Julian's Jeopardy

Chapter Thirteen

The waiter chose that moment to return to their table, and Jules wanted to strangle him. Fortunately, the guy had enough sense to back away with a hasty excuse.

Sheridan's blue eyes were huge as she stared at him, her full lips parted in amazement.

The violet in her aura hadn't changed. He knew she loved him, but he couldn't understand why she thought he'd reject her. The woman had guts, a kind heart, the mind of a genius, and the body of a goddess. Why wouldn’t he want to marry her?

“You love me? You want to m-marry me?”

“Yes. The sooner the better.”

“But Jules, we don't know each other.”

“What do I need to know about you that I don't already know?” he asked.

She sputtered, looking both adorable and sexy in that dark blue sundress that showed off her generous cleavage. “We might have nothing in common!”

“Opposites attract. And besides, we have several things in common.” He held up a hand and ticked off his fingers. “One, we both like to run. Two, we both get bigger when we're excited,” he said with a wicked smile, startling another blush out of her. “Three, we're both loyal to friends, and we fight to protect the innocent.”

“That's four things, not three,” she corrected in a soft voice. “Jules, I don't know. It's not rational. We barely know each other. We've spent less than a week together at most.”

“Love isn't rational. I love you, Sheridan. How do you feel about me?” She didn't answer, but her aura glowed like a beacon. “That's not the point,” she said after a pause.

“That's exactly the point. You love me. I can see it.”

“What?”

“I can see auras. And yours is violet any time you're near me,” he said with satisfaction. “The same way Olivia and Fallon are, and Morgan and Hayashi are.” She blew out a breath. “God. This is so embarrassing.”

“What? Knowing that the woman I love loves me back? Baby, it's magic, and it's right. Why can't you let yourself just go with it?”

“Because it's new and it's scary. Hell, I’m scary. I've always been different, Jules. But now I'm beyond different.”

He understood that all too well. “I could always read auras, Sheridan. Never quite fit in with the crowd. But now I'm with others the same way. Fallon reads minds, Olivia reads emotions, Hayashi can see the future, and Tersch is like some damned berserker out of Viking legend. Morgan steals energy. None of us are normal, but we all have something in common. We fight the good fight, and we fight it together. We're family.” He smiled at her, his heart so full, it hurt. “Sheridan, I want to be your family.”

Her eyes filled. “Man, you're good.”

He laughed.

“You seem a little too perfect. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.” She rapped her fingers on the table. “What about my research? It's important to me. I might want to continue it.”

“You can't do that at the mansion?”

“Yeah, I can.” She admitted. “Well, what about us?” She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “Are you still going to have sex with the others while we're together?” The outrage he might have expected to appear on her face didn't. Instead, anticipation made the scent of her arousal so damned alluring.

“Yeah, we might. Sometimes, if I'm away from you on a mission, and it's just the guys, we'll do what we have to.” His vision brightened, and he knew she had to be seeing his changed pupils. “And sometimes we'll play at home, just for fun. As my mate, you'll have to establish yourself. The men might be okay with you, but if they're not, we'll send them a message.”

She swallowed hard, and his cock swelled with need.

“We?”

“Yeah. Ever been stuffed full, baby? Ever had your mouth taken while someone pounded into your pussy? Or had your ass and pussy filled at the same time?”

She blinked at him, and he saw the flash of her beast watching with keen attention. “No.”

“Well, we'll have to remedy that.”

Sexual tension filled the sudden silence between them.

Someone cleared their throat nearby, and Jules glanced up to see Olivia standing by their table. She focused on their uneaten salads. A smile played at the corner of her mouth. “Um, you guys need to go. We have to leave.”

“Why?” Sheridan asked.

“Because you pushed Hayashi into a mating frenzy, and he barely made it into the SUV with Morgan before they needed to 'share some love.'” Jules grinned. “What about you?”

Olivia glanced at him with a smile. “I'm feeling it, but it's tempered by the baby, I think. Jesse is waiting for me, though. We don't want to leave you here by yourselves.”

“We're not alone. Tersch is here.”

Jules frowned at Sheridan. “What?”

“I saw Tersch when we walked in. He's with someone sitting around the corner. Out of sight, I guess.”

