Leather and Lace [Skinwalkers 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “About Rupert…”

  “Is that the other man in the cave?”

  She nodded at Zack. “I can’t bear the thought of leaving him there.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of his body and see that he gets back to his family.”

  Although Chan was the one who’d spoken, she knew Zack would do whatever he could to help, too.

  “We’ll have to say he was attacked by a wild animal. There’s no other way to explain it.”

  She wondered if Zack had been in the same situation before. But that was a question she’d have to ask later. Right now was not the time.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Chan cleared his throat. “Was he a close friend? Or more?”

  “No. Neither one really. I worked with him. But still…”

  “Don’t worry about it. Like I said, we’ll handle everything.”

  She rested back against the pillow propped up behind her. “Thank you.”

  “Lace, I know this is coming at you before you’ve had time to think, but we’ve got to know.”

  “Know what, Chan?”

  Chan swallowed and she would’ve sworn he was nervous. “I’m not sure how to say this so I’m going to say it straight out. It’s real fast, but we knew it from the second you came into our lives. Lace, we love you. Both Zack and me.”

  She stayed quiet, perhaps knowing that it hurt them to do so, but she’d waited years to hear those words and wanted to savor them.

  “Baby, you’re killing us. Say something, will ya?”

  She brought her gaze up to meet Chan’s. “I’m sorry.”

  Zack was up and moving before she could finish speaking. She had to stop him from walking away without understanding. “No, you’re getting it all wrong again. I’ll say it straight up, too. I love you guys. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.”

  “Then why’d you say you were sorry?”

  “I’m sorry for everything that’s happened, Chan. For bringing all my troubles into your lives. You could’ve died.”

  “We would’ve died if he’d hurt you.”

  That simple statement was more than she’d ever thought she’d hear from Zack.

  He moved back to her side as Chan came forward first. Chan took her face and pulled her to him. His kiss was needy, urgent, and yet impossibly sweet. She cupped him behind the head and held on, never wanting to let him go.

  Zack, however, had other ideas. He tugged Chan away from her, then shoved his friend even farther back on the bed. “Don’t go hogging her, wolf.”

  Zack’s kiss was as different from Chan’s as the two men were to each other. He was firmer, more insistent, yet his kiss held the same tenderness that Chan’s had.

  She laughed when Chan repaid his friend with a shove of his own. “Okay, that’s enough. The girl’s got to rest. But we won’t be far away. We’ll never be far away from you ever again.”

  “That goes double for me,” added Zack, not to be outdone.

  They stood, each hesitating, trying to get the other one to leave first.

  “I should’ve known.”

  “You should’ve known what?”

  She smiled at Zack. “It was your blue eyes. Even as a cat you had blue eyes. I should’ve known it was you.”

  “Well, now you do.” Zack shoved Chan in front of him, making him leave the room.

  She pulled her bedspread higher, slid down into the cozy warmth, and closed her eyes. Their promise was still with her when she fell asleep.

  Chapter Eight

  A week later she felt fine. Better than fine.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Lace?”

  Dressed in nothing but a heavy coat and boots, Lace walked between Zack and Chan. At first, the thought of returning to the cave had unnerved her, but once they explained that the ceremony would be held in a different part, down a different tunnel, she relented.

  The cave was a special place to both men, but more so to Zack. His ancestors had claimed the cave and turned it into their home. Ceremonies of all kinds from birth celebrations to claiming ceremonies like the one they were about to perform had happened within its cool walls. Lace couldn’t think of a better way to start her life than to honor the traditions of the past.

  “Did the sheriff ask many questions about the black book?”

  Zack and Chan had returned to the site of Rupert’s murder and had found the book that contained the information about Victor Morna’s stolen money in Victor’s shredded clothes. She hadn’t asked any details about what they’d done with her friend’s body and she didn’t want to know anything more about Victor. Their reassurances that he was dead were enough for her.

