Tempering Zoe

Tempering Zoe: Tarot – Temperance By Bonnie Rose Leigh The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copy...

Author: Leigh Bonnie Rose

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Tempering Zoe: Tarot – Temperance By Bonnie Rose Leigh

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Tempering Zoe: Tarot – Temperance Copyright © 2008 Bonnie Rose Leigh ISBN: 978-1-55487-002-8 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.extasybooks.com

In Tempering Zoe, Zoe has made some poor choices in the past and now seeks to find balance in her life. She moves to a new town, desperate to begin a new life. She wants to raise her children in peace but the past and past mistakes have a way of returning to hurt you. When two men step in to help Zoe deal with her past, can she accept their assistance and love? Find out in Tempering Zoe…

Dedication Tempering Zoe is dedicated to my publisher, my editor, to my best friend-Tianna Xander, and my wonderful hubby, Chris. Without all four of them, for a variety of reasons, this particular story wouldn’t have made it to press, so thanks y’all…

PROLOGUE ain and shame burned through Zoe Daniels. Tears welled in her eyes as she watched her lover, the father of her child, pull another woman into his arms. Not just any woman either, but the closest thing she’d ever had to a sister. It could have been an innocent greeting, one friend spying the other and offering a hug of companionship, but deep down she knew it wasn’t. In growing horror, she watched Michael lift his hand toward Tanya’s face and gently cup her cheek as he lowered his mouth to hers. If that hadn’t been painful enough to watch—that gentle and loving gesture—the wink of gold on his ring finger destroyed any hope that he’d ever truly loved her. Unable to witness their betrayal any longer, Zoe spun away and dashed back into the building that housed her family doctor. No way would she even consider telling him about the baby now. Uncaring of the scene she made, and only thinking of her desperate need to escape, she raced out the

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rear of the building and darted down the nearest side street leading away from her shame. Oh, God… What am I going to do now?

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Tempering Zoe: Tarot – Temperance

CHAPTER ONE oe left her doctor’s office—and up until five

Zminutes ago, her employer—with her head

lowered in worry. The twins must have sensed her anxiety because they chose that moment to let her know they were there, kicking her bladder as they rolled over in her belly. Running a soothing hand over her tummy, Zoe stopped on the sidewalk outside Doc Rambler’s office and breathed in the heavenly scent of coffee from the diner across the street. What she wouldn’t give for a jolt of caffeine and some sinfully decadent chocolate cream pie right about now. Sighing, she turned away from temptation and started toward her car. Both treats would have to wait. Not only were they bad for the little ones she carried, but apparently her budget just became entirely too tight a whole lot sooner than she’d imagined it would. 3

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When she’d decided to leave the city and look for a small town to call home, the name of this town spoke to her like no other ever could. Serenity was a small town out in the middle of nowhere in Upstate, New York. She still lived within driving distance of the city if she ever felt the need to return, but she lived far enough away that she could almost push that part of her life— the broken dreams, the shattered illusions—out of her mind completely. Too bad she couldn’t shove her financial concerns out of her mind the same way. With her head down and lost in her worrisome thoughts, Zoe didn’t notice the man standing in front of her, not until she plowed into him, anyway. When she looked up and realized exactly who she’d run down, she wished she could do it again. “Well, if it isn’t Michael Donaldson, the shit bag I left in New York city. What brings you all the way out here to little ‘ole Serenity?” “Now Darlin’, is that the way to talk to the father of your child?” Zoe’s skin crawled when she looked at his smarmy, too big smile, and gazed into his dead grey eyes. God, how could she have ever thought this man loved her? Worse, how could she ever think herself in love with him? Had she been so naive, so needy, that she jumped into a relationship with a jerk who wouldn’t know love 4


if it smacked him in the face? Well, she’d learned. Learned to control her impulses. Learned to depend on no one but herself. Yeah, she’d learned alright. The question was, what did Michael want with her now? Girding herself for whatever was about to happen, Zoe straightened her shoulders, looked him up and down then sneered. “And what makes you think I’m carrying your child?” Michael put his hands in his pockets, threw back his head and laughed. “As big as you are, how could it be anyone else? You haven’t lived here long enough for anyone in this hayseed town to have knocked you up.” Oh, God. What could she say to that? If he thought she only carried one child, he must think she was about to deliver any minute. How in the hell did he find her? She knew he didn’t love her, which meant he was here for another reason all together. What though? What could he possibly want with her now? Whatever it was, it was important enough to bring him away from his precious family business, and somehow she knew that didn’t bode well for her or her children. Before she could come up with a suitable reply, strong hands gripped her shoulders from behind. She tensed, unsure who held her but unwilling to give Michael any more to question. “Zoe, sweetheart, how did your appointment 5

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go with the doctor? I’m sorry I missed it, but I just couldn’t get here in time.” Oh hell, she knew that voice. What the hell was Conn Brady doing? Her neighbor lived just down the hall from her own apartment with his friend and business partner, Marcel. Hell, who cares? If he could help get rid of her ex-lover, she’d go along with him, whatever his motivations were. Plastering on a fake smile, she turned to Conn. “Oh, hi. I wish you could have been there, but I understand that problems on the site can keep you tied up. Besides, Doc Rambler says the twins are doing just fine.” Conn’s eyes glittered before one of his big hands dropped to her stomach, gently rubbing her tummy as though he were really caressing his children. “Good.” Raising his head, he nodded toward Michael. “Who’s your friend?” “Oh, just someone I knew when I lived in New York City.” Conn pulled her against his chest, wrapping one arm around her waist his palm still cradling her belly while he held out his other hand to Michael. The move was completely unexpected and she had to force herself not to react. If Michael even suspected all was not as it seemed, he wouldn’t go away and she really didn’t want him hanging around. 6


“So, what brings you to Serenity?” Conn asked. Zoe turned her head, watched as Michael stiffly shook Conn’s hand. All signs of Michael’s humor disappeared. “I’m just passing though. I thought Zoe looked familiar so pulled over to see if I was right.” “Is that right? Will you be heading back to the city then?” Zoe tensed, anxious to hear the answer to Conn’s question. “Yes, I need to get back home. There is an urgent matter I need to take care of.” Zoe began to relax only to flinch when Michael turned his attention to her. Hatred glinted in his eyes for just a moment then all trace of his anger disappeared. “It was nice to see you again, Zoe. Now that I know where to find you, we should get together, catch up on what you’ve been doing since I last saw you.” Zoe shivered. Why did his suggestion seem so ominous? Either Conn sensed her fear or he’d decided to continue the act, because he bent toward her, whispering a tender kiss against her temple. “Well, it was nice to meet you, but Zoe and I really need to get going. She’s been on her feet long enough for one day and needs her rest.” “Of course,” Michael agreed. “She must take care of herself and the children. I’d hate for 7

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anything to happen to her—or them.” As Conn steered her into the opposite direction, she couldn’t stop herself from glancing at her ex from over her shoulder. With hands fisted at his sides, Michael had a look of grim determination on his face. Once again, she shivered. Once they were far enough away from Michael that he couldn’t overhear them, Conn looked down at her, a question in his eyes. “I take it that’s the children’s father.” Zoe swallowed the bile that had risen in her throat. “Yes, that’s him.” Conn nodded then said nothing more as he led her across the street to where he’d parked his work truck. “Thank you for getting me away from him. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t shown up.” “He would have forced you into that fancy car he was driving to get you to go with him. He seemed like a man about to commit a crime, but had no way to go about it, in the middle of town as you were. If that makes sense.” “Why would you think that?” Conn shrugged. “I’ve seen his type before. They circle the ones they perceive as naive then go in for the kill. You were in his sights, his target for want of a better word. The question is, why are you still there? He’s definitely a fuck ‘em and leave ‘em 8


kind of guy.” “And you can tell that on five minutes acquaintance?” “Pretty much.” Conn grinned. “I meet a lot of people in my business. You learn which ones to avoid real quick.” Rather than stop at his truck and load her up, he took Zoe by the hand and led her into the diner. She tried to pull her grip away, but his hands, though gentle, wouldn’t budge from hers. “Stop,” she whispered, truly angry now. “I have to get home, clean out yet another spare room so I can get a boarder in there. I don’t have the time for you to drag me around this way.” Conn stopped, lowered his face to hers. “Baby, you’ve been working all day, every day for nearly two weeks. It’s time to put your feet up for a while. We are going into the diner and eat like civilized adults. Besides, Marcel will be here any minute and I’m sure he’d like to talk to you, too.” Zoe could feel the heat flood her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I really can’t. I have to work. The babies are going to need so much when they’re born and I’m running out of time to get things ready as it is.” No way could she let on that she thought of the two men more than a time or two since she moved into their apartment building. “I understand your responsibilities, Zoe, but you need to fuel your body, too, or you and your 9

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babies will suffer for it. You have to think of them now.” Zoe’s shoulders sagged. She knew he was right, but every time she came near him or Marcel she started talking like a gibbering idiot. She always found herself saying the dumbest things in front of them. “Fine, but we need to hurry. I’m supposed to be at Mack’s Diner in an hour for my shift there and it will take at least that long to get home, change, and then drive across town to make my shift on time.” As Conn led her to a table in the back, he shook his head. “How much longer do you think you’ll be able to keep working there, Zoe, before you’re too big and too tired to keep up with the lunch and dinner crowds?” Zoe shrugged, but couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “As long as I’m able. The twins will need so much when they’re born—too much. I can’t afford to quit yet.” As Conn held out her chair, he grunted. “They need you more, Zoe. If you’re too exhausted to take care of yourself properly, you won’t do them any good.” After making his way around the table and taking his own seat, he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. After a few moments, she grew uncomfortable under his watchful gaze. “What?” “We need to talk.” 10


Now that sounded ominous. “Talk?” Well that was safe. She could talk all day. It was what she daydreamed doing with him and Marcel that kept her running in the opposite direction every time she saw them. The man was to die for. If his name hadn’t given away the fact that he was Irish, the emerald green eyes, long auburn hair and Irish lilt would have. The man had to be at least six foot four with massive arms, powerful thighs and abs that put some bodybuilders to shame. His size though didn’t intimidate her in the least. How could she be afraid of a man who took his mother out to dinner at least twice a week, walked Mrs. O’Malley’s dog every evening and spent at least one weekend a month volunteering at the youth center? If she hadn’t sworn off men after what she’d went through with her ex, she would have been hard pressed not to make a play for him herself. He was every mama’s idea of the perfect man, and every woman’s idea of a wet dream. “Yes.” He motioned for the server standing two tables away with an order pad in hand. She nodded once and turned back to take another table’s order. Unable to look at Conn when it took everything she had not to drool whenever she was in his presence, Zoe looked down at the table and began to play with her cutlery. 11

