s breasts. Both of his hands worked her now as he squeezed and tugged, nearly driving her insane at the pleasure. She loved to be man-handled, or in this case, shifter handled. He nudged her thighs apart with his knee and if he hadn’t had ahold of her, she’d have fallen. She squirmed until her panties were at her ankles, kicking them away. Never once did Brendan drop his hands from what he was doing with her breasts as Chase joined them, pressing a finger at her core, easing it into her wetness. Katlyn moaned as she’d just lost it from Brendan working on her breasts and Chase brought her to a quick orgasm. When Chase’s finger left her, she groaned in disappointment until Brendan bent her slightly, taking her hard and fast. The slapping sound echoed around the small room as he pummeled Katlyn. She had to hold herself as she was very nearly slammed against the counter with each thrust, but instead of even thinking about protesting, she was screaming for him to do it harder and faster. When the first of the orgasms hit, she nearly sobbed at the intensity. She tightened around his shaft and he muttered, “Damn, girl. You’re gonna cut off my circulation.”

Katlyn frowned when Brendan’s hands left her breasts, gripping her hips and pulling her against him until he left her abruptly. Chase now took ahold of her arm and pulled her back into the dining room and sat down. “Sit on me, girl, and ride me like a cowgirl would ride her cowboy.”

Katlyn would ride this cowboy shifter all right, any way he wanted it. She slid his cock inside and sat with a thump as her back hit against the table.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded, and with her feet braced on the floor she bounced up and down on his hardness, with her breasts in full motion. “Oh, yes,” he said. He thrust upward, meeting her halfway, his hands finding her breast and pinching her nipples, sending Katlyn into orbit.

Chase groaned, his face reddening as he pumped his load into her. He then held her tenderly, her sex still twitching with need, wanting more. She bumped against him again, and he said, “Damn, woman. I’m not Superman, you know. I need to recover before I’ll be able to do it again.”

“Luckily, you have two mates,” Brendan said, easing her up. “I’m not done with you yet.” He led her over to the bed and positioned her on her hands and knees, taking her from behind, much to Katlyn’s delight since she loved the deeper penetration she got in this position. Brendan put one foot on the bed with his knee raised, working his cock in her slowly, at first, until she tried to buck back at him to increase his rhythm, but he only chuckled. “Don’t be so darn impatient.” He moved in and out of her slowly until she begged for more, finally giving it to her hard and fast until it stung her innermost parts at the skin to skin contact. But was she going to complain? No, sir.

Brendan’s breathing began to become more erratic, his strokes more intense, until she felt his cock expand as he pumped into her. They were both drenched in sweat when they were finished and collapsed on the bed, Chase crawling up to join them. But he didn’t interfere as Brendan held Katlyn close.

* * *

Hours later, Katlyn was in the bathroom, taking a quick shower, and that’s when the anxiety hit her. Her parents were really going to be here soon and she had no idea what they’d say. She just hoped that her dad wouldn’t demand that she leave Wyoming.

The cabin still smelled like chicken when she wandered back toward the bed, where both her mates were still sleeping, thankfully. After she was lying next to them in bed, her mind wouldn’t quit worrying about her parents since she was horrible about standing up to her father. Sure, she had moved away from home, but that was for college. She’d never given her parents an opportunity to protest when she found a teaching job straight out of high school in Newbury, Wisconsin. Yes, this sure would prove to be interesting.