Scared of Spiders

  Scared of Spiders

  Eve Langlais

  Bring on the bug spray, because to prevail, Josie’s going to have to face her greatest fear.

  Josie’s not a brave person, and she’s especially scared of spiders. Imagine her surprise when she finds herself attracted to not one, but two, larger than life men.

  Clint and Brandon both want the timid mouse who’s come to work for them-and their beasts are chafing to mark her-but when she can’t decide between them, there’s only one thing to do-share her.

  Before they can convince Josie that a threesome would benefit them all, they need to take care of the menace threatening their chosen mate. And when Josie confronts the bogeyman of her nightmares, she discovers an emotion stronger than fear-love.

  Eve Langlais

  Scared of Spiders

  Copyright © January 2011, Eve Langlais

  Prologue

  “I need control of this city.” The sibilant words hissed in the gloom of the cavernous basement made the ranks of bowed heads shiver.

  “Tell us what we must do, Master,” asked a man kneeling directly before the cloaked figure.

  “The pack alpha of this city and his beta must die. With them gone, the rest will follow. But are you strong enough to prevail, my furry children?”

  Brown eyes wild with fanaticism, rose to stare at the darkness within the cowl. “Their leader is old. I will force him to challenge me, and when I defeat him and gain control of the pack, I shall hand the reins of leadership over to you, Master.”

  “Excellent. Do not disappoint me.” The unspoken words ‘or else…’ hung in the damp air. The figure in the heavy, hooded robe spun and walked to a table laden with esoteric items-skulls, crucibles, stoppered bottles-but from the panoply of objects available, he came back with a scrap of cloth. The Master dangled the fabric before the nose of his minion. “Mark this scent well, for I seek the descendent of the one who once wore this. The portents all point to her residing hereabouts. I must have her. Find the girl, but do not harm her. She is mine.” The possessive words hung in the air, tainted with cold cruelty.

  His faithful follower breathed deep of the scent, and at his growled urging, one by one, the members of the Master’s accumulated army crept forward to inhale and mark the scent.

  Only once the last minion had returned to his kneeling position did the Master address them again. “Go forth, my children. Cause havoc. Take lives. Kill the leaders of the pack, but most important of all,” he said, his voice low, yet resonating loudly within the minds of his followers, “find the girl.”

  Growls erupted, and clothing flew as the ranks of kneeling men, many still boys, let their beasts-wolves with mad eyes-burst through. They raced from the underground chamber and fled to the city streets, their eerie howls rising in the night sky and announcing to all, the Master had arrived.

  And he’d brought death with him.

  Chapter One

  The horrible hairy creature scurried toward her, its evil intent evident. Josie squealed and backed up, wanting to escape but too frightened to turn her back on the approaching menace. Her plump ass hit the wall. There was nowhere left to go. She closed her eyes, said a quick prayer, and stamped her foot down to end the spider’s reign of terror, all the while cringing.

  “Eeew! Eeew!” She hopped off the black smudge, the remains of the icky critter that dared terrorize her in her own home, and sat down hard on the couch, her whole body shaking.

  For years, her father had patiently tried to explain-to deaf ears-how the spider was more scared of her. Yeah, right. She knew that someday one of those hairy, ugly suckers would kill her; she’d even dreamt of it. It would wrap her in a sticky cocoon, leaving only her nose and eyes uncovered. She’d have to watch as the eight-legged killer approached with its fangs bared, hungry for lunch. And, when her end came, she hoped her ghost lingered long enough for her to haunt her dad and say “Told you so.”

  Josie freely admitted she wasn’t a brave person, and her fear wasn’t limited to spiders. Itemizing the things that freaked her out, though, would take too long, and she had an interview to get ready for. The idea of trying to sell herself and her abilities to a new employer made her nervous-make that scared the bejesus out of her-but she didn’t have a choice. She’d had to quit her previous job after the owner made some unwelcome advances. She’d only barely escaped his pawing and tendered her resignation by e-mail, unwilling, and unable, to face him again.

