Chapter 12

LEXIE

I woke up to a kiss being pressed against my cheek. “Good morning, beautiful.”

Ollie hovered over me, dressed in a crisp white shirt and gray suit. “Hi,” was all I managed, both struck by his beauty and still below the sleep cloud. Even opening my eyes was a challenge.

“I’m heading to work, but Markus will be here for lunch. I’ll be home as soon as I can tonight. Okay?”

I nodded against the pillow and mumbled, “Sounds great,” then passed out again.

The next time I woke up it was to a still, quiet house. “Hello?” I called out, sitting up in Markus’s massive bed and stretching my arms above my head.

Waking up naked was strange, feeling the sheets and blankets brushing against my bare skin. I’d never slept completely naked before, without even a tank or a pair of panties.

My body ached, too, but in a wonderful way, every move reminding me of the mind-blowing sex and the orgasms that had torn through my body.

I slid out of bed, grabbed a skirt and a top along with some underwear out of my duffel bag and bolted to the bathroom. It was strange to think that I didn’t have to go to work today. I’d always had a job, sometimes juggling two or three. I believed in earning my way in this world.

The very idea that I could just live in this beautiful house rent-free felt, well... wrong. I’d call around today and start looking for a new job immediately. I wanted to be able to pay my way.

The shower beckoned and I stepped into the huge space. I smelled of my men, which was a combination of sweat and sex. The scent had me faintly aroused all over again,and I chuckled as I turned on the water and then covered my face with my hands while I waited for the heat to adjust, even though there was no one here to see my embarrassed blush.

I’d had sex with two men. At the same time. I couldn’t get over it.

And how was I supposed to process the whole shifter-animal thing? That was insane! But I’d seen it with my own eyes. I shook my head again and stepped beneath the spray, letting the hot water run down my back.

I didn’t know where to start with all the strange things I’d discovered yesterday.

There were too many unknowns surrounding my relationship with Markus and Ollie, if it could even be called that after only a couple of days. But I was too happy to worry about such unknowns at the moment. I wanted to enjoy these rare minutes of bliss without having to think about all the obstacles that were in our way.

Fated Mates.

Markus not wanting a mate at all.

Me not being a shifter.

Them being shifters. Wolves!

This was all absolutely crazy.

“Stop it!” I told myself, scrubbing my body clean, then hopping out to dry myself.

I may not have currently had a job, but I was determined to make myself useful for them today. Clean the house, make some dinner maybe. I hadn’t even seen most of the house.

I dressed in the relaxed t-shirt and a long boho skirt I’d pulled out of my bag, enjoying the new sensations making me more aware of my body than usual. The slight ache between my thighs, my swollen nipples. The dreamy, almost intoxicated state of my head.

I meandered downstairs, loving the feel of the soft carpet beneath my bare feet as I made my way to the kitchen. There, on the large marble island counter, was a handwritten note.

Markus’s cell number...

Oliver’s cell number... and work line...

Enjoy the day. Watch TV. Sunbathe. Whatever suits you. And we’ll be home ASAP.

P.S. We don’t have your cell number yet, and we need it.

I smiled at the note, then walked to the fridge. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but when I saw the tub of creamy blueberry yogurt, I had to scoop some into a bowl.

Then I sat on the couch, put the TV on, and watched a selling houses lifestyle show for half an hour.

It was so decadent, so lazy. I kept glancing around, waiting for the dream to end. For someone to come along and catch me being bad. This had to be wrong somehow, surely?

The house was insanely clean. I wasn’t sure if the guys had a housekeeper or were just rare men who were house proud and kept it neat themselves, but the carpet was vacuumed, the kitchen spotless. And there wasn’t a thing out of place.

It wasn’t very homey. There weren’t any pictures on the walls, or even pillows on the sofa. Minimal. Masculine.

But truly lovely.

There was a knock on the front door, and I jumped. According to the large clock on the wall it was only ten-thirty. Would Markus be back already? What time did he start work in the morning?

And if it was him, he wouldn’t knock, surely?

The front door opened, and a woman’s voice sung out. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

I gulped. Who the hell was that? Their housekeeper, maybe?

I peeked around the corner and into the living room, not sure who I was about to meet.

A woman in her fifties stared back at me. She was slim and strong looking, with shoulder-length gray hair and dark eyes very similar to Markus’s. “Hello,” she said, studying me intently.

“Ah... hello,” I answered, stepping into the lounge room.

“You must be my sons’ new mate.”

My jaw dropped for a moment before I pulled myself together and rushed over to her. “You’re Markus and Ollie’s mom? It is so nice to meet you. I’ve heard great things about you.”

I held my hand out to shake, but she opened her arms and came forward for a hug.

When she engulfed me in her embrace, I hugged her back, though a little stiffly, I was sure. I wasn’t used to the happy family vibe. I’d always made myself as invisible as possible when I was growing up, glad if my mom and her biker friends forgot I existed.