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“Marcel and I have an opening we’d like you to fill at the office.” She almost choked, snapping her head up to look in his eyes. She had an opening or two she’d like him and Marcel to fill. She wondered how they would feel about hiring her if they knew that bit of information. “An opening?” He made a noise in his throat as Marcel walked through the door. “Yes. We can’t seem to keep up on our own anymore and we heard you used to be a receptionist in a doctor’s office in the city. You have experience with computer databases and filing, yes?” She nodded slowly, not quite believing her ears. If they could pay her half what she’d been getting in the city, it would be enough to quit her job at the diner and relax a bit. How nice it would be to finally get some rest. Her throat ached and her eyes burned with unshed tears. She wouldn’t do it. She couldn’t. She had no idea if they could even pay her more than the wages and tips she made as a waitress. “How much?” Marcel grinned as he sat down. “I told you she’d consider it.” He settled himself in the chair and waved for the waitress. “We’re willing to pay you whatever it was you made working for the good doctor in addition to what you made as a waitress with a ten percent raise, with one 12


condition.” Zoe shivered as Marcel’s voice seemed to reach out and caress every inch of exposed skin and even some that wasn’t. She couldn’t help but stare at the man whenever he spoke. Normally she wasn’t all that attracted to big guys, more afraid of their size than comforted by it, but with Marcel she never felt that way. His brown hair was cut almost military short. Laugh lines framed the most vivid and deep blue eyes she’d ever seen on a person. He had to stand at least six foot two if not a bit more, with a wide chest, muscular arms and big hands. He’d had more the look of a construction worker or lumberjack than the architect she knew him to be. She’d spent more than a few nights masturbating as she fantasized about him. Him and Conn, as a matter of fact. Realizing that she’d stared at him far longer than was proper, instead of responding to Marcel’s suggestion, she gave herself an imaginary slap to the forehead and focused on the conversation once again. “What’s that?” “We need you to stay with us.” He held up his hand. “Before you go ballistic and say no, you need to hear us out. We need you close to the office. Think about it. Less travel time. More time for rest. We have plenty of room. You’ll even have your own suite including bathroom and small office you can easily turn convert to a nursery. 13

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With your raise and room and board included because you’re living with us, you can put every dime toward the care of your children.” “When did you move from the apartment complex? Have I spent so much time away from home that I completely missed you moving out of the apartment right across the way from my own?” Conn shook his head, chuckling low in his throat. “No. We’ll be moving to our new house this evening.” “Oh…” She didn’t know what else to say. “Tell us you’ll at least think about it? For the babies’ sake at least,” pleaded Marcel, though he couldn’t quite pull it off—a hint of demand tinged his voice. She started to shake her head and thought about Michael’s determined expression this afternoon. For some reason, deep in her gut, she feared for her babies. She wasn’t sure he believed they belonged to Conn. If he came back, it could be days before anyone realized she’d gone missing. And there was no doubt in her mind that he would be back. It was merely a question of when. Knowing that it would be best for her children, Zoe did the only thing she could. She just hoped she wouldn’t come to regret her decision. Lifting her chin, she looked at first Conn, then Marcel. 14


“You have yourself a new roommate, but you’ll take my room and board out of my wages.” When both men smiled at her in response, every instinct she possessed told her to run. Deep inside, she couldn’t help but feel as though a pair of tigers had just herded her right where they wanted her so they could pounce on their prey.

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CHAPTER TWO arcel leaned back in his chair, his arms

Mcrossed in front of him. He’d give anything to

reach for Zoe and pull her into his lap, but she wasn’t ready for that yet. Hell, it could be weeks before she was ready to accept him and Conn as her mates. Though he’d love to make her theirs now, knowing she’d soon be living in their home appeased his inner beast’s need to protect her and her children. The first time he’d seen her, she’d been moving in the apartment across the hall from him and Conn. The box she had in her arms looked bigger than she could comfortably carry. In fact, at first, he thought she was a teen helping his new neighbors move in. That is, until he watched her place the box on her doorstep and he got his first look of her. Only a couple inches over five foot, her blonde hair hung halfway down her back, all except for 16


the few locks that seemed to wrap around her lush breasts. Brown eyes lit with laughter when she first spotted him. It probably didn’t help that he’d been watering his plants just outside his door and ended up watering his feet. At first, so lost in her petite perfection, he didn’t even notice she was pregnant, but when she went to bend down and pick up the box after unlocking her door, her shirt pulled tight over her tummy. As soon as he realized that she was expecting, intense loss pierced his heart. Only after he looked at her ring finger and realized it was bare, did he begin to breathe again. As far as he was concerned, since she wasn’t married—or her man hadn’t visibly staked his claim, letting all who saw her see his mark of ownership, per se—she was his. From that moment on, her and her child were his and Conn’s. Now, finally, after months of watching her from afar, she was going to be living under his roof. He couldn’t wait. Hell, neither of them could wait. It was all either of them could do to keep from dragging her back to their new home kicking and screaming. He was just glad it hadn’t come to that. They would move her things in tonight with their own while she stayed at the house, tucked up safe and sound with her feet up, resting. He’d worried about her health over the last few months, they both had. But they couldn’t offer her 17

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the position they just had before. They had no home base other than their two bedroom apartment across the hall from hers. It had taken the last few months to get the house built. Somewhere where they could lure her into their lives while still believing she kept her own residence. If they gave her an entire guest suite to herself, she would have no reason to think they wanted her for anything more than her bookkeeping expertise. It wouldn’t take long for her to relax, become comfortable with them. After a while, she would see they were best for her, for her children. Reaching up, he removed the cloth napkin from around his utensils and placed it in his lap to cover the massive erection he sported. It was his and Conn’s usual condition around her. He hoped they would soon be able to remedy that. They must claim her before her last month of pregnancy. Their people needed her children as much as he and Conn needed her. His jaw ached with the swelling of his gums. He struggled to keep his teeth under control. It would only take one bite. One small nip, mingling their saliva with her bloodstream, and she would be theirs, her children would be theirs. Every instinct he possessed urged him to do just that. With the twins due in just over two months, and the worry that many twin births arrived 18


before their due date, that didn’t leave him and Conn much time to move her into their new home. Never mind get her to trust them, inform her shifters were real and they were white tigers in their other form then convince her to take them to mate. No, all in all, two months didn’t leave nearly enough time. First off, they needed to get her into their home—for her own safety, if for no other reason. Someone was watching her. Whether she believed them or not didn’t remove her from danger. “You know the sooner you move in with us the better. Your lease is up in a few days, isn’t it?” He knew it was. He’d asked Mr. Kravitz if she’d renewed her lease. She’d opted for a month to month agreement. It wasn’t unusual for someone on the run. And their little she-cat was on the run, whether she admitted it or not. He could see it in her eyes, read it in the way she watched her surroundings. She tried to act naturally, but for someone like him, a predator, it was all too easy to see. She stopped and looked at him, her glass halfway to her lips. “Yes. As a matter of fact I have a month to month lease now. I…I thought it was prudent. In case the apartment turned out to be too small after the twins come.” He read the lie in her eyes and in the scent of her skin. Even if he hadn’t had extra senses, he 19

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would have known she didn’t speak the whole truth. She couldn’t look him in the eyes and her left eyelid had a nervous twitch. Smiling, he patted her hand. “That just makes it easier for you to say yes. We’re moving in tonight. It wouldn’t take much to send the movers to your place and have them add your things to ours in the truck.” He caressed the back of her hand. The softness of her hand surprised him. Her skin was as smooth as silk. “Say yes. It’s such a simple thing. Conn and I can’t bear to watch you working yourself into the ground anymore. Besides, you’re working for us now and we want to make sure you get enough food and rest to perform the duties we’ll require of you as our receptionist.” **** Zoe looked between them. This was all too good to be true. She wanted nothing more than to take them up on their offer. After all, she didn’t know them very well. They were just her neighbors. Still, the offer couldn’t have come at a better time. Something told her Michael would be back and, if the expression on his face was any indication, he would force her to go back with him. She wouldn’t go back. She couldn’t. The pain and humiliation she suffered at his hands was too much to bear the first time around. Clearing her 20


throat, she nodded her head. “Okay. You have a deal.” It wasn’t as though she had a choice. At least she wasn’t in a relationship with either of them so getting hurt was out of the question. It was a win, win situation. “I just need to call my boss over at the diner and let him know that I can’t work for him any longer.” Conn shifted in his seat. “Will he give you any trouble for not giving notice?” Zoe winced then shook her head. “I think Jack knew this day would come. He’s been looking at me warily for a few weeks now.” Conn nodded and Marcel handed her his cell phone. “Good. Give him a call and then we’ll take you to our home while we arrange for the movers to pack up your place as well.” “But… I really should be there. It’s not right to have others pack up my stuff.” Both Conn and Marcel ignored her, each reaching for her hands to help her from her chair. “Don’t worry about it. It’s the least we could do for all that you’ll be doing for us. Besides, when was the last time you had an entire night to just put your feet up and relax?” Conn asked, one eyebrow raised in question. She could tell from the expression on his face that he knew it had been weeks since she had a day completely off. “It won’t do me any good to argue with you, will it?” 21

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Marcel chuckled. “Not a damn bit of good.” “I didn’t think so,” she muttered, though deep down she was looking forward to some down time. Before long, the babies would be here and she wouldn’t have any time for herself. She might as well enjoy whatever free time she could before they arrived. Who knew when she’d have any sort of peace and quiet once she gave birth? As the men walked Zoe to her car, she couldn’t help but wonder why they’d chosen her for their new position. She couldn’t even figure out why they needed a live in receptionist for their business. Surely, it would be cheaper to hire someone to staff the phones during the day or even have a phone service answer calls than to house a full-time employee at the salary they were intending to pay her. Did they feel sorry for her? Pity her because of her unwed mother status? She just didn’t know and right now, with her worries about Michael and with her obstetrician recommending she reduce her hours, she didn’t have much choice but to accept their offer. By the time she settled into her little Toyota and had the engine warming up, she’d talked her way around to being happy about the change in her circumstances, though she still didn’t like that she wouldn’t be there to pack up her own apartment. She’d just have to convince them to let her supervise the packing, that’s all. 22


With that thought firmly in her mind, Zoe pulled out behind Conn’s work truck. Marcel’s BMW pulled in behind her. Zoe shook her head and snorted. They must look like a mini-parade driving through town. As they drove down Main Street, several people walking by waved at the procession. She wondered what everyone was thinking when they saw her. Hardly ever seen in the company of anyone besides her employers, the fact that she’d been seen talking with three different men in one night probably had the gossips burning up the telephone lines. As she followed Conn to their house, city streets turned into one lane roads and finally became a long winding dirt road. Civilization disappeared and she found herself in the country. For miles, all she could see were cornfields, apple trees and the occasional big, red barn. She drove through two covered bridges like the ones she’d seen in calendars and even had to stop at a cow crossing. She’d lived in Serenity for six months and had no idea that she was only a fifteen minute drive away from country living. She couldn’t wait to see what kind of house the men had built. It had to be large for her to have her own suite and house the offices for their construction company. Would it be a ranch style house or perhaps a two story brick? 23

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Five minutes later, they pulled into the gated driveway. She gasped, awed and amazed at what would soon be her and her babies new home. Set back on a large front yard, Conn and Marcel had built a multi-level Cedar Log home. Just from the front, it looked big enough to house an entire NFL Football team. The front façade-entryway stood three stories tall and used a combination of stonework and cedar wood. Log pillars surrounded the entire house, supporting a wraparound balcony. And that’s just what she could see from the front seat of her car. Before she could close her mouth, Marcel had opened her door and had his hand out, ready to help her from her car. “So, what do you think of our home?” he asked, his voice wary, which was totally at odds with his normal take-charge personality. “You have got to be kidding, right?” When he shook his head, she gave him her honest opinion. “This is the most fabulous house I’ve ever seen.” A low, throaty chuckle from her left surprised her. She hadn’t even heard Conn come stand next to her. “We’re glad you like it. We want you to feel at home here.” “Like it? I love it. I can’t wait to see what you’ve done with the inside. Your business must be booming for the two of you to afford to build a 24


place like this, even if you do own the construction company that built it.” Marcel reached for her hand and dragged her toward the front door. She didn’t know why she didn’t yank her hand away. Somehow it just felt right that he touched her. Must be all those daydreams, she mused. She’d have to make sure she didn’t lead them on while she lived here though. She may daydream about him and Conn, but she’d never pursue a relationship with either of them. She couldn’t afford to. She didn’t want to ruin any business relationship they had. Besides, she wanted—needed—to focus all her attention on being a good mother to her babies. She didn’t trust her instincts when it came to men, and so was better off alone—at least for the foreseeable future. As Conn unlocked the door, Marcel swept her in his arms and crossed the threshold. “What the hell are you doing, Marcel?” Zoe squeaked. “Welcoming you home, of course,” he quipped. Conn snorted and walked over to the alarm panel and disarmed it. “That’s for newlyweds, you idiot,” she admonished, though she could hear her own amusement in her voice, so she doubted he took her too seriously. By the time Marcel put her down, they stood in the middle of the largest entryway she’d ever 25