  “Wyatt’s not the sheriff, but he’s like one. And no. He knows better than to do that. Trust me. He’ll handle things from here. You won’t be implicated in any way.”

  “Is he a shifter, too? Or a skinwalker?” She hadn’t met Wyatt, but she’d heard enough about Lost Hills to know that many of the town’s citizens were paranormal beings. Soon she’d go into town and meet some of the men’s friends. By then she’d have become their mate. They’d told her that the town would accept her and welcome her as one of their own.

  “Yes. He’s a werewolf like me.” Chan’s hand rested on the small of her back, tempting her to move it lower.

  “Are there other skinwalkers in town?”

  Zack’s hand gripped hers. “Yes. In and around the town. Most don’t like being near that many people.”

  “I guess that means there aren’t a lot of skinwalkers in New York City, huh?” She batted her eyelashes, teasing him.

  “More than you’d think.”

  “Wow.” She tightened her hold on Zack’s hand as they walked into the tunnel on the left. “I always thought caves were rugged inside with jagged edges and stalactites. This one is so smooth.”

  She would’ve sworn Zack’s chest inflated with pride. “There are two stories to explain that. I’m not sure which one is the real story. The first one is that my ancestors going back more than a hundred years spent a lot of time using primitive tools and then later, modern tools to make the ground and the walls smooth enough to rival the floors of a home.”

  “That would’ve been quite the endeavor.”

  “Yes. It would’ve been. And who knows? Maybe it’s the true story.”

  Chan chuckled. “I think Zack leans toward the second explanation. Which, by the way, is the one I’d like to believe, too.”

  “And what’s that?”

  The tunnel grew narrower the farther they went, and if she hadn’t had the men with her, she would’ve turned back, fearful that it would dead end or that she’d lose her way forever. The walls seemed to be closing in on her.

  “The story is that the Water Spirit became angry that her sister, the Earth Spirit, controlled most of the space underneath the land. She vowed she’d make a great underground river and claim the World Beneath as her own. To do that, she sent a huge body of water that bored a hole into the side of the mountain and broke down the rocks and stones to form the tunnels. In doing so, the water eroded the stones and made the floors and walls smooth to the touch.

  When the Earth Spirit found out what the Water Spirit had done, she sent a wind, colder than any wind, into the cave to freeze the water. Once the water was solid, the Earth Spirit then called on the West Wind to blow over the ice, making the ice melt slowly. As the ice melted, the water evaporated. My people say that’s why the caves are cool to the touch. The ice that had once been in the cave still hides within the walls, waiting for the Water Spirit to call it back into the tunnels.”

  “Ooh, is that why the walls sparkle?”

  “That’s what I like to think.”

  “I’ve heard of the Ice Caves in Arizona. Is this one of them? And yet it has no ice.” She reached out and touched the walls. They were cool, but they didn’t have any ice stalagmites coming up from the floor or any stalactites hanging from above. “And I don’t remember seeing this cave on any
map.”

  Chan smoothed her hair. “I think someone’s been Googling since the Internet came back on. What else did you look up? Maybe like a couple of sexy ranchers?”

  “My lips are sealed.”

  Zack picked up the pace. “We’re almost there. And no. You won’t find this cave on any map. My family has kept it a secret for as long as I can remember.”

  “Speaking of remembering, how’s that going for you?”

  She bumped her shoulder against Chan since the tunnel was getting even narrower. “It’s great. I think I’m fully recovered. I called and told my landlord that I’m moving out. Of course, now that The Pretty Pussy is shut down, I’m out of a job.”

  “If you want to work, I’m sure we can find you a job in Lost Hills.”

  Zack shot his friend a stern look. “I thought we were going to ask her to help us with the ranch. Especially the paperwork. We both hate doing paperwork.”

  “Ooh, I’d love that. I’m not a full-fledged accountant, but I have a few bookkeeping classes under my belt. If that’s what you two would like, then consider me hired. I’ll even work for board and keep.” She grinned at them. “As long as the fringe benefits are good.”

