Third Time Lucky

She believed him, but there had to be some trick, some deception she was missing. “I’ve already been with both of you,” she pointed out. “I don’t think inhibitions are a problem.” He shrugged, and his voice was hard when he spoke. “For now. What happens when the heat is over? You disappear?”

Suddenly, the heat receded completely, and she was freezing. “Some kind of love potion?” she croaked out.

No, no, it couldn’t be. That was her worst freaking nightmare. She refused to get that close to either of them. Refused to love them. Everything would change, her life would change, and not for the better. They were too dominant. They would try to take her over, try to mold her into something she wasn’t, and when that didn’t work, the real misery would begin. She couldn’t imagine anything worse than having a mate who didn’t accept her as she was. Well, having two mates who didn’t would definitely be worse. She stood, jerked away when he tried to reach for her, and stalked over to the big window. There was a lump in her throat, and she focused on the scene outside.

It was a pretty little picture. A view of a wide, tree-lined road, boys tossing a football back and forth in the waning evening light. Serene. Nothing like the thoughts rushing through her head, the fury and confusion winding her tight. The utter disbelief and sadness that Harris would pull such a dirty trick on her.

“It wasn’t a love potion. I would never do that to you.”

“Why not?” She laughed bitterly. “Isn’t that what your people do? Fuck with everyone else’s life? Make them do things against their will?” His eyes glittered in anger, but she didn’t care.

“First of all,” he snapped, “it is exactly what I said. It will lower your inhibitions. Some. It won’t mess with your emotions. Everything you feel is all on you. Second, don’t ever insult me like that again, darlin’. You won’t like the consequences.” Consequences? Had he lost his freaky little mind? The wolf pricked at her skin, wanting out, wanting free. She could tear him apart, and he couldn’t do a thing to defend himself. Except use magic. But could he really hurt her with it?

“Whatever. Reverse it. I’m sure you know how.”

She looked him over. His anger was easy to read, but it wasn’t bright and uncontained anymore. He’d gone icy cold. Controlled. “There are conditions.” Oh, he really had lost what was left of his gray matter. She moved toward the door, but the deadbolt slid closed long before she got there. She banged on it once and turned to glare at him.

Then her gaze slid to Ethan, thinking he might help her escape. One glance and she knew there wasn’t a chance in Hades of that happening.

“What conditions?”

“You stop running.” Harris walked toward her. Slowly. Carefully. As if she had anywhere to bolt to.

“You take this opportunity to get to know me. Us,” he added, indicating Ethan, who now stood behind him.

“How about I wait for it to wear off?”

His responding smile was gloating and just this side of mean. “That could take weeks, darlin’.”

Weeks? She was so screwed. She could already feel her resistance weakening. Could she hold out against their combined effort for weeks? She didn’t have a choice, did she? Somehow she’d make it or convince him to reverse the potion. There was no other alternative.

Harris drew closer until he was just inches away, close enough to touch, broad shoulders blocking the hall at his back. Even if she did dart around him, Ethan would be there to stop her.

Panic shook her hard. She felt hemmed in, and that was a bad position to put a wolf in. She lashed out before the thought even finished, intent on space and breaking free. He caught her wrist as her claws connected to his neck. It was a small scratch, but she drew blood, and that pleased the wolf enough that she let her guard down. He yanked her close, pinned both her wrists in one hand behind her back.

“Why does it scare you so bad?” he whispered.

Snarling, she struggled to get loose, and he released her. It’s not like she could escape, could she? There was a bitter taste in her mouth. She pressed her back against the door and tried to find another solution, but there wasn’t any.

“Until the heat is over,” she offered, but he shook his head.

“I want a whole week.”

Oh gods, would she be able to resist for a week? Would she be able to keep her heart out of it? She kept her distance from them for good reason. She knew what would happen if she let her guard down.

“Three days,” she countered, desperately hoping he’d take it.

He just shook his head. “A week, darlin’, or we dissolve this arrangement altogether. Don’t come to me the next time you go into heat.”

She stared. An ultimatum, and the worst kind. He couldn’t do that to her. He wouldn’t, would he? She couldn’t go to someone else. Even if she wanted to, she didn’t think her wolf would let her. She’d become so accustomed to his touch during this time, another just wouldn’t satisfy.

“That would be the worst kind of cruelty,” she admitted, and his eyes softened a bit.

“Any less cruel than you showing up for two days and then sneaking out of my bed?” She couldn’t say anything to that, and for the first time, she felt guilty. She’d always taken what she needed from him when she was in heat and had never considered his feelings. Since he hadn’t pushed for more, she hadn’t believed he wanted anything but sex. She knew better now, but it didn’t change anything. It would be better to end things as soon as possible. Cleanly.

Minimal wounds for everyone involved. She met his gaze and saw he was bracing for that.

Despite his spell, despite the threat, he was afraid she’d walk away. She couldn’t make herself do it.

“What did you have in mind?”

Because this couldn’t be all about sex. Not with Ethan here. She knew exactly what he wanted. But the smile Harris gave her was sinful and lascivious, and she wondered for a half a second if she was wrong.