Goldie and Her Bears (9 page)

“Yes I do, but shut up. I like my twisted logic like it is, and there is nothing no one can say to me to make me change my mind. I like being odd.” Most days at least. “Besides, you know you love me. Quirks and all.”

“Of course we do darling, you are the only one for us,” he said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. Dropping his arm, he pulled open the door. “Now we have a meeting to prep for and ten minutes if that before they arrive. We need to move fast.”

“Good point.” Goldie gave him a wink and pulled out of his arms. “See you guys later. I have to go and get the paperwork prepared, coffee started, pull maps. You go and do what you need as well.” She swatted Arkadios’s ass and grinned, “Love you, Ark.” She went to Mahon and turned her face up to him, “Give me a kiss and snuggle, and then I have to go.” After she got the same from Torben as well, she headed to do the work she had set out to do.

“Like you even have to ask, woman,” Mahon grinned and pulled her in close. Hugging her tight, he pressed a kiss to her lips and then a second and third. “Be good. If you need me I’ll be in the meeting, and then I have to finish getting everything ready for the tax bozos. I hate tax time. If you can, come and poke me around lunch time, otherwise I’ll just sit there until closing.”

“Don’t worry. I will come and poke, my grumpy bear. Then if I’m lucky he will lock me in his office and poke me right back.” Brushing her lips to his again, she then pulled back, patted his chest, and pulled out of his arms, “Go do what you have to do, honey, so we can have lunch later.” She then turned to Torben and gave him a cockeyed grin. “Well?”

“Well what?” he asked with a matching grin. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. Drawing her into him, he bent her back slightly. One hand moved to her ass and the other to her hair and then she was really leaning back. Only thing keeping her up was him. After that, it didn’t matter. His mouth was on hers and he was kissing her as if the world was about to end.

Goldie wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. She kissed him back with the same ardent passion and fervor, and soon found herself wanting more. Her hands dipped into his shirt, fingers working on the buttons to bare his skin to her touch. A low moan came from her mouth as she rubbed against him. He released her mouth; she was panting and licked her lips. “Again,” came out in a whisper of a sound.

“Can’t,” he told her with a chuckle. Standing her upright, his hands held her until the world stopped spinning. Mostly. “I have a meeting to be at in about six minutes. You need to get the coffee on and grab the files I need. But after the meeting,” he gave her a growl. “There’s always my office.”

“Good,” she growled right back at him. “I will be waiting on your chair, naked. So make sure that you hurry.” Damn. Working with these men was going to be exhausting, but she was so the girl for the job. “Now go before you are too late.”

“Coffee,” he said to her brushing a kiss to her lips. “And remember to pull the blinds before you strip down. God help everyone if you leave those open. I’ll have to figure out how to hire an entire office,” he said with a smile. “I love you, Goldie, show them in when they arrive.”

“I love you too and don’t worry, I will pull them.” She didn’t want to give anyone a show they didn’t deserve. Maybe later for her other two men she would give a show.

Grinning, he wiggled his brows at her and then lifted his head. “Goldie darling,” Ark’s voice called to her. “Tell me there is coffee on?” he asked, coming back into view. He had changed into work boots and had a hardhat under his arm as well as a pile of paperwork.

“Uhm. There will be in just a minute,” she said with a grin and detangled herself from Torben. Walking past Ark, she patted his chest and looked up saucily, “And don’t be jealous, I’m going to demand another kiss from you after I get the coffee going.”

Frowning, he cocked his head to the side, “Why would I be jealous?” he asked. He followed on her heels she could feel him at her back. “All of us are your mates, darling. We’ll all need time with you alone, and we’ll all need to be with you as a group. It’s just how it works.”

“I know that,” she said with a grin, “I meant because I hadn’t kissed you yet. We all knew I would go through each of you,” she teased. “I’m happy you aren’t jealous.” Once the coffee was on, she turned to face Ark. “Especially since I get to spend an extra couple of minutes with you.”

“I doubt you’ll have that, darling,” he said, setting his papers aside. Then he moved to her, his hands on the counter, his arms trapping her. “Pretty sure Torben’s meeting is just pulling into the parking lot. You have maybe a minute before you have to go and greet them.” Smart bear that he was, he didn’t waste more time and kissed her, hard, fast and with lots of tongue.

When he finally released her, Goldie felt more than a little like liquid. “Goodness,” she whispered and licked her lips. “You kiss me and I swear the world starts spinning. It’s as if everything else has gone off the edge and it’s only us.”

