A Growl, a Roar, and a Purr Page 19

  Relax. Horvan slipped his hands under Dellan’s sweater and stroked his belly, making Dellan shiver with anticipation. Tonight is for getting acquainted.

  Tonight is for touching. Rael moved higher until he was looking Dellan in the eye. And especially kissing. Before Dellan could react, Rael took his mouth in the sweetest kiss Dellan had ever known. He gave himself up to the waves of pleasure that ran through him, losing himself in the kiss.

  When they parted, he caught his breath. “How can a simple kiss blow my mind?”

  Because we’re your mates. Rael smiled. And if that was mind-blowing, you’re not going to survive what comes next.

  “Enough talk. Bed,” Horvan whispered, maneuvering them toward it. Dellan allowed himself to be pulled onto the bed, placing himself between Rael and Horvan.

  “Isn’t this where you should be?” he asked Rael teasingly.

  Rael rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay. So we all know my lion submits to both of you. Well, tonight, you let us do all the work.” And before Dellan could utter another word, Rael leaned over and kissed him again, taking his time. Dellan couldn’t lie still. He put his arms around Rael, pulling him closer, investing himself fully in the lingering kiss.

  Feeling a little left out here, boys. Horvan pushed up Dellan’s sweater, and Dellan gasped into Rael’s kiss as a warm, wet mouth enclosed his nipple while Horvan stroked and caressed his chest and belly.

  Dellan was in heaven.

  He had no idea how long they lay like that, still clothed, enjoying one another’s touch. Little by little, clothing was discarded, but they were in no hurry. Exchanges were a mix of whispered words and shared thoughts, Dellan carried along on a wave of exquisite sensual bliss. When at last they were naked, he explored them, stroking and caressing, kissing, licking, and sucking until soft moans that apparently none of them could contain filled the air. He enjoyed the feel of Horvan’s strong, firm body beneath his fingertips, the feel of Rael’s soft lips as they kissed every inch of him, and the sensations that filled him with delight as both Horvan and Rael teased his body with inquisitive fingers.

  “This feels amazing, and we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.” Dellan arched his back as Rael kissed his belly, his lips softly grazing the root of his dick. He shuddered, then found the presence of mind to place his hand on Rael’s head. “Stop.”

  Rael turned to look at him. “What’s wrong?”

  Dellan laughed quietly. “Nothing is wrong. On the contrary, I really want your mouth on me. But….”

  “You want to wait until the blood test results are in, don’t you?” Horvan wrapped his hand around Dellan’s cock and gently tugged it, making Dellan groan. “That’s okay. We can wait a few days more. After all, we’ve waited this long.”

  Dellan stilled. “Hold on. What do you mean?” He looked from Horvan to Rael. “You guys haven’t…?”

  “No, we haven’t.” Rael crawled up Dellan’s body and kissed him lightly on the lips. “We were waiting for you.” Horvan joined him, and Dellan was locked into a three-way kiss, something he’d never experienced.

  When they parted, he gazed at them in awe. “You waited,” he said simply. He looped his arms around their necks. “I know it’s probably me being overly cautious, seeing as we’re immune to human infections, but—”

  “But you don’t want to put us at risk, because we’re dealing with unknowns here,” Horvan interjected. “It’s okay, honest.”

  Rael stroked Dellan’s chest. “I’d rather wait until you get the all clear too. Well, it’s either that or condoms.” He brushed his lips over Dellan’s ear, making him shiver. And I don’t want anything between us when you both come inside me.

  Oh fuck. Dellan closed his eyes and enjoyed the image in Rael’s head, the three of them locked together in a chain, Dellan rocking between them, all of them covered in a light sheen of sweat.

  Okay, you need to stop that right now. I’ve only got so much willpower, you know? Horvan kissed Dellan on the mouth. So we’re all going to curl up and go to sleep. Got it?

  Rael was shaking with laughter. Yes, Mama Bear.

  Dellan bit his lip. Mama Bear? He had to fight hard not to react.

  Horvan let out a low growl. I am gonna fucking kill Crank for that.

  Not right now you’re not. Dellan pulled the sheets over them and snuggled down between his mates. They hooked their legs over his, joining hands on his belly. Their breath stirred his hair and their bodies warmed his.

