Urgent Seduction [Seducing Them 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  He settled on saying, “I think we might have some interests in common. Why don’t we grab some beer and talk for a while?”

  “That’s fine by me.”

  They walked over to the long trestle table set up near the barbecue pit. Everyone had bought food and beverages to share, and the table was almost groaning under the weight of tubs filled with ice and packed with water, soda, beer, and iced tea. They each grabbed a longneck, and then Reuben took a huge slice of watermelon in his other hand. That seemed like a good idea to Stone, so he did the same, and then they walked away from the crowds to the edge of a large open area where the young people had been playing ball games.

  Stone thought it was far enough away to talk reasonably privately, yet it didn’t look as if they were being secretive but, rather, as if they were watching the children play.

  He swallowed a big gulp of beer and then said, “Forest seems to have gotten his head on straight at last. He and Nyander and Chloe look as though they’re going to be able to find their happy ending after all.”

  “If they haven’t already mated, they’re about to. Chloe doesn’t say much about her private life, but we all knew she was hoping he’d worked out the difference between caring for her and smothering her. Mind you, it took Tekoa years to get that concept sorted as well. It must be a disease of the firstborn or something.”

  Stone laughed. “All those responsibilities that fall on the oldest kid. Perhaps there is some advantage to being the second youngest after all.”

  “Actually, I’m the second oldest, but I take your point.”

  So much for small talk. Stone looked straight into Reuben’s face. “I saw you looking at Indigo Windsor.”

  “She’s been friends with Chloe for a very long time. But because we live a hell of a long way out in the desert, they don’t see each other much. Indigo has visited our farm once or twice a year for years, but the women stick together, do girl stuff, while the rest of us work the farm like normal. I mean, I saw her at suppertime and stuff, but… She’s always been cute, but…”

  Stone nodded. “She’s sure as hell all grown up and nicer than cute now. I’d never met her until a couple of days ago. One thing I know, though, is that I want to get to know her better.”

  “I do, too. The Supreme Alpha supports ménages. I understand completely that with so few female shape-shifters I’ll likely have to share my woman. But that means equal shares. Not a primary and a secondary partner, but two equals.”

  Stone tried to camouflage the relief that surged through him. “I agree. Equal sharing. We date her together, always both of us present. And then we can decide if she is what we want. As long as she agrees to date us, of course. There’s a whole lot of other men here who will likely be looking for their mate as well.”

  Stone shivered. They were standing in the blazing heat of the summer desert sun, but the thought that Indigo might not like them and might refuse to even talk to them was very scary.

  “In that case, let’s not waste any time. Let’s go talk to her now.” Reuben turned and headed back to the gathering area. Stone followed him.

  * * * *

  Reuben had only one thought in his mind, to find Indigo and to get to know her properly as fast as possible. He wanted her to remember him as Chloe’s brother, to trust him, and be prepared to spend time with him. He wasn’t sure if that was a logical attitude or not, bearing in mind how little attention he’d paid to her over the years, but all he could do was hope it’d give him and Stone a slight advantage over all the other wolves at the gathering.

  Reuben saw Indigo was in the barbecue area, standing at the long table. Likely she was collecting a drink or a snack. He cut across the hard-packed sandy dirt directly toward her, Stone by his side all the way. They dropped their empty longnecks and watermelon rinds into the trash can, and then Reuben edged his way between some people so he’d be opposite her at the table. He had to admire Stone’s fast thinking. It was almost as if they were joined together. Stone didn’t miss a step and was right there with him.

  “Hi, Indigo. How are you doing?” he asked.

  She looked up into his eyes and smiled. Damn she was lovely. “Hi there, Reuben. Hi, Stone. Do you know each other?”

  “We met yesterday. We both joined the Alpha’s early morning hunting party,” said Stone.

