Familiar Desires: 5 (Protective Affairs) (20 page)

Cocky man. Damn if she was going to discourage him though.
Provoke him. That was another thing entirely. “Do you think you can manage it?”

The sleepy, contented kind of purring probably wouldn’t
happen until they were fully changed. It required a high level of intensity and
multiple bouts of sex. She hoped they weren’t disappointed if they didn’t get
everything tonight.

Kane began unfastening her shirt, but his eyes remained
locked with hers. He made quick work of the row of studs and pushed it wide.
She reached for him, determined to see some skin if he could see hers. Her
fingers weren’t quite as fast as his. She managed three buttons before he drew
her hands away and pulled her shirt completely off.

“I think we can manage it, Alana.” Michael cupped the side
of her cheek and turned her to face him.

His lips brushed across hers once before dropping kisses
across her cheek. When his mouth returned, his tongue lapped at her lips. Her
mouth opened eagerly for his. His thumb swept across her cheek and his tongue
danced with hers in a languid play, which was at odds with the intensity she’d
seen in his eyes.

Hands touched her breasts. She tore her mouth away from Michael’s
and looked down. They each cupped one mound. She didn’t know if she’d ever seen
anything hotter. Michael’s head lowered and his lips closed over her nipple.
His tongue flicked and teased the hardened tip before he drew it deep. He
sucked and licked around the sensitive peak.

Hands on her thighs drew her attention away from Michael.
Kane knelt at her feet, spreading her legs apart. The move surprised her
because she was still wearing her pants. She’d thought he’d take them off
first. He tugged her hips closer to the edge of the couch.

She grinned down at him. “Aren’t you getting a little ahead
of yourself?”

“Leave this to me. I know what I’m doing.” He looked up at
her and smug confidence glowed in his eyes.

“And what are you doing?” She had to ask, even as she
threaded her fingers into Michael’s hair.

“Heating up the kitty. How am I supposed to make you purr if
you’re calm?” Kane drew the fingers of his left hand up her thigh. Only his
thumb trailed over her inner thigh. It was a very light, only slightly intimate
touch, but it sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through her.

“And you’re going to do that with my pants on? Seems
counterproductive to me.” She drew in a shaky breath when Michael grazed his
teeth over her nipple. His hand trailed under breast and over her stomach.

“As I said, leave it to me,” he whispered the words.

Kane leaned down and his mouth hovered over her cloth-covered
mound. He blew a breath through the fabric. The warm air teased the lips of her
pussy and sensitized her skin. Alana shivered. When his hands drew up and down
her thighs in a slow caress, her mind centered on that touch. Only to be jolted
when teeth scraped over her nipple and fingers plucked at the other one.

“Leave it to us.” Michael spaced the words between licks
over the hardened peak.

They were working together and it sent the desire spiraling
higher. Kane’s fingers slid higher along her thighs. When he drew his fingers
across the lips, her body bucked upward. Even through the fabric, the sensation
was intense. Or maybe it was because of the rasp of the cloth on her skin. She
couldn’t figure it out, because most of her mind was focused on the sensation
and feel of the hands gliding over her body.

Michael’s lips settled over her nipple again, but he didn’t
suck. He licked and kissed. Kane’s fingers rubbed and the material dipped
between the lips of her pussy. His fingers teased her clit through the cloth.
She pulled at Michael’s head trying to urge him to suck harder. He gripped her
wrist and pressed it down to the couch.

“When we’re ready. Keep them there, baby.” Michael took her
other hand and flattened it to the cushion.

Alana’s fingers clutched the cushion. She just hoped she
didn’t rip it. With each stroke and caress, her hunger grew. Her back arched as
sweet sensation speared through her at the feel of his mouth on her breast. She
wanted him to suck harder, but he kept the touch light. She clenched her hands
on the cushion.

“I need to feel—” She drew in a sharp breath when Michael’s
fingers plucked at her nipple.

“What do you want to feel?” Kane asked.

“Your mouth, your hands, on my pussy. Not through the cloth.”
She tilted her hips, wanting more.

“Whatever you want. Let me get you out of these pants and
that little scrap of lace I saw you put on earlier.” Kane pulled back and
quickly unfastened the button and lowered the zipper. He eased her legs
together and tugged the pants all the way off.

“But don’t go wild with power. We’re still going to make you
purr.” Michael plucked at her nipple.

Kane once again urged her thighs wide. “Now, I’m going to
lap up all this sweet cream and see what we have to do before we can hear you
purr.”