Jules had specifically told Tersch to stay home to watch after Mrs. Sharpe and Ava. A test to see if the big guy was having trouble following orders again. “Olivia, go on back with Fallon. Sheridan and I will round up Tersch and head back as well.” Olivia nodded. “I just wanted to say congratulations.” She laughed at the flush on Sheridan's cheeks. “The love between you two is so strong, it makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. I'm so happy for you guys.” The pleasure on Sheridan's face made up for Tersch's blatant disregard for orders. Almost.

“Thanks.” Jules stood and accepted Olivia's bouncy hug. Sheridan did the same. Then he wrapped his arm around Sheridan's shoulders and squeezed, inhaling the warm scent of his mate.

After Olivia darted back to Fallon, Sheridan murmured, “Wow, she's walled a band of positive energy around the baby. I can't wait to see how he turns out.”

“He?” Jules wondered at his mate's abilities.

“Definitely a boy. And won't he be adorable with Jesse for a dad and Olivia for a mom? Good genes.”

Jules kissed her. “Imagine what ours will look like.” He inhaled and tensed at the same moment she did. That subtle variation in her scent. It spooked him.

“Oh, wow. Is that possible now, since I'm like you?” Sheridan looked shocked.

They had never used protection. His claiming of her had been more than intense. It had been thorough.

They reached Tersch's booth, a perfect distraction. A baby. Oh, man. He was ready to be a father, but… Jules forced himself to speak in an even voice. “Tersch.

What a surprise. I thought you were supposed to be home.”

“Dude, you don't look so good.” Tersch stood and grabbed his arm.

The man with him in the booth wore a baseball hat and seemed to shrink into himself. Quietly he said, “I'll see you back at the house,” and scooted out from the booth.

Sheridan gasped, and Jules immediately turned to her.

“What's wrong?” Had she finally felt that stirring of life within her? She'd seemed to accept her feelings for him, but would this sudden descent into motherhood be too much to bear?

“I'm fine. Great. Let's go home.”

Jules shrugged off Tersch's hand. “I'm fine, Tersch. But you're not going to be.

The three of us are going home to have a nice, long talk together.” Tersch shrugged. “Whatever.”

But an hour later, once back in Jules's bedroom, Tersch's casual disregard for Jules's orders faded under a more aggressive tone.

“Dude, you don't see what she is? She's trouble.” Tersch glared at Sheridan, who glared right back.

Jules wanted to praise her for not bowing under Tersch's anger, but he had to deal with Tersch first. He could feel the Circ's tension and knew what provoked him. Tersch suffered from their current mating heat and from the recent distance from Jules. Though the team had been together working to find Montaña, Jules hadn't sexually bonded with any of them since Sheridan's arrival. With the others mated, they could go to their partners for repletion. Jules knew Tersch hadn't gone to anyone.

Jules glanced at Sheridan. He could only hope she wouldn't have a problem with what he needed to do. Because accepting him meant accepting the team.

Talking about the mating heat was one thing, but seeing and participating in it was another.

“Sheridan's my mate, Tersch. We're getting married.” She smiled.

Thank God. Unfortunately, Tersch showed no such pleasure, and Jules growled, “I think it's about time I reminded you of your place.”

“Oh? Going to fuck me up the ass?” Tersch sneered, his gaze challenging as it rested on Sheridan.

She shared a look with Jules that he immediately understood. Her beast asked permission to come out and play. He couldn't wait and nodded to her. “Oh yeah. Do it.”

Jules grabbed Tersch and shoved him back against the wall. “Don't move, you bastard. You wanted our attention. Now you have it.”

“What 'our'?”

“Please.” Jules took a good whiff of Tersch's ripe need. “You're hot. And fucking hard. I'm not blind.” Jules palmed Tersch's cock, satisfied when the big man groaned. “You need to be taken in hand.”

“By you, not her,” Tersch rasped, but Jules saw his friend's hungry stare narrow on Jules's mate, as if the berserker couldn't help himself.

Jules asked her, “Remember what I told you earlier, baby? About being filled?” She nodded, the flash of wildness in her eyes a welcome reminder of how well they fit together. Her beast raced out to play. She unzipped her sundress, which fell to the floor, kicked off her sandals, and stood in nothing but a thong. Her nails lengthened as he watched.

