Alpha Contender Boxed Set: BWWM Paranormal shifter romance BBW Page 10

  I squeak, because it’s ticklish. Tom’s eyes widen in anger and he glares at his brother. “Stop it, do you want everyone to get the wrong idea?”

  Tim takes his hands off me. “It was just one little kiss…the others got one…”

  “This is true,” Tom says. He takes a step forward, and I blush at his proximity as we come nose to nose.

  I can feel his heat, smell his scent, smoky and woodsy and attractive, feel my body reacting to him. He puts a hand up to lightly touch my face and then scans over my towel clad body with a long, slow glare.

  I should feel embarrassed. No one has seen me this naked, and I’m used to feeling self conscious. But the look in his eyes, the heated lust, the pure wanting, makes me feel attractive and beautiful. It’s a nice feeling, even if I do sort of want to get dressed and face them again with clothes.

  He tilts my chin up to look at me, and I can’t look away from those smoky gray eyes. “I guess it’s only fair.” He brings those soft, sculpted lips closer to mine, and I suck in a breath in anticipation.

  “Are these guys bothering you?” A male voice interrupts. I look over Tim’s shoulder to see Thor in the doorway, simmering with quiet anger.

  I swallow, and Tom’s face tightens in irritation before he turns around to face the lone shifter. “This isn’t your business.”

  “Oh, it’s very much my business. That’s my future mate right there,” Thor says.

  I raise an eyebrow and Tim laughs. “That’s some nice wishful thinking, but no. Not yet she’s not. Besides, we’re just taking what the others did. You can too, if you want. She seems fine with it.”

  Thor’s eyes meet mine, a silent question in them. He wasn’t the type I ever expected to come to my rescue, but I can’t say I’m not glad to see him.

  I pull my hair over my shoulder, covering the spot Tim kissed.

  Thor shakes his head. “Let her go get dressed.” He may act like an idiot a lot of the time, and he may think his abs are his best quality, but he also seems to have a code of conduct.

  Despite the fact that Tom was only planning one kiss, he seems determined not to back down now that Thor wants him to. “Make me.”

  Chapter 2

  Thor growls, and is about to charge forward when a tanned arm locks around his neck and hauls him back.

  “Easy, big guy,” Lock says, coming in front of his startled twin with a calm grin. “Alright friends, let’s let Misty go back to her room before Lindon ends up coming up here to kick some ass, right? After all, we’re all alpha males. We don’t need to resort to bullying to find willing females, do we?” he asks, a plain warning in his tone.

  Lock may look casual, with his soft red hair falling in layers around his face, and that easy smile he always wears. But there’s a fierce glint in his amber brown eyes that makes it clear he’s not one to be reckoned with.

  “Who said we were bullying?” Tim says sulkily, not moving out of my way.

  “What was someone saying about Lindon coming up here?” A familiar low voice growls from the doorway, and then I see Lindon’s face. “I swear, I can’t even sleep in without you idiots causing…” he stops when he pushes past the twins and locks eyes with me, and lets out a low growl as he takes in my state of undress.

  “Damn it, all of you get out of here! Now!” he shouts, clenching his hands into fists.

  “It’s our bathroom,” Tim grumbles, pouting. Tom just watches with silent eyes as Lindon rushes past them, scoops me up in his arms, keeping the towel tight to my legs, and carries me past all four males and out of the bathroom.

  “Hold on to my neck,” he says.

  I do, still shocked, watching wide-eyed as he carries me to my door, shifts my weight to open it with one hand, and puts me down on the bed inside. Then he rushes to the door and shuts it.

  When he looks back at me, I can see stress lines on his face, under his eyes, like he didn’t sleep well. He’s still as handsome as ever, but his short hair is mussed, his tee shirt crooked like he just stumbled out of bed, and his golden eyes are glaring angrily at me like this is all my fault. Like I was the one who chose to come to this madhouse.

  Well, I did agree, but it’s not like it was my idea. I didn’t set it up. I bite my lip and scoot back on the bed, covering myself with the towel.

  He sighs and turns away. “Get your clothes and get dressed.”

