But she hadn’t been thinking.
But that would have to change now, as she didn’t want to have a child yet. She wanted to learn who she was with Bram and Shane, as well as learn who they were with her. They had centuries to have children, and when they were ready, they would take that step. For now, she would take the herbs and hope they weren’t too late. She wouldn’t resent what had come from their mating—if anything had—but it wasn’t exactly the best time for it.
“What are you worrying about over here?” Bram asked as he walked toward her.
She had been standing near her home, enjoying the breeze on her skin, but now, all she wanted to do was go inside and slam her best friend against the wall. She could blame it on the mating heat that always rode any mated pair—or triad—hard, but she had a feeling it had more to do with the man in front of her and not any magical connection.
The bond between them pulsed.
Okay, perhaps some of it was their magical connection.
She reached out to dance her fingers along his jaw. He raised a brow, standing still for her so she could play. She loved that he did that and so much more. He reminded her of a jungle cat sometimes, all sleek and powerful. Yes, he was a wolf, and comparing him to a cat would get her in trouble, but she didn’t care. He stood still for her to touch his face, his shoulders, his chest. He always made sure she, and now Shane, were taken care of before he did anything for himself.
That’s why she was glad she and Shane were on the same page when it came to taking care of Bram, rather than the other way around.
Someone needed to care for him and make sure his needs were met.
He might be dominant in bed and in life, but when it came to those he cared about, he wasn’t forceful. He was the quiet dominant wolf, and those were the ones you usually had to watch out for.
And now he was hers.
“Are you going to tell me what you’re thinking about? Or should I guess?”
She traced her fingertips along his lips after he’d spoken and shook her head. “I’m only thinking about you. Come to bed with me.” It was a whisper. A need laid bare before the man she loved. One of the men she loved.
How had she gotten here? How had this become her life?
Warmth filled her, and she smiled.
She was…happy.
For the first time since she’d seen Ellie and Maddox in that basement and they’d saved her life, she was past content and into pure joy. Was this what it felt like to be mates? Was this what it meant to have a future not wrapped up in darkness?
And maybe, just maybe, she deserved this.
Bram lowered his head and brushed his lips along hers. “I think that sounds like a perfect plan.” He kissed her fully then, his tongue sliding along hers. She moaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
This man. This was what she needed.
Him and Shane.
Forever.
He gripped her butt and lifted her off her feet. She chuckled and held on tightly, wrapping her legs around his waist. The position left the long line of his cock pressed firmly against her heat, and she sighed happily.
“Let’s get inside before your whole family finds us naked and sweaty in the middle of the forest.”
Once again, she traced his jaw with her finger a few times, even as he carried her into her house. “Well, I’d like to get naked and sweaty with you outside once, but yeah, in front of my family, not so much.”
He grinned, and she fell in love with him all over again. Goddess, he had the most beautiful smile, and she prayed one day he would use it more often. He closed the door behind her and pushed her back against the wall.
With her body pinned and her legs wrapped around his waist to steady her, he pulled her arms up over her head so she was completely at his mercy.
And goddess, how she loved it.
If any other man or woman tried to pin her down, she’d fight, but Bram and Shane? It just made her want to wrap around them tightly and take all that they could give her.
“I’m going to fuck you against your door. What do you think about that?”
Charlotte smiled and arched her back, pressing her hips closer to his. “I think we’re wearing too many clothes.”
Bram raised a brow, and before she could ask him what he was going to do next, he was using his claws to rip her clothes from her body.
She moaned, in awe of how careful he was, even as he handled her roughly at the same time. His claws grazed her skin, but it was in a sensual move, not a violent one. And when she was naked, still against the door and panting, he held her with one arm and somehow slid out of his clothes, as well.
Now they were both naked, ready, and willing.
It was about time.