Ridin' Red Read online

  For a moment it looked as if he would defy what she asked and then he growled and yanked the door open. “Anastasia, if you change your mind you know where to find me. I’ll be at the club. I’ve already spoken with Doc Fairee, so you’d be allowed there again as my guest.”

  “You’ll be waiting forever, Luc. I won’t step foot in that place again.”

  To Lucien’s credit, he didn’t say anything more; he closed the door behind him and left.

  Chapter Three

  Lucien left Anastasia’s hotel room and entered the dark hotel parking structure more determined than ever to make her his and Bruno’s mate. When he’d told her to leave and never come back it had been because he thought he was saving her. He wasn’t human, and he wasn’t quite animal. To live between both realms of existence had been hard for him. He hadn’t come to terms with it, and telling her to go was what he’d thought best.

  He’d been very inaccurate in his thinking. The laws and physics of his attraction to her hadn’t just been lust. It had been so much more, a melding of souls. In having sex with her before, he’d bound her to him, starting the ritual of mating that must be completed. Having had sex with her, his DNA and hers had bonded, sealing their fate. She was his more than she’d ever realize. He’d been looking for ways to stop the process all this time.

  It was the one thing he’d hope to be able to give her. There was no way scientifically possible to stop their bonding. It was irrevocable, just as his bond was with Bruno. Their need for a mate to consummate into their relationship was fast approaching. The pain that all three would go through the closer they got to that date was going to be hard to cover up, if they didn’t spend that time together.

  He got into his black SUV and leaned his head back on the car seat, closing his eyes. When the sound of a throat clearing broke through his silence, he didn’t open his eyes.

  “Did you talk to her? Is she willing?” Bruno Hunter questioned in hushed tones as if there were someone in the darkened structure that could hear them.

  It would be actually quite funny if the situation wasn’t so serious.

  “Yes, I saw her, and no, she isn’t willing.” He rubbed his hand over his face. He needed to think.

  “We need her.”

  “Yes, we need her Bruno.” Even to himself he sounded gruff. Turning his head, he gave Bruno his full attention.

  “I more than anyone realize how much we need her, Bruno. I set this in motion, and I will make it right. I promise.” He wasn’t sure how he could promise anything, but he did it just the same. As much as Ana held his heart, so did Bruno. He’d do anything for the both of them.

  The first time he’d met Bruno it had been at the club when he’d hired on to be the bartender. Lucien had a hard and fast rule of not dating anyone he worked with. Playing with them? That was another story. His dealing with Bruno had started as a tryst. He hadn’t wanted to get close to anyone after Ana. Before he knew it, Bruno had snuck into his bed and then his heart. The sex between them was explosive, as they were both alpha males and that streak couldn’t be tamped down.

  “You’re tense, Luc. Let me release some of that tension for you.”

  Lucien knew full well what that meant. He’d give him a blowjob, one that was quick and fast, meant to satisfy him in this moment and get him through to the next. Bruno brought his hands down and undid the zipper of Lucien’s jeans. He freed Lucien’s thick cock from the confines of those pants and groaned.

  “Bruno, you don’t have to do this.”

  “Oh believe me, I know I don’t have to do it. I want to though. It’s been hours since I had your cock in my mouth. You’re all wound up. What kind of mate would I be not to fix that if I can?” Bruno used his free hand to cup Lucien’s balls then dipped his head to lick his tongue over the weeping tip.

  “Mm, nothing like car sex to release some testosterone.”

  “This is for you. Relax and enjoy this.” When Bruno gave another long swipe of his tongue over the head of his cock, Lucien hissed in pleasure. This wasn’t just sex; this was pure unadulterated need.

  Unable to resist, he gripped the back of the other man’s head, forcing him to take more of his cock into his mouth. Bruno could take a lot. Luc had been with him long enough to know what his limits were along with his fetishes. Bruno prized himself as a connoisseur of cock and damn if he didn’t prove it each time.

