Stealing Their Harley, page 7
“Prove it. What are they feeling?” It isn’t that I don’t believe him. Alekai hit the nail on the head yesterday when he first told me he could sense my emotions. Still, I’m curious. I want to see the magic in action. Their whole existence is still a shock to me, but it’s also incredibly intriguing and I want to take it all in.
Kacen raises a challenging eyebrow and grins. “You’re the most obvious with your open curiosity. Alekai is smug, likely because he knows I can easily prove it. He’s also really hungry, but that’s nothing new. The man is a damned Hoover vacuum.”
I glance at Alekai and find him munching on a carrot as he pulls other ingredients from the fridge. He shrugs and nods with the carrot in his mouth. “He’s not wrong.”
“Dawson is worried, again nothing unusual there.” Kacen glances to his friend with an apologetic smile. “I think he’s afraid you’re going to reject us.”
I frown at Dawson as he blushes. “I’m not going to reject you, Dawson. I told you that already. It’s a bit rushed, but unless you turn out to be a crazed serial killer, I don’t see myself rejecting any of you.”
“Until the bond is completed, there’s always a chance of you changing your mind,” he counters sadly.
It makes my chest ache that he’s so afraid I’ll reject him. I’d be a complete idiot to do that. “Wait, the bond isn’t complete yet? What completes it?”
Another round of looks are exchanged between the guys and I’m about to smack all three of them if they don’t knock that crap off. “Do you guys have to do that?”
“Do what?” Alekai asks with faux innocence.
I roll my eyes heavily, a habit I’m quickly forming, and rest my hands on my hips. “You’re kidding right? You think I don’t notice the loaded stares you three give each other when there’s something you’re afraid to tell me? I may not be able to read your emotions, but I’m not an idiot.”
“Okay, okay,” he holds his hands up in surrender, “I never said you were an idiot.”
“Just answer the question,” I reply with a sigh. He’s going to be the first to get slapped if he keeps it up.
Dawson wraps his arms around my waist from behind and pulls me into his chest. “It’s sex, love. Sex with us is what completes the bond.”
To say I’m frozen in shock would be the understatement of the century. It’s a good thing Dawson has his arms around me because I could be knocked over with a feather right now.
“Erm.” It’s a brilliant response, if I do say so myself.
“Easy, love. We aren’t asking you to strip down right here,” Dawson whispers. His words cause a shiver of pleasure to run down my spine, straight between my legs.
I’m not so sure I’d say no if they asked me to strip right now. My body has an agenda of its own when it comes to the guys.
Alekai drops an egg on the floor and curses. “I hate to tell you this, sugar, but you’re killing me right now.”
“What?” I frown in confusion. “Why?”
Kacen stalks up to me and places his hands on either side of my face, then rests his forehead against mine. Dawson never lets go of my waist, but neither seem to mind. “Because not only can we sense your arousal, we can smell it and it’s driving us insane, baby.”
“I-I-I can’t help it,” I stutter, my breaths coming in short pants. “But, I’m not ready for this. I’m sorry, I just can’t yet. It’s too much.”
“Hey,” Kacen growls, his eyes serious. “Don’t ever apologize to us for not being ready. We’ll wait, baby. We’ve waited over twenty years for you. A little longer probably won’t kill us.”
“Probably,” Alekai emphasizes with a wink. Yep, he’s going to be the first one I smack.
Dawson chuckles and hugs me tighter to his chest. “Let’s feed you before you wither away, shall we?”
I’m grateful to be discussing something as mundane as what we are having for breakfast. It gives me time away from the heaviness of the last few days, and makes the start of the day more normal. I’m relaxed as I watch the guys scarf down more food than a small army could eat. I don’t know where they put it all, but I barely manage to finish what they piled on my plate.
“Who wants more coffee?” Kacen asks, getting up from his seat.
The ‘I do’s’ are unanimous and we all watch as he goes about fixing us each a cup as the other two men clear the table. I sit there, mesmerized by them, marveling how they work as a team without even realizing it.