“Christ.” Tersch ground his cock against Jules's hand. “She's beautiful,” he grudgingly admitted as Sheridan stepped out of her thong and fully changed.

Jules yanked Tersch's clothing off until he stood naked. Then Jules took off his clothes and changed as well.

“You stay as you are,” Jules commanded. “No beast. Not yet.”

“But—”

“You do as you're told,” Sheridan's gravelly voice echoed. She approached and sniffed Tersch's chest. Even changed, she only came to Tersch's pecs. But she'd filled out everywhere.

Her breasts pressed against Tersch as she leaned closer, and he groaned.

“Look at her tits. My tits,” Jules growled at Tersch. He left Tersch and stepped behind Sheridan. He cupped her breasts and then made her drag them across Tersch's flesh. “Her nipples are pretty, aren't they?”

“Yeah,” Tersch whispered.

“Tasty too.” Jules shoved his erection between Sheridan's ass cheeks and slid through the crease. “She's a hot one. My mate. She's important to me. She's not the enemy.”

“No,” Tersch agreed. “Not the enemy. God, you smell good, Sheridan.” He leaned down to lick her, and Jules grabbed him by the hair and slammed his head back, sandwiching Sheridan between them.

He snarled. “She's mine. You're fucking mine. You obey orders, Gunnar. Why were you at the restaurant?”

Sheridan paid little attention to him as her beast toyed with Tersch. She ran her hands up and down his body and caressed his cock. Jules saw and felt Tersch tense, but the Viking didn't touch Sheridan again.

“Thought you might have some trouble. Wanted to protect you,” Tersch rumbled, his beast obviously wanting to come out.

“Keep it in,” Jules warned. “I told you I was fine. The others were there.

Sheridan was there. I'm not fragile. I'm not going to disappear again.” Tersch growled, and Jules slammed his head back against the wall.

“Fucking listen to me. I’m in charge. You do what you're told when you're told.” Their gazes remained locked for a full minute. Then Tersch finally submitted.

He closed his eyes and turned his head, exposing his throat.

“Good.” Jules nodded Sheridan to the bed and yanked Tersch forward. To Sheridan, he ordered, “Lie down and spread your legs.” She grinned, exposing her canines. But before she moved to the bed, she turned and kissed him. Jules lost his grip on Tersch, his entire focus on Sheridan.

When she broke away and sauntered to the bed, he panted, watching her with a combination of love and lust he could almost see, as if the world took on a violet hue to match what he felt.

Tersch hadn't moved. “Fuck. She's yours. I get it. I really get it,” Tersch said in amazement. “Can you smell it? Her beast, it's yours. Like Hayashi and Morgan, man. She pulled a part of you into her. I think she's Circ because of you.” Jules considered his explanation, which made a weird kind of sense. Sheridan had admitted she wasn't Circ, yet she'd adapted to suit him. An exchange of energy, thanks to her ability to heal?

“Olivia doesn't smell like Fallon. She smells claimed by Fallon,” Tersch grumbled in a low voice, leaning closer to Jules as they watched Sheridan's toned legs spread wider on the bed. “Such a wet pussy, Jules. Your mate is smokin'.”

“Yeah, she is. But be gentle. She's a part of me, Gunnar.” And she’s carrying a part of me. He whispered what he suspected to Tersch.

“Damn. First Fallon, now you?” Tersch smiled with visible pleasure before he replaced it with a mock frown. “I ain't changing diapers.” Jules shoved him forward. “Change. Slowly. I want Sheridan to watch you do it.” To Sheridan he said, “Watch, baby. Tersch is going to show you all of him. He's your protector now too. Never be afraid of him.”

“Jules, I don't want to scare her, but—”

Jules came up behind him, hugged Tersch's back to his front, and bit him hard on his shoulder.

Tersch swore as Jules marked him, showing him where he belonged. The pain spiked Tersch's arousal, and to Jules's pleased surprise, his mate's as well.

“She likes my dominance,” he murmured before focusing his attention on Sheridan again. “Show us how much you like my Viking, baby. Let me see that cream.” Jules rubbed his massive cock against Tersch's ass, sliding between his cheeks.

Over Tersch's shoulder, he saw his mate slide her finger inside herself.

“Oh yeah. More,” Tersch pressed back against Jules, humping Jules's shaft.

