Latent Desires (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  She rattled off the name of a beer from a local microbrewery. He stared at her for a moment. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected her to order, but it wasn’t that.

  She looked up at him and raised a brow. “What did you expect me to order? Some fruity cocktail?”

  “Um, maybe.” He gave her hand a tug and started toward the dance floor.

  “Fruity drinks are all right and have their place. I order them when I’m out with Dixie and the girls. We talk and laugh.” She shrugged. “I can nurse a beer for a while though. I don’t want to stumble out of here. I’d bet you guys have plans for later tonight.”

  Jason chuckled. “We do have plans for tonight. You falling asleep right after we leave here isn’t part of it.”

  The beat of the music picked up as they stepped onto the dance floor. He guided her among the dancers. The beat wasn’t conducive to drawing her close, but he eased in behind her.

  His hips rubbed against her buttocks. His cock nudged her with each step. She pressed back against him, the sway of her hips teasing him. He gripped her waist, pulling her close every once in a while. He had to fight the urge to let his palms drift upward and mold to her breasts.

  He thought he heard her laugh. “Enjoying yourself, Chloe?”

  “I love dancing.” She turned in his loose grip.

  As the song drew to a close, Logan walked up to them. He hoped Chloe didn’t plan on returning to the table to get a drink yet. She went into Logan’s arms with a smile. Jason walked back to their table and found a beer waiting on him.

  He watched her out on the floor with Logan. She moved with him and ground against him. She looked so sexy. Her hips twisted, and her breasts bobbed with the movement. Damn, he didn’t want to spend most of the night in public. He longed to take her home and learn more about that sweet, lush body.

  After the song, Logan walked her back to their table. She leaned into the arm he had curved around her and laughed at something Logan said. When Jase noticed the male eyes following their progress, he was surprised that no one had tried to cut in on them. Then again, with the frown Logan sent toward any male who he caught staring at her, perhaps they hadn’t dared approach.

  “Hey, baby, are you having fun?” Tony drew her close. He urged her into the seat next to him.

  “Oh, yeah, dance with me next?” She wiggled her brows at him. She picked up her mug of beer.

  “Definitely, but take a little while to catch your breath. I’m eager to feel you writhing against me out there on the dance floor.” Tony curved his arm around the back of her chair.

  Jason held back a chuckle when she narrowed her eyes on Tony. While he appreciated the description of her moves, it seemed she didn’t.

  “I was dancing, not writhing.” She turned and poked her finger into his chest.

  “Remember to wiggle like that beneath me later and I’ll be happy.” Tony grabbed her hand.

  It was probably a good thing that he did have control of her arm. A flush of red washed up her face. She looked as if she’d like to hit Tony.

  “You are bad, and I don’t know if I’ll dance with you at all.” Her lower lip jutted in a slight pout.

  “You’ve already asked and you can’t take it back—” Tony stopped talking when both Jason and Logan’s phones went off.

  The heavy bass beat on Jason’s phone almost drowned out the guitar riff of Logan’s ringtone. Jason stiffened and grabbed his phone from the belt clip. He glanced at the caller ID and grimaced. The station.

  He had to take it. This had to be something important. They’d informed family and friends they were taking Chloe out on a date tonight.

  He answered. The man on the other end rattled off details. He grimaced and felt like cussing or ripping something apart. He didn’t want to go to work, but there had been another incident. Every officer was needed. There would be other nights like this, but he’d hoped Chloe would discover the difficulties of life with cops later.

  “We’ll have to take you two back to the house.” Jason sighed. He’d been hopeful they could give her a little romance tonight.

  “Is it bad?” Tony asked. He rose to his feet, drawing Chloe with him.

  “Another drugging, but more people this time. We’ve been called in to help.” Logan strode around the table. “We’ll give you another date, Chloe and next time, we’ll try to make it through the end without being interrupted.”

  “I kind of figured there would be times when we were interrupted since you’re both investigators.” The corners of her mouth trembled as she attempted a smile. “I’ll think of a way that you can make it up to me.”

