Page 34

P eterson watched as Jayden washed her hands and face in the warm water Van had heated for her after their meal.

He hadn’t missed how she had redirected the conversation after their questions without answering them.

She entertained them with tales of her journey, and they were particularly surprised when she mentioned the owl that had accompanied her shortly after leaving camp.

He couldn’t help but wonder if it was the same one that had been following himself and Van.

When she described her harrowing close encounter with two shifters named Bishop and Carter, he found himself less entertained.

He stored those names in his memory to investigate later when they were back in civilization.

His expression softened when Jayden yawned and pulled the wool blanket around her shoulders.

“It feels like it is going to rain,” she said.

“It is,” Van replied.

As soon as the words left her lips, the sky opened, and raindrops started to fall. Jayden sprang to her feet from the log she had been sitting on and swiftly made her way towards the lean-to. With the three of them huddled around the small fire, the space would be cramped.

We’ll just have to suffer through it, he thought with amusement.

Van shot him a mischievous grin, their eyes locking in silent understanding. Being trapped between them in the lean-to would make it much more challenging for Jayden to evade a serious conversation. He followed Van, squeezing through the narrow opening.

“I’m glad you built this,” Jayden said.

In the narrow opening, he paused and winced as cold rainwater trickled down his spine, sending a shiver through his body. Jayden draped a woolen blanket over the moss bed. Van squatted next to the foot of the bed and added some wood to the fire.

“My ass is getting wet,” he muttered.

Jayden looked up, offering an apologetic smile, before crawling onto the bed. Van twisted and sat on the end. Crouching, he moved in a circular motion, skirting around the fire on the left. Sinking down onto the other end of the bed, he shivered slightly, feeling the chill in the air.

“Here, this might help,” Jayden said.

When she lifted the second wool blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders, he scooted closer to her. She extended her other arm, inviting Van to come closer. A different type of warmth filled him as he pressed against her side.

“Don’t get any ideas. This is just temporary,” she muttered.

“It doesn’t have to be,” he said.

She bowed her head and drew her knees up.

Feeling her shiver, he gently wrapped his arm around her, providing a protective embrace.

They had added extra branches to block the wind and rain, but it still seeped in through the entrance.

They had left a small opening near the top of the structure to allow for ventilation for the fire.

“Jayden… talk to us. Why are you afraid of us? You know we would never hurt you, don’t you?” Van murmured.

“Yeah, I know that.”

“Then what is it? Why do you keep pushing us away?” he asked.

She lifted her head and stared out at the rain that was coming down fairly heavily now.

The air felt strange, with an otherworldly quality that gave the surroundings a surreal atmosphere.

The wind whispered through the trees, blending with the crackle of the fire and the gentle patter of raindrops, creating a symphony of nature’s sounds.

It felt as though an eternity had passed since they first caught wind of her presence.

The anticipation had been building for a while, and he had worried that this day would never come.

“I’m not… afraid of you. I’ve never been afraid of either of you,” she finally replied.

“Then what is it, love?” Van asked.

“I don’t understand,” she said.

“What don’t you understand?” he asked.

“This.”

She turned her head toward Peterson, placed her hand against his cheek, and leaned forward. His eyes widened briefly before his eyelids lowered when she pressed her lips against his in a soft, uncertain kiss. He wasn’t sure if the groan came from himself, her, or Van.

Curling his fingers against her hip, he kept tight control over his raging emotions.

He wanted to give her the chance to take this first kiss to a point where she was comfortable.

She slid her hand along his cheek and tangled her fingers in his hair, tugging on it enough to elicit a low growl that he couldn’t contain.

Her tongue slid along the seam of his lips and he parted for her. She twisted, winding her other arm around his neck as she slid one leg over his lap to straddle him. Captured in her arms, he felt his control slipping as she deepened their kiss.

Their breaths came as one, breathing in and out in unison, as she fisted his hair in her hands and began to rock against his swollen cock even as their tongues danced a provocative ballet of sensual desire. The fire raging inside him was as wild as the growing storm outside.

He grasped her hips, moving his hips in unison with hers. A savage growl from Van pulled them apart. Van’s eyes glowed with desire. His wolf was barely contained.

