by Elle Thorne
“I’m not.” She clenched her hands into fists and dropped her head. Her body was wracked with silent sobs. She’d changed into a skirt and a peasant blouse which certainly didn’t hide her curves but was definitely becoming soaked.
“Here, now.” God. He had no clue how to handle a crying woman. He took a paper towel from a roll on the counter and put it into her hands. She clutched it, wringing the shit out of it. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to give her. He knelt next to her, put his arms around her. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I wish—” Wish what? That she wasn’t crying? That she was happy to be there with him, recuperating? Wished what? What could he say? “I wish I could make it better.”
“You’re making it worse. Stop being nice to me.” Now she was soaking his shirt, sniffling, snorting, probably ugly-crying against his chest.
Then her words hit him. Stop being nice to her? “Huh? What?”
Vix approached, stepping closer. She licked Darby’s hand.
Darby hiccupped a laugh-sob. “She licked me,” she uttered in awe.
“Guess you can’t be all that bad. Vix thinks you’re a good woman, too. And I have it on excellent authority she’s a fantastic judge of character.”
Darby peeked up at him, those ocean-blue eyes of hers shot with red. “You don’t even know me. I—”
He wasn’t interested in hearing anything else she’d say that might be self-deprecating. Not a damned chance. His lips crashed down on hers, driven to taste her by a force greater than his own will alone. It was him, his wolf, his heart, his soul, mind, and body, all coming together in this one surge of desire for her. He cupped her nape and pulled her closer, though her body was not protesting in the least. If anything, she was drawing nearer and closing the distance between them. She melted against him. Her hand traveled up his chest, stopping at his heart, resting there, as though she was gauging something.
She parted her lips, and the tiniest, helpless whimper came from deep within.
Had it been her wolf or her? Which brought the whole matter back to the forefront of his mind. Why couldn’t his wolf see hers? He shoved the thought away. It was not a thought which would serve for good in this situation. Or maybe in any situation.
His tongue sought hers, seeking to find the answers to so much more than her wolf’s absence, seeking her heart, her being, her essence, the connection they shared. She returned the kiss, their tongues tangling in a primordial dance. The rhythm created by their beating hearts.
Finally, he pulled away, breathless, leaving her panting slightly, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her pulse beating loud and furiously fast in his shifter hearing. He rested his forehead against hers. “That… maybe I shouldn’t h—”
“Don’t say it,” she murmured against his face. “I don’t regret it.”
He absolutely didn’t regret it himself. He’d merely wanted to be sure he hadn’t stepped over any boundaries. “I have no remorse.” He’d like to kiss her again and again. And do more, judging from the erection straining and pulsing against his jeans.
Chapter Fourteen
Four days later, Darby was able to put some weight on the leg. A shifter should have healed much faster, but Jared hadn’t said anything about it. If he’d noticed. Though a part of her was positive he had to have, because it was second nature to wonder why another shifter wouldn’t heal quickly. They hadn’t kissed again since that one time in the shed, but she went out with him several times a day to feed Vix. They went at regular intervals for the feeding, but also popped in every so often simply to check on the foxes.
The kits were still a little skittish, staying in their corner, but Vix made it a point to come out and greet them every time. She hadn’t growled at Darby, not once, though she also hadn’t licked her hand again since.
Maybe she knew I needed consoling that day, Darby surmised.
“Want to take a ride in the ATV to check out the horses?” Jared set a plate of French toast before her, complete with warm maple syrup and powdered sugar. Late brunch, as she’d slept in this morning.
“Only if you let me do the dishes.”
He tilted his head to the side. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“Come on. I can put weight on it. I’ll lean against the counter. How bad can it be? Probably do me some good. That’s the condition for my going out on the ATV.” She was bluffing, but she hoped he didn’t know it, because she was anxious to get out of the cabin. Cabin fever wasn’t a myth—she had a full-blown case.
“Fine. But I’ll be right next to you, drying and putting away. And ready to take over if you need.”
