Page 34 of Stealthy as a Wolf

All I could do was nod in agreement.

Whatever happened, no one would ever touch her again.

My human brain knew Maggie was safe, but my beast wasn’t so easily convinced.

Not until the threat to her was eliminated.

Not one of the guys spoke while they got ready for bed. Not that any of us would be able to sleep. The only thing that calmed my tiger was the sight of her sleeping on the bed between me and my brother.

For the first time in my life, my heart felt full, and it was because of the woman in my arms, like an essential piece of myself that had been missing had finally been found. I snuggled closer until every inch of her was pressed up against me, and my beast gave a rumbling purr of contentment.

I promised myself I would do everything in my power to protect her, even if I had to fight my own brother to claim her for my own.

* * *

MAGGIE

Iwoke to the most delightful sensations, surrounded by warmth and the scent of autumn that gave me a sense of peace and serenity that I didn’t remember ever feeling. Fingers lightly traced along my skin, leaving me feeling boneless.

A light purr rumbled beneath me, instantly hardening my nipples, and heat pooled between my legs, a delicious ache that left me feeling empty and wanting more. I squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to face reality.

I didn’t want the most delicious dream I’d ever had to vanish before I even had a chance to enjoy it. Hands ghosted up my sides, melting me into a boneless puddle of goo. Another hand ran down my back, then swept over my ass, the touch firming. I wiggled my hips at the sensation, aching to feel that touch against my bare skin.

Then I went absolutely still.

Two hands on my sides.

One hand on my back.

I frowned as I struggled to do the math. Unless I was dreaming about a three-handed alien…then understanding hit.

Twins.

Wait.

Why the hell would I be dreaming about twins?

Images of Burke and Boone popped into my head, and I crinkled my nose. Eww. To my disgust, the ribbons of my dreams began to unravel.

“Open your eyes, beautiful.” A tingle swept over my skin at the deep, raspy sound of his voice, and fire licked along my veins.

“No,” I muttered, squeezing my eyes tighter shut.

Silence filled the room, almost long enough for me to drift off again.

“Can I ask you why not?” Barely suppressed amusement tinged the question, and a warm breath of air whispered along the back of my neck.

I heaved an exasperated sigh. “Because I’m having an awesome dream, and I don’t want you two idiots to ruin it.”

A chuckle came from beneath me, jiggling the bed. I frowned, then reached down and poked said bed, confirming my suspicion when the surface beneath me twitched.

I’d somehow fallen asleep sprawled on top of someone, and I was totally amazed when I didn’t have a total freak-out. I skimmed my hands along the surface—the very warm, very naked surface.

“What if the dream doesn’t have to end?” The second voice came from below. Husky. Demanding. Hands slid along my hips, then tightened possessively.

Bare hips, where my shirt had pulled up.

For some reason, the sensation felt familiar, almost comforting. I barely resisted the urge to squirm, but must have done a bad job of it when the hands tightened in warning. A third hand skirted up my back, slid under my shirt, and I sucked in a startled breath at the near blistering heat. It soaked into my back, and I couldn’t hold back a groan.

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