He thought for sure Jayden would pull away. He was shocked when she began moving against him again as she locked gazes with Van. Her lips parted as she breathed in quick breaths, fueled by her growing desire. Van shifted closer, his hand reaching out to fist a handful of her hair.

Her lips silently moved. Kiss me.

Van’s chest rumbled as he leaned in and captured her lips.

The erotic sight was almost too much for him.

Jayden’s hips started doing a crazy figure-eight movement.

The only thing separating them was their thin hiking trousers.

He was half afraid his cock would burst through the seam of his. He was slowly going mad with need.

He slid his hands under Jayden’s loose top and cupped her unbound breasts.

Her nipples were taut pebbles. He pinched them between his thumb and forefinger.

Van jerked back and lifted a hand to his lip.

A low, feral growl slipped from Van. Van lifted his hand and touched the spot of blood on his lip where Jayden had bitten him.

Van’s eyes darkened with warning. Jayden leaned into him and began kissing him again. He could feel her climax building. Her body suddenly stiffened, pressing down against him and locking him to her with her strong thighs. The scent of her orgasm was a potent aphrodisiac to them and their wolves.

She pulled back, ending her kiss with Van. Her eyes were still locked with Van’s as he nuzzled her throat. She turned her head and stared back at him. Her eyes were still dazed with her climax, but there was more. He could sense her confusion, vulnerability, and something deeper—fear.

“You’re beautiful, love,” he murmured, hoping to reassure her.

Van caressed her cheek with his fingertips. She closed her eyes, leaned forward, and buried her face against his neck. He tilted his head, silently conveying the need for them to proceed with caution to Van. Van nodded in agreement.

“Why don’t you two get some rest? I’ll keep watch,” Van suggested.

“That’s sounds good. Wake me in a few hours,” he said.

Van gave him a brief nod and rose. He tried not to wince when the seam of his pants pushed against his still engorged cock as Jayden silently slid off his lap. Thankfully, his wolf seemed to understand the sensitivity of the moment and remained docile.

Behind them, Van stripped out of his clothes and shifted into his wolf. He didn’t miss the way Jayden’s eyes were locked on his friend and brother-of-the-heart as he shifted. Nor did he miss the silent longing and worry in them.

“You don’t have to worry about him. Our wolves are well adapted to dealing with the rain. Our fur keeps us warm and our body temperatures tend to run hotter. Besides, a run right now might do the both of us some good—to cool off,” he said.

“Oh. That’s, uh, that’s good to know. Do you—?” she mumbled, glancing up at him before averting her eyes again.

“I’m good. One of us should stay with you,” he murmured.

She looked up again when he tenderly caressed her cheek. He gave her a wry smile and brushed his thumb along her bottom lip. She nipped at his finger, drawing a surprised, low growl from him.

“I should warn you,” he cautioned, “that biting like this is how wolves show affection.”

She wiggled her nose at him. “I’ll try to remember that. At least I know you aren’t going to eat me.”

He released a dry chuckle and shook his head. “I wouldn’t be too sure of that.”

She frowned before understanding dawned at the double entendre of what he was saying and her eyes widened. Her face heated and she scowled back at him. He chuckled when she pushed him aside and crawled to the top of the bed.

“I’m going to sleep. If you want to get wet, be my guest,” she said, with a wave of her hand toward the opening.

He rose when she tugged on the wool blanket that had slipped down. He added wood to the fire while she settled before he rounded the bed and laid down behind her. He half expected her to protest, but she surprised him by lifting the blanket for him to cover up.

He slid closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, spooning her and rested his chin near the top of her head. She didn’t touch him, but she didn’t pull away either. A silly grin curved his lips.

Baby steps.

You not last long if she do baby steps on lap again, his wolf sniped.

No, but what a way to die!

His wolf’s huff told him that the beast side of him was not as impressed as the man side. He sighed and tightened his hold. He would be glad when they were in a proper bed.

“I enjoy holding you,” he murmured.

“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it,” she retorted.

“Too late, both Van and I are more than happy with being with you.”

“How does that work? You guys—you guys don’t mind sharing?”

“We don’t think of it as sharing, but as being complete. You complete us. Between the two of us, we can love and protect you.”