  Chapter Eight

  Chloe folded her arms and stood back near the entrance to the living room. Tony strode over to answer the ringing doorbell. He turned back and frowned at her.

  He’d insisted she stay in the room and wait while he answered the door. She’d rolled her eyes. They both knew who waited outside. Shonna, Leslie, and Dixie. Hell, they’d called to say they were on their way.

  He’d been way overprotective today. All three of them had been more watchful after the drugging at a restaurant last night. Jason and Logan had gotten home early in the morning and had left again a few hours later. They’d pulled Tony out of the room to talk to him.

  At first, she’d thought they were trying to let her sleep, but the alarm on Logan’s phone had woken her. They hadn’t closed the door. With the deep rumble of Logan’s voice, she’d heard his side of the conversation. They’d wanted Tony to keep her at home today and told him about some meeting.

  There had been some mumbles in there she hadn’t caught, and she guessed Tony and Jason had replied. She hadn’t thought anything at all about the meeting until Logan told Tony not to tell her about it. That had roused her suspicions. Why shouldn’t he tell her about this meeting? What was happening at it?

  Now she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Their need for secrecy baffled her and also hurt a little. She hadn’t said anything about knowing yet. Before too long, she’d bring it up. She didn’t like to brood and let the problem fester. She’d rather talk it through and get everything out in the open.

  Now, though, she hoped to enjoy an afternoon with her friends. Later, she’d deal with the men.

  Tony opened the door and stepped back. Shonna, Leslie, and Dixie strolled into the house. They all headed for the living room. Odin greeted her friends, bouncing around them, and licking their hands.

  Shonna strolled into the living room. “Come on, girl. We have a lot to dish.”

  “You can go do whatever, Tony.” Dixie turned to him and made shooing motions with her hands. “We have some serious girl talk to get to and you would be a serious deterrent to it.”

  “You’re lucky I like you, or we would have lost you years ago in a theme park.” Tony gave her a fierce frown, but his lips softened into a soft smile in moments. “Stay inside. With all of the problems lately and the people who might be coming after her, we want to keep her close.”

  “Yeah, yeah, we’re not dense, you know. We’ll stay right here in your house.” Dixie rolled her eyes and then grabbed Chloe’s arm. “You have to stand up to them, or they’ll keep being overbearing when there’s no danger.”

  “There’s a time when there is no danger to shapeshifters?” She raised her brow and fought a grin.

  “Don’t be a smartass.” Dixie grinned. “Of course, there’s a day or two every year.”

  Chloe laughed. All right, she did need a little time among her friends and away from the testosterone overload that was Logan, Jase, and Tony.

  “I’ll be within calling distance.” Tony sent her a narrow-eyed look. The stern glance irritated her.

  “Go on. Don’t you think with Dixie and the others with me, you’ll have enough warning to get out here if there’s trouble? They’d have to be insane to bust into a freaking bear’s house.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “No one ever said the people after you were smart or sane, baby.” Tony d
rew his hand across her cheek before he walked away and went into his office.

  “Don’t be surprised if he’s back out here to check on you in less than fifteen minutes.” Dixie kept pace with Chloe as they strolled into the living room.

  “I’m giving him less than that.” Shonna sat in one of the plush leather chairs with one leg draped over the arm and her back resting against the other.

  “Yeah, I agree. None of them have left me alone for more than five or ten minutes. Fifteen would be a stretch.” Chloe dropped onto the couch and stared out the window, although she didn’t see the trees and grass. Her mind circled around the three men who now called her mate. She noticed when Dixie took a seat on the couch and Odin jumped on the cushion between them.

  “It’s natural for them to be protective of a new mate. Especially when there is some reason for it.” Leslie took the chair opposite Shonna, but leaned back against the plush cushion.

  “Is it natural for them not to talk to their mate?” She raised a brow and looked around at her girlfriends.

  “Talk about what?” Shonna frowned.

