Circe's Recruits 2: Zack and Ace by Marie Harte Read Free Book Online

choice between Kelly and Ace, or worse, for Kelly to have to make a choice, would destroy him.
    “I was convinced of it the first time she met all of you.” Doc smiled. “The girl’s headstrong, and she’s selective. She’s been challenging you in subtle ways for years. But without being a true Circ, she couldn’t test you physically, and we both know how necessary that is for a mating to occur.” Doc paused. “Zack, can I ask you a question?”
    “Sure.”
    “What is Ace to you?”
    Everything. “Why do you ask?”
    “Because during the mating heat, you two segregate yourselves from everyone else, correct?”
    “Yeah.” He knew Hale often provided details so that Doc could study them. But it still made him uncomfortable. Sure he liked sex with both genders, but he didn’t advertise it.
    “I think you two bonded some time ago. So long as you’re both secure in that, you shouldn’t have any problem in mating with Kelly. But you really need to make sure there’s no sense of rivalry or insecurity between you two.”
    “You know, that’s a good point.” Zack took the initiative, an idea forming that might help all of them. “I think it would be best if Ace and I took off for a little bit. Maybe sorted out our issues before the next heat comes.”

    “You only have a week.” Doc looked worried. “Make sure you two fix your problems. If not, things may become dangerous for Kelly and you when the time comes.”
    “Right.” Zack stood. “Uh, maybe you could keep this quiet for now. Just say we’re taking time to recuperate or something. I don’t want to make Ace feel weird about this. He’s not as comfortable about us as I am.”
    “No worries.” Doc turned to his computer. “I’ll announce at dinner tonight that you’ll both be busy recuperating elsewhere. It might be best if you left before the meal to ward off any questions.”
    “Done.” Zack unlocked the door and left, stunned by what he’d just learned.
    Helluva day. He’d been given the best massage of his life by the man he loved, a man who’d never before reciprocated his feelings. That Ace had touched Zack sexually meant he might finally be coming around to a real relationship with Zack. Then to learn that Kelly could fulfill that aching need that lived deep in Zack’s soul? Like a dream come true -- one that had the potential to blow up in their faces if he didn’t manage this right.
    He needed to smooth things with Ace, and he couldn’t do that here. They needed privacy, some alone time. But more, they needed to bond with Kelly prior to her change.
    When the beast took over, impulse and instinct reigned. No one would be safe, unless they all trusted each other on a basic level, before the wildness ruled them all.
    Zack passed by Caitlyn, who had her arms filled with rolls of paper and paint samples.
    Two seconds later, he nearly knocked Roane down on his way toward the stairs.
    “Easy.” Roane narrowed his eyes. “You okay?”
    “Yeah. Sorry, gotta go.”
    “You’re supposed to be resting. Doc’s orders.”
    “Right. I’m heading back to my room.”
    “I mean it, Zack. We could have lost you and Ace. You need to go easy,” Roane ordered in a thick voice.

    Zack warmed. He could feel Roane’s sincerity. The look in his eyes suggested he still worried about the pair. “We’ll be fine. But you might not be. I think Caitlyn’s taking decorating to a whole new level. She has paint samples, and she was heading to your room.”
    “Shit,” Roane muttered under his breath as he went back the way he’d come.
    Smiling, Zack bounded up the stairs and entered his room. Neat as a pin, he had no problems locating all the clothes he would need and packed enough for a week’s absence.
    Finished, he heard the shower running. His body tightened as he imagined Ace naked and covered in water.
    Forcing away thoughts of sex, he took a deep breath and knocked on the bathroom door. No one answered. Probably can’t hear me because of