Shay's Shifters [Mountain Men of Montana 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (7 page)

Her mouth dropped open. “You’re not serious.”

“Believe me, I am.” He hated having to force her, but she didn’t realize the danger she’d face if she left without him. And he couldn’t take her back yet. The Time of Leaving hadn’t come yet. “I don’t want to, but I will for your own good.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

She was a spitfire, and he loved it. But he had to keep her safe. He had to explain things to her. “I’m not trying to order you around—”

Her arched eyebrow challenged his statement.

“Okay, so maybe I am, but I’m not doing it for my benefit. I don’t want to see you hurt. Haven’t I proven that already by bringing you here?”

“Oh, sure. Dragging me into the wilderness hundreds of miles away says you care better than a Hallmark card.”

“You’re not hundreds of miles away. And if I hadn’t taken you with me, you’d have been lucky to get back to town with all your toes and fingers intact.” The conversation was getting out of control, but he was damned if he could figure out how to get it back on track.

“Are you saying this is Montana? It was snowing at the bottom of the mountain as well as where I ditched my car.”

She thought he’d taken her out of the state. How else could she explain the difference in the weather? They’d left a snowbound area and wound up in a spring-like setting complete with greenery and warm weather.

“You’re going to find this hard to believe, but keep an open mind.”

“Rosh! Get out here.”

He turned toward the sound of Renkon’s shout. His cousin had always had lousy timing. He hated to leave things unresolved, but he had no time to tell her about The Hidden. “What’s it going to be, Shay? Are you staying on your own accord, or am I trussing you up?”

The desire she’d shown him earlier was gone, replaced by a cold fury. “Fine. For now, I’ll do as you say.”

“Good. I’ll send one of the other women to tend to you.” With that said, he stood and strode out of the tent.

* * * *

What the hell just happened?

Shay shivered, but it was a good feeling and not one coming from fear. She put her palm to her chest and felt her heart still pounding. As though she’d had no control, she’d opened her legs for the man who had taken her, and yet, she didn’t feel anything but a strange sense of joy.

Had she lost her common sense when she’d banged her head in the accident? She didn’t think so. Fact was, she didn’t even like the idea of thinking that could be the reason she’d given in so fast.

She bit her lower lip. What she’d done with Rosh would never have happened before she’d met him. She wouldn’t have lain with a man she’d met only hours—correction, two days—earlier. Especially a man who’d slung her over his back and abducted her. Granted, he may have saved her life, but the way he’d gone about it was out of line.

Then why did she get a thrill every time she thought about it? She’d always found macho men, men who took a woman when they wanted and how they wanted, sexy as hell. Providing it wasn’t rape, of course. But what they’d done was nowhere near a rape. She’d been a very willing participant and, even now, she couldn’t wait to do it again.

What was it about this guy that made her want to hold him, to cuddle against him, then ride him until she couldn’t sit up a moment longer?

Wow. I’ve lost it big time.

She pressed her fingers to her thoroughly kissed lips and felt the warmth of her cream between her legs.

If this is losing it, I hope I never find it again. But what now? Is it a one-time thing? A wilderness fuck and run?

She jutted out her chin. If it was, then so be it. But her bravado never reached her heart.

Concentrate on getting your ass home.

She’d gotten so involved in her feelings that she hadn’t noticed the conversation going on right outside the hut.

She pulled the tent flap back, too curious not to see who had called to him. The great buck was gone, but Rosh wasn’t with only one person. He stood with two other men, both as tall and as powerful as he was.

One of them was similar to Rosh in appearance with the same black hair and stubble running over his upper lip and covering his jaw. His hair was a bit shorter, but his shoulders were as wide and solid as Rosh’s. He was dressed in only jeans, leaving his magnificent upper torso bare and his feet without shoes. He spoke to Rosh, moving his hands to emphasize whatever he was saying.

Why does he look familiar? Have I met him before?
She didn’t think so, but she was certain this wasn’t the first time she’d seen his face.

“You know we’re supposed to get approval from The Council before bringing a woman here.”

“Like I told you before. I didn’t have any other choice, Renkon.”

“Although I can’t say that I’m too upset. She’s different. I could see that even though she was asleep.”

