“Vicki?” He put his hand around her throat and gently squeezed.
To her horror, her panties grew damp. Her clit pulsed, and her breasts ached. She cursed him in her mind while answering in a rush. “It all started a few months ago, when a client came to us wanting to recover a family heirloom. There’s this ring…”
Kate glared through tears as she stormed from the house. That bitch. Who the hell did she think she was flirting with Savage men? Jesse and Logan were hers, damn it. For years she’d stood by, playing the little sister to Diana. Not tied by birth but by love, she and Diana had deeper bonds than blood. But with Diana enthralled with Sean, things had changed.
Kate didn’t feel a part of their magic. Pack was pack, but Diana would break off, starting her own family. Problem was her human didn’t seem to want to be a part of it. Poor Diana. Kate knew how it hurt to be denied. For years she’d loved Jesse and Logan, but they saw nothing but Eric and what Eric wanted.
Granted, she loved Eric. Like a big brother or benevolent uncle, but never as a lover. He felt the same way. He’d prodded her and Diana for years to take mates and start their own packs, not out of a desire to be rid of them, but so that they might experience true happiness. She hadn’t the heart to tell him who she really wanted. She thought Diana might suspect, but she’d never said anything.
Kate didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want Vicki around at all. It was hard enough sharing her men with Dom and Eric. Ravagers didn’t care about gender with sex, but she hated being near and unable to satisfy the Ravagers she knew would make perfect mates. Her guer warned her that Vicki would make a formidable adversary. Human she might be, but Conduits had their own power. Kate had seen Sean in action. Was his cousin as strong?
She hoped so. Kate wanted to beat her fairly. If she couldn’t, though, so be it.
She sensed Dom closing on her. Best to let him catch up and say what he needed to say.
“Kate, stop,” Dom growled at her. Instead of berating her for daring to warn off the prime’s consort, he opened his arms and hugged her. “You’re old enough now to do something about it, you know.” He kissed the top of her head, and fresh tears started anew.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Honey, I see everything around here. That’s my job. Now tell me why you won’t declare yourself to your packmates who would rather die than hurt you.”
She sniffed. “But that’s just it. I shouldn’t have to declare myself. They notice nothing but Eric and you and now that woman.”
She felt his smile against her hair and struggled in his arms. “It’s not funny!”
“No, it’s not. But if it’s any consolation, Vicki didn’t ask to be here, Kate. She’s trying to fit in as best she can. It would be nice if she had someone to help her.”
Someone to help her leave, maybe. That way Kate wouldn’t have to deal with the obnoxious human. The way she flaunted herself, challenging the males clearly to entice them. It made Kate sick.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Kate gave Dom her best smile, the one that showed off her dimple.
He bought it, probably relieved not to have to deal with female issues any more. She’d overheard him and Eric complaining about her and Diana for years. Always with love in their voices, yet they didn’t want the responsibility for two extra females in their pack. And who could blame them?
“I’m okay now. I’ll apologize to Vicki later, hmm?”
“Good girl.”
Woman, I’m a woman, she wanted to shout. “I’m just going for a run to clear my thoughts. I’ll be back soon.” She eyed her watch, needing to leave now if she wanted to see them again. She forced a smile to her face and waved at Dom.
As soon as he left, she hurried into the tree line and stripped off her clothes. Shifting into her guer, she raced through the woods, passed a few of her brethren, and continued on. There, by the small stream of water, an empty bed of grass. She sniffed the air and used the direction of the wind to camouflage her scent. Then after climbing a gnarled oak, one of her favorite hiding places, she waited.
Minutes later, she heard them.
Two Ravagers almost identical in their guer approached. So handsome, so strong.
So hers.
They stopped and changed back, disappointing her. She’d been hoping for some rough play this afternoon. Still, she could stare at them all day and not get tired.
Jesse stretched, and Logan watched him. The play of sunlight over his muscles mesmerized her, and it took a moment to realize they spoke in low tones.
“What do you think’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Eric pissed her off.” Logan shrugged. “He’s good at that.”
“Yeah, but she seemed angrier at Vicki than Eric.”
Just the name made her want to growl.
“Why? You think Kate has a thing for Eric?” Logan asked, his voice stilted.
They were talking about her. Noticing her, finally!
“Hell no. Eric’s like her second father. He found her and Diana.”
“No shit, Jesse. I was there, remember?”
Jesse smiled, his grin smug. “Yeah, but you were just a pup then. So cute when you were little.” He took a few steps closer and ran his fingers up and down Logan’s abdomen. “But not so little now, eh?”
Logan drew in a sharp breath. “Why do you think Kate’s so upset lately?”
“She always seems mad. Wish I knew,” Jesse murmured before taking Logan in hand. He gripped Logan hard. “My turn today.”
“Fuck.” Logan moaned and spread his feet wide. “Then get me off first. You’re a fucking tease.”
Jesse chuckled. “You sound like you’re needing it bad. Thinking about Vicki?” He jerked Logan off as he taunted him.
“No. Something…at the house. Making me hornier than usual.”
“I thought it was just me feeling that way.” He stepped closer and rubbed against Logan.
From her vantage, Kate couldn’t see more than Jesse’s firm backside as he pressed against Logan. It wasn’t long before she heard Logan groan. His face contorted in pleasured agony, and she clenched inside, wishing she held him deep as he spent. Instead, Jesse stepped back from Logan and rubbed his lover’s cum over his cock, making the slide of his palm so pretty.
“Down on your hands and knees for me,” Jesse said thickly, stroking himself as he watched Logan get down. “How about a little suck first?”
“No way. You’ll blow, you bastard.”
Jesse chuckled.
“I’m not in the mood to swallow.”
“Not what you were feeling yesterday when Dom ordered you to your knees.”
She sensed but didn’t see Logan blush. “I can’t help it. He’s so fuckin’ hot. And don’t tell me you’ve never taken it from him, or Eric. You might top me, but I’ve seen you bottom too. Hell, I’ve heard you scream out when Prime’s reaming that fine ass.”
Enthralled by their frank talk, Kate bit her lip as she imagined them both taking her. Logan and Jesse were so handsome, so fierce and so male. She watched as Jesse spread Logan’s ass cheeks and thrust inside.