The love they share for each other as brothers is showcased by the little things they do for each other. Like the way Kacen knows how they like their coffee without asking. Or the way Dawson slides his bacon onto Alekai’s plate when he isn’t looking, because it’s clearly his favorite part of the meal if the way he inhales it is any indication. Or how Alekai cooks scrambled eggs for Dawson and fried eggs for Kacen.
They have even included me in their routine. Kacen ensures I get a cup of coffee just the way I like it—two sugars, no cream. Alekai adds cheese to my scrambled eggs after grilling me about what kind of eggs are my absolute favorite. Dawson gets my bacon since I can’t finish it anyway, and his face lights up at my offering, giving me a sweet kiss in return.
The kiss from Dawson in front of Alekai and Kacen worried me at first. I’ve kissed them in front of each other, but that was before I learned I’m supposed to belong to the three of them. Now, I’m more hesitant for some reason. The idea of having a relationship with all three of them is a reality now. Not just wishful thinking on my part. Maybe that’s why I am so hesitant. The fantasy wasn’t nearly as scary. Witnessing their panic earlier when they thought I may be rejecting them has me hesitant to show them that I still have doubts. After all, I am only human. How do I know what they say is true? That we are fated to be together.
My stomach twists with nerves and suddenly the urge to take some time to myself overwhelms me. I quickly wash up my plate and spin to face the guys. “I think I’m going to go shower now.”
Their faces show their disbelief at my bullshit excuse, but I can’t bring myself to care right now. I need some time to think. It can’t be normal for me to want to accept all of this so easily. I don’t trust my instincts at the moment. Maybe there is something wrong with me.
The kitchen goes quiet as I scurry away from the guys. I know my hurried exit has them worried and the urge to remain in their company hits me so hard, I almost do an about face and head back toward the kitchen. Luckily, I hear them start talking quietly to each other. Relieved, I force my feet forward instead. At each new step, I can’t help thinking again for the hundredth time that I wish I could talk to Rico about everything. I really need my best friend to talk to. He’s always been able to talk me off any edge and right now, I feel like I’m on a tightrope, secured between two high-rises, with no safety net to catch me.
I increase my stride, wanting to put further distance between me and the men who somehow have trapped me so securely in their web, I am finding it difficult to struggle. I pass by the office where we were gathered yesterday. The door is open and I glance in. I notice something shiny on the desk. I peer over my shoulder, ensuring the guys didn’t follow me. Thankfully, I can still hear the murmur of voices coming from the kitchen. Before I can talk myself out of it, I rush into the office and snatch the cell phone from the desk, and make a beeline for my room.
The door handle is broken from this morning’s adventures, but I close it as best I can and then plop down on the bed. The guys may kill me for the call I’m about to make, but I need normal in my life now. I need my best friend.
The phone only rings once before Rico answers frantically. “Harley? Is it you? Please tell me it’s you!”
“Calm down, Rico,” I whisper, hyper aware of the guys’ hearing ability. “It’s me.”
“Fucking hell, Harley,” he bellows, and a loud noise crashes in the background. “Tell me where the fuck you are right now or so help me—”
I chuckle at his threat which only serves to piss him off even more. “You seriously think this is funny? The only people I have left in the world are gone and there’s not dick I can do about it. How is that funny?”
All traces of humor leave me and I deflate. My attempt at levity failing miserably. “I’m sorry, Rico. I really am. I swear to you, I’m fine and I’m safe. I can’t tell you everything, though. I just can’t. Please, trust me on this.”
“I hate it when you say that,” he mumbles. “You know I trust you, but I also need you safe and the only way I know for sure you’re safe is when you’re with me.”
“I’m safe where I am,” I promise him again. I fiddle with the blanket I’m sitting on. I lie across the foot of the bed, and smooth it out with my free hand as I work up the courage to say my next words. “Safer than you’ll ever understand.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” His tone gives away how on edge he is. I hear his computer come to life in the background.
I envision him at home. Relaxing in his desk chair. Playing on his computer. A half-drunk can of mountain dew beside his keyboard. Books stacked until they are almost toppling over on the other side of him. Damn, I never thought I would miss his messy room.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts and groan in frustration. “Rico, I need your advice about some stuff.”