When she finally pulled back, I said, “I was just about to make a cup of tea. Would you like one too?”

“Of course. But allow me, I know my way around this kitchen. Probably better than you.” She charged ahead, putting on the kettle and taking cups and things out of various cupboards.

I followed, wondering if she’d meant to be slightly offensive, then shaking it off. Of course, she hadn’t meant anything by the comment. It was true. This was her sons’ home and she would know their kitchen better than me. I slid onto the stool at the edge of the island. “I’m Lexie, by the way.”

“Anne,” she said, and this time I noticed that her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “What do you do, Lexie?”

I hated that question, but I answered honestly enough. “Do for what? A job? I’m a waitress, mostly.” What I did to pay my rent didn’t define who I was. Quite the opposite.

“Because you’re studying? At which college?” Her assumption that hospitality was only an in-between job seemed a bit elitest and made me instantly uncomfortable.

I glanced down at the counter, staring at the gray veins running through the marble. “Ah... no. I didn’t finish high school. I didn’t even try to get into college.”

Anne pushed a teacup over the counter toward me. I picked it up and took a sip.

She wasn’t speaking, and I wasn’t sure what else to say. Then it occurred to me that she shouldn’t know about me yet. I’d only met the guys thirty-six hours ago and as far as I know they hadn’t told their mom about me.

My head came up and I studied the woman whose lips were twisted into a strange pinch. “Did Ollie call you and ask you to check up on me?”

She tilted her head. “No. Why would you ask that?”

“Oh, I was just wondering how you knew your sons had found their... ah... mate.” It was still strange using that word and didn’t yet roll easily off my tongue.

Anne shifted her weight, standing a little straighter. “I ran into Nancy last night and she informed me that Ollie had declared you were his mate. In Walmart, of all places.”

I smiled in memory. “Yeah, I had no idea what he was saying at the time, but Ollie asked me to play along, so I did.”

Anne leveled me with the intensity of her next look. “But you understand now?”

I shivered at the strangely veiled threat beneath her words. “If you mean about the perfect pairs and the wolf stuff. Yes.”

“Wolf. Stuff,” she repeated, spitting out each word. “I can’t believe they told you. The council won’t be happy.”

I took another sip of my tea. She didn’t seem to be asking me a question; she was just muttering to herself.

Her eyes flashed silver, then she said, “You’re human. You have no concept of nor respect for what we are.”

My jaw dropped and I put my teacup down. “That’s not fair,” I managed, my temper beginning to ignite. This woman had clearly meant to be offensive, right from the moment she walked in.

“I found out about the existence of shifters last night. Like...” I glanced at the clock. “Sixteen hours ago.”

“Oh... you can do basic math. How quaint.”

I gaped at her, shocked at the rudeness of the woman who had raised my men to be such wonderful people. “What is your problem?”

“My problem is that I expected the woman my sons chose to be up to their level. In intelligence, beauty, and family connections. I have to assume that you don’t have parents watching over you, helping you?”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t.” Quite the opposite.

She nodded once. “Just as I thought. You’re not good enough for my boys.”

“Your... boys?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes at the nasty woman who’d officially ruined my day. “Those boys are men. And as far as I understand, this Fated Mate electric, pulsey thing doesn’t make mistakes.”

Anne didn’t respond verbally. She paled and froze like I’d shocked her with something.

I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for another fireball to come out of her mouth.

“You experienced the Fated mate sign?” She gulped.

I stood up and put my hands on the counter, leaning forward to spear her with my look. “With both of your sons, yes. They were knocked right off their feet.” Part of me enjoyed the momentary horror that crossed Anne’s features, so I added, “Do you think I’d be here in their house if we hadn’t experienced that? Ollie fell sideways and into a store on Main Street. Markus literally keeled over and hit the deck, right over there near the fridge.” I pointed to the floorboards near her feet, and Anne took a big step back.

Then she turned and began heading toward the front door, like a zombie. “I have to go.”

I followed her because how could I not? She’d just burst into the house to tell me I wasn’t good enough for either of her sons. As if I already didn’t know that! But I didn’t appreciate someone else pointing it out in such a rude way.

“What were you expecting?” I called out to her. “That they’d just randomly choose some human they’ve never met before, and call her their mate?”

I couldn’t believe I was being so forceful. I was the one who hadn’t believed them when they’d told me about the soul mate stuff. But here I was, practically yelling at a woman who could probably rip me to shreds if she so chose.

Anne opened the front door and turned around. “What does Markus think about all this?”

“By ‘all this’, I assume you mean me and the human mate thing?” And why was she only asking about Markus and not about Ollie?

Anne frowned, the edge of her mouth turning down along with her brows. “Markus isn’t a monogamous male. Never has been, never will be. I don’t think... I don’t know if he can have one mate like a normal member of a perfect pair triad.”

