Scared of Spiders Read online

  She relaxed, and when it came to talking about her skills, he found the confidence he’d thought she lacked. That confidence shriveled when he said, “So, I guess I should ask why you left your last position.”

  He caught the quick flash of fear and disgust in her eyes, and he bit back a growl. Mental note to self-look up her previous place of employment and kick the ass of the jerk who forced her to quit.

  She took a deep breath. “The owner decided that when his secretary quit I should assume her… ” She blushed, and Clint clenched his fists under the desk as he suddenly had a vivid image of what had happened. “Um, let’s just say, I had no interest in the extra duties he thought I should provide.”

  “Well, you don’t have to worry about that kind of thing happening here. We have no formal rule on dating coworkers, but if anyone harasses you, just let me know, and he’ll be dealt with.” On the end of my fist.

  “Thank you.” She met his gaze, and it was like a punch to the gut.

  I must have her.

  Brandon clasped his hands together and rubbed them. “Well, since that’s all settled, how about I give Josephine here a tour and introduce her to the boys?”

  “I don’t actually use Josephine. It’s too long and stuffy. I usually go by Josie.”

  “Then Josie it is,” said Brandon as he tugged her up from the chair and tucked her arm into the crook of his arm. With a wink at Clint, he left with her. Meanwhile, Clint clenched his fists in an effort to not run after them and tear his beta from her. His beast didn’t like her leaving their sight-unmarked and in the company of another-and paced restlessly inside him.

  Let him have his moment, because I’ll get mine later when I give Josie a ride home. And hopefully soon, the leather seats in my SUV won’t be the only thing she’s sitting on. His cock hardened in anticipation.

  Chapter Two

  Josie tried to concentrate on what Brandon showed her and the men he introduced her to, but the only thing she registered was how his simple presence and glancing touches made her blood boil. What is wrong with me? Here I’ve lucked out and landed a job, yet all I can think of is how those lips of his would taste. The urge to touch him overwhelmed her, and she fought it by stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets. It didn’t help that he touched her often, brief brushes of his hand and body that made her jump, and to her embarrassment, wet her panties. God, I hope he doesn’t realize just how much he flusters me.

  Eventually the tour ended, and she found herself back in Clint’s equally disturbing presence. Darker of countenance with brooding eyes, he didn’t even have to touch her for the shivers to dance down her spine and spiral into her cleft.

  “ Brandon, I’m going to run Josie home. Could you make sure her office is ready for the morning?”

  Trapped in the close confines of a car with my new, super-sexy boss? I can’t. I’ll melt into a puddle for sure. “Oh, no. You don’t have to drive me anywhere. I’m perfectly fine taking transit.”

  “It’s not a problem. Besides, we can talk more about the job on the way. Shall we?” He held open the office door for her, and she thought she caught him smirking at Brandon, who didn’t look happy all of a sudden. But she had little time to ponder their strange interplay, for she found herself ushered down the stairs and out a rear door to a gated parking lot.

  He led her to a large black vehicle. He opened the passenger door for her, and she climbed into the luxury vehicle, in a state of bemusement. When he seated himself on the driver side, the large SUV grew small at his overwhelming masculine presence. Josie clutched her hands together nervously, her palms damp. What a strange day. Her new employers seemed remarkable, and not just because they’d taken her fear of spiders in stride. Each had to be the most handsome man she’d ever met, and nice, too.

  And much as she fought her attraction to them, if she weren’t mistaken, the interest was reciprocated, judging by their facial and body language. It should have frightened her. I don’t date big, larger-than-life men. But, given her body’s reaction to them, maybe she should. Even with the knowledge that they were her employers, their interest in her as a woman didn’t inspire repugnance, nor did it make her bristle at what some women would perceive as inappropriate sexual interest. On the contrary, she would find it hard to refuse should either of them ask her on a date. However, difficult as it would be to say no, she would, for they were her bosses and she knew better than to mix business with pleasure. I need this job, and having sex with either of them would jeopardize that. A pity, though, because never before have I understood what it meant to be in lust.

