Wild Need

by Jane Jamison

  “Damn it, Tucker. Get back here and eat a plateful.” The swinging door was her only answer. Huffing, she flipped off the burners and began cleaning up.

  After wrapping the bacon, toast, and pancakes in foil, the only thing remotely resembling a means to keep food, she cleaned up the countertop and wiped down the table. Satisfied with her work, she took off the apron she’d found hanging on a hook behind the pantry door and smoothed down her slacks.

  “Okay. Let’s see what kind of work Tucker’s left for me.”

  She strolled down the hallway, taking time to look at the photographs hanging on the wall. From what she could tell, their families had lived on the ranch, or at least in the area, for several generations. The last photo hanging next to the office was one of eight tall men and three women. One woman had eyes like Travis’s, while another woman was the spitting image of Cort. Three young boys stood in front of the adults, and she could tell that the boys were Travis, Tucker, and Cort.

  She skimmed her finger over the boys. The tree appeared to be the same one that stood in the backyard. She could imagine the men as wild, rambunctious boys building a tree house so they could toss water balloons down on any poor unsuspecting person who happened along.

  No wonder they were so attached to the ranch. Although she doubted all the adults had lived in the same home, she suspected the three friends had spent many hours at each other’s houses. They’d made Moonlight Ranch their home and wanted her to join them.

  She hugged herself, a warm feeling of belonging spreading through her. Unlike the electrifying sizzle she got whenever she touched them, this warmth was softer, gentler than the other. This warmth was the warmth of family.

  Stepping into the office, she switched on the overhead light and let her jaw drop. A huge pile of folders and papers sat in the middle of her desk. “Wow. They really do need my help.”

  Buster padded into the room and flopped down at her feet. “Hey, boy. Are you here to keep me company?” She reached down and scratched him behind the ear. Buster moaned a happy sound then flicked his tongue over her ankle.

  “Well, no use putting it off any longer. I just wish you knew how to read their handwriting.” She ran her hand along the edge of her desk and took a seat in the metal chair. Flipping on the computer, she got to work.

  * * * *

  By late afternoon, she wondered if taking the job was a mistake. The workload was enough for three people, much less an inexperienced recent graduate. Still, she was determined to decipher Tucker’s handwriting—why doesn’t he use a computer and e-mail?—Travis’s expense receipts, and Cort’s cryptic notes about ranch supplies. She tracked a hand through her hair and swiveled around to face the window.

  I wonder where they are right now?

  “Who the hell are you, and where is that mangy mutt Tucker Lawson?”

  Buster was on his feet and by her side, his lips pulled back in a snarl. Kate jolted and spun around to find a larger-than-life man glowering at her. “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t give me none of that polite talk.” His pockmarked face closed in as his glower grew meaner. “I want to know where that bastard is. He’s going to pay for cheating me out of my winnings.”

  She got to her feet as much to appear in control as to be able to flee. Buster flattened his ears and lowered his tail. “Easy, Buster.”

  The man was intimidating, reminding her of a bear on its hind legs, its fangs bared. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mister…”

  “Litton. Brad Litton.” His black gaze scoured her from top to bottom. “You must be the city girl they’ve decided to mate.”

  There’s that word again. Mate.

  She threw back her shoulders and met his angry glare. “I’m Mr. Lawson’s assistant, if that’s what you mean.” No way would she say the words “personal assistant” to him. He’d no doubt make more out of it than she’d like.

  “Yeah, right. Assistant, my ass.” His chin was covered in black stubble that looked like it had caught some of his last meal. His barrel chest grew bigger with each breath and his arms were as wide as the largest branches on the tree outside.

  She caught a whiff of his putrid odor and tried to take in less air. Judging from his clothes, he didn’t know what a washing machine was. Buster snarled and pushed against her leg as though telling her to run.

  “Mister Litton, if you’d care to leave a message, I’ll be sure Mr. Lawson gets it as soon as he comes back.”

  “Where’d he go?”

  “I don’t know, and, frankly, even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you. However, I can tell him you stopped by.” Why doesn’t he take the hint and leave?

