Stealing Joy Read online

  I cried out another orgasm into Gage’s mouth while Max continued to thrust. Max yelled out and I swear I felt him fire hose into me. Damn, if I could get pregnant just holding hands with Gage, there was no way I was walking away from this without every ovary in my body fertilized.

  Max sighed and lowered to my side. He shoved Gage’s face away from mine and pulled me to his lips. I barely had time to catch my breath before Max took it away again.

  He tasted like so much sex and love. Yeah, I was in love with him too. Damn this really called for the “it’s complicated” button for my relationship status.

  Max broke the kiss and rolled off the bed. He padded off to the bathroom. Gage slid into the bed next to me. He didn’t say anything, just stared at me.

  Max returned and handed me a glass of water. I passed the drink to Gage, and then he kissed me with his cool wet lips. I rolled away and reached out, handing the glass to Max.

  I sucked in a breath as Gage placed his still cool lips to my breast. “Oh, gods.” It was heavenly.

  Max climbed into the bed behind me and adjusted me so that I leaned against him. Gage did not detach the entire time. He shifted so that he was now the one between my legs.

  I lifted a leg and wrapped it around his hips, urging him to slide in. It was perfect. Max was also perfect, so Gage was a different perfect. He moved with a slower coaxing action. I was done the second he started. I twitched and clenched. My body felt on fire.

  Max leaned forward, lifting me toward Gage. Instead of lifting his head to kiss me, Gage pushed up higher. I loved how taut his arms were. I ran my hands over the bunched up muscles. The two men closed over me, and I watched from underneath as they kissed and sucked on each other’s tongues. Damn their necks and jaws were super sexy as they moved into each other’s mouths.

  Max held Gage’s head to his as Gage thrust into me. I counter thrust as best I could without pushing my feet into the bed. I enjoyed my view and the sensation of being trapped between their sweat-sheened chests. They loved each other, Gage made love to me, and I caressed both of them.

  Max held tight as Gage growled and shoved his hips hard against mine. I laughed in triumph as another orgasm took over my body.

  I woke to the most obnoxious beeping noise I hadn’t heard since the hospital. I was wrapped around a warm naked Max, and Gage was wrapped around me.

  Nurse Tracey shushed me back to sleep. “You’ve gotten all tangled. No wonder the IV alarm is going off.”

  I’d worry about how she got into my locked room later.

  The next time I woke, Max was teasing a nipple, my four-toed foot was flung over Gage, and he was twirling fingers in my hair.

  I looked down at Max. He was enjoying himself, I could tell by the noises and the pulsing erection against my thigh.

  I sighed and looked over at Gage. I was wholeheartedly in love with this man. I was in love with Max too. It was all so strange. I closed my eyes as his face came closer and he claimed my lips.

  Damn.

  One of Max’s hands found my free breast and rolled the nipple between his fingers. Tightening the muscles in my back, I pressed my breasts into Max. Apparently, that was the signal for game on.

  Gage’s free hand began toying with my sensitive feminine flesh. I should’ve been sore, but I throbbed for more. Max’s hand abandoned my breast, and I felt the two of them have a hand slapping fight for position as they both felt the need to manhandle my bits. I wrapped one arm around Max’s head and held him close as he made love to my breast with his mouth. He teased and tugged, and sucked and bit.

  My other arm was wrapped around Gage as he kissed me senseless. I had both of their hands on me in a seriously intimate team effort. One hand ran circles around my clit, the other plunged my depths.

  It took both of them to keep me in the world, and on the bed. I felt like exploding and lifting into the sky.

  Their hands shifted jobs and I melted. I think I could tell whose touch was whose. Then again, maybe I was wrong. It didn’t matter, they were both magicians of sex, and they worked my body with the right amount of rough pressure and delicate touch. They coaxed my body to heights of pure pleasure I had no idea were even possible.

  By the time I was tapping out because they drove me hard, and for longer than I thought was even possible, Gage was the one sucking on my nipples and Max was sucking on my tongue.

  It was a glorious way to start my day.

