Chapter Two
“It’s…it’s nice to meet you,” Valerie squeaked, cringing at how silly she sounded. Getting a grip was harder than she thought. Especially with Mr. Universe times two standing three feet away.
“Arin?” She smiled at the dark-haired man. “—and Xavier, right?” Val nodded toward the blonde.
Xavier’s lips curved in a quiet smile. “At your service.” He nodded as well.
The blond walked through the doorway first, his arm brushing hers as he passed. Instant electricity crackled along Valerie’s skin and her breath hitched.
Neither guy turned or said a word, so maybe they didn’t notice. She hoped.
So this was the Gerri Wilder idea of help. Sending two gorgeous shifters to rattle her willpower. She took in their full length as the huge hotties walked into the living room. Yup, definitely shifters.
The way they moved was an exercise in erotic. Soft denim molded to muscular thighs, the easy fabric hanging low on each sculpted torso, enough to make a woman’s mouth water.
Valerie inhaled and closed the front door before following them inside. For the first time in her life she felt out of control and the alien emotion unnerved her.
“Anywhere in particular you’d like us to get started?” Arin flashed a sinful smile, and then bent to pick up a roll of bubble wrap and a tape gun.
He was close enough to feel his heat and her stomach flip-flopped. His clean masculine scent made her want to sigh out loud.
“You said the boxes were upstairs, right?” Xavier asked. “Maybe we should start there.”
Arin tossed him the tape gun and Xavier twisted to catch it, his tee stretching across his muscled chest as he reached for the throw.
God damn! They were so fucking hot. The tingle in her stomach morphed into full battering ram butterflies aimed straight at her crotch.
She gasped at the damp feel between her legs, pressing her lips together not to burst out laughing or freak out. These guys were total strangers. Unbelievably hot strangers, but still. Her libido had gone into extreme autopilot or something.
Mrs. Wilder said she was the kind of woman her shifters loved. Valerie caught her dusty reflection in hall mirror. At least she was dressed halfway decently, instead of her normal pajama pants and sweatshirt. Leggings paired with a black camisole showed off her curves, while a jean jacket hid a myriad of sins.
Yours to command.
With a smirk, she wondered what would happen if she held the hotties to their word? She took a determined breath and peeled the jean jacket from her shoulders. One insta-bimbo coming up. Oh, boys…
Gerri’s laptop beeped and she glanced at the screen with her jacket halfway off. The words ‘Communique Waiting’ flashed on the screen.
“And reality’s back,” she sighed, dumping her jacket onto one of the chairs.
As if reading her mind, Arin put the bubble wrap down and slid in beside her as she checked the device.
“Mrs. Wilder showed me how to suspend communiques. I can help, if you’d rather us not be disturbed,” he offered. “It’s not hard.”
Her gaze flicked to the large bulge behind Arin’s zipper and she nearly laughed out loud. Yeah, right. Try hard enough to cut diamonds.
“Yeah, thanks.” She cleared her throat. “I’d better take advantage of you two while I can.”
Arin’s eyes found hers and it wasn’t her imagination. His green eyes darkened and a soft rumble came from his chest.
“You two are shifters, right?” she asked, mesmerized by his gaze, even as his outright growl sent her adrenaline screaming.
Xavier nodded, sliding in to hit a few keys on Gerri’s device. “We’re Gemini. An ancient breed of dragon.”
“Gemini?” She looked from one to the other. “As in the zodiac sign?”
“Sort of, but not exactly,” Xavier replied.
Valerie was sandwiched between them with the back of her legs against the couch. “Gemini is the sign of the twins. Are you brothers?”
“No, not exactly.” Arin shook his head. “We belong to the same clan.”
She was suddenly very aware of how close they were and how their body heat seemed to send her nerves into overdrive. God, did they both have to smell so damn good?
“Not exactly,” she repeated, trying to keep her head in the conversation instead of on how much she wanted to reach out and touch them. “You both said that. Twice. If you’re not brothers, are you related?”