“Door’s opening,” he said, pulling her up against him for another ravaging kiss. Mere seconds later, maybe minutes, he drew back. “I’ll go and greet them, darling.” With a quick kiss to her nose, he propped her against the counter before spinning and walking out of the lunchroom.

That had her grinning and she nodded, “Go, do what you need. I will be out as soon as I catch my breath and straighten my hair.” Her men had a thing about pulling her hair out of its coif, not that she minded at all.

A deep chuckle was her only answer before some voices could be heard chatting quietly.

“Hello, Josie girl,” Arkadios scooped up the little girl and hugged her. She was giving it right back to him and giggling at whatever he was telling her. Grinning, he turned with the girl and pointed to Goldie before he set her on her feet. Straightening, he turned to greet a man and woman who were obviously the girl's parents with hugs, kisses, and back slapping before they came into the house.

“Goldie, darling, I’d like you to meet my niece, Josie,” he grinned down at the girl. “And her parents Martin and Laurie, my baby sister,” he added. “Everyone, this is Goldie,” he said with a smile just for her.

Goldie grinned at the family and felt her heart catching. The siblings looked alike and that meant Josie looked a great deal like her uncle, Arkadios. “Hello,” she said happily. “I’m so very happy to meet you,” she spoke aloud and held out a hand to the adults. Finally, she looked at the little girl and got down so she was at eye level with the child. “And I have heard a great deal about you. I look forward to hopefully becoming your friend so we can have girl secrets from the big boys that run around this place.”

“Pretty,” Josie said before throwing her arms around Goldie’s neck. “Up please,” she demanded.

Chuckling, Arkadios shrugged at Goldie as Josie’s parents groaned. “I think you have another admirer, darling.” His head turned as the bell rang again, “And the next folks are here. You guys all chat and I’ll see who’s here. Food and drinks are on the island; grab whatever you want to snack on. Dinner will be at seven like normal.”

Goldie happily picked up the child and cuddled her close. “You are a beautiful one, and so very cuddly like your uncle,” she confessed and cuddled the child closer to her as they walked into the living room.

“Goldie,” Arkadios was back again with some more people. “This is Darryn, Torben’s brother and the savior of the motorcycle. As well, Torben’s other brother, Mitchell, and his mate, Danielle. Guys and gal, this is Goldie our delicious little mate. Sit. Chat. Food and drinks are on the island. Dinner’s at seven,” he said and was off again.

Goldie smiled at all of the people and shook her head. “Wow, you guys are like all really massive. Do you get fed steroids or something?” She wasn’t small by any stretch but so far, her mates and the men, as well as the woman, Danielle, were all freakishly tall. They were all well over six feet and that was simply strange for her.

“We’re big meat eaters,” the one Ark had introduced as Mitchell answered. “That and the good genes of our kind. We all tend to be fairly large,” he gave a shrug. “Wait until you meet dad, then we’ll talk about big guys.”

“I don’t think I wanna meet him,” Goldie whispered nervously and gave the little girl another squeeze and smiled, “You tell me, poppet, is your papaw a big ole bear that rumbles and growls and eats girls like me for dinner?”

Josie shrugged, “He tries but he’s always joking about it. He chases me around their yard sometimes just to make me giggle. He’s silly,” she told her with a firm nod.

“So sayeth a child, it must be true,” Torben said, coming into the room. He hugged his brothers and sister-in-law. Then he scooped up Josie for a big, noisy kiss that had her shrieking. “There are juice boxes in the kitchen for you half pint, and your mom has a snack ready too,” that said, he set her on her feet and let her loose.

Goldie grinned and stood. Moving to Torben’s side, she wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close. “Hey you,” she whispered quietly. “Everything out there okay?” He could tell she was nervous by the way, she held onto him.

“Of course it is, sweetheart,” he said pressing a kiss to her lips. “Don’t worry, Goldie, everyone is loving you. Josie is even now, singing your praises to her parents. But if you feel overwhelmed at all tonight, just grab one of us alright? We won’t be far from you for very long at any point.”

“Well she’s a little angel.” Goldie fell hard for the little bundle of energy. She didn’t care the child had the most horrific ideas of good decor in a room. She was, after all, just simply a child. “Thank you though. I will keep that in mind, promise.”