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seen. The cathedral ceiling had to be at least thirty feet high. She turned in a circle and stared at the amazing stained glass window above the double doors. Three tigers and two cubs played in a meadow. Her heart clenched at the picture it made. She bet that when the early morning light shined through it, the glasswork would be amazing to see. The log cabin feel of the house continued through the interior. None of the walls were sheetrocked over. At least none that she could see from here. “How big is this house?” “Well, there are currently five bedroom suites with bathrooms, the great room, an entertainment room, an eat-in kitchen, two additional bathrooms and a weight room in the main part of the house. The office is around the back of the property. The easiest route there is through the French doors off the kitchen.” “What could you guys possibly need with that much room?” Conn laughed. “Don’t forget we have a lot of siblings each. Family tends to just show up out of the blue.” “Between us,” added Marcel, “we have eleven siblings plus Conn's parents and my mother. We’ll actually be building a two-story bunkhouse on the property this summer to house the single relatives. Guys will sleep on one floor, ladies on the other.” 26


“I hate to repeat myself, but can you two afford to pay me what you suggested? A house like this plus what you’re still going to have in additional buildings costs can’t be cheap, even when you’re in the construction business. All I need is enough to support my children and myself. I don’t want you to put yourself in debt because you feel sorry for me.” Marcel snorted then tugged her hand, pulling her farther into the house. “We both inherited quite a bit of money when our respective grandparents passed. There is no way paying you a decent salary will bankrupt us, so don’t worry about it.” “Yeah,” Conn agreed, “we were fortunate to have made some damn good investments a few years back with our inheritance and it made us more money than our family will ever need. White Tiger Construction isn’t the only business we own, just the only one we advertise as ours.” Zoe swallowed then wiped her sweaty palms on her pants. She had no idea Conn and Marcel were rich. If she had, she’d probably have avoided them like the plague. The last rich man she’d been involved with was Michael and look how that turned out. Zoe looked from Conn to Marcel. Well, she had learned one thing, never let a man—any man— make her decisions for her and living here would 27

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only encourage them to do that. They’d have all the power and she couldn’t allow that—not ever again. She just had to convince them to go with them to pack up her house then barricade herself in. She’d find some other way to support her and her children. “So, how about showing me where my suite is then I’ll head back to the apartment complex with you and supervise the movers.”

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CHAPTER THREE they made their way through the house, AsMarcel tensed. Looking at Conn, he spoke to

him telepathically. She thinks to bolt. I can smell her lie. She’s changed her mind about living with us. Why I wonder? Does it matter? Maybe if we showed her how thoroughly we planned for her to live with us, she’ll calm down. Conn nodded slightly, Maybe. Why don’t you show her the nursery entrance to her suite first then? That’s a good idea. Let’s just hope it works. Taking Conn’s advice, Marcel led Zoe to her suite, but instead of showing her to the bedroom door, he walked passed it and pulled open the door just a few feet farther down the hallway. “We wanted to show you this room first. It’s part of your suite, just a separate entrance.” Zoe stepped inside the moonlit room and gasped. Marcel couldn’t tell if it was a happy sound or a dismayed one. Flipping the light 29

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switch on, he gazed around the room. He and Conn had thoroughly enjoyed shopping for the baby furniture in here. They’d bought two cherry wood cribs, two rocking cherry cradles, a pale grey rocking recliner and two cherry wood dressers. They painted the walls a soft yellow and purchased a light grey throw rug with frolicking tiger cubs on it for the floor. Just this morning, they’d hung soft grey curtains over the windows. They hadn’t gotten around to the bedding or the wall hangings and whatnot, figuring Zoe would insist on doing that for herself. Neither of them could wait to see what she’d choose. When the silence seemed to go on forever, both he and Conn shifted. Finally, he couldn’t wait any longer to hear what she thought. “So? Is this all right? You can change anything you don’t like. We just wanted you to feel welcome…you and your children.” As Zoe walked around the room, running her hand along the rail of one of the cribs then along the back of the recliner before sitting down, Marcel held his breath. If this didn’t convince her they wanted her here and that she’d have a home with them, he didn’t know what he’d do. **** When Marcel opened the door, Zoe assumed they 30


were showing her to her bedroom. She planned to walk quickly through it, telling them how nice it was then make her escape. But, the minute she walked into what actually awaited her behind the doors, her heart lurched. Never before had someone done something so nice for her. She could feel the thought and planning that had gone into this room. Even though it was only half decorated, she could tell Conn and Marcel had thought carefully about what to put in here. The room was neither fussy nor pigeonholed for only one sex of child. They’d gone to so much trouble for her—a virtual stranger. Would it really be so bad to stay here for a while, to see what happens? She could always move if it didn’t work out. It’s not as if they could keep her here against her will if she learned they were similar to Michael in personality—men who thought that just because they had money, they didn’t have to be decent human beings. Decision made, Zoe looked up, surprised that both Marcel and Conn appeared anxious. “It’s beautiful. I don’t know how to thank you.” “You can thank us by moving in, by helping us at the office and if you’re so inclined by letting us hold the babies when they come home,” Conn pleaded. Zoe looked around the room once again and made the biggest leap of faith in her life. “Okay. 31

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Let’s get me moved in.” **** As the weeks passed, Zoe grew more comfortable around Conn and Marcel. Though they often nagged at her to rest more, not to work so hard, she soon came to realize they did it out of genuine concern for her. And, when they touched her back or placed her hair behind her ears and her heart rate sped up, she did her best to ignore her body’s reactions to their innocent touches. About a month after moving in, Zoe knocked on Conn’s office door. “Enter.” “Hey, Conn. I’d like to run into town for a bit. Do you mind if I take the afternoon off. I have less than a month before the twins are due and have a bit more shopping to do still.” Conn smiled and waved her on. “Go ahead. Any idea how long you’ll be gone?” “Probably a couple hours at least. I might even stop at the salon and have my hair cut before coming home.” “That sounds fine to me. Make sure you give us a call if you run into trouble.” Zoe rolled her eyes, but she knew he worried about her going in to labor early with no one there to help her if something went wrong. 32


“Sure thing, boss.” Zoe had gotten half way to town when she realized she’d forgotten her purse in her room. Usually she didn’t even bother to take it in to the office with her and today was no exception. “God, you’re getting forgetful, girl,” she mocked. At the next dirt road, she did a U-turn and headed back the way she’d come. The guys would sure be surprised to see her home already. She wouldn’t hear the end of their bantering once they found out why she arrived back so soon. While pulling into the circular drive, Zoe decided to leave the car running and just dart around the side of the house to the private entrance into her bedroom suite. Besides, it would be quicker than walking through the house to her room and she did have quite a bit of running around to do this afternoon. Just as she rounded the corner, she heard a loud crash in the back yard. Curious despite the fact that she was in a hurry, Zoe ran to the backyard to investigate. Another crash, metal against metal sounded just as she reached the back gate. Throwing it open, she stared in amazement at all the toppled outdoor furniture. A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention so she turned to look, only to come face to face with two white tigers doing their best to eat each other. Zoe screamed, frozen in place. 33

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She couldn’t make herself move, knowing most wild animals would give chase when something ran from them, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t scream and hope the guys came running. The tigers jumped away from each other and swung their heads in her direction. The one on the right crouched down and looked like he was about to pounce. The other crept toward her along the snowy walkway. OhGodOhGodOhGod! Where were Conn and Marcel? Please God, let them be all right and on their way with a loaded shotgun or something. Zoe’s entire body trembled. She laid a protective hand over her belly, not that it would be any real protection if the beast approaching her decided to make her his dinner. God, she wanted to scream again, but what if that just incited their rage, encouraged them to attack her. While the one tiger continued to creep up to her, the other apparently decided he’d wait until his buddy caught their prey before joining in because he just stretched out atop the pavers and laid his head on his front legs. Zoe looked around, searching for something—anything—she could use as a weapon. But there was nothing. Nothing at all and the tiger was now only a few feet away from her. Just when she thought it would pounce, it stopped stalking her and lay on its belly, 34


practically at her feet. “What the hell?” she muttered. When she started to back away, back toward the gate, the tiger farthest away growled. She stopped. Stood frozen. Now what? Before she could think up another plan, the tiger in front of her seemed to shimmer. She swore light coalesced around him and blinked to check her eyes. But, when she opened them a second later, Conn and Marcel stood in front of her. NoNoNoNoNo! This can’t be happening. Can’t be possible. She backed away, smashed into the fencepost behind her. When both men started to move toward her, she panicked. “Stay the hell away from me. Just stay away.” She could see their pain at her rejection, but she just couldn’t handle this, didn’t think she’d ever be able to handle this. Oh God, what had she gotten herself mixed up with now? Why couldn’t she stop to think before she made important decisions? Why was she so impetuous? Hadn’t she learned anything from her past mistakes? Apparently not. Zoe continued to back away until she reached the edge of the house then turned and bolted for her car. Thank God, she’d left it running. If she could just get away, none of this would be real. It couldn’t be real. By the time Zoe made it into town, she was running on autopilot. She had no idea what she 35

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was going to do. Sure the guys had never harmed her, and in fact went out of their way to make sure she was well taken care of, but they were animals. White tigers for cripes sakes. Holy crap, shifters were real and not just myth. After pulling into the parking lot of the only department store in Serenity, Zoe dropped her head against the steering wheel. Her life was such a mess. She couldn’t get the looks on their faces when she freaked out, from of her mind. They’d looked so torn, so upset. Should she have stuck around? Listened to them? Why hadn’t they told her? She snorted. Probably because they knew how she’d react. Zoe sighed. She may regret this, but she couldn’t just run from them. They’d been too good to her and she’d been half in love with them for weeks. They’d long ago earned her trust and it’s about time she showed them that. Decision made, Zoe sat up and pulled back out of the parking lot. She’d run in and get the package the post office called to tell her needed a signature, but then she was heading back home. She could run the rest of her errands tomorrow. By the time she left the post office, package in hand, her mind was already on the different ways she could apologize to Conn and Marcel. With her head down, she didn’t see the man who was in front of her until she smacked right into him. 36


Startled, Zoe looked up. “Sorry about that. My mind was elsewhere.” “Zoe? Zoe Daniels?” Zoe tensed. She had no idea who he was and he shouldn’t know her. He looked like a high school kid, what with his baggy jeans, stained sweatshirt and the scruffy stubble on his cheeks that looked like it hadn’t seen a razor in a couple days. “Yes,” she answered cautiously. The teen smiled then handed her the piece of paper she hadn’t even noticed he had in his hand. “You’ve been served.” “Served?” “Yeah, lady. Served.” With that he turned his back and headed down the sidewalk, but not before giving someone a thumbs up across the street. That’s when she saw him. Michael Donaldson, with his smarmy smile and dead eyes, stared at her from the municipal parking lot across the street. And he wasn’t alone. Two men she hadn’t seen since New York when she interrupted one of Michael’s meetings stood with them. They were thugs. Hired guns—literally—because she could see the shoulder holster through Victor’s open jacket. Why hadn’t she seen them for what they were before now? He was back and had a plan. Was he going to try and take her children? Was that what the 37

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papers were in her hand? She had to get away— had to go home where she could figure out what to do? Conn and Marcel would help her. She just had to get to Conn and Marcel. It wasn’t until she was almost home that she realized that when she was in trouble, her first reaction was to find the guys. Apparently, she really did trust them to stand by her side when times were tough.