  Reuben nodded, but that was mighty fast thinking by Stone. They certainly hadn’t talked to each other then. Actually no one much had talked at all until afterward. They were all too focused on their task of catching some critters. And what’s more, until right then, he wouldn’t have been prepared to swear which Wishram brother had come hunting. They all looked quite alike even though once he got to know them he’d probably discover they were all very different. But yesterday he hadn’t been bothered about which of them was which. Now it was important to him, and it was good to know both he and Stone liked hunting. That was something else they had in common.

  “We wondered if you’d like to join us for a while, and we could talk. Get to know each other better, as the Alpha suggested.” He thrust his hands deep in his pockets so he wouldn’t fidget while he waited for her to answer. But her face was open, and she was smiling, so at least she didn’t hate the idea.

  “Sure.”

  “What would you like to drink?” asked Stone.

  “Just water, thank you.” She grabbed a bottle out of one of the ice-filled containers on the table.

  “Let’s get some food as well,” he suggested. It wasn’t that he was hungry. It would be lunchtime soon enough. But it’d give him something to do with his hands as they talked.

  Reuben watched what she chose, eager to learn her tastes. Choosing water to drink didn’t tell him much. This was the desert, and everyone here learned at birth to drink water whenever it was available and never to move from home without carrying fresh water. It made him laugh sometimes when he saw city office workers in cold climates carefully carrying a bottle of water when they walked from their desk to a meeting inside the same building. But here, in the desert, that bottle of water could save a person’s life.

  Indigo walked along the table laden with food and stopped beside a closed container. She tore a sheet of paper towel off a roll beside the box, opened the lid, and carefully laid three finger sandwiches on the paper before closing the lid again and checking it was shut tightly.

  Reuben blinked. Sandwiches? She chose sandwiches? There were all sorts of delicious snacks laid out, more than even he could hope to taste properly today, and she chose sandwiches? He’d expected her to pick out a cupcake or a cookie or something with chocolate. Clearly she wasn’t a predictably girly girl.

  He took another giant slice of watermelon. The first one had been sweet, lush, and utterly delicious. He tucked his second longneck under his arm so he could use his now free hand to grab a blueberry muffin, and then he and Stone led Indigo over to a group of chairs not too close to other people. Not that he expected them to be talking secrets but just to give some slight sense of privacy.

  Once they sat down, their chairs in a triangle shape so they could all see each other’s faces, Reuben grinned at Indigo. “Why did you choose to eat sandwiches? We’ll be having lunch and sensible food soon enough. So why not a cupcake or a cookie or a muffin?” He took a huge bite of his own muffin, not just to illustrate his point but because of its mouth-watering aroma. Yum. It tasked just as good as it smelled.

  She licked her lips and grinned hugely at them both. “The fillings. These sandwiches have the best fillings ever. Whoever made them is a genius. Every one is different, and it’s impossible to say which one tastes best. They’re all amazing. Chloe’s catering team is truly awesome.”

  Her sharp, white little teeth neatly bit a finger sandwich in half, and then she closed her eyes as she savored it.

  “Okay, I’m sold. Do you want some as well, Stone?”

  “Hell yes.”

  Reuben hurried back to the food table and grabbed them each a few sandwiches. He
had to admit they smelled good, although he still wasn’t convinced they’d be better than the muffin.

  He handed a paper towel to Stone and then held out the other towel to Indigo. “Choose one. I brought you back another one since we’re all eating them.”

  Once he was seated again, Stone asked, “What other things do you like, Indigo, apart from the sandwiches?”

  She laughed. “I’ve lived here in Towler so my life has been a little different from yours out in the desert. We spend a lot of time outside, but we all have indoor jobs as well. Likely you’ve already met my brother Patton and my father. I love creating things, so I make Gen-u-ine Desert Souvenirs for the tourist store and the craft store.”

  Reuben wondered about the teasing emphasis on genuine. “What, do you buy the ingredients from China or something?”

  “What kind of souvenirs?” asked Stone, a second behind him.

