Fever for Three Read online

  Fever for Three

  Julia Talbot

  When Cheri moves to Lobo Basin, all she wants is a quiet place to teach, where she doesn’t have to worry about the perils of the big city. She’s never had a lot of luck in love, so it’s a complete surprise when not one, but two beautiful men show their interest.

  Cowboy Josh and handyman Paulo come from opposite sides of the werewolf pack that rules the town, and they had a falling out years ago over the firestorm of lust that burns between them. When they both decide they want the new girl in town, the competition between them heats up—and so, finally, does their sexual connection.

  Cheri doesn’t know what to do with the bickering men or with the bitey little kids in her class at school. Is she a slut for wanting both Josh and Paulo? The men are going to have to work together to win their mate and help her understand her nature—both werewolf and sexual.

  A Romantica® erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

  Fever for Three

  Julia Talbot

  Chapter One

  Lobo Basin, New Mexico, looked like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie. Cheri couldn’t help but compare it to the busy Houston neighborhood she’d left two days ago. It felt like one of those bright desert landscapes the movies used as sets for space operas, almost as if it was on overexposed film. She pulled up in front of the house her GPS pointed her to and parked, her hair sticking to the back of her neck, her sunglasses no match against the August daylight.

  School would start soon and Cheri had to get settled in her classroom, her new house and her new life. No more inner city for her. She was all about the country life again. She loved, teaching, loved having her little pack of students, but the city had gotten so scary…

  Her phone interview had made the job sound so attractive. “You’re from West Texas originally?” Mrs. Alvarez had asked, sounding so pleased.

  “I am. Small town. I’m ready to get back to that slower pace,” Cheri had replied, just as she’d rehearsed. Endlessly.

  “Oh good. We’re very close to the land out here. Very into nature. Do you like the outdoors?”

  “I do. I hike and garden.” Okay, she’d hiked in college and gardened with her mom when she was a kid. Mrs. Alvarez didn’t need to know that though.

  “Wonderful! We have so many children who need to catch up. It’s almost like some of them were raised by a pack of wolves.”

  Cheri had laughed, but there had been something in Mrs. Alvarez’s voice…

  She sighed, fumbling for the envelope that had her house key in it. The adobe looked…tidy. At least from the outside. Inside it was dark and cool and had that skanky fish smell coming from the swamp cooler that served as air conditioning in dry places.

  The furniture was in relatively good shape, solid if not particularly attractive—Lord, who still used that gristmill pattern on velour?—and it would do until she could find things more suitable, more to her taste. Cheri put her iPod on its little portable speaker, letting the smooth sound of a jazzy pop song ease her into unpacking her so-loaded-it-was-groaning Dodge Omni.

  The first thing she unloaded was her little coffee maker and the tiny coffee packs that went with it. She wanted some hazelnut coffee. The nearest Starbucks had to be twenty-five miles away.

  Still, the chances of someone shooting through her front-room window was slim, almost as slim as getting mugged in the school or having her tires slashed in the parking lot. That small-town advantage outweighed the lack of gourmet coffee by about a zillion to one, right? She was pretty sure that was what her mom would say anyway.

  She plugged the coffee maker in, turned it on and…

  Whoa.

  She jumped about a mile.

  Electricity arced over the machine like lightning and a plume of smoke started curling up from the outlet. She squealed, grabbing the plug and yanking it out of the wall, but it was too late. Her coffee maker was toast.

  “God damn it!” She stomped her foot down hard, her shoe slamming on the floor, tears building behind her eyes.

  No way. No way. She couldn’t remember how far it was back into town, but she thought they had a general store maybe.

  She needed her caffeine. Her coffee. Her treat. Blinking back tears, she checked to make sure nothing else was on fire before locking up and climbing back into her car. The hard August heat seemed to dry her right out.

  Maybe she’d get a Hostess cupcake too.

  Definitely a bottle of Excedrin.

  And a recommendation for a licensed electrician.

  She pulled up outside the general store, hoping to heaven it was open. It looked likely, with the amount of pick-ups outside. Cheri adjusted her glasses, making sure her shirt covered her whole chest. A lot of pick-ups meant a lot of manly men.