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CHAPTER FOUR hen Marcel watched Zoe run from them in

Wfear he thought his heart would shrivel up

inside his chest. Never had he hurt as badly as he did when she raced away as though monsters were chasing her. Hell, perhaps they were monsters. Conn came up next to him, gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll give her a couple hours and if she’s not home by nightfall, we’ll go out looking for her.” Marcel nodded, but he didn’t have much hope that she’d return on her own. He’d seen with his own eyes her horror when they shifted in front of her. “She’s our mate, Conn. What if she refuses to come back to us? How do I live without her?” Conn shook his head, his eyes full of sadness. “I don’t know. I just don’t know.” Knowing that standing outside wouldn’t make her return any faster, Marcel gave up his vigil and 39

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went inside. He’d just have to wait and pray that she could look into her heart and remember the men who’d lived and worked with her the last few weeks. An hour later, Marcel sat in his favorite recliner in the entertainment room and stared into the flames burning in the fireplace. Conn was doing his best to carve notches into the pool table. Both of them were on edge, waiting, praying, hoping. When they heard her car pull into the driveway, they both stood, raced for the window, needing to see for themselves what their senses were telling them. She’d returned. Their mate had come home. By the time she’d turned off the engine, they were at the front door, waiting on her. “You came back.” Conn sounded as relieved as he felt. “I was wrong to run from you. I’d decided to come back, to talk to you, to apologize then I ran into Michael and the first thing I wanted to do was run home to you. To you and Marcel.” Marcel stopped listening when she’d said her ex’s name. Conn had told him all about the man, how the day he’d met him he set off Conn’s creep meter. Conn had thought the man wouldn’t just walk away, that he wanted something from Zoe. “What did he want?” Marcel knew his voice sounded gruff, but she was his mate. The fact that another male was sniffing after her didn’t sit well 40


with his beast. “To give me these. I’ve been served, but I haven’t even had a chance to look at them.” She handed him the papers she had crushed in her hands. As Marcel looked down at the legal papers, Conn stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Zoe’s waist. “Let’s go inside and sit by the fire while Marcel reads through the documents. Then we’ll figure out what that bastard wants and see what we can do to stop whatever he has planned.” Zoe nodded and tears trailed down her cheeks. “Marcel wanted to roar out his rage that someone made his woman cry. “Go with Conn, baby. He’s right. Together, we’ll figure out what your ex has planned and figure out a way to thwart him.” Zoe nodded, following Conn into the house. Marcel looked over the landscape, making sure no one had followed her home. When he was sure they were alone, he went inside, closed the door and set the alarm. For now on, it would always be armed and tomorrow morning, he’d have an alarm panel put in every room of the house. Better to be safe than sorry, especially when it came to the welfare of his mate and cubs. Half an hour later, Marcel set the papers aside. He couldn’t have planned things any better, but 41

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he didn’t like the idea that he was happy about using these legal documents to get what he and Conn wanted. “Well?” Marcel could hear the worry in Zoe’s voice, could see the strain in her beautiful brown eyes. “He has gotten a judge to order a paternity test. Within one week you have to submit to an amniocentesis. If you don’t you’ll be held in contempt of court.” “What? First off, why can’t he just wait until they’re born? There’s a risk of harming the children during the procedure, albeit a small one, but my due date is in three weeks.” “I agree,” Conn added. “All he’d have to do is wait three weeks then have their blood drawn.” “Oh my God. He wants the twins. He wants my babies.” “We’re not going to let that happen.” “And how are you going to stop him?” she cried. “He’s Michael Donaldson III and he and his father have more money than God.” Conn, you know what we have to do. I know. But, why do I feel guilty as hell when this is what we wanted her to do to begin with? Because now, she really doesn’t have much choice it she wants to ensure she keeps custody of the babes. Conn sighed then relented. Fine, go ahead. Let’s just hope she doesn’t run away screaming again when 42


you make the suggestion. “Zoe. There is one thing we can do that would thwart whatever plans Michael has for you and your children.” “There is?” Marcel hesitated and, when Conn nodded, decided to just spit it out. “I—we—have a confession to make. We did have ulterior motives when we asked you to move in with us.” When she didn’t yell at him, he took that as a good sign and continued. “From the moment you moved in to the apartment across from ours, we intended on asking you to move in with us.” Zoe sat forward on the couch then looked him in the eye. “Why?” “Because we knew that you were made for us. Made for us to love, to mate with, to give us a family of our own.” “Us?” she asked, obviously confused from the looks she was giving them both. Conn nodded then reached for her hand. “Yes, us. We’ve wanted to make love with you since the moment we laid eyes on you, together, apart, as often as possible. We want a relationship with you. A permanent relationship.” Marcel interrupted. “We’ve had this land for years, but the second we both realized you were the one we’ve waited for, we began building our home, this home, the home we intended to share 43

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with you.” Zoe stood, paced in front of the couch. After a tense silence that could have lasted minutes or mere seconds, she stopped in front of his chair, placed her hand on his shoulder. “And how will me getting involved with you—the two of you— ensure Michael is stopped?” “Because the moment we bite you, mark you as our mate, our DNA will flow into your bloodstream, converting your children from human to shifter. They’d no longer have Donaldson’s DNA. He’d no longer be their father and the DNA tests would prove it.” “So you want me to make love to you both, become your mate?” Conn reached forward and pulled her back down next to him on the couch. “That’s exactly what we want.” “And the children? They’d be yours. How can you want another man’s children as your own?” “Zoe, Conn and I have considered the twins ours from the moment we knew you were pregnant.” Zoe looked from him to Conn, indecision written all over her face. “Would you like time to think about this? It’s a big decision.” Zoe nodded then headed for the door. “I’ll let you know my decision in an hour.” 44


Knowing it was more than they could hope for, he and Conn nodded, hoping she chose them and the unconventional relationship they wanted. Even if she didn’t, no one would take her children from her and live. No one. An hour later to the minute, Zoe walked back into the room. She looked serene, at peace with whatever she’d decided and Marcel’s heart clenched with fear. “Okay. I’ll do it. But, I want you to know, if Michael hadn’t shown up and you offered me this choice at some point in the future, I probably would have accepted then, too. I care about you both, more than I thought I could care about any man—men.” Marcel smiled, his muscles eased as the tension he’d carried for the last few hours finally fell away. “Good. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss just when we want to do this.” Yawning, Zoe shrugged. “Sounds good. I’m just too tired to think anymore tonight. I’ll see you both in the office in the morning.” Stepping forward, she gave them each a kiss on the cheek before heading out of the room. **** The next night… As he dressed for his night out with Zoe, Conn 45

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had to chuckle at the irony of the situation. After seeing them in their animal skin, she’d left the house to escape, to think, she said. But, a few hours after she’d gone, she returned more afraid than when she left, giving them the perfect opportunity to step in and save the day. He’d like to think that he would have given her as much time to come to terms with mating with them as she wanted, but deep inside he feared that sooner rather than later his instincts would have demanded he confront her about becoming their mate, especially as her due date grew closer. Conn checked his appearance one last time in the mirror then left his suite, thankful that he’d RSVP’d for two seats at the fundraiser for the local nursing home remodeling. He’d originally planned to bring his baby sister, but he called and begged her to call Zoe and cancel so she’d feel beholden to go with him. Sure, it was sneaky, but he wanted tonight to be more than just fucking for the sake of her twins. He wanted to spend the night with her, touch her, dance with her, maybe even sneak a couple of kisses, before bringing her to his bed. Satisfied with his appearance, Conn left his bedroom and headed toward Zoe’s suite. He wanted to collect her at her door, just as if she lived in her own place. He even remembered to grab a rose out of the vase of fresh cuttings the 46


housekeeper left on his bathroom sink when he came in to get ready, making sure to remove all the thorns. By the time he stood outside Zoe’s door, his palms were sweaty and his stomach had tied itself in knots of anxiousness. He hadn’t been this nervous the night of his senior prom. Taking a deep breath, Conn straightened his tie then knocked on her door, wondering just what she’d bought this afternoon when Marcel took her out shopping for something to wear tonight.

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CHAPTER FIVE oe gaped as she looked at herself in the mirror. have to thank Marcel’s twin sister, Marcella, for helping her pick out this dress this afternoon when she stopped at her boutique in town. She’d never have picked a shimmering gold gown, especially as pregnant as she was, but she looked elegant, classy, actually. After putting a pair of crystal and gold chandelier earrings and grabbing the wrap that matched the evening dress, she was as ready as she’d ever be. Marcella even found a pair of heals to match the dress that were more comfortable than she’d expected. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought that she’d special ordered the dress just for her for tonight, but Zoe knew that Conn’s sister planned on going until her youngest child woke up with an obvious case of the chickenpox this morning. Who knew shifters could catch common childhood illnesses?

ZShe’d

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When the knock sounded at her door, Zoe closed her eyes and prayed that she wasn’t making yet another mistake. She didn’t regret getting pregnant because she did love her children already, but she did regret getting involved with their father. What if by agreeing to mate with Conn and Marcel she jumped from the frying pan straight into the fire. Not only was she going back on her vow to remain alone while she raised her children, but she was going to openly live in a ménage relationship with two men who were in the public eye. Shrugging off her negative thoughts, Zoe went to answer her door and grabbed her evening bag off the dresser as she walked passed. Besides, she reminded herself, she’d been attracted to the two men for months and half in love with them for weeks and tonight she’d find out just what it would feel like to make love to Conn. Wasn’t she a lucky girl? With one last glance down at her dress to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything, Zoe opened the door. Conn, gorgeous in a gray suit with maroon tie, held out a freshly cut rose. He looked stunned for a moment then snapped out of it and cleared his throat. She smirked, just couldn’t help it. She wanted tonight to feel like a real date, and so far it was going perfectly. “I know it’s not a corsage or a bouquet but I’ve 49

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seen you out in the yard, smelling the roses with a smile on your face when you don’t think anyone is looking, so I thought it appropriate.” Zoe smiled, unable not to at such a thoughtful gesture. She didn’t realize that anyone noticed her habit of stopping to smell the roses when she went in and out through the kitchen door. “It’s perfect, Conn. And, may I say, wow, you look great.” “Uh…yeah, so do you. I mean, my God, Marcella outdid herself with that dress. You’re hot. Well, you’re always hot, but…I think, I’ll just shut up now and escort you to the car.” Giggling, Zoe wrapped her arm around his and followed where he led. By the time she got to the front door, she felt like Cinderella. Conn’s eyes kept straying to her body and his slacks had a definite ridge in the crotch area. She couldn’t have asked for anything more. By the time she walked outside with Conn, she knew the night would be all she could hope for and more. A long, white Limousine with driver awaited them at the door. “You’re chariot awaits, m’lady.” Zoe took the driver’s hand and entered the limo. “Wow. You didn’t have to do all this for me Conn. You know it’s a sure thing you’ll get lucky tonight.” As Conn slid in next to her, he grabbed her chin and turned her to face him. “Yes, but tonight is the start of something beyond sex. I want you to 50


remember tonight for the rest of your life, sweetheart.” Nodding, Zoe squeezed his hand and sat back to enjoy the ride. And, as the hours passed and she danced with Conn, laughed with him and even kissed him a time or two, she knew that no matter what happened in the future, this was one night she’d never, ever forget—the night she became Cinderella. She even had a fairy godmother—sort of—in Marcel’s sister. She’d have to do something to thank her for helping make her night so memorable. **** Conn couldn’t believe he finally had Zoe right where he wanted her—in his home and in his bed. The night turned out perfect. He and Zoe danced, flirted and laughed before deciding it was time to continue their evening at home. The last couple of weeks had been bearable only because he knew Zoe was living in their house, the house they built to share with her. Now that she was in his bed though, he couldn’t wait to make love to her, to make her his mate in truth not just in his heart. She looked so beautiful. Her lips were swollen from his kisses. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were passion-glazed. Her long blonde hair lay spread across his pillows, just like he’d imagined 51