Kissing cousins came to mind and she grimaced a little. Fantasizing about two hot guys at once was one thing, but incest was a complete turn off.
“Lyra’s hibernating.” Xavier gestured to the laptop. “She won’t wake until prompted, and to answer your question, no, Arin and I are not related.”
“We are connected, though,” Arin continued. “I’m the alpha of our clan and Xavier is the omega.” He kept his eyes on her. “It’s common among the dual-natured.”
“You’re the alpha,” she repeated. “Is that the same as an alpha male in a wolf pack? I belong to the Wolf Conservancy, so I know a little about that.”
Arin grinned. “Sort of, but not exactly.”
“Funny.” Valerie shot him a wry look. “I’m guessing you’re the comedian of the two.”
The laptop went dark, so she closed the lid. Without thinking, she turned and nearly collided chest to chest with Arin.
The slow grin that spread across his gorgeous lips sent embarrassed heat racing from her cheeks to her ears.
“Uhm, maybe we should head upstairs,” she mumbled, avoiding his eyes.
Arin didn’t budge, so she squeezed past.
“You could’ve moved, you know.” She pushed her hair from her face, mortified her nipples rubbed across his rock hard torso.
“Yup, and I would have had you asked,” Arin replied with an even wider grin. “But I’m glad you didn’t.”
Valerie didn’t dare respond. Instead she walked straight to the bottom of the stairs and gripped the bannister.
The two followed close behind and she knew both sets of green eyes were glued to her ass as she climbed to the second floor.
“So—” She cleared her throat, reaching the top landing, trying to deflect the topic from her nipples and her ass. “What exactly are an alpha and an omega, then?”
Xavier answered as they followed her toward the master bedroom. “A pair matched at birth to encompass the cyclical nature of our history. There is a special bond between the two. The closest I can explain is the human idea of Ying and Yang. For us, it doesn’t end with only two. An alpha and an omega need a third to catalyze that balance, and when they find their mate the triad is complete.”
“Triad?” She turned with a question just outside the master bedroom door. “That sounds almost prophetic.”
Arin nodded as she reached to snap on the light. “Not almost. A triad is prophetic. For the Gemini, the prophecy is one will be mortal and one immortal, but when their triad is complete, the three are granted shared half-immortality.”
“Half-immortality. What, like a demi-god?”
Xavier inclined his head. “If your belief system speaks in terms of gods. Ours doesn’t. What it means is a triad’s existence is long and strong, enough to ensure the survival of our clan.”
Valerie blinked at the two. “And what happens if you two don’t find your third? Your mate, as you say.”
Arin and Xavier exchanged a look before Arin answered. “If a clan’s alpha and omega fail to form a triad or if their mate is killed, the clan suffers for generations.”
“Suffers?” Valerie’s brow knotted. “Wow, talk about pressure, especially finding someone to fit the bill. Is your mate another male?”
These two were so gorgeous it would make sense if they were gay, still, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be sandwiched between them for real.
A soft smile spread across Xavier’s full lips and Valerie blinked at the insta-fantasies they conjured.
“No, our mate is not another male. In fact, the mate we’ve been searching for is luscious, strong-willed and fiery.” Arin moved from the door, walking her backward until the backs of her legs hit the bed. “Remind you of anyone, Valerie?”
Her gaze locked with Arin’s and the rush of lust through her blood nearly knocked her onto the mattress.
Holy hotness! No wonder Camille fell head over heels after one week. Bang!
“Are you okay?” Xavier asked, striding from the doorway as well.
She nodded, despite the betraying thud of her pulse. “Just a little claustrophobic.”
Xavier chuckled, putting a hand on Arin’s shoulder. “Personal space, dude. We talked about this.”
Arin took half a step back, giving Valerie barely enough room to scoot by. “We have to stop meeting like this,” he joked.
She shot him a look and then bent to pick up a large cardboard box from the side of the bed. “Closet,” she said, shoving the box at his chest. “You get to pack up Camille’s shoes. There’s at least fifty pair.”