  That was never really good for a shy girl like her.

  * * * * *

  Josh stared with awe at the tiny little car that pulled up next to his truck. There was no way that thing had made it to Lobo Basin from anywhere in Texas. It had to have ridden on a flatbed or something. Seriously, it was like a wind-up toy. At least it had a Dodge emblem on it. That meant it was solidly built, but sheesh…

  The lady who stepped out of the car shouldn’t even be a blip on his radar. She wore a pair of leggings under a man’s button-down shirt that had to be at least fifty sizes too big, horn-rimmed glasses and a pair of ugly flats. The way her hair was pulled back, it looked as if it was a dull, mousy brown.

  So why every corpuscle in him stood up and took notice, Josh couldn’t say. Still, even though he’d just hopped in his truck to drive away, he got out and headed back into the store.

  She was chewing her bottom lip, looking at the push-button cappuccino machine with a vaguely concerned look on her face.

  Damn. Josh was pretty sure he couldn’t help with that and he wanted to help her in a pretty urgent way. Too bad she wasn’t looking at personal massagers. He stuck his hands in his pockets and wandered over.

  “I bet Dolly could fix you up with a coffee. Or there’s the diner. I could walk you over.”

  “Pardon me?” Bright green eyes flashed up at him, too pretty to hide behind those glasses. Oh damn. He could snap her up. Eat her. Like a rabbit. His cock started to press against his zipper.

  “Coffee. I like coffee. You obviously like coffee. We could go have some. Together.”

  “Thank you, but I don’t think so.” She turned her back on him, dismissing him, just like that.

  He almost took a step back, surprise making him a little stupid. He probably wasn’t all that and a bag of chips but most women at least showed interest in his lanky, blond good looks. He tipped his cowboy hat back, staring. “Is it just me or are you always this rude, honey? I mean, it’s coffee. I didn’t ask if you want to knock boots.”

  He got another one of those looks, wide eyed and bright. “Excuse me?”

  “Well, you’re new in town and I was just bein’ friendly. No need to get snotty.”

  “Snotty.” One eyebrow shot up. “Good Lord and butter, I just need a couple of groceries, not to get harassed and called names. Back off.”

  Josh drew himself up, already mentally cursing his cowboy pride. Still, he opened his mouth right up and said it anyway. “Too bad, honey. You could use some loosening up. You’ve got a stick up your ass a mile long.”

  “Tell me you don’t have any children.”

  The words surprised the living fuck out of him. Josh blinked. “Not yet. Why?”

  “Because I’d hate to believe that I’d have to teach children raised with such atrocious manners.” She turned tail and headed right up to Minnie at the cash register, the old bitch grinning at him like the dog she was.

  Shit. Josh didn’t know whether to laugh or spit on the fl
oor. In the end, he decided to laugh before grabbing a cup and hitting up the coffee machine, getting it to spit out a fancy cappuccino. He made it to the register before the little gal was done, sliding it down in front of her.

  “Truce? I’m Josh Bolton. I’m sorry if I was rude.”

  “Cheri. Cheri McBride.” Those eyes met his again and he felt that look deep in his balls.

  “Nice to meet you.” He was about to ask her about being the new schoolteacher when Cheri turned to Minnie.

  “Is there an electrician you can recommend?” Cheri asked.

  “They put you in the old Lupin house, hmm? Paulo, honey. He’s the best. Number’s right there on the board.” Minnie’s eyes met his, challenging. Everyone knew about him and that fucking bastard, Paulo, which was embarrassing enough. To have Minnie give the new lady that asshat’s number, right there in front of him…

  “You ought to get you someone in from Lordsburg.” When Cheri glanced at him, Josh shrugged. “Paulo’s only a handyman.”

  Minnie growled, so low only Josh heard it. “He’s a journeyman electrician and plumber. He’ll do fine.”

  “Excellent. I just need to know my baby laptop won’t explode. It has a bunch of software for the children.”

