Chapter 11

ELEVEN

K ira’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions as she sat at her desk, the case notes in front of her blurring into a meaningless jumble. She had been trying to concentrate on the investigation for the past hour, but it was a losing battle. Every time she closed her eyes, images of her steamy night with Rex flashed through her mind, sending shivers down her spine and causing a flush to creep up her neck.

She could still feel the weight of his hands on her body, the heat of his breath against her skin. It was as if he had branded her with his touch, leaving an indelible mark that she couldn’t shake off no matter how hard she tried. Kira squirmed in her seat, her body responding to the mere memory of their passionate encounter.

As if that wasn’t enough to distract her, thoughts of Nash kept intruding, filling her with a giddy sense of anticipation. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be with him, to experience his playful charm and quick wit in a more intimate setting. The idea of being desired by both men was overwhelming, a heady mix of exhilaration and longing that made her heart race and her palms sweat.

Kira groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “Get it together, Kira,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve got a job to do. Focus.”

Just then, her phone buzzed, startling her out of her reverie. She glanced at the screen and saw Gerri’s name flashing insistently. Kira took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before answering.

“Hey, Gerri, what’s up?” she said, aiming for a casual tone but wincing at the slight tremor in her voice.

“Kira, darling!” Gerri’s voice was as bubbly as ever with a hint of mischief that immediately put Kira on guard. “I’m just calling for an update.”

Kira frowned, confused. “I’m still looking into it, Gerri. We’ve got some leads but nothing concrete yet.”

There was a pause, and then Gerri let out a throaty chuckle. “Oh, no, not an update on the case, silly girl. I meant an update on Rex and Nash. How are things going with those two delicious wolves?”

Kira felt her face flame, and she was grateful that Gerri couldn’t see her. “Gerri!” she sputtered, glancing around her empty apartment as if someone might overhear. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play coy with me, darling,” Gerri said, her voice dripping with amusement. “I know those two wolves want nothing more than to devour you whole. And from what I’ve heard through the grapevine, Rex has already had a little taste.”

Kira’s jaw dropped, and she let out a strangled sound that was halfway between a laugh and a groan. “How did you... Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

Gerri cackled, clearly enjoying Kira’s discomfort. “Oh, please. I’m a matchmaker, remember? It’s my job to know these things. Now, spill. How was it? Was he as good as he looks? Did he make you purr like a little kitten?”

Kira buried her face in her free hand, wondering if it was possible to die of embarrassment. “Gerri, I am not having this conversation with you.”

“Fine, fine,” Gerri said, her tone turning sly. “But what about Nash? Have you sampled his delights yet? I bet he’s a real firecracker in the sack.”

Kira made a choking sound, her brain short-circuiting at the mental image Gerri’s words conjured up. “No! I mean, not yet. I mean... oh, god.”

She trailed off, realizing too late that she had basically just admitted to wanting both men. Gerri let out a delighted squeal that nearly ruptured Kira’s eardrum.

“I knew you’d go for both,” Gerri crowed, sounding far too gleeful for Kira’s liking. “You naughty little minx. Oh, this is too perfect.”

Kira sighed, resigned to the fact that there was no point in trying to hide anything from Gerri. The woman had a sixth sense when it came to matters of the heart (and the libido).

“They’ve been amazing, Gerri,” she confided, her voice softening as she thought of the two men who had turned her world upside down. “They each show me how much they care in their own unique ways. Rex’s commanding presence makes me feel utterly desired while Nash’s playful romance brings out a side of me I rarely show.”

Gerri hummed approvingly, and Kira could practically hear the gears turning in her head. “That’s wonderful, darling. But let me offer you a bit of advice - unless you take a leap of faith, you won’t know just how great a relationship between the three of you can be.”

Kira blinked, taken aback by the intensity of Gerri’s words. “You really think it could work? The three of us, together?”

“Oh, honey,” Gerri said, her voice warm with affection. “I know how those boys look at you. Like you’re the most precious thing in the world. And from the sounds of it, you feel the same. Don’t let fear hold you back from something that could be truly special.”

Kira swallowed past the lump in her throat, feeling a sudden rush of emotion. Gerri’s words had struck a chord, tapping into the deepest desires of her heart. She wanted Rex and Nash, wanted the love, passion, and companionship they offered. But she was also terrified of getting hurt, of opening herself up only to be left broken and alone.

“I don’t know, Gerri,” she said, her voice small and uncertain. “What if it doesn’t work out? I’m not like them. They’re leaders of a pack. Rex is an alpha. I’m just some half-breed lioness nobody wanted.”

“Hush with that talk, child. You’re precious and beautiful. You’re strong and intelligent. You’re a fierce lioness and I know you kick ass. Don’t sell yourself short. You’ll make an amazing third piece to their triad.”

“I just worry they’ll regret it later.”

Gerri clucked her tongue, her tone gently chiding. “Kira, darling, you can’t live your life in fear of what might go wrong. Sometimes you have to take a chance, even if it’s scary as hell. And trust me, those boys are worth taking a chance on.”

Kira let out a shaky laugh, feeling a sudden rush of gratitude for Gerri’s friendship and support. “You’re right,” she said, straightening her shoulders and taking a deep breath. “I can’t let my fears hold me back. Not when there’s so much to gain.”

“That’s my girl,” Gerri said, pride evident in her voice. “Now, go get ‘em, lion. And remember, I expect a full report afterward. With all the juicy details.”

Kira rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

“That is true,” Gerri said, blowing a kiss through the phone. “Now, go make me proud. And if you need any tips on how to handle two men at once, just give me a call. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

Kira laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Gerri. For everything.”

“Anytime, darling.”

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. “Gerri, I’ve got to go. Rex and Nash are here so we can dive into the investigation. I’ll keep you posted.”

She quickly smoothed down her hair and took a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies that had suddenly taken up residence in her stomach. With a final glance in the mirror to make sure she didn’t look as flustered as she felt, Kira opened the door, a bright smile on her face.

“Hey, guys,” she greeted, stepping aside to let them in. “Ready to catch a fraudster?”

Rex and Nash entered the apartment, their presence filling the space with an electric energy that made Kira’s skin tingle. Rex was dressed in his usual attire of dark jeans and a fitted T-shirt that clung to his muscular frame while Nash opted for a more casual look with khaki shorts and a polo shirt that brought out the green in his eyes.

“Born ready,” Rex said, his deep voice sending shivers down Kira’s spine. He pulled her into a brief hug, his hands lingering on her waist a moment longer than strictly necessary. “How about you, detective? Any breaks in the case?”

Kira shrugged, trying to ignore the way her body responded to Rex’s touch. “Not yet, but I have a feeling we’re getting close. I’ve got a stack of case files and a list of potential suspects I think we should take a closer look at.”

Nash grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “Sounds like a party. Lead the way, boss lady.”

They settled in the living room, the coffee table soon covered in a sprawling mess of papers, files, and hastily scribbled notes. Kira perched on the edge of the couch, a frown of concentration on her face as she studied the information in front of her.

“Okay, so we know that whoever is behind this has to have a pretty serious grudge against Gerri and the PDA,” she said, tapping a pen against her chin thoughtfully. “They’re not just trying to sabotage her business, they’re actively trying to destroy it.”

Rex nodded, his brow furrowed as he flipped through a stack of files. “Right. And they have to have some pretty impressive skills to pull off these kinds of matches. I mean, a mermaid and a dragon? That’s not exactly a pairing you’d stumble upon by accident.”

Nash snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. “Can you imagine the logistics of that date? ‘Oh, sorry, I can’t go for a moonlit walk on the beach, I’ll dry out and die.’ Talk about a mood killer.”