She rolled her eyes but marveled at how sweet he was. How kind he’d been the whole time they’d been here. He’d spent every night on the sofa and let her have the bed, though there was a part of her—every part of her—that wanted to wake up next to him. Among other things.
Dishes washed and put away, Jared helped her into the ATV and took off. It was a beautiful day. Late afternoon. Dusk was a few hours away. The sun was hot in the sky. She had her sunglasses on, and hat in hand, just in case. Jared was careful to avoid the worst bumps, which she was thankful for.
Twenty minutes into the ride, the stunning Iron Flats Mesa loomed before them. In the plateau's shadow, the entire mustang herd grazed. Just as Jared brought the ATV over the rise, the large chestnut stallion reared his head and whinnied a notice. The mares raised up from feeding and began to prance. The younger mustangs clustered in the center while the females surrounded them.
Jared brought the ATV up short. “Remember Rocco?”
“I don’t think you told me his name. Rocco, huh?”
“Luke named him. Don’t know why he picked that name. You’d have to ask him.”
Unlikely, considering Jared had sequestered her away from his pack. And she didn’t plan on sticking around long. As soon as her leg was up to a drive back to Oregon, she’d be heading out. She’d wasted enough of Jared Dorsett’s life. And she didn’t want to know any more secrets.
The chestnut came closer, neighed softly from twenty yards away then returned to the females. The sounds he made were comforting, and shortly after, the females returned to browsing, and the young ones resumed their cavorting.
“They are incredible.”
“You wait until the sun goes down.” He pulled the ATV around to the back half of the mesa. There was a ramp that led to the top. All the way. She had no idea this existed, just assumed it was a steep rise up. He took it and brought them to the top.
“What happens when the sun goes down?” She pulled out her phone. She wanted to remember him and this place. It might seem odd if she tried to take a picture of Jared, though God knew, she wanted to, but she could absolutely take shots of the scenery. She captured the glow of the sun, the pinks, lavenders, purples, and blues.
“The moon rises.”
She smacked him on the arm with the floppy hat she wouldn’t need any longer today. “Not what I meant.”
“No, really. It’s a full moon tonight. You know how we wolves love a full moon.”
She knew, but not from personal experience. “Yeah.”
He gave her a sidelong glance. “You okay?”
She hadn’t meant to sound so glum. She definitely needed to put on a happy face. No easy feat when she contemplated that in the next day or so, she’d be up for the drive home. She’d use cruise control when she was on the highway. And maybe she’d take plenty of breaks.
One way or another, she probably needed to get some distance from Jared Dorsett as soon as she could. It was impossible not to fall deeper for him when she watched him care for Vix. When he cooked three squares a day for her. When he cleaned up the cabin, had done her laundry while she was unconscious, had come out of the shower with only a towel draped around hips which drew down to a vee with a treasure trail which left her wanting to see where it led. With pecs popping and arms that were corded.
She released a sigh and didn’t realize it until he g
lanced her way again. “I’m just thinking how magnificent this place is,” she covered.
“I imagine it’s a sight different from what you’re used to up there. What brought you to Reno?” He motioned for her to wait and slipped to the back, grabbing an oversized wicker basket. Removing a horse blanket, he laid it out on the ground, then put the basket on top.
So here she was, back in the position of having to lie to him. She’d be glad when she didn’t have to deceive him anymore. And it seemed the only way to avoid lying was to be away from him. “Business.” Though, really, technically, it wasn’t a full-on falsehood. It was business. Silver Peaks business. Not hers.
“Shifter senses say that’s the truth.” He helped her out of the ATV and settled her on the basket.
“You’re using your shifter senses to ascertain if I’m being honest?” The sun dipped below the horizon.
“No, but it’s not like you can turn it off. You know this. It’s a part of who we are.” He pulled a small cooler out of the basket.
No, she didn’t know this personally, but she’d been around enough shifters to know plenty.