  It was the perfect way to sleep.

  “I COULD eat a mountain of bacon and a ton of home fries this morning,” Dellan announced as they sat down to eat breakfast.

  Crank snorted. “Gee, I wonder why?”

  “Crank.” Roadkill’s voice held a note of warning.

  He arched his eyebrows. “Don’t give me that, not when you’re thinking exactly the same thing.” Crank gave a gleeful grin. “I’m surprised the whole cabin wasn’t rocking.” Beside him, Hashtag snickered.

  Ignore him. Don’t give him any ammunition, Rael advised.

  Dellan had no intention of responding. He helped himself to more eggs and dug in. That had been the best sleep of his life. He’d awoken early, feeling rested and buzzing with energy.

  Enough energy that for the first time since his release, he wanted to play.

  “Being serious for a minute?” Crank took a slurp of his coffee. “Maybe we should, you know, leave.”

  Horvan frowned. “Who’s ‘we’?”

  “Me and these two.” Crank gestured to Roadkill and Hashtag.

  “Why? Is there someplace you have to be?” Horvan inquired.

  “Well, no, but—”

  “Besides, I thought you wanted to be there when we confront Anson,” Rael observed. He peered intently at Crank. “You do want to be part of that, right?”

  “Sure, but….” Crank pushed his plate away. “Look, it occurred to me we might be… in the way, y’know?” He coughed.

  Horvan smiled. “Oh, I see.” Rael chuckled.

  “Okay, you can stop that right now. You’re not in the way,” Dellan assured him.

  Crank’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, cool. Are we talking an orgy, then?” He glared when a chorus of “Crank!” filled the air. “What? Like you wouldn’t wanna piece of that?”

  “I swear, you are the gayest straight guy I ever met,” Roadkill declared, rolling his eyes.

  “Doc, do you want to leave too?” Dellan didn’t want to be an imposition.

  The doc smiled. “Believe it or not, I’m enjoying being here. It’s been a while since I got to spend time with these guys, and it’s great to catch up. Not to mention, it’s peaceful here. At my age, you need all the restful moments you can get.”

  Something the doc said struck a chord. “How did you all meet?” Dellan inquired.

  “When I was on active service. I met Horvan first. He was still green, bless him, but he learned fast. Then as we met in various combat zones, I was introduced to these three.” Doc smiled. “Once met, never forgotten.”

  Crank preened until Hashtag hit him upside the head. Crank glared at him. “Hey, what the fuck was that for?”

  “Because you needed a wallop, that’s why.”

  “By the way, Rael, I looked you up,” Doc said quietly. When Rael gave him an inquiring glance, he smiled again. “I’ve seen your pictures. Excellent stuff. I particularly liked the article on the mating habits of the condor. How on earth did you get those photos?”

  “Would you believe hanging upside down from a cliff for two hours?”

  Dellan gaped. “Seriously?”

  Doc laughed. “Now I know there’s something in this mates business. You and Horvan are a perfect match. He’s an adrenaline junkie.”

  “But I’m not,” Dellan commented. Where do I fit in?

  Before either of his mates could react, Doc spoke up. “You’re their anchor. You are what grounds them. Their work takes them away from home, but you are what will draw them back.”

 
“How can you know that?” Dellan demanded. “You’ve only just met me.”

  “But you told me everything I needed to know when you shared why Tom Prescott had left the company to you and not Anson.”

  Dellan shook his head. “You can’t know I’m perfect for them based on only that.”

  Crank and Roadkill got up from the table, and Hashtag cleared away the dishes. Doc refilled Dellan’s coffee mug, then leaned back in his chair, regarding him with a speculative gaze.

  “Tell me something. One of the biggest debates going on now concerns the price of medicines. Your company could have been making billions more, yet when you took on the company, you kept your prices low. Tell me why.”

  Dellan didn’t have to think about it. “Tom told me we were there to help people. To do what we could to make their lives better. We weren’t going to profit from illness.”

  “So when you took over the company….”

  “I believe the same as he did. I won’t gouge people who are trying to survive.”

