Tempting the Wild Wolf

by Rayna Tyler

  I might have learned a lot about being a handyperson from my father, but my real passion, my life’s dream, was getting a degree for interior decorating and someday having my own business. I was halfway through the first semester of online courses when I’d had to quit to take care of my father. Plumbing jobs occurred at all hours and there simply wasn’t enough time during the day for me to maintain a full-time job and have the time left over to apply to my studies.

  Putting my dream on hold to work at the resort wasn’t my first choice, but hey, the pay was good, and it helped with the large stack of medical bills. My father was a proud man and didn’t want my help, but being the stubborn and loving daughter that I am, I didn’t give him a choice.

  I turned away from the window and forced myself to get back to work. As far as projects went, the repairs needed in most of the cabins weren’t bad, not like some of the other older properties in the area. I’d helped my father on a couple of jobs where the majority of the plumbing was outdated and so bad, it had to be replaced.

  Unfortunately, Nick’s home was the worst, and I figured it would take me at least another day or so to complete the job. And that was only if I had all the parts I needed.

  My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I’d been in a hurry this morning and hadn’t taken the time to grab something to eat. Glancing at my watch, I noticed it was almost eleven and decided it was a good time to stop and eat my lunch. Since I couldn’t use the water in the bathroom, I headed to the kitchen to wash my hands.

  I went out to the truck and dug a bottled water and a sealed plastic bag containing my sliced ham and cheese sandwich out of my favorite cooler. The scrapes and gouges on its dull maroon exterior were a testament to the container’s endurance and the many jobs I’d taken it on.

  My mind kept drifting back to Nick. Other than a few tidbits Berkley had shared with me, I didn’t know much about him, and I had to admit I was curious. It wasn’t the stalker type of curious where I was willing to go through his drawers or anything. It was the he-is-a-hot-guy kind of curious, and for the first time in a long time, I was intrigued. Sometimes you could learn a lot about a person simply by seeing how they lived. After quickly eating my sandwich, I decided to check out the rest of his home.

  I unscrewed the cap on my water and took a swig as I walked into the living room. I left the main door open so I could see more of the room and take some time to appreciate the rustic appearance. All the walls had long horizontal strips of wood, stained and sealed with a natural finish. The surface was bare, no pictures or artwork to give me any clues about Nick’s personality. Either he hadn’t had a chance to settle in yet, or he wasn’t big on decorating.

  There was a blue plaid couch and chair with worn cushions. Based on the amount of dust on each, I’d bet they were left over from when James ran the resort. Sitting in the middle of the room was a square wooden coffee table. It appeared to be newly handcrafted, not one purchased from a store. The natural tone was beautiful, and I couldn’t resist kneeling on the hardwood floor next to it and running my hand admiringly along the wood. The finish was smooth, not a flaw anywhere along the surface.

  Surprisingly, I couldn’t wield a hammer or do anything carpentry-wise no matter how hard I tried, and I was envious of the skilled person who’d obviously put a lot of time and care into building the exquisite piece. “Very impressive,” I said out loud as I ran my fingertips along the ornate designs carved into the wooden legs.

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  I startled at the male voice coming from behind me and jumped to my feet, almost dropping the half-full bottle in my hand. I spun around and found Nick leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and an amused grin on his face.

  Damn sneaky shifter. He’d been so quiet, I hadn’t heard him open the screen door. “Don’t do that.” I pressed my hand against my chest and could feel the vibration from my poor racing heart.

  “You mean enter my own home?”

  He had me there. Technically, I had permission to be in the cabin, but from his perspective—one he’d already pointed out—I was an intruder. It didn’t, however, give him the right to stand there and act all smug about it or keep scaring the crap out of me.

  He raised a challenging brow, then walked into the room, each step a fluid movement reminding me I was dealing with a predator. He didn’t stop until he stood two feet away from me. Close enough for me to get a whiff of his male scent, a delightful mixture of musk and the forest. So irresistible that I had to restrain myself from leaning closer.