“Chilled Jim Beam Honey. A couple of beers.” He set up a wooden cutting board. “Some cured meats and cheeses.”
“You brought a charcuterie board?” She was beyond impressed with his planning.
“If that’s what it’s called, then yeah. I’d call it meat-and-cheese tray.”
She laughed with him. She loved his down-to-earth, puttin’-on-no-airs way. “I like wine in a box. So how’s that?”
His smoldering gaze left her breathless. The heat in his eyes, the way they settled on her lips, then traveled down her curves. She dropped her lashes to hide her desire. Would it be so bad if she spent tonight with him, being precisely who she wanted to be? Then tomorrow, she could be someone else. Tonight, she could be Darby, the girl who wanted him more than she’d ever wanted or even thought of wanting a man. Tomorrow, she could return to being Peter Moore’s worthless, soon-to-be-outcast daughter.
He pulled two shot glasses from the basket and gave her a wink that melted her. How did he manage to make winking appear so effortless and sexy? She’d seen guys try and fail in an epic way, but what he did—everything he did—could only be measured in altitudes of sexiness.
“A little Jim Beam Honey?”
“Yes, please.” With a large helping of Jared Dorsett.
Chapter Fifteen
Jared had brought Darby out here so she could see the land he loved. The land he wanted to share with her. Of course, it was too early to make declarations of love and stuff of that sort. He’d only known her almost a week now, but he recognized his feelings had started for her much earlier. So had his wolf’s. The beast had quit acting up about her wolf, no longer harping on the matter, though Jared still had his share of curiosity about the whole thing.
He’d wanted her to get out of the cabin and let loose of the cabin-fever which was bound to have set in. He may not have known much about her, but he was willing to wait for her timeline to reveal whatever she wanted to share. Of course, if she was going to move away from the Silver Peak pack, he’d probably need to go up there and talk to Peter Moore. To explain to him that she would have a new pack at Crooked Arrow. Maybe having her join them would solidify a relationship between the greedy Silver Peak alpha and Keith. One could hope.
He drank in the vision of her with the sun setting behind her. The curves which jeans and an off-shoulder top showcased. The tops of creamy breasts giving a hint of the bounty beneath the fabric. Her collarbone, which was begging for kisses. A long neck would be perfect for trailing a tongue down on the way to—
His hard-on strained against his jeans, and he hoped she didn’t notice that or the pheromones he doubtless was releasing. He surely was affecting her based on his own wolf’s sense of smell. She was exuding a fair amount of lust and desire. He hadn’t brought her up here to seduce her, God knew, but he’d have a heck of a time not indulging in her sexiness.
The pull of the moon certainly didn’t help. Though still not within view, hiding just beyond the horizon, the moon’s tug on his wolf’s essence was powerful. It didn’t help his wolf had been driving him bat-shit crazy to come out to the flatlands to yield to the shift and run the range in lupine form.
It had been a few days since he’d shifted. Hell, since the day before he met her. And his wolf wasn’t good with it. He typically shifted at least every three days and loped throughout the lands, relishing in his primal nature. It kept his wolf sane, and what kept his wolf sane kept him sane. He couldn’t do it while she was recuperating. He’d been too worried about it, though it seemed she’d come out of it fairly well. The head injury was a non-issue, and the ankle was just about healed.
“Jared?”
Darby had a concerned expression. He realized she’d been talking while he drifted. “Sorry. What?”
“Where were you? What were you thinking about?”
He couldn’t tell her he’d started out thinking how bad he wanted to taste her. To lay her on the blanket and undress her and kiss every inch of her body. So, he went with the safer bet. “Thinking how bad my wolf wants to shift. It’s been a while.” He shrugged, tried to act like it was no big deal, though his wolf was howling in his mind.
She studied him, a gleam in her eye. “So shift.”
Chapter Sixteen
Damn it. Darby strove to keep a nonchalant smile on her face.
“So shift,” she told him. Though her greatest wish was to not be discussing that very thing.
