The Strength of Three by Annmarie McKenna

from these two men than a trained attack dog? She had to admit, having Clod here went a long way in making her feel safer though she was starting to believe she didn’t need it. TJ and Jon weren’t going to hurt her. Not physically anyway. They might break her heart when they were through with her, but she didn’t think they’d cause her pain.
    TJ grabbed her forearm when she reached for the door handle. Chris glanced down and grinned. “You might want to step back.” His fingers flew off like she’d burned him. The second she opened the door, Clodhopper bounded out, tongue flapping, tail wagging.
    “Shit.”
    “Motherfucker.”
    She felt the air move as both men jumped back.
    “Hello, baby.” Chris dropped to her knees and buried her head next to his. He panted and whined his greeting, his big paws landing on her thighs. His snout lifted, sniffing the air and looking over her shoulder at TJ and Jon. His lips curled and a low growl emanated from his chest.
    “That’s my good boy. He’s very protective,” she said over her shoulder.
    “No shit, Sherlock.” TJ pressed himself against the wall.
    “And you call yourself a SEAL?” Chris rubbed the scruff of Clod’s neck once more before standing. The feel of his fur tickling her naked breasts was more than a little weird.
    “Do you see a gun in my hand right now? That dog nearly took of my manhood.”
    “Your manhood ? I think they call that purple prose in fiction. Can I have my shirt back?”
    “No.”
    The emphatic no came from both of them. Clodhopper took exception, snapping at the one closest to him, Jon.
    He didn’t seem the least bit impressed. “Call Cloddy off, Chris, and let’s get back to the reason you’re here, which we all now know has nothing to do with just a fling.”
    “But—”
    “No buts. Call him off.”
    Jon didn’t move from his perch, TJ didn’t either, both of them presenting non-threatening positions.
    “Oh fine, but just for the record, I really think it sucks that you broke into my house and stole my dog.”
    TJ was quick to answer. “I didn’t break into your house, I had a key, and I didn’t steal your beast, I brought him here so you would be more comfortable armed with the knowledge that if either of us did anything you didn’t like, you could sic him on us.”
    She paused. A lump formed in her throat. Men weren’t supposed to be thoughtful. They were supposed to use women and toss them away, not provide the protection against them.
    “Clodhopper, at ease,” she commanded, using the hand signal Clod would recognize. He immediately sat at her heel and panted, waiting for his next instruction. He wouldn’t attack unless he felt Chris was being threatened or she gave him the command to attack. He’d do it without qualm, friend or not.
    Jon straightened, stripped off the used condom as if that were the most important thing right now, then stuck his free hand out for Clodhopper to sniff, letting her dog get to know him.
    “Why exactly did you give him a name like Clodhopper?” TJ joined Jon, a tad slower in offering his fingers to the wet nose and tongue of her dog. She could just imagine what had happened at her house.
    “Because he had such big feet as a puppy. You drugged him, didn’t you? That’s why you still have your package?”
    Jon stepped around her into the bathroom and disposed of the condom.
    TJ nodded. “Didn’t hurt him a bit.”
    “Next time I shoot you with a dart, I’ll be sure and ask if it didn’t hurt a bit,” she grunted.
    “Speaking of packages…” TJ adjusted himself. “Perhaps it’s time we move this party into the bedroom.” He stepped closer, invading her personal space and wrapping his scent around her. Her mouth watered, and her pussy flared to life. It appeared the niceties were through. She nodded and watched Jon’s hand wrap around his cock and give a long, slow stroke.
    Chris swallowed as a drop of pre-come leaked from the tip.
    Each of them grabbed one of her