Free Snared by KRIS NORRIS Page A

bed.
    Tayen took a fortifying breath and attempted to keep her voice even. “I wasn’t running off. It’s late, and I have to work tomorrow. I do have animals in need of my medical assistance. I’ve been gone for three days. My assistant is starting to wonder if I’ve been abducted by aliens.”
    Quinn gave her his signature look, the one that said he knew she was lying. “You talked to your assistant last night when she called here in a panic, afraid someone had kidnapped you, so perhaps you should try something more convincing.”
    She attempted not to let the tone of his voice fluster her. “Yes, I did, but I also told her I’d be at work on Monday.” Tayen tapped her wrist. “It’s nearly midnight.”
    “The clinic doesn’t open until nine,” said Quinn. “That’s plenty of time for us to drive you home in the morning before anyone shows up on your doorstep.”
    “I need to shower and dress.” She tugged at the clothes the boys had loaned her. “You thought being naked for the weekend was sexy, remember?”
    Quinn clenched his jaw then released a harsh breath. “Come on, Tayen. You’re running, and you know it. A person doesn’t spend three days making love to her mates , only to sneak out without saying goodbye.”
    “And you were sneaking,” said Rogan. “You get these lines across the bridge of your nose when you’re trying to talk your way out of something. Believe me, we know the look well…six months worth of well, actually.”
    Tayen sighed and leaned against the wall. She hated it that both men could read her without missing a beat. It made holding back virtually impossible. To make matters worse, they were right. She had been sneaking out. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have woken you both up to say goodbye.” She ran a shaky hand through her hair. “But it wasn’t for the reason you’re thinking.”
    Rogan smirked and palmed one hand on the wall. His muscles flexed from the simple movement, making her blood pressure soar. Damn, just one look, or touch, or word made her want these men more than the time before. But she was out of chances. Her body was ready to bond.
    He cocked half his mouth into a sly grin. “Oh, so this isn’t your way of telling us that after three days of not leaving each other’s side, you’ve decided we aren’t mate material after all? That’s good, because that’s sure as hell how it looks.”
    She huffed and stomped one foot on the floor. It wasn’t the most mature tactic, but it helped calm her nerves slightly. “Why is it, you boys always jump to the most negative conclusion?”
    Quinn stepped forward, making the hallway appear as if it were made of skin and muscles. “Maybe because you speak in riddles and have a penchant for keeping secrets.” He sighed and shook his head. “Okay, we’re sorry. So maybe you can tell us the reason? From your response and the furrow in your brow, I assume it has something to do with the mating aspect of our relationship, otherwise you would have explained it by now.”
    Damn, she hated it when he used logic against her. “Has anyone ever told you, you’re a real pain in the ass?”
    The devilish smile that swept across his lips nearly took her to her knees.
    He nodded at her. “I don’t believe pain was the word you used earlier. But it definitely was all about your ass.”
    His mention of their first encounter heated her already hot flesh, making the clothes she wore feel heavy and cumbersome. God help her, but she might as well be a cat in heat. Everything about the men went straight to her pussy, leaving good sense and consequences on the floor.
    She tugged at the neckline of Rogan’s shirt. “The whole mating issue isn’t as simple as it sounds.”
    “Good.” Quinn crossed his arms on his chest again. “Because we aren’t simple men.”
    “Damn, but the two of you are frustrating.” She hitched out one hip, tired of dancing around the truth. Better she laid it all on the line now,