“Good,” he said and kissed her gently. His head jerked up and he grinned, “The parents are here. Come on, you’ll love mom. Don’t let dad fool you with his gruff act. He likes to pretend he’s a grumpy ass bear, but he’s a marshmallow and wrapped tightly around mom’s finger.”

“Right. The big scary bear shouldn’t worry me in the least,” she teased. “All right. I’m as ready as I am going to get,” she said and smiled up at him. “Let’s go and meet your momma and daddy so we can be very sure they like me and won’t try to get between the four of us.”

“Oh, they won’t,” he grinned at her as if he knew something she didn’t. Catching her hand, he tugged her out to the front of the house and lifted a hand toward the couple. “Hello, mum, you are looking spectacular as always,” he said, leaning in to hug and kiss the tiny woman’s cheek.

“And you, my boy, are up to something if you are being so flattering,” the woman said, smacking Torben’s arm.

Snorting, he turned to the large man who was taller and broader than Torben or his brothers. “Pops, keeping mom in line are you?” he asked, getting a hug and solid thump to his back from him.

“Hardly. That woman runs my life as you damn well know, kiddo,” Torben’s father said with a chuckle when his mate punched him, hard.

“Raymond!” Torben grinned at the second male that came around the truck. “You made it,” he hugged him and got another solid back thump.

“Didn’t think I would, but the flight got in early and your mum hauled my ass here. So when I pass out in a chair, be a good lad and cover me with a blanket would you?” he asked with a grin.

“Absolutely,” Torben assured him with a laugh. “Come meet my mate,” he said to everyone. Moving away from the group, he stepped next to Goldie and wrapped an arm around her waist urging her closer. “Goldie, this is my mum, Jeannie, and my dad, David. This is Raymond, my mum’s other mate and Darryn’s biological father. Everyone, this is Goldie.”

Goldie grinned and looked at the big men and smiled, “Hi there.” She leaned into Torben and watched the byplay between mates, and couldn’t stop smiling. That was what she wanted, what she needed so very badly. She wanted and needed to have that happiness. When she looked up at Torben she relaxed and sighed. And she had it with these men.

“She’s a cute one, Tor,” Raymond said. Then he grunted as Jeannie elbowed him hard. “What? I’m just speaking the truth, babe. She is cute and she’s in love with your baby boy. That should make you happy instead of pounding on your mates.”

“My mates need to be pounded now and again so they remember who’s in charge,” she muttered.

“You are,” Raymond and David said in unison with a grin over her head to the other.

She smacked them both in the gut and then stepped forward. “Welcome to the family, Goldie,” she said, poking her son until Torben moved. Then she hugged her close, “You ever have any questions or worries, you just call and talk to me. Men don’t always know the fears of a woman with multiple mates.”

Goldie smiled and hugged the woman back. This was nice. She had never really had much of a mother figure, so for this acceptance to be given so easily, so readily, it nearly brought her to her knees. “Thank you for that,” she whispered. “They just don’t understand what it is to be a woman in love with more than one man at a time,” she teased. Pulling back, she nodded, “And I do.”

“Hey,” Torben put in a token protest before glaring over at his father who was snickering.

“Mama D,” Arkadios came out of the house and scooped up the woman. Swinging her around, he kissed her soundly on the cheek. “How you doing?” he asked as he put her back on her feet.

“I’m well, Arkadios,” Jeannie said, fixing her hair. Then she nailed him with a look, “You look tired, Arkadios. Are you sleeping enough? Are you eating properly? Have you been taking your vitamins like you should? Maybe you need some other supplements.” Ark looked like a deer caught in the headlights as David snorted out a laugh.

“And she’s in mothering mode,” Raymond shook his head. “I think about now is the right time for a drink.”

“Agreed,” David said with a shake of his head. “Come along, Goldie. You can tell us all about how you met our boy and the other delinquents while Ark tries to get out of Jeannie’s clutches.”

“Uhm…not so sure that is a story I want to tell,” Goldie said with a grin. “It’s actually not such a good story. How about if I make one up instead?” she teased. “Because it really puts me in a very, very bad light and I don’t know I want you guys to see me like that right away.”

“Well you can tell us,” Raymond said, hooking his arm through one of hers as David did the same on the other side. “Or we’ll get Mahon loaded and have him tell us. Trust me. We have zero scruples about how we get the story as long as we get it.”

“We’re also not above blackmail either,” David told her as they walked. “And we’re damned good at it too.”