  Don nodded slowly. “And you still think you’re not the one who can care for two men like Rael and Horvan here? They go out and have to deal with dangerous assignments, but with you to come home to, I guarantee neither of them will be taking nearly as many risks.”

  Horvan huffed. “You got that right.” Rael nodded.

  “Now wait a minute.” Dellan stared at them. “You make people’s lives better too. I don’t want you to give that up. None of us should change who we are at the core.”

  “I agree,” Doc said at once. “But that’s why you three will have to be open and honest with one another.”

  Rael chuckled. “We can all read the others’ thoughts, Doc. I don’t think we can get much more open than that.”

  Doc’s chuckle echoed his. “After all my years dealing with people who aren’t going to make it, let me tell you one thing. Those with the biggest fears find ways to hide things from those they love.” He shook his head. “Don’t do that. Be there for each other. Be open and honest. So what if you’re mates, bound together by fate? That’s the easy part.” His eyes twinkled. “Not screwing it up? That’s all on the three of you.”

  Dellan regarded Doc with interest. “You seem to know a lot about my company.”

  “When I did a search on Rael last night?” Doc grinned. “I looked you up too.”

  Dellan folded his arms. “I’m sure that as soon as I was out of the picture, my beloved half brother raised prices.”

  “Actually, he didn’t,” Rael said quickly. “He believes, like Tom did, that meds shouldn’t cost the earth. He told me that much himself.”

  “Being ethical hasn’t done him any harm,” Doc added. “The company has gone from strength to strength during the last year.”

  Dellan growled. “Don’t give me a reason to like the little bastard, not when I’m ready to kick his ass out of the building.”

  Horvan snorted. “Trust me, you can still do that. He had you locked up in a cage. That warrants major ass kicking.”

  “Don’t forget pounding,” Crank called out from across the room.

  Horvan guffawed. “Crank, if you wanna pound his ass, we won’t stop you.” He grinned. “I may even bring popcorn.”

  “And I’ll record it on my phone, then put it online,” Hashtag added, his eyes gleaming.

  Crank paled. “Hell, no. My mom might see that shit.”

  “Your mom checks out porn sites?”

  Crank shuddered. “You wouldn’t believe half the stuff she gets up to. Makes my hair curl.”

  “What hair?” Horvan teased.

  “Fuck you.” Crank grabbed his cigarettes. “Smoke time.” He pulled on his boots and headed for the door.

  “Whereas for me, it’s playtime.” Dellan needed to get out into the fresh air. He pushed back his chair and stood. A familiar tingle trickled over his skin, and he welcomed it. He knew exactly what it meant.

  Dellan needed to shift.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  RAEL GRINNED. “Playtime. I like the sound of that.”

  Dellan’s eyes sparkled. “Good. Because I want to play out there.”

  “In the snow.”

  Dellan nodded slowly.

  Rael narrowed his gaze. “You’re not talking about dressing warmly and throwing snowballs, are you?”

  Dellan shook his head, his gaze locked on Rael’s. “I’m talking lions and tigers and bears.” He grinned.

  “Oh m—” That was as far as Crank got before Roadkill slapped a hand over his mouth.

  Horvan laughed. “Thank you, Roadkill. And as for playtime, I like it. What’s wrong with a little snow?”

  “Ugh, lions aren’t big fans of snow?” Rael shivered. He didn’t know if this was true of all lions, but it was for him, so that was good enough as far as Rael was concerned.

  “Is it safe to go out there?” Doc inquired.

  Hashtag grabbed his laptop and opened it up. “Time I checked the perimeter cameras anyway. Not that I’m concerned—we’d have heard an alarm if anyone crossed the property boundaries.” He grinned. “And if you really wanna play, I have an idea that might make it fun.”

  Rael glared at him. “No. No ideas.” Nothing that meant they stayed out in the snow longer than necessary.

  Doc cleared his throat. “Something to be aware of. I made a phone call last night to that contact I was telling you about.”

  “The dangerous guy?” Horvan frowned.

  “I wouldn’t have asked him to come here if I thought he was a threat,” Doc commented.

  “Then he is coming?” Hashtag asked.