  She needed to stop thinking of them as possible lovers. She was their employee even if their job offer, so enthusiastically given, stunned her. Not only was her salary much more than she’d expected, they’d given her an office of her own along with free rein to peruse their operations and streamline them. Such confidence in me. I don’t get it, but at the same time, I love it.

  Despite her admonishments to her libido to think of them as her bosses, seated so close to Clint, she couldn’t stop the wet warmth that seeped into her panties. Nor could she think of a thing to say other than “You need to turn left at the next set of lights.”

  Scintillating conversation to be sure. He pulled up at her direction in front of the white vinyl triplex where she lived on the third floor.

  “Thank you,” she said as she ducked her chin down to avoid his mesmerizing green eyes. She pulled on the door handle, and as soon as it had swung open he appeared, hand extended to help her out.

  Goodness, he moves fast. Placing her hand in his, she again experienced the same electrical jolt of earlier, a jolt that zinged through her body and sizzled in her cleft. Oh, my. She blushed when she felt the rush of moisture, glad in the encroaching twilight that he couldn’t see how his simple touch affected her. His and Brandon’s. For, strangely enough, she experienced the same erotic effect when he touched her.

  “What time would you like me to pick you up in the morning?” Clint asked as she fumbled her key out to unlock the door.

  “Excuse me?” She regarded him blankly. “Why would you pick me up?”

  “You don’t have a car, so I’ll just swing by on my way in to work and grab you.”

  Josie frowned. “You don’t have to do that. I’m perfectly fine taking public transit.” Not to mention, with the way I keep wetting my panties around you, I’ll need to bring a change for when I get to the office. Make that several pairs.

  “I insist, besides you’re on my way. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at eight.” With a wave and a smile that made her panties wet enough to wring, he climbed back into his SUV and zoomed away, leaving Josie flabbergasted on her stoop.

  “Nuts. They’re both nuts,” she muttered as she wandered into her apartment. A streak of gray fur came bolting toward her, and Josie bent to catch her furry dynamo.

  “Hello, Snickers,” she murmured against the soft fur. “Great news. I’ve got a job working for the two handsomest guys ever.”

  As she talked aloud to her cat and bustled about making them dinner, she couldn’t help thinking of Clint and Brandon, their charismatic presence imprinted on her. And what’s up with the electrical shocks when they touch me?

  It was like something out of a romance novel, but as Josie reminded herself, this was real life, and while men like her new bosses might find her timid exterior a challenge, it wasn’t long after they caught her that they would let her go for greener pastures. I am not the kind of girl who can keep the attention of men like that. At least, she never had in the past. I wonder if it would be different with them since this time, I’m the one who’s lusting. Foolish thinking that she had to forget. I could never hope to keep a guy like that for long.

  But, damn, the heartbreak would probably be worth the wildest naked ride of her life.

  * * * *

  Clint headed back to his house, a ranch outside the city limits with acres of land and plenty of space to accommodate others of his kind when they c
ame to visit. He wasn’t surprised to find Brandon waiting for him on the front porch. Clint grinned at him, for despite their new rivalry for the chance to win Josie, they were best friends, and competition was the norm.

  “Smooth move getting her to ride home with you,” said Brandon grudgingly as he followed him inside.

  Clint grabbed them both a beer before dropping his bomb with a smile. “And I’ll be picking her up in the morning.”

  “What?” Brandon sputtered. “I checked out her file when you left and saw where she lives. How the fuck did you convince her to ride with you considering you live on the opposite side of town?”

  Clint shrugged. “I didn’t tell her that part. So, don’t ruin it. I don’t like the idea of her being on public transit with no one to watch over her.”

  Brandon scowled. “Fine, but you’re going to share the driving duties with me.”

  Clint didn’t like it, but when he won Josie, he didn’t want Brandon calling foul. “Deal. Talking about sharing, what are we going to do about Josie? We both obviously want her, which I’ve got to admit surprises me considering she’s human.” A really yummy smelling one.