  He wore jeans, not the sweats I’d seen him in earlier. Though he’d covered his chest with a T-shirt, it wasn’t hard to see the well-defined muscles through the thin fabric. I grasped my water bottle with both hands, fighting the temptation to examine his chest the same way I had the table.

  After what had happened with Craig last year, I’d been adamant about avoiding men. I’d even reached the point where a handsome man’s smile didn’t affect me. So why did this complete stranger unsettle me in the most delicious, panty-wetting way?

  I forced my gaze to meet his unnerving stare. It was as if he was studying me, reaching deep inside my soul and absorbing every part of my being. I’d never experienced anything like it and took a nervous step backward. I searched my muddled mind for a safe topic to distract him and latched on to the table. “Did you make this?” For something to do, I leaned forward and ran my hand over the smooth surface again.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s really beautiful.”

  “I agree.”

  I thought he was being arrogant and glanced over my shoulder, prepared to make a sarcastic comment, then realized he was looking at me and not the table. I could feel the heat rising on my cheeks. At this rate, red was going to be my natural color. “Okay, then. I should get back to work and let you do...whatever it is you need to do.” I didn’t wait for a response, moving quickly to get through the door. Once outside, I didn’t stop moving until I’d reached the company truck and was leaning my back against the sun-kissed metal.

  I took a few deep breaths and stared at the closed screen door, wondering how long it was going to take me to conjure up the nerve to go back inside and finish my work.

  NICK

  When I’d returned to my cabin and found Mandy lovingly caressing the product of my craftsmanship, I was instantly hard and wondered what it would be like to have those small hands doing the same thing to my body. I could tell by the arousal in her scent, the reddened flush on her skin, and the way her crystalline blue gaze darkened that she was attracted to me as well.

  So why had she rushed from the room? Confused and disappointed by Mandy’s sudden departure, I walked over to the window in the living room and peeked through the blinds so I could watch her. She rushed down the steps and crossed the gravel drive to the old white truck with Jenson Plumbing emblazoned along the side in big black letters and drop shadowed in yellow.

  I knew what to expect from a shifter female; human females, not so much. I hadn’t exposed my fangs or claws again, didn’t do anything I considered upsetting, so what had I done wrong?

  I memorized her features. Even though she did manual labor for a living, her skin appeared soft, and she had a creamy pale complexion. She’d pulled her golden hair into a long braid that reached the middle of her back. I could see a dark blue tank top underneath the overalls that had been fashioned into shorts. They clung tightly to her nice ass and exposed a pair of finely shaped legs. What amused me most were the black socks and ankle-high work boots she’d chosen to complete the ensemble.

  I remained there a few minutes longer, internally arguing with my wolf’s demands that I go after her. Mate, mate, mate, the animal chanted and pranced. I still wasn’t convinced, or maybe I was denying our connection because I knew Mandy had been right when she’d accused me of being feral. I was antisocial, a loner, and not fit to be around humans, specifically not someone like her.

  I’d never met Mandy before today
or associated her with the plumbing company Reese had hired. On the few occasions Berkley had mentioned her friend’s name, she’d always spoken very highly of her. After our brief encounter, I’d have to agree with my sister. I could tell Mandy was special and deserved someone better than me, someone who didn’t have wild-wolf commitment issues.

  I groaned and headed for the kitchen, hoping—no, praying—she returned to the cabin. Otherwise, Reese was going to kill me. Not that I was afraid of my brother. It was easier to use him as an excuse than admit to myself that I selfishly wanted her to come back inside.

  I opened the refrigerator and stared at the only two items sitting on the bare shelves: a leftover Styrofoam container and an apple. Whatever was in the container had spoiled. I tossed it in the garbage and reached for the apple. I hadn’t bothered to do any stocking before I’d left for the city and needed to do some shopping soon.