“Advice?” He laughs without humor and takes a loud slurp from his drink. “You’re essentially missing and you called for advice? Is it to ask me how to escape? Because that’s the only advice you should be asking me right now.”
“No, it’s about men, actually,” I cringe because I know this is a terrible idea and yet I can’t stop myself. “I’ve got guy problems.”
He gasps and sputters. “Oh my god, it’s worse than I thought. You have Stockholm syndrome!”
I want to laugh so bad, but I know if I do, he might reach through the phone and kill me. “I don’t have Stockholm syndrome, Rico. You’re so dramatic.”
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Oh no. That wasn’t Rico’s voice.
Chapter 9
Kacen’s snarl startles me so badly, I drop the phone with a squeal and jump up from the bed.
Rico yells my name over and over. I scramble to pick up the phone but Kacen is faster. He grabs it and hangs it up before I can touch it. He holds it away from me while I try to snatch it from his hands.
“Damn it, Kacen! Give me back the phone,” I growl and push at his firm chest.
Of course, the brute doesn’t move an inch. Instead, he glares down at me with a look that might have me cowering if I didn’t know he’s nothing but a marshmallow. I glare right back, standing my ground, hands on my hips.
Kacen takes several deep breaths, but it doesn’t appear to help his temper. “Did you tell that fucker where you are?”
“How would I tell him where I am, genius?” I shout, arms flailing wildly. I take a couple of deep breaths to reign in my temper. “I don’t even know where the hell I am! I’m in some house, god knows where, with three wolves who think they freaking own me. But I didn’t tell him any of that because I promised I wouldn’t. Sue me for needing to talk to my best friend about other crap!”
Maybe I should’ve taken a few more deep breaths.
“Is it just me or is she really fucking sexy when she’s all riled up?” Leave it to Alekai to make a joke during a serious moment. At least I think it’s a joke until he starts stalking toward me. The heat in his eyes evidence of his arousal.
My breathing picks up with each step he takes. Anticipation bubbles in my belly as I wonder what he has planned for me.
Except, he never makes it to me.
I scream in surprise when Kacen shifts into a wolf, shredded clothes flying everywhere and tackles Alekai to the ground. It only takes Alekai a few beats to react. One second Alekai is pinned underneath a gorgeous silver wolf and the next second there are two wolves fighting in my room.
I watch in horror as they nip and growl at each other. Kacen’s wolf is larger but Alekai doesn’t back down. He lunges for Kacen’s throat and the two fight for what seems like an eternity before Kacen pins Alekai and wraps his powerful jaws around Alekai’s neck.
Horror fills me as Alekai goes still. “Stop it!” I scream, scrambling forward and pushing Kacen with all my strength. “Get off of him!”
My assault must surprise him, because he actually budges and tumbles off Alekai who remains on the ground, unblinking. “Oh my god, you killed him! How could you, Kacen?” I burst into tears and pull Alekai’s head into my lap, sobbing into his fur coat. “Why would you do this?”
The soft fur disappears in seconds, replaced by smooth skin. I refuse to move, afraid I’ll be looking at Alekai’s lifeless body. “I’m fine, sugar. Don’t cry, I’m all right.”
At the sound of his voice, my head jerks up and I come face to face with a very much alive Alekai. “But… But you weren’t moving. He had his teeth on your neck and then you weren’t moving.”
“It’s a dominance thing, baby,” Kacen murmurs from the corner of the room. I glance over and can’t help but watch as he slips on a pair of sweatpants over his naked body. He must have shifted back while I was busy with Alekai. “I’m his Alpha. He needed a little reminder that he answers to me. That’s all it was.”
I see red at his casualness of the whole situation. I jump to my feet and rush at him, smacking my hands on his chest as hard as I can and pushing him backward. He stumbles a little and ends up in the hallway, but I don’t stop. “You could have killed him, Kacen! What is wrong with you? You had his neck in your mouth! Do you know the damage you could have done?”