  “What went on the fritz?” Minnie ignored him completely but that was okay with Josh.

  That way he could move close enough to scent her. Her shampoo had cinnamon in it. Cinnamon and honey.

  “The…” She shivered, and he swore he could see her nipples draw up. “The plug in the kitchen. I need everything checked out.”

  “Well, you call Paulo. You gonna buy anything else, Josh, or are you just going to ogle the poor young lady?”

  Josh snapped out of his daze, his eyes rising from Cheri’s chest. “I’m good. I-If you don’t mind, Miss Cheri, I might stop by. There’s been rattlesnakes in that house before.”

  “Rattlesnakes?” Her eyes went wide.

  “Nonsense. Have Paulo spread salt around, that’ll fix them.”

  He was going to have to growl. He did actually growl, subvocalizing enough for Minnie to back off a foot or so. “I’ll drop by,” he repeated. “Soon. Enjoy your coffee.”

  There was no way he was letting Paulo have this one.

  No way in hell.

  * * * * *

  Knock boots.

  Goodness.

  Cheri looked down at herself, at the oldest, nastiest shirt on the planet and her leggings. The man had to be desperate. She didn’t look like someone you’d proposition, after all. She looked like what she was—a schoolteacher, someone who devoted her life to learning, someone who had never fit in anywhere.

  All she’d been able to do after the cowboy had said he’d stop by was walk out of the store, going to her car as if she was on autopilot.

  Thank goodness she had the electrician’s card though. She called him on her way home, tickled when he agreed to come out immediately. He had a nice voice, smooth, with a hint of a Spanish speaker’s accent, and she couldn’t wait to see how her mix of Tex-Mex and school Spanish worked in Lobo Basin.

  She unpacked her dishes—her little red glass bowls and plates—putting down shelf paper before storing them in the tiny—

  “Ack!” She stumbled back. Bug. Big bug. Huge scorpion bug. Okay. Newspaper. Squashing.

  She’d killed her share of waterbugs in Houston. She could do this.

  “Here. I’ll get him.” There was a stocky, tanned man right there, taking the magazine. He squashed the scorpion with a single blow, which she would never have accomplished.

  “Thank you.” Okay, her heart was pounding, going about a million miles an hour. “It startled me. You’re?”

  Hot. He was hot. Dark hair curled over his forehead and down his neck. He had deep brown eyes over a hooked nose and a bright smile. “Paulo,” he said, reaching to shake her hand. “Your electrician. Minnie called a few minutes after you, said it was a real emergency.”

  “Yes. My kitchen…” Her hand was tingling. She felt as if she knew him already, as if they had something important in common. “I’m scared to plug anything else in.”

  “Blew it out? Was there fire?” He casually grabbed the dead scorpion and flung it outside.

  “There was a snap and a pop and then smoke. Over here.” She pointed to the blackened outlet.

  “Thanks.”

  He was really too cute to be a handyman.

  “Can I ask you not to plug anything else in? I’ll have to shut down the box and all.”

  “Absolutely. I… Do you have a guess to how much it’ll cost?” She was limited in funds.

  “Oh it shouldn’t be much. Mr. Lupin was a nickel and dimer, but he never let anything get too out of date. I bet you just had a lot of backup in the line.”

  “Cool.” She grinned and went back to unpacking, stealing little glances as Paulo worked. He had a nice butt. She had no idea why he was more attractive to her than the cowboy earlier today, but maybe it was just that he was polite.

  He hummed as he worked, the sound oddly deep and rumbling, totally satisfying and a little bit sexy. Her neck itched, her nipples tightening, and she was so glad for her big, big shirt, which was heavy enough to hide her reaction.

  She knelt on the floor to clean out the lower cabinets for her pots, which was cool until he moved closer and she looked up.

  Oh wow. He was…close.

  He smiled down at her briefly. “S’cuse me.”

  “Sure. Sure, yeah. Absolutely.” She scooted back.

  “Thanks. Sorry. I just need to test this outlet.” His legs looked sturdy. Strong. His jeans were snug.