  I supposed if I got hungry enough, I could always venture into town and dine at one of the only two restaurants. It was either that or eat at the lodge with Berkley and Reese. Although I wouldn’t admit it to my siblings, I enjoyed Berkley’s cooking and the chance to spend some time with them. The loner part of me craved independence, so I was still figuring out how to compromise with the part of me that longed to be closer to my family.

  I leaned against the counter, ready to take a bite out of the apple, when I heard the hinges on the screen squeak. I took a few steps out of the kitchen and saw Mandy standing in the doorway, a handcart loaded with boxes sitting on the porch behind her.

  “Do you mind if I”—she pointed toward the bathroom—“finish my work?”

  I ignored the anxious knot forming in my stomach. I didn’t care what she did—curl up on the couch, join me in bed, anything—as long as she didn’t leave. “No, not at all. Make yourself at home,” I said, battling to keep the enthusiasm out of my voice.

  She gave me a brief smile, then turned and placed her hand on the tall stack of boxes before tipping the cart toward her. It was bulky and appeared as if she might have trouble getting it inside. Judging by the pictures and descriptions pasted on the side of each cardboard box, I assumed they contained the new cabinet, sink, and faucets for my bathroom.

  “Let me help you with that.” I placed the apple on the counter and rushed to her side.

  Mandy smiled and yanked on the metal bar. “I’m good. I do this all the time.” There was a determined set to her jaw.

  I didn’t want to do anything to upset her or drive her off again, so I stepped aside. I patiently watched her struggle, first with the box on the bottom of her stack when it got hooked on the exterior wall, then when she tried to maneuver the cart’s wheels over the base in the doorframe.

  Finally, when she released an exasperated groan, I took pity on her and gripped the handle with one hand and eased the cart inside.

  “Thanks.” She might have been appreciative, but the tone in her voice suggested she was irritated with herself for needing my help.

  “No problem. If there’s anything else I can help with, let me know.” I was standing close and couldn’t resist taking another sniff of her tantalizing scent before moving out of the way so she could turn the cart and push it in front of her.

  “I’m hoping it won’t take more than an hour or so before I’m finished for today, then the bathroom is all yours.”

  “Take your time. There’s no rush.” With Mandy in the house, going back to bed to catch up on sleep was not going to happen. Since I couldn’t take a shower and my wolf was too interested in staying close to her to go for a run, I was left with nothing to do but hang out and watch her.

  I grabbed the apple off the counter and took a bite, unable to stop staring at her luscious ass or the way her long honey-blonde braid swished back and forth as she walked. I moved to the end of the hallway and watched her unload the stack near the bathroom. She pressed the boxes flush against the wall before setting the cart off to the side. I was curious to see what she was doing in the bathroom and couldn’t resist following her.

  MANDY

  Of all the days for me to have problems with my handcart, it had to be today. I didn’t usually battle with the metal contraption, much, but with Nick standing so close, I was having trouble thinking, let alone functioning properly. Though he hadn’t wolfed out again since our first encounter, I still didn’t believe he was thrilled to have me in his home. After watching my incompetence with the cart, I was worried he’d insist Reese find someone else to do my work.

  I grabbed the two smaller boxes off the stack, intent on reaching the new vanity on the bottom. I would have to replace the cabinet first before I tackled the new sink and faucets. After setting them off to the side, I turned and came face-to-face with Nick. I was already self-conscious enough without having to endure his close scrutiny. “You aren’t going to stand there and watch me work, are you?”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged and took a bite of his apple.

  Breathe, I needed to breathe.

  I stood in front of the large cardboard box and worked the edge of the tape securing the lid with my fingernail. Normally, I’d use my utility knife to cut through the plastic seal. With Nick watching my every move, I was afraid I’d end up cutting myself or slicing the contents inside.

  After ripping off the tape and lifting the flaps, I lowered the box on its side.

