4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Pike

Ignoring his complaining stomach, Pike rushed out of the apartment building and to his car. He almost plowed through Mrs. Jenson walking her dog Muggsie.

“Sorry, Mrs. J,” he said, grabbing onto the elderly woman. He hadn’t touched her, but she still looked unsteady.

“I’m fine, Pike,” she said with a wheezy laugh. “I saw that vampire of yours fly in with a young woman. Is everything okay, or do I need to take care of him?”

If you made friends with Mrs. Jenson, it wouldn’t be long before she’d offered to “take care” of something. Although she was trying to be sinister, she came off as sweet.

Pike moved in five years ago and made friends with Mrs. Jenson right away. At their second meeting, he’d learned all about Mr. Jenson’s passing ten years ago, and Mrs. Jenson’s reluctance to leave the apartment where they’d shared so many good years together. It was hard to feel sad when she was so relentlessly cheerful as she reminisced.

He’d never asked, but Mrs. Jenson smelled 100% human. From their talks, he knew she’d married a shifter, which was why she was able to get an apartment in the building back when the place had been new, elite, and didn’t rent to humans .

Unfortunately, the building had changed ownership two years ago and gone downhill fast. Out of the original ten tenants, there was only him and Mrs. Jenson still living here.

“If Kimble has gone feral, he needs to be dealt with,” Mrs. Jenson insisted. “I haven’t read any reports of mangled bodies turning up, so I haven’t asked before now. You’d tell me if Kimble is feral, wouldn’t you?”

“I promise nothing’s wrong, Mrs. J,” Pike assured her as he leaned over to give Muggsie a pet. The ancient dog tolerated the touch for .00006 seconds before trying to nip him.

“Be nice, Muggsie,” Mrs. Jenson admonished her dog. “We like Pike, remember.”

As if trying to say sorry, Muggsie went quiet and moved his head to the side to invite Pike to pet him again. Pike didn't fall for the trap, withdrawing his hand and straightening up.

“It’s always 50-50 if Muggsie will like me or not. I guess today wasn’t in my favor,” Pike said with a chuckle.

“Muggsie adores you, but he sure doesn’t like your Kimble, I’m sorry to say,” Mrs. Jenson said with a shake of her head. It was obvious Mrs. Jenson wasn’t going to let the topic of Kimble go.

“What happened tonight was only a little misunderstanding, but Cora’s fine, and Kimble won’t do it again. He was only trying to protect her. You know how vampires can be.”

“Cora?” Mrs. Jenson said, her eyes sparkling. “That’s a pretty name. Is she your new girl? I’ve been saying all along that you two needed to add a woman. Flocks always need at least one female.”

“That’s probably true, but it’s tough to find the right woman,” Pike said with a grin. “Especially someone as perfect as you.”

Mrs. Jenson laughed uproariously. “Go on, now. Your mates are waiting for you. Make sure to stop by with Cora so I can meet her. Remember, you can come to me if there’s any trouble. I’ll take care of it for you.”

“Sure thing, Mrs. J,” Pike agreed, then continued on his journey. It didn’t take him long to get the purse out of his ancient, rust bucket Coupe DeVille Cadillac and jog back to the apartment.

He opened the front door to find Kimble and Cora staring at each other. His human mate looked determined, and his vampire mate had his usual inscrutable expression .

“Uh, what are you doing?” he asked Cora.

She turned to him with a shrug. “I have no idea.”

Then she saw her purse and rushed at him, snatching it out of his hand and fumbling it open. She pulled out her phone with a sigh of immense relief. Dropping the purse, she tried to turn it on, but nothing happened. “Damn, I need a charger.”

“Oh, that’s easy!” Pike said and retrieved the box of random chargers he’d ended up with when he’d helped his sister move. Plunking the box on the table, he stepped aside to let her rummage around. She untangled one and headed to the nearest outlet over the kitchen counter.

He watched her face go through a lot of emotions as the phone came on and pinged over and over again. Some of those had to be from him, but the rest must be from family and friends.

