Free Rose, Charlotte - Bayou Flood [The Shifters of Alligator Bend 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Charlotte Rose

want, but you’d be welcome if you wanted to hang around until tomorrow.”
    “I don’t know,” Sophie said. “I mean, wouldn’t it be awkward, me staying the night here when we’re not even mated yet?”
    Gabriel laughed. “Baby, everyone here knows you’re fated to be our mate. They know what’s goin’ on. If anything, they’ll be thrilled to know you wanna stay. Means you’re thinkin’ about actually bein’ turned.”
    A slight blush formed on her cheeks. “Well, if you don’t think anybody would mind, I’d really like that.”
    “Great,” Gabriel said, giving her a kiss. He glanced at the clock. “They’re gonna be servin’ dinner in a few minutes. You wanna stay here and cuddle, or you wanna get somethin’ to eat?”
    “I’m actually starving,” Sophie said. “And I’d like to see the others I met last weekend. Just as long as we can cuddle after dinner.”
    “Baby, I’m hopin’ for a hell of a lot more than cuddlin’ after dinner.”

    * * * *

    Virgil woke the next morning to the sound of pounding on the door. He gave a quiet moan. His cock was already standing at attention, ready for action, but if the insistent pounding was any indication, he wasn’t going to have the chance to have his way with Sophie again.
    “Hey, Gabriel, open up!” Xavier’s voice called through the doorway.
    “What’s going on?” Gabriel groaned, his voice still thick with sleep.
    “Sounds like you’re needed,” Virgil said. “Why don’t you go answer your door so they quit buggin’ us?”
    “What’s all that noise?” Sophie asked, starting to sit up.
    Oscar’s voice came through the door this time. “Seriously, Gabriel, Virgil, we know you’re both in there. Wake up and let us in.”
    “Eeep!” Sophie dove back beneath the covers. “Don’t let them see me!”
    “They know you’re here,” Virgil said. “There’s only one reason why I’d be in here with Gabriel, and that’s because we’d have you between us.”
    “I don’t want anyone to know I’m here.”
    “Why?” Gabriel asked as he rolled out of bed and started fumbling for his pants. “You ashamed or somethin’?”
    “No, that’s not it. But—you know…”
    “Can’t say we do, darlin’.” Virgil gave her a quick kiss and then started looking around for his own clothes.
    “Besides, you stayed for dinner, didn’t you?” Gabriel asked. “Nobody took you home last night. Everyone knows perfectly well where you slept, and that means they know exactly what happened here after dinner.”
    “Well, maybe not exactly,” Virgil said with a laugh. “But I’m sure we gave their imaginations a workout.”
    Sophie started to blush. “I’ve just—I don’t know. I’m not used to running into the guy’s extended family first thing in the morning, when I’m still a total mess.”
    “Ain’t nothin’ to be ashamed about,” Virgil said, leaning over and stroking her hair. “You’re our mate. Just because we haven’t had the ceremony yet don’t make this wrong. We already told you, everyone will be happy to see you.”
    “Well, okay.” She threw off the covers, and Virgil gave a wistful look at her gorgeous, naked body before she threw on her clothes and opened the door just a crack, peeking her head through.
    “Good to see you, Sophie,” he heard Oscar say. “Virgil and Gabriel up yet?”
    “Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’re gettin’ dressed,” Gabriel called out. “Don’t rush us.”
    “What’s goin’ on?” Virgil asked, opening the door a bit wider as he and Gabriel finished getting themselves together. “Did one of the boats break? Need an emergency repair done? What’s so urgent that you just had to wake us up?”
    “We need the two of you to come have a look at something. You can come, too, Sophie, if you want.”
    Sophie looked from Virgil to Gabriel. Virgil gave her an encouraging nod. “Sure, I’ll definitely go.”
    “Okay, come on.”
    They hurried out to the main deck, and Xavier pointed