  “Yeah, that kind of surprised me, too. I always expected to get paired up with some Amazon blonde. Not that I’m complaining. Josie’s got curves begging to be driven.”

  Clint growled, unable to stop the sound at hearing Brandon talk so blatantly about his mate. “Sorry. I hear you talk about her, and my wolf goes nuts.”

  “I know the feeling,” said Brandon, who then took a swig of his beer.

  “Much as I hate to suggest it, given the way we both feel, we could share her or take turns. But given her timid nature, I don’t get the impression she’d be into that.” Having partaken in threesomes before, Clint wasn’t averse to it, especially with Brandon acting as the second man. I’m not into guys touching me, but watching a woman pleasuring another guy or seeing her being pleasured up close and personal is totally fucking hot.

  Brandon shrugged. “So, we let her decide which one of us she wants.” He smiled wickedly. “And may the best wolf win.”

  Clint groaned. “Dammit, that brings up another problem. She’s not a shifter. How the hell are we going to break the news to her about our furry side without her freaking out? You saw how she reacted to spiders. Can you imagine what she’ll do when she finds out we’re werewolves?”

  “So, we don’t show her our wolves until after we’ve gotten her to trust us and bedded her.”

  Clint somehow doubted it would end up that simple. Although under that veneer of fear, I get the impression there might be a core of steel. She might just need a little encouragement to bring it out. And the best place to start is in bed.

  * * * *

  Josie’s first week at work flew by. True to his word, Clint picked her up every morning with coffee, which by some miracle he’d figured out she took with two creams one sugar. In the evenings, Brandon with a grin and crooked elbow escorted her home in his sports car, which, after the first terrifying ride, she admitted was actually exhilarating, especially when he took the corners fast and tight.

  At work, they were professional-most of the time. She gained confidence as her suggestions for improvement were listened to and implemented. She smiled at the lingering scent of Raid every time she entered her office. And while she’d found herself uncomfortable the first day under the scrutiny of the men on staff, by the second day they nodded at her respectfully and called her ma’am, which she found entertaining considering they all towered over her by a good foot or more.

  She reorganized the workplace to her liking, her usual shyness disappearing as she found her groove. I am good at what I do. She even had a nickname by the end of her first week, which made her grin when she escaped to her office to work-Little General. I might be short and scared of spiders and stuff, but when it comes to organization, I rock.

  The only stressful moment came about a week after she started. Hugging her clipboard while barking orders that made the men scurry, she heard a voice that sent slimy fingers tickling up her spine.

  “Josephine, so glad I found you,” said a familiar nasal voice.

  Josie whirled to see the balding, pudgy form of her previous boss. “What are you doing here?”

  “You wouldn’t take my calls. Lucky me; one of the drivers told me you were working here.” Her sweating ex-boss beamed at her, and Josie took a step back, her shoulders hunching.

  “What do you want? I have work to do.” She tried to sound brusque, but instead her voice came out reedy and thin. She still remembered the way he’d cornered her and with a salacious look, propositioned her, his rough hands pinching her as she pushed past him to escape.

  “I want you to come back. I’m even prepared to increase your salary,” he announced magnanimously.

  Josie shook her head. “No, thank you. I like it here.”

  The jovial look on her ex-employer’s face darkened, and his piggy eyes narrowed. “Listen here, missy. Either you take my offer, or I’ll…”

  She never got a chance to find out what the ‘or else’ part was, because Clint, his face reflecting the thunderous expression in his eyes-and looking totally hot-picked her ex-boss up by the material of his jacket and shook him.

  “Just what do you think you’re doing coming in here and threatening my wo-employee.”

  Josie knew she should protest, but, honestly, she quite enjoyed watching the perverted bully getting his comeuppance.

  “I-I.”

  Fabric tore, and her ex-employer, not looking so threatening anymore, dropped to the ground. He scrambled to his feet, only to have Brandon grab him by the nape of the neck and propel him out of the nearest open bay.

