Enticing Their Mate (10 page)

“You’ll need to clean that scrape. Dirt and pieces of rock might leave a scar.”

When he lowered his hand, she brushed the debris from her face. As Jay continued to check her out in what seemed like a very professional manner, his eyes began to turn a deep golden color. If she hadn’t just made love with Riley and noticed what happened when a shifter became excited, she might not have recognized what the hair sprouting on his face meant—he wanted her. Not that Sarah was frightened of the man, but his reaction confused her. “Jay?”

He looked away and shook his head. “Sorry. Got something to drink? I could use a beer.”

She chuckled. “I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for iced tea.”

“That’ll do.” Jay placed a hand on her back as they stepped through the living room to the kitchen, and his mere touch made her insides tingle.

What was wrong with her? Her hormones were still swamping her system from the amazing love session with Riley. Happy to keep busy, she retrieved two glasses from the cabinet and poured the dark liquid over ice then handed him the drink.

“Why haven’t I seen you at the warehouse?” she asked. Jay’s role in this extraction was still unclear. She snapped her fingers remembering something the General had told her a long time ago. “You worked undercover at Statler’s law firm in Florida, didn’t you?”

“I’m afraid so. I was one of his right hand men.” He then told her about his cousin, MacKenzie, and how she’d bested Statler and his minions by freeing her cousin, Clare. “Statler then ran to Canada to continue his scheme of performing experiments on captive women.”

“Good for your cousin. I’d like to meet her someday.”

“You might just get the chance.”

She had no plans to travel to Florida, but she saw no need to mention that. “I’ve been meaning to ask about another couple of your cohorts—Tyson and Ford Summerville. I was wondering how Bailey and her sister Tatum are doing after those two freed them.”

“Quite well, though I haven’t been in contact with the men who are with Tatum.” He leaned back in his seat and stretched out his legs, looking more relaxed than Riley ever would be. “Before I forget, I want you to know that one of the General’s men located Michelle, and she’s healing fine.”

Joy and concern collided. “Michelle’s not dead?” Statler had said she’d left on her own accord, but she’d never believed him. “What happened?”

“Without releasing too many details, Darnell roughed her up a bit, but he’s now in custody and Michelle is on her way to Florida to heal, or rather will be shortly.”

His lack of details implied it would be better for her sake if he didn’t confide in her. “Thank you for telling me.”

Michelle’s fate reinforced Sarah’s need for extra care. “Do you mind if I take a shower and clean up. Even though Russ didn’t get far, I’m feeling just plain nasty and can’t stand the thought of having his scent on me.”

“Sure. I totally understand.”

“Riley’s on his way over, so would you mind letting him in?”

“Will do.”

As she headed into the bathroom to shower, she couldn’t help but compare the two men who were alike in their dedication but different in their intensity level. While Jay seemed focused, he appeared to have the ability to sit back and enjoy life, unlike Riley who seemed driven by some inner demon.

From the two times she’d been with Jay, she’d noticed he smiled more than Riley, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be as sensual and aggressive in bed.

As much as Riley had satisfied her thoroughly, it made her remember how much she loved sex. If making love with Riley had been the best in her life, she could only imagine what adding a hunk like Jay to the mix would do. She’d had a few ménage experiences, but she bet they’d pale compared to making love with these two.

She turned on the water, undressed, and then inspected her injuries. Touching her cheek, she winced. There’d be quite a bruise where her face hit the ground when Russ tackled her, but the scrapes on her palms, forearm, and right knee would heal in a few days.

When the water warmed, she stepped under the soothing flow, blocking Russell Sizemore from her mind. The idea of having to work with him for the next few days sickened her, but as an FBI operative who was on loan to the Pack, she needed to shake it off. Worse things had happened to her and she’d made it through.

As she soaped up and scrubbed between her thighs, Riley’s glorious face came into view, and her inner walls cramped. What was it that drew her to him? His highly competent nature, his take charge attitude, or the fact he reeked of sex appeal? And why did Jay’s touch elicit the same intense reaction?

Because I’m excited by men who are powerful and can handle themselves under extreme pressure.

The next few days would be crucial to taking down Statler, and she couldn’t afford to slip up, which was one more reason for needing a little stress reduction in the form of hot and heavy sex.

The front door bell rang and she hurried to finish, ready to test the waters with both enticing men.

H
earing the shower run and picturing Sarah naked almost made Jay lose control. He yearned to run into the bathroom and make wild, passionate love with her, but he didn’t because that would have ruined things before he had a chance to convince her they belonged together. After what happened today, she certainly didn’t need some crazed man coming onto her, and if he announced she was his mate, she surely would have run.

When Riley had texted earlier and said he’d made love with Sarah, Jay had been thrilled. He chose to ignore the rest of the text that said Riley planned to keep his dick in his pants from now on, and that Jay was free to pursue her. Riley wasn’t that strong. No mate was.

Jay’s friend knew as well as anyone that mates had this incredible ability to draw you in and make you do things against your wishes, but for some reason, Riley was still in denial. Hopefully, with Sarah’s help, Jay would be able to persuade him that the three of them belonged together.

The doorbell rang. Riley was here. Jay pushed back from the kitchen chair and answered the door. Riley stormed in and looked around. “Where is she?”

Blood laced his sleeve. “Russ did that?”

His roommate faced him, his face pinched. “What? How’s Sarah?”

His injury was probably a forgotten issue. “Other than some scrapes and bruises, she’s fine. As you can hear, she’s in the shower. Russ didn’t violate her, but she wants to wash off his stench.”

“Fucker.” Riley bared his teeth. “You have no idea how much I wanted to kill him.”

Jay understood protectiveness, but Riley’s reaction went above his usual care. “She got to you, didn’t she? You ready to do something about her being your mate?”

