Latent Desires (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  “Is anyone in with him now?” He gestured to the room.

  “The doctors and nurses. They’re checking him over. It could be a while, and they’re keeping him overnight regardless.” Andrea sighed and her shoulders slumped. “Then if he’s coherent, the other detectives want to talk to him.”

  “Why don’t I take you down to the cafeteria and we can get some coffee? You look like you could use it.” Logan smiled.

  “All right, you can tell me how my brother was shot, yet they missed one of the biggest men on the force.” Andrea slanted a considering glance at him.

  “He was hit right after he stepped out of the car. The shot on him gave me a warning, and I used the door as a shield, although I wasn’t sure where the dart would come from.” Logan shrugged. He didn’t blame Andrea for her curiosity or suspicion. Her brother had been hurt while Logan had been there and walked away without an injury.

  That’s one of the things that bothered him. They’d come there with dart guns. Darts took time to work in the best of circumstances.

  What had they intended to do with the officers who came to the house? If their intention had been to kill, well, they’d had a good shot, but hadn’t used a normal gun. They planned to do something other than kill. What and why?

  Not to mention who did it? The questions ran through his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking of possible reasons someone would want to sedate the chief of police and any officer who happened to be with him.

  That didn’t help limit the people behind it. Those who hated the whyr might use a drug, especially if they could exploit the situation to incite panic among humans. But Logan could think of other reasons someone would want to dart the chief of police. They could want John out of the way, for either personal or professional reasons. On the other hand, these people might want to prove that no one was safe and cause fear within the city.

  He stayed at the hospital for a while, but he couldn’t talk to John until after the detectives did. After waiting a while, Logan decided to leave. John wasn’t coherent, and Logan needed to go see his woman. It had been a long day.

  If anything disturbed his time with Chloe in the next few days, he was going to be one grumpy bear. He had to have time to relax, especially since his mind kept replaying the ambush. What the hell else could go wrong?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jason smiled. He sat with Chloe on the couch. Soon, he’d go into the kitchen and begin dinner. He was enjoying some alone time with her. Logan had pulled duty tonight when someone had called in sick and Tony was at work.

  Since Jason stayed home, Chloe hadn’t gone with Tony to his restaurant. Tony hadn’t been thrilled about that. He’d obviously wanted Chloe with him, but must have seen that Jason needed some alone time with her. When Jason recalled the fact that she’d smelled like sex when they’d picked her up a few times, he could imagine why Tony wanted her with him.

  Jason tried to keep his mind off sex. There would be time for that later. He’d get to it, but first he would talk with her. Maybe he could ease whatever worried her. Ever since Logan had come home after the chief had been darted, she’d seemed to retreat more.

  The night Logan had come she’d given him a fierce hug. She’d told him she was happy he was safe, that she’d been afraid that he’d been hurt since it took him so long to get there. Jason thought fear was behind her withdrawal. He knew he wanted to lock her away when he thought about the danger she faced. Logan and he had to face the risk as part of their job.

  She’d commandeered his office and retreated there for hours to work. Some nights, she kept at it until after midnight. They had to go in and get her at times. He could see the stress building in her. It leaked out in her scent and showed in the tightness of her muscles.

  “How are you doing, Chloe?” He looked down at her and waited for her to meet his eyes.

  She glanced up and her brown eyes clashed with his, but she focused on the images on the television once again. “I’m good.”

  “How do you feel about the mating?” He decided to be blunt. She wasn’t giving any of them much information.

  She turned, frowned at him, and shrugged. “We’re mated.”

  Jason fought the urge to growl. He did not need the flippant answer. It made the urge to grab her and show her that they were bound together even stronger.

  “Are you scared of it?” He took a deep breath and tried another question, but wasn’t sure how long he could keep up the questioning.