  However, her landlord wasn’t likely to care that her unemployed status was because of sexual harassment. Not to mention, she still had to eat. She’d swallowed her trepidation and scoured the help-wanted ads to find the perfect job. Now, if only she could pretend confidence for her upcoming face-to-face meeting with the company owner. A meeting that she simultaneously dreaded and looked forward to, for the voice on the phone-deep and wickedly sexy-had sent shivers down her spine. The good kind. Not that she intended to date anyone she worked with. Ha, like I’d ever muster up the courage to try. However, it would be interesting to see if there was a hot body to match the voice. He’s probably short, has a comb-over, and married.

  Nevertheless, she dressed carefully for the interview she’d finagled, reminding herself that this should be a piece of cake with her spotless résumé. The butterflies in her stomach mocked her inner pep talk.

  Armed with a small can of Raid in her bag-perfect for muggers and bugs alike-she caught the first of two buses to reach her destination.

  The company, located in a warehouse in the docks district, wasn’t exactly a prime location, but beggars without jobs couldn’t be choosers. As she got off the bus, Josie eyed the gray edifice with its trademark rows of windowpanes set high and the several, rollup, bay doors. Since they were all shut tight, she made her way to a gray door to the side marked Office. After taking a deep breath, she opened the door and walked in.

  Chaos met her. A noisy cacophony of forklifts, music blaring, and men talking. Really big men who suddenly, as if controlled by one mind, stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her.

  Caught by so many eyes at once, she felt like a bug under a microscope, and it took all of her will not to turn and flee. Her eyes, in a millisecond, scanned the various rugged faces turned toward her. She found herself visually captivated by one man in particular-a giant of a man whose chest strained his shirt and whose tousled dark hair begged for a hand to brush it. Within seconds of noticing this manly piece of eye candy, she found her gaze snagged by another equally big man with a carefree grin and wavy blond hair.

  Logic dictated they should scare her. They were, after all, huge and eyeing her like some yummy treat that had landed in their lap, but she warmed instead under their frank appraisal. So this is what the books mean when they talk about instant attraction.

  She took a step forward, meaning to introduce herself and ask for directions to the office, when her gaze was caught by a movement in the upper corner of the vestibule. From a dusty web, layered thickly where the ceiling met the wall, dangled a spider-a huge spider-that, as if sensing her regard, spun to face her. Josie took a step back, terror riveting her in the face of the large arachnid with the hairy legs. When it began dropping down… It’s coming for me!… all reason fled her, and she whirled to escape. Good-looking men or not, job or not, irrationality won, and she quickly exited the building to escape the eight-legged monster.

  As she quick walked her way up the sidewalk, she pondered something odd: for despite her phobia, and mouth-drying fear, she had an urge to go back and somehow brave the critter waiting for her. Damn it, I should have pulled out my Raid. So that she could find out the names of the two men who’d woken her libido. Totally out of character, and it just went to show her just how attractive sh
e’d found them. For a moment, she allowed herself a quick fantasy of dating one of those hunks, of being his woman. Her body shivered, pleased at the thought.

  Of course, first I’d have to decide which one is hotter.

  * * * *

  He smelled her the moment she walked in-a tantalizing mix of peaches ’n’ cream and woman that made his beast pace in his mind and whisper Ours. Clint looked up to see the face of the one he’d waited for-my mate-and sucked in a breath for she wasn’t what he’d expected at all.

  For one, she was tiny. He doubted she’d even reach his chin, yet while short in stature, she had the curves, pillowy and sweet, of a woman. Their eyes met and even across the space separating them, he noticed her interest, the way her lips softened and parted. An innocent look that made him rock-hard. Oh, baby, I can’t wait to see your face when it’s looking up at me, glazed with passion.

  She broke the glance, and Clint realized something else before her gaze turned fearful and she whirled to escape. He wasn’t the only man who’d noticed her.