  “Why don’t you tear the box open to get it out?” Nick was standing so close, I could feel the heat radiating from him.

  I glanced at him over my shoulder. “I like to hang on to the box in case I ordered the wrong size and need to return it.”

  “Makes sense,” Nick said before disappearing into the kitchen. He returned a few seconds later without the remnants of his apple.

  I ignored my nervousness at having him standing close behind me, then crouched in front of the box, and reached inside, gripping the wooden frame. I tugged, irritated when the protective walls of Styrofoam encasing the cabinet wouldn’t budge. When I gripped it from a different angle and pulled harder, my hand slipped. I reeled backward, bumping into Nick and knocking him down, with me on his lap.

  “I’m so sorry.” I squirmed to get up but couldn’t move because his arm was wrapped around my waist.

  Feeling his hard shaft pressed firmly against my backside caused an immediate reaction between my legs. It was all I could do not to moan and wonder how much nicer it would feel if I was facing the other direction.

  It was nice to know the attraction was mutual. I was certain letting my thoughts continue down this path was a major mistake, one I was determined not to make.

  After what happened with Craig and my determination to avoid men, Berkley would be ecstatic that I was entertaining thoughts of having sex again. I wasn’t, however, convinced my friend would be glad to hear it was with her newly found brother.

  “No harm done.” He gripped my hips and lifted until I was standing again.

  “I’m not normally such a klutz.” Well, I was, but he didn’t need to know that unflattering detail about me.

  “How about letting me help?” He grinned and reached for the box. “Unless you’d liked to end up on my lap again.”

  I laughed at his infectious humor. “I’m okay, thanks.” I stepped out of the way.

  He effortlessly slid the cabinet, Styrofoam and all, out of its cardboard shell. “Now what?”

  “Now we...” I removed the top protective layer to reveal a large ding in the wooden surface. After all that, it would need to be returned and a new one ordered. “...put it back in the box.”

  Chapter Four

  NICK

  Since arriving in Ashbury, I’d gotten into a regular routine of eating one or two meals during the week with my siblings at the lodge. Once the resort was fully operational, Reese planned to hire several cooks and a full staff for the restaurant. Berkley was in charge of developing the menu and enjoyed preparing all the meals. Of course, she had designated Reese and me as her personal taste testers and insisted we m
ake an appearance.

  I’d learned to stay out of the way when Berkley was in the kitchen and was waiting in the main room near the lobby for her to let me know it was time to eat. The lodge was located higher up on the hill than the cabins and provided a great view of the mountainside and the rest of the resort. There were several large picture windows on one of the walls, and from here, I could see most of the cabins, at least the ones not enshrouded by tall aspens. I caught intermittent glimpses of Mandy’s truck weaving through the trees on her descent back to the highway leading into town.

  I couldn’t get her tantalizing scent or the way she’d felt in my arms when I caught her in the hallway out of my mind. I still wasn’t sure I believed my wolf’s claim that Mandy was our mate. Not that it mattered—I was a loner, broken on so many levels, and she deserved better. An old and familiar panic settled over me. What had I been thinking when I’d told Berkley I’d stay? If I was smart, I’d pack up my few belongings and leave.

  “What are you thinking so hard about?” Berkley walked up behind me. She tucked her arm through mine, then leaned her head against my shoulder.

  “Nothing much.” I continued to watch Mandy’s truck and realized Berkley was gazing in the same direction. My sister is exceptionally good at reading people, and I was afraid if I glanced in her direction, she’d be able to tell what I was thinking.

  “How are things going with Mandy?”

  I turned to face my sister. “What... Nothing happened.” The defensive reply was out before I could stop myself.

  “I meant with the plumbing.” She raised her brow and grinned, confirmation that my response had given her something to ponder. “Reese told me she’s working in your cabin first.”

  “Oh yeah. Fine. She’s doing fine.” I couldn’t believe I was stammering like a teenager who’d been caught making out in the back of his parents’ car.