Hour of the Lion

“I…” God, how could she do this to someone again? “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “What is, is. But I had looked forward to having you.”

“There’s a lot of women down there.” She felt like an idiot, trying to console a man for not being able to fuck her. “I’d think you’d have plenty to enjoy. The men seemed to be having fun.”

“Many do, yes.” His gaze shifted away. “I prefer the fighting.”

Huh. There were times she’d rather fight too, especially when she felt her emotions were at risk. Odd how she could see that now-after Calum and Alec. With the thought, everything in her longed for her two men. She pulled her mind back with an effort. “Don’t want to let anyone too close?”

From his flinch, she’d say she’d scored a hit. And, then he added a comment that almost broke her heart, “I scare women. If the shifter urge to mate with the strongest didn’t drive their need, most would run screaming back to their caves.”

“Wussies.”

He barked a surprised laugh. His dark eyes held a warmth that would lure any woman in. He touched her cheek. “I like you.”

Pulling her to her feet with one swift move, he led her back downstairs to the center of the tavern. She felt the snap as the men’s attention turned to her, but Zeb wrapped an arm around her and stood in place. She glanced at him.

“Somehow you arouse my protective instincts,” he said, frowning. “I want that you get someone worthy. From the way the Cosantir watches you, but doesn’t claim you, I think he’s already had you tonight?”

She stared across the room at Calum. His black hair was still tangled from her fingers, marks from her fingernails welted his neck. Arms crossed over his chest, he leaned on the bar top…a master of stillness, yet an aura of danger seemed to surround him. The memory of upstairs and how ruthless he’d been sent so much heat through her that the very air she breathed turned thick.

Zeb grinned, ran his fingers down her flushed cheek. “Oookay. Seems the North Cascade Cosantir is as good as his rep.” He glanced to where Calum stood at the end of the bar. She could almost feel the impact when Calum’s black eyes met his, and he grunted as if gut-punched. “I pity the poor bastard who pisses that Cosantir off.”

His arm turned her in the other direction. “The rancher’s gone, but maybe the wolves’ alpha male? Ah, wait, there’s another cahir.”

Her gaze followed his. Alec. Powerfully built, big bones and heavy muscles. So very strong. He was leaning against a table in that deceptively lazy stance. People saw his easy smile, not the danger beneath it. Like a crackling fire, he looked all cheerful warmth…and could burn you to a crisp if you weren’t careful. She wanted him-kissing her, on top of her, pushing inside. She took a step toward him.

“Ah, she approves,” Zeb said. “I agree. He’s a good choice-unless the brunette snags him first.”

Brunette? When Vic spotted the over-abundant Sarah from Elder Village, her sensuous overload disappeared as if it had never been. The bitch was rubbing her breasts on Alec, touching him, trying to kiss him.

A snarl rumbled through Vic’s chest and escaped. She heard Zeb murmur, “Uh-oh.”

Men stepped quickly out of her way as she stalked across the tavern floor, rage searing her insides. She stopped behind the bitch.

Alec said, “I’m not participating tonight, Sarah. Sorry. I-”

But Cleavage wasn’t hearing him. Her plump hand ran up his chest, and then that soft hand was in Vic’s hard grip. Sarah gasped and tried to yank away.

“Hands-off,” Vic gritted. “Mine.”

Sarah gave a shriek like a wounded cow. “You can’t have him. He’s going to be my lifemate!” And the woman swung her free hand. Her open hand.

A girlie slap? Vic growled with outrage, blocking automatically. Then she punched the skanky slut so hard that the bitch took out two men on her way ass-over-teakettle. Still growling, Vic crossed her arms, glared around the room, and repeated, “Mine.”

No one moved. Behind her, Alec was laughing so hard he was choking.

On her right flank, Zeb gave her a long look before saying to Alec, “I would that I was you.”

“Thank you, cahir,” Alec said, still gasping for breath. He grinned at Zeb, and then frowned. Sniffed.

“She refused me, and I believe the one before me.” Zeb tugged a lock of Vic’s hair. “Her choice seems to be made.”

Alec didn’t touch her, just stared at her. “You had no one tonight?”

She flushed. “Calum and I…did,” she muttered. “Not the others. I couldn’t.”

As Zeb walked away, Alec lifted Vic’s hand and bit her palm, sending a bolt of lust through her.

She stepped closer, rubbed her face against his, marking him with her scent. “Mine.”

He tipped her head back and took her mouth so thoroughly, she sagged in his grip. “Yours.”

Alec had taken her upstairs, and oh God, no problem with the heat disappearing. It rose so fast and encompassing that she’d actually begged him to take her.

He had, hard and fast, no teasing-he pounded her into a screaming climax. A few minutes later, he did it again. And again before showering with her as Calum had and leading her back downstairs. Damn him.

This time, even though men surrounded her, nothing happened. The heat simmered inside her, keeping her uncomfortable and wanting, but no one who approached made it rise. She wanted Alec. Wanted Calum. Every time she caught the sound of their voices or their scents, she clenched inside, hollow and hurting. Needing to be filled.

Finally, after forever, Joe Thorson strolled into the tavern. She blinked at him. Hadn’t someone said he didn’t attend Gathers any more? He headed toward Calum, but an older woman abandoned the younger men around her to step into his path. When she imperiously held out her hand, Joe barked a laugh and took her upstairs.

Vic saw Calum and Alec exchange looks and grin.

When Joe came back downstairs, he went directly to Calum. They talked for a few minutes, then Joe assumed Calum’s spot at the bar.

What was going on?

Calum nodded at Alec, then looked at her, his gaze dark and possessive. Hot. He stalked across the room, a predator focused on his prey. On her. She felt a shiver deep inside.

Alec closed in on her other side, dwarfing her with his size. Her gaze lifted, moving over his broad, muscular chest, shoulders twice the size of hers, his strong corded neck, to be caught by his heavy-lidded stare. Her need blazed, as out of control as a burning city.

“Victoria,” Calum said, taking her other hand. “We’re going upstairs. Together this time.”

Both of them? As Alec lifted her into his steely arms, heat pumped through her veins until the air itself shimmered.

In a tiny upstairs room, he dropped her onto fuzzy yellow cushions, grinning when she bounced.

Her insides tingled as she laughed. Sex with him was always so warm and joyful, like making love in the sun.

Calum caught her gaze, and his aura of power-and danger-made her shiver. Sex with Calum was like making love in a forest at night, dark and shadowy and rich.

She wanted them both more than she could bear. She held her arms up.

Alec pulled her shirt off, and then kissed her, his lips teasing despite the hard grip of his hands on her upper arms. Calum dragged her jeans off. No boots, no underwear-and she delighted in how quickly they got her naked.

Pushing her thighs apart, Calum stroked between her legs, finding her center, skillfully teasing her until she moaned, her hips lifting to him.

“I need to taste,” Alec growled.

“No,” Vic shook her head. “I want you inside me. Now.” She ached with excitement. “Hard and fast like before.”

“Nope. Last time we went straight for the finish line. We’re going slower this round.” Alec stripped, taking his time, driving her mad.

Already unclothed, Calum sat down behind her, his legs around her hips, his feet on the outside of her knees.