  “What are my uncles up to now?” Dixie half-turned on the couch to face her. “You know if they start acting stupid, tell them, and call me. I’ll make sure they understand.”

  Chloe grimaced. “Not stupid, but I don’t understand it. Logan and Jason had to go back into work this morning and to a meeting, but for some reason, Logan took Tony outside the bedroom door to tell him about it before I could even sit up and stretch. Is it because I’m human, the mating is new, or what?”

  “They’re jerks.” Shonna shook her head. “When will men learn that keeping women in the dark to protect them doesn’t work and can sometimes hurt them?”

  “Never.” Leslie laughed. “She’s right. They were trying to protect you from worry or something else inane.”

  “When they’re all here talk to them about it and make sure they don’t do it again. Hell, loss of pussy is a great incentive for mates to remember the important things. At least that’s what Mom always says.” Dixie shrugged, but a smile curved her lips.

  “I will. It wasn’t the secret. It felt like they didn’t trust me.” Chloe exhaled and rolled her shoulders to expel some of the tension. “That hit every single doubt I had about being in a mate relationship.”

  “I don’t think they ever thought that you might see their actions in a different way. Male whyr are overprotective of new mates, especially human mates.” Shonna sighed and shook her head. “You’ll have to make sure they understand that you don’t always see things the way they do.”

  Chloe closed her eyes and breathed for a moment. They were bumps in a not-so-normal relationship. She might not have planned for this, but it would be okay. She didn’t need to freak out.

  “Relax. This will be fine. You’ll talk to them. They’ll talk to you. You’ll fuck like bunnies, and soon I’ll be an aunty.” Dixie patted her hand.

  Chloe drew in a sharp breath. Dixie could be so damn blunt. Children? Already? They’d barely begun to get to know each other. She stared at Dixie and hoped she didn’t look horrified. It wasn’t the concept of children that threw her. Hell, she wanted some. The timing seemed a bit sudden.

  “I don’t know how this will work.” She ran her hands through her hair. Her shoulders slumped.

  “Something on your mind, Tony?” Dixie peered back over her shoulder.

  Chloe turned and saw that Dixie was right. Tony was stood near the doorway.

  “No, checking that everything’s all right.” He nodded. “Would you like something to drink or eat?”

  “We’re fine and so is she. You’ll know if anything happens, Uncle Tony. Relax. She’s not going anywhere, and I know where the kitchen is if we need something to munch on. Let us talk to her. You’ll get her back later, I promise.” Dixie hooked her arm on the back of the sofa.

  “We’re good,” Chloe agreed.

  Tony smiled. “Don’t think I won’t be back later.”

  He went back toward his office. Chloe stared at the spot where he’d been for a few moments. It seemed that he couldn’t resist popping in to check on her.

  “Hey, Chloe, he will be back. Let’s do some talking before he decides to return.” Leslie leaned forward. “You’ve had a busy few days and have been keeping secrets.”

  “Yeah, and he won’t be so reticent next time. He’ll come in here, pick you up, and put you in his lap. According to my mother and my married sisters, for the first few weeks, alone time is a rarity.” Shonna grinned. “Enjoy it while you have it.”

  “From what I heard from my mother, they can also be a little anxious about the bond between the mates during this time.” Dixie relaxed back against the couch.

  “What do you mean anxious? They haven’t seemed worried in any way since we’ve been here, aside from about the people doing the drugging.” She frowned at her friend.

  She tried to work out what Dixie was trying to say, because she sensed the serious turn in conversation. Those men hadn’t seemed anxious about anything except getting her in bed since they’d gotten her into their house.

  “She means that sometimes whyr men can take a simple doubt or hesitation and turn it into a full issue in a new mating. Although it doesn’t happen often, it can prolong the mating process.” Shonna grimaced. “Female whyrkind aren’t immune to it, but I’ve heard about it more in males.”

  “But aren’t we already mated? I thought they bit me and then it was official.” She frowned and swept her eyes over her friends.