  He took a step forward that ate up half the distance between them. Buster hopped on his front feet and barked, but Litton didn’t seem to notice him.

  Kate eased behind her chair and called for Buster to heel. He backed up, wedging his body between her chair and her legs. She glanced at her desk and calculated her chance of dialing 9-1-1 before he could stop her. Did Forever have emergency service?

  “You sure make everything sound real nice, don’t you? But I don’t give a shit about nice. I want Tucker to pay me back the money he owes me.”

  What was it her father had once told her? When faced with a belligerent, unyielding person, try to get away. If getting away wasn’t an option, humor them until help came. She was threatened not only by his size but his actions as well. But something else about him bothered her. He had a darker side, one that made the hair at the nape of her neck stand on end.

  “How did Mr. Lawson supposedly cheat you?” She motioned to the client chair in front of Tucker’s desk.

  Litton narrowed his eyes, pondered over her offer to take a seat, then finally plopped his wide rear into the chair. “He drugged the damn bull I rode in the rodeo last week. Stupid animal stood there like he was doped up on sedatives. And it ain’t the first time Tucker and his friends have done it.”

  Tucker drugged a bull? More than likely, the poor bull couldn’t move for the massive weight on its back. She almost laughed at the man’s accusations. Instead, she played it cool and collected. “How do you think he drugged the bull?”

  “How the hell do you think? He distracted the folks with his grand speech about the events of the day while his buddies shot the damn beast up.” His gaze grew less angry and more interested.

  She kept the chair in front of her and wished it had a higher back. “Do you have proof? After all, your claim seems a bit farfetched.”

  He moved so fast she didn’t have time to react. Buster leapt at the man, but the average-sized dog was no match for him as he grabbed the dog by the collar and tossed him out of the way. Buster landed against the wall but was back on his feet in a second.

  Litton was behind her desk and gripping the arms of the chair by the time she shouted for Buster to back off. She was glad the men had trained Buster to heed the usual commands as Buster sat on his haunches and snarled.

  Litton leaned forward, putting his face close to hers. She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from gagging from the stench.

  “Listen, girly, I can tell you don’t know a damn thing about rodeos or even your so-called boss.”

  She swallowed and kept her retort to herself. She’d already unwittingly antagonized him. Buster coming to her aid hadn’t helped the man’s attitude. “I’m sure there’s an explanation. If you care to wait…”

  “Wait? With you?”

  His anger mellowed again as he slid his hot gaze over the length of her, pausing too long to linger over her breasts. “Okay, sure. I’ll wait. It’s not every day I get to spend time with a smokin’ hot woman like you. How did they get a gal who looks like you to come out to this hellhole? Are they paying you a shitload of money?” His lip curled into a sneer. “Or is it something else they’re giving you?”

  “Sir, you’re making me uncomfortable, and I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

  “I ain’t leaving. Not unless I get some kind of
satisfaction.” He reached for her arm and slid the back of his hairy hand along her skin.

  She cringed and fought against the urge to slap him. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest and tried to appear as mean as possible. “Look, I’ve tried to be nice to you, but you’re not taking the hint.”

  He grinned, exposing stained teeth that seemed longer than normal teeth. “I think you should try harder.”

  She tried to back away, but he picked up her chair and hefted it over the desk. It landed on its wheels with a loud bang.

  “If I cain’t get any money out of the cheating bastard, I’ll take the things he holds dear.” He grabbed her arm and yanked her to him.

  Her breasts bumped up against the massive chest. She tried to struggle, but he held her firm. Sliding his hand down her back, he gripped her butt cheek and squeezed. “Ooo-wee, you’ve got a nice tight ass.”

  “Get your paws off me, you lousy son of a bitch.”

  He laughed, spittle spraying from his mouth onto her face. Buster growled then whined, wanting her to give him the command to attack. But she wouldn’t risk Buster’s life against the brute.

  “Come on, darlin’. Show me why they picked you. I bet you’re real good at sucking a man’s cock. ’Course mine’s way bigger than their puny dicks. You could still lick it even if you can’t get the whole thing in your mouth.”