“Oh God.” Goldie’s heart sunk as the fathers pulled her away from her mates and toward a quiet corner of the room. “Simple truth?” she asked and gulped. “I kinda, sorta broke into their home one night as I ran away from so-called friends that I was camping with. So yeah. That’s how I met them.”

“Well that’s definitely the short version, give us the full length version,” Raymond said. They’d reached the sofa and as one, the men sat, dragging her down between them. Both turned toward her, an elbow up on the back and they waited.

Goldie then proceeded to tell the men absolutely everything. It was as if they had reached into her and pulled out every little detail, minus the sex, that she had to offer in her meeting the men. “And that’s that,” she said with a shrug. “That’s the non-cliff notes version.”

“Better,” David said with a nod as he watched her. “Don’t look so worried, Goldie. I already had my sacrificial human female of the day and am stuffed.” He grinned then and got to his feet. “Now I think I should go and rescue Arkadios before he runs off screaming.”

Raymond was still watching her as David walked off. “He likes you,” he said with a grin. “I do as well just so you know. And Jeannie likely already has your wedding fully planned down to the centerpieces. But I do have to ask, how are you really doing with all this?” he asked gently.

“Actually, I’m really fine with it. I love those three men more than I ever in a million years believed I would love someone. Those men make it easier to live life. They make me happy, and I really hope I’m able to give the same back to them. They are incredible men, they really are.”

“Well you are definitely making them happy from what I can see,” Raymond told her.

“Mahon!” Arkadios’s voice.

“What?” Mahon bellowed from somewhere.

“Your dad hit the same fucking tree!” Ark again.

“Is mom in the front seat?” Mahon.

“I’m going to assume that’s her head bobbing up and down and go with yes!” Ark yelled before he broke into laughter.

“For fuck’s sake!” Mahon snarled and stormed through. “I swear to the God I ended up with nympho parents,” he muttered as he went past.

“And if you manage to survive the parental barrage, you’ll do fine,” Raymond said before popping up. “I should probably go assist with getting the truck back where it should be.” He actually managed to look concerned for maybe two seconds before bursting into gales of laughter.

Goldie couldn’t help but laugh. Shaking her head, she just giggled and looked at her men. “Like parent, like son?” she shot to Mahon. “Because I don’t think they are the only nymphos in the family, love.”

“I don’t fucking do it while operating a motor vehicle!” Mahon hollered over his shoulder as he went out the door.

Raymond grinned, “Come on, this is always amusing. I swear his parents are stuck in the seventies and we’re not exactly sure why. They are funny, warm, and way too horny for their own good. As is evident by the fact they seem to hit the same tree every time they come here.” He headed for the door but looked back, “Coming?”

Giggling, Goldie couldn’t help herself, “Seems as if that is a question you should ask Mahon’s mother.” She couldn’t help it! She knew that it was bad, very bad of her, but seriously, it was right there in front of her and she couldn’t pass on giving her men some hell.

“Geez, you’re as bad as those boys,” he groaned and wrapped his arm around her. “You’ll do, darling,” he chuckled, walking out with her slowly. “But if you have any trouble keeping them in line, you give us a call. We’ll gladly coach you from the sidelines.”

“I think I would like that.” Goldie relaxed immediately against the older man and smiled. “I think it’s going to be a very good life. One that I look forward to a great deal.” She was happy and it showed in the way she carried herself, the way she looked around and everything.

“Well, we’re only about two hours away so convince the fur balls to bring you out at some point,” he said. “You can come for the weekend, we’ll do up a barbecue. Nowhere near as extravagant as this of course, but we can do a day on the lake with water skiing, or maybe just lounge on the boat soaking up the sun and then have some good old-fashioned home cooking. David does a mean rib, and his sauce is to die for, literally. You ever learn the secret ingredient you’re never heard from again.”

She snickered and shook her head, “I would, but I can’t swim and I’m terrified of water, so I think the whole water skiing thing and swimming thing will be out of the question. I would be more than happy to stay on the safe shore and watch you guys though.”

“Well then, you can sit in the Jacuzzi and drink margaritas while they all showboat for you,” Raymond told her. They came to a stop as a frazzled woman climbed out of the truck looking too pleased. “That’s Miranda, Mahon’s mother. Though she may ask you to call her Daffodil as it’s her name given by the moon goddess or some such crap,” he whispered in her ear. “The gent trying to do up his pants before getting out is his father, James. Can’t recall his otherworldly name but I’m sure one of them will tell you.”