The water shut off.

“No comment.”

A minute later, Sarah walked out of the hallway rubbing her hair with a towel, dressed in a thin T-shirt and leg-revealing running shorts. “No comment to what?” she asked with such innocence that Jay almost laughed.

She’d heard their conversation from the bedroom? He turned to Riley. He couldn’t wait to hear his answer.

“I refuse to comment about what I’d like to do to Russ.” He moved toward Sarah. “How are you?”

She smiled, but Riley’s stiff posture didn’t change. “Fine, now that I’m home and safe.” She tossed the towel on the sofa and lifted Riley’s arm. “You’re hurt!”

“Not any longer.” He rolled up his sleeves to show her his unharmed arm.

“Is that Russ’s blood?”

“No. It was mine, but I healed.”

She ran her fingers over his arm. “I wish I could give your secret blood to those women.”

He cupped her face. “I wish it worked that way, but it doesn’t.”

As if Sarah needed the comfort, she wrapped her arms around Riley and placed her head on his chest. “I can’t thank you enough for saving me.”

Jay could think of a few things, including having her between the two of them when she showed Riley some appreciation. “I bet a kiss would go a long way to thanking him,” Jay said.

“What are you trying to do, kill me?”
Riley telepathed.

“Just helping things along.”

Thankfully, Sarah couldn’t hear his thoughts or see the grin on his face as her back was to him. Jay wished he could just ask her if she’d be receptive to having him join her and Riley, but if she said no, it would make for a very awkward next few days.

As she lowered her arms, he noticed her forearm was quite red, and a streak of blood was threatening to drip. “Sarah? You need to bandage that arm.”

She looked down and swiped away the blood. “Oh, my.”

“If you tell me where your first aid supplies are, I’ll be happy to patch you up.”

“Thank you. Just look under the sink in the bathroom.”

This was his chance to show her how good they could be together. After retrieving the supplies, he returned and found Riley placing a paper napkin on her cut.

“How about you sit on the sofa?” Jay said. If after he finished tending her wounds, she wanted to thank him properly, this spot would do rather well.

“Sure.”

With as much care as possible, he applied the antiseptic ointment and placed the gauze patch on her arm. While part of him wanted to ask her questions about Statler’s operation, the animal in him only wanted to continue touching her and inhaling her clean scent.

“What are your plans after we free the women?” he asked.

She glanced between him and Riley. “I’ll go wherever the FBI sends me.”

Jay wasn’t sure what he’d hoped she’d say, but that wasn’t it. “I bet it’s hard to move from job to job without setting down roots.” Understanding her needs would help him figure out how to convince her to be their mate.

She smiled. “I can ask you two the same thing.”

Jay wanted to be honest. “We do live a lonely life, which is why I try to enjoy every moment I have, especially when I’m with a beautiful woman.”

Her eyes twinkled. “Is that the best pickup line you have?”

Riley, who’d been standing the whole time, slid onto the chair across from them and stretched out his legs. “You tell him, Sarah. He is so unsophisticated that he doesn’t stand a chance with a woman. Isn’t that right?”

“What are you trying to do to me?”
Jay telepathed, but Riley ignored him.

“Don’t feel sorry for him, though,” Riley continued. “He gets lucky every once in a while.”

With a fake pout, she reached out and stroked Jay’s cheek. He clasped her hand to his chest in an attempt to elicit sympathy. “I’m afraid Riley is right. No woman wants me.”

She punched him with her other hand. “You are full of shit.”

He grabbed her fist, brought it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. Her eyes turned dark with lust, and nothing he could do would stop the wolf from fighting for release. “Because I believe in honesty, I need you to know that I want you, Sarah. Real bad.” She glanced over at Riley. “He wants you, too.” It took all of Jay’s control to keep his voice even. “Look at him. See how his eyes have turned a greenish-gold? That means he’s dying to take you again. And just watch the hair on his cheeks as it sprouts and his incisors elongate. That’s his animal waiting to burst.”

“You’re a real piece of work,”
Riley telepathed.

“You want her again. Don’t deny it.”

Riley kept his gaze on Sarah.
“Perhaps one more time.”

She stood and slipped off her T-shirt. “I’m hoping you guys can help me forget the hellish day I’ve had.”

*     *     *

Sarah couldn’t believe she’d just taken off her top in front of a virtual stranger, but in her mind, Jay and Riley came as a pair. If Jay was half as good as Riley in bed, this entire nightmare of an undercover job would be worth it.

Just from the email exchanges and their short conversation in his hotel room, Jay seemed more analytic and kind, whereas Riley was passionate and hot-headed, which meant the two together would be an ideal combination. In a week, they’d all go their separate ways, but for the time she had left in Canada, she wanted to experience the thrill and excitement they could bring her.

As Riley stared at her, she detected a slow simmer building inside him, but she couldn’t tell the source. Oh, shit. Given he had been such a control freak when they’d made love, perhaps he wasn’t the type to share.

She stepped over to him and ran a hand down his chest. “I don’t want you to think I make love with just anyone. What we experienced this afternoon was off the charts great.”

Riley leaned closer, pushing her internal temperature upward. “If you’re asking if I’m okay with you being with both of us, the answer is yes—but only if it’s with Jay.”

Could he read her mind? “That’s what I want.”

Jay moaned then came up behind her and pressed his chest to her back. “Let us love you and show you how good we can be together.”

She twisted around to face him. “As long as I can return the favor.”

He growled, swooped her up in his arms, and strode down the hallway. “Which way?”

No man had ever carried her before, and although he had surprised her when he lifted her, she found she loved being in his arms and held tightly against his chest. “Last door on the right.”