  “Um, they’re in the bathroom.”

  He huffs and shakes his head. “I’ll be right back.” The door shuts behind him, and before I can really process anything, he’s back in, a pile of clothing in his arms. He walks forward to toss my stuff on the bed in front of me, and stops, golden gaze locked on my shoulder.

  Where Tim kissed me. Shit.

  His eyes darken, narrowing to slits, and a muscle in his jaw works furiously. He drops the clothing on me and turns away without a word, storming to the door.

  “Lindon, what are you doing?” I say, trying to get off the bed quickly, but then tripping on my towel and going down with a squeak into a naked heap.

  The door bursts open, Thor behind it. “What are you doing to her? I heard a scream,” Thor says, pushing his way in with cold eyes. He sees me on the ground, scrambling to get my towel, and takes a surprised step back when he realizes Lindon wasn’t even close to me.

  Lindon’s face flicks from me to him in fury, and I can see the moment he decides he’s going to kill someone, and that someone is going to be Thor.

  “Wait!” I cry out, trying to stop him. “He didn’t do anything. In fact, earlier, he tried to save me.”

  Thor raises an eyebrow. “I wasn’t saving you. I was just defending my property.”

  Lindon takes a deep breath and shoves the other man out. “Just get out. Now.” He shuts the door and does the lock and turns to me, glowering.

  I stand slowly, not sure exactly why he’s so mad or who he’s mad at.

  He folds his arms and gestures to the mark. “Who did it? I’m gonna kill him.”

  “It’s just a kiss,” I snap. “Nothing more than you did.” His eyes flash at that, but I don’t care. “Now turn around, I’m tired of trying to talk to men while I’m naked.”

  He turns around, still silently seething, and I hurry to put on my clothes. When I’m dressed, he whips back around without even asking. I guess he could tell by the lack of movement.

  “So, now are you going to explain why I had to be woken by men arguing, and find you in another man’s bathroom surrounded by four hungry alpha males? I mean, I’m here to protect you but I fail to understand how even you can get into a situation that naively stupid.”

  Angry tears prick my eyes at that, and, not wanting to let him see them, I dive under the covers, fully clothed.

  I’m done with this stupid place, and all the overwhelming, irritating…

  A soft sigh, and then Lindon walks over and sits on the side of the bed. I’m facing away from him.

  “I’m sorry, okay? You scared me. Seeing you in there with all of them, I can’t explain how it scared me. I mean, something could have happened.” I hear his palm hit his face. “And then to look over, and see that something did happen.”

  “Just a kiss.”

  “He marked you. Don’t you know what that means?”

  “What?”

  “If any of the others see it, they’ll want to one up it. They’ll know. They’ll all be constantly trying to make sure they’ve done as much as the others.”

  “Why?” I ask.

  “One, because they’re horny. But two, because alpha males are very aware that their sexual prowess is a big aspect of what they have to offer, and they’d be eager to show you they’re just as capable as the next.”

  I swallow. “Oh. That explains a lot.”

  “And why weren’t you using your bathroom?” he asks.

  I freeze. “What do you mean?”

  He gestures to a door at the side of the room. “That connects to your bathroom.”

  “I didn’t know…” I say.<
br />
  “Aspen,” he growls, putting his palm over his face again and dragging it down slowly.

  “It’s not her fault. I just…it didn’t occur to me. I’ve never lived somewhere like this.”

  “Alright, well, now you know,” he says.

  “Yeah, it won’t happen again.”

  We sit in silence for a moment, him thinking pensively as he plays with a fluff from my comforter between two fingers. Then he tosses it aside. “And what’s up with Thor?” he asks, shaking his head. “Getting all protective over you. I thought he was the worst of all of them.”

  “Well, he did call me property.”

  That draws a small smile from Lindon, and I can see that adorable dimple popping up on his cheek. “Yeah, that he did. Damn, Misty. What are we going to do if none of them deserves you?”

  There’s a silent moment then, just looking at one another, and the pleasure of last night hovers between us, promising, worrying. Like it could happen again. Like I’d want it to.

