STORY EXCERPT

The hottest woman he’d ever seen strolled up to Ryan and straight into the man’s arms. Grayson’s gut twisted into a knot.

“Hey, sugar.” Ryan, his eyes glowing with happiness, kissed the beauty on the lips.

Grayson’s stomach knot tightened. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?” Ordinarily, he never would’ve asked another man to introduce him to his girl, but she was anything but ordinary. She was worth any risk he had to take.

Ryan frowned as though he’d forgotten Grayson was there. “Sure. Tally, this is Grayson Addison. He’s new in town and working out at Walt’s place.”

As soon as her emerald green eyes locked on his, he was more certain than ever that she was the one for him. Her eyes widened and her lips parted as she took him in. Did she feel the connection, too?

He wanted nothing more in the world than to hit Ryan over the head with his beer mug and drag Tally back to his rental home. “Hi. It’s very nice to meet you, Tally…?” He held out his hand, hoping, needing to touch her.

She lifted her hand to take his, but Ryan pushed her arm down. She didn’t seem to notice. “Hi. I’m Tally Gardner. Welcome to Hidden Falls.”

Was her voice always so whisper soft? Or could he hope she was affected by the connection?

“You’re very beautiful,” he said, uncaring who heard him.

Her mouth parted as though saying a silent “oh.”

Ryan straightened, his eyes flaming with amber, a half-snarl on his lips. Tension rippled between them, interfering with the electricity searing from Grayson to Tally. The bar had suddenly gone quiet.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

He knew better, but he couldn’t stop himself. “In fact, I think you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

A rumble came from the onlookers. They knew as well as he did that he’d just crossed a line.

Take it easy. Don’t blow it now.

Having unconsciously eased closer to Tally, he stepped back then met Ryan’s angry glare dead-on. “You’re one lucky man.” It churned his gut to say as much, but it was the truth. The thing was, he intended to be a lucky man, too.

Did she have the connection with Ryan? Or were they attracted on a much lesser level? Sometimes shifters would take human mates if they hadn’t found their intended mate yet. He’d find out later. Until then, he needed to start playing it cool. It took every ounce of willpower not to grab her and make her his.

Ryan’s frown grew bigger. “Yeah. I am.” He put his hand on Tally’s shoulder, an obvious sign of possession. “Anyway, it was good talking with you, man.”

Bullshit.

Grayson didn’t take his attention away from Tally, ignoring Ryan’s obvious attempt to stop the conversation. “Have you lived here long?” So she wasn’t a shifter. His wolf, however, didn’t care. It wanted to make her his.

“All my life.” A soft smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “You haven’t been in town long.”

It wasn’t a question. Was she making a point? Was she warning him to back off?

“No. Not long.” He gave her a smile in return. Clenching his fists, he did his best not to reach out and drag her lips to his. “But I’m sure glad I came.”

“Tally, let’s get out of here.” Ryan tugged her back a step. “Let’s go home.”

“Oh, okay.” Confusion clouded her eyes. “Anyway, I hope you like it here,” she said to Grayson.

“I’m sure I will.” He gave her a come-to-me smile. “In fact, I already do.”

Ryan’s lips drew back in a snarl. “Tally. Now.”

She frowned at Ryan. “Okay, okay.” When she turned back to Grayson, he saw the disappointment in her eyes. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

Keeping her gaze on Grayson, she allowed Ryan to lead her away. Grayson followed her every step, noting the way she kept looking back at him. When she lifted her hand to wave good-bye, he did the same.

Then, all too soon, she was gone.

“Don’t go there.”

Grayson turned back to Pete. “What?”

Pete shook his head. “Don’t go there. She’s taken. She and Ryan are mates.”

“Yeah, I heard. But are they officially mates?” He was grasping at a far-flung hope.

Pete shook his head again, a knowing look on his face. “Not yet, but they’re as solid as you can get. Besides, I’m betting you know the official thing doesn’t mean shit.”

He knew all right, which tore at him, spurring his wolf to rage against the idea. “Is it just him?” He sent a quick prayer skyward, praying Ryan was her only mate. Not that it would matter in the end. If he had to fight a thousand werewolves to claim her, he’d gladly do it. But how could Fate be so unkind? How could she already be mated, apparently having experienced the connection with Ryan?

Maybe she didn’t feel the connection with him. Maybe she was with Ryan simply because he hadn’t shown up yet. Maybe, being human, she didn’t know about the connection. He was positive she’d felt something pass between them. He’d sensed her shortened breath. He’d felt the heat between her legs. If nothing else, she was extremely attracted to him. So if Ryan wasn’t connected to her, then taking her away from Ryan would be easier.

