Nine

“To be honest,” Jake said, “your mother was kind of worried about you.” Noel could tell by his expression he regretted what he did, but still… He called her mother! “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have, but, Noel,” he sighed, “I was mad, hurt, and confused.” He gave her a weak shrug. “Maybe I kind of did it out of spite. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

Her mother. He called her mother. Noel closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. It didn’t help. When she opened her eyes again, she could tell Jake braced for the worst. However, after she ran off on him, he didn’t deserve it, even if it was her mother. “It’s all right. We’ll deal with it, just like everything else. Besides, I probably deserve it.”

“Well, if it helps, she sounded concerned for you.” He gave another shrug.

“Yeah, I’m sure she did. That’s her trick. Sound all worried and concerned and then blast me once she has me in her sights.” Noel knew it wouldn’t be long before she heard from her mother again, scathing rebukes and all. Oh joy. “For the record, Mother knew I was fine. She just didn’t know where I was. I didn’t need her showing up here in all of her snarky bitterness. We’ve talked on the phone several times.” She took a deep breath, trying to shove her mother out of her mind for the time being. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with her when the time comes. We have enough to consider as it is.” And that was an understatement.

Jake reached across the table, taking her hand in his, warm and comforting “And where do we go from here? What does Wes think we should do? Does he have any clue on how to proceed?”

She shook her head. “He’s not really sure what will happen if two shifters mate the same person. I’ve only been around shifters for a few months, and everything still confuses me about your rituals and customs. I don’t understand how two animals can both scent me as their destined mate.” She glanced down at his hand, running her thumb over his flesh. “Wes said he would call someone back in Draven Falls to see how often it happens, but he still sees us all figuring it out together.”

Jake nodded, smiling. “And we shall. You’ll see.”

She tried to give him her best reassuring smile, but doubted she pulled it off.

Once the food arrived, they tried to shift topics, moving to more normal, mundane subjects like what each of them had been doing since she left. His tone contained no judgment, no anger left in his eyes. He truly wanted to know about her life since he last saw her, wanted to know how she had survived in such a small town. She told him everything, of how she had searched the dark web and found Bull Creek, of how she met Wes when he was looking for help and his patience in answering all of her questions. Jake asked her to describe Wes, and at first, she floundered, afraid of saying anything that would hurt him. However, Jake assured her that if they were ever to figure out how to move forward, they would need to move past such concerns. Each of them would need to know everything about the other. He would need to know about Wes, and Wes would need to know about him, as well as each one’s relationship with Noel. So, with a deep breath, she told Jake about how she fell in love with another man while she remained engaged to Jake.

“I’ve seen his animal,” she said. “A giant, dark brown bear, and I know what he is capable of when he shifts, but I never see that side of him. He’s like one soft, cuddly teddy bear. He’s gentle, sweet, and can make me smile as much as you can.” She glanced into his eyes, smiling. “He’s a lot like you in that area.”

He returned her smile, and it appeared genuine. “And how are we different?”

She opened her mouth to answer and then stopped. The question wasn’t as simple as it sounded. Oh, they were different physically, of course. Wes was a thick bodied, burly man, with shaggy hair and powerful arms, while Jake was tall, slender, and never had a hair out of place. One was all city and the other pure country. They were both gentle, caring, loving, and would do anything in the world for her, she knew. They proved that now by even talking about a solution to the mess she had found for herself. However, they were also opposite in so many of their mannerisms and traits. Jake was organized, detailed, and liked fancy things. Wes, on the other hand, was more easy-going, carefree, and spur of the moment. He’d rather sit in the woods or among friends than be trapped in an office all day, whereas Jake thrived in the business world, the action of an office his addiction. “You’re both so much alike while being so vastly different.”

“Seems we’re a perfect set then, huh?” he teased with a chuckle. “No wonder you want us both.”

She smiled, not sure if he meant it as a dig or an honest assessment of the situation. He spoke the truth whether he meant it sweetly or not. However, how would she be able to have both and make it all work? Could they see it come about? She nodded. “You’re right. I want you both.” She turned to face him. “Is that even possible?”

He smiled but didn’t answer her. Instead, with the meal finished, he paid the check and then ushered them out of the restaurant. “There’s a river or creek near here, right? I can smell it on the breeze.”

She nodded. “To the south, only a few minutes’ walk. Crane Creek runs out to the Indian River. There’s a marina there as well.”

He smiled at her as he took her hand in his. “Well then, seems like that would be the perfect way to end this evening.”

She could only nod. With the way he avoided answering her question, she figured a walk on the river would also be a nice way to end their relationship. Jake had always been romantic.

