Because the fantasies rolling through her mind made her think of even sluttier thoughts. Really dirty, slutty thoughts.
They both went into the living room and sat on the love seat across the room from where Josh lay sleeping. He had his arm over his eyes, blocking out soft glow of the candles, so she couldn’t see the bite. But she knew it was there. To her dismay, even though it was cold in the cabin and he needed the warmth, he’d kept his shirt on this time.
She remembered what it had felt like to strip that off and look at his lean muscles as he slept. She’d only done it to make him more comfortable. At least that’s what she told herself. Sure.
Reed wrapped a blanket around them both as they snuggled to keep warm in the dropping temperatures. But she still felt on edge, because even though they felt safe in their forest oasis, werewolves lurked and hunted them.
Hannah shivered at the memory of that basement, and Reed held her closer then took her hand in his.
Tingles raced up her arms as he rubbed small circles in her palm with his thumb.
Dear goddess, the man is smooth.
And apparently none of them were going to talk about what was going on. Fine with her for now, but once they left the cabin, they would have to break the barrier. She didn’t know what would come of their talk and it scared her.
“You two look comfy.” Josh’s voice sounded rough with sleep.
“Hey, do you feel better?” She refused to take her hand away from Reed’s. Had she just make a choice?
“A little. I just can’t sleep with those fuckers out there, ya know?”
“I know what you mean. But as soon as this storm lets up, we’ll get out of here. We’ll get somewhere safe.” Reed smiled, but a cold gleam entered his eyes. “Then we’ll make sure the Centrals know not to fuck with us.”
The men looked at each other and seemed to come to an understanding.
They were so strong, just in different ways sometimes. But in this one case, she knew they would be on the same page.
Josh sat up and patted the seat next to him. “Come sit by me. The fire helps, but it’s getting cold in here.”
Reed shuffled to the couch, pulling her with him, and they sat down. Josh pulled the blankets around the three of them, cuddling close into her side. Her womb clenched at the feel of both men on either side of her, warming her from the inside out.
Dammit. Things couldn’t go on like this.
Finding the shred of courage she possessed, she blurted, “What’s going on? With us?”
Both men stopped the subtle stroking on her arms and froze. Their faces looked guilty, but slightly intrigued. That was a good sign. Right?
They removed their hands, and she immediately felt cold at the loss of contact.
Josh furrowed his brows and tilted his head. Reed took a deep breath.
What was going on? Hannah feared their answers.
“You are my mate,” Reed finally answered, a look of pure joy and anticipation on his face. He smiled and looked into her eyes.
Happiness, unprecedented happiness, filled her. She knew about werewolves’ mates. She was his fated destiny. His other half. Together they would live in love and faith because it was fate. She’d known there was a connection, but she’d never thought to even hope for this outcome.
A link. Between the two of them.
“Oh.” She uttered that single word with a mix of joy and pain.
What about Josh? There would be no Josh. She was Reed’s, as he was hers.
And Josh would be alone, without them.
Josh grunted, a hollow sound full of pain. Then his expression blanked and he stood. “I’m happy for the two of you, though I’d suspected it since we met in the basement. I’m going to leave the two of you alone for a bit to talk. I’m going to go back to the bedroom for a bit.”
Reed’s hand shot out, catching Josh by his uninjured forearm before he could leave the room.
“Don’t go.”
“Yes,” Hannah added, “stay. Please don’t go.”
She looked into his ocean blue eyes full of pain.
Wait. Why did she feel such desire, desire that matched what she felt for Reed, if she was Reed’s mate? Wasn’t there like a wolf law against that or something?
“No, I need to go. You two are mates. I can’t be here right now. Don’t you understand?” Josh’s eyes were hard. What could he be feeling?
Hannah’s chest hurt.
Oh goddess
. Apparently her heart wanted two men, but why? Why did this have to happen now? Why did Reed have to say anything and make Josh go away? Why did Josh have to feel anything for her anyway? Even though she felt the same way. Damn it. He must hurt. It wasn’t fair.
But life wasn’t fair. Her mother’s short life and her own captivity were proof positive of that.
Reed’s voice broke into her thoughts. “Josh, you’re my mate too. Our mate.”
Wait. What did he say?
“Oh.” What else could she say? What did this mean?
Josh’s eyes widened and his face paled. “No way.”
“Yes, way,” Reed replied. “I feel it here.” Reed put his hand over his heart. “My wolf also knows it. I know it’s not what you expected, but it’s true. You’re both my mates.” He looked between them, pleading in his eyes but strength in his features, as if preparing for rejection.
Josh shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong. I find you both attractive, which by itself is odd. Not that you aren’t hot, but the fact that I’m looking at a
man
that way…” Josh blushed. “But I’m straight, Reed. I’ve never wanted another man. I just don’t know.”