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since the night he’d first caught a glimpse of her all those months ago. The first thing he needed to do was undress her. Then he could feast on her. “Are you ready for me to take you, Zoe? Ready to be my mate?” She hesitated for only a moment then gave him a shy smile. “I’m ready, Conn. Make love to me, make me—us—yours.” He loved the sexy gold dress she had on, but it had to go. He wanted to see all of her. And he wanted to see her now. Reaching down, he gently grasped her hands, pulling her into a seated position. He had to be careful of her. With her pregnancy, he needed to be extra cautious not to harm her or the twins with his love-play. Kneeling at her feet, he lifted one foot then the other, sliding her shoes from her feet and setting them to the side. Next the stockings. His eyes widened in surprise when he lifted up the skirt of her dress and found the thigh high stockings and white lace garter belt. By the Gods, he had no idea she’d had such sexy undergarments on underneath her dress. If he had, they wouldn’t have stayed at the dance as long as they did. He raised his gaze to hers. “Damn, sweetheart. I had no idea you were wearing something so sexy.” She gave him another one of her shy smiles then in a husky passion-laden voice whispered, “Uh…thanks. I saw them in the department store 52


when I bought the dress and had to have them.” Conn nodded then licked his lips. “Marcel’s going to be upset he missed seeing these.” Zoe bit her bottom lip then shrugged. “I’ll just have to wear them for him sometime then. I can’t have him feeling left out.” “Hmmm…maybe we should start going with you when you shop for lingerie, give you our opinion. That way, you’ll know immediately what we think of them.” Leaning back on her elbows, Zoe chuckled. “I don’t think we’d get much shopping done, do you? Anyway…I thought you were undressing me. Have you changed your mind about making love to me?” “Oh Gods, I can’t wait to make love to you.” Knowing that if he didn’t hurry and get her naked, his inner beast might decide to fight him for dominance, Conn stood and backed up a step. “Stand up, sweetheart. Let’s get you out of that dress.” As she slowly stood to face him, Conn caught the change in her scent. She reeked of anxiety. “What is it, sweetheart? Did I do something to upset you?” Zoe shook her head then looked down at her feet. Finally, she shrugged then began to mumble. “What’s that? I can’t hear you, Zoe.” “I said that I’m big and fat. I don’t want you to 53

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be disgusted with me.” Conn pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in his embrace. “Baby, you are a lush goddess. The fact that you’re pregnant only makes you more beautiful to me. You glow with health and happiness. Nothing about you is fat. In fact, every day you grow more beautiful. It’s all Marcel and I can do not to fall at your feet and worship the ground you walk on. Never doubt that we love everything about you.” When she gave him a wavering smile, he dropped his arms from around her. “Now, let’s get you out of this dress.” Turning her around, Conn eased the zipper down, leaving her back bare to his gaze. Sweat beaded upon his brow when he realized she wore no bra. Oh, Gods. He swallowed, took a deep breath then slowly slid the gown off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. “Oh, sweet lord. You’re wearing a thong.” Zoe let out a husky chuckle that had his dick as hard as a steel pipe. “Do you like it?” “Like it, sweetheart? Only thing better would have been to find you completely nude beneath this gown. Then again, I might not have survived the night if I knew you had nothing on underneath your dress.” “I’ll keep that in mind then—for the future.” “Oh, Gods. I should have kept my mouth shut,” he muttered, unprepared at what his mate looked 54


like in all her glory. From the back, she was magnificent. Her ass was nothing short of spectacular—firm and high, and just right for his hands to rest on as he fucked her from behind. Conn cleared his throat that gripped Zoe’s shoulders. “Turn around, sweetheart. I want to see the rest of you.” For one second, Conn thought she’d changed her mind about their mating then finally, she turned to face him and he thought he’d expire on the spot. When he looked at her lush body, he imagined her as Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty, and Hathor, the Egyptian Goddess of Childbirth, all rolled into one magnificent woman—his woman. His mate. Her breasts would overflow his hands, and her nipples were pinkish-brown and just the right size for his mouth. Her body fascinated him. Until he’d met Zoe, he’d never thought of a pregnant woman’s body as erotic, but with her… Her rounded belly drew his eyes and he couldn’t help but want to cradle it within his hands every time he saw her—to cradle her children. Everything about her appealed to him, from her bountiful breasts to her shapely legs, from her long, blonde hair to her chocolate brown eyes. “Lay down, sweetheart. Let me look at you. You’re every wish and dream I’ve ever had.” Conn watched as a heated blush spread across her 55

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creamy, white skin, but she did as he asked. Lying across the width of his bed, he couldn’t stop his gaze from traveling over her, once, twice. When she began to shift around on the bed, he knew he’d been staring at her too long and that she was growing nervous. That’s the last thing he wanted. He had to touch her, smell her and immerse himself in her essence. As gently as he could, he pulled her to the edge of his bed, spread her thighs then knelt between them. Leaning forward, he drew in a deep breath. Her scent was intoxicating. Ever so slowly, he ran his finger up and down her sopping wet slit, coating his finger with her cream. He couldn’t believe how wet she was. Needing to taste her, he lifted his finger to his mouth and slowly suckled it, his gaze never leaving hers. Her pupils dilated and her breath hitched before she let out a low moan. Her low groan stirred something within him. His tiger struggled to be free. He needed to see her bare with nothing between them, but the scented air between her thighs. Taking a deep breath, he growled low then snagged a strap of her thong between his teeth and ripped it from her. “I should be pissed that you tore my new panties, but that was the single most sexy experience of my life,” she said on a low moan. Too stunned for words, Conn settled deeper 56


between her thighs. Slowly, he moved his fingers back down to her pussy and opened her to his gaze. Her clit stood rigid, a hard little nub begging to be suckled. Gods, he had to taste her, really taste her. Bending down he spread her thighs as far as they could go so she was completely open to him. Placing her thighs on his shoulders, he pressed his face right against her gate and inhaled. Her scent. Oh Gods, her scent was divine. He could feel his tiger become almost frantic. It pushed against his human half, wanting to roll around in her scent as a housecat rolls around in catnip. Conn could see her woman’s cream pooling in her pussy and had to have a taste. Like the cat he was, he lapped up her cream, swirling his tongue around her clit over and over. Zoe started to squirm beneath his hold. Her moans grew ragged and clipped. He could hear her heart pounding, smell her arousal intensify. Spreading her pussy lips wider, he dove in, eating her cream as if it were his last meal, spearing his tongue into her channel. When he knew he couldn’t wait much longer to make her his, he entered her pussy with first one finger then two. He continued stretching Zoe’s channel even when she started to beg him to take her. When two fingers fit comfortable, he added another. No way would he enter her until he knew 57

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she could take him without pain. After a few minutes more, he was confident she could take him. “Scootch up to the pillows, baby. You’re more than ready for me now.” Zoe nodded then crawled to the top of the bed and waited for him. Conn quickly shucked his clothes, not even giving her a chance to really get a look at him before joining her on the bed. After pulling Zoe into his arms, her chest against his, he rolled them over until she lay atop him. By placing her on top, she would be able to control the depth and intensity of his thrusts, thereby making sure no harm came to her or the babies. As soon as she sat up, she reached down to grip his cock in her tiny hands and about sent him into orbit. Never had anything felt so good and he hadn’t even entered her yet. **** Zoe took a deep breath and really looked down at the cock she held in her hand. He was huge. Thick and long and utterly gorgeous, his cock had to be at least ten inches long. Dear lord. How will it ever fit inside her? “It’ll fit baby. I made sure of it. That’s why I spent so long stretching you.” Zoe swallowed passed the fear then nodded. 58


Taking his cock in hand, she lined it up with her dripping pussy. She took one more deep breath then let it out as she slowly lowered herself, taking his shaft as deep inside her as she could. She sat atop him for several long moments as she let her body adjust to having him inside her. When she felt comfortable and the pressure began to ease she rose back up the length of his cock then slowly slid back down. Up. Down. Up. Down. Before long she was mindless, thrusting against Conn harder and faster, needing him deeper, needing him to fill her like no other ever had. When Conn reached down and pinched her clit, she couldn’t hold back. No way could she stop the climax roaring through her. She came screaming his name. He thrust upward and came, flooding her channel with his seed. Zoe knew there was only one thing left to do. He had to mark her as his mate, thereby donating his DNA to her children. Before she could even think about the procedure or worry about the pain, he rose up, carefully lined up his teeth at the base of her neck and bit down, piercing her flesh cleanly. As soon as her blood welled on the surface of her skin, he let go and began to bathe the wound with his tongue. As her climax began to taper off, he pressed his face against her shoulder and just held her within his arms, making her feel cherished. 59

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The last thing she remembered as darkness overtook her was the press of Conn’s lips against her temple and his whispered words. “Sleep, my mate. Sleep deep.”

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CHAPTER SIX arcel watched as Zoe stretched beneath

MConn’s thick comforter. When they knew they

were taking a human to mate, they’d purchased blankets they knew would not only feel soft against her skin, but also keep her warm. As shifters, they didn’t really need to sleep with a blanket because they could easily control their body temperatures, but that wasn’t the case with Zoe. Little by little, she began to wake. Before long, her eyes would open and then he’d carry her into the Jacuzzi tub and bathe her. Today was his day to woo her, to mate with her and he had the morning all planned. Twenty minutes later, her soulful brown eyes opened. He’d give anything to wake with her every morning, to be the first thing she’d see upon opening her eyes. “Good morning, sunshine.” Zoe licked her lips forcing Marcel to stifle his 61

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groan as his dick twitched against his jeans. “Good morning,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. Marcel could imagine just what Conn did to her last night to make her throat so sore this morning, and all of them made his erection pulse with need. “Are you ready for a long, relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi tub this morning?” Scooting up farther against the pillows, Zoe tucked the blanket beneath her arms. “So long as I don’t stay in there with the heated jets running longer than twenty minutes I should be fine. I don’t want to harm the babies, but I sure would like to ease my muscles some.” A bright red flush spread across her skin that completely charmed him. He couldn’t remember the last woman who suffered any type of embarrassment—that wasn’t feigned as a way to garner attention anyway. Marcel cleared his throat then quickly turned away before she got a good look at his morning hard-on. “I’ll be right back after I get that water started for you then.” He’d spent several hours last night shopping for just the right scents for her lotions and bath products. He wanted to pamper her, show her the care he wanted to bestow upon her every day for the rest of their lives. After dropping a generous amount of magnolia-scented bubble bath in the tub and placing two fluffy towels on the heated towel rack, he went to fetch his mate. He couldn’t 62


wait to bathe her, to discover for himself just what lay hidden beneath Conn’s comforter. By the time he was ready and stepped back into the bedroom, the covers were thrown to the bottom of the bed and Zoe lay atop it completely nude. He stopped in his tracks and dropped to his knees. Her tousled blonde hair curved around a magnificent pair of breasts. Her chocolate brown eyes glowed with devilment—probably because she knew what the sight of her small hands pulling on her large, dusky nipples did to him. Her tummy, rounded with her children, was like a siren’s call to a man who’d always wanted to have a huge family. Her legs, though not overly long, were exquisitely shaped. Her toes were painted bright red and her feet had a delicate arch. He couldn’t believe that this woman had agreed to mate with him—him and Conn. She was perfect. Absolutely perfect—for both of them. “Gods, baby. Look at how beautiful you are.” Another blush spread across her cheeks and it was enough to get Marcel back on his feet. “Let’s get you in the tub then. I have plans for you, later.” As carefully as he could, he lifted Zoe from the bed and snuggled her against his chest as he carried her into Conn’s master bathroom. When she wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a tiny kiss against his chest he about died. Urgent 63