  Brandon came back, a grin on his face, while Clint gazed down at her with concern. “Are you okay? Do you want me to go out and smack him around for you?”

  Josie was stunned speechless at the way they’d both come to her rescue, but, inside, her heart swelled. And in that moment, she realized something shocking. She was falling in love-with both of them.

  Flustered, she muttered her thanks with red cheeks and downcast eyes. She fled to her office as soon as she could, feeling the burning weight of their stares at her back.

  I must be going nuts. Falling in love with two men who, while kind and courteous themselves, have yet to ask me out on a date. Crazy or not, her burgeoning feelings made her more determined than ever to work hard and prove herself to them. And that was why she ended up going in on a Saturday when the company was closed to get some extra work done.

  She was deep into her spreadsheets when the murmur of voices caught her attention. She ignored them, even as her body flushed in interest wondering if it was one of her good-looking bosses.

  Ignorance removed itself from the list of options when the first savage snarl sounded from the warehouse floor.

  Oh, my God, what was that?

  Chapter Three

  Clint and Brandon filed into the warehouse followed by the rest of the pack. A shiver ran through Brandon as the lingering scent of Josie hit his nostrils. He breathed deep. Damn, it was as if she’d just walked by and the sweet aroma, uniquely hers, made him hard, even given the reason for their presence at the warehouse on a weekend.

  “Do you really think they’re going to show up?” Brandon asked Clint as he leaned against some stacked crates. He hoped the rogues showed up quickly so they could take care of business and still salvage enough of the evening for him to ‘drop by’ Josie’s place with a movie and a pizza. The whole going slow so as to not scare her was chafing to both him and his beast, which whined to mark her. He could sense the impatience in Clint, too, the only saving grace in their battle to win her affections.

  “Oh, they’ll show,” said Clint, his expression hard. “I made the message pretty clear. Meet us on our terms, or we’d take their no-show as an act of war.”

  “Should have gone for war,” grumbled Brandon. “You know these rejects aren’t going to join the pack. And ev
en if they leave town, they’ll just end up terrorizing another place.” The rogues had caught their attention when they’d shown up in their town a week or so back and didn’t follow pack protocol by checking in with the alpha for the area. They’d further broken pack rule by hunting without permission and causing bodily harm to a human. Unacceptable, hence the summons for them to appear and face judgment.

  “My pack. My rules. Besides, I get the feeling there’s another player guiding them. Rogues aren’t usually so brazen.”

  “Speaking of which…” Brandon trailed off and stood up straight as he took his position of beta beside his alpha. The rogues came slinking in, a juvenile-looking bunch with greasy hair and biker-styled clothing. Wannabes who in their very arrogance were dangerous. Brandon still thought killing them all was the best option. If someone was pulling their strings, that would send the message of “fuck off or die,” too.

  But, then again, his kill-now, oops-later attitude was why he wasn’t pack leader. He’d let Clint enjoy the headaches. Besides, while Clint was occupied with pack politics, it left Brandon more time to pursue their little mouse, whose commanding tone in the office was at odds with her timid nature outside the workplace. But the occasional spark of attitude proved she was coming around. Slowly.

  The rogue leader sauntered up to them with a cocky grin on his face. “So, who’s the old guy in charge?”

  Clint gave the arrogant pup a cold smile. “Me. Why? You think you can take me?”

  The smile on the young rogue’s face didn’t falter, and Brandon wanted to shake his head at the stupidity. Youth was well and good, but Clint was just entering his prime, and aside from his experience, he outweighed the pup by several stones.

  “Name the place, old man, and I’ll whip your ass for control of the pack.” The challenger and his lackeys laughed amidst the growls of the pack. The pup laughed louder at the encouragement of his mangy followers, and it was then that Brandon noticed something disturbing. While all their faces were twisted in a rictus of laughter, their eyes shone with madness and, in some cases, even tinges of fear.