“This is going to be so hard to explain,” she grumbled as she started typing.

“Just say you lost your phone,” Pike offered. “Or it broke.”

“They probably won’t believe me,” she said without looking up. “I hate being without a phone. I have two backup phones and all my apps connected to my laptop and tablet for access. Losing my phone wouldn’t put me out of contact. Being kidnapped would put me out of contact, and I’m sure that’s the conclusion my family has jumped to.”

Cora typed and sent several messages before she looked up at him. “I’m using you as an excuse, okay?”

“That’s fine,” Pike agreed. “Anything that’ll make your life easier.”

“You’re officially my boyfriend now, or at least my boytoy, and I’ve spent the last forty-eight hours here with you doing unmentionable things.”

“Except for leaving out the kidnapping part, that’s mostly true,” Pike offered with a wink.

Cora shook her head. “Damn, you're adorable when you’re trying to flirt. Now, I’m sending you some money for blood. Go grab your phone and order for him.”

Excited at the idea of Kimble finally being truly fed, Pike rushed to find his phone. The amount Cora sent him was enough for ten bags of blood and to have them delivered immediately instead of waiting. He felt some guilt at needing Cora’s help, but relief outweighed it. Besides, he’d find some way to pay her back .

“It’ll be here in about twenty minutes.”

“Great,” she answered as she tapped on her phone. “I’m putting in a grocery order. What’s the address here? What stuff do you like to eat?”

He gave her the address. Trying to keep the bill low, he named ingredients he knew he could use to make large meals. “Ground beef, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, a block of sharp cheddar…”

She typed as he listed, but he must’ve gotten a little too eager because she held up her finger as he started listing spices. “I think that’s good for tonight.”

Kimble wasn’t the only one who was going to get to eat his fill soon! He couldn’t wait to see Kimble drink as much as he wanted and to fill his own belly with hot food that didn’t come out of a fryer. “Thanks, Cora. I’ll make this up to you, I promise.”

She finished typing and slumped against the counter. Looking up at him with a dazed expression, she blew out a long breath. “Damn, I’m suddenly exhausted.”

“A lot happened. You were attacked, you got kidnapped, and almost died. That’s a good reason for anyone to be tired.” He stepped closer, wanting to pick her up in his arms but unsure if his touch would be welcome.

She looked up at him, blinking slowly. “That’s true.”

Kimble appeared at her side and sank to his knees. It was something he’d done a lot when they were newly together, and his way of trying to appear unthreatening.

Cora didn’t move or make a sound as Kimble slowly reached out to grasp her hand. Holding it in one hand, he started to rhythmically pet her knuckles with his other hand.

“What’s he doing?” Cora asked. “Does he want me to order him something too?”

“I think he wants you to go to bed,” Pike guessed. “You only got to sleep about twenty minutes earlier, before the blood delivery woke you up.”

“Oh, yeah,” Cora said. “Sleep sounds really good. Can I have the bed? Your couch is too gross. I don’t want to catch whatever ecosystem is thriving there.”

“And it’s lumpy,” Pike said, taking her free hand as Kimble stood up. “Let 's put you to bed, okay?”

Cora nodded like a child and let both of them lead her into the bedroom. The covers were already pulled back, so Pike sat her on the edge of the bed to pull off her shoes. Kimble sat on the bed next to her, refusing to let go of her hand during the process.

Once her shoes and socks were off, Pike debated stripping her further. Her clothes were filthy, and it couldn’t be comfortable to sleep in them.

“Would you like to sleep in one of my shirts?” he asked.

“What?” Cora asked, then looked down at herself with a grimace. “Ewww. Yeah, I’d like to wear something clean.”

When Pike got up to get her a shirt, she stood also, causing Kimble to make a distressed sound. “I’m not leaving,” she soothed him, patting the top of his head. “I need to change and use the bathroom.”

