by Renee Rose
“This is what happens when you hang with a bad boy.” He winks, and gives me the wrench.
He talks me through breaking and entering while slouching against the wall. “Okay, so the tension wrench goes into the bottom of the key hole. No—” His large hand swallows mine, and I jerk.
“Easy,” he murmurs in my ear, and suddenly there’s no air to breathe. He shifts the wrench, showing me how to apply tension in the direction my key would normally turn. “Now, you insert the pick at the top. Yes, that’s it. Move the pick back and forth in the keyhole to lift each pin. Whoops—you released the wrench. You have to keep applying pressure there, because that’s what will actually open the lock. Try again.”
Let the record reflect: Picking a lock is easy. Or, it would be, if I weren’t pressed up against a giant hottie. Electricity runs through my body, tiny shocks pulsing between my legs. My head swims with Garrett’s deep voice and patient instruction. He’s so gentle, yet he carried me like a war prize just a few minutes before. Carried me in and spanked me. Oh God. Every time I think of it, my belly gets fluttery, and my pussy clenches. And even when he threatened me, I felt safe.
My shaking fingers slip. “I can’t do it.”
“Sure you can. Try again. It’s easy once you have the hang of it. Slow and steady, Counselor,” he murmurs as I jiggle the pick back and forth.
One by one, I release the pins, and the wrench turns. “I did it!”
He grins as he opens the door for me. I try to give the tools back to him, but he waves them away. “Keep them. They might come in handy.”
“You’re my landlord. Should you be encouraging all this breaking and entering?”
“I trust you to be good.” He puts a finger under my chin and lifts my face to his. His handsome face fills my vision. “Until I make you bad.”
I can’t breathe. Is he going to kiss me?
He drops his finger. “Remember what we talked about.”
“Or else?” His closeness emboldens me. I’m giddy. Or maybe I’ve just lost my mind.
“Or else.” His eyes are flint, striking sparks. “You’ll be punished.”
I lick my lips. “What do I get if I’m good?”
A pause then he crowds me against the door. Two giant hands come to cup my face, tilting it up before his lips slam down on mine.
It’s a great kiss. A bad boy kiss. A naughty girl kiss. He pins me against the door, mouth dominating mine. His knee presses between my splayed legs, his hard thigh angling against my pussy. Sparks fly in my mind, my body reigniting like fireworks on the Fourth of July. I grind down, helpless against the rising tide.
Let the record reflect: Werewolves kiss good.
At the last moment, he breaks away.
“Damn,” I breathe.
“That’s right, baby.” He angles his hips, and his erection brushes against me. “Be good, and you just might get another reward.”
~.~
Garrett
I sit sipping beer on my couch, staring at the moon as I try to get my wolf under control. Bad, bad girl, running from a wolf. And the way she responded to the spanking… damn if my dick isn’t all awake and ready to go.
I hear boots in the hall before my apartment door bangs open.
“Not so loud,” I call, and wince. I sound like my dad.
Why the hell did I think it was a good idea to live with packmates? It was fun just out of college, but I’m twenty-nine, and a business owner. I own half the real estate downtown. Maybe it’s time to buy a house, find a mate. Grow the fuck up. But that would make me into my dad.
Damn, my wolf is riled up if I’m thinking about mating.
Trey and Jared stride inside only to stop short.
“What the—” Trey starts, his eyes turning silver.
“It’s cool,” I tell them. They smell Amber.
“What’s with you and the human? Tank said you took off after her,” Jared says.
I scoff. That makes me sound desperate. “Tank was wrong. I went for a ride then came back here. You know, the place where I live.”
Jared’s eyes aren’t silver, but he raises his head, sniffing like a wolf at Amber’s lingering vanilla scent. “But she was here.”
“She and I had a little talk.” I take a pull on my beer, keep my tone casual. “She knows.”
Jared and Trey go still.
“How?” Trey asks. His shoulders bunch like he’s about to change. Jared sits down on a chair facing me. A string of tension runs through him, too, like a predator on high alert.