I stared her down. “Well, that’s really up to him and me, isn’t it? But thanks for the tip.”

I was spitting venom now. Fucking bitch.

Anne walked out without shutting the door behind her, so I grabbed the handle and slammed the door as loudly as I could.

The sound ricocheted through the house, but my anger still bubbled too strong to contain. My hands tightened into fists, and I screamed out in frustration.

That’s when the door opened again, only this time Markus came running in. “What’s happened? Lexie! Are you okay?”

I marched up to him, not sure if I was going to hit him or kiss him. Neither, as it turned out.

Instead, I started yelling. “Am I okay? No! I am not okay! Your mother decided to pop in, thanks to your fuck friend Nancy!”

“Mom? What did she have to say?”

“She said I’m not good enough for her sons!”

“She fucking what?” His eyes flashed with silver, a trait I was noticing coincided with his lust as well as anger.

I began to pace the plush carpet, throwing my hands around with my words. “She said I’m not smart enough. Not pretty enough. Too human for you. And that you’ll never be satisfied with one woman. Especially me, I guess, with all my failings. Well, I know I’m not good enough for you guys, okay? I already told Ollie that! I’m sorry, all right? I’m sorry I’m human. I’m sorry I’m fat. I’m sorry I’m dumb.”

Markus grabbed me and hauled me up against his huge, hard body. “Stop talking like that. It’s not true.”

“Your own mother said it, Markus!”

His hands tightened on my hips and my pussy ached for him, which made me even angrier. What was it about this man that made me need him so much? “She said you’re not monogamous, that you’ll never be monogamous. Not even to a woman you think is your mate.”

Markus turned us around, then pressed me up against the door, my spine against the wood.

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” he ground out, hissing the words out.

His hands were moving now, down my thighs and grabbing at my long skirt, bunching it up around my waist.

My body throbbed at the prospect of more sex with one of my gorgeous men, but my mind was angry and wanted answers. “Oh, really?” I demanded.

“Yes really,” he said, his words brushing against my lips. “Is she right that I’ve always fucked who I want, when I want? Yes.”

“Then how is this different?” I panted as he slipped his fingers between my thighs and began stroking my clit through my underwear.

“How?” he repeated. “You’re my mate. That’s how. It changes everything.”

“But you don’t want it to.”

“I don’t know!”

I had so many more questions, but as he brushed aside my underwear to slide a finger inside me, all the words in my head evaporated and I was only left with feeling.

I grabbed his shirt and hauled him closer, smashing my mouth against his. Our kiss was aggressive and so hot, it burned through me like a brush fire. I whimpered as he thrust his finger deeper, stoking the flame of desire while making me ache for more.

My tongue searched for his, sliding into his mouth while my hands went to the waistband of his jeans, opening his belt and tearing open the buttoned fly.

Markus groaned into my mouth when I released his cock and wrapped my hand around the thick, hot shaft.

He pulled back just long enough for me to push my underwear and my skirt to the floor, then he lifted me up against the door and impaled me with his cock.

I cried out at every possessive thrust, clinging to him, biting his neck, wanting to get closer. Needing more. Needing it harder. Faster.

He seemed to know what I craved, though neither of us spoke. He just nailed me again and again, fucking me through one orgasm that rolled into the next.

On my third belly-tightening, star-spinning orgasm that made me clench tightly and convulse against him, he came too.

This time he roared loudly in my ear, and I sank my teeth down into the flesh of his shoulder, relishing in the strong streams of heat that filled my belly.

I kissed his face, his lips, his throat. Anywhere I could reach, wanting him to know how much I needed him. How amazing he was.

The silence stretched as our breathing slowly returned to normal.

“Are you okay?” Markus whispered against the side my face.

I nodded. “I’m more than okay.”

He withdrew, and I winced at the tenderness of the flesh that had received more male attention this past twenty-four hours than it ever had.

I reached for my underwear and skirt, dressing again as Markus re-buttoned and fixed up his shirt that I’d managed to crinkle to the point of no return.

“Ah... I’m sorry about that. Taking you so roughly.” He was staring at the floor and seemed genuinely worried that he’d taken me against my will for some reason.

Far from it.

I smiled at my big, gruff guy. “Oh, please don’t be sorry. Take me like that anytime you want.”

His head came up and he stared straight at me. “You liked it?”

I laughed. “Um... You couldn’t feel me coming around you? Over and over again?”

“Well, yeah, but...” He grinned and walked the few steps over to me and kissed me again, but this time with a hint of gentleness in his touch. “You really are perfect, aren’t you?”

I let him drag me back to bed for a cuddle before he said he had to return to work and I dozed off into sleep once more.

My body was sated but my heart was in turmoil. No matter how awful she’d been, maybe Anne was right. Would Markus ever be able to love me the way I knew I could love him? And where did that leave Ollie? If they came as a so-called perfect pair, would it work if only one of the pair accepted me?

Time was the only thing that would tell.