  I guess it was a good thing I was on bed rest and had to stay off my feet, cause there was no way my legs were going to work.

  Max took the first shower, and Gage helped me with mine and showered at the same time. It was sexy simply because of the man, but there was no hanky-panky under the water. We had to be careful and juggle everything to keep my feet dry. I can’t even describe the amazing feeling of sitting in the shower, knowing what a naked Gage looked like with his firm body and the wavy patterns his chest hair made when it was wet, standing behind me, washing my hair, and gently soaping and rinsing me off.

  He did kiss me, and I loved the feel of the water running over us as our mouths pressed together. No wonder they always include a kissing in the rain scene in movies. It’s all kinds of wow.

  I wasn’t sure how I was going to face anyone and everyone today after Gage and Max rocked my existence. But no one reacted as if they hadn’t heard screams and banging coming from my room all night long.

  Tracey didn’t say a thing when she came back in the morning. A tall movie star good looking man followed behind her.

  “Bailey, this is my husband Ben.” I swear she blushed.

  Maybe she had been making some noise of her own the night before.

  “Hi, Brooks,” Yuki said as she skipped in and jumped into my bed. Had she called Ben the wolf’s name?

  Tracey finished swapping out my antibiotics and left. Ben was by her side just like that wolf had been.

  Oh, I got it. Tracey knew because… Oh right, Brooks. I was going to have to find out what happened. I can’t imagine how hard it was to only have someone you loved with you three days a month. My heart seized. Everything hurt and my eyes started watering hard. I was only going to have Max for two more nights. That was it. I missed him already.

  I fought to breathe again. I needed to not worry about that until it happened.

  “Two for one special, huh?” Jade asked as she flopped down.

  “Oh gods, does everyone know?” I groaned.

  Jade lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe?”

  I wanted to hide under the covers. I was suddenly so embarrassed.

  “So what?” Yuki said. “You get lots of love, that’s good. You need two men willing to die for you after what you had to endure. It’s all good.”

  “But my mom is going to freak,” I whined.

  “Look, your mom barely seems to notice that Gage has been pining after you at all. I doubt she’ll notice a thing. She hasn’t even noticed that there isn’t a swarm of wolves circling around like there typically is.” Jade shrugged.

  “Did you do that?” I asked.

  “I’m not that kind of witch.”

  Gage stepped in and leaned against the doorjamb. He grinned at me, and I felt all full of butterflies. “Your parents won’t notice anything out of sorts.”

  I drank in every second of him as he walked over to the bed and leaned in for a kiss. I hummed with pleasure.

  “Ah, you’re in love, that’s so great.” Yuki gushed.

  “You have magic?” Jade asked.

  Gage shook his head and lifted his shoulders. “Monsters and magic. It’s a new moon. Those three have different magic surrounding them than the rest of us.” He looked back at me. “Your parents and the FBI won’t even question why there are three extra guys around, and why they have the same names as the wolves. I don’t know how it happens. We are all learning this as we go and faking it at best. This certainly didn’t come with a user’s manual.”

  “You mean you?” I didn’t finish, because I wasn’t sure
what to say.

  “I’ll explain, promise. You be good today. I’m headed out to the grocery store for the big feast. More ice cream, ladies?”

  “Of course,” answered Yuki.

  13

  Travis may have claimed to not be able to cook much beyond the basics, but the man was a grill master. There was snow on the ground and he still knew how to grill steaks and salmon to perfection. All of the guys apparently pitched in and made a feast once a month. I understood this was a big family celebration for them. Tracey and Ben joined as a very happy couple. I and mine were welcomed with open, loving arms.

  I ate until I thought I was going to pop. Of course, I kept eating. It was better than Thanksgiving. They played music via satellite radio and at some point, people were up and dancing. Oz caught Jade’s attention, and he was the middle of a Yuki and Jade dance sandwich. My parents danced in an old fashioned style, even though they really weren’t that old. It’s not like they grew up doing that type of social dancing, I’ve seen what dancing in the seventies and eighties looked like. Tracey and Ben were also up. Occasionally, Mark or Zeke would jokingly twirl Travis across the floor.