His hands gripped her thighs and his head lowered. His
tongue stabbed at her clit over and over before he started lapping at the
sensitive flesh. She drew in a harsh breath and her heartbeat raced. The
building sensation ripped and clawed through her. She lifted against his tongue
as his fingers speared into her pussy.

“At least, let me touch one of you,” she grated the words
between clenched teeth. Alana’s fingers tingled and she ached to hold and touch
him.

“Soon, I want to feel you come with my mouth on you. Then I’ll
fuck you. If you need help keeping them there, we can make sure they stay
there.” Kane’s mouth moved enough to talk, but his breath feathered over her
pussy with each word. His fingers continued to pump into her.

She shivered. “I can stay still for a little while.”

Michael’s teeth scraped over her nipple as Kane thrust his
fingers deep. Her inner muscles clenched around the thick digits. A thrill shot
through her, but she remained hanging on the edge. Her hips rolled up to Kane’s
lips as he drew on her clit. She gasped and trembled, her muscles tense,
desperate for release.

Michael’s fingers plucked at her nipple. Her back arched and
her breasts nudged his hand and his mouth. At the same time, Kane’s fingers
curled inside her raking the upper wall of pussy. She gasped when his
fingertips dragged across her G spot. Pleasure slammed through her, washing
over her in a wave of white heat that left her shivering and gasping.

Kane’s fingers tugged free. His mouth moved lower and he
lapped at her. In spite of the delight still rippling through her body, hunger
began to build. His tongue lapped at her pussy from her slick core and over her
clit. Once again, she began to lift into his touch. Kane stopped and moved over
to a large chair. He tore off his shirt and pants in a rush of movement before
dropping onto the cushion. He rolled on a condom onto his hardened cock.

“Come here, Alana. Ride me.” Kane held out his arms.

Alana tried to stand, but almost fell down when her legs
felt like mush. Michael helped her over to his brother. She straddled Kane. As
she lowered her hips, Kane guided her down until his dick was fully sheathed by
her pussy.

Michael eased in behind her when she began to move against
Kane. His hands cupped her breasts, twisting and tugging at the hard nipples.

“Fuck him, Alana. Ride him until you’re quivering in his
arms. Then I’m going to take you to the shower and fuck you while the water
pours over both of us.” Michael whispered the words near her ear. “Kane’s going
to watch and by the time you scream your pleasure, he’ll be ready for you again.”

She trembled at his words. Kane’s hands gripped her waist and
he guided her movements. Her entire being centered on the slow, swaying rhythm
and the feel of Michael’s hands at her breasts. Kane’s hips flexed, meeting each
downward plunge at the same time as Michael tugged at her nipples, sending a
streak of heat straight to her pussy. Her inner muscles clenched. She braced
her hands on Kane’s shoulders and leaned in to kiss him. His mouth opened under
hers and his tongue met and dueled with hers, spearing deep into her mouth. When
her hunger rose, her fingers flexed, her nails sinking into his shoulders as
the growing desire drove her to move faster. Michael cupped her breasts, one
hand drifting up to pluck at a hardened peak at the same moment that one of
Kane’s hands slipped between them.

“You’ve got to come, baby. I’m not going to last.” Kane
nipped at her neck.

She couldn’t last. She stiffened when his fingers found her
clit. He had just the right touch when he flicked and circled that bud. Her breath
hitched and caught as a wave of hot pleasure slammed through her. Her body
tensed, grinding against his as she rode the peaking sensation. Kane bucked
upward and he groaned. His hands tightened on her hips, holding her tight to
him when he came. Only Michael’s hands kept her from collapsing onto Kane. He
held her, his hands rubbing over her shoulder until she stopped shivering.

“Let’s go shower, Alana.” Michael plucked her from Kane’s
lap and turned her so that she faced him.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders. She rested her head
on his shoulder and he carried her out of the living room. Anticipation began
to spiral through her. She was so looking forward to showering with him.

Alana walked into the restaurant. It wouldn’t be her first
choice of location for this talk, but she hadn’t ever actually met these
people. Her brother had told her about them and arranged the meeting. She hadn’t
felt comfortable inviting them to Michael and Kane’s and understood why they
hadn’t asked her to their home. She knew one person from a female Familiar-and-wizards
trio, but they were out of town. She’d talk to Cassie tonight, but she wanted
to talk to as many people as she could.

A hostess showed her to the table and she sat down to wait. She
didn’t remain alone long. Two tall, blond men and a blonde woman were led over
to her. She stood to greet them. The men were even more identical than Michael
and Kane. She couldn’t see even one difference between them.

“Hi, I’m Alana. Thank you for coming.” She held out her
hand.

