Page 9 of A New Bear-ginning (Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings #5)

SCOTTY

I’d been turned down at the inn. I’d been so sure I had the job. Astor sounded like he was ready to let me start right away and then his mate gave me a tour and, all of a sudden, they didn’t need anyone. Even their cats liked me. It made no sense.

I came back to the apartment to wallow in self-pity, only to find Mateo naked. Not mostly naked. No. He was buck-ass naked, and his cock called to me like a freaking homing beacon, slick trickling down toward my balls, my cock as hard as a rock.

And then Colton had to mention they were about to have sex, and I wanted to rip my clothing right off, my bear clawing at me to hurry up and let them claim me as their own. Only…I wasn’t theirs, and they weren’t mine.

Mateo’s slick tickling my nose was more than I could bear, and I bolted.

Not once did I think they would even call after me, much less asking me to come back.

Which somehow led to us talking about being a triad.

No. Not a triad. But maybe a triad. It was so much I couldn’t focus, my need taking over.

“I’m not a unicorn,” I said, needing them to know my feelings would be involved. I’d said as much, we all did. But it felt like it needed repeating.

“No, of course not. You’re a bear, and I can’t wait to see your beast.” Mateo said, his own beast close to the surface.

“Not a real unicorn. I mean, I’m not going to be with you and not have feelings unlike unicorns who usually fuck and move on.”

Mateo’s hands came up to cup my cheek. “I’m sorry we weren’t clear on this. But feelings are already here. When we say love, we don’t mean it lightly.”

My eyes were filled with tears of raw beautiful emotion.

“I was scared to believe it,” I admitted. “Scared I was just hearing what I wanted to hear, but I wasn’t. You and Colton, you want me, and not just because it would be fun, but because you do. I—I almost left,” I confessed. “I tried to leave, even had an interview?—”

Colton cut me off with a shh. “We know. Astor called to see if we fired you or what. It was the kick in the ass we needed to act on what we already knew we wanted.”

Mateo leaned in and pressed a small kiss on my lips. “It nearly broke me, thinking you’d be gone. I…this year has been rough, and you were a glimpse of sunlight.”

“I had to leave. I wanted you both so bad, and I didn’t want to get between you.” I leaned my forehead against his. “I didn’t know you felt the same.”

“And now that you do, maybe you can get between us in a funner way? Or on one end.” Colton pressed a kiss to my shoulder blade. “Or maybe we can play around with all the options.”

His hand came under my chin and guided my head back, where his lips met mine. There was nothing tentative about his kiss, and any doubts I might’ve had vanished as he poured all of his desire into it. Our mouths moved together in a dance of lips, teeth, and tongues as Mateo kissed my neck.

When our kiss broke, Mateo took his place, kissing me breathless.

“I think that went okay.” Colton pulled his bottom lip in with his teeth. “Part of me says we need to talk more, but?—”

“But your cock says we can speak with our bodies?” I filled in for him.

Ours.

Mates.

Ours.

My bear had to stop. This was us exploring this for the first time. It wasn’t the time to seal ourselves to them. That wasn’t something you just did.

I pushed him down. Let him be pissed. We could always go for a run after. Now was the time for us to explore whatever this was with my bosses.

Mates.

Yes, I conceded. Mates.

“You’re talking to your bear.” Mateo stood up, his cock at eye level as it peeked through his robe.

I wanted to reach out and lick it. “I am. He says you’re ours.”

“That’s good because we say you’re ours, too.” He held out his hand to help me rise, and I lost all self-control, my tongue darting out and licking the precum from his tip.

“Mmm.” I hadn’t meant to make a sound, but it couldn’t be helped. He was just too good. “Do you taste as delicious?” I asked Colton.

“That is something we’re going to have to discover, now, aren’t we?” He gave my shoulder a squeeze. “I think we need less clothing and more surface area.”

“The bedroom.” Mateo waved his hands, drawing my attention back to his offer to help me up. This time, I took it, loving the feel of his skin against mine.

“You’re almost naked.” The robe didn’t hide much and he slipped it off. I raked my gaze up and down his body. “Want to help me get your—get Colton naked as well? I bet his cock is hard and ready.”

I wasn’t sure where my confidence came from. I was an omega who sat back and let alphas make the decisions as to how fast things should or shouldn’t go. But right now, I wanted to lead things, at least until everyone was good and naked.

“I want a look-see of you two fucking as you watched me jerk off to the view.” I was past shy.

We were in the bedroom fast, both Mateo and I taking the alpha’s clothing off. We didn’t do a slow reveal. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a rip or two or possibly a button missing. We didn’t care. Colton needed to be naked with my tongue on his cock.