Kimble’s eyes closed in pleasure when she voluntarily touched him. Cora was probably too tired to notice his reaction, but Pike could see the vampire was thrilled. He remained on the bed as Cora pulled her hand free from his grip and accepted the shirt from Pike. Her movements were slow, but she wasn’t stumbling.

Once he heard the door to the bathroom shut, Pike turned his attention to Kimble.

“She’s my mate and your flock,” he whispered to the vampire, unsure how good Cora’s human hearing was. “If we want her to stay with us, we’re going to have to prove ourselves. At some point, she’s going to want to go home, you need to let her. Don’t try to make her stay.”

Kimble’s mouth turned down into a mutinous frown. “Flock.”

“I know she’s flock, and we love her,” Pike agreed, plopping down on the bed next to Kimble. “But if we push too hard, we’re going to lose her. You need to trust me.”

Kimble kept up the frown for a full two seconds before sadness overtook his expression, and his shoulders slumped. “Flock.”

Pike wrapped both his arms around the vampire and held him tight. It was hard but both of them were going to have to control their natural instincts when it came to Cora.

** *

Cora

Cora came halfway awake when she tried to roll over and found she couldn’t. When she opened her eyes, all she could see was darkness. Wiggling her arms free, she felt around until she figured out that she was under the covers with Pike and Kimble on either side of her laying on top of the covers, trapping her.

She couldn’t be upset at them wanting to sleep in the bed if the only alternatives were the couch or the floor. Pike's place was a total dump, but it was better than living in a car or on the street, especially since it kept Kimble safe from the sun. Cora could understand making tough choices to keep yourself and others safe.

Besides, after witnessing Pike and Kimble interact, she didn’t view him as an intimidating vampire anymore.

After a minute or so, her vision adjusted to the dark, and she was able to make out Pike’s hulking form on her right. Turning her head to the left, she found Kimble wide awake and watching her with intense red eyes.

“Um, hi,” she whispered. She didn’t want to wake Pike up, he had to be as exhausted, but she couldn’t remain silent in the face of Kimble's relentless gaze. “Are you okay?”

“Fed,” Kimble whispered back with a content expression. “Fed good.”

The blood she ordered must have shown up after she’d gone to bed. Once they’d tucked her in, she half remembered Pike closing the bedroom door and then nothing.

“Need fed?” Kimble asked. “Human fed?”

It took Cora a moment to understand that he was asking if she was hungry. “No. Do vampires sleep?”

“Sleep,” he agreed. “Sleep-night, dead-day.”

“Oh, uh, okay,” she responded. She was going to need Pike to interpret that one for her tomorrow. With the windows boarded up, she had no idea what time it was. She’d left her phone charging in the kitchen, and that was way too far away. One thing was certain: her body wasn't ready to get up yet.

“You sleep?” Kimble asked.

She yawned. “I was, but there are a lot of people in the bed. ”

He grinned, showing off canines that were only a little too long. “Perfect number.”

He moved his face a little closer to nuzzle the top of her head. It should've been an innocent, comforting touch, but Cora's body didn't get the memo. She was suddenly very aware of Kimble’s hard body pressed against her. The smell of smoky sage filled her nose, making her pull in a deep breath. Shouldn't he smell like death or something?

But no, he smelled earthy. She wanted to rub her cheek against him like a cat. Or more accurately, she had the urge to rub her entire body against him. It was the same kind of instant desire she'd felt for Pike. It made her heart start beating faster, and her body felt overly warm under the covers.

“Need me?” he asked

Need him? Could he sense her desire? Was he asking for sex, or was she reading the situation all wrong?

“Need you for what?” she asked cautiously.

“Comfort,” he answered. His earnest expression made her smile; he sounded almost childlike as he spoke. “No bad sleep? No sleep images?”

She was pretty sure she knew what he was trying to say. “I wasn’t having a nightmare. I woke up because I needed to roll over, that’s all.” Her heart slowed and her body cooled, almost as if responding to Kimble’s desire to comfort her instead of becoming intimate.