“Not yet. Not until you do what I told you to. Change, you bastard. We do this my way,” Jules growled.

Tersch moaned and began to change.

“See, baby? You're exciting our friend. Tersch is big, bigger than me. And when he's gone berserker, he's a monster. But he's our monster.” He nudged Tersch's ass and was pleased to scent the Circ's thickening arousal, the strong smell of cedar and musk wrapping around them.

Sheridan moaned. “You smell good. Both of you.” She played with her taut clit, excited and not hiding it.

“Watch this.” Tersch preened, his beast showing off for his leader's mate. Jules felt the subtle growth that turned his friend into a behemoth Circ of muscle and flesh and bone.

Tersch's skin turned darker, and his skin cells enlarged and overlapped like scales. The long, thick mane of his blond hair turned almost white. His claws hooked at the ends, as tough as steel and as sharp as blades. The blaze of his blue eyes grew sharper and brighter, bisected by slim pupils that could see so much more in this state.

“Oh, so strong,” Sheridan murmured, though her gaze continued to linger on Jules, letting his beast see her devotion, her love.

Jules rocked against Tersch as Sheridan continued to exude her own unique scent, unable to stop his instinct to take.

“Want to taste her.” Tersch's low voice sounded more animal than man.

They both knew if Tersch wanted to, he could take Jules and break him in half. It wouldn't be easy, but Tersch's incredible gift couldn't be denied. It was a testament to Tersch's loyalty and Jules's leadership that Tersch willfully followed him.

“Ask her.”

Sheridan answered before Tersch could ask. “Please. Lick me, Gunnar. I want to feel your tongue on me.”

The Viking joined her in a hurry and buried his head between her thighs.

Seeing his friend go down on his mate felt right. The jealousy Jules would have felt in any other circumstance didn't factor here. He needed to help his friend, and he wanted to share the love he felt for his mate.

“That's it. Lick her up nice, and while you do, I'm going to give you what you've been begging for.”

Sheridan moaned and ran her hands through Tersch's long hair.

“Yeah, Sheridan. I'm going to fuck him hard while he eats you out. That turn you on, baby?”

“Yes.” She arched up, her breasts full, her nipples tight, as Tersch licked her juices.

“She tastes good, hmm?” Jules rasped as he fingered Tersch's hole.

The Circ rubbed his head between Sheridan's thighs and tilted his ass higher, waiting for Jules to fill it.

Jules slid the natural oil he exuded all over his shaft. Slick with lust, it swelled and ached. Kneeling between Tersch's feet, he positioned himself at Tersch's rim and eased inside. As he did, he reached around Tersch and cupped his sac.

The large male groaned and shuddered as Jules sank balls-deep. Tersch felt impossibly tight. The vise of his ass gripping Jules was almost too much to bear.

“Fuck. You feel good. So hot and tight, Gunnar. He's hot for me, and for you, Sheridan,” Jules said on a breath as he began pounding inside Tersch. He made it rough, giving Tersch the hurt the Circ needed.

Sheridan cried out and came, and Tersch continued to lick her. He shoved a finger inside her and did something that made Sheridan moan for more.

It didn't take Tersch long to come, and soon he was pumping his seed over Jules's hand while Jules continued to ram inside the Circ.

“Come, Jules. Come for me,” Sheridan said on a purr and held her breast up to him like an offering. Her darker skin, the length and richness of her hair and scent, Tersch's sexy beast beneath him taking all he had to give—it all pushed him into a rushing climax that made him see stars.

“Fuck, oh fuck, yes,” he gritted through his teeth as he jetted into Tersch's tight ass.

When he finally came down from the sexual high, he saw Tersch kissing Sheridan's thighs and pussy, licking her with tender care. Jules pulled out and stood, not surprised to find himself hardening again.

“I'll be right back.” He disappeared into the bathroom to clean himself and returned to see Sheridan on top of Tersch on the bed. She was kissing him and rubbing herself over him like a cat.

Jules grinned. “Time to fill you up, baby. But this time, I'm going to spill inside my pussy.”

“My pussy,” her beast growled. Somehow, Jules couldn't see his reserved scientist this uninhibited in bed with him and another male. Not yet. But it was nice to see her beast playing.