“Can’t,” he said, though his eyes had begun to swirl silver patterns, a sure sign his wolf was at the surface. She wondered how uncomfortable his beast was making him with its desire to change into its animal form. Ellie had told her the experience could be downright painful, depending on a shifter’s animal.
Uneasy, she adjusted in the spot he’d made for her on the blanket, then picked up the shot he’d poured. She slammed it. It went down smooth and cool, left her taste buds and the pit of her stomach feeling warm. Liquid courage and all that.
“Why not?”
She didn’t want to hear the answer. She didn’t want to know if he wasn’t shifting because she didn’t, but at the same time, like fracking masochist, she’d asked. Oh, yes, she did. Because she wanted to hear how much she’d fucked up his life. She picked up his shot, ready to down it too. Anything to numb the pain of how bad she made his life because she wasn’t normal. She wasn’t shifter-normal. She wasn’t human-normal. Nope, just plain ol’ jacked-up messed-up abnormal. That’s me.
She downed that shot, too, and reached for the bottle. Refill time, by damn.
He put his hand on hers, gently. Not stopping her, but not exactly making it easy for her to pour another one.
“Because I’m with you.”
“So, if I shifted…?” she prompted. More masochistic, self-flagellating behavior. Because, glutton for punishment. It wasn’t enough she sucked in her father’s eyes. In her pack’s eyes. Nope, not good ol’ Darby Moore. She had to suck in the eyes of the man she loved.
Wait. What? Loved?
She cringed on the inside, feeling the warmth of the Jim Beam traveling upward, numbing her mouth, her brain. Damn, that was fast. And only two shots. Imagine if she put the bottle to use. The whole thing. She could get comfortably numb. Or totally numb, really.
“Hey.” He brought her back to reality. Back to Iron Flats Mesa. Back to twilight. Away from failure. Away from disgrace and dishonor.
“Yeah?” She really never strayed far from that place in her mind. The place where she was the disaster her father deemed her to be.
“You don’t need to shift.”
“I have secrets.” She couldn’t turn her gaze toward him. He’d see what she was. The disappointment. The mess. The catastrophe. The letdown. He’d see it all in her eyes.
He took both her hands in one of his so he could raise the other to tip her head up, piercing her with a light-eyed gaze tha
t was more silver than blue. “We all have secrets.”
“You’re not asking me about mine?”
“Nope. You’ll do what you need to do. You’ll be who you are. I lo—” His voice had become more gravely with each word. He paused, turned silver eyes toward a moon which was full and just above the now dark horizon. “You’ll be who you need to be. I trust you. And I believe in you.”
She watched his profile as he stared at the moon, almost with longing. What had he been about to say? I lo—what? His words sank in. He believed in her. He said she’d be who she needed to be. And tomorrow, she’d be that. Tonight, she’d be who she wanted to be. And what she wanted to be was in his arms. To be his. Totally and completely his.
She cupped his cheek, turned his face toward hers, away from the call of the moon. She wanted him to answer a different call now. One which involved her, her body, her soul, her heart. She placed her lips on his.
“You know what you’re getting started?”
She knew exactly. She let her tongue do the responding. Tasting the seam of his lips, tracing them, licking, coaxing, teasing.
He groaned, his hands released hers, wound into her hair, pulling her close with a fierceness that ripped a moan from her throat. He took charge. His wolf was an alpha, regardless of pack status, would bow down to no other wolf, though it would play in a team. She could feel his wolf’s passion and confusion in Jared’s kiss. But she also felt Jared’s emotions, running wild, sprinting through the prairies and flatlands like the mustangs they’d seen earlier.
He’d told her she would be who she needed to be. And she would. She would tell Peter Moore she was done with Silver Peaks. She would tell Ellie. Then she’d make her way into the world. Into a world where being a shifter or a non-shifter, or worse, a shifter-recessive, didn’t matter. Where she’d not be judged by her lineage but by the acts she performed.
