On The Hunt Read online

  “Oh my God,” she panted.

  “You know how to stroke my ego,” Theo teased as he rolled his hips. “Ride me.”

  They moved in a sensual way. The ebb and flow of their body was a thing of beauty as Julian played with her nipples and kissed her neck. She whimpered Theo’s name, wrapping her arm around his neck, holding him to her as she met him stride for stride.

  When Theo pressed his thumb to her clit, she jerked. “It’s too much.” The soft quality of her voice pulled at him.

  “You’ve got this,” Julian whispered. “Look at what you do to him. What you do to us.”

  Theo’s features were pulled tight. The muscle in his jaw twitched, as his pace quickened. “Dude, you’re killing me here.”

  He laughed. “Give it to him sweetheart.” He kissed her cheek and sat back. “Fuck him.”

  Her pace was uneven. Her thighs quivering with each rock and swivel of her hips. But, she gave them both what they needed more than anything. Piper placed her hands on his chest and leaned forward.

  Theo didn’t hesitate. He drew the hard point of her nipple into his mouth and sucked. Her cry filled the room while her hips faltered. Without missing a beat, he rolled them, surging deeper inside of her. Theo slammed his hips against hers. He braced her legs at his elbows, opening her more to him. Julian ran his hand over his semi-hard length. He knew sharing her with Theo would be erotic. However, this pushed the boundary of being dirty. He fucking loved it.

  “Do you realize what you’re doing to us, Piper?” He nipped the lobe of her ear. “You drive us wild. I just fucked you, and I can’t wait to get back inside you.” He moaned in her ear.

  “Julian,” she sobbed. “Please.”

  “Do it, babe. Let go.”

  A low whine passed her lips as she circled her clit with her finger while Theo’s pace became unhinged.

  “Shit. Shit. Shit. Gonna fill you up. Take it, Piper. Take it all.” He roared through his release.

  She cried out and shuddered in Theo’s arms. The overwhelming feeling of being complete filled him, and he knew he’d given himself to her fully. Today had been the beginning of their new life. Julian and Theo eased her onto the bed before cuddling her between them and closed his eyes. Completely at ease with their new arrangement.

  Chapter 7

  Julian skimmed his fingers up and down Piper’s arm as she lay between Theo and him. He didn’t know how long they rested before he woke, only that it had gotten dark, and they had a single lantern to light the way. Theo opened his eyes a few moments later and stared up at Julian. They needed to talk. To get things right between the four of them, they had to deal with Heath. He pressed his finger to his lips then pointed to the door.

  “We should let her sleep for a few hours, the ride back to the house will be interesting, to say the least,” Julian said after they slipped out of the room.

  “I agree. Pub?” Theo followed behind him as they followed the hall to the stairs leading to the parlor.

  “Ten miles away. This will have to do for now.” He pointed to the small area where the men congregated. “We need to figure out how to include Heath.”

  Theo grunted as they took a seat. “I’m not sure there is any easy way to do so. He keeps his distance whenever he’s near Piper.”

  “I noticed the same. I think it’s us,” Julian replied. “Whiskey?”

  “Patron, but since it’s not available yet, whiskey works.” His friend gave a wry grin.

  “I’ll be right back.” He hadn’t been kidding when he said he thought it was them. Heath always appeared aloof when it came to Piper, but he’d seen the puppy-eyed looks he gave her, filled with longing and yearning. Julian ordered their drinks and returned to the table with them in hand.

  “Do you think he’s afraid?” Theo took the proffered glass from him as he sat. “Or sees us as competition and not as partners?”

  He shook his head before taking a sip of the alcohol. He hissed as it burned all the way down to his empty belly. Whiskey in 1888 wasn’t the same as whiskey in 2017, that was for sure. “Could be. We have to break through that wall though. Help him see he can have what he desires most and we won’t be selfish pricks about it.”

  “Do you have a plan?” Theo ran his finger around the lip of the glass as he stared a hole through it.

  “Yeah. Put her in his way.”