  It was wonderful and happy. Next time, I’d be able to dance, and I wouldn’t have to worry about my backside hanging out cause at some point, I’d be able to put something other than a hospital gown on.

  I needed to get off antibiotics before I could start wearing regular shirts because of the IV line. Of course, I’d have to send someone out for them, or I bet I could order some. Gordon had my credit card, I guess not. I just wanted to be able to put my kind of clothes on once I was set free from this snapped together drape. I didn’t want another drab colored t-shirt, and never again did I want to wear gray sweats.

  I’d be able to wear panties as soon as I was allowed on my feet. Without the ability to balance to pull my drawers down, it didn’t make any sense to wear them. The hospital gown and blankets made sure my bits were covered.

  And even though I had easy access under my clothes, both Gage and Max behaved like perfect gentlemen. It was awesome. They made my heart soar like it had wings. Gage had carried me down and I swear he looked as smitten as the day he carried me up the stairs and I felt like a bride, even if I was an invalid.

  Max gave me a proprietary smack on the lips and made sure I was comfortable. Gage sat with his arm around me. It was those annoying sweethearts being sticky sweet on each other kinds of actions that made me want to shiver and brush my teeth when I see other couples acting like that.

  Okay, I get it now. It’s really hard not to be sappy as fuck when you are really in love this way. No one said boo that it was three of us behaving like that. Hell, the guys didn’t even growl or anything when Travis snuck in and kissed me. I was a little surprised, especially when he winked and told me, “We are pack. We are yours.”

  “Come sit next to me, Oz.” Yuki hung off his arm, excited for the movie, or life in general.

  Oz shoved away from Yuki. “I’m going out,” he growled.

  I don’t know what happened between them, but clearly, something had. A few minutes ago he was in a good mood, now he was cranky as fuck.

  “I thought you would want to stay and watch a movie with us.” Yuki sounded hurt.

  She didn’t understand his anger, and he didn’t understand her lack of interest.

  “I’m not interested in your stupid movie. It’s a waste of my time. I’m going to go find some friends to hang out with.”

  “I thought I was your friend?”

  “Oz, wait, I should tell you about Yuki.” Jade stood up and approached him, reaching out to touch his arm.

  He batted her hand away. “I don’t need to be friend zoned by some virgin. I don’t have time for that shit. I’ve already spent too much time with her.”

  “Then you should’ve been aware of what she was.” Max sat back down next to me.

  “You can go to hell. You claimed a mate the second you saw her. Hell, you were also all over Yuki as soon as she got here. You don’t get to have all the women.” Oz’s neck tightened and the tendons stood out.

  “Chill out, man. All I was trying to say was you can’t get mad about Yuki, and you aren’t being friend zoned by some shy virgin. I don’t think you can call someone who isn’t sexual a virgin. It’s not a measure that applies.”

  “Fuck off. You’re only not interested in Yuki because you have Bailey. Brooks has his wife, what am I supposed to do?” Frustration rolled off him in waves. Everyone in the room could feel it.

  Thank the gods my parents had volunteered to do the dishes. This was awkward as hell to witness.

  Oz was clueless. Jade was interested and willing to jump his bones, perfectly happy for no strings attached rumpus time with some pretty abs and strong arms. But he was too butthurt that Yuki wasn’t going to flip up her skirts and let him at her.

  Max gave him a knowing look and looked at Jade. Even he knew Jade was interested.

  Oz shook his head, threw his arms up and stomped out of the area.

  I watched him go. I think we all watched him go.

  He paused and looked at Travis. “How do you put up with it? I’m so sick of their shit.” He kept going until I couldn’t turn my head anymore.

  Travis caught my eye and winked before leaving in the opposite direction.

  I huffed and turned my attention back to Jade.

  She stood perfectly still in the middle of the seating arrangements. Her hand rested across her abdomen. A sneer grew on her face as she looked in the direction Oz left. “Asshole.”