  The long swipe of Bruno’s tongue along his shaft and the tightening grip was a sure way to get him to come hard and fast. The alpha rose in him, and he started fucking Bruno’s mouth, he pushed more and more of his cock into that willing mouth until he was hitting the back of Bruno’s throat. Like a champ, Bruno took all of him and gave all of himself.

  “Fuck!” He came hard, his cum spurting into Bruno’s mouth, and the man took it in stride, sucking harder and drinking down every last bit of cream that flowed until he’d sucked Lucien dry. Lucien sagged back against the seat, swallowing hard to try to get his breathing back under control. All the while Bruno readjusted Lucien’s pants and moved back into his seat as if nothing had happened. Fuck, he loved him.

  “Better?” Bruno questioned.

  “Much better, thank you, B.”

  “I’d say ‘my pleasure’, but that went both ways.”

  “That it did.”

  “Now I’m sure you’re a bit more focused.”

  “Unquestionably.”

  Lucien reached over and stroked Bruno’s cheek. Looking into eyes as blue as his own, he could feel the wolf just beneath the surface calling to his. Bruno was of biracial descent, a striking male with olive-toned skin and a body that was rock hard and drool-worthy. Anyone would want him, but Lucien had been blessed to have him.

  “She doesn’t know about me, does she?”

  “No, it would have been too much to drop on her at once. She just now found out my true nature. She was afraid, but we were together a long while and I did her no harm. I think that’s what softened the blow.”

  Bruno nodded his head.

  “From what I’ve seen of her, we have our work cut out for us. She was quite a spitfire at the club a few weeks ago.”

  “True, but most of that has to do with being led around by her sister Drusilla and my ill treatment of her. I should’ve kept her with me.”

  “Luc, looking back like that isn’t going to change anything. When we get her back, you can apologize then.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you, B. I love you.”

  “I feel the same about you, and let’s hope you never have to think about doing without me.”

  Luc dipped his head in agreement, righted himself in the seat, and then started the car. He had to speak with Doc Fairee. It was time to get the man of magic in on this. Everything Doctor Fairee touched turned to gold; he wanted the same to happen with his, Ana’s and Bruno’s lives.

  “Where we headed?” Bruno said.

  “Going to go and see Fairee. If anyone can help it would be him, right along with Felipe. The club isn’t just for everyone else; we can find our wishes too. I found you there … didn’t I?” They both chuckled.

  “True, you did hit the mother lode when you found me.” Bruno’s tone was teasing.

  “That I did, that I did.”

  “I can smell her on you. If it were anyone else, I’d be pissed.”

  “You’re not pissed off because she’s our other part. Through her scent you can smell the connection.”

  “How long do we have, Luc?”

  “We have until her birthday to claim her as our own.” He didn’t divulge how much time that gave them. Bruno was a smart man and picked up on that point.

  “Which is when, Lucien?”

  “We have until the end of the month, which is a week from now and then it’s her birthday. We have to claim her before or on that day.”

  “To Fairee’s it is.”

  He recognized no matter what Bruno had his back and in this, their cause, it wasn’t any different.

&n
bsp; “If anyone can help us, it would be him.”

  “I don’t disagree at all, Luc. I’m with you on this.”

  Lucien’s cell rang. He pushed a button on the car’s stereo so he could take the call through Bluetooth. He tapped on the speaker, as he had nothing to hide from Bruno.

  “Lucien.”

  “Lucien, my boy, glad I got ahold of you.” The voice of Doctor Godwin Fairee filled the vehicle.

  “Damn, Doc, you must be psychic. I was just heading your way.”

  “Oh yes, I had a feeling that you needed me. Is it time to bring your fantasy into the light?”

  He glanced at Bruno, and Bruno shrugged his shoulders. There was a look of disbelief on this face as well. He put his eyes back on the road.

  “Bruno and I need you to work your magic. Anastasia is resistant to regular persuasion. You’d offered the use of the club, and we wish to take that avenue. I know I said I wanted to try to go the normal route. Well, the situation is anything but normal.”