  She’d had enough. After all, a girl could only take so much bad breath and manhandling. Batting her eyes, she tilted her head and gave him the sweetest look she could muster. “Really? You’re that big? Can I see it?”

  Surprise lifted his bushy eyebrows. “You sure can. Good thing I always go commando.”

  She backed away just enough to give him room to undo his jeans. She readied herself and yet was still unprepared to see the huge and already erect cock fall out.

  Hell’s bells, the man’s built like a horse. She kept the bile from rising in her throat and stepped back on her left leg. If she didn’t kick him in just the right spot and as hard as she could, she’d wind up underneath him and paying a dear price for her failure.

  * * * *

  “What the hell is going on in here?” Travis couldn’t believe his eyes. Brad Litton, the meanest werebear in Forever, had his jeans down to his knees and his cock hanging out. His mate Kate stood in front of the large brute with a surprised expression on her face.

  “Travis, you’re back.”

  “And just in time from the look of things.” He stuck out his chin at Litton. “Pull your pants up, damn you, then get the fuck out of my house.”

  Litton tossed him a shit-eating grin but yanked up his jeans and buckled his belt. “Hey, Williams, how’s yours hanging?”

  Fury surged through him as he did his best to keep from tearing the man’s head off. His inner werewolf howled its anger. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I was just showing the pretty lady what she was missing. After all, she asked me to show her my junk, and I always aim to please pretty ladies. Besides, if all she’s getting is your stinking little dick, then you’re shortchanging her.” He laughed and slapped his thigh. “Get it? Shortchanging her.”

  Travis darted his gaze from Litton to Kate and back again. His mind whirled, refusing to believe she’d have anything to do with the filthy lout. But then why was she staring at his cock? Was she about to…He forced the idea away, unable to stomach the possibility.

  “Is that Litton’s pickup out front?” Cort paused only a moment to take in the situation then took a position behind him. “What the hell is he doing here?”

  Travis could sense his friend’s inner werewolf rising to the surface. “That’s what I’m trying to find out.” He raised his eyebrows in question to Kate.

  Kate’s parted mouth closed as she took in his meaning. “I was just telling Mr. Litton that Tucker wasn’t here. I told him to leave him a message.”

  “Yeah, she’s been real helpful-like. She sure does know how to use her pouty mouth.”

  Cort leapt past him and wrapped his hands around Litton’s neck. Litton growled then brought Cort into a bear hug. Kate almost fell backward, but regained her footing at the last moment. Cort struggled to break the brute’s hold on him as Travis let his wolf take over just enough to bring out his fangs. He clutched the man’s long hair in one hand and pulled.

  Although two werewolves weren’t a true match against a werebear Litton’s size, they had anger on their side. Pounding Litton’s face with his fist, Travis heard Cort’s rage-filled howl as he shifted and brought out his fangs. Buster got in on the fight by nipping at Litton’s feet. Cort and Travis continued to beat on Litton as they half dragged, half pushed him out of the room.

  Using the man’s size against him, Travis tripped him, taking him down with his fist clenched in the man’s hair. Lines of bright red seeped through the tears in Litton’s shirt where he’d raked his claws. Lying on his back, the werebear roared, slashing out with his massive hands and claws.

  Travis turned him loose and backed away, tugging on Cort’s shirt to get him to do the same. Litton lumbered to his feet then whirled and staggered down the hall.

  “You tell that no-good friend of yours I’m coming back. I’ll get my money one way or another, even if I have to take it out in his hide.”

  Travis, Cort, and Buster rushed toward him, but Litton had had his fill of the fight. He flung the front door open and hurried out to his pickup. The men supported each other as they as they followed Litton outside. They stood on the front porch and watched his pickup race down the road, sending gravel flying into the air.

  “Damn werebear.” Travis wiped blood off his mouth.

  “Sore loser to boot.” Cort bent down to ruffle Buster’s fur. “Were you protecting our woman? Good dog.”

  “From what I saw, I’m not sure she wanted any protection.”