  “I’d like to believe they’re pretty damn good, but you’ll have to be the judge of that.” Chan wrapped his arm around her. “Baby, now’s the time to ask for a raise.”

  Zack stopped them and turned to her. “We’ve talked about our lives and our people, but you’ve never said what you want to do. And you don’t have to say right now, but if you want to change, to become a werewolf, then I’ll respect your decision.”

  “Can I be a skinwalker?”

  He shook his head. “No. Skinwalkers are born, not made.”

  She hoped Chan would understand. “Then, if it’s okay, I’d rather stay human. As long as I can still have children.”

  She’d struck a chord with them. They were both pleased. “You can. Definitely,” added Chan.

  “Would you like that, Zack? Children, I mean?”

  His blue eyes landed on her, giving her the butterflies they always did. “I’d like that very much.”

  “Good. Then we can start working on having a family as soon as possible.”

  Zack brought her palm to his lips. “First, we have to make you our mate. Come on.”

  The tunnel suddenly widened, opening into a huge cavern. The sight of it took her breath away.

  An underground lake glistened under the sparkling spots of light embedded into the walls and ceilings. The light was dim, but scores of white and red candles cast beautiful shadows on the walls. A blanket larger than two king-sized comforters lay spread out on the smooth floor. A wicker basket rested next to the blanket along with a silver ice bucket holding champagne and three flutes.

  “This is amazing.”

  Chan and Zack stood in front of her. Zack dropped her hand. His eyes were bright blue as he gazed into hers. “You’re amazing.”

  Chan glanced at his friend then at her. “What can I say? When he’s right, he’s right. You are more beautiful than anything on this earth and beyond.”

  “The man tends to talk too much, but he’s right, too.” Zack took her hand while Chan took the other one. “We have to hear you say it, Lace. Are you ready to accept us as your mates? Are you ready to submit to us, not only in sex, but in all important matters?”

  She’d thought about it a lot the past week. They’d explained everything to her. She would be their woman, and as such, they would call the shots. But they’d promised her that they wouldn’t be controlling. They’d be her masters but she was their queen. Because she was, they’d do everything they could to make her happy. They would live as kings who would spend their days doing whatever they could to please her.

  She tingled just thinking about spending the rest of her life with them. “I’m ready. Just tell me what to do.”

  Zack took her hand and led her over to the blanket. “Take your boots off, then drop your coat.”

  She nodded, remembering to submit to them. Pushing the coat from her arms, she let Chan take it from behind then toss it to the end of the blanket.

  Zack’s gaze raked over her naked body, dispelling the chill of the cave. He moved slowly around her and Chan did the same. She remained still, letting the men circle her and touching her only with their eyes.

  Zack stopped at her right side while Chan took to her left. Keeping their focus on her, they removed their coats, unbuckled their belts and pulled them off. Their shirts came off next and they tossed them to the floor.

  A flutter started in her abdomen, the beginning of lust and desire. She wasn’t sure what to do, but knew enough to stay still.

  Their jeans came off next along with their boots. Her tongue slipped between her lips and Zack’s reaction was just what she’d hoped for. She’d noticed before that his eyes grew darker whenever she did that.

  They were as delicious looking as before. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she’d missed touching their bodies in the couple of days since Victor and Rupert had died. Hard where it counted and oozing with power, they were the kind of men women fantasized about. She ached to touch them, to skim her fingertips along their flesh and to press her lips against their smooth skin.

  She mewled, needing to act on her lust, but knowing that she shouldn’t.

  A dark form in the rear of the cave at the water’s far side caught her attention. She sucked in a breath then whispered, “There’s someone else here.” Fear rushed into her. Could it be one of Victor Morna’s henchmen?

  “It’s okay, baby.” Chan inclined his head toward the form that had taken a couple of steps closer. “They’re part of Zack’s people.”