  “I’ve already spoken with Felipe. The club is yours to use. As it is with everyone, just fill out the proper paperwork and everything will be nice and tidy.”

  “We have a matter of needing to have everything done within a certain time frame.”

  “I remember. Say nothing more. Your wish is my command.” The old man chuckled, and then the phone went dead.

  “If anyone can do it … Fairee can,” Bruno said in a reassuring voice.

  “Exactly.”

  “How do you think he’ll do it, Luc?”

  “I don’t know. It’s like you said, though, if anyone can do it, Fairee can.” There was no need to head to Fairee’s now, so he whipped the car back around and headed for home. He needed a run and was quite certain that Bruno could do with one too. He wouldn’t worry about how or why she got there. He knew it would be done. The old man discerned wishes and had enough balls to see them through.

  Chapter Four

  Her feet and back ached. Manual labor was definitely something she hadn’t been used to. She was actually starting to like it. Her sister Dru thought she was crazy, wondering how she could even possibly like such demeaning work as vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning toilets.

  She’d of course told Drusilla that it was an honest pastime and she was now truly being a productive member of society. There was nothing like working for a living to make you appreciate everything you had. Why it took her this long she didn’t know, but she needed to speak with Cinda and to thank her.

  She looked up from wiping down some desks that were in the office she was currently cleaning and gasped. A large black man with the prettiest eyes she’d ever seen stood in the doorway.

  “Sorry, little lady, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Damn, his voice was deep and sexy too. The baritone sent shivers along her spine. She hadn’t thought anyone could make her instantly wet but Lucien. She was wrong, very wrong.

  “How did you get in here? No one else is supposed to be in here.” Her voice was accusatory, and she stood, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “You didn’t lock the door.”

  “Oh.” How stupid of her.

  “I’m not going to hurt you. I have a message to give you.”

  “A message?”

  “Yes, Cinda and Nico wanted you to know that you need to come to the club in order to get your stipend. There was a problem with the bank transfers. They’re not sure what it is. I was sent to give you that info.”

  “Okay … why couldn’t she call me or just tell me that herself?” She frowned. None of this was making any sense to her. Why would she have to basically go back to the scene of the crime, as it were?

  “I wanted to see the infamous Anastasia who drank all the drinks I made that night then destroyed everything in her path.” He had a smirk on his beautiful full lips. She wanted to nibble on that bottom lip. Her reaction to him was shocking. The pull towards a man who was a stranger was odd yet exhilarating.

  “Wait, you were there that night?”

  “Yes, I work for Felipe. I’m the bartender there. My name is Bruno Hunter.” He held his hand out to her, and she slowly moved forward and placed her smaller hand into his. The tingles started from where his hand held hers and went straight to her clit. She gulped. Sex on a fucking stick.

  When he removed his hand from hers, a golden card rested in her hand. She held the card up to her face. It was like the card they’d found in Cinda’s room. Once Upon a Dream Fantasies: Once the door is open all dreams come true. Step inside.

  Quickly she flipped it over. On the other side was the image of two wolves. Two? Two wolves? Her head was spinning, and none of what was happening was making sense other than she knew she had to go get the money she was due and speak to Cinda. Why else would she go there? Lucien. Lucien also worked at the club. The card shimmered with a strange gilded light, and before her eyes the wolves disappeared and her face appeared.

  She gasped, her voice hitching and the hand that held the card trembling. “What’s this about?”

  “Come to the club and find out, Anastasia Trumane.”

  “I don’t think I’m welcomed there.” She’d said that more to herself.

  “You wouldn’t have that card if you weren’t.”

  “I don’t think I can go. Tell Cinda I’ll get the money from them next month. I don’t need it right now.” That was the truth, and she was sticking to it. She’d been smart and saved some money. So she didn’t have to get the income just yet.

  “What a shame. I was hoping to see you there.” His eyes were twinkling, and damned if she didn’t want to do anything he asked.

  “Why’d you want to see me?”

