Rowan’s Men by Jade Buchanan

Rowan Gatti hummed happily, wandering around the abode. Her fingers moved over the decorations she’d set up. This wasn’t exactly quite what she was used to, but all the more beautiful because they came from her new home. It was almost unreal how her life had changed over the past months with her new family. Sometimes she woke up in the middle of the night afraid it was all a dream.

It hadn’t been that long ago that she’d been living on Earth, minding her own business, when a pride of cat-like men had come to capture her, thinking they were saving her from torture. Riiight, because the dentist was so scary. What was scary was being taken by a race of men she’d never thought to encounter before. Even more horrifying, at least at first, was the instant attraction she’d had for the big bruiser running things.

Their leader, Laithe, had told her she belonged to him, that they were mated. As if that wasn’t enough of a shock, there was that whole business with his childhood friend, Fahd, who had apparently been in love with Laithe for years. If she was going to accept Laithe in her life, she had to accept Fahd too. Once she’d gotten to know them, she still hadn’t been sure she even wanted to stay with them. Now, she couldn’t imagine leaving. It was so hard to believe it had all happened the way it did. Definitely seemed like a dream some days.

But then she’d smell the spicy sweet scent of her men, feel their fur as it caressed her body, feel the pleasant burn between her thighs — a constant reminder of the pleasure she found in their arms. It was times like those she thanked her lucky stars she wasn’t back on Earth anymore. She wouldn’t change it for anything.

Now she was about to share something of herself with them. A taste of her life back on Earth. By her reckoning it was almost Christmas, and she couldn’t wait to teach her men all about the holidays. Laithe and Fahd had been intrigued when she’d talked about it. Rowan hadn’t been aware of the wistfulness in her tone, but apparently her men had been. Laithe had taken her aside later and confessed they were anxious to learn as much as possible about her old life and how much they were looking forward to creating more traditions that blended their lives together.

She couldn’t disappoint them. Not when Laithe and Fahd had done everything possible to make sure she was accepted and brought into their massive family. Everyone had done whatever they could to make her feel comfortable. She’d never been happier. And if she had the occasional twinge of homesickness, well, it didn’t last long.

Rowan hummed a few bars of “Ode to Joy,” smoothing her palm over her belly. She couldn’t wait for Christmas morning. Waking up in bed with Laithe and Fahd, and then jumping out to open all the presents. It’d be better if Lev, Morgan and Aaron were here, but she understood why they went back to Earth to visit Aaron’s family. Her new family was split up this year, but she was bound and determined that this was the last year they’d be separated. She’d learned something from Ariel, Laithe’s mother, over the last few months. What Ariel wanted, Ariel got. Her mates would do anything for her, and Rowan definitely intended to follow in her footsteps. She wanted her pride together, and she was going to get her pride together if it killed her. Or more likely, if it killed them.

The smell of cinnamon and gingerbread filled the room. Okay, fine, it wasn’t cinnamon or gingerbread, but it was close enough. Heck, it wasn’t as if the men knew what it was supposed to smell like anyway. She’d slaved all day making bread, and she just hoped it was edible. Rowan was desperate to make gingerbread houses, and she’d had to beg Ariel for help in creating the right consistency for the dough. Ariel had given her the strangest look, and Rowan just knew she was thinking the little human was insane, but she hadn’t said anything. Ariel was probably humoring her, but it really didn’t matter. The gingerbread houses had been made, and were now gracing the small table where they normally ate. Lopsided and green — and not exactly the right shape either — the houses were just perfect.

Snorting softly, Rowan rocked back and forth in front of the small tree. It wasn’t exactly the evergreen tree she was used to, but she’d had fun guiding her men into picking just the right one. They’d spent almost two hours outside among the vegetation surrounding their home, with her first discarding one tree and then another before she was content. It listed to one side, haphazardly pulled up by the string connecting it to the wall. Hell, at least it was green.

“Definitely looks like a Charlie Brown tree, but I like it.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Nawra. It took us forever to pick it out.”

Strong arms enfolded her from behind, tawny fur brushed against her stomach. Rowan leaned back gratefully, lifting one hand to pet along the muscular forearm.

Giggling, she tilted her head to look up at his beloved features. “It wasn’t that bad, Laithe. You know you liked it.”

He nuzzled her neck, tickling her with the chocolate brown mane that caressed the tops of her shoulders. “Mmmm, I liked the payment after much better.”

“I bet you did, perv boy.”

Thrusting his hips against her backside, Laithe let her know exactly how much he’d like a repeat performance. Geez, her men were insatiable sometimes.

“Where’s Fahd?” she asked, settling more of her weight against Laithe, letting him support her body from behind. It was one thing she loved about them, they were both so damn strong she never had to worry about her weight around them. She wasn’t exactly a delicate flower, no matter what Laithe nicknamed her. Heck, she could probably gain fifty more pounds and they wouldn’t complain about it. A mental image of herself waddling around the abode, like a pudgy dough boy, caused her to giggle again.

“I’m glad you are so happy, Nawra. Fahd and I were worried about you.”

Rowan turned in Laithe’s arms, frowning up at him. “What’re you talking about?”

His face was troubled, his brow furrowed as he studied her just as intently as she was studying him.

