STORY EXCERPT

While listening to Sonya, Brant had been watching the annoying SUV behind them. When he couldn’t see the driver clearly, he went on alert. This was millionaire’s row, with a lot of wealthy and well-known residents. The roads teemed with paparazzi and lowlifes looking for an easy b&e, or a story to sell to the media.

When he pulled in enough to let the car pass, the car didn’t take his invitation. It preferred to drive up his ass. That was when Brant went on alert. Unfortunately, this road had no useful turn-offs, only private roads to estates and gated communities. It was too narrow. Trees bordered the ditches either side, but he could use that terrain if he needed to.

He glanced at his passenger. To his surprise, he liked Sonya. She was funny, interesting and open. Also in danger, if he didn’t take action soon.

The SUV moved closer, and nudged his rear bumper.

“What?” Sonya turned around and glared at the car. She turned back, swallowing. “Is he...?”

“Yes he is.” Whatever she was about to say, yep, the driver was doing that. “I don’t know if he means it, or if he’s just kidding.” Some people would think it was funny to put the fear of God into the car ahead. But the guy hadn’t overtaken them when given the chance. He wanted to either scare them or hurt them.

Brant didn’t respond to the nudge, so the driver pushed him harder. This time they jolted forward. Swiftly, he made a plan. He pressed the button that unlocked all the doors. He wasn’t even properly armed, just a small pistol in his shoulder holster. Everybody working for the First Lady had some self-defense training, and Brant’s job title included “bodyguard.”

He didn’t even know if the driver behind wanted her or him, or intended to take him out first and then take her. He knew a lot more about Sonya Givens than she thought he did. Enough to know she could be the target.

He teased their pursuer, and touched the accelerator to make the brake lights glow. The guy kept up, giving them another nudge, harder this time. Brant guessed he was expected to speed up, so when he went off the road, they’d be killed or badly hurt.

There was nothing accidental or petulant about this attack. The guy behind knew what he was doing. Why was a question he’d try to answer later. Now he had enough on his hands without speculating about reason. He tried another maneuver, moving the car to one side temptingly. The driver behind took his invitation, eagerly nosing his way into the gap.

Brant accelerated. If he let the driver pass, they were done for. The ditches either side of the road were pretty deep. If this guy got them into one of those, they’d be sitting ducks for whatever he wanted to do.

If the guy was after Brant, he’d know what and who Brant was. Brant had no choice, he’d have to take the chance that their pursuer was after Sonya and not him. If he waited much longer, they were dead.

“Hold tight. We’re getting out of here.” He had to do this on his own, if he wanted both of them to live.

She opened her mouth but before she could say anything, he accelerated. After a short burst of speed, he spun the wheel to send the car slewing across the road. The brakes screamed in protest.

That brought the driver’s side to their attacker, giving them the minute he needed. “Get down!”

A shot whined over his head. The bastard had given up subterfuge and was taking the direct route. Glass shattered and showered over them.

Their pursuer smacked into the Caddy, caving in the driver’s side. Almost immediately the airbags deployed, adding a hiss to the curtain of sound assaulting them.

“Grab my weapon. It’s under my arm. Leave the rest.”

Her breasts were moving faster as her breath quickened but she did as he ordered, dragging the weapon from its holster. “Use it if you can. Don’t aim, just lay down some cover for us.”

While he snapped his orders, he was shape-shifting. Clothes tore off his body as his limbs changed from the man’s to the powerful haunches of his panther.

She caught her breath, blue eyes wide with horror. He moved smoothly to telepathy. Get that door open!

He glanced back. Yes, their pursuer was male, his thickset body descending from the vehicle. His car was slewed across the road, the near side making the most impact to Brant’s car. Steam rose from the hood, mingling with the rain that still pelted down relentlessly.

Now he was shifted, unbearable stink rose to Brant’s sensitive nostrils. The sharp, acrid tang of gas mingled with steam heat and the smell of fear assaulted him. 

ADULT EXCERPT

Brant. He rested against the arm of the chair, and nodded at her. “Go ahead. Do it.”

The pulse beat so strongly in her ears it deafened her. Her breathing quickened, but she couldn’t have stopped. When Wade released her hands to cup her shoulders, she went to him. His arms slid around her, so slowly and carefully, as if he was handling a delicate blossom, and he gathered her close into his hard, hot body. “It’s just a kiss,” he murmured as their lips met, but Sonya knew it would lead to more.

Wade had firmer lips, narrower, but just as delicious as Brant. He tasted earthier, less spicy. Then Sonya stopped reasoning as Wade deepened the kiss, pressing his tongue against the roof of her mouth, and sealing their lips together. So good! His voice in her mind was almost reverent.

He let her in to his mind. Burning desire lay there waiting to pounce, to sear her so she’d never be the same again. Desire roared between them, sending hers into an uncontrollable flame, as heat and need burned its way through her. Her pussy dampened and swelled, so she rubbed her legs together to get some ease, but she hadn’t done it with any plan in mind. She let her body take control.

“That’s it,” Brant murmured. “You two look so hot.” Brant stroked her arms, and even through the thin cotton of her bra, she felt his fingers like brands on her skin. And still Wade kissed her, licking voraciously, then retreating so she had to go after him to get what she wanted. More of Wade.

Brant cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples into sharp points. He kissed the back of her neck, moving the heavy weight of her hair aside to get to bare skin. Sonya shivered when Brant bit her, just a nip, pushing her into aching need.

Wade dragged her closer, pressing her hard against him and Brant had to pull his hands out. He managed to get some of the buttons on her blouse free, tugging them as he retreated, then sliding his hands down to her cuffs, to flick them undone. He touched her hand, where it clutched Wade’s shoulder, pulled it away, and slipped the blouse down and off. She let him deal with the other cuff the same way, and then he popped the clasp on her bra.

Sonya was glad to get rid of it.

Brant kissed down her spine while Wade stroked her breasts, groaning into her mouth. So pretty, so soft! came his voice again. With an effort, he drew away. He looked down, and moved his hands on her, glancing up and meeting her gaze with a soft smile. “Hey, you,” he said, just as if he’d seen her before and knew her from a long time ago.

She smiled back, a little tremulously because she was only getting through this by not thinking about the past.

As if reading her—of course he’d sense her—he removed his hands. “Is that too much?” He kept his gaze on her face. She saw his need, the dark pupils and flushed mouth, his cheekbones stark and red, and respected him for reacting as he did. If he hadn’t, she might not have the courage to move on. She shook her head. “No. My past is getting in the way.”

Behind her, Brant stilled. “Baby, this wasn’t planned. Wade is my breed partner. It’s an instinct to share. We don’t have to. Not all breedmates do.”

She wanted to, so badly she could taste it. “I do want, if it’s good with you guys. I don’t understand, that’s all. How can you both want me? You’re way out of my league, both of you.” Before, Gary and Chet had come to her one at a time, and Chet had confessed that he was jealous. He hadn’t wanted to share, but it was the only way to get a baby.

Brant delivered a sharp tap to her backside, and she yelped. The sting made her nerves tingle. “Look at yourself. You’re beautiful, baby.”

She swallowed, still looking at Wade, who seemed frozen under her gaze. Wade glanced down. He rubbed his thumb over her nipple. It reacted instantly to his touch, furling like a kitten begging to be petted. Thrills ran through her body, radiating up and out until Brant moved, kissing the nape of her neck. “Okay then,” he said. “Shall we take this to the bedroom?”

“That sounds like a great idea.”