“I warned you, bro.” Xavier laughed. “Approach with caution, not caveman.”
Valerie grabbed another box and lifted it to the dresser. “Approach who with caution? Me?”
“Yes, love.” Xavier looked at her.
Opening the top dresser drawer, Valerie scooped up a handful of Camille’s clothes and put them in the box. “Why? I know I came off brusque earlier, but that had to do with the magic matchmaker, not you two.”
Xavier moved behind her at the dresser and slipped his hands onto her shoulders, his finger caressing her bare skin. “It has everything to do with us, and why we’re here.”
Valerie’s eyes found his in the dresser mirror. They were gold with only flecks of green. An overwhelming urge to turn into his arms flooded her body and mind. The feeling was beyond comprehension and fear crept into the mix.
“Dragos!”
A growl from the closet shook the bedroom walls and she jumped, breaking the spell of Xavier’s hold.
Xavier spun on his heel, pushing Valerie behind him. “Stay here. Do not follow me.”
He moved with a predator’s grace, carefully but determined. “Arin? What did you find, dude?”
The dark-haired Gemini filled the closet door, his eyes orange with streaks of fire red. His fists clenched at his sides and his shoulder muscles bunched as if ready to kill.
“A Dragos was here.” Arin’s voice was a rough growl and Xavier’s face tightened.
“You’re sure?” the blond mountain asked.
“His stench is all over this room, but I didn’t notice at first because of her intoxicating scent.” Arin’s words were almost an accusation.
“Hey! Tall, dark and scary. You’re not so funny right now. What the hell is going on? This room does not have a stench,” Valerie moved from the dresser, but the look Xavier shot her had her stepping back.
Arin’s fiery gaze shifted to her and she gasped at the shadow of wings emerging in the ambient light from the closet. His skin took on an iridescent sheen and she took a step toward the door.
“I’m not going to hurt you, little one. You are too precious to us. I know this is not your home, so I know this offense is not yours,” Arin replied to her alarm.
She looked from Arin to Xavier. “You’re the calm one, so would you please tell me what your partner in crime is talking about?”
“The Gemini are not guilty of any crime!” Arin growled.
Xavier held his palm out to his friend. “Arin! Chill. Valerie has no idea what you’re referring to, so take it down a notch or ten.”
Arin threw up a hand, and then stormed out of the room. Heavy footsteps echoed from the stairwell as he stomped to the first floor.
“Wait—what the hell just happened?” Valerie’s gaze flicked back to the door. “Xavier?” She prompted.
He shrugged, his expression both disappointed and troubled. “Geminis and Dragos,” he answered quickly. “I wish I could explain more, but I have to go. I’m sorry, beautiful, but this party’s over for now. In this state, Arin is dangerous.”
She stood dumfounded as he hurried past, but even more so when he stopped short and took her hand.
“Arin is right about one thing. Your scent is intoxicating.” He pulled her close and brushed his lips to hers, lingering just long enough for her body to want for more. “I promise we will meet again.”
Xavier rushed out after Arin, and she slumped to the bed, her head spinning. Her nipples ached and a dull throb invaded her nether regions. “Holy shit! And he said I’m intoxicating?”
A slam from the front door broke her carnal haze. She walked down the stairs half in a fog, her mind racing, but when she got to the bottom step she stopped.
I wish I could explain more.
Valerie chewed on her lip. “That’s the third time someone couldn’t or wouldn’t explain things directly affecting me.” Shoving a hand through her hair, she dragged in a breath and stepped off the last stair. “In my world, three strikes you’re out.”
She walked past the couch in the living room, but then stopped. Gerri’s laptop was still on the coffee table. With a nod, Valerie grabbed her jean jacket from the chair and then scooped up the device, tucking it under her arm. She picked up the business card Gerri left on the table and scanned the address. “Honey, you’ve got a lot of ‘splaining to do.”