So he’d seen her asleep, too? She should’ve felt afraid, but she didn’t. Instead, she found the idea of two gorgeous men watching over her hot as hell. Had the third man seen her, too?

He didn’t look like Rosh. Although he had dark hair and eyes, his wavy hair was kept short. He, too, wore the rugged stubble along his face, but his skin was darker, making her think he was of Hispanic descent. Slightly shorter than Rosh and Renkon, he stood with his arms crossed over his shirtless chest and silently listened to the other two men speak. He, too, seemed familiar, like someone from a distant memory or a dream that she couldn’t recall.

When at last he spoke, his voice held the hint of an accent. “I saw her, too.”

Rosh turned on him, his voice growing louder, his tone one of command. “Let it go, Walker.”

Walker smiled, but it held no warmth. “That’s not our way, and you know it. You may have brought her here, but that doesn’t mean I can’t want her to choose me, too.”

Her eyes grew wide. What did he mean by that? Had she unknowingly already chosen Rosh? If so, for what? Did she want to choose anyone? Why did she get the sinking feeling that some hillbilly was about to show up with a shotgun?

“Bullshit.” Rosh took a step forward, his dare evident in his clenched fist.

“Calm down, man. He’s right. Besides, she’s the one who makes the final decision.”

“Listen to your cousin. He’s got it straight. Why don’t we ask her right now?” Yet Walker didn’t move.

“She doesn’t know anything yet, and she can’t make an informed decision until she does.”

Walker’s smile grew. “Then let’s tell her.”

“Not yet. She’s been through enough for now.”

She’d realized Rosh was holding back information. Crouching, she started to throw back the flap so she could storm out and demand answers. But Rosh’s next move stopped her cold.

He snarled and shoved Walker’s shoulder. Walker lurched toward him, but Renkon jumped in between them and held them apart. After a few moments of exchanging glares with Rosh, Walker turned on his heel and stalked away.

Rosh broke free of his cousin’s hold and stalked off in the opposite direction. Renkon rested his fists on his waist and shook his head. “Damn it, Rosh. Think with the head on your shoulders.”

She couldn’t help it. She had to giggle at Renkon’s remark. When she did, he swiveled in her direction. Startling blue eyes, so unlike Rosh’s dark ones, hooked onto her. She fell backward and let the flap fall closed.

“Holy shit, Shay. What have you gotten yourself into now?”

Shay had never given much credence to sayings, but she was betting on the old “the third time’s the charm” phrase. If she didn’t get away tonight, she’d take it as fate and stick it out until Rosh delivered on his promise to take her back to her car.

Peeking out the flap, she watched as more and more people arrived. Men, women, and children poured into the campground and greeted each other with friendly slaps on the backs, hugs, and kisses. They were from different ethnicities as well as shapes and sizes. The women all wore the same type of dress she wore, while most of the men went shirtless with jeans or cotton slacks with ties in the front. Most of the men wore either boots or running shoes while the women had on the same style of moccasin she’d found. Occasionally one of them would glance at the hut as though they knew she was there and she’d duck out of sight. But for the most part, they ignored her.

The sun dropped like a rock from the sky, plunging the world around them into darkness. The men started a large bonfire in the center of the area while the women went about cooking dinner over smaller campfires. A few women brought food from the cabins while others kept watch over the children. Laughter and the murmur of friendly talk flowed around her, making her wish she could join in. Her stomach rumbled, and although she’d found a bowl of fruit and a jug of water in a corner of the hut, she was still hungry. Would they bring her a meal once they’d finished eating?

Like a group of lifelong friends, the crowd passed around the food and drink, sharing whatever they had with everyone. A rotund man stood up and sang a song as the others feasted then roared their approval. Like a scene from a movie, they danced around the campfire, raising their cups in toasts and joking with their friends.

“Here.”

She jumped, startled by Renkon’s abrupt appearance. How had he snuck up on her?

He held out a metal plate filled with meat and potatoes along with cooked carrots and an apple. The large goblet he held in the other hand was filled with a dark liquid she guessed was wine. “Sorry, but I didn’t know what you liked, so I brought a variety.”