And they’re right to prepare to defend. Amber knowing is a liability to the pack.
“Back off.” I can’t quite keep the growl out of my voice. “She’s one of us.”
“What?” Jared cocks his head.
“You told her?” Trey asks as if he didn’t hear me, worrying his lip piercing with his tongue. He’s the thinker of the pack. I should have forced him to go to college because he’s the guy who researches the fuck out of anything and everything that interests him. He’s a great advisor and strategist. “Humans can’t know about us, G. The rule—”
“Shut up, Trey,” Jared cuts him off. It’s inappropriate for either of them to question any decision I make.
I plunk my beer down. “No, I didn’t tell her. And I’m aware of pack rules. That particular one hasn’t been enforced for seventy years.”
“Yeah, because your dad would rip a shifter’s guts out if they ever told a human,” Jared mumbles. His eyes are silver, too.
“I’m not my father.” The guys freeze at my growl, so I force myself to relax. “That might be how my dad runs things, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Like I said, she’s one of us.”
“Shifter?” Jared asks, though he must already know by her scent she’s not.
I shake my head. “Psychic. I didn’t tell her. She guessed. Or knew.” I stand and cross my arms over my chest. “But, we talked, and she’s not going to say a word.”
Trey gnaws his lip.
Jared watches me. “You gonna tell Tank?”
My fingers curl into fists. Is Tank their fucking leader now? “No need. She’s not gonna breathe a word.”
“Whenever you talk about her, your wolf is in your eyes,” Jared observes. “We’ve been taking bets on how long before you claim her.”
They’ve been taking bets. Which probably means the whole pack knows I have a thing for a human. Assholes.
“I want to protect her,” I admit. And fuck her senseless. “She’s a good person, and she doesn’t mean to have these visions.” And my wolf wants her safe. At first I was going to deny the truth, but for some reason didn’t want to lie to her.
I’m not crazy, she said, and it was all over. I couldn’t let her go on thinking that. I couldn’t hurt her. I’m an alpha. I protect the weak. Whoever Amber Drake is, she’s one of mine.
“She’s one of us,” I repeat. “She swore not to tell, and I believe her. And my wolf trusts her, so…” I shrug, watching their body language carefully. Most of my pack is loyal, but I’m bending the rules. One hint of them being a threat to Amber, and I’ll do what I must to make sure she’s safe.
“Whatever you say, boss.” Trey drops into a seat next to Jared.
I grunt my approval, but, secretly, I’m glad they’re taking this so well.
“Yeah,” Jared also lounges back, relaxed and smiling. “It’s about time you took a mate.”
My eyes almost bug out. “What?”
“We followed you to Tucson because your dad’s pack was too rigid. No room for a wolf to run. But all this bachelorhood is wearing on us. I’m ready to chase down a little she-wolf, give her a claiming bite. I think a lot of guys are, but we’ve been waiting for you.”
“Bullshit.” These guys are party boys. The idea of any of us settling down anytime soon is ludicrous.
Jared just grins. I’m pretty sure he’s goading me to find out how serious I am about Amber.
“I’m not mating,” I say firmly. “You both
know I can’t mate a human, even if she is a psychic.” But my wolf disagrees. Lots of wolves mate humans; it must be possible. I’d just have to be careful not to give her a mating bite, or it could kill her. But mating a human would mean I’d lose my position as alpha. It would be seen as a sign of weakness. Our pups would have weak blood.
“Well, I’m ready to settle down.” Trey yawns.
“You just want your dick sucked on the regular,” Jared mutters.
“Yeah, so? Who doesn’t?” Trey grabs the cushion he’s sitting on and throws it at his pack brother.
“Guys,” I warn them absently. My head spins with the idea of mating Amber. It’s ridiculous, but now that it’s on the table, my wolf won’t stop salivating over the thought of having the prim little attorney as my own. I want to pull that bun down, tie her to my bed, and spread her legs. Spend so long eating her pussy she screams herself hoarse. Every night. For the rest of my life.
Not going to happen, buddy.