  Doc nodded. “I only gave him the bare bones of the situation. But as soon as I mentioned taking Dellan from his cage, he became very interested. Of course he knew about it—the op was national news—but finding out it wasn’t perpetrated by an animal activist group was a surprise. He wants to meet Dellan.”

  “And you’re certain his coming here presents no danger?” Horvan didn’t appear convinced, judging by his narrowed gaze and pursed lips. “I’m not happy about you inviting someone here who I haven’t vetted.”

  “Did I mention the fact that he is also a shifter?” Doc met Horvan’s stare head-on. “I would never do anything that might endanger you.”

  Hey. I trust the doc. I thought you did too. Rael’s stomach clenched.

  Horvan drew in a deep breath. “I know that, Doc. Sorry. It’s just that—”

  Doc got up from his chair and walked around to where Horvan sat. He patted Horvan’s shoulder. “I do understand. You have mates to protect now,” he said softly.

  “Guys?” Hashtag coughed. “All clear, so if you wanna shift and go play, I’ll keep an eye out.” He smiled. “A little exercise will do you good. That’s if you didn’t get enough exercise last night.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  Horvan rolled his eyes. “You couldn’t resist, could ya?”

  “I want to know about Hashtag’s idea of fun,” Dellan declared.

  “That will be a surprise.” Hashtag’s eyes lit up. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”

  Rael sighed. “Okay. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it.” He shrugged off his clothes and shifted.

  That is so fast! Dellan gaped.

  Rael shifted from lion to human to lion and back to human again, loving the sound of Dellan’s delighted laughter.

  Horvan let out a low whistle. “You are amazing. I can change that fast now and again, but you do it like your body flows from one form to another. What’s your secret?”

  Rael grinned. “Most teens masturbate. I practiced shifting.”

  Horvan snorted. “Well, if that’s what it took to learn to shift so fast, I’m glad I stuck with jacking off.” He undressed, and a short while later, there was his beautiful bear.

  Out. Now.

  Rael crossed the floor to the cabin door and opened it, laughing. “Can you get through this gap?”

  Seconds later, Horvan was back in human form. “Smartass.” He stepped outside
and shifted again, then lumbered over the snow.

  “Looks like our mate wants to play too,” Rael said, smiling.

  Dellan squirmed out of his sweats and top, leaving them in a pile on the floor, and Rael’s heart soared to see him shimmer into a healthy-looking tiger, his fur sleek, his eyes bright. Dellan leaped from the door to land on the snow with a soft thud.

  “If you can’t beat them,” Rael said with a smile. He shifted and followed his mates.

  Dellan pounced on him as soon as his paws touched the snow. Soon they were both rolling around in the cold powdery substance, Dellan batting at it with his heavy paws. Horvan was on them in a heartbeat, and there began a playful chase as they padded over the ground, leaving their prints in it.

  Dellan gave Rael a nip on his rear, then ran off, clearly wanting Rael to retaliate. Horvan wrestled Dellan to the ground, and Dellan was on his back, twisting and turning, batting Horvan as the bear nuzzled his belly.

  A strange low-frequency buzz attracted Rael’s attention, and he sought the source. Dellan rolled onto his front and froze, his attention riveted on the object that flew toward them. Then he gave chase, running at it. Catch it.

  Horvan followed suit. Drone. Catch drone.

  Rael caught sight of Hashtag in the doorway, grinning, his hands occupied. The drone led Dellan and Horvan a merry dance, both of them running in circles and sprinting across the snow, Dellan executing huge leaps to try to catch it.

  Rael was not playing. Rael was freezing his furry ass off.

  Dellan leaped into the air, trying to clamp the drone between his paws, but the device rose higher, evading him. Then it dropped, and Dellan went for it again, only this time he caught it, pulling it to the ground, where it lay, steam rising from it. Dellan and Horvan approached it with obvious caution, Dellan pawing at it. Both reared back when it rose into the air again, and the chase was on once more.

  Watching them made Rael tired. Not to mention the fact that his paws felt frozen.

  He ran back to the cabin, and Hashtag hastily stepped aside as he leaped through the doorway into blessed warmth. Rael shifted, then hurried over to the wood stove in the corner.