  Judging by the way he’s eyeing me, by the anger and possession in his eyes as his gaze flicks from the mark on my neck to my lips, he’d like to as well.

  But we shouldn’t do that again. It just builds up false promises. Just begs for him to have to hurt me again.

  Then a soft knock sounds on the door.

  We both freeze, attention on the door. Another knock.

  “Hey Lindon, it’s Lock. Let me in. You know you can trust me.”

  Lindon sighs. “He is one of the more sane ones, I guess,” he mutters grumpily. “Fine, coming.”

  “I heard that,” Lock retorts happily. “And I’m flattered you think so.”

  Lindon just growls in response and opens the door. Lock holds up his hands in a placating gesture.

  “Look, I know you’re tired. I was thinking, maybe you could stay here, get a shower, make some breakfast for you and Misty, and I could take her out for a while.”

  Lindon stares at Lock, nearly exactly the same height as the other man. “How do I know I can trust you?”

  Lock scratches the back of his head bashfully. “Well, I mean, all I can give is my word. But who else can you trust more?”

  Lindon nods tersely, then turns to me. “Take your watch.” He turns back to Lock. “You going on your motorcycle?”

  Lock nods. “I thought it’d be fun.” He gives me a wink and I blush.

  “All right, as long as you keep to the back roads, where there are no cars,” Lindon says.

  Lock nods eagerly. “No problem.” He’s wearing a leather jacket that goes nicely with his tight jeans and liberal ear piercings. A bad boy with a heart of gold. Or maybe not a bad boy at all.

  “Okay,” Lindon says. “I’m going to go out then. Let Misty finish getting ready and she’ll come down to you.”

  Lock nods. “Maybe I’ll just wait outside the door. Preclude anymore trouble before we can get out of here.”

  Lindon nods, eyeing the man with new respect. He’s probably relieved to have someone else he can trust to help wrangle the impossible men all around him. He puts a hand on Lock’s arm as he goes out. “Take care of her. I’m trusting you.”

  Lock nods, and they go outside.

  I blush at the exchange, left alone in my room.

  I can’t forget Lindon’s eyes on my shoulder, the rage in them, the possessiveness that I’m not sure even he is aware of.

  I think it’s going to take a motorcycle to make me forget. I grin and pull out my makeup bag.

  -----

  “Wow, you look great,” Lock says, running his eyes up and down my body when I come out to meet him.

  I grin back at him. Today, I’m wearing my hair in a side ponytail and have light makeup on. Just foundation to even out my skin, some mascara, and a swipe of bright, reddish-pink lipstick to highlight what I think are pretty nice lips.

  Us chubby girls gotta highlight our…um, highlights?

  Speaking of which, the shirt I’m wearing is one I bought a while ago but never had the courage to wear. As a result it’s a little too small up top and shows a good deal of cleavage due to my awesome bra. It’s a tight, short sleeved wrap shirt, and goes well with the dark skinny jeans I pulled out.

  The sweater Rowan caught me in was my usual uniform at work. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t like to shop, didn’t like to try things on in my room and dream of a day when I had someone to wear them for. Now I have 10 someones to wear them for.

  Lock looks down at my shoes. “You want tennis shoes, probably.”

  “Hm, wouldn’t match my outfit,” I say, enjoying the click of my short, pointed heels as I go past him.

  He gives me a good natured swat on the butt, and I turn around in shock, having never had a hot guy swat me on the butt before.

  Still.

  I glare at him and he’s immediately apologetic, putting his hand to the back of his neck and looking down in the shy way he has of looking abashed when I get the feeling he really isn’t.

  “Sorry,” he says. “Habit.”

  “Habit?” I frown. “Where?”

  “Work. Nowhere.” He looks away from me. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. Lots of girls like it.”

  “Well, I like men who ask before they get handsy.”

  “Aw, but doesn’t that take the romance out of it?” he asks, winking at me.

  I shake my head and lead the way downstairs. “Consent is always the most romantic.”

  “What about for kisses? I thought women didn’t want men to ask them if they could kiss them.”

