Snared (2 page)

Indecision flickered in her eyes, and Rogan nearly jumped for joy.

Tayen sighed and leaned back against the counter, her fingers twitching nervously. God, she was beautiful. With flowing, chestnut hair that cascaded down her back, and delicate features set in a perfectly shaped face, she was more than tempting. Her petite frame was accentuated by lean muscles and girlish curves, which gave the impression of tightly coiled strength just waiting to pounce. The entire imagery made him feel as if he was looking at a wild animal, whose beauty and grace hid lethal claws hidden beneath a tranquil façade.

She cleared her throat, swallowing uneasily. “You both know I’m technically on call until midnight. If there’s an emergency, I’d have to come back immediately. And I just got back the results from the blood samples I sent in regarding what kind of poison nearly killed the Mayor’s dog.” A smile tugged at her lips as she looked at him. “But if it’s any consolation, I washed my hair this morning.”

Rogan heard Quinn curse under his breath as the man joined them near the back of the clinic. His eyes were narrowed and Rogan sensed the man’s impatience.

Quinn stuffed his hands in his pockets, his gaze never leaving Tayen’s. “Okay, let’s cut through all the bullshit and get to the bare facts. Do you really think we thrive on asking the same woman out, month after month, only to get turned down? Do you think we’d keep asking if we didn’t believe there was something special going on?” He strode forward, trapping her between his arms as he palmed the counter on either side of her waist. “You can joke about this and hide from it if you like, but you can’t deny there’s a connection between us that doesn’t come along every day.”

Rogan watched as Quinn sighed and rested his forehead on Tayen’s, his breath fluttering the wisps of hair around her face. She closed her eyes, and for a moment, Rogan thought Quinn had finally broken through, but she snagged her lip instead and crossed her arms over her chest.

Quinn eased back, giving Rogan a pleading look as he moved beside him. Rogan didn’t need to say anything. He already knew what the other man was thinking. After years of fighting their desire to share women, they’d finally come to terms with their unique situation and had thought Tayen might be the one woman to fulfill both their needs. But her continual avoidance had just about destroyed any hope of convincing her they were worth the risk.

Tayen looked away before taking a deep breath and meeting Quinn’s gaze. She attempted a smile as she pushed herself off the counter and took a step toward them. “It’s not as simple as you think it is.”

Quinn motioned to Rogan. “Is it because there are two of us? Are you too freaked out to consider something others might consider…unorthodox?”

Tayen shook her head. “It’s not that.”

Quinn threw his hands up. “Then what?”

Tayen snorted in seeming annoyance and stomped one foot on the floor. “Let’s just say that things aren’t always what they appear to be.”

Rogan stepped forward, knowing it was now or never. “Then let’s make it perfectly clear. Quinn and I want to take you out to dinner. After that, we’re hoping that things will follow the natural progression. But make no mistake. We aren’t looking for a quick threesome—fuck you one night then forget your name the next. We want you…in our lives. Hell, after two years as friends, I’d like to think we’ve earned a bit more respect than thinking we’re out for a one-night stand.”

Something akin to pain flashed in her eyes, and an inkling of fear raised the hairs on the back of his neck. He eased forward and reached for her hand, relieved when she closed her fingers over his.

He smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “We’ll take it slow, if that’s what you need. We’re talking dinner…you know, a burger and fries. Maybe some cheesecake for dessert. Then we’ll walk you back here, where we’ll see you safely inside before we go home. No pressure, no expectations.”

Tayen pursed her lips together, and he had to will his body to stay rooted to the spot and not leap forward to take those perfectly pouted lips with his. She must have performed some kind of surgery on an animal this afternoon because he could still smell the light scent of soap along her arms.

He gave her his best smile. “Come on, doc. Even a vet needs to eat.”

She cocked her head, glancing at Quinn over his shoulder. A long sigh filled the room and she shook her head, rolling her eyes in the process. “I suppose I could go for a burger and fries.” She squeezed his hand. “Just let me get—”

Her words were cut off by a blast of static from Quinn’s radio. Rogan cursed and turned to his friend, but Quinn’s face already spoke volumes. The man grunted then palmed the radio, speaking into the mic with a grating tone that was impossible to miss.

Another wave of static filled the room before a voice reverberated through the device. “Sorry to bug you boys, Quinn, but we just got a report of some explosions going off at Faller Creek. A recreational rider out on his ATV said he saw a couple of men down at the river. He thinks they’re setting off dynamite…in the river.”

“Oh for the love of God.” said Quinn. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“It could be those poachers you two have been trying to track down.”

Quinn sighed and looked at Rogan. Rogan could only laugh. They finally get Tayen to say yes, and they have to ditch her to track down a couple of wayward hunters. He gazed over at her, unsure if it was relief or disappointment in her eyes.

She gave them a sympathetic smile and motioned toward the door with her hand. “Go. You know your minds will be dwelling on the job if you think about doing anything else. I’ll take a rain check.”

Quinn slammed his free hand down on the counter as he pressed the button on the mic. “We’re on our way. Send the coordinates to the truck’s GPS and we’ll see if we can finally catch these creeps.” He was still mumbling under his breath as he stalked toward the door, pausing when he reached the threshold. He turned back, his gaze narrowed on Tayen. “Don’t think for one second this changes your decision. You said ‘yes’ and we’re holding you to that…dinner for three.”

Tayen nodded, though Rogan could see the apprehension in her eyes. He knew she was attracted to them, it was the one reason they’d kept asking her out, but there was something keeping her from jumping in. And he’d bet a month’s worth of pay it wasn’t her fear over a threesome. It was something much deeper…

He joined Quinn at the door, smiling back at her as he opened it. He’d already walked through when her voice stopped him.

“Be careful.”