  “They? You mean there’s more than one here?” She crossed her arms in front of her, suddenly aware of her nude body.

  More bodies emerged from the blackness of the cave. They moved slowly, purposefully until, at last, the first of them was near the dim light supplied by the candles.

  “They’re here to witness the claiming.” Zack looked at the crowd that had gathered. “It’s our way. My people have to see that you submit to us. Once they have, they’ll welcome you as our mate. My people will become your people.”

  Their faces were still hidden in the shadows, but she could see that there were both women and men in the group around them. She sought out Chan. “These are Zack’s people. But what about yours?”

  “They’re mine, too. Especially now that Zack and I will be sharing you as our mate. I’m wolf, but I’m a shifter like they are.”

  “Do you still want to go through with this?”

  She couldn’t turn Zack down. And the truth of it was that she didn’t want to. She wouldn’t have believed it possible, but the idea of having others watch as the men took her added an extra element of excitement. “Yes.”

  “Then kneel, mate.”

  She accepted the men’s hands and went to her knees. Their erect cocks pointed at her. All she had to do was flick out her tongue and lick them.

  “The tie.” Zack reached inside the basket and held up a leather strip. “Binding you with leather ties is symbolic of your submission and of our pledging our loyalty to you and only you. Mate, do you submit to your men?”

  “Yes, I submit.”

  He bent over, pulled her hands in front of her, then looped the tie around her wrists. He didn’t tie it tight, but it was enough to keep her hands together. Then, digging into the basket again, he pulled out a longer leather tie and looped it loosely around her neck. He didn’t pull it tight. A knot in the loop prevented him from doing that. He draped the tie down her spine.

  “The circle around your neck symbolizes your willingness to join the circle of my people.” He glanced at Chan. “Of our people. Do you accept?”

  “Yes.”

  A smile lit their faces.

  “Good. Then let’s get to the good part of this ceremony. Zack, get the paddle.”

  Zack did as Chan told him to, taking o
ut the riding crop that they’d used before. He smacked it against his palm. “Go to your hands and knees, woman.”

  Woman. The word made her feel sexy and powerful. She fell to her hands. Her breasts fell forward, jiggling with the move. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and craned her head around at Zack.

  She was ready for the first spank. The sting splintered through her flesh and rippled through her butt cheek. She moaned, and wanted more. Did she have the right to ask?

  “Please, I’d—”

  The second strike was harder than the first. It was everything she could’ve asked for.

  Chan took the crop from Zack and added his own two strikes, back to back. The thwack reverberated in the air, like a signal to the others that she was their mate. “We’re yours forever, baby. Is that what you want?”

  “Yes. I want that more than anything.”

  “Suck on Chan’s cock.”

  She pushed back onto her heels and turned to take Chan’s cock into her mouth. He tasted so good, so musky and she hoped that she’d get to drink his cum.

  Every sense had heightened, every nerve had grown more sensitive. She was more than Lace Eastlake now. She was their woman, their mate.

  She forgot about the others around her, forgot about everything except Zack and Chan. Their happiness was her main concern and her joy was theirs. By submitting to them, she was gaining everything she’d ever dreamed of.

  She dragged in Chan’s cock as Zack went to his knees. He cupped her breasts, holding them tenderly, yet possessively. Dipping his head, he took her nipple and lashed his tongue around it. His hand found the wetness between her legs, driving her passion higher, harder. She yearned for him to slide his fingers inside her, taking her as only her men could do.

  Her life before coming to the mountain was gone, buried with the secrets that no one else would ever know. Her future lay with the two men who had saved her life in every way possible.

  Chan tunneled his hand through her hair and rocked his hips back and forth. He moaned and she felt his shaft grow even larger. How that could be possible, she didn’t know. The smooth flesh rubbed her cheeks and her jaw ached, but she wouldn’t let go. She wanted to please him even if it hurt.