But what if Ryan was her intended mate? He dismissed the problem. Shifters shared mates all the time. Normally, they already knew the other shifter they wanted to share a mate with, but it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility for two strangers to want the same woman. But would Ryan share her? Judging from Ryan’s reaction, sharing wasn’t something he wanted.

He’ll either share her or lose her.

Somehow, he’d make it work, even if he had to share her with Ryan. He’d never let her go.

ADULT EXCERPT

Grayson had Tally pinned against the wall. He thrust against her time and time again. Tally’s eyes were closed, her mouth slightly parted, her face lifted toward the ceiling.

Pain, worse than any he’d ever felt, struck him. For a moment, he was certain he was having a heart attack.

Breathe.

Again.

He struggled, fighting to find his equilibrium. They’d decided to share her, but could he stand seeing Grayson taking her?

When she opened her eyes and looked at him, she saw pleading there. “Ryan, please,” she whispered.

Grayson turned to look at him, too. “Make up your mind, man. This isn’t a damn peep show.”

He had to either keep the agreement they’d made in the garage or risk the chance of losing Tally forever. The only thing worse than seeing her with another man was never seeing her again. Quickly, he disrobed. “Let me in.” The words were so hard to say.

Grayson frowned, sweat beaded on his brow. “Fuck.”

“Grayson. Now.” A soft smile formed on her lips. Her gaze lowered to his fully erect cock. “Ry, take me.”

For a moment, he was certain Grayson wasn’t going to move. Finally, at last, he did and carried her to the bed. With a wicked grin, he turned her around, placing her ass against his lap. “Show her what you’ve got. I’m betting she won’t give a shit about you after fucking me.”

“Shut up, Grayson.” Her perky breasts beckoned to Ryan. “I want both of you inside me.”

He could no more deny her what she wanted than he could ever leave her. Forcing his legs to move, he kept his focus on her. He’d do his best to ignore Grayson, no matter how hard it would be to do so.

Grayson spread his legs. “Keep your sword away from me, man.” Then with his grin still in place, he thrust upward, plunging his cock inside her asshole.

At least he’s a shifter.

With a human, she might’ve been hurt at the abrupt entrance. But it was different with shifters. The pain still happened, but it wasn’t anywhere near as bad. Grayson held on to her hips and started pumping quickly. She bounced up and down.

Ryan lifted his lip in a silent snarl at the other man then eased between his legs. Tally’s pussy glistened with her juices.

Cupping her breasts, he bent low and caught her lips. Kissing her with all the tenderness he had, he closed his eyes and put his hand to work between her legs. She was wet, all right, ready for him. She whimpered as he increased the pressure on her clit. Grabbing hold of his arms, she held on to him and closed her eyes.

“Oh, Ryan. I want you so much.”

Grayson bit at her neck. “You want me, too.”

“Yes, you, too,” she whispered.

Ryan’s craving for her struck him harder than ever before. The connection, stronger than ever, wound through him, coiling around his heart then heading to his balls and cock. He needed her. The when and how of it didn’t matter. Even sharing her with another man couldn’t stop his desire for her.

Grayson lay back and gripped the bedspread. “Ride me, baby.”

For the first time, Ryan didn’t feel an overwhelming need to strike Grayson. Instead, he was caught by the sheer lust on her face. He had to be a part of satisfying her need.

Taking care not to touch Grayson’s legs, he guided his cock between her folds and slid it into her pussy. She opened her eyes wide then smiled. “Harder. As hard as you can.”

He shoved into her again. His gaze shifted to Grayson’s face and saw the unspoken challenge. When they were finished, they’d make her tell them which man had satisfied her the most. Surely then, she’d be able to choose between them. Surely then, the nightmare of sharing her with Grayson would be finished.

“You’re on,” he mouthed to Grayson.

Grayson shoved into her again, driving her even higher. She let out a cry, her beautiful eyes clouded with need.

Ryan stepped up to the challenge and thrust his cock deeper. He knew how to find her sweet spot.

Sweat plastered her hair to her forehead. Her pants grew faster, louder. She trembled, a sure sign her climax was coming.

Grayson’s defiant gaze met his. Yet there was something more there.

He’s close to blowing his wad.

Ryan would’ve taunted him, but he couldn’t deny his own orgasm was coming to a release fast. He gritted his teeth, doing his best to stay in control. His balls drew up. His cock felt like it was on frictional fire. He wouldn’t last much longer.

Tally’s fingernails dug into his arms. Looking at him, she moaned then cried out as her climax took over.

The sight of her caught in the throes of passion undid him. He couldn’t hold back any longer. Watching as the climax rolled through her, her body shaking with its release, he let out a curse, pulled out his cock, and turned away.

When he could turn back around, he found Tally sliding off Grayson. She strode like the goddess she was into the adjoining bathroom. Grayson, his cock growing limp, stretched his arms above his head.

“I guess we proved who has the real stamina.”