  “I have no idea where the lacquer comes from, but China is a possibility. I find and polish pretty rocks and turn them into bracelets, necklaces, and the big ones into paperweights. People buy them, so it’s all good.”

  Reuben remembered she’d devised the decorations for the ball. “You must have a great imagination and a good sense for creating things. The tent looks amazing with your creations in it. So simple, yet dramatic and effective. I’m sure your souvenirs would be beautiful, too.”

  “Have you ever thought about living right out in the desert, instead of here in Towler?” asked Stone.

  Reuben held his breath. Damn, Stone was moving fast. He hadn’t planned to say anything like that for a couple of days yet.

  Chapter Two

  Slowly Indigo chewed her final sandwich finger. They were incredible. The mingled flavors burst over her tongue, each fresh, sharp, and individual, yet each complementing and enhancing the others. If it wasn’t nearly lunchtime, she’d have been very tempted to have a few more. Besides, it gave her time to plan her answer to Stone.

  Half an hour ago she’d been thinking Stone and Reuben looked delectable. Just like the sandwiches. Then, instead of her having to find them and talk to them one at a time, they’d both sought her out. Together. Now they were asking her about her tastes and life in the desert. It was what she wanted, but it was also moving damn fast indeed.

  Well, she’d always been the kind of person to dive straight into a project and give it her best effort. If it didn’t work out, too bad. It was time to give this particular project her undivided attention. There was no denying Stone and Reuben were the nicest looking men here, so it was time to find out if they were nice people as well as just eye candy.

  “I have thought about living in the desert, yes. I know I could never live in a big city. Too many people, too much noise, too much rush. I completely understand that, if someone wants a good career, likely they need to live in a city. But while I wouldn’t be happy starving, I don’t think I’d be happy away from the desert, either.”

  “But what about away from even a small town like Towler, Wetherby, or Burton?” This time it was Reuben pushing her to deepen her answer.

  “I meant what I said about starving. Don’t get me wrong. I actually enjoy a nice rattlesnake steak or a slice of cactus bread. Both are yummy. But I like the thought that there are pizzas and hotdogs in my freezer as well. I’m tough. I don’t need the air conditioning turned on twenty-four-seven, but it’s nice to know if I come inside all hot and sweaty there is air conditioning in at least one room, if I want to turn it on. Do you understand the difference I’m trying to explain?” She looked at them, not sure they’d understand.

  She didn’t need luxury. Mostly she didn’t even want luxury. But a little luxury now and then would be truly appreciated.

  “Yes I do. The store at Junctionville is air-conditioned and so is the kitchen of the house, which is our most-lived in room. When it’s too hot to sleep, we sometimes go out into my mother’s garden and lie on a blanket and catch the cool breezes. If it’s really bad, we take our mattresses into the kitchen and sleep there. And being a store, there’s always food. Besides, I still hunt regularly as well,” said Stone.

  “Our farm is doing well. We aren’t rich, but there’s plenty of food, air conditioning, Internet, all the modern conveniences, along with the beauty of being right out in the desert away from crowds and noise,” said Reuben.

  That was something she hadn’t thought about at all. She’d picked these two men because they appealed to her. But both had important jobs with their families in very different parts of the desert. The Jenners were two hours across the desert from Towler in one direction, and the Wishrams were two hundred fifty miles from Towler in a different direction. That’s why they’d never met until now. If she wanted them both, if they were to share a woman, they’d have to choose where to live, and one family would be short an important part of their work crew.

  Fuck! Why couldn’t I be attracted to two brothers from one of these families, instead of one man from each family?

  Indigo shook off her thoughts. She hardly knew them yet. She was getting way too far ahead of herself here. “I also enjoy dancing. I can’t wait until the ball tomorrow night and the dancing. Do either of you men dance?”

  “Our mother insisted we learn before the prom. We went to dance classes every Saturday for months. She was determined to instill some culture in us. She made us all learn to play the piano as well, but only Hawk is any good at it,” said Stone.

