Chloe’s New Beginning (6 page)

“Wow…I needed that. Thank you.” She turned slightly and kissed his chest.

“Wow indeed, I heard her come from the kitchen.” Chloe’s eyes went wide when she heard another voice. She jolted up and out of Brandon’s arms to see Adam standing in the doorway, watching them. She looked back over at Brandon, and he smiled, relaxing back against the wall of the tub.

“She seemed a little tense. I wanted to help.” Brandon pulled her back into his arms, and Chloe put her head down, feeling embarrassed.

“No need to be shy. That was amazing to watch. I can smell your arousal from here, baby.” Adam’s dark voice got closer. She knew he was next to the tub, probably leaning down, but she couldn’t seem to look at him.

Brandon held her tight, he could probably tell that she was uncomfortable, and was giving her the support she needed. “Her response was more than I could’ve asked for. She dug her nails into my shoulders. I think I might be bleeding.” At her gasp, he laughed, his big chest shaking. Chloe moved back out of his arms, inspecting his shoulders. Her nails left little half moon marks in his skin. He wore them proudly, showing Adam.

“Oh, man.” She put her head in her hands. How had things happened so fast? How was she going to get out of the tub and away from them? It was impossible. She was surrounded by warmth, and she liked it.

“It’s okay, princess. Adam, can you please get our girl a towel? I think she’s ready to get out now.” She lifted her head, feeling a bit shocked by Brandon’s request. Adam got up and pulled a huge, fluffy towel off one of the warmers and walked over, holding it open, and waited for her. Chloe stood up and stepped out of the tub. She kept her shoulders straight and her head high. She wasn’t going to feel embarrassed. If they didn’t like her body, oh well, they came to her, not the other way around.

When she heard a deep growl, Chloe looked up and into Adam’s eyes. He looked her up and down with an appreciative eye. She felt powerful and walked to him, letting him dry her off. “You’re so beautiful, Chloe. I could spend days just looking at your perfect body.” Adam went to his knees, taking his time, drying every square inch of her body. She stood there, looking at him, practically at eye level now that he leaned down. His eyes roamed freely, and she had to bite her lip to stop herself from moaning. His large hands roamed everywhere. He didn’t miss one place. He lingered on her breasts, teasing her nipples until they became rock hard. She wanted to beg for his mouth, but the words were stuck in her throat. When he nudged her legs apart, she fell forward and grabbed his shoulders for support.

“Just one taste.” Adam leaned in and nuzzled her mound. She could feel his breath on her inner thigh, and she shook with anticipation. With one long swipe, his tongue pushed into her pussy, and Chloe’s head fell forward on a deep moan. Oh, God, these men were her biggest fantasy come to life.

Adam moved away, slowly licking his lips and Chloe stared at him until he finally spoke. “I need more time. I need days, baby. I need so much more time exploring and loving you. Right now I need to feed you so you’ll have the energy for what I want to do.” He stood up and moved to hang the towel back up on the warmer. “Brandon, why don’t you go get our girl a shirt to wear, and we can meet you in the kitchen.” He took her hand in his, and they walked out of the bathroom, down the hall, and toward the kitchen.

* * * *

Adam was overjoyed. He left her in the bathroom to relax while he made her something to eat. He could hear her little moans while she lay in the tub. Hearing Brandon walk into the bathroom hadn’t been a part of the plan, though. He could hear their conversation and was waiting for her to yell and tell him to get out. He was prepared to walk in and tell Brandon that it was too soon. She surprised him. She was welcoming and had demanded her pleasure. He couldn’t stay away. When Brandon got into the bath with her, he went and watched. Seeing her head thrown back, seeing her come, his cock had jerked and demanded that he join in. He held himself back, wanting her to be comfortable.

He took her into the kitchen. It was just the three of them home, so having her naked wasn’t an issue. He sat her down in one of the chairs at the table and served her. She grabbed the fork from him and took large bites, obviously hungry after going all night without eating.

“Slow down, sweetie, I don’t want you making yourself sick.” He sat next to her, rubbing her back, feeling her incredibly soft skin. He could understand now why Conner hadn’t brought her sooner. He enjoyed having her to himself. He would’ve done the same thing if the roles had been reversed.

Brandon walked into the kitchen, smiling and Chloe put her fork down, grabbed the shirt from him and slipped it over her head. It looked like more of a dress than a shirt on her small frame. She looked at him, thinking, and he waited for her to say what was on her mind. She took a deep breath, sitting up straight, making her posture perfect. He leaned back and waited, watching her closely.

“You have three dads. How is that possible? Do people here live in ménage relationships? Why did Conner want me to come here now? Why didn’t he bring me here before? What’s your plan now that I am here?” She continued asking questions, and Adam arched his brow, waiting for her to stop. It seemed that their girl only needed a bath and a home-cooked meal and she was chatty.

“I know you must be confused and that you have a lot of questions, but the answers will come in time.”

“Bullshit!” She jumped out of the chair and started pacing around the kitchen, and Adam tried hard to contain his grin. He looked over at Brandon, watching the spark that had been lost come back to life. “I’m not some delicate little flower. I’m not made of glass. Damn it…Conner did the same thing. I won’t be treated like that again. He kept me in the dark, trying to protect me, his words not mine.” She grumbled under her breath, and then she turned and stared at him with her big, brown eyes. She was right. She deserved the truth.