“Don’t worry,” Jared says. “We’ll find another place to live after you bring the human to heel.” He and Trey swap grins, and I want to punch both of them. They’re having too much fun with this.
“In the meantime, we’ll get earplugs or something,” Trey adds.
“I already need earplugs.” Jared throws a cushion at Trey. “You keep me up, howling while you jack off.”
“I do not howl.” Trey throws the cushion back and dives onto his pack mate, punching him through the cushion.
“Guys,” I warn, and they stop. “Do me a favor. Sit tight on this. Amber’s under my protection, but that doesn’t mean she’s my fucking mate.”
“But she may become your fuck-mate.” Jared grins like he knows I’m trying to figure out how to make it happen. “We’ll let you warm her up to us first. When it’s time, we’ll make Trey wear a bag over his head.”
The punching starts again. I grab my beer bottle before it goes flying, and watch them push at each other, hoping the crashing doesn’t wake Amber up.
I know Trey and Jared are solid, but I don’t want them telling Tank, who will run to my dad. If my dad decides Amber is a threat, he won’t hesitate to give a death order. For him, rules are rules. Life is black and white. I can just hear him lecturing me and Sedona, That’s how we survive.
But no one is putting Amber down. I would fucking kill anyone who came near her. A growl rumbles in my chest at the thought.
But that doesn’t mean I can have her, either.
Chapter Four
Amber
I dream I’m being chased by a wolf. A huge, silver-eyed beast who morphs into a giant, ripped man. Who then catches me, pins me under his muscled body, and...
I wake up in the throes of orgasm.
Let the record reflect: Full moons makes werewolves get freaky. Or am I the one who’s getting freaky?
The bathroom mirror reflects my flushed cheeks. Apparently I love freaky.
Sighing, I drag a brush through my hair. Multiple visions, a horrible night out and then I meet a werewolf. Just another week in the life of Crazy Amber.
After two hours of frantically wiping down every surface in my apartment, I feel a bit better. Maybe I can just keep on keeping on, act normal. Garrett told me not to tell anyone, so I may as well pretend nothing happened. Right?
I mean, they’re three huge, scary guys who happen to turn into wolves. Big deal. I turn into a monster once a month, too, when I’m on my period. Maybe I have more in common with Garrett than I thought.
Dressed for yoga, I grab my mat and head out the door, pausing to check if I packed my keys. My back and bottom tingle as if my body remembers Garrett pressing against me. He caught me when I almost fell, and walked me to my apartment, and taught me to a pick a lock. Keeping me safe. Taking care of me.
Do I pretend that never happened? What about the kiss and the spanking and his talented fingers between my legs?
I suck in a breath as my lady bits come to life with happy memories. Ducking my head to hide my blush, I practically run down the hall. No werewolves accost me on the way to my car. I’m almost disappointed.
Maybe I am back to Normal Amber’s life. When I see Garrett, I’ll just be cool.
Settling into my car, I’m about to back out of my spot when I see him. Massive shoulders stretching an army-green shirt, Garrett crosses his bulging arms over his chest. His head tilts to the side as he watches me.
I wave, ignoring the flip-flop of my heart. And then I hit the gas—only to have the car lurch forward. I forgot to put it in reverse. The front wheels of my Volvo hit the concrete block and roll over it, crunching the front of my car into the wall.
A second later, metal screams as my door rips off its hinges.
“Baby, are you okay?” Garrett leans over me, unclicking my seatbelt and pulling me from the car before folding me in his arms.
“Hey, neighbor.” My voice comes out shaky. So much for being cool.
“What the hell?”
“You startled me. I, um—” Garrett’s scent surrounds me, and calm settles my jangled nerves. My hands are splayed on his hard-muscled chest.
“Amber?”
Focus! Amber the Lawyer is never at a loss for words. “Are you, um, growling?”
“My wolf,” Garrett says through a clenched jaw. “He’s worried about you.”’
“Oh. Hi, wolf.” I speak to Garrett’s belly button. His shirt has ridden up, showing muscles the size of cobblestones.