One of the blond men shook her hand. “Hello, I’m Alex. This
is my brother Peter and our mate Laura.”

“It’s good to meet all of you. I needed to talk to someone
who’s part of a twin wizard and Familiar bond and I only know one person in
that situation.” She greeted Peter and Laura. “I’m probably overthinking
things, but I don’t want to chance hurting Michael and Kane.”

They ordered drinks and light finger food to munch on while
they talked. She didn’t know how long this was going to take.

“Hurting them? Your first instinct will always be to protect
them.” Laura took a seat and frowned. “How do you think you’re going to hurt
them?”

Alana took a deep breath. Although she was embarrassed at
having to go to strangers for this, she had to know if she might harm them. “I’ve
held off so long trying to give them time to be sure what they’re getting into
and to get answers for my own doubts the urge to mate and change them is
filtering into my dreams. If it doesn’t happen soon, I’m afraid I’m going to
just grab and bite like some kind of male.”

“I’m sure we’d be more offended if we had been born
shifters.” Alex smiled.

“And you’re afraid because the urge is so strong?” Laura’s
head tilted.

“Yes, that’s one of the issues. I don’t know if I can
control myself when it’s so strong. It takes more restraint each time I’m with
them. I don’t know how I’m going to react when I do let go.” Alana clenched her
fists on the table and exhaled slowly.

“You can’t keep holding back like that. You should let it
happen. Plan it if it makes you feel better.” Laura reached out and covered
Alana’s clenched fingers.

“When I feel that urge, I get so focused on claiming
whichever one is closest to me. I know I won’t claw them. Well, probably won’t.
I just don’t know if I won’t growl, say something, or push the one I’m not
marking away. I don’t want to hurt them in any way.” Alana bit her lip. She
knew she’d waited too long. She’d let her doubts hold her back. They shouldn’t
have to pay the price for her mistake though.

“Ah, now I get it. You don’t have to be afraid you’ll lash
out at one of them if they touch you while you’re marking your other mate. You’re
all part of it. You’re all together. I don’t know if there’s jealousy between
the male shifter twins who take one mate since Alex and Peter were wizards
before I changed them, but you don’t have to worry that you’ll defend your
claim on say Michael against Kane if he touches you.” Laura grinned.

Alana relaxed a little. “Thank you. You don’t know how much
a relief it is to hear that.”

“Hey, I get it even if they might not.” Laura grinned and
tilted her head toward Alex. “You needed to protect your mates even if it might
be from yourself.”

“Yeah, Kane and Michael don’t get it either. They wanted the
claiming before we even talked about what happened years ago. They were all for
it. I just wanted to make sure they were really aware of everything it would
change. Then by that time, the intensity was too high and there were the
questions.” Alana sighed. Her worries might have been unfounded, but she was
happy she’d talked with Laura and her mates.

* * * * *

Alana walked down the street. She felt a little lighter and
definitely more relaxed after she’d talked with Laura, at least about finally
completing the bond with Michael and Kane. Now she had to mate with her men.
She still intended to talk with her friend, Cassie, but she was definitely
relieved. All Alana had to do was make the opportunity.

She strolled down the empty sidewalk with her shopping bags
clutched in one hand. The sun slowly sank behind the mountains and shadows
lengthened. She’d walked to the diner and then she’d gone shopping.

Now, she wasn’t so sure it was a wise decision. The shopping,
at least. She probably should have gone back to Michael’s office and brought
the car before she went on the spree.

Alana felt an almost physical weight settle onto her. Hair
on the back of her neck stood on end. Someone was watching her. Her instincts
screamed that something was wrong. This wasn’t a curious or even admiring
glance. Someone hunted her as if she were prey.

Slowly, her eyes swept from right to left. She didn’t see
anything out of place. A couple of people walked down the sidewalk on the other
side of the street, probably heading to the small restaurant on the other end.
She couldn’t spot a hint of danger. Her heart raced as adrenaline and fear
pumped through her.

Alana’s eyes lifted to the windows and roofs of the
buildings next to her and across the street, but she couldn’t find any sign of
the person staring at her. She squared her shoulders and her mouth firmed. She
wasn’t some rabbit to run and hide in a hole.

Especially since it was probably more of Gina’s friends sent
to harass her. They wouldn’t do anything else in the city. Those elitist
witches weren’t that stupid unfortunately. On top of that, they probably
weren’t the worst bigots in the town. This type of hatred wasn’t easy to end.
In spite of however many people involved in the scheme they managed to find on
this mission, there would be more they didn’t know about.