  “Is it bad?” She stood up, trying to look anywhere but his amazing ass. That was tough, because Paulo’s ass wiggled a lot, back and forth, up and down.

  Finally he grunted and sat up. “Not bad at all. I’ll have you fixed up in no time.”

  “You rock. Thank you so much.” Oh thank God. This place was so remote—she needed a few creature comforts.

  “Just a couple of fuses and one rewire on this burned-out outlet.” There was something about him that was so calming, so perfectly capable. She could almost see why a woman might want a man around.

  Almost.

  “Can I offer you a drink?”

  Was that slutty?

  “Sure.” He grinned, but it wasn’t smarmy. Just…interested.

  “Coffee? Tea? Beer?”

  “Coffee would be great. Beer and electricity aren’t buddies.”

  “I…” She turned bright red. “My machine went poof.”

  God, she was a freaking moron. How could she have forgotten about her broken coffeepot? That was why he was here.

  “Oh! Right. You told me. Hey, I’ll take anything you got cold then. Even water.” His cheeks went all red too, which made her feel a little better.

  “Iced tea? I made that on the stove.”

  “Sure.” He moved close, his hip bumping hers a moment. “I use the powder stuff.”

  “Oh yeah? My mom used to.” God, he smelled good.

  A knock on her kitchen door made her jump, whirling around so she banged her elbow on the counter.

  “Ow!”

  Paulo’s hand cupped her elbow, fingers rubbing it, sending shocks up along her arm.

  “Sorry.” The cowboy from the store stood there, smiling. “Promised I’d stop in and check on you.”

  “I… Did I tell you where I lived?” That was a little unnerving, that he’d just shown up. And by a little she meant a lot.

  The two guys stared at each other and the air got thick. Finally the cowboy nodded.

  “Paulo.” He flashed her another bright grin. “You said something about the old Lupin house. Everyone knows where that is.”

  “Ah. Yeah.” She smiled back. That little smile was what fantasies were built on. He seemed so sincere, which was a direct contrast to how he’d been back in town.

  “She’s fine, hmm? I got her squared away.”

  Suddenly, there was the w
eirdest sound on the air, a rumble like distant thunder. Paulo was staring at the cowboy—Josh?—as if there was about to be trouble. The whole situation was very testosterone-filled.

  “I was just about to pour tea,” she said. How lame did that sound?

  “That would be real nice.” Josh smiled, settling his butt against her counter.

  “Three teas it is.” Her skin was tingling, almost as if a storm was coming.

  “Thanks.” The boys said it at the same time then glared at one another.

  Cheri found three mismatched glasses and poured the too-weak tea. Her hands were shaking, just the barest bit. She was dry in the mouth and wet everywhere else, and this whole situation just seemed crazy.

  When she turned, they were closer than she expected, looking at her, and God, she wanted to just pounce on them both. What was with her? She could count on one hand the times she’d been this turned on, and she could honestly say she’d never come so close to acting on it so fast.

  Good thing the glasses were in her hands. “Here y’all go.”

  “Thanks,” they said again and there was this…growl, almost. It echoed around the room.

  Her nipples went hard and suddenly she could see the two men naked and hot and moving against her. Her cheeks went so hot she thought her glasses might melt. What was she doing with two men in her house?

  “You ought to vamos, Josh. I’m taking care of things here.”

  Josh stared at Paulo, seeming to bristle. “Well, I don’t really trust you to do right by the lady, man.”

  Oh God. Don’t fight. And don’t be untrustworthy either. She needed them to do right by her. “Y’all…”

  “He’s just mad at me for a falling-out we had.” Paulo smiled at her, a gentle crinkling of his eyes and lips. “I’ll just finish up and we’ll take it somewhere else, hmm? It’s not fair to you to argue in your kitchen.”

  “Oh. Okay. Yeah. That’s cool.” And weirdly hot.

  Josh’s body stayed stiff, but his face relaxed into a smile. “Works for me.”

  She wasn’t sure it worked for her. She wasn’t sure about anything but that she’d never been so horny in her entire life. All the testosterone in the air was making her want to jump them.