“This is so good,” Tersch said on a breath, his hair spread over the pillow in a wreath of white gold. “You two are good together.” He sighed. “Sorry if I was all over your ass before, Jules. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you.”

“That's sweet,” Sheridan said and nipped at Tersch's abdomen. His cock jerked, and Jules fisted his own erection.

“Do it, Sheridan. Go down on Gunnar. Lick his balls. Swallow his cock. Eat him up.”

Tersch groaned as Sheridan followed Jules's instructions to the letter. But when she bent over, Jules's intentions to go slow and make it last went south. Fast.

Two hours later, the three of them lay on Jules's bed, completely human and completely wrung out. Sheridan felt as if she'd run a marathon. Her body refused to obey her need to get up and shower. She lay between her mate and Gunnar—no longer the coldhearted Tersch.

He'd been at turns gentle and rough, a sexual creature so in need of affection and belonging, she was surprised she hadn't sensed it before. But as much as she liked being with him, her fantasy man lay to her right, in the form of a domineering Circ wearing the ring that claimed him as hers. She stared at the bejeweled hand resting on her belly.

Jules stroked her abdomen with such care. Almost as if…

She tensed, and he stopped.

“Baby?”

Oh, God. Baby. She didn't know why she hadn't sensed it before, because even as she thought the word, she felt the tiny spark of life fluttering just under Jules's hand. She'd always imagined she'd have children one day. But like this? With a man she barely knew? She blew out a slow breath. He was the man she loved, and he loved her back, her beast reminded her.

Worry smothered her shock of pleasure. What would Jules think? Would he be happy? Would he be worried? Would he be able to think past oh my God?

Instead of answering, Sheridan blurted out the truth about her grandfather's ring. “All the women in my family get that ring you're wearing when we turn six.

Then we hold on to it until we find a special person, the one meant to wear it. I knew it was you when I gave it to you in the jungle.” He resumed stroking her belly. Tersch snored quietly beside them.

“The ring is a family keepsake.” She started to calm under the steady motion of his hand and told another truth. “I wanted to have a reason to find you again.

And not just to get the ring.”

“I've been waiting to hear you admit that,” Jules murmured and began to purr.

The pure energy flowing between them couldn't be ignored. He'd confessed he loved her, pledged to marry her, and he'd helped make the baby growing just under his hand.

Despite the danger all around and the newness of their relationship, Sheridan didn't want to hold back anymore. Just once, she wanted to experience real happiness that she could keep close to her heart and never let go. Funny, but her interludes with Jules always ended with joy, because he showed her he cared for her in so many little ways. Even this past week while he'd been gone, he'd called her every day just to say how much he missed her.

“I love you,” she said quietly.

He stopped stroking her and shifted her to lie on top of him. “Was that so hard to say?”

“You already knew.”

“Maybe. But I need the words too, baby.” He kissed her with such tenderness, the caresses filled with love and affection. “God, I'm so lucky I found you.” She rubbed her nose against his, delight filling her from head to toe. “You mean, you're lucky I found you.”

“Yes, dear,” he said dutifully, and they both chuckled softly, trying not to disturb Gunnar. After a moment, Jules murmured, “Sheridan, what would you say if I told you I wanted to start a family? I mean, a smaller, more intimate family than the one I share with the team. One just with you, and maybe a rug rat or two.” Relief made her light-headed. “Really? Because I—” A frantic pounding on the door interrupted her. Before it stopped, Tersch leaped from the bed and crouched between the door and them. She blinked, amazed he'd moved like lightning when she'd thought him asleep. And while he'd been flying off the bed, Jules had dragged her off his chest and shielded her body with his. She peeked over his shoulder, ignoring his order to keep still.

“What?” he yelled at the door.

“It's me.” Fallon broke through the door in a panic. His dark eyes widened as he took in the sight of the three of them. “We've got major movement outside.”

“Unfriendlies?” Tersch growled.

“You could say that. Montaña's men are all over the place. He's waiting for Sheridan. And for you, Jules. He wants the two of you outside right now, and he's just behind the fucking house.”

“Sheridan's staying here.” Jules had never sounded so firm.

“Jules.” Sheridan started to convince him otherwise.

“She can't stay here.” Fallon swore. “Because if you two aren't outside in ten minutes, he's going to kill Ava.”