Quinn nudged him in the ribs as they both stared at her.

“We will,” said Rogan before adding, “is that really what you wanted to say?”

She toed the floor, looking as if she couldn’t decide whether to say more or just dart away. Finally, her gaze met theirs again. “I’m not what you think I am.”

“Right. You’re not smart, funny, beautiful, charming, compassionate…you’re a complete mystery.”

“Not that, Rogan. I mean…I’m different.”

Rogan smiled. “Then I guess we’ll just have to discover all your secrets for ourselves.” He saluted as he turned to leave. “Stay dry, darling. Looks like there’s another storm on the way…guess this month is living up to its name of Thunder Moon. We’ll be by tomorrow.” He blew her a kiss as he closed the door, the distant rumble of thunder mirroring his displeasure. He glanced at Quinn, knowing his friend was thinking the same thing—God help the poachers if they got anywhere near them tonight.

Chapter Two

Tayen walked across the room and leaned against the closed door, praying her knees wouldn’t completely buckle. The air seemed suddenly thin, leaving her feeling slightly lightheaded. What the hell had she just done? She inhaled, instantly infused with the scent of both men. Earthy spice mixed with a delicious male musk was clearly Rogan, where Quinn was more wintery pines and alpine meadows enriched with a hint of summer rain. They were definitely fire and ice, alike but distinctly different, which was probably the reason she’d never been able to choose between them, not that they’d ever asked her to.

“Oh, my God.”

The reality of their meeting hit her, and she slid down the door, her ass skipping across the hard wood. She’d said yes…actually accepted their invitation out to dinner, knowing full well where they hoped it would end.

She palmed her face in her hands, wishing a hole would open up and swallow her. This was it. Either she jumped in and revealed her unique ability, or she spent the rest of her life alone. She knew the boys would never forgive her if she bowed out now. She’d crossed a line that had quickly disappeared, and now she was left balancing on the edge until she found a way to tell them she wasn’t all girl.

Right. How the hell do I tell them I can shift into a bobcat? Hey boys, do you like cats? No, what about—kitten isn’t just a pet name…

She groaned and shook her head. It just wasn’t something that came up in idle conversation. Hell, in any conversation. And even if she did tell them, there wasn’t any guarantee they’d believe her. Chances were they’d either think she was joking, or more likely, that she was crazy. It was an impossible situation with few viable solutions short of dragging them somewhere secluded and changing in front of them.

Tayen winced. Would they still want to be with her once they’d witnessed her body change? To her, it felt as if it only lasted a moment—human one second, cat the next. But to an onlooker, would they see her muscles shift and her bones contract? Would fur suddenly sprout from her skin as her ears ghosted out from her head and her nose grew into a snout? And what about her tail?

“I think that takes the meaning of getting some tail a bit far.”

A near hysterical laugh bubbled free as she pushed to her feet and headed to the back, grabbing her keys off the hook. Though she’d been ready to lock up when the boys had arrived, the thought of going home now, by herself, only increased the tight feeling in her chest. She sighed, feeling completely out of control as she checked the clinic one last time, straightening papers and stacking some files on her desk. Time ticked away in the background, yet she found it hard to leave. Finally, after ensuring the animals were still secure for the night, she headed for the door linking the clinic to rest of her house. She turned the handle, wondering how she’d spend the night, when her scanner hissed near the back of the room.

Tayen paused, glancing back at the small device as mumbled voices crackled through the air. She turned slightly, listening closely as more intermittent words interrupted the static.

“Roger base…at…river. Suspects…run…heavy casualties…”

The words were difficult to make out, but she couldn’t miss the agitated tone in Quinn’s voice. He clearly didn’t like what he’d found. She cursed, fisting one hand at her side when his voice broke through again.

“Rogan’s heading east along the river…trying to head them off…”

Tayen gripped the receiver, holding it closer so she could make out more of his words.

“In pursuit…armed—”

A loud screech echoed through the scanner, making Tayen jump back. A sharp pain spiked through her ear, but it quickly faded as the tone died, leaving an eerie silence in the room. She dropped the small unit and began pacing, conflicting emotions warring within her. The thought of Quinn and Rogan facing down armed poachers made her stomach roll. Though she knew they were more than capable of handling themselves, just knowing they could get shot sent a cold shiver down her spine.

She stopped, a deep-rooted need to protect her mates settling over her. All doubt faded into nothing more than the constant thrumming of her pulse as she removed her clothes, folding them on a nearby chair. She took one last breath before allowing her body to shift. Bones shortened and thickened as she fell forward, paws hitting the cool wood. Her claws ticked against the floor as she shook her head, ears unfurling on her head just as a stubby tail flicked to life on a gentle swoosh. Whether she was ready to acknowledge her connection to the boys or not, her inner cat’s feelings were clear.

Tayen dashed to the adjoining door and leaped up the stairs, heading for her bedroom. Silky drapes billowed in the steady breeze, shading the open window. She took one last glance back before jumping to the yard below and scenting the air. Their combined scent lit up the evening, showing her the way as clearly as if she were staring at a map. Determination coiled tight in her belly as she gave a quick yip and disappeared into the growing dusk.

* * * *

Quinn Harrington ran along the trail, following Rogan’s dim form. The other man was several yards ahead of him, darting back and forth through branches and bushes that spilled over the small path. They’d caught sight of two men at the river’s edge shortly after winding their way down to the water, but the guys had bolted the instant Quinn and Rogan broke clear of the underbrush.

Their only choice had been to pursue the poachers and try to cut them off before they reached their vehicle. But it wasn’t easy. The gathering storm blew branches across their path and the near darkness made tracking next to impossible. But Rogan had somehow managed to stay with them and Quinn could only hope the situation didn’t turn ugly.