  “What are you getting at, Travis?” Cort straightened up and confronted his friend. “You’re talking about our future mate. And I, for one, won’t stand by and listen to you badmouth her.”

  Travis hated what he was thinking, but he couldn’t keep from telling his friend. “I don’t like it, either. But when I walked in, Litton had his cock out and Kate was standing right in front of him. What would you have thought if you’d been in my shoes?”

  “I’d hope I’d have more faith in our connection with her. Haven’t you already figured out that she’s not the kind of woman who would jump into bed with just anyone? Especially not a scumbag like Litton. The man doesn’t bathe but once a month.”

  Travis made a face Cort could interpret easily.

  “Damn it, Travis. It’s not the same thing. She’s bonded to us. That’s why she didn’t hesitate to have sex with you. And that’s why when the rest of us have our chance she won’t hesitate either. You sound like some wet-behind-the-ears kid who gets a girl in bed and then blames her for doing the same thing he just did.”

  “I know what you’re saying is true. It’s just that when I walked in and saw her with Litton…” He wiped dried blood off his arm. The wound Litton had given him when he’d raked his claws down his arm was already healing. “Damn, I don’t know what to think.”

  “Are you serious? Did you think I wanted that stinking jerk to whip out his dong? Do you really think I’d ever want to give a nasty fart like him a blow job? Because if you do, then we need to rethink this”—she waved her hand at him—“whatever the hell this is.”

  A sick feeling flowed through Travis as he and Cort turned to find Kate standing in the doorway. He hadn’t wanted her to overhear them, hadn’t wanted to see the expression of hurt on her face that he saw now.

  “Kate, listen.”

  “Oh, I’ve listened all right. I’ve heard everything you’ve said, Travis Williams. Every last bit of it.” She stalked over to him and punched a finger at the middle of his chest. “What gets me is that I spent all that time with that Litton creep defending Tucker, and by association you two, and now I hear you talking about me like
I’m some two-bit hooker who’d drop to her knees and suck any dick she saw.”

  “No, Kate, I didn’t mean it that way. I know you’d never do that. It’s just that I didn’t know what the hell was going on.” Travis stopped as what she’d said hit him. “Wait a sec. What were you defending Tucker for? What did he say?”

  “Oh, right. So now you want to hear my side of it? Are you sure you can trust a whore like me?” She spun around to go back into the house, but he grabbed her arm and made her face him. She lowered her gaze to his hand digging into her arm.

  “Kate, we know you’re not a whore. Travis, let go of her,” Cort whispered, but the intensity was not lost on Travis. If he didn’t turn her loose, Cort would make him do it. He released her, lifting his hand away from her.

  “Tell me what he said, Kate. Litton’s not someone to mess around with.” He kept his tone level, but it wasn’t easy.

  “Fine, I’ll tell you. He said Tucker and you guys cheated him out of a win at a rodeo. He claimed Tucker drugged the bull so the bull wouldn’t give him a good ride. He said the animal just stood there and didn’t try to buck him off.” She crossed her arms and arched an imperious eyebrow at him. “Am I dismissed now, boss?”

  “Not yet, Kate. Travis and I would like to hear what you told him.” Cort nodded at her, encouraging her to go on.

  “I played the part of a personal assistant. First, I told him he must be mistaken, which made him madder. Then I asked him to leave a message which, as you can guess, didn’t go over very well. When he started getting too close to me, I asked him if he wanted to wait.”

  “What? Why?”

  Cort had spoken the same words Travis had been thinking.

  “Because, if he’d wanted to stay, then I would’ve gotten out of the room and left him there while I tried to get hold of one of you. Needless to say, it didn’t work. I was caught in a situation not of my own making. I don’t know what happened at some damn rodeo, and right now, I don’t care.”

  “You sound like you might believe him. Do you, Kate? Do you think Tucker, Cort, and I would stoop so low as to drug a bull so Litton would lose the competition?” Travis’s stomach flipped over. If Kate thought he was capable of cheating, what kind of a mate would she make? Could they have been wrong in thinking she was the one?