  I purse my lips. “I’ll have to think about it. But for now, keep your hands off my ass.”

  He nods and makes a mock salute that makes his soft, feathered hair swish. “Aye aye, ma’am.”

  I grin, unable to stay mad at him. Lindon and Fifi are in the kitchen, and we slip out past them, but not without Fifi giving me a wink and a mocking little smirk. I narrow my eyes at him but follow Lock out the front door.

  He walks to the garage, goes past it to a fenced off area, and opens the gate. “Ah, my beauty.”

  “I thought I was your beauty,” I joke.

  “Hm…” he runs his hand over the gleaming chrome. “Can I ride you?” he asks with a smirk.

  Damn, I like this guy. Witty banter is always welcome.

  “I don’t know,” I retort. “Depends if you can start my engine.”

  His grin widens and he steps forward, helmet in hand. “Baby, I could make you purr.”

  My mouth falls open and I just stand there staring, even as he sets a helmet in my hands and goes to the bike. He straddles it in one quick move and pulls out another helmet, which he puts on.

  I eye the bike warily. I’ve never been on one of these things. What keeps us from falling over?

  “Don’t worry,” he says. “I’ll take it easy if you’re new.”

  My face tightens. This is my adventure, no one is taking anything easy. I pull the helmet on and get on behind him, wrapping my hands around his firm chest and narrow waist, wincing at how good he feels.

  Calm down, girl. It’s just a motorcycle ride. “No going easy,” I say. “Take me for a ride, cowboy.”

  He laughs and pulls the handle, making the engine roar to life. “Your wish is my command. Hold tight.”

  I swallow, close my eyes, and hold on, linking both hands around his waist. He leans forward, helps me position my feet in the right places, and when I say I’m ready, we go.

  First slowly, down the driveway, and when we turn to go up the road that curves up toward the hills behind the house, he hits the gas and we zoom out and away from the house.

  The wind hitting us is amazing, completely different from being in a car, and it’s a little disorienting the way the bike forces you to lean when you hit curves.

  Speaking of curves, it feels so right to have my arms around him like this. My soft chest pressed to the rock hard muscles of his back while I can feel his six pack even underneath his jacket. I kind of want to move up and fee
l his pecs, feel whatever I can while I have an excuse to, but I don’t dare let go, as we take another hairpin turn at a speed that feels incredible to me.

  “Eep,” I say, as the bike leans, making me feel dangerously close to the ground.

  “You’re safe,” he yells. “I got you.”

  I smile and hold tight, knowing I can trust him. There’s just something about Lock. Maybe the way he calmed everything down in the bathroom, maybe that easy smile, or the way Lindon trusts him.

  Regardless…I can seriously picture myself choosing this man.

  At the same time, I remember our kiss, and that dominant flash in his eyes that makes me think there’s more to this man than his polite friendliness and humorous banter.

  Like how he can make you melt inside when he kisses you.

  We take another turn and I close my eyes, feeling slightly nervous, maybe even a little bit nauseated. I feel the bike slow down and look up to see that we’re in front of a fence where the road turns onto a dirt road.

  Lock puts up the kick stand and gets of the bike, steadying me to make sure I’m okay, and opens the fence. He walks me and the bike through it, then shuts it behind us.

  “Want to go off-road a little?” he asks.

  I grin, trying to hide the queasiness. “Um…”

  “I know you aren’t feeling too great. It’s all those stupid turns, since Lindon won’t let me take you on main roads.”

  I nod.

  “But that’s why we just gotta go a little further and I’ll have something nice to show you.”

  I smile and nod, wrapping my arms around him again. No problem there. I love having an excuse to do it.

  We stop again, not far from the fence, atop a rolling hill overlooking the mansion. There are mountains even further back, but this is high enough for now.

  Lock gets off and puts a hand out for me, lifting me down from the motorcycle and catching me in his arms when I stumble.

  Damn, alpha males are so wonderful. I brace myself on his forearms and look up at him. His light brown eyes are warm in the morning sun. He bites his full lower lip. It’s pigmented and goes nice with his tanned skin. I eye his lips.