When she walked past a narrow alley between two buildings, Alana
heard a puff of air. Stinging pain flared up her arm. Almost immediately a wave
of dizziness swept through her and her vision blurred. Hands grabbed her, yanking
her into the darkened alley. She struggled, but could barely see. Her fist
struck what felt like a chin and she managed to wrench free. She started
forward, but ran into a wall. She bounced off the bricks. Before she could get
her bearings, she was once again grabbed. Arms wrapped around her upper body
and she felt someone grip her feet.

“Get her into the van. We’ve got to get her out of here,
before they realize she’s missing,” a male voice whispered.

She was tossed into the back of a van. Though her vision was
blurred, the blob in front of her had been blue. The blue van. Before she could
push herself even to her knees, something sharp pressed against her arm. Even
through the haze of whatever drug was in the dart, she realized they must have
injected her with something stronger.

Alana struggled to her knees. Her fingers flexed on
flattened gray carpet. When she tried to focus her eyes to find the door, the
van surged forward, throwing her onto her side. She forced herself up, but
collapsed to her elbows.

Her head swam and her strength seemed to ebb away as if it were
water flowing out with the tide. Her vision clouded, darkness tinging the edges
of her sight. She shook her head, but it didn’t clear the haze in her mind or
her sight. She fought to gather her strength, panic rising. She had to get out
of here. Her efforts made no difference. The darkness washed over her, dragging
her into unconsciousness.

* * * * *

Kane stared out the window while he waited for Alana and his
fingers gripped the edge of the windowsill as worry built inside him. She’d had
a meeting for lunch, but it was almost five and past the time he expected her
to return. He didn’t understand how Michael could sit behind the desk and work
as if nothing were wrong.

Michael’s cell phone rang, drawing Kane’s attention from the
window. Almost the moment Michael answered, the blood drained from his face and
he came to his feet with a jerk.

“We’ll be there in minutes.” Michael ended the call and
turned to the door. “We’ve got to go. Alana’s been taken.”

“Been taken? How?” Kane rushed after Michael, because his
brother didn’t wait around to explain.

“I don’t know. They found her purse and shopping bags at the
entrance to an alley. That’s all they said.” Michael slid into the driver’s
seat of the Jeep and only waited long enough for Kane to get in before peeling
away from the curb.

“They’re certain she’s been taken? Maybe she ran after
someone.” Kane frowned. He hoped it was a misunderstanding.

“I don’t know the details, Kane. They didn’t explain other
than saying she’s been taken. I just want to get there and find her.” Michael
slashed an angry glare across at him.

Kane understood Michael’s temper. Fear and anger raged
through him. He felt as if a weight had settled on his chest. That panic wouldn’t
go away until he got Alana back in his arms again. Michael slammed to a halt
not two blocks from his office. They couldn’t get any closer because police
cars sat at angles across the street.

Kane hopped out and headed for the group of men standing
near the middle of the long block. He saw Alana’s brother there and the Devoe
Chief of Police Mark Whitesage and a few wizards. Michael caught up to him when
he neared the group.

“What happened? Are you sure she was taken?” Kane fired off
the questions even before the men had turned to them.

“Yes. It’s her bag and a young girl in the restaurant over
there saw Alana get pulled into this alley. We received the call immediately,
but not in time to stop them.” Mark gestured across the street. “By scent, we
know there were two of them. Male humans.”

“Humans.” Kane’s blood ran cold.

“If they’d wanted her dead, it would have been easier to
kill her right here.” Ryder’s voice firmly cut through the morbid thoughts
slamming through Kane’s mind.

“They haven’t tried to take her down the mountain. We’ve had
men on all the roads out since moments after we received the call. They didn’t
have time to leave the area even if she didn’t have a spell on her.” Mark placed
his hand on Kane’s shoulder. “They darted her. We found the dart in the alley,
but if they didn’t use anything else to knock her out she should be coming out
of it soon.”

Kane looked at the chief, confused. Darts were used on rogue
shifters at times. He knew they could knock them out for at least long enough
for the rogue to be incapacitated.

“Yeah, those darts will make a shifter woozy and
disoriented, but it won’t knock a shifter right out. Not if she was only hit
with one,” Ryder explained.

“Okay so where are we searching and how are we going to find
her?” Michael looked at Mark.

“We’re going to patrol all the back roads and vacation
houses on the mountain. When those high clouds overhead begin to gather and
boil, we’ll know she’s awake and pissed. We’ll need everyone who can help.”
Mark looked around as people gathered in the street.

Michael knew how it went. They’d done the same when
searching for lost people or the occasional minor rogue witch. Different
precautions would be taken, but he knew everyone would do what they could to
ensure Alana returned safely.