“We were worried you didn’t want to go to Earth. When Aaron said he was going back, you didn’t say anything. When we asked you if you wanted to accompany him, you refused to leave. We were worried. I wasn’t sure why you refused to go back.”

Smiling up at her fierce warrior — looking so worried — Rowan smoothed her palm along his furred cheek. “Laithe, I didn’t want to go back because there’s no reason for me to go. My life isn’t there anymore. It’s here with the two of you.”

“You are certain? That you don’t want to even visit? Are you not sick for your home? For something familiar to you?”

“Of course I am. I’m not going to lie to you and pretend that everything’s always okay and all. I get homesick sometimes. I’d kill for coffee, and you don’t even want to know what all I’d do for a tampon or two, but that’s nothing compared to how much I want to stay with you.”

“It’s not as if we are asking you to stay there. We just thought you would like to visit. So much has happened to you, it might be good for you to be in familiar surroundings.” Fahd’s deep tones came from the doorway behind her.

Rowan turned in Laithe’s arms, spying her black devil leaning against the doorframe, his burly arms crossed over his chest. She licked her lips, loving the serious expression on his face. She always had the most intense need to chase it away every time she saw it. And there was no better way to chase away his frown than with a bit of loving.

She crooked her finger, motioning Fahd closer. With a shake of his head, he complied, pacing toward her like the big, bad jungle animal he resembled. Fahd stopped in front of her, bringing up both arms to cup her cheeks in his massive hands. Nuzzling the black strands of fur, Rowan closed her eyes, tilting her head back until it rested against Laithe’s chest.

Breathing deeply, she relaxed deeper into their embrace.

“Why won’t you go back? This isn’t normal. We don’t want you to stay there, we would never let you stay there, but just a visit? We can go whenever you’d like and come back right away.”

Rowan huffed, blinking open her eyes to stare up at Fahd. Spying the concerned look on his face, she relented. “Look, it doesn’t matter, does it? Let’s just say I have my reasons.”

“You will not keep secrets from us.” Laithe’s voice came out in a rumbling growl, vibrating her body where it rested against his.

“Oh yeah, fur ball? Whatcha going to do about it?”

“Rowan, this isn’t a joke.”

“I know that, Laithe, and I’m not joking. Much.” She grinned, sticking her tongue out at Fahd. He inhaled sharply, pressing his big body closer to hers. Suddenly she was airborne, held up in Laithe’s arms, Fahd’s hands falling away. Laithe strode from the room, heading toward their chambers set at the back of the abode. Rowan curled into him, nuzzling her cheek against his shoulder.

“Do not try to get out of this. You will tell us why you don’t want to go home.”

“Yeah? How exactly are you going to make me?”

“We have our ways.”

Hiding her smile against his shoulder, Rowan hummed noncommittally.

Striding into their room, Laithe dropped her onto the bed. She bounced, coming to rest in the center of the massive piece of furniture. The two men stood to her left, staring down at her. Laithe was frowning, but Fahd looked thoughtful, almost as if he knew she was up to something and he was close to figuring it out.

Rowan sprawled back on the bed, curling her fingers in the silky fabric tied around her breasts. Keeping her gaze on theirs, she slowly untied the knot holding it together, parting the turquoise fabric and revealing herself to them. Fahd curled his lip, flashing a glimpse of his fangs. Smiling to herself, Rowan let the fabric drop to the sheets beside her. With the same careful, controlled movements, she reached for the knot at her hip, parting the material to showcase every creamy curve of her body.

She stretched, loving the feel of the soft fabric beneath her back and the heat of her men gazing upon her breasts. It wasn’t quite enough, though. She wanted their fur, their teeth and their claws. They were all the elements of ferocity, but packaged up in such gentleness whenever they touched her. The two men treated her like glass, something fragile and beautiful. Something cherished.

It was hard to believe this had all happened to her. What had she done to deserve such happiness? With a seductive smile, she admitted to herself that it was only going to get better. She had many years ahead of her with these sexpots.

Giggling, Rowan tilted her head when the bed dipped under Laithe’s weight. Fahd stood back behind him, letting Laithe take the lead. He was always letting Laithe take the lead. It was ingrained in him from years of serving his friend and pride leader. Fahd was Laithe’s second, the man charged with protecting his life.

Rowan understood it, and normally it didn’t bother her, but it wasn’t going to work tonight. She wanted them both, needed them both at the same time. She wouldn’t let either of them hold back.

Laithe ran the back of his hand along her hip, drawing her attention back to him. She shook her head. “Fahd…”

“What is it, gorgeous?”

“I need you.”

Fahd drew in a breath, letting it out in a noisy exhale. The bed dipped again with his weight when he kneeled up beside them. He wrapped both arms around the tawny man, leaning in to nuzzle Laithe’s neck. His fangs flashed when he dragged his teeth along Laithe’s skin. Laithe shivered, his body bucking in Fahd’s hold and his eyelids fluttering closed.

Rowan grinned, locking gazes with Fahd. She absolutely loved seeing Laithe come apart, and Fahd knew it.

He released Laithe, licking his lips seductively. “Why wouldn’t you go back?”

“You’re going to have to do better than that if you want to get answers out of me.”