  “It wasn’t fear. I didn’t understand it or how something permanent can be decided on a scent. Everyone has a scent. I’m sure there’s someone with one like mine.” She bit her lip. “In a way, I still don’t get how the way I smell can draw all of you. How can you be so sure?”

  “Baby, the moment I drew in your scent in the park, even though I was in bear form, I felt as if I’d found the one thing I’ve been searching for. You probably won’t understand it until you transition, but it was something so right that questioning it was impossible.” Jase patted her hand.

  She’d like to feel that certainty. In a way, she felt left out. They were so sure when she was just coming to terms with their new relationship. “I hope so.”

  Jason couldn’t hold back any longer. He reached over and lifted her into his lap. “I’ll show you.”

  “Jase, it’s not about sex. That’s so hot that I don’t know how anyone walks away from you.” She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned back.

  Walk away, the words rang in his head. She wasn’t talking about leaving them now. Did she think this was temporary?

  He curled his hand around the back of her neck and tugged her down until they were nose to nose. “This isn’t temporary. We won’t walk away from each other in six months or a year.”

  “I didn’t say any of us would go anywhere.” She blinked at him, and her brows drew together.

  The scent of her arousal rose. He inhaled. Although she didn’t understand his reaction, the pheromones became stronger, stirring her desire with every inhale.

  “No, this is permanent.” He dropped a kiss on her lips. “It’s more than sex. You’ll see.”

  She exhaled and her eyes dropped. “Yeah.”

  He realized that the bear’s possessiveness, plus a little of his own insecurity had led him to seeing a threat that wasn’t there. She was genuinely confused and maybe even a little scared. He didn’t want her to think he was insensitive or blind to her side of things.

  “Chloe, we both have time to adjust and learn everything we need to,” he whispered, hoping she realized he meant it.

  One of her hands lifted and stroked over his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “On the contrary, baby, I think I’ll take you for a ride.” Jason rocked her hips against his. “What do you think of that?”

  Her eyes closed for a moment. “I think it sounds delicious, but it won’t solve the problem.”

  “We’ll work on the problems.” Jason stroked his hands up and down her back. “In between the discussions, we’ll fuck and play.” Her tongue slicked out, leaving her lips glistening. He wanted to lean in and nibble on those lips. His mind filled with ways he’d like to her to use those lips. Those pink lips wrapped around his cock ranked high on the list.

  “I get to ride you?” She let her hands trail down to his chest.

  He gave it some thought and the idea had its merits, but he couldn’t get the idea of driving into her out of his head. He wanted to feel her legs wrapped around his waist.

  Her fingers began slipping the buttons free. In moments, she had it open down to his stomach and tugged to pull it free from his pants. He loved the enthusiasm, but she was fast getting ahead of him.

  “Not this time, maybe later tonight.” He loosened the ties of her purple shirt before gliding down to the cloth belt at her waist.

  “Definitely later tonight, with chocolate.” She grinned.

  His eyes crossed. He couldn’t help beginning to imagine her breasts drizzled with c
hocolate, or even better honey, and licking it all off.

  “Someone likes that idea, but it’s mine, all mine.” She wriggled against his hardened cock.

  “I don’t know a man in his right mind who wouldn’t love licking chocolate off your breasts or the thought of you licking it off him.” He skimmed his hands down and cupped her buttocks, pulling her tight to him. If he could, he’d sink his cock into her right now. But they both wore too many clothes.

  “I need you out of those pants.” She wriggled in his hold, her pussy moving against the ridge of his cock.

  “Damn, you drive me insane.” His fingers tightened. He couldn’t decide whether to hold her close or rip off both of their clothes.

  “I want to feel your mouth on my breasts when you fuck me.” A wicked grin tilted her lips. She knew how much she strained his control.

  That decided the matter. He lifted her to her feet, and she stepped back. He ripped at the fastening of his jeans. It would have been easier if he’d looked down to see what he was doing, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  She pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it away. He had no idea where it went and didn’t care. She had on a light purple bra that lifted her full breasts. A moment later, it dropped to the floor. He stared at the creamy-white mounds topped with mauve-tipped nipples.

