Hour of the Lion

the small lion slammed into the pavement, blood making a red river down the golden fur.

“Jamie!” She tried to run, but her legs wouldn’t move. She jerked up. Sitting? She stared into the darkness, her hands clutching at blankets. A bed. Where am I?

“Hey, hey, hey.” A man in the bed beside her.

Jesus, no. She struck out.

He caught her fist in a big hand. “A nightmare, baby. You’re having a nightmare.” His voice was low and smooth. Oddly comforting. “Shhh, Vixen, you’re safe.”

“Alec?”

“None other.” Sitting beside her, he finger-combed her hair from her damp face. “C’mere, cariad. I’ll hold you till the boogie-men go away.” He lay back, pulling her down.

“Oh, God, that felt too real.” Her heart still pounded, but her muscles slowly relaxed as he stroked her back. With a sigh, she laid her head in the hollow of his shoulder.

“There we go,” he murmured, his voice resonant under her ear. “You want to talk it over or let it fade?”

“It’ll fade,” she whispered. Her lips curved slightly as she recalled one part. “You know, I’ve heard about it, but I’ve never been naked in a dream before.”

“Ah.” He grinned. “I didn’t realize humans had that one. It’s a common shifter nightmare.”

“Yeah?” With a start, she remembered how on the mountain, she’d shifted from cat to human and found herself bare-assed. “Oh. I bet.” She snuggled closer, laid one knee over his thigh, his warmth wonderful against her chilled skin. Skin? “You stripped me! No wonder I thought I was naked.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “You didn’t even wake up.”

“But-”

“I stripped me too,” he pointed out virtuously. As if that would make a difference. His voice lowered, took on heat. “And, as it happens, I like you without clothes on.” His hand stroked her shoulder, down to her waist, and warmth followed in its wake.

Well. Her heart rate had slowed, but now sped up for a much better reason than fear. What nicer way to celebrate life than-

“Is everything all right?” Calum walked into the room, his gait as silent as always. He studied her for a moment, and then glanced at Alec.

“Nightmare,” Alec said. “Jamie?”

“Brownies are on watch.”

“Good deal.” Alec slid backward, pulling Vic with him until she’d replaced him in the center of the bed. “You know, we were just discussing the fact that we’re both naked. You’re overdressed, brawd.”

What? Vic stared at Alec. “But -”

“I am indeed.” Calum’s rare smile flashed, and then he shed his clothes. Tanned skin. Sleek, hard muscles. He lifted the covers and slid into bed on her other side, sandwiching her between him and Alec. She started to sit up.

Alec held her down. “Vixen,” he said quietly. “You’ve made love with both of us separately.”

Shame silenced her for a moment. “I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t -”

Calum snorted. He gripped her shoulder and rolled her onto her back between the two men. Each was propped up on an elbow, looming over her helpless position. Dammit. Calum’s hand held her down, and she shoved at it.

His eyes narrowed; his voice deepened. “Do not move.”

Her fingers released involuntarily at the short command-and even more appalling, her insides seemed to turn to liquid.

He smiled faintly. “Very nice, cariad.” He gave Alec a disparaging glance. “Clumsy bugger. You made her feel guilty.”

“Hell.” Alec took her hand and kissed her fingers. “I didn’t mean to do that, Vixen. We wanted you to enjoy us separately-now we’d like to enjoy you together.”

Her heart stopped. Sure, she’d gotten a clue when Calum dropped his clothing, but to say it aloud- “Are you serious?”

“Cariad, did not Heather tell you about Daonain’s customs?” Calum asked, his brows together.

“Uh. Yes.” She tried to remember what Heather had said, but Alec ran his hand up her arm and flattened his palm on her shoulder…just above her left breast. Her nipples tightened.

Calum stroked a finger down her cheek and over her lower lip. “Your heart is pounding, little cat. You’ve flushed, and I can smell your arousal. Your human mind may say it’s wrong, but your shifter body wants us.”

His eyes had turned to a molten gray that held her gaze captive as he cupped his big hand over her breast. When his thumb circled the nipple, everything inside her burst into flame. The corners of his eyes crinkled with satisfaction. He glanced at his brother.

“Vixen.” Alec cupped her chin, turning her face toward him, and his mouth closed over hers. His kiss lured her in, teased her into responding, and filled her with warmth.

The mattress dipped as Calum sat up and cupped her breasts. His touch was firm as his fingers rolled the nipples, the pressure increasing, then he pinched the tips. She jolted with the sharp pain, and electricity seared straight to her groin. She choked back a moan.

Alec lifted his head, eyes hot with desire, yet dancing with amusement. “I’ve never met a woman so reluctant to be pleased.”

“That’s not true.” She tried to sit up, and Calum’s hand between her breasts flattened her back on the bed.

“Oh, it’s quite true,” Calum said. “You enjoy sex, but you’re afraid to give up control. Seems we’ve been through this before in the cave.” He lifted her face with a finger under her chin, fixing her with that look again, the one that turned her muscles to jelly. “We both know you enjoy submitting to me, don’t we?”

A tremor ran down her spine. She managed a tiny nod.

“Victoria, do you have any objection to making love with us both?”

Put up or shut up, Sergeant. But God, she wanted them-wanted them both. If that made her a shifter slut, then so be it. “No, sir.” The ‘sir’ just slipped out, a reaction to him jumping into officer mode.

A crease appeared in his cheek as he smiled, the amusement in his eyes showing he’d heard her slip. “Then with Alec’s assistance, I will continue your lessons on releasing control.”

He raised her arms over her head and bracketed her wrists with one hand, pinning them to the mattress. Since his weight was also resting on that arm, she tugged playfully, thinking she’d get free easily. His grip was like iron. Unbreakable. She pulled harder. Her breath shifted, increased. He’d pinned her down in the cave in various ways… but now? With Alec?

“Calum,” she whispered, anxiety pulling at her, even as her temperature rose. Her breasts throbbed, her clit pulsing in time with her heartbeat.

“Shhh, you’re safe with us, cariad,” he nuzzled her cheek, and then glanced at Alec. “I believe I’ll stay here.”

“Works for me.” Alec slid down in the bed, and she felt his calloused hands pulling her legs apart.

“Calum…” She tugged on her wrists again as her arousal rose terrifyingly fast.

“Yes, little cat,” Calum said, and took her lips in a demanding kiss. His tongue ravaged her mouth and drove every thought out of her head such that Alec’s fingers sliding into her folds came as a surprise. Her back arched as she gasped.

She tensed, pulled at her arms, tried to close her legs…without success. Hard hands pushed her thighs more open, and Alec licked over her clit, one long stroke of warning. As she moaned, satisfaction glimmered in Calum’s dark gaze,

Alec’s chuckle vibrated against her, then his tongue flicked over her clit, the demand obvious, unstoppable. Blood inexorably rushed to her pussy as he continued. Oh God, I’m going to come. She tensed as the pressure built to an unbearable level.

His tongue abandoned the top and circled the sides of the sensitive nub. Leaving her on the edge of a climax.

Calum smiled at Alec and lowered his head to kiss her breasts. When his warm lips closed over a nipple, her