Fever for Three (9 page)

“Stop daydreaming,
querido
. We don’t have much time.” Paulo could be all bossy when he wanted to. It was so hot. Josh didn’t dawdle though. He just moved, tugging on clothes and heading out to the truck.

Cheri was shaking, crying a little, looking completely lost. “I want to go home.”

“We’re heading there, baby. Right, Paulo?”

“Yes. Yes,
querida
.” Paulo held her in the front seat, rocking her, vocalizing.

It seemed to calm her enough that Josh could focus on driving, on chasing the moon into the evening.

Chapter Seven

They were crazy. She was naked in Josh’s truck, in Paulo’s arms. Her body ached, itched, burned.

This was crazy. It also felt as if she knew what to do, if she just listened to her body.

Paulo was making these noises, and that helped, oddly enough. She still wanted to bite him.

His fingers drew circles on her belly, the touch making her ache, want. Need to growl.

“Did your nephew give me some biting disease, Josh?”

“What?” Josh actually swerved a little. “No. I mean, no. Not really.”

“Not really?” What did that mean?

“He bit you and that set you off, but you wouldn’t change if it wasn’t in you. We, uh, helped when we all made love, too. Biting you.”

That made no sense. “If what wasn’t in me?” She knew she was shrieking but she couldn’t help it. “You weren’t until last night. Neither of you.”

She was going to bite Paulo if he laughed again. “But we have been now.”

“Shut up.”

Paulo did laugh again. Time to eat his lunch.

She leaned back, bit his jaw hard, and Paulo made this amazing noise, fingers tugging her closer.

“Stop it, you two. None of that without me and I’m driving.”

“Drive faster,
querido
. I’m going to eat her alive.”

“And I’m going to kick your butt, Paulo. Laughing at me.” Even if he was hot.

“I’m just so proud of you, love. What a stunning huntress you will be.”

“I’ve never hunted. I don’t know how to shoot a gun.”

“No guns required, baby.” They threw gravel on the way into Josh’s drive.

What? They were bow hunters?

Paulo’s teeth dug into her shoulder and she growled, ass sliding on Paulo’s thighs.

“So hot,
querida
.”

The truck rocked to a stop and Josh threw the driver’s door open. “In, y’all.”

She dug her nails into Paulo’s arm. “No. I feel like staying out here.”

“You wanted to go in, fickle girl.”

“I want to run.” She had no idea why. She wasn’t a runner. Jogging was bad. It hurt your joints. Of course, she wanted to run on all fours, which was even more bizarre.

“I bet you do. It’s like an ache, huh?” Josh nodded as if he understood. He was usually not the perceptive one. He was so cute. God, she needed to just explode.

“You can. Just let it go,
querida
. She’ll come to you.”

“She who?” They weren’t making any sense.

“Your wolf, baby. She’s right there.”

“My wolf…” This had to be some weird slang. Had to be. They had mentioned it before, she thought, and it was always like a little ripple of weird in the big pond of strange. This was more like a tidal wave.

Paulo nodded. “Can you imagine her? Sleek and long, running?”

She shook her head at him but it was a lie. She could imagine it. She could see a very pretty little wolf running under the moon. Running between a small, dark wolf and a bigger, paler one. The image seemed so perfect, so right.

“You’re both crazy.”

“No, Josh is crazy. I’m sane.” Paulo tweaked one of her nipples.

Cheri smacked his hand, her toes curling. “Stop that.”

Paulo made this amazing, deep noise. “No.”

Josh laughed. “Come on. We don’t have time for another round yet.”

“Time?”

Paulo nodded, his late-afternoon beard rasping her. The wind was blowing her blanket, reminding her they were still outside.

“The moon is rising,
querida
. Not enough time to make love again yet, hmm?”

“Later. I swear. Tomorrow.” Josh stripped his jeans off, his boots, standing naked in the dusk.

She stared, her mouth all but watering. She loved how his shoulders narrowed into a trim waist and then that funneled down into his hipbones.

“You want him. You can have him, have us both. After.” Paulo’s cock nudged her hip.

“Why not now?” She reached for his prick, not understanding why they couldn’t. She didn’t understand anything. Her skin hurt.

Josh stepped close. “We’re out of time. I can feel it.”

Paulo’s claws slid down her back, a low cry sounding.

Her body shuddered. Shook. She looked at the sky and she could see the outline of the moon, right there, full and heavy.

“I hurt.” She turned to look at Paulo, but he was gone.

Gone, a black dog in his place.

She stumbled forward a step. The dog moved toward her, nudging her hand with its head. He had the most beautiful eyes.

“Oh. Oh so pretty.” It was like she was back at school with her little pack of kids. This wolf was family. She bent down, rumbling softly, her blanket falling away.

Something nipped at the back of her leg and she turned, jumping when there was another dog, a big gray.

She leaned into the black dog and reached for the other. “Come here. I…”

Her body shuddered. “Oh. Oh, help me.”

They flanked her, holding her up while her body seemed to try to pull apart.

Tongues and teeth were on her, soothing her, working her skin, smoothing her fur. Her fur. Everything smelled so different. Who she had been only moments ago would have freaked out, but this was a whole new body and she felt good inside it, as if she finally fit in.

She rubbed her muzzle against Josh’s, then Paulo, bowing to them. The scent of her males was heady, strong. Perfect. They praised her with soft noises and shoulders rubbing hers. Then Paulo turned and bounced away a few feet.

Cheri barked once, muzzle wrinkling as she sniffed. Was it time to play?

Josh went head down, butt up.
Play
.

She bounced.
Play!

Then she launched herself at Paulo.

Paulo barked and ran, leading her on a merry chase. Josh nipped at her heels, urging her on. She flicked Josh with her tail, claws digging in the dirt as she put on speed. She felt so free! The wind hit her muzzle, making her want to bark and pant.

She let out a howl, the sound lonely for only a heartbeat before Josh’s and Paulo’s joined her. Cheri knew, deep in her soul, that she’d never heard anything more beautiful, more wonderful She’d found her place.

They headed deeper into the night, into the dark, and she could scent others. Familiar strangers. One by one they greeted her, welcoming her to the pack.

The adults were one thing, but when the pups came out, she barked, surprised. Pleased. Stunned. She knew every one by scent, even Josh’s nephew.

When the pup nipped at her, she growled, correcting. It was so much easier this way, not having to follow school rules.

Paulo came to her, nose on her ruff, his breath soft, hot. Chuffing, she licked his whiskers, grooming him. It all made sense now.

Josh danced around them, nipping her, Paulo, eager and needy. He was so beautiful and she nuzzled him when he got in range, vocalizing.

Happiness flooded her, the boys flanking her. She wanted to run with her pack, to hunt with them. She felt as if she could do anything now.

Paulo nudged her hip, encouraging her.
Go,
querida
. Run with us. Come home.

Yes. Home. She was finally home.

About Julia Talbot

Julia Talbot has been assimilated by Texas, where there are hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and smoked brisket. A full-time author, Julia has been published in traditional romance and erotic romance of all genres and genders. Werewolves and westerners are her favorite characters, and she's known for strong men and assertive women. She can most often be found in coffee shops and restaurants, scribbling in her notebook and entertaining other diners with her mutterings.

The author welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.

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