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need slammed into his body and walked a little faster into the bathroom, holding on to his control by only the tiniest of threads. But he couldn’t rush her, couldn’t take the chance of hurting her or the babes. It would kill him if he did something to bring harm to any one of them. He strode the last few steps to the tub, slid her gently into the warm water before turning away to light the magnolia-scented candles he’d scattered throughout the room as she slept. A quick step over to the small radio set into the wall and sultry blues tunes filled the air. Once finished creating the mood he was going for, he felt better able to face his mate without doing something stupid— like jumping her. He wanted inside her so bad, he didn’t know how he’d held out as long as he had. After facing Zoe, he pulled off his t-shirt, dropping it onto the bathroom floor. He watched her eyes widen, first in shock then in obvious appreciation. As soon as he started to strip out of his clothes, she reached between her legs and began to finger her pussy. By the time he shucked out of his jeans and stood before her bare, she had two fingers buried inside her cunt. Her eyes were glazed over in passion, and she’d begun to writhe and moan. Gods, she was hot! What in the hell had he ever done to deserve her? If it took all his life, he’d prove to her that she was his very heart and soul. 64


“Do you mind if I join you, baby?” Zoe didn’t say anything, just bit her bottom lip and nodded her acceptance. He hoped the fact that she hadn’t had much to say to him thus far this morning was because she was consumed with lust rather than regrets. Keeping an eye on her, Marcel eased into the churning bubbles, sitting down at the other end of the tub, his long legs sliding up along the outside of hers. Only when he lay almost fully submerged beneath the bubbling water did Marcel drop his gaze to where Zoe was still playing with her pussy. Unable to help himself, he reached for his cock, stroking it in time to Zoe’s fingers thrusting inside her channel. They soaked in silence for a while, just watching each other, enjoying the slow masturbation. Eventually Marcel leaned his head back and closed his eyes, groaning as the need to come tingled up and down his spine. His balls were full, his legs tense. He needed to come so bad, but he had to wait for her—would wait for her. **** Zoe continued to fuck her pussy with her fingers with one hand and lightly stroke her clit with the other. She needed to come, needed to take the 65

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edge off so she could enjoy mating with Marcel. She wanted to make it special for him. It had to be hard to let Conn mate with her first, and even though she wasn’t sure she’d made the right decision in agreeing to marry them—mate with them— because Hello—it’s completely illegal, it was the only thing that made sense to do at the time. And, now that the decision was made, she wanted to enjoy what was to come, wanted to make this relationship work for all of them. And that included in her mind, making sure Marcel doesn’t for one moment consider himself second best. Hence her reason for the mutual masturbation session to start the morning off right. As her body tightened, she tossed her head back, closed her eyes and groaned. Her channel gripped her fingers, clenching around them. Warm cream flooded over her hand, dripping into the water surrounding her. When she opened her eyes to look at Marcel, his come shot out of his cock, drenching his chest and chin. Slowly, ever so slowly, their breathing slowed down. The sweat cooled on their bodies. She wanted to spend more time in the water relaxing, but she’d already used up her allotted time. “I better get out of here and cool down some,” she whispered, unwilling to break the peace of their surroundings by speaking too loudly. “You’ve got it sunshine.” 66


Rising slowly, Marcel stood at the end of the tub and stepped out. While he dripped over the plush bath mat, he stretched toward the towel rack, snagging both with one hand. “Come on, baby. We’ll lie down in bed and rest for a bit.” After helping Zoe out of the tub, he quickly wrapped the towel around his waist and using the other, dried her entire body from her hair to her toes. Only after her body was completely dry did he take a towel out of the cabinet and dry himself off. Just that little gesture, making sure she stayed warm while he dried her, made her heart yearn for his love. If Marcel ever gave his heart to a woman, she’d never feel less than completely cherished. Until that moment, Zoe hadn’t realized just how much she wanted that for herself. He headed back into Conn’s room, trailing behind her then pulled the bedcovers back. “Go ahead, baby. Get in and we’ll spoon for a bit.” Zoe crawled in and turned on her left side, facing away from the bedroom door. Within seconds, she felt the comforter lift then a warm body pressed solidly against her. His arm went around her waist and his hand covered her baby belly. His head snuggled into the crook of her neck and his leg moved between hers so that she had to place her left thigh atop his right leg. Zoe relaxed against him, far too comfortable at the moment to say anything. She thought for sure 67

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the moment that she crawled into bed with him, he’d want to make love to her—it’s what most men would want. But she was beginning to realize that Marcel and Conn were not like most men. Even without knowing they were a different species, her mates were standup guys. It would be so easy to love them and maybe, just maybe she was already half way there. Minutes passed and, just as she was about to succumb to sleep, he pressed tender kisses to her neck and shoulder. His hand began to stroke her tummy with feather-soft touches. Her empty channel clenched and her heart thumped madly against her chest. His every touch was gentle, tender, loving. “Are you ready to make love to me, Zoe, or do you need more time?” Zoe chuckled. “I’m more than ready. It seems like I’ve been waiting on you forever—you and Conn. His lips continued to explore her neck and shoulder while his hand lifted her raised thigh, opening her to his intimate touch. With her leg firmly over his, his fingers drifted down to her pussy, played through her curls. Slowly, meticulously, he investigated every fold and crease until she could only moan and beg him to make love to her, to mate with her. She needed him as much as she needed to breathe. “Oh gods, baby. I hope you’re ready for me.” 68


“Believe me, I’ve never been this ready.” Without another word, Marcel gripped her hip, arched his back until he lined up with her gate and slowly sank into her channel. His thrusts were slow, gentle, though deep enough to caress her Gspot on every pass. It wasn’t a wild a frenzied mating. Instead, he gently loved her with his body, giving her everything she needed emotionally as well as physically. There was no doubt she’d come because Marcel knew just how to thrust his hips, how to time his strokes for the most impact. It was different from her mating with Conn and that was good. Marcel dragged his mouth down her throat as his lower body continued to stroke in and out of her, slow and steady. Soon, her legs began to tingle, her pussy began to spasm as it tried to trap his cock inside her. Marcel’s thrusts increased, and just as her body climaxed, he sank his teeth into her shoulder, right over Conn’s mark. Slowly, he swirled his tongue over the puncture marks just as she felt his come flood her channel. It was done. She was well and truly mated. Now if only she could stay awake for the afterglow, she thought just as her mind went dark, tossing her into unconsciousness for the second time in twenty-four hours. **** 69

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Zoe stretched beneath the covers, her heart full of love and happiness. Both her men were generous lovers, but it was more than that. They showed her in a thousand ways how much they cared about her, from forcing her to put her feet up at the office to making sure she had plenty to eat throughout the day. Heck, both men even accompanied her to her Lamaze classes though they told her it was just in case she went into labor at the office. But, in her heart, she knew they wanted to be there for the birth of her children— their children now. Speaking of children, with three weeks until the babies due date, she wanted to put the finishing touches on the nursery this afternoon, especially since twins were notorious for arriving early. The guys had outfitted it with the best of everything, but even they hadn’t thought of setting up the changing table with diapers, wipes and diaper creams. More than likely, her mates were at the office or out on one of their building sites so she’d have a couple hours to finish the nursery and even perhaps fix a special dinner for the three of them. She wanted them to know that she may have been wary about getting involved with them in the beginning, but after the last twenty-four hours, she intended on giving her whole heart to making 70


their relationship work, no matter how unconventional it may be. With that in mind, Zoe threw her blankets off and hopped out of bed. After grabbing her robe off the foot of the bed, she headed back to her suite to grab a quick shower. She had a lot to do and not much time to do it. Half an hour later, she surveyed the nursery, happy with the results. The only thing still left to do was to open up a pack of diapers and fill the diaper hanger and the room would be ready for the new arrivals. Just as she bent over to grab a pack of diapers from the bottom of the changing table, she noticed a red blinking light on the house alarm. “What the hell?” “Now is that any way for a mother-to-be to talk?” Zoe gasped and spun around. Michael stood in the doorway as though he had every right to be in her home. Behind him were the two thugs she’d seen with him in town just the other day when she’d been served with the court order for the paternity tests. OhGodOhGodOhGod, what was she going to do? She had no idea where Conn and Marcel were or when they’d be back. Before she could even try to make a run for her bedroom where French doors led to the backyard, Michael opened up his suit jacket and pulled out a gun from somewhere inside. 71

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“What in the hell are you doing here, you bastard?” She had to get out of here, but how? It was three against one and he had a gun pointed straight at her. Before she could begin to formulate an escape plan, she felt a punch in her thigh and staggered. Expecting to find herself bleeding out from a gunshot wound, she looked down, only to see a tiny dart sticking out of her leg. Almost immediately, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Drugged. I’ve been drugged. Knowing her men would look for her as soon as they returned and saw the silent alarm flickering at the front door, she did the only thing she could think to let them know she hadn’t left voluntarily. She grabbed a hold of the changing table and pulled it down just as the drugs dragged her into unconsciousness.

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CHAPTER SEVEN oe woke atop a folding cot with a tattered

Zgreen army blanket beneath her. Her arms and

legs were stretched out in all four directions, spread eagle, and her clothes were nowhere in sight. Exposed as she was, that wasn’t what bothered her the most. No. The four men in the room with her were scaring the living shit out of her. One man had a bloodstained and torn medical jacket on—a doctor from the looks of it. His face was battered. His lip was split and oozing blood. He had a knot on his forehead and his right eye appeared swollen almost completely shut. Michael sat across from her in a ratty green recliner, staring at her body. He was dressed immaculately, as if he were sitting at a board meeting instead of participating in her abduction. His thugs stood on either side of him, guns in their hands and lust in their eyes. She shivered. Fear 73

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and revulsion choked her. “Good, she’s awake. Get started, Dr. Parkston. I want that amniotic fluid and I’m not willing to wait for her to get the sample taken at the hospital next week.” Michael stood, approached the foot of the cot and stared down at her exposed pussy. Gods, she wanted to cover herself, hide her body from his gaze, but all she could do there was lie there and pray that Conn and Marcel arrived soon. “If she puts up a fight, shoot her,” Michael ordered, his voice ringing with glee. Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God. He intended on killing her when the doctor finished with her. She could see it in his eyes. In the distance, the angry snarls of two pissed off tigers drifted on the wind. Her men were getting closer. She just had to hold on just a little bit longer. Though, if the twinges in her back were any indication, it might be hard to be silent come too much longer. Thank God, Michael hadn’t taken her too far from her home, otherwise her mates wouldn’t be so close already. Then again, she had no idea how long she’d been unconscious either. She had to stall, had to keep him talking for as long as she could. She had to give her mates time to rescue her. “Why are you doing this Michael? I told you’d I’d get a paternity test done next week. 74