  “You’re mated. It won’t change, but it’s a process not something that will happen all at once. It has to do with emotions and beliefs. I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you, because it probably won’t happen.” Dixie reached out and patted her hand.

  “But what if it does?” She frowned.

  “If anything seems strange to you, call me and talk to me. It won’t be hard to tell if it’s happening.” Dixie gave her a smile. “Now, how about we stop worrying over something that probably won’t happen? Let’s talk about something else.”

  “What do you plan to talk about that will take my mind off this mating process?” Chloe shot her friend an annoyed look. How could she focus on anything other than that?

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be distracted. First, we could talk about me getting that promotion.” Shonna’s expression was neutral, but happiness bubbled in her voice for anyone to hear. She’d been angling for a higher position in her company’s IT department.

  Chloe popped up and went to hug her friend. “Damn, I’m such a bad person. I should have asked about that. Congratulations on the new position! Are you excited?”

  Shonna hugged her back. “Of course, and a lot nervous. Now I have my work, but I also have to oversee others.”

  “You’ll do great. You’re fabulous at your job and you’ll learn the ropes of this new one without a problem.” Chloe gave her friend’s hand a squeeze.

  “She’s right. You will do great.” Tony’s voice rolled through the room.

  Chloe turned to look at him. He had a shoulder propped against the doorway. She couldn’t tell if he’d been there a while or if he’d just come into the room.

  “Under fifteen minutes. We should have made bets.” Leslie chuckled.

  “Funny. I’m taking you into the kitchen and making you a snack, baby. They can come along.” Tony walked around the couch and threaded his fingers through hers.

  “You know you could come in here and sit with us.” Chloe tightened her fingers in his.

  “Yeah, but I want to feed you.” He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close for a hug.

  Dixie laughed and stood. “He’s nurturing you. Natural bear impulse. He’s told you about the fact that bears like to touch, hug, and snuggle, right?”

  “They told me something about it.” Chloe hadn’t known if they’d meant they’d touch and cuddle a lot because of sex.

  “Well, it’s true, and you’ll discover the need to touch w
hen you’ve become a whyrbear. The touch applies to social situations as well as sexual contact with your mates. Now, let’s go. If he’s cooking, I’m in the mood to eat.” Dixie started toward the kitchen.

  “I said I’m cooking for her.” Tony raised a brow, but tugged Chloe along toward the kitchen.

  “And your guests. You can’t be a bad host and neglect the people who came over to see her.” Dixie laughed.

  “Yes, I can,” Tony said.

  “Don’t make me call Mom.” Dixie looked back over her shoulder and smiled, the curve of her lips smug. “You know she’ll call Grandma. Then you’ll be on the phone for a while and you’ll make the food anyway.”

  “I don’t know why we haven’t lost you in the woods before now. The childhood cuteness wore off a long time ago.” Tony sighed. Good humor sparkled in his eyes, belying his words.

  Dixie strolled into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. “You know you love me.”

  “Yeah, but he probably can’t figure out why sometimes. Same way I feel about our friendship at times.” Shonna ruffled Dixie’s curly blond hair and took a seat.

  “Ooh, that stings.” Dixie put her hand over her heart.

  Chloe grinned at the teasing, but glanced over at Tony. “What are you making me?”

  “Marinated chicken kebabs with a yogurt sauce and herbed roasted vegetables,” he said. He urged her into one of the seats at the end of the table and turned it until she faced the stove. “Now, stay right here.”

  “Sounds yummy.” Dixie turned to face Chloe. “Isn’t he sweet? And you’ll be able to enjoy his cooking for years and years.”

  “That is a definite incentive, because the marinade on that chicken smells delicious.” Chloe watched Tony cook.

  Tony popped a loaded tray into the oven. Regardless of what he’d said to Dixie, he seemed more than prepared to feed them all.

  “Tastes better, sweetheart.” Tony turned around and smiled at her before he again faced the stove and put the chicken on a grill at the side of the stove.