  “None of us stayed at school long enough to graduate. The commute was horrendous. But I learned how to do a few dances in tenth grade. That was my last year at school,” said Reuben.

  Indigo nodded. She remembered how Chloe had demanded to leave school early just like all her brothers had done.

  “Luckily for you both, Chloe thought that maybe some people would need a refresher course for the dancing, and she’s organized several older people to take a couple of classes tomorrow morning. It should be a lot of fun.”

  “Does that mean you’re going even though you can already dance?” asked Stone.

  “Of course. I don’t want to miss a moment of this event. It’s too exciting being surrounded by the entire pack for the first time in my life.”

  “We’ll both be there. What time?” asked Reuben.

  “It’s on my schedule for nine, but the Alpha may change some of the timeslots if he needs people for other jobs.”

  “He’s meeting with the heads of families after lunch, so I suppose it’ll depend on whatever he learns from that meeting,” said Stone.

  “Do you think he’ll be talking about the wolves who dug up the crates of guns at that disused cemetery Jaz visited?” Indigo had been curious about those unknown wolves ever since she’d heard the story about Jaz. One of her plans this weekend was to ask Jaz if anything had happened since then. If she knew any more about the bad guys.

  “If they’re operating in our pack’s territory, our Alpha would have to know about them, wouldn’t he?” asked Stone.

  “Likely that’s why he hasn’t been worried about them. Also that will be why they let Jaz go instead of hurting her,” said Reuben slowly.

  “Who followed them? Chloe and her brothers came to rescue Jaz and collected her tent and stuff from the cemetery, but another team followed the bad guys. Who were they?” Indigo stared at Reuben and then at Stone. Since Reuben had been there, surely he’d know. And Jaz was mated to one of Stone’s brothers, so he should know as well.

  But both men were shaking their heads.

  “I have no idea.”

  “Me, either.”

  Right. She really needed to talk to Jaz now. Well, she’d planned to spend some girl time together with her and Chloe anyway. Now she had questions to ask as well.

  Just then the catering team called everyone across to the barbecue pit for lunch. Stone and Reuben stood up and waited on either side of her, and they joined the crowd, carrying their chairs with them.

  For the next hour Indigo moved through the group talking to people she�
��d met at school, in Towler, or just the previous day. It was exhilarating being with the whole pack and meeting so many new people. Even the sound of a couple of hundred people talking all at once wasn’t oppressive out here in the open air.

  And always Reuben and Stone were nearby, never interfering with who she wanted to talk to or trying to insert themselves into the conversation, but always close by in case she needed them. It was a strange feeling. Patton was a caring brother and would always help her if she asked him, but it had been many years since he’d stayed nearby her or looked out for her needs like Stone and Reuben were doing.

  It was addictive being the focus of two men’s attention. Indigo decided she could get used to it very easily. But only if they were right for her, and that was by no means decided yet. Still, there was no rush. She had three full days to check them out properly.

  * * * *

  After lunch Indigo waved good-bye to them and went off with a group of women. Stone turned to Reuben and said, “I suppose we ought to do some planning of our own.”

  Reuben stared out over the desert for a long moment and then said, “Let’s go for a walk.”

  Stone asked, “Should I go get a hat? And some water?”

  “I have both in my truck. We can collect them on the way past.”

  Stone followed Reuben to his campsite, and they filled a couple of quart bottles with water, and then Reuben handed him a broad-brimmed hat. Suitably dressed to walk in the heat, they strode through the campground and out into the desert. Stone knew the Alpha owned several acres of land, but he had no clue where the Alpha’s land ended and the desert itself began. It didn’t really matter anyway. They were just hiking to use up some energy and go somewhere they could talk privately about Indigo.

  Damn he wanted that woman. The more he saw her, the more he had to have her. Yet there was no reason why that should be. They scarcely knew each other yet. But somehow he already knew she had a pleasant, easygoing, happy nature, one that would complement his own need for peace and silence.