Forbidden Bond

by Jessica Lee

  Satisfied with his survey, Eion stripped off the remainder of his clothes. After grabbing the robe he’d left draped over a chair in the kitchen, he stepped outside and flung it over the porch railing for his return.

  Closing his eyes, he welcomed the familiar static-like tingle that raced down his spine, signaling the beginning of his shift. The new rotation in his hips took him forward and down onto all fours. Dark fur erupted from the backs of his hands. Canines lengthened, filling his mouth, in sync with the extension of his jaw. Sights and sounds sharpened. Instinct heightened, becoming more primal, and the stress of the day rolled to the back of his mind. Human needs pushed aside by the beast that stretched and yearned for his time to roam free.

  Into the sunset he ran, dodging the cracks in the land, and near the center of his property, Eion splashed along the banks of the shallow pond. The wind lifted his fur, cooling the flesh beneath, when an unexpected scent had him grinding to a halt.

  Eion lifted his muzzle higher into the air. To the left, then right, he zeroed in on the general direction of the source. Using his heightened sensitivity to sound waves, he cocked his head, waiting, listening for the snap of a twig.

  There.

  He whipped around, his gaze landing on the lone wolf’s eyes shining from the tree line.

  Tawny leaped forward into the open. Eion pulled his upper lip away from his canines, a low growl releasing from his throat. Her ears fell back at the sound, and she lowered her upper body.

  Dammit. What was she doing in Little Crow? He didn’t need this kind of complication or risk of exposure on his head.

  With a hard kick and spray of loose sand, Eion whipped around and headed toward his house, knowing she’d follow. He needed answers. Now.

  Minutes later, and with the porch finally in sight, Eion called back his form. Naked, he straightened and went for the robe he’d left on the railing. He slid his arms into the royal blue terry cloth, reached for the sash, but found himself encircled by a feminine embrace instead.

  “Miss me?” Tawny loosened her hold enough to slink from behind and move to his front. Uninhibited by her nude form, she slid her hands beneath his robe and over his chest, tracing her fingers over his brand. Eion snagged her wrists and pulled her hands away from his flesh.

  “Why are you here, Tawny?” He grabbed the loose ends of the sash to his robe, pulled the material together, and cinched it tight.

  “No need to be modest on my account.” Her lips turned up into a coy smile.

  Grumbling, Eion brushed past his uninvited guest and into the house.

  Digging up something for Tawny to wear, he grabbed a pair of running pants that tied at the waist and a sweatshirt. “Put this on,” he growled. He plucked his clothes from the chair where he’d left them. “Where did you leave your stuff, anyway? And you still haven’t answered my question.”

  “Fine,” she huffed, then shoved her legs into the pants. “I parked my car on the side of the road near here, left my clothes in the car, and went exploring.” She pulled the shirt over her head, then ran her fingers through the shoulder-length curls that matched her name. “I was hoping to catch you out on a run and surprise you.” Tawny sauntered over, stopping only inches away. “Are you surprised?”

  “Yeah,” he growled, not masking the irritation in his voice.

  Tawny flashed him a satisfied grin, pivoted and surveyed his living space. “Hmm…” She placed a finger to her lips. “Very…domestic of you, Eion.”

  “Thanks,” he said, in his best droll tone and aimed for the kitchen. She laughed.

  He needed a drink.

  “Your father said you might be here a few more days.”

  He froze mid-step followed by a one-eighty. “My father?”

  “He thought I could keep you company.” Tawny kneeled on the couch, gazing at him over the back. “You know, remind you of all that you have waiting for you at home.”

  “In other words, he sent you here to seduce and spy on me.” Eion clamped his mouth shut and spun on his heels. Nothing more than a very noncommittal sound came from Tawny. Not an acknowledgement, but sure as hell not a denial.

  He really needed that drink. Bastard. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, popped the top, and took a long, hard swig. The cold, bitter liquid slid down his throat, soothing the parched tissues, but it would be a while before the alcohol could tame the urgent need to bash someone’s head against a wall. At the moment, his own would be first on his list.

  Four swallows later, the lager was finished. Eion tossed the bottle in the recycle bin and meandered back into the living room. Tawny had kicked back on the sofa, making herself at home, the legs of her too long running pants rolled up to her knees. Nope, not enough buzz in the world to make this okay. He reversed his step and snatched another bottle before heading back in.

  “You need to go home, Tawny,” Eion said, leaning against the archway between the kitchen and living space.

  “What?” She sat