When he moved off the bed, she thought he might be going to take his sentry position again, but instead, he stood next to the bed and lifted the covers, bunching them next to her before laying back down.

Settling on his side, he tugged at the comforter. “Can move.”

“Thanks, Kimble,” she said, rolling on her side to face him. She was forced to wiggle backwards, coming up against Pike’s warm bulk. The shifter didn’t move or change his quiet, rhythmic snoring during any of their conversation or movement. “You’d think Pike would be a lighter sleeper.”

Kimble snorted, making Cora stifle a laugh. Looking up at the shaggy mass in desperate need of a haircut, she got the overwhelming urge to touch it .

Running her fingers through the long strands, she was mildly surprised to find it was clean and almost free of knots. She couldn’t see Kimble taking care of it, so Pike must make sure the vampire remained well groomed.

“Good,” Kimble purred. Going still, she moved her gaze to his face to find his eyes half closed, mouth slightly parted, and cheeks flushed. Continuing to watch his expression, she went back to running her fingers through his hair.

He moaned.

The way he was acting, someone would think her hand was between his legs, not on his head. His reaction was so over the top, she kept petting him until her arm was fatigued. When she withdrew, Kimble’s eyes fluttered open. He looked half dazed with pleasure.

“Good,” he repeated and leaned in close. She thought he was going to kiss her on the forehead again, but instead he brushed his lips across her. The touch was light and obviously a question, not a demand. Giving into curiosity, she opened her mouth to him.

By their second date, she and Pike had started making out like horny teenagers. She’d never felt so insanely and instantly attracted to anyone in her life. She certainly never expected anyone else’s kiss to arouse her as much as Pike’s had.

She was wrong.

Now it was her turn to moan. Kimble was an excellent kisser and while Pike had been eager and a little rough in a good way, the vampire was slow and sensual. Kimble and Pike couldn’t be more different, but they turned her on equally well.

Just like when she’d kissed Pike, heat pooled in her belly and her clit throbbed. Her body started to feel too hot, so she pushed the covers off. She and Pike had probably been heading toward the bedroom by the end of their second date, but everything had gone to hell before that could happen.

Now she considered stripping naked and waking up Pike so the three of them could have some fun. This would be her first ménage à trois, and her partners weren’t even human, but at the moment she couldn’t think of anything she wanted more.

Images of getting to play with two dicks filled her head. Two sets of hands stroking her body. Two mouths on her skin. It was much too irresistible. She wanted it all .

Kimble ended the kiss. When she opened her eyes, it was to find him watching her closely, his expression cautious. “Good?”

“Fucking fantastic,” she breathed.

A brilliant smile spread across Kimble’s face. “More.”

Ready for more kissing, Cora tilted her head up, except Kimble sat up. Confused, she watched him reach over her to shake Pike.

“Wake,” Kimble said.

Ah, more meant adding Pike to their make-out session.

Pike didn’t move. Kimble tried again, putting enough strength into the shake that the entire bed jostled. To Cora’s surprise, Pike didn’t even come half-awake to grumble at him. The man remained a motionless lump except for his soft snoring.

“No good,” Kimble mumbled with a little smile as he settled back down next to Cora. “Very sleep.”

“And here I thought you were the one who was supposed to sleep like the dead,” Cora commented as she snuggled against Kimble. She pressed her face close to his, seeking more kisses, but he denied her. Tucking her head under his chin, he held her close and rubbed a hand up and down her back.

“Flock sleep.” His words sounded like an order. “Wake together. Enjoy together. Sleep together. Nothing apart.”

Pike’s inability to wake up just caused Cora to lose out on amazing sex. Part of Cora wanted to be insulted that Kimble hadn’t continued to make out with her, but the other part admired him. He wanted them to be together in all things. No one was going to be left out, even if she was sure Pike wouldn’t be upset.

Was this what it meant to be in a flock?

She thought about it as she drifted off to sleep with Pike’s solid body pressed against her back and Kimble’s arms holding her.