“Come here, baby.” She walked over to him reluctantly, dragging her feet. When she got closer, he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her closer. He put his arms around her, hoping that his answers wouldn’t terrify her. “I’ll answer your questions in the order you asked them. First, yes, we have three dads. The relationships around here are ménage relationships, between brothers and one female, their mate. I’m not sure why Conner didn’t bring you here. As the youngest brother, his job was to go out and find a mate that all of us could share. The plan now is to have a ceremony with you, Brandon, and I. We want to make you happy.”

* * * *

Chloe processed what Adam had just said. She let his words roll around in her mind. The only thing that really stuck out was the word “mate.” It kept coming up. Maybe it was an Alaska thing or a Russian thing. Either way it just didn’t make any sense. Conner was supposed to bring her back here, and he didn’t.

“Did he think I was weak? Did he think I would turn and run at the idea of a ménage relationship? Or…did he not think I would be agreeable and end our relationship?” She looked at Adam, staring into his eyes, searching for the truth.

“I don’t think he thought you were weak. We talked to him, at least once a week. We knew where he was. We were waiting for him to bring you home when he thought you were ready. Whatever his reasons, I’m just glad you’re here now.”

“We both are.” Brandon stepped up behind her, leaning his chest against her back, creating a warm blanket.

Chloe pulled away from them, feeling empty at once but needing the separation to clear her head. “I wish things could’ve been different. Who knows what would’ve happened if he had brought me sooner.” She walked to the doorway leading out of the kitchen. “I hope you both will be able to find your mate.” She left the kitchen, going back to Conner’s bedroom. She wanted to be alone, needed the space.

She couldn’t stop wondering why she was here, in this beautiful home, in Alaska. Why didn’t Conner bring her sooner? He must’ve thought she wasn’t good enough. They had their share of arguments. He kept so many secrets and treated her as if she was a child, but he always loved her. Chloe climbed back into the huge bed, getting comfortable under the covers.

If his family wanted the urn, she would let them have it. It was time for him to be home. Her mind was spinning, thinking about Conner, and now Brandon and Adam. Did they want her to stay for some sort of memorial ceremony? Is that why they were glad she was here? Or, could they actually want her, even though Conner wasn’t alive? She wanted to ask all those questions, but if she misunderstood their intent, it would be so embarrassing. She closed her eyes, enjoying the silence. The last things she remembered before falling asleep were the deep blue eyes that belonged to Adam and Brandon.

Chapter 5

“What just happened?” Brandon stepped back and stared at Adam. How could Chloe walk away from them? Didn’t she understand what her new role was going to be? They had been waiting for Conner to bring her home, waiting for all of them to claim her. Now that Conner was gone, it was time for the three of them to pull together. It was time for Chloe to become their mate and to become the Alpha female of their clan.

“I don’t think she understood what I said. I stayed vague on purpose. I thought that maybe Conner had said something, but it’s obvious that he never said anything. Let’s let her rest for now. Tonight, we’re having dinner here with some of the clan. She’ll know everything soon enough.” Adam got up and slapped him on the shoulder as he walked out of the kitchen, and Brandon assumed he went back to work in the office.

Brandon stood still, leaning against the counter, thinking of what might happen. In his mind, he dreamed about her accepting them, of her on her hands and knees in the forest, welcoming them into her body.

The ceremony was simple. The female was given a ten-minute head start to run through the forest. The males who wanted to claim her lined up and waited. More recently, the men were only the ones who were her actual mates, but sometimes another man would step up, wanting to have the woman for his own. It rarely happened, other men wanting to have a woman who was not his destined mate but thinking that they might never find the one meant for them. All unmated men were given the opportunity to join in the race to find her, to mount her, and have her welcome them into her body.

Tonight at dinner, they were expecting a big portion of the clan. This was the time that single men could come and meet Chloe. If the men wanted to participate, they could petition to Adam and be entered. Chloe would probably draw a few men besides Adam and himself. She was a beautiful woman, so the competition might become a bit fierce. Would she even agree to be a part of the ceremony? That question rolled around in his mind. If she didn’t, they might lose the chance of ever having a family.

Brandon walked out of the kitchen and down the hall. When he reached the room Chloe was in, he stopped and listened at the door. Knowing that she was inside the room, cuddled under the blankets, her warm body called to him. He didn’t want to wake her, but he felt like he was being pulled into the room to be near her. He opened the door and walked inside, watching to see if she moved. When she didn’t, he eased himself onto the bed. He sat there, watching her for a while, listening to her breath, and the rise and fall of her chest. She was so beautiful, her golden hair framing her perfect, little pixy face.

He slowly leaned down, needing to be closer to her, to feel her in his arms. He lay down and moved his body so that he could wrap himself around her. He didn’t move her. Instead he angled himself so that he could touch her. He laid his head on top of hers, leaning down and rubbing his nose in her silky hair. He inhaled deeply, taking in her unique scent of honeysuckle. He closed his eyes and smiled. One day she would belong to him, and he’d never let her out of his sight.

Chloe moved in his arms, turning until she faced him. She was still asleep and moved to get closer, seeking him. Brandon felt a spark ignite in his chest, and his chest squeezed until he could barely breathe. It felt right, holding her, being close like this. He decided that tonight he wouldn’t give any other men the opportunity to petition for her. She was theirs, and he would fight to keep it that way.

Brandon tightened his hold, pulling her against his chest until he felt her nipples grow hard against him. Even in sleep, she was responsive, and her body recognized him. He moaned deep in his chest when she moved. Putting one leg in between his, she moved around until she was comfortable, when her breathing evened out, Brandon shut his eyes, finally able to relax, knowing she was safe. He’d been dreaming about holding her for years, even before Conner left on his mission. Having his mate close made him happier than he’d been in so long. He felt peace wash over him. This was what he’d been waiting for, his Chloe.