  She was pissed, she was so pissed. And she was hurt. I knew her. I could feel her sucking in energy like an ocean pulling the tide back out. I had experienced that sensation before. I never knew or recognized it for what it was.

  Yuki was up and wrapped around Jade. “Don’t be sad, friend. Boys are stupid. Men are smart. Oz is clearly a boy in a man’s body. You know what, I think Mark is a man and he likes you.”

  Everything about Jade softened, and she wrapped her arms around Yuki. They hugged for at least a minute, and the tension in our little area dissipated.

  “Mark? Huh? I think he’s scared of me.” Jade laughed.

  “There is nothing wrong with having a man be a little afraid of you,” Zeke said.

  Mom and Dad approached carrying two huge bowls of popcorn. Travis had an armful of drinks, cans of sodas and beer bottles.

  “That nice Mark said he would finish up so we could come watch the movie with everyone,” Mom announced. She handed one of the big bowls to me.

  Travis pulled a handful of brown paper lunch bags from his back pocket and started handing them around. “For the popcorn.”

  He sat on the floor in front of me, so I had him and Max surrounding me.

  This was nice. Almost everyone was here.

  “Did you leave Gage in the kitchen with Mark?” I asked my folks.

  “I’ll go swap with him,” Jade announced. I guess she decided having Mark a little afraid of her wasn’t such a bad idea, especially if Oz was being a super douche and ignoring what she was offering. Besides, Mark was hotter, in my opinion. But I knew Jade preferred the stockier build and blonder look of Oz.

  I expected Gage to come join us at some point. I forgot about it as I was sucked into the movie.

  About halfway through, I really had to pee.

  “I’m sorry.” I couldn’t apologize enough for disrupting the movie.

  Someone put it on hold while Travis and Max had to get up in order to lift me from my nest on the couch.

  Max carried me effortlessly to the bathroom. I awkwardly dragged my IV pole along. The bathroom had a stall and a sink. The stall was left over from when this had been a commercial property, kept because they still ran it as an exclusive training facility. Max didn’t seem to mind, and I was embarrassed.

  “Bailey, it’s my privilege to take care of you.” He knew the right things to say.

  When we headed back to the lounge area, everyone was up an
d running about. Okay, maybe not running, but something was going on.

  Zeke jumped down the stairs two at a time. “No Gage. Jade and Mark are occupied.”

  Oh good for her.

  “What do you mean no Gage?” I asked.

  “I guess he wasn’t in the kitchen. He’s probably taking the garbage out.”

  Travis shook his head. “He’s not out back. It’s snowing, so if he left footprints they’re covered, no tracks. No way of knowing if he went out that way.”

  Max lowered me back onto the couch into my nest of blankets. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  Where was I going to go, and more importantly how was I going to get there? “He wouldn't have left because of you?” I asked. Max seemed to know what I meant because tonight Max claimed me solo. Of course, I would think after last night Gage wouldn’t mind, because he would get me solo as soon as Max shifted back. I shivered. I didn’t want to think about that.

  “No, that wouldn’t send him off.”

  I didn’t have a chance to ask him more questions. He kissed me, and my brain melted. All I could do was watch him stride like some kind of superhero out the front door. He didn’t even grab a coat, and it was snowing.

  Yuki climbed onto the couch with me.

  I know Mom saw me kiss Max, but she didn’t say anything about that. Maybe she had missed out on all the sparks between Gage and me earlier too.

  “He’ll be fine. He’s a police officer after all. Why don’t we finish the movie?” She started the movie.

  It was a good attempt at distracting me.

  It didn’t work.

  The movie ended. I don’t remember what happened. I mean, it was billed as a rom-com so I assume they ended up together. I don’t know why they would; they really didn’t like each other. I was getting tired of that whole enemies-to-lovers trope. Especially when I was blindsided with attraction, why the hell would I even want to pay attention to someone who antagonized me so much?

  Mom and Dad announced they were going to bed. “You should get to bed too, and soon. This has been more activity than you’re used to.”