  Theo tilted his head. “Are you sure it’ll work?”

  “Why not?” Dangle a piece of meat in front of a hungry animal long enough, and the animal will eat it.

  “What if it backfires?” He lifted the tumbler to his lips and finished off his drink. “What if we’re getting our signals crossed because we’ve waited so long for her?”

  Ah, there was a possibility of them projecting their desires for Piper onto Heath. However, he still believed the guy wanted her. “Maybe, but the only way to be sure is to put her in his way.”

  “And if it pisses her off?” He cocked a brow.

  “Well, it’s a chance we’ve got to take. If there were any questions about their feelings for one another, we have to get it all out in the open. Give them the time they need and see what happens. Nothing can go wrong here. We know she’s ours.” Which brought up another issue. They’d had sex with her, unprotected. “We also need to discuss something else.”

  “What?” Theo cocked a brow as he sat back.

  “Sex without protection.”

  A spark of fear filled his friend’s gaze. “Shit.”

  “We’re all clean, but I don’t like the idea of exposing her in the most basic of ways.” The idea of jumping through time if she happened to get pregnant didn’t sit well with him. It would make her vulnerable, and who knew what it might do to a baby.

  “Shit. We should have thought this out better.”

  Julian nodded. “I agree.”

  His friend sat there for a while and didn’t say anything. “We should probably head back,” Theo stated, as the people around them filtered in and out of the parlor.

  “I agree.” Though it had only been an hour since they arrived, he grew antsy and wanted to return to their room to check on Piper.

  “We’ll figure this out.” He grabbed Julian’s arm. “I don’t regret anything.”

  “Best damn night of my life.” Julian hadn’t realized his gut had been knotted until Theo agreed with him, and it released. He blew out a sigh of relief and smacked his friend on the shoulder. “You do realize she might try to retreat some.”

  “I figured. Might have to ply her with sex until she figures out we’re not going anywhere.”

  Julian laughed. “You won’t hear me complain.” His groin tightened just thinking about her.

  “Didn’t think so.” His friend gave him a wicked grin. “How about we wake her the proper way?”

  If by proper he meant arousing her until she climaxed on their tongues and fingers, then yes, he was down for it. “I say, lead the way.”

  * * *

  Walking through the door of their house, Piper sighed. Their time at the country estate hadn’t been long enough. The sex had been amazing. No, amazing didn’t cover it. It had been more than she could ever dream of experiencing. Yet, there’d been something missing. As soon as she woke, she understood what it’d been. Heath.

  Standing there in the middle of the drab front room, she listened for any sign he was there. Silence greeted her. She let out a resigned breath and trudged to the door leading to their living quarters below. At some point, she’d have to make a move and explain how she felt to all of them. Even if she wasn’t sure how it would work. Going to Heath after having sex with Theo and Julian, unprotected—she chided herself—seemed a little selfish. However, feelings were feelings, and to deny what she felt would only hurt them in the long run.

  Hell, maybe she was trying to rationalize this shit. Just because she had the best sex ever with the guys, didn’t mean they would end up in a relationship. When she woke in the middle of the night, the bed had been empty. The sp
ots beside her were cold, telling her Julian and Theo had been gone for a while. Yet, the minute they returned and began their sensual assault, she’d given over to them and spent the rest of the night in complete orgasmic bliss. At least you have an implant. Something she had to explain when they refused to have sex with her, but were content to give her orgasm after orgasm.

  “There you are. I was wondering when you’d return.” Heath stepped out of the travel room and crossed to her. “I have information. Where are Theo and Julian?”

  The hope blooming in her chest at his warm greeting dimmed. “They’re gathering our things.”

  “I’ll go help them.” He squeezed her shoulder and headed for the staircase. “I’ve been busy digging while you were gone. You’re going to find what I’ve learned very interesting.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile before ascending the steps two at a time.

  “Okay.” She bit her lip, watching his retreating form. “Well, I guess I should change.” She went to her room, then began the arduous task of removing the yards of fabric, bustle, and corset. When she slipped on her yoga pants and tank, she sighed.

