Page 69 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

“We haven’tstoppedtalking since the two of you walked through the front door,” Roadkill reminded them as he strolled over to the fire pit. The flames lit up his face, reflecting in his glasses.

“Both out loudandinside our heads,” Eve added, holding out her hands to warm them. “That mental lockbox Horvan and Dellan told us about…. Have either of you tried it yet? I mean, have you tried to hide your thoughts?”

“Not yet,” Hashtag admitted. “Maybe tomorrow when I’m not so tired. And westillneed to talk. This is important.”

Eve studied him. “Yeah, I can feel that. What’s on your mind?”

Hashtag stared into the orange-yellow flames. “There’s a reason a lot of military guys stay single. Well, two, actually. Having a partner can be a distraction, and bad guys can see that as a weakness to be exploited.” He grimaced. “Saul, Vic, and Crank learned that the hard way.” He glanced at Eve, then Roadkill. “Butwehave a totally new situation. What happens when we’re on a mission? How am I gonna concentrate when I’m worrying about you two? Because losing either of you is gonna have consequences. You’re more than partners.” He swallowed. “I asked Dellan what happens when someone loses a mate. His answer wasn’t helpful. He said he didn’t have a clue.Thenhe added he hoped he never gets to find out.”

“Now wait a minute.” Roadkill stared at him. “Did you ever worry about mebeforewhen we went on missions? And tell the truth.”

Hashtag didn’t have to think about it. “No, I didn’t.”

“And why not?”

“Because I know you can take care of yourself,” he admitted.

“Exactly.” Roadkill’s smile was as warm as the firelight that danced on his skin. “Nothing’s changed. Well, except for one thing. When we go out on missions, we’ve got radios, mics….” His eyes gleamed. “We don’t need any of those. And that means we’ll be aware of each other. If something happens to one of you, I’ll know about it in a heartbeat, whichalsomeans I can respond faster.”

Eve nodded. “What he said. You’re both good at what you do. You wouldn’t have gotten this far if you weren’t.” She smiled. “Well, so am I, and I happen to think we make a pretty formidable team.”

Hashtag smiled too. “You and Roadkill are rocking the pretty part, at any rate.”

Roadkill shuffled his chair closer to Hashtag’s. “So I’m pretty? Youhavenoticed me, then?”

He chuckled. “Course I have.”

“So that means we can hit the sack now?”

Eve snickered. “What he said.”

Hashtag threw his hands up in the air. “Look, I’mtryingto do the right thing, okay? We just found out we share a profound connection. That doesn’t give us carte blanche to jump on each other’s bones.” He gazed at them. “I want to get to know you guys.”

Eve got out of her chair, walked over to him, and crouched in front of him, the firelight providing her with a golden aura as it backlit her hair. “I love that you’re trying to do things the right way, to be a gentleman. And if it was any other time, and you two were any other people, I’d say sure, let’s take the slow path. But let’s be honest. Thanks to this connection, we already know each other far more intimately than couples who’ve been together decades.”

“But you have this overwhelming feeling that time isn’t ours to do with as we please,” Roadkill interjected. “I feel it too.”

Eve nodded. “Yes. I can’t help it. I know you said you’d give me space, privacy… but what if that’s not what I want?” She sat back on her haunches, and Hashtag’s nostrils filled with the scent of her, the essence of her that turned him inside out, upside down, back to front. “Question. Have you both had a ton of relationships?”

Roadkill snorted. “Yeah, right. The lifestyle precludes that.”

“Same here.” Hashtag shrugged. “You get used to taking what you can get.”

Eve tilted her head to one side. “Not exactly satisfying, is it? I know how you feel. And I’m tired of meaningless sexual encounters designed to merely scratch an itch. I want somethingreal.” She stood, moving between their chairs, and took theirhands in hers. “And something tells me I’ll have that—with you. So sure, if you really want, I’ll find a room of my own. Just be prepared for the consequences. Both of you.”

Roadkill blinked. “Hey.Iwas going to suggest we all share one room, so don’t lump me in with him.” He turned his head to give Hashtag a beseeching glance unlike any other he’d given in all the ten plus years Hashtag had known him. “Quit being so noble and do what your heart is telling you to do.”

Hashtag knew exactly what his heart wanted.Maybe he’s right.Then Eve’s words registered. “Be prepared for the consequences, you said. What consequences?”

Eve stared at him, and the silence that fell pressed in against him.

When he felt a hand on his cock, he glanced down to find—

Nothing.

But I can feel it.Soft, warm fingers stroked his length.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Eve murmured.

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