She couldn’t help but return his infectious grin. His ocean-blue eyes sparkled with humor. “Thanks. Should I come out there?”

His smile faded. “No. For now, it’s best that you stay inside. Rosh hasn’t gained permission yet.”

“Permission for what?”

“For you to join us.”

Rosh’s call had Renkon twisting his head around to nod at him. “Hold your horses. The girl has to eat.”

Shay took the plate and drink. “Thanks. I’m Shay Mathews.”

“I know. And I’m Rosh’s better-looking cousin, Renkon McClain.”

He could make her smile without trying. “Right. His better-looking, humble cousin.”

“Now you’ve got it.” He glanced back at Rosh. “Hang on, man.”

“Would you like to sit with me?”

She’d surprised him as much as herself by offering.

“Sure.” He held up a finger at a scowling Rosh then joined her inside the hut.

She drew in the aroma of the meal, but it was his scent that made her mouth water. Like Rosh, he smelled like steel, musk, and the forest around them. He was a man’s man with broad shoulders she longed to run her hands over. He was tanned and rugged, and she dropped her gaze to her plate to keep from pushing him on his back and climbing on top of him as she’d done with Rosh.

“I’m sorry about how you came here.”

She met his amazing eyes. “You are? But why? You’re not the one who brought me.”

“No, but I’m glad you’re here.”

The sizzle of powerful attraction she’d felt for Rosh came back, roaring between Renkon and her. “Why?”

His soft smile tore at her heart. She could sense a gentleness about him, one that was as appealing as the hardness Rosh had.

“Have you ever met anyone and just clicked?”

“I guess so. Maybe.”

He skimmed his fingers along her leg, inching toward the hem of her dress. Yet as soon as he reached the material, he pulled his hand away. “No, if you had, there’d be no maybe about it.”

She put her food down. Potatoes and the chicken were the last things she wanted to feast on. “I don’t know what you’re getting at.”

“So you don’t sense that we could have something like that?”

Her mouth parted and he lowered his gaze to her lips. The urge to kiss him swept through her with a dizzying effect. She was astonished that she resisted it. “I-I don’t know.”

A sad look crossed over his face. “I helped take care of you.” He indicated the bed they sat on. “While you were healing.”

“And?” What would he tell her? And yet, she couldn’t imagine that he’d tell her anything she wouldn’t like.

“You woke up once and we talked. Do you remember?”

“No.” She wished she had.

“Well, we did. You told me about all sorts of things. About your life, your friends. We talked—okay, I did the most talking—for a while. You’re special. I suspected it the second I laid eyes on you, but after that, I was sure.”

He’d stolen her ability to speak. Yet when he touched her again, she believed him. Like Rosh, he was special, too. But just how special?

“Renkon, come on!”

He sighed. “Rosh is anything but patient. Especially about waiting on someone.”

She grinned, at once disappointed and relieved that they couldn’t speak longer.

“Don’t worry. We won’t take long. Until then, stick to the hut.” He opened the flap and she followed part of the way out before he stopped her.

“Why? Because he hasn’t gotten permission?”

A strange expression darkened his face as his gaze drifted to the woods behind the hut. “That and for other reasons.” The smile was back in full force. “Gotta run.”

“But wait.” She didn’t want him to leave. Instead, she would’ve liked to have spent more time with him. Maybe she could get a few answers. Or kiss him. Or more. But he was already halfway to Rosh before she could say anything more.

All at once, a strange, animallike wail drifted into the air, and everyone stopped what they were doing. As soon as the sound had faded, the women began gathering the children and hurrying them toward the cabins. The men grouped together and, as if on cue, tugged off their shoes and jeans.

She gaped at them. Most of them had good physiques although not as rugged as Rosh’s, Renkon’s, and Walker’s. A few of them looked like the average office worker with his belly full from a weekend beer fest. Yet none of them acted embarrassed or shy. Instead, they treated each other no differently than when they’d worn clothing. The men turned toward the cabins as the doors opened and most of the women who’d gone inside came running out, pulling their dresses over their heads and tossing them to the ground. She assumed that the other women had stayed inside, closing the shutters on the cabins to keep the children from peeking out.