They have to make arrangements for this type of procedure.” “Just shut the fuck up. If you hadn’t run, if it hadn’t taken me months to track your ass down, you wouldn’t be strapped down to that bed awaiting the good doctor here to take his sample.” Zoe closed her eyes and silently prayed that her men would find her soon. She didn’t like the look of that needle, never mind Michael and his two thugs, all of whom were carrying guns. God, they should have known Michael would do something like this. He still hadn’t answered why though. Should she try and get answers now or would it be smarter to stay silent in hopes that her and her babies would stay safe long enough for Conn and Marcel to arrive? She just didn’t know. Zoe flinched when Michael ran his palm down her leg. If she hadn’t been tied down, she would have jerked her leg out of his reach then raced to a scalding hot shower. As it was, all she could do was pretend he didn’t exist and ignore his roving hands. “What’s taking so long over there?” he shouted at the doctor. Spittle sprayed from his mouth at every word. “Look, this shouldn’t be done here. I need an ultrasound, medical equipment, a sterile room.” “I don’t give a fuck about what you want. You’ll do what I say, and you’ll do it now. Do you 75

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understand me? Or do I need to send Tom and Victor here after your family after all?” The doctor looked down at his feet then glanced toward the dirty cot Michael had tied her on. “Look, if not done properly this could be dangerous to both the mother and children.” “Once you get that fluid sample, I don’t care what happens to them. The will doesn’t say anything about my children being alive to claim my inheritance, just that I supply proof of paternity.” The doctor began to tremble, the long needle in his hands quivering. Zoe had to look away or she’d probably start screaming at the top of her lungs. She couldn’t let them harm her babies. She had to get out of here. Now. Before he gave in to Michael’s demands. “And if the tests show you aren’t the father?” Zoe heard a scuffle and then a low whimper. She had to know what was going on, needed to know if her only ally—if you can call the doctor an ally—was still alive. Michael had the man by his tie, slowly strangling him with it as it tightened around the doctor’s neck. “Those tests will show I’m the father. Do I make myself clear?” The man whimpered then hissed, “Yes.” Michael let the man go and turned his back to go speak to his two goons. She quickly glanced at the doctor and saw both despair and capitulation 76


in his eyes. She’d just run out of time. While the doctor gathered up his medical supplies, Zoe began to struggle in earnest. He wouldn’t harm her babies. He wouldn’t. Her arms and shoulders throbbed. Her back burned. She kicked out her legs and twisted her wrists. She needed to get free. Somehow, someway she needed to get free. Michael must have told the thugs to patrol the grounds because as she watched the three men talking, the two goons headed for the door, closing it behind them. Michael started toward her again, a wicked looking hunting knife in his hand and an evil leer on his face. “I can always get those DNA samples by cutting those bastards from your stomach, bitch. Now stop struggling and I may yet let you live.” Still, she struggled with her bindings, fighting their hold, knowing he’d never allow her out of this room alive. She couldn’t give up—wouldn’t give up. “Tsk…tsk…tsk…you really should have listened to me.” Then reaching toward her exposed stomach, he ran the tip of the knife down the center of her belly, leaving a shallow blood trail. She froze, held her breath then screamed. She screamed for all she was worth because somewhere out there was her mates, searching for her and their children. Please, God, don’t let him kill 77

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us before help arrives. The last thing she saw was the base of the knife coming at her temple, then the world and the pain disappeared. **** The white tigers continued to follow their mate’s scent, determined to hunt down those that had taken her from them. Her scent grew thicker the closer they came to the abandoned cabin on old Mr. Fawcett’s property. Thank the Gods he called the sheriff when he noticed snowmobile tracks cutting through his property. Conn and Marcel had been standing in the Sheriff’s office, reporting Zoe’s abduction when the trespassing call came through. Though they had no guarantee that the tracks would lead to Zoe, they needed to be out there doing something to find her and the babes. But the longer they followed the snowmobile tracks and the closer they got to the old, abandoned hunting cabin, the stronger her scent grew. Conn snarled again, hatred and fear inciting his animalistic rage. Beside him, Marcel pawed the frozen ground harder, faster, racing toward their mate. When a scream rent the air—her scream— his beast demanded retribution and when that scream was suddenly cut off—his beast demanded death to those that would harm his mate, his cubs. 78


Within minutes of her scream, they crouched outside the ramshackle hunting cabin in the snowcovered trees and brush, wanting nothing more than to rend and tear and destroy those that would harm their mate and cubs. When he lunged forward to attack the guard standing in front of the door, Marcel grabbed the nape of his neck with his razor-sharp teeth. Think, Conn. We don’t know who all is in there. I know you want to race in there. So do I, but we have to do this smart. Conn shook his head, snarled softly. I hear you, but dammit what if she’s already dead? You’d know it if she was. She’s probably unconscious. The Sheriff should be here shortly with backup. In the meantime, we need to take out the guards. I smell two men, one smoking a cigarette, the other smells of cheap booze. You go one way and me the other? Yes. Ready? More than… As Conn began to leave his hiding place, the front door of the cabin opened and Michael Donaldson himself stepped out. I knew it had to be that bastard. Yeah, I smelled him all over the house when we got there. Conn chuffed then crouched back down to watch Donaldson and his thug. With their 79

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exceptional hearing, Conn easily heard what the bastard was saying to the man standing at the front of the house. “I can’t get a signal here. I’m taking one of the snowmobiles and heading down the mountain a ways. If I don’t call the pilot and explain the delay, he might just head back to headquarters without me. Fucking old man, even days from death, and my bastard father has everyone at his beck and call, following his orders as though I’m nothing.” The guard just nodded, but Conn could tell he didn’t think too much of Michael either, if the mocking smirk on his face meant anything. Dammit, he’s leaving. Yes, he is and I’d like nothing better than to chase him down, but our mate and our cubs need us right now and with him out of the way, there is one less person standing between us and our family. Marcel’s calm voice leashed Conn’s beast—temporarily. Conn nodded, the man agreeing that she was their priority, but the beast raged at letting its prey go free. Seconds later, Donaldson walked around the side of the cabin and out of sight. When a snowmobile started up and the engine noise drifted away, Conn knew their wait was over. It was time to hunt. Let’s go, Marcel. I’ll get the drunk, Conn. You get the guy in front. We’ll take care of whoever is inside afterward. 80


Conn didn’t say anything, already intent on stalking his prey, approaching him from the side in a semi-crouched position. His white coat remained concealed by the snow already on the ground, and the falling snow only aided his stealthy approach. Less than fifty feet from his prey, Conn rushed the guard. Using his front legs and sharp claws, he seized the man by his neck and dragged him to the ground before he could do more than grunt at the impact. Knowing his mate needed him, Conn didn’t play with his victim, just bit down on his neck, crushing his windpipe. Once he was certain the man was no longer a threat, he backed away, tilted his head and closed his eyes. Magic poured through his body. Heat and pain flashed through him then the tiger was gone and the man remained. Seconds later, Marcel joined him at the front door, both of them ready to retrieve their mate, no matter what the cost to themselves. At Marcel’s nod, both men took a step back, lifted a booted foot and slammed the door inward, knocking it almost completely off its hinges. Conn’s beast smelled blood before he even saw his mate and raged against his entrapment in the man’s body. A man crouched between his mate’s spread thighs and rage the likes of which he’d never before experienced poured through him. Conn 81

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didn’t think, didn’t notice anything, but that his mate lay unconscious, blood smeared on her stomach and between her thighs, and another male was near her naked body. Rushing forward, he pulled the man away, tossing him into a heap at Marcel’s feet, leaving his friend to subdue him. Conn knelt on the floor at the head of the bed and ran his hands through her sweaty hair. Turning toward where he tossed Zoe’s attacker, he finally noticed the man’s white coat and swollen and bruised face. “What’s wrong with her?” he growled, pleased to see the man flinch where Marcel held him by the neck. “She’s in labor. About seven centimeters dilated already. She needs to go to the hospital immediately,” he choked out. “And the wound on her abdomen?” Marcel asked, his voice husky with worry. “Superficial. Most of the mess on the bed is because her water broke about five minutes before you walked in.” Marcel nodded and let the man go. Conn didn’t argue, he just removed the shackles, covered her with a sheet, picked up his mate and cradled her in his arms. “Let’s go.” Nodding, Marcel looked to the doctor as Conn walked to the door. “You can either stay here and wait for Donaldson to return or go with us.” The doctor swallowed then straightened his spine. “There are two more snowmobiles here. I’ll 82


go with you to the hospital. She made need me between here and there.” Conn grunted as he carried his precious burden outside. “Don’t even think about trying to run for it or we’ll hunt you down when you least expect it.” Minutes later, Conn and Zoe on one snowmobile and Marcel and the doc on the other headed toward town, careful to stick to unmarked and rarely used trails to avoid her kidnapper. There would be a reckoning and Conn couldn’t wait, but right now, his mate and cubs needed him. Thirty minutes later, they pulled into the clearing surrounding the back of the hospital. Marcel ran over toward Conn, scooped their mate into his arms and raced toward the ambulance entrance. Conn ran after them, uncaring whether the doctor followed or not. Zoe had started moaning ten minutes into the journey and, by the time they reached the hospital, her eyes were trying to open and he could see her tummy rippling as her contractions grew stronger or closer together. Less than an hour after they arrived, Zoe gave birth to two adorable children. Conn’s heart clenched when the nurse handed him the howling baby girl into his arms. Zoe, who regained consciousness while Marcel carried her into the 83

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Emergency Room, looked on with a weary smile. She’d been through so much already today and she still had one more child to deliver. Conn looked down at his daughter and felt his heart lurch. Fuzzy blonde hair covered her head. Her cheeks were pink with anger. Her arms and legs flailed, letting the world know how pissed she was to leave her mother’s body. She was perfect— absolutely perfect and he’d decided right then and there to name her after Zoe’s mom, Kelly, because she’d given birth to a perfect daughter of her own. **** Marcel stood next to the nurse as she prepared to catch their second child. Conn had cut the first cord, but this one, he’d have that privilege. Already he loved this child, just as he loved its mother. When the head appeared, he held his breath, anxious and overjoyed all at the same time. Soon, soon he’d hold the newest member of their growing family, the child Zoe agreed to let him name. “Push, Zoe. Just one more push and you’re baby will make its arrival,” the nurse encouraged. Scissors in hand, Marcel watched as the baby slipped from his mother. As he bent over to cut the cord, the nurse lifted the baby away and cleaned out its nose and mouth with a suction 84


bulb. “You have a boy,” she announced. A son, they had a son. Tears ran down his face and he did nothing to stop them. Moving to the head of the bed where his exhausted mate lay slumped, Marcel placed his lips against her temple. “You did good, baby. I’m so proud of you. You’re son and daughter are healthy and in just a moment you can hold them in your arms.” “Names?” she rasped. Already her eyes were getting heavy, the trauma of her kidnapping on top of childbirth having taken its toll on her. His heart wept at the knowledge that if they’d just been home, Michael never would have gotten a hold of her. He’d have to live with his failure the rest of his life. “How do you like Ryan? It’s my father’s name. He passed away a couple years ago and I’ve always thought I’d name my firstborn son after him.” “That’s perfect,” she whispered. Opening her eyes, she looked at Conn. “And our daughter... What name have you chosen for her?” “Kelly, after your mom,” Conn answered, laying her daughter in Zoe’s arms. Marcel smiled. His family was complete—for now. He couldn’t help but wonder just how long it would be before they started thinking about adding to their numbers with even more cubs. **** 85