Stars sprinkled the evening sky as the two of them walked hand in hand down Waverly to Melbourne Avenue and the creek that waited for them. Jake’s hand felt warm in Noel’s, and just that slight touch sent tendrils of hunger throughout her body to pool between her legs. She wanted more than to just hold his hand. She wanted to take him in the dark alley and rip his clothes from his body. Yet, the unknown of their future kept her from even suggesting such a thing. Instead, she continued to walk, holding Jake’s hand as he led her closer to the creek’s edge, a cool, evening breeze tousling her hair. The whole thing seemed surreal, her being here, now, with Jake and not Wes. Yet, the feelings she felt whenever she was with Jake returned in a rush as if there had never been another in her life, and yet, she still felt the same feelings for Wes. She had no clue as to what to do with either set of feelings even though both men promised that it would work.

When they reached Crane Creek, Jake led her to the metal railing that kept people from stepping off too far. One streetlamp brought a dim light to the area, casting a soft romantic glow over the area without shining a spotlight on them. He slid an arm around her waist, pinning her to his side as he spent a couple of moments breathing in the sharp tang of the creek. “I love the water,” he said as he turned to face her. The moonlight flickered over the creek and even sparkled in his eyes, making Noel’s heart beat faster in her chest. “I love you, too.” He winked at her. “More than I love the water. I’m not losing you again. Anything is possible; the key is figuring out how to make it all work.” He pressed her tighter against him, and she could feel the swelling of his cock against her thigh. “I plan on figuring it out. If you want us both, then we need to make it work because our animals won’t allow anything else to happen.”

She slid her arms around Jake’s waist, relishing the feel of him against her. “I’m sorry for running off on you. I was scared, and I know I didn’t make things easier on us by going to Bull Creek.”

“We’ll make it work, baby. Promise. All I need is you, and I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep you in my life.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his lips warm against her skin. When he pulled away, she glanced up into his eyes and the passion that resided there took her breath away. He leaned down again, only this time his lips pressed hard against hers, his mouth devouring hers as his tongue shoved inside of her mouth, tasting her, once again claiming her for himself.

Noel fell into his kiss, her hands pressing into his back, holding him tight against her, his cock pressing into her even harder. Heat pooled between her legs as they became lost in their kiss, his breath warm on her cheek. God, she needed him.

He must have sensed her need. Either that, or he needed her just as much. Jake spun her so that she faced the creek, her stomach pressed against the railing as he pressed up against her ass. She felt him lean against her back, his lips against her ear. “I want you,” he whispered.

“God, yes,” she groaned, the lust that filled her heavy in her voice.

She heard his zipper sliding downward, and then she felt the back of her skirt slide up her legs. He slipped a finger into her thong, pulling it to the side as he gripped her waist with one hand, pulling her ass backward a bit to angle her enough for him to penetrate her sex. Noel didn’t think about anyone else being near, didn’t worry if they could see them or not. She didn’t care if they were. She wanted Jake’s cock. Needed was a better word.

The breeze blew in off the creek as she gripped the railing. The head of Jake’s shaft pressed against her passion, teasing at her entrance as she pushed back on him, urging him to enter her. “Please,” she begged. “Oh god, Jake, please.”

Her mouth popped open as he shoved his thick cock inside of her, spearing her until she felt his hips press against her ass. One of his arms was wrapped around her waist as he held her with his other hand, pressing into her a moment before sliding back out and pounding into her again. And again. She felt her legs shudder as he took her, her hands gripping the railing with white knuckles as she shoved back onto him, wanting him buried inside of her as far as he would go. He thrust into her again and again, harder, faster, his fingers digging into her flesh. Her own pants filled her ears mixed with the slapping of the water’s ripples against the concrete wall below her. She clenched her eyes, becoming lost in each thrust that claimed her. There was no romance. No prelude or foreplay. This was sex. Hungry, passionate, raw sex. And god, did she need it.

Without warning, her orgasm hit her, wave after wave shaking her body, catching her by surprise. She cried out, and then realized where they were and bit down on her lip, her screams now muffled moans. She shoved back on him, not wanting him to stop. Faster. Harder. She needed it harder. Her legs shook, and if it weren’t for his arm around her waist, she would have fallen to the ground.

She felt his cock throb, twitching once and then his passion filled her, warm blasts against her inner walls as he dug his fingers into her, pinning her against him. Together, they stood there, Jake’s cock buried in Noel’s drenched pussy, their breathing heavy with passion spent. Noel took several deep breaths, trying to keep her legs from giving out on her, until she felt Jake pull her up into a straight position, his arm still around her, his breath on her ear. His cock slipped from her wetness, and she wanted to groan against the void.

“I love you,” he whispered. “And god, did I miss this. We’ll figure it out, Noel, this relationship between the three of us. I’m not losing you.”

She wrapped her arms around herself along his arm, pressing herself back into him, snuggling into his chest. “We’ll figure it out. We have to,” she said. “I don’t want to lose either of you. I need you.”

He kissed the side of her head, and she could still feel his cock against her ass. “I need you, too. Always.”