  But forget that dilemma for the moment. She’d left, and if he didn’t hurry, he’d have to resort to sniffing out her trail like some trained canine. Clint strode across the warehouse, snarling when a few of his pack brothers moved to follow. They backed off, unwilling to challenge their alpha. Clint reached the rapidly shutting door with Brandon, best friend and pack beta, on his heels. “She’s mine,” he growled at his lieutenant, who ignored his order.

  “Not if I get to her first,” replied Brandon, hip-checking him aside to dive through the door.

  If we weren’t best friends… Clint gritted his teeth and followed, emerging into bright sunlight. The woman he intended to bed-and, yes, wed-had already scurried half a block away. Whereas Brandon jogged to catch up to her, Clint simply stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled.

  The strident sound startled her, and she whirled to gape back at him with big, doe-like eyes.

  “You wouldn’t happen to be my two p.m. interview, would you?” he said on a hunch, his question loud enough for her to hear as he strolled toward her. He tried to look harmless. What a joke, she was probably right to run. I am the big, bad wolf the stories warned you about. She stood her ground, however, even as her fearful bearing screamed weak, but that was okay because he had strength enough for both of them.

  Brandon, with his long stride and closer position, reached her first, and Clint bit back a grin as she cringed from him and clutched her purse tightly to her chest.

  “I’m Brandon Schuster,” said his business partner, sticking his hand out. She hesitated, biting her lower lip before placing her trembling hand in Brandon ’s.

  The shock of their skin-to-skin contact was all too visible, and Clint held back an urge to rip her away from his beta. His beast snarled in his mind, willing to forgo friendship so it might take a bite out of the one who dared touch their woman. Ignoring the bloodthirsty requests of his beast, Clint instead smiled widely at the petite woman, perhaps a tad toothily judging by the wide eyes that rose to meet his. “Hi, there. I’m Clint Jefferson, majority owner of J &S Inc.” He added that last bit on purpose and enjoyed the way Brandon ’s mouth tightened. Clint stuck his hand out, and, with the same lip-biting trepidation, she placed her hand in his. An electric current shot through him, and his beast grunted in recognition. Ours. Expected, and yet odd, because there was no doubting the same thing had happened with Brandon, who now frowned at him.

  His tiny woman snatched her hand back and took a step away from them, her gaze darting between them, but he was glad to notice her initial trepidation seemed to have faded. And if he wasn’t mistaken, he could smell distinct interest, from her lower parts anyway.

  “I’m Josephine Winters, and I’m sorry to have wasted your time.” Her voice, no surprise, was soft and demure, kind of like her.

  It’s always the quiet ones, though, that end up wildest in bed. Clint forced himself to focus on her words instead of how she’d look naked and bent over. Delicious. “Why do you say that? Your résumé is quite impressive. Not only are you familiar with the computer system we’re on, you’ve spent several years in management. It’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

  “But-” Again she gnawed, which exposed her pearly whites, and Clint really had to restrain himself from joining her in chewing on her full lower lip.

  Brandon jumped in to help. “I admit we look like a noisy bunch, but I promise you, our staff will obey you.”

  Clint silently agreed, for if they didn’t, they’d face the wrath of their pack alpha.

  Her spine straightened, and her countenance went from soft to indignant.

  Hmm, looks like my intended mate might have a backbone hidden in there. It made him wonder what other surprises her meek exterior hid.

  “It’s not that,” she said. “I know I can do the job.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” he asked. Whatever the problem, he’d fix it. He couldn’t let Josephine-such a big name for a tiny thing-walk away.

  “You’ll laugh,” she said staring down at the ground, her shoulders slumping as she shuffled her feet.

  Clint wanted to sweep her up and carry her away. There was something about her timid nature that made his protective side swell. “I promise I won’t,” he said, and was echoed by Brandon.

  “You have spiders,” she whispered, unable to look them in the eyes.