Reed gave a hollow laugh. “I’ve always been happy with men or women.”
Hannah didn’t like the sound of that. Why was he bringing up past relationships at a time like this? She didn’t want to feel jealous, but seriously.
“Don’t look like that, either of you,” Reed interjected. “You two are the first two I’ve ever felt the mating heat with. Ever.” Reed looked at them through smoldering eyes. “You’re both my mates. Believe me.”
Hannah took a deep breath. Two mates? Was that possible? She knew that wolves had potential mates, others out there that could be their other half. But some never found even one, let alone two in a long life time. Did this mean Reed would have to choose? Did he want Josh and not her? This was just too confusing and made her heart hurt.
Reed cleared his throat and rubbed his hands on his thighs. “I’ve never heard of this happening before. I mean, one of my brothers has had two potential mates. Kade met Tracy first, but that didn’t work out.” He let out a hollow laugh. “Thankfully, he met Melanie soon after and now they are mated. But it wasn’t at the same time, and once he met Melanie, he wanted nothing to do with Tracy.”
She didn’t know exactly who these people were, but she needed to discuss the three of them in this room, not others.
“But,” Reed continued, “this is about us. Not them. I don’t want to make a callous decision. I don’t think I
can
make a decision. I don’t want to choose.” Reed looked at them both, his heart in his eyes.
“This is a lot to take in, Reed,” Hannah whispered.
“Don’t worry. I don’t want in.” Josh’s voice was cold, emotionless.
A part of her heart broke off, shattering into a thousand pieces.
She’d been wrong. She never had a choice. She never did. Josh didn’t want her…them.
Her arms tingled as a hollow feeling spread through her. He’d walk away. Alone.
Hannah looked away from Josh. She couldn’t bear to see the man she’d almost fallen for anymore if he didn’t reciprocate those feelings. Her gaze landed on Reed. She saw a mirror of her emotions on his face before they faded away into resignation.
“I didn’t mention all of this to let you walk away, Josh. Don’t go. Let’s just sit on this for a bit and talk it out. See where things go.” Reed took a deep breath. “Please.”
Hannah jumped in. “That sounds very reasonable. Please, Josh. Let’s just wait a bit.” Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away and forced a smile on her face. “I mean, we just escaped from a lunatic’s prison and everything. Let’s take a day or two to settle.”
Josh clenched his jaw. “So let me get this straight. We just parade around here like Goldilocks in a fucking cabin we don’t own, waiting for Reed to get off his ass and choose between us? That’s rich. And how about the fact that I want you, Hannah? That I keep dreaming about you and me and forever? Reed is dreaming those same dreams. I already know whom he’d choose. Why should I just sit here and watch him choose you and not me?”
Embarrassment covered his features and he quickly shut his mouth.
Hannah was speechless.
Josh wanted Reed and her. All three of them wanted each other? And to think, the week before she’d had no one. Now she had two of the sexiest men on Earth wanting her. Nice.
Reed stood and paced through the room.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Reed finally said. “I need to go home to my family. To the Pack. But I also don’t want to leave you. I know I
can’t
leave the two of you. Let’s honestly see where this goes, with the three of us.”
Wait. What?
“The three of us?” Hannah squeaked.
Josh cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed. Not at all like the tough military man he normally did. “You mean like the three of us together—at the same time?”
Reed gave a startled laugh. “The looks on your faces are priceless. Yes, I mean the three of us at the same time. But I don’t mean like an orgy on the floor at this exact moment or anything.”
They all paused for a moment. She pictured the sweaty, naked goodness that would come from an orgy on the floor, and by the looks on the men’s faces, they were picturing the scene too.
“Okay, enough of that.” Reed laughed again. “I mean we should at least acknowledge that there is an attraction between the
three
of us. Then we can work on it and getting home safe.”
Josh scowled but nodded.
Hannah didn’t say anything. A werewolf and a gifted human? Is this what her mom would have wanted for her? What would the other witches say? Did she even care?
What did
she
want? Did she want two men? Could she handle it? Well, it wasn’t as if this one moment would decide her fate. Things could always change in the future. Right?
Taking a deep breath, Hannah nodded.
She’d already known her decision before Reed asked. Why did she even hesitate?
All three of them exhaled at her nod.
“Good,” Josh interjected after a moment of silence. “Now what?”
Reed rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I’d say we should shake on it, but I’ll do one better. Let’s kiss on it.”
Josh let out a rusty laugh. “Okay, what the hell. It’s been a day of revelations that’s for sure.”
Hannah nodded. Then bit her lip, not trusting her voice.
Both men took a step toward her.
What had she gotten herself into?