Sheltering Abby
by Bonnie Rose Leigh
copyright 2008, eXtasy Books
Genre: Paranormal / Shapeshifter / Ménage (M/F/M)
Available now
Abby Coleman, a counselor and one of Serenity’s newest residents, wants to make a difference in her new hometown. So she opens New Hope, a shelter catering to Domestic Abuse victims. An abuse victim herself, she knows just how much a place to turn to can mean when your life seems to be spiraling out of control.
As Sheriff of Serenity, Ben Marcum has seen it all, from rampaging shifters to blood-drunk vampires. He’s done his best to keep his town safe and the humans ignorant, but when Abby Coleman crosses his path, he can’t imagine leaving the mortal in the dark about Serenity’s supernatural inhabitants. In fact, he and his twin brother Trevor-the town’s only judge- intend to show her up close and personal just what makes them special.
But when a dangerous predator stalks Serenity and Abby gets in its path, Ben and Trevor will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even call in the mob for added protection. But will their efforts be enough when the predator they’re seeking can be anyone or anything?
Excerpt
Ben watched Abby approach their table, determination and maybe even a bit of wariness in her gaze. What do you think she’s up to, Trevor?
I’m not sure, but it looks like we’re about to find out.
Ben and Trevor both stood as she approached, showing the respect she deserved, all woman deserved. They were raised believing that females were strong, independent and could carry their own weight and more, but that didn’t mean they didn’t enjoy and deserve to be cherished for just those things. Their mother had drummed into them that once they found their mate, not to forget to show her they wanted her for more than just sex, though that lovemaking would most definitely be on their mind once the mating heat began.
Ben could certainly say that since his first glimpse of Abby, since the first moment her scent wrapped around his balls, his mind had centered on how quickly he could get her in his bed. The last three months were a living hell, but he wanted her for more than that and both he and Trevor were determined to show her that. Soon.
When she stopped directly at their table, she looked from him to his brother, then glanced back at the table she’d been sitting at just moments ago. Several tables were being pushed together and Zoe Daniels stood while her mates, Conn and Marcel, each held one of the twins as they waited for everything to be set up.
Not willing to just stand there staring at her like an idiot, Ben tilted his head toward the other end of the diner. “What’s up, Abby?”
“I’d like to talk to you and Trevor.and the others about something. Afterward, if you’re willing, I’d like to talk to the two of you privately.”
Trevor reached out and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “What’s going on, Abigail?”
Abby shook her head. “I’d like to tell you all at once, if that’s okay.”
Tucking his hands in his pockets to keep himself from reaching out and running a finger along her cheek like he itched to do, Ben nodded. “Sure, no problem.”
After looking them both up and down and giving them a wink, Abby turned her back and headed toward the combined tables, her ass sashaying back and forth, leaving them to follow her if they wanted.
“Did she just do what I thought she did, Ben?”
“I’m sure she did. So the kitten isn’t afraid of her shadow when it comes to us. She’s just been playing with her prey.”
“It looks like it, little brother, looks like it. What say we hurry on over and see just what she has on her mind?”
Ben couldn’t agree more. He quickly grabbed up his uniform jacket and followed her and Trevor toward the others. He couldn’t help but feel that his future plans depended on what Abby wanted to tell them.
By the time the threesome reached the tables, everyone else was already seated, leaving three seats placed closely together. Ben looked to Gloria and smiled his thanks. One of his best friends, almost another mother to he and Trevor, she knew how desperately the pair wanted Abby and how hard it had been to give her time to get to know the town and them as individuals.
Gloria looked up at Abby, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Mama said to tell you that she’s making you a special cake in the kitchen and that I can fill her in later about what’s going on.”
Abby nodded, then picked the empty middle chair to sit, leaving the brothers to flank her. Trevor looked over her head to Ben, his brow lifted in question. Do you think this means what I hope this means?
Abby snorted. “Oh for cripes sake, will you two stop talking to each other and sit your asses down. I have some things to say and you’re wasting my time. Time that could be put to better use later.”
Ben’s throat when dry and his cock jerked in his pants. “You just can’t say crap like that and expect a guy to think afterward, Abby,” he said, but he and Trevor quickly pulled out their chairs and took a seat, waiting for her to take the lead in this little game of hers.
Abby turned her warm brown gaze on him and laughed outright. Then she said something that completely surprised him. “It’s not a game. And if it were, I know you and Trevor would take the lead. I have some things to tell you, some things to admit about myself and some things to warn you all about.”
Her gaze left his and searched all the others seated at the table. He mimicked her, trying to see what she hunted for in each of them, what sign she needed to see to go on with the reason she gathered them all together. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Trevor doing the same.
Seconds passed, then eventually the rigid tension in Abby’s shoulders lessened just a bit. “I have been hiding things, things about my past, things I’m sometimes ashamed of, things I’m usually proud of.”
“Why, Abby, girl? You had to know we wouldn’t have judged you, no matter what you might tell us.”
“I know, Gloria, but Serenity called to me, gave me my first sense of homecoming I’d ever experienced. I didn’t want to lose it and someone like me, the things I’ve had to do to survive, I might not be welcome here once you hear what I have to say.”
Hearing the wariness in her voice, Ben reached for her right hand with his left while Trevor ran his right hand over the back of her head in long smooth strokes, soothing her as he would a fractious cub. She leaned into their touch for just a moment, allowing her pleasure to show before pulling back into herself.
Zoe reached across the table and took Abby’s hand in hers. “Tell us what you need. We promise to listen to everything before making any decisions. How does that sound?”
Ben could have leaned forward and kissed Zoe for offering Abby comfort, but then Conn and Marcel would deck him. No one kissed another’s mate unless it was agreed on beforehand.
“Fine. But if you want me to leave afterward, I won’t put up a fight about it.”
Ben gave Abby’s hand a squeeze before taking her chin in his other hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Nothing you have to say will make Trevor or I turn you away, Abby. You belong here in Serenity and with us. Don’t forget that while you’re busy confessing your secrets.”
When Abby licked her lips and slowly nodded, his dick jerked behind his zipper. By the Gods and Goddesses, he needed to have her soon before he came in his pants like a virgin seeing his first pair of naked breasts up close and personal.
Through their bond, he could feel Trevor’s desire ratchet up a notch at the verbal claim he’d made and Abby’s lack of denial.
“Go ahead,” Trevor murmured. “No one is going anywhere. What possible secret could you have that you think we’ll run you out of town because of it?”
Nodding, Abby took a deep breath, then lifted her head defiantly. “I’m a …