“I would never kill him. He and Dawson are my brothers,” he counters, grabbing my wrists when I go to smack him again. I really did think Alekai would be the first to get a whack from me. Guess I was wrong. “First, he ignored the fact you were in trouble with me, then he tried to fight me. Even if he wasn’t serious about it, it’s instinct for me to show him who the Alpha is. Just like you need a good lesson on listening when I tell you not to do something, like call your fucking boyfriend.”
“If you think for one second I’ll let you assert that sort of dominance over me just because you’re some fancy pants alpha dog, you have another thing coming, buddy.” I wrench my wrists from his loose grip and give him one more whack on the chest for good measure. “And he’s not my fucking boyfriend!”
“Holy shit,” Dawson whispers from behind me. I spin on my heel and pin him with a glare that dares him to test me. “Kacen is going to have his hands full with you. You’re not at all submissive.”
“It’s gonna be so much fun,” Alekai adds with a wide grin. He now wears a pair of basketball shorts which makes me realize I had been so mad I didn’t even glance at his naked form when I had the chance.
I rush to him and wrap my arms around his waist, kissing his neck all over. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“Erm…” Alekai swallows roughly and his arms go to my hips, gripping them hard. “No, sugar, he was telling the truth. It’s just an Alpha thing. I’m not bothered by it at all, but I’ll literally say anything if you keep doing that.”
I pull back to look into his eyes. I need reassurance he’s telling the truth about not being hurt. The only thing I find in his gaze are flaming orbs of silver. His breathing grows heavy when I take my hands and run them up his chest, over his shoulders, then back down to hook my thumbs into his basketball shorts. He drops his forehead to mine and closes his eyes tightly. The shorts do nothing to hide the evidence of his arousal.
“You like when I kiss your neck?” I ask, placing an open-mouthed kiss on the underside of his ear.
He growls and uses his grip on my hips to spin me around and pin me against the wall.
“Damn it, Alekai,” Kacen hollers. “We haven’t talked about the fact she stole my fucking phone and called that boy!”
Alekai ignores him, taking my mouth in a searing kiss.
I’m vaguely aware of Dawson talking to Kacen. “Let it go, Kacen . Do you really want to hash this out or do you want to join Alekai in making our girl squirm?”
I don’t hear a verbal answer from Kacen, but I’m spun once again and this time by back is pressed into a hard, bare chest. Kacen.
With Alekai’s hands on my hips, I know it’s Kacen who grabs a fist full of my hair and tilts my head to the side. He nips and sucks at my neck and my knees wobble, nearly giving out beneath me.
Kacen adjusts behind me to stand at my side and his hand that is fisted in my hair angles my head back slightly. Then a third set of lips assaults the other side of my neck. Dawson. Hands roam over my body while lips, tongues, and teeth explore my neck and mouth.
To have the three of them administering such sweet torture overwhelms me and I lose track of who’s who. My hands grip and grab at the three of them, desperate to find purchase. When someone’s hand slowly travels under my shirt and finds my breast, I cry out.
“What the fuck are you doing to her?” If a voice could be a cold bucket of water, Rico’s is just that.
For a second, I wonder if Kacen didn’t hang up the phone before, but it quickly registers that his voice is much louder than it should be through a phone. In the same second, I realize Rico is actually physically here. Kacen pulls me behind the guys and shifts, ready to attack my best friend.
I do the only thing I can think of to stop him from eating Rico. I pull his tail. He yips and swings his head around to give me an incredulous glare. I didn’t know wolves could glare until right this moment.
“You can’t kill him, that’s Rico,” I explain, desperate to hold back my impending laughter. The whole situation is absolutely ridiculous. Of course Rico would find me and I’d be in the middle of a heated make out session with not one, but three wolf shifters who I only just met a few days ago when they kidnapped me.
Rico stands stock still, watching Kacen with wide eyes. His jaw opens and closes a few times like he wants to either scream or say something, but no sound comes out. Finally, he turns his attention to me and I give him a small wave. “Harley, we’re leaving. Let’s go.”