More rumbles as Garrett laughs. The pleasant sound relaxes me. I’m standing in my hottie neighbor’s arms, talking to his wolf. Nope, not crazy at all.
Garrett tucks an errant strand of hair behind my ear, brushes a thumb over the hill of my cheek, leans in, and kisses me.
At the touch of his lips, little shocks of lightning flash through me. I sigh and press forward, ready to rub myself against him. My hand slips under his shirt, caressing the smooth, sculpted muscle. Garrett angles his head, grips the back of my neck, and deepens the kiss. His tongue in my mouth stirs up parts of me down below.
The kiss goes on and on and when we finally break away, I can barely breathe. He holds me close with his firm hand on my neck and rests his forehead against mine.
I’m literally like the heroine of a Jane Austen romance, my chest heaving, about to swoon. “Um. Wow. Do all werewolves kiss like that?” I ask inanely. Really? Where is the sane Amber who always can verbally spar with the best of them in a courtroom?
Silver flashes through his eyes. “You won’t be kissing any werewolves but me.”
“Well no, of course not. I didn’t mean to kiss you, either. You’re the one who keeps doing it. I keep letting you.”
“I’m glad you’re okay.” He releases the back of my neck, and I feel the loss. “I was worried there for a second.”
“I see that.” My door creaks as it hangs on one hinge. My front wheels are stuck between the concrete barrier and the wall. “What am I supposed to do now?”
“I’m surprised you don’t have Triple A on speed dial, princess.”
“I do, actually. But how do I explain those?” I point the deep imprints in the metal Garrett put there with his bare hands.
“I’ll take care of it. Most of my pack are mechanics. They can get this straight.”
“How are we going to get it back over the concrete barrier?”
Garrett’s busy shooting off a text. By the time he’s done, two big guys burst from the stairwell door. Again, I automatically step back.
“You remember Jared and Trey?”
“Hi, Counselor.” Jared, the one with the shaved head and tattoo sleeves, nods.
The heavily pierced one actually grins at me before he points to my car. “This the problem?”
“Yep.” Garrett pockets his cell phone. “Tank’s coming with a tow truck. But I don’t want to leave it until then.”
The two punks walk to either side of my car.
“How’s the weather?” Full Metal Face, also known as Trey, asks
.
Garrett stands at the rear, sweeping a glance around the parking lot. “Old lady, three o’clock.”
The three of them lean against my car, looking casual as a woman crosses the parking lot, gets in her car, and drives off.
“All clear,” Garrett murmurs.
The men all bend over and get a grip on my car before lifting it as if weighs nothing. My jaw drops. Let the record reflect: Werewolves have superhuman strength. They carry it back into place, and set it gently down.
“Thanks, guys.” Garrett nods, and the two punks wink at me and disappear before I find my voice.
“I guess that works.”
“Tank will be here to tow it in a bit.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’re welcome, princess.”
So much for a normal Saturday. “I guess I’m going to miss yoga.”
“I can help you with that.”
“How? You going to teach me to hotwire a car?”
A grin, shake of his head. “I’ll do you one better.” He strides around a corner. The roar of motorcycle pipes herald his return.
“Oh no.” I shake my head as he glides up on a huge black Harley. “No way I’m getting on that thing.”
“Come on, Counselor.” He tosses me a helmet. “Live a little.”
~.~
Let the record reflect: When riding a motorcycle, you should bring a change of panties. Because they are basically vibrators. Really big vibrators.
I hold tight to Garrett, pressing into his back as the wind whips my hair below the helmet.
“Hey!” I shout as we motor away from downtown. “My yoga studio is in Armory Park!”
“Change of plans, princess,” he tosses back, and pulls in at a little Mexican taco stand on the west side of the now dry Santa Cruz riverbed. “I’ll take you to brunch.”
I’d protest, but I’m not sorry. I would’ve been late for yoga, anyway, and even though I know it’s a bad idea, I crave more time with my overbearing neighbor. Even if it is on a death machine. Which feels amazing between my thighs.
Garrett orders ten carne asada tacos, pays, and hands me the paper sack with our food. “Let’s go.”
