Hard and Easy [High-Country Shifters 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Online Free Page A

her nose. Waving hands caught her attention. Larek and Brin were sitting in the corner, as if they wanted to keep their conversation private. She appreciated their sensitivity. Shouting to the world that people found what she did offensive wasn’t how she wanted to start the day.
    She carefully wove her way past mostly full tables. Her step faltered. Skelak . Clarin’s dad was on the other side of the restaurant, but she pretended she didn’t see him even though he had looked up and clearly spotted her. As soon as she got to the table, both Larek and Brin stood.
    “Glad you could make it.” Larek handed her a menu.
    Their formality made her uncomfortable, so she slipped into the chair and glanced at the menu instead of making small talk. Being near them unraveled her cool. Even though all the men in Anterra only wore loincloths, it was a bit disconcerting to have a conversation when every time they spoke their chest muscles flexed.
    She returned her focus to the menu. Everything looked good, but to keep this date short, she decided on the recommended boctrilla burger. She certainly wouldn’t be ordering any alcohol. The last thing she needed was to cloud her brain.
    Madra decided to keep this professional. “What else did you need to ask me?”
    Brin laughed. “It was a ruse to get you to come to lunch.”
    Her chest caved. “Seriously?” That came out wrong. She should have been flattered. “Why?”
    “Because I like your passion and your beauty.”
    Uncomfortable didn’t come close to describing how she felt. No man ever said she was pretty, let alone beautiful. She pushed back her chair. “I need to use the restroom.” If she didn’t get away from them and compose herself, she’d probably start to babble.
    They both jumped up. She wished they wouldn’t do that. It was almost as if they expected her to act a certain way. Leaving as soon as she arrived might be construed as rude, but she didn’t want them to see the heat racing up her face. Her urge to flee would surely dissuade the men from ever asking her out again.
    Is that what you want? For them to pursue you?
    Admit it. Yes.
     
    * * * *
     
    I’m not sure this is a good idea . Brin watched Madra’s luscious hips sway as she headed to the back of the bar. He didn’t want to be attracted to her, but he had to admit the way she stood up to him at her house made his pulse beat hard. And her body did something to his insides that he couldn’t remember anyone doing to him before. Most Anterran women were all eyes, lips, and bones. This one at least had curves.
    Larek looked crestfallen. “Why not? I like her.”
    So did he, but admitting it wouldn’t do either of them any good. “You’re thinking with your cock.” If they got involved, he wouldn’t be able to focus on his law cases like he should.
    “Am not. Okay, maybe a little, but how many women have we met who love their job enough to sacrifice their principles?”
    He leaned back and laughed. “Since when is sacrificing one’s principles a good thing? If you’re trying to convince me that we should pursue her, you’re doing a bad job.”
    “You know what I mean. Both of us let our emotions rule our brain, as does Madra. Don’t deny it.”
    “Maybe.”
    He leaned back in his chair and glanced toward the washroom to make sure Madra hadn’t changed her mind and come back toward them. Though if she were on the way back, he would sense it. Brin leaned forward. “I know this might be a stretch, but I have a feeling she might not be totally bought in to giving up and going back to teaching her old lessons. It may be subconscious, but I can sense there is a part of her that will never give up and that she’ll find a way to make it work so she can be part of her students’ lives.” There had been several times when his gut told him his clients were telling the truth, and he’d been able to prove it.
    Suddenly, a feminine shriek rang out, and he shot his glance in the direction of the