  “Spiders?” repeated Brandon, incomprehension on his face. “Well, yeah. They come in with the shipments.”

  Clint saw her flinch and held onto his urge to laugh. Although spiders didn’t bother him, it looked like Josephine was terrified of them, and there was no denying their place had a fair share. Despite the connection he felt drawing him to her, Clint had to wonder at the choice of her as his mate. If she’s scared of spiders, then how the hell is she ever going to accept the fact that I turn furry on the full moon?

  Again, a dilemma for later, for now that he’d found his female-my mate-he wanted her where he could keep an eye on her, not to mention having her around would make it easier to seduce her. And protect what is mine.

  “If spiders are the problem, then I think we can do something about that. Come back with us, and we’ll discuss it in our office. Brandon will go ahead and clear the way. And I promise tonight, even if it takes a whole case of bug spray, we will blanket the place from top to bottom and get rid of the critters.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise, and her lips curved into a sweet smile that made his cock jerk. Damn, she’s a hottie. I am going to have to find more reasons to make her smile.

  “You’d do that for me?” she said incredulously. “But you don’t even know me. And surely you’ve got other applicants for the job.”

  “We need you,” Clint said, the words sincere even if he meant them for something else.

  “Do we ever,” muttered Brandon. Clint shot him a hard glare, which Brandon pretended to ignore.

  How is it possible we both feel drawn to the same woman? If she were a bitch in heat, I’d understand it, but I’ve never heard of a human attracting more than one werewolf mate. One alpha was hard enough to handle; throw in a beta who could have been alpha, and any woman, werewolf bitch or not, would have her hands full. In that case, I’ll just have to make sure that she chooses me over Brandon.

  As they neared the entrance to the warehouse, Brandon jogged ahead. Soon exaggerated stomping sounds drifted through the open door along with shouted orders to clear out any webs along with their inhabitants.

  “You guys are nuts,” she muttered, but Clint caught the slight smile hovering around her lips.

  “All clear,” shouted Brandon.

  When Josephine hesitated at the doorway, Clint grabbed her hand and tugged her in after him. She followed him meekly, her cheeks pink and her eyes downcast, which was probably a good thing, because every pack member in the place noticed her. Their eyes tracked her, and Clint could see their interest and, in a few cases, their beasts as they struggled with thei
r human half.

  Josephine might appear fragile, but something about her appealed to the rough crew who by nature of blood were like family to him. Blood or not, though, she is mine, and my brothers better have the sense to keep away. His beast stirred in his mind and growled in agreement.

  Clint didn’t let go of her hand until he had closed the door to the upstairs office behind them. He no sooner ushered her into a chair than Brandon breezed in with a grin and perched himself on the edge of Clint’s desk.

  Josephine huddled in the chair, her lip-biting trepidation back, but he also smelled the desire and was jolted to realize some of her shyness might stem from her reaction to them. She probably had a strong desire to touch them, an urge she assumably couldn’t understand. An overwhelming desire for contact that Clint-and, he’d bet, Brandon -fought. Even though he’d known vaguely what to expect when he met the one, there was no denying words couldn’t adequately describe it.

  “So, when can you start?” Clint asked when the silence drew out.

  Her brows creased in a frown. “Don’t you want to ask me some questions first?”

  “Are you single?” blurted Brandon, which made Josephine’s eyes widen.

  Clint bit back a curse, even as he wanted the answer. He hurried to cover his friend’s gaffe. “What he means to say is sometimes we need to work late, and that a significant other might object.”

  His explanation eased some of the tension in her shoulders. “Oh. I don’t have anyone waiting for me at home except for my cat, so working late isn’t an issue.”

  A cat? Clint’s beast snorted in disdain, and Clint fought not to smile. His wolf had little use or like for felines. I wonder how she feels about canines with great, big teeth. Clint proceeded to ask her proper interview questions, ignoring Brandon ’s puzzled glances. His best friend didn’t have a subtle bone in his body.