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Zoe held her daughter in her arms, watching as Kelly nursed for the first time. Marcel sat next to her in a recliner counting Ryan’s fingers and toes while talking nonsense to him. Conn had left them a few minutes ago to talk to the sheriff. Zoe’s stomach clenched as she thought of Michael, still out there, probably already making plans to snatch her again. Conn and Marcel had both reassured her that nothing and no one would take her or their children again, but still she worried. What sane person wouldn’t? As she watched Marcel with Ryan and thought about all that could have gone wrong had him and Conn not arrived when they did, she thanked all that was holy that things turned out the way they did. Now, if they could just find Michael and put the evil bastard behind bars, life would indeed be perfect. When Kelly’s suckling started to slow, Zoe pulled her nipple away and lifted her in her arms, gently placing her against her shoulder. As she rubbed her back in slow circles to encourage her to burp, the door to her room burst open. Zoe flinched, cuddled Kelly in her arms, ready to defend her daughter with her life. Marcel stood, placing Ryan next to his sister and faced the door, his arms and legs braced. Both twins whimpered in their sleep before settling back down seconds 86


later. Both Zoe and Marcel relaxed when Conn strolled through. “Dammit, Conn. You scared Zoe and disturbed the twins.” Conn smiled. “I thought you’d like to hear the news.” “They found Michael?” Zoe asked, all too aware that until he was taken into custody the safety of her entire family remained in jeopardy. “Even better. Michael showed up here as I was talking to Sheriff Marcum in the family waiting room down the hall. He demanded that the head nurse show him to his fiancée’s room. Because the Sheriff and I already notified her and the rest of the staff on this floor that your kidnapper was still out there, the nurse hit the silent alarm for security.” “And?” Marcel demanded when Conn stopped talking to sit next to her on the bed. Zoe, too, wanted to hear the rest of the story. “And while he argued with security, the sheriff and I walked up behind him. He was in cuffs before he even knew we were there. When he tried to insist that you, Zoe, were a danger to yourself and others and he was just arranging transportation to a private hospital where you could receive proper mental health care, I wanted to rip out his throat.” “What did the Sheriff say to that ridiculous 87

Bonnie Rose Leigh

statement?” Conn ran his fingers through Ryan’s bright red hair and smiled. “Oh, he just laughed and said he’s known you for months, that you weren’t his fiancée, the children were in no way his, and that he was under arrest for kidnapping.” “When he started to holler that he was Michael Donaldson III and he’d have his father’s lawyers sue his ass, Sheriff Marcum grinned and flashed him a pretty impressive set of fangs. Michael paled then promptly pissed his pants, leaving a nasty puddle for the cleaning crew to take care of.” “Last I saw him, the Sheriff was dragging him down the hallway, insisting that the judge would certainly think him insane and he’d spend his life in the same type of facility he planned on hiding you in while he claimed our children as his own.” Zoe let out a deep breath and relaxed against the pillow. She looked down at her babies then back to Conn. “Fangs?” Marcel chuckled. “Didn’t you know, baby? More than half the town of serenity is home to a variety of shifters and other supernatural creatures.”

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EPILOGUE our weeks later…

FAfter tucking the babies in for the night, the

three of them watched the news, each knowing that after the broadcast ended they’d complete the mating. Throughout the thirty-minute program, her men did their best to turn her into a quivering heap of needy flesh. Less than five minutes after the news started, they unfastened her robe and began to stroke her body. From her neck to her pussy, her breasts to her knees, they covered every inch of her skin with their tongues, teeth and fingers—everywhere but where she needed their touch the most to come—her clit. Just before the program ended and late night TV began, Conn and Marcel bent their heads and latched their lips onto her swollen nipples. Zoe arched her back and moaned. Oh, God. This was nothing like when the babes fed from her, this was purely erotic and oh so sexy. 89

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After a few more strong pulls, Conn released her nipple with a pop and looked into her eyes. “Are you ready, sweetheart? Ready to take us as mates, ready to become like we are?” Zoe ran one hand down the side of Conn’s face while she gripped Marcel’s hair with the other. Gods, she didn’t want the suckling to stop, but she was more than ready to take her men as mates. “Yes, Conn, I’m ready for the both of you to make love to me, to mark me and make me like you.” Marcel groaned and, after one last lick, pulled away from her. She could see his need burning in his eyes, feel the heat of his body. Marcel winced and ran his hand down the front of his jeans, where he had an obvious and probably painful erection. When he caught her eyes locked on his zipper, he quickly stood, walked over to the television and turned it off. The sudden silence in the house had her tense, aware that soon, she’d be making love to her men—together. This would be her first time ever with two men at one time and she felt more than a tad bit anxious, especially knowing how large their cocks were. Conn stood, lifting Zoe into his arms. “Go ahead and lock up for the night while I bring our mate to our bedroom, Marcel.” Zoe rested her head against Conn’s chest as he carried her to the one part of the house she’d never seen before. Just passed Conn’s room, lay a 90


room they’d originally told her led to a room still under construction so she’d never bothered to look inside. Just this morning, Marcel told her that it was always intended as their bedroom, the one the three of them would share together once mated. It had a huge sleigh bed, probably a California King, three walk in closets, several dressers and two nightstands all in cherry, a loveseat beneath the picture window, an armoire filled with home entertainment equipment and a large stone fireplace. Oh and how could she forget the decadent bathroom? It had to be the largest one she’d ever seen in her life, with triple sinks, a Jacuzzi tub, a shower large enough for ten, a lighted make-up table and chair and two enclosed toilets. And, that wasn’t even the best thing as far as she was concerned. If her heart hadn’t already belonged to them, when she saw the last room attached to the suite, she wouldn’t have been able to help but love her men. They had included a nursery in the Master Bedroom suite, an exact duplicate of the room they had set up on the other side of the house, right down to the decorations that she’d picked out for the twins. Conn stopped by the side of the bed and slowly slid her down the length of his body until her feet touched the carpet. Ever so gently, he lifted her 91

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chin and dropped his head. His lips caressed hers, once, twice, three times before lifting his head. “I love you, Zoe,” he whispered. Tears filled her eyes as he pushed her flannel robe off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. She could see his love, feel it in his every touch, every look. “I love you, too, Conn. Though six months ago if someone asked, I’d have insisted that I’d never thought I’d love any man again and now, you and Marcel and the twins fill every part of me—heart and soul.” Zoe watched Conn strip out of his sweatshirt and jeans. Gods, he was such a beautiful man, all muscle and strength with the softest and most erotic touch. When Marcel joined them, she sat down on the end of the bed and watched as his clothes joined the growing pile on the floor. Marcel, though not as wide through the chest and arms as Conn, definitely made her panties wet just looking at him. His cock, though not as long as Conn’s, was thicker and curved to the left. She scooted back until she lay against the pillows in the center of the bed and watched as her mates each approached one side of the bed— Conn to her left and Marcel to her right. When they just stood on either side of her, just staring, she spread her thighs, allowing them to see her newly shaved pussy, determined to entice them to her bed. “Make love to me. Make me yours. 92


Please,” she begged, knowing there was no way they could or would refuse her. It had been weeks since they’d made love, weeks of foreplay leading up to this one night, this one moment. Both men crawled onto the bed, Conn on her left, Marcel on her right. Marcel made love to her mouth while Conn settled his head between her thighs and ravaged her pussy. Zoe reached down and held on to his head as he lapped at her already-drenched channel. Zoe lifted her head away from Marcel, needing to breathe, wanting to scream to pleasure to the world. “Oh, that feels good.” When she caught her breath, she looked into Marcel’s eyes and told him exactly what she wanted next. “I want to taste you. Let me taste your come. Please,” she begged. Marcel nodded then sat up on his knees, lining up his erection with her lips. Zoe swirled her tongue around the head of Marcel’s cock, gathering the pre-cum already dribbling down the side of his shaft. Conn made a grunting sound and delved deep into her pussy with his tongue, lapping up everything she had to give—and as horny as she was, she had quite a bit of cream for him to savor. Zoe continued to lick Marcel’s shaft, until he gripped her hair in his hands. It didn’t take a genius to figure out he wanted more from her than the teasing licks she’d given him this far. Without 93

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warning, she sucked Marcel’s cock as far down her throat as it would go. Within minutes, she felt him tremble. His hands tightened on her hair and his face twisted into a grimace. As if by unspoken agreement, the two men suddenly stopped what they were doing and moved away from her body. She lay there panting, trembling with unfulfilled desire. Before she could question them, Marcel reached into the nightstand and pulled out a bottle of lubricant. Conn stretched out on his side of the bed then picked her up and placed her on his chest. His rock-hard cock pressed against her belly. He cupped her face in his palms and drew her in for a long, delicious kiss. She tasted herself on his lips and tongue and, though she’d never have thought it erotic before, she couldn’t help but be pleased that Conn tasted of her. He pulled away and stared into her eyes, heat and need burning in their depths. “Relax now, sweetheart. Marcel’s going to stretch your back hole to get you ready to take his cock.” “By the Gods above… Damn, sunshine, you have one fine, fine ass,” Marcel whispered as his hands smoothed over each cheek. Before dropping his hands, he placed a chaste kiss at the base of her spine. Conn slowly lowered Zoe onto his shaft, filling her aching pussy in one slow glide. 94


Behind her, Marcel squirted some lube into her back hole then slowly inserted first one finger then two. He twisted his wrist and scissored his fingers, widening her anus until he could fit three fingers in there comfortably. “Here we go, sunshine,” he whispered as he pressed his cock against her ass and impaled her inch by slow tortuous inch. Zoe had never felt so full—or so complete—in her life. Once both men were fully seated, Conn began to withdraw. When he thrust back in, Marcel started to pull out. Slow and steady until she found their rhythm, until the slow and steady pace wasn’t doing it for any of them. Then only a hard fast ride would do. Marcel leaned over to lay his head between Zoe’s shoulder blades. Their thrusts became more forceful, more demanding until she felt like she was riding a tidal wave of pleasure, waiting for it to crest. Her body climaxed long before she was ready, long before she wanted their lovemaking to end. Zoe shuddered then cried out their names. Both men bit into the nape of her neck, marking her as their mate, while simultaneously reaching their own release, filling both her holes with their seed. The three of them collapsed into a sweaty pile of arms and legs. Zoe felt cherished wrapped in her mates’ arms. Surrounded by her men, knowing her babies were nearby, she’d never felt 95

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happier than she did right now. Zoe yawned and her eyes grew heavy. Marcel slid off the bed, leaving Zoe to cuddle against Conn’s chest. As Conn leaned over to kiss her, she heard the water running in the bathroom. Conn broke the kiss and snuggled up on one side of her when Marcel returned. After wiping her free of their come, Marcel wrapped himself around her, enclosing her in their combined embrace. With Conn in front of her and Marcel in back, her eyes drifted shut. Hopefully, they’d manage a few hours sleep before Kelly and Ryan woke for their next feeding.

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About the Author Bonnie Rose Leigh has been in thrall with the written word from a very young age. When she ran out of things to read, she created her own stories. Now, she is a multi-published author and lives in a small town in Upstate, New York. She spends most of her time on the computer either writing or visiting with friends. When not busy on the computer, her free time is consumed with reading. It doesn't matter what genre the book is either, though she is partial to romance novels. Her favorite after-hours hobby is sprawling in a chair with a book clutched in her hands and a cup of cocoa sitting nearby. Bonnie would love to hear from each and every one of you. Make sure you subscribe to her monthly newsletter or check out her blog as it will be updated regularly with release dates, excerpts and online appearances. And, as always, feel free to drop her email if you have any questions, concerns or just want to chat, and she’ll get back to you as soon as she can. Bonnie’s website address is located at: www.mybonnierose.net. She can now also be found on MySpace at: www.myspace.com/bonnieroseleigh.

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Tempering Zoe

Tempering Zoe

Tempering

Tempering

Tempering

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The Tempering

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Zoe Martinique - 04 Revenant

Zoe Martinique - 05 Geist

Zoe Letting Go

Zoe Martinique - 0.01 Ghoul

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Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon

Zoe Martinique - 0 Dead Corse

Zoe Martinique - 02 Spectre

Zoe Martinique - 01 Wraith

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Zoe Martinique - 06 Dominion

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Zoe Martinique - 0.025 Native Soil

Hardening and Tempering Engineer's Tools

Zoe Martinique - 05.1 Walking Shadows

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