  “Piper? Where’d you go?”

  Heath. “I’m right here.” She stepped out into the hall. “I wanted to change before we got started.”

  “Don’t blame you.” His gaze heated while roaming over her. “You look rested.”

  Well-fucked more like it. She grinned. “Thank you. The trip was exactly what I needed.”

  “Great.” Heath motioned toward the table. “Sit. I have so much to go over with you.” Excitement filled her eyes as he grabbed his bag off the counter. “Like I said, I did some digging. There was an argument last night.”

  Julian narrowed his eyes as he entered the room, hot on Piper’s heels. “What?”

  Heath opened his bag and pulled out a newspaper. “One more death too.” He pointed to the article. “Last night Mary and her husband got into an argument. It was loud enough her neighbors heard. A few hours later another body turned up.”

  She took the photocopy from him and read through. “According to witnesses, John and Mary argued about Frank Hogg. Rumor abound said Mrs. Mary Pearcey fancied herself in love with a married man.”

  “Phoebe died shortly thereafter, and John Pearcey had moved on as well.” Heath handed her the police report along with witness statements.

  “Are you shitting me?” Julian took the packet from her.

  “Nope.”

  “When did Phoebe die?” Heath read over the information.

  “Two days from now, at her apartment. According to the reports, Mary was seen pushing a very heavy perambulator near 2 Priory Street, and a metal button from Phoebe’s dress was also found.”

  Piper slid the report back to Heath. “So, we have two days to find Priory Street and set up a trap.”

  Theo tapped his chin. “Are you sure, sparrow?”

  She had no doubt. Not with this. Though some of the information was different, it fit the Ripper’s MO. “Yes.” She glanced at Heath. “Did you find anything else?”

  He grinned, sitting up a little straighter. “A better lead.” He grabbed a folder from his bag. “We should have never doubted you.” The information he handed her was a surprise. “This was with another study of the Ripper evidence. Someone took a swab of the stamps off the Ripper envelopes, and it isn’t the same as the sample taken from the envelope itself.”

  Her heart pounded. Could they have found something? Maybe? “What does it show?”

  “Female DNA.”

  She shouted excitedly and fist pumped before taking the information from him. “We can test this. We can use this DNA and compare it to what I found.”

  “If we can get Mary’s clothes in two days…”

  No. No way. She’d never put her partners in harm’s way to solve a case. “No way. I won’t do it. Not with any of you. Nor will I do it. Mary is a modern-day sociopath. She is completely unhinged by the sounds of it and obsessed with Frank.”

  “Then what do you want to do?” Theo leaned forward and placed his hand over hers. She didn’t miss the way Heath watched them.

  “We have to let history play out. Phoebe has to die. Mary has to be caught, and we have to pin her to the other cases.”

  “So, solve the impossible,” Julian added.

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  “Then I guess we should get started.” Julian pushed away from the table and stood. “We have two days to get everything in place. I still think if we can get a scrap of her ruined clothes, we can DNA test it.”

  She wanted the same. But, she feared they’d be pushing their luck a little too much. “I’ll make you a deal.”

  “Okay,” he grunted.

  “We’ll do it together or not at all.”

  Julian glanced at Theo, who looked at Heath. “Fine. Together or not at all.”

  Heath grabbed up everything on the table and put it back into his bag. “I have a few things I need to get, and I’ll return.”

  Before she could say anything to him, he strode from the room heading for the chamber. She glanced at both men, silently imploring them to go after him. Theo grunted while Julian nodded. They followed after Heath, leaving her alone once more.

  What the hell was she supposed to do? In order to fix this, she had to talk to Heath. She had to explain it to all of them. Yet, the timing was off. Maybe it’d always been off. Ugh, she chased her thoughts as she rubbed her forehead. She had to put this aside and focus on the work. Heath brought them a wealth of information. They had an eyewitness, DNA, a button, and the crime scene.

