It’s not long until I start feeling the dirt underneath us poking my bare ass, his cum leaking out from where his cock is softening inside me. He must be reading my mind again, because he smiles sheepishly as he pulls a twig from my hair.
“Shower?” he asks, his voice husky.
Before I can reply, we both stiffen at the sounds of an approaching car. My eyes bug out when Marcus’ voice calls from the other side of the cabin.
“Kieran? Goldie? Are you two still in the garden?”
8
MARCUS
The moment we step out of the car, the scent of sex overwhelms my senses. The black bear resting peacefully within me is now fully awake and ready for war. Because it’s not just sex I can smell, it’s her. That sweet honeysuckle and bright lavender have candied into something dangerous that has my mouth watering.
Adrian’s polar bear snarls, his claws extending. He slams his fists into the hood of the SUV. “Fuck,” his voice is barely human, and his body shivers as the shift begins.
It takes me only two long strides to reach him. I wrap one hand around the back of his neck and press the other to his chest. “Breathe, brother.”
“I can’t fucking breathe. All I smell is her.” His voice is pleading.
“Take a fucking breath, Adrian,” I command. “Do you smell Kieran?” Adrian nods, grimacing, his claws digging into the metal. “Good. It’s just Kieran and Goldie here. He would never hurt her.”
Ever since his sister was kidnapped, Adrian had trouble with women. He refuses to date, let alone open his heart tosomeone new. I smell his fear, his memories coming to the surface. Terrible things happened to his sister, and being intimate with anyone is a struggle for him.
Our little trip into town gave us time to talk openly about the human living in our home. Kieran was so clearly smitten with her, but it would be a lie if I said she did not interest me, either. Adrian was equally intrigued by her. Therein lies our problem. This fragile human stepped into a den of monsters with zero survival skills. Humans typically turn away from shifters. Something about our nature makes them pause. Pairings between shifters and humans are rare. And yet, she came to us, wide-eyed and trusting, with no hesitation.
Even still, if Goldie chose Kieran, as she clearly has done considering their mingling scents, how would that work for us? Could we continue to live together with them? An uneasy feeling settles inside me at the thought. I don’t want her to choose. But if Kieran is the bear for her, I can set aside my own desires for his happiness.
Adrian’s breathing evens out, and his claws detract from the now ruined vehicle. “Sorry.”
I squeeze the back of his neck affectionately. “Never apologize for having emotions. Better to let them out than bottle them up.”
He snorts a laugh. “Are you talking to yourself or me?” Unwilling to share my own inner turmoil, I shove him away, and he chuckles at my expense. “That’s what I thought.”
We walk through the front door as Goldie and Kieran enter from the back. He’s carrying her close to his chest. His brown hair and her golden locks are equally messy. Goldie has dirt all down her legs, her ass barely covered by Kieran’s oversized shirt.
“Just wrapped up a bit of gardening,” Kieran smiles brightly. “How was shopping?”
Adrian holds up several bags. “Wasn’t sure what you preferred to wear, so we bought one of everything.”
Goldie’s eyes go wide, and she giggles. “I wonder what the sales ladies thought of that.”
I frown, crossing my arms over my chest. “They were nosy as fuck, and I wanted to eat them.”
Kieran rolls his eyes. “You want to eat everyone. It’s your go-to threat at any minor inconvenience.”
Goldie giggles again, one of her arms wrapped around Kieran’s neck and playing with his hair. I’m jealous and annoyed at the feeling. I want to leave, but before I can do so, Kieran strides over to me and pushes Goldie into my arms. My own hands reach for her instantly, and she settles against my chest as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
“She needs some pampering, and I’ve got to work on her new identity,” he says, arching a brow. “Don’t mind, do you, Marcus?"
My eyes narrow at him, but I can feel Goldie’s gaze glued to my face. If I say no, it will hurt her feelings, and that’s not something I am willing to live with. Adrian gathers the bags and takes them up to her room, and I follow.
“Looks like you enjoyed your morning of gardening,” I murmur, unable to help myself. I seem to lose all ability to behave when Goldie is nearby. It’s as if I’m a young cub again, unseasoned in the ways of women.
A blush creeps up her neck, and I resist the urge to nuzzle into her as we take the stairs to the third floor. “Wasn’t what I expected to find in the garden, but can’t say I’m sad about it.”
“I’m sure the pup was more than eager to get you alone.” The comment slips from my lips, and I instantly regret it. My composure is quickly disappearing.
Adrian laughs in front of us. “You sound jealous, Marcus.”