  “Why not? Just think about it? There’s nothing a few stiff ones can’t handle.”

  Heat filled her face at the imagery those words aroused. His expression let in on the fact that he could tell what she was thinking.

  “Drinks, Ana … I meant drinks.”

  “Oh, okay. Let me think about it.” She licked her lips, and she watched his eyes shift to her mouth.

  “You do that, and I’ll let you get back to work.” Before she could stop him, he’d grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it gently, and then he was gone.

  She was scared. Not about seeing Cinda, but about going to the club and stepping through the door. There were two wolves there waiting, and she sensed for certain one of those wolves was Lucien.

  ****

  Damn. Lucien was right. With just a touch, he’d wanted to pin Anastasia against the nearest wall and fuck her ‘til they were both senseless. She was beautiful, and his desire to take her as well as protect her was high.

  When Doc Fairee had approached them with the way to get her back into the club, he’d stated one of them had to go. Bruno had volunteered. Both he and Lucien realized if Luc had shown up that at this point it would send her in the other direction. The wolf in them both wanted her to run, but the human sides knew that this situation demanded finesse. Finesse and a bit of flirt, as Lucien put it; it was everything that Bruno possessed.

  Dialing Lucien’s number, he waited for him to pick up. He’d promised to report back to him to let him know how it went.

  “Talk to me.” Fuck, he loved Luc’s voice.

  “She’s perfect for us. She had just the right amount of sass to go along with intelligence.”

  “That she is. How’d everything go?”

  “There’s a bit of resistance there, but I think she’s intrigued enough to come.”

  “Tell me you picked up the connection.”

  “Picked up? Hell, I’m throbbing right now. My wolf doesn’t want to play nice.”

  “Get home.” He heard the warning in Lucien’s voice. Lucien would understand that his wolf was fighting for dominance to take their mate.

  “See you in a few.” He hung up the cell and tossed it into the passenger seat.

  His hands tightened on the steering wheel as his wolf tried to go back in
and claim what it knew belonged to them. It wasn’t easy. His wolf almost won out. It wouldn’t take anything to go back in and take her. The thought, though delicious and intriguing, wasn’t a viable option. This must be what Lucien has been feeling ever since coming back into contact with Ana.

  What helped him get through was that Bruno was there and able to ease the tension for him. Fuck, his jeans were tight. He reached down and adjusted his cock so that he was more comfortable. He had to get home; he needed Lucien in a bad way. Their bond, as with anything, always had to be maintained.

  Chapter Five

  The steam from the shower was working wonders at loosening up the tension running through both of their bodies. Lucien had smelled Ana on Bruno, and they were at each from the minute Bruno had stepped through the doorway.

  Lucien drew Bruno close then pushed him up against the tiles facing away from him. Bruno growled his wolf, and Lucien could feel it trying to come to the surface. He growled back.

  “Soon we’ll have her.” Lucien pressed his body into Bruno’s, his cock slipping between those perfect ass cheeks. He gave an answering growl.

  “It took everything in me to leave.”

  “I know.” He placed kisses on Bruno’s shoulders, wrapping one hand to take Bruno’s cock in his grasp, he squeezed. The guttural groan that Bruno emitted made Lucien’s cock twitch. He slid his hand along that wet shaft and started stroking Bruno firmly. With each pull on Bruno’s cock, Lucien bit hard on his shoulder.

  “Fuck, you’re going to make me spill.”

  “That’s the plan, lover. To make you lose control. Put your hands palm down on the tile.” When Bruno would have defied him, Lucien clamped his teeth down onto his shoulder, keeping him in place. Bruno put his hands on the shower wall, if a bit reluctantly.

  Releasing his shoulder, he said, “That’s it, B. Take what I have to give you.”

  “Fuck, Lucien. I want you inside me, not your hand jerking me the fuck off.”

  “You’ll get that, soon. Right now … you’re going to take everything I give you. We’re not going to fuck fully until we have our other mate with us.”