  Two days ago, she’d been ready to give up. Not anymore. Piper would see this case through. This would be the one to put them on the map and prove they could solve cases by returning to the scene of the crime, no matter the year.

  “He’s gone,” Julian whispered. “We weren’t quick enough.” He wrapped his arms around her.

  “We’ll give you guys time when he returns. You have to tell him.” Theo came up behind her and wrapped her in an embrace.

  “I will. I promise. I won’t screw this up.” Whether she meant the case or Heath, it didn’t matter. Determination filled her. She’d make this right. Period.

  Chapter 8

  “That’s the last of it.” It surprised Theo at the ease in which Piper allowed them to add their personal belongings to hers. Since dinner, she hadn’t said too much, and he feared she’d begin to retreat into herself. Not something he wanted to see ever again.

  Julian, in all his asshole wonderment, had been right. They had to work as a team. Keep her trying to figure out her footing with them. The only true north for them would be their genuine affection for her, which also meant figuring out how to include Heath. They had time, and, like he’d been telling himself, the Great Wall wasn’t built in a day.

  “I thought it’d be more.” She frowned as she twirled his bottle of aftershave between her hands.

  “Sorry to disappoint.” He chuckled. “Men are simple creatures with very few needs.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and tucked her into his side. The scent of her lavender shampoo invigorated him.

  Talking to her after they returned to the room had settled some of his anxiety. Julian looked out for her general welfare, and he…he’d been an asshole. He jumped into it with both feet, not knowing if someone would be there to catch him. Luckily, Piper had been.

  “Somehow I don’t believe you.” They stepped back into the main part of their living quarters as Julian stepped through the door, carrying his duffel bag. “See, told you.”

  Julian quirked his brow while setting his bag on the floor. “Told her what?”

  “I didn’t believe him when he said men were simple creatures.”

  He smirked. “We’re not. Maybe he is, but I am very complicated.” He strolled across the room at a cocky gait filled with purpose. “I will prove it.”

  Already Theo’s cock pressed painfully against the zipper of his pants. The minute her breath hitched and
her body tensed, he was ready to go. He had a feeling, so was Julian. The man leaned in and rubbed his nose with hers, then captured her lips.

  Now. Do it now. Strip her down and fuck her. Bind her to you. Only, they had bound her to them in a different way. He’d never forgone protection before in his life. Yet, the minute Julian got balls deep in her, Theo wanted the same. There was something primal about the whole situation. And, where he thought he’d fear the idea of her getting pregnant, he didn’t fret. Instead, the idea of her belly growing round with their child turned him on even more. He cleared his throat to try and cover his groan of need, but it didn’t work.

  When Julian pulled back, she stepped into Theo’s arms, and the desire to say anything fled. Naked and vertical seemed an easier way to express his feelings. Without words, he could tell her what and why, however, he didn’t think Julian would be too keen on it.

  “While Julian is unpacking, we should talk. You and I have to clear the air between us.”

  “I think we did already in the hot spring.” Oh, the little minx.

  “If you think you cleared the air; you’re wrong.” He guided her over to the couch to sit.

  “Oh?” She arched her brow as she took a seat. “Do tell me, what did I want to know?” She lifted her stubborn chin in challenge. Yes, this was what he loved about her. She didn’t back down.

  After taking the spot next to her, he grabbed her hand and placed it over his steely bulge. Then he cupped her sex, making sure to rub his thumb against her clit. “What it’d be like having me deep inside you. Filling you. Making you come.”

  She let out a puff of air. Her eyes fluttered shut and damn if she didn’t bite her plump bottom lip. She didn’t answer though. Instead, she sat there, squeezing and releasing his length, mimicking the feel of her tight heat when she reached her climax. It took all the willpower he had to remain sitting there. Already he could feel precum dotting his boxer-briefs.

  “Teasing me isn’t going to stop this conversation. Once I’d blow my load, I’d start again, and keep at it until you passed out from too many orgasm or because I tired you out. Either way, you’d have to listen to me.”