  He wished he could grab her and get her on the nearest flat surface, but his pants clung to his skin like a straitjacket. When her fingers flicked open her pants, he knew he had to get his off fast or he might not make it inside of her. That would be a damn shame.

  He tore his eyes away from her creamy flesh to get his damn jeans off. His fingers fumbled over the closure. Frustration ripped through him. He managed to release the button and unzip. After he pushed the pants down his legs, he looked up to find her stepping out of her dark denims.

  The sweet curves of her body made him itch to touch her. Once he escaped the tangle of his pants, he advanced toward her. He wanted his woman now. He felt his cock harden and his balls tighten.

  She crossed the final step that separated them. Her arms went around his waist. He wrapped her in his arms, but guided her down to the floor. The moment her back touched, he pulled back.

  He sprawled on the floor next to her, his mind locked on the thought of sucking and nibbling her nipples. He didn’t neglect the other lush globe though. He plucked and teased the sensitive tip.

  Her moans fed him, and he wished he could wait long enough to make her come. He’d love to watch the pleasure take her and then excite her again. This time, his body burned for completion. Her back arched, pressing the nipple deeper into his mouth.

  He trailed his hand away from the delicious mound and down her stomach. Her thighs parted farther. His touch drifted over the slick lips. She was wet. He wanted to see how wet and play with that pussy for a little while.

  He slipped his fingers between the lips. Her juices were slick and warm. He loved the ready response. He rubbed her clit. Her hips raised against his the touch. He lapped at her nipple, swirling his tongue around the stiff peak. He mimicked the movement with his fingers.

  She shivered. A moan rolled from her lips. He sucked hard at her breast and teased her with light flicks of his tongue. His fingers stroked over her clit until she writhed with need.

  He lifted his head. A flush spread across her cheeks, and urgency burned in her eyes. “You’re beautiful when you’re wild.”

  “Fuck me.” Her nails sank into his shoulders. She tried to urge him to move over her.

  Yes, he would fuck her in a few moments. He drew his fingers down to her entrance. While he nibbled at her breast, two digits pushed into the slick passage. Her muscles clenched around the intrusion. In spite of the demands of his body, he wanted to watch and hear her respond to him. He set a slow rhythm.

  Her sweet scent swirled around him. The enticing essence of her arousal pushed at his control. His cock throbbed with the urge to drive into her.

  “Please.” Her voice emerged husky and strained. She arched into his touch.

  He couldn’t ignore her pleas. The urge to taste her pulsed through him. He withdrew his fingers from the tight, hot channel. He lifted his hand to his mouth and swiped his tongue over the tips. The flavor went straight through him. Rich and addicting.

  He slipped between her thighs. Her knees lifted. She clutched at his arms, trying to pull him down to her. He drew in slow breaths. The urge to lift her and plunge deep burned through him. He had a little more control than that.

  At the last minute, he remembered the condom. He reached for his jeans and grabbed the packet from his back pocket. After opening the package, he rolled it on and eased back down. His hips surged forward.

  He pushed the head between her lips. He could feel her heat through the thin latex barrier. She bucked up when his shaft pushed into her pussy. He rocked forward. Her inner muscles squeezed, tightening around him. The exquisite sensation nearly had his eyes rolling back. He almost lost control.

  He brushed his lips over hers before his mouth claimed hers. She met the aggressive thrust and returned his fervor. Their tongues stroked as he began to pump into her.

  “I want you to fuck me hard.” She tore her mouth away from his and breathed the words against his cheek.

  He gave in to the urge to ride her. Her legs wrapped around him, holding him tight. She lifted into the strong strokes. Her felt her muscles rippling over his cock. She was there. She came. Her nails dug into his shoulders and her hips bucked up into his.

  His heart pounded in his ears. Need raged within him. He thrust against her, slipping one hand under her to lift her into the hard lunges. The pleasure slammed through him like a lightning bolt, sizzling down to his toes. Every muscle in his body tightened. Shivers ripped down his spine. He roared with the force of his release.

  Jason stroked his lips back and forth over hers. He craved the contact and didn’t want to give it up. He lifted away from her, but didn’t gather the strength to get to his feet. The urge to cuddle up close to her pushed at him and he didn’t fight it.

  Now, if only he could keep his intention to let her adjust. It wasn’t going to be easy. He wanted everything.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chloe walked into O’Donnell’s with Jason and Logan at her side. Both men looked so delicious tonight she wanted to go home and peel them out their clothes.

  She needed to get out of the house. They’d been watching her with such intensity that she was stir-crazy. She’d love some time alone, but welcomed the opportunity to be out in public.

  Jase wore a black shirt that made his blue eyes seem brighter and his shoulders seem broader. He had his arm hooked through hers. His palm tightened around hers, warm and strong. She glanced up at him when she felt the light hold tighten.

  Logan’s arm curved around her waist. She liked the possessive way his fingers curled her hip. She glanced over at him. Her gaze skimmed over the sharp angles of his cheeks and down to the green shirt covering his broad chest. His arm tightened, pulling her closer to his body.

  Tony planned to join them for the meal. She anticipated the opportunity to spend time with all of them. Over the last few days, she hadn’t had a chance to spend much time with the three of them together. Logan and Jason’s shifts had been switched up. They hadn’t been home at the same time.

  On top of that, Tony had had to spend some extra time at his bar, the Wild Beat, when there had been a plumbing disaster. He’d spent most of two days getting it fixed. On the second day, she went with him until Jase had gotten off of work, because Logan worked a night shift.

  The greeter at the hostess station welcomed them and led them to a table. Chloe had to smile at the immediate seating. She guessed that being involved with the owner of a restaurant had a few perks. The size of the table did give her some pause. There were four of them, yet they had been led at a table that sat eight.

  “Are we expecting someone else?” She glanced over at Logan when he took the chair
across from her. They hadn’t said anything about meeting someone tonight.

  Jason touched her shoulder. He eased past her to sit on her left. “Tony said we might have some others, but he wasn’t sure when I last talked to him. I didn’t want you to get your hopes up and them not show up. Since we’re seated here, I’d guess they’re coming.”

  “Them who?” She frowned.

  The wide smile on his face told her he spoke with the deliberate vagueness about their guests. They did love to tease her. She didn’t know how they realized that anticipation drove her crazy.

  “Our guests, baby.” Logan laughed.

  “I meant who are they and you know it, you horrible man.” She frowned at him. He was rising fast to the top of her list.

  When she considered the four extra chairs, it couldn’t be all of their parents, but it could be two sets of them. Her mouth went dry. A surge of anxiety caused her stomach to lurch. They’d better not be surprising her with a parental meeting. She wanted to be prepared when that happened.

  “That would be us, Chloe.” Dixie dropped down into the seat next to her.

  Chloe jumped at the sudden appearance. After the shock eased, she leaned over to give her friend a hug. Shonna and Leslie slipped in close for a hug before they went around the table to find a seat.

  “It’s good to see you.” Chloe grinned. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “They hoped to surprise you. What were you thinking of before we sat down? I smelled fear,” Shonna asked with a raised brow.

  Chloe shook her head. It had taken her time to grow accustomed to that type of comment. For a while, it had freaked her out. Along with a few other things, she’d gotten used to it.

  “Parents. I had the appalling thought of them springing a meeting with their parents on me.” Chloe exhaled, more than a little relieved that her friends stood there and not their family.

  “Ah, a little nervous about meeting the family?” Dixie raised a brow. “They’d love you if you came with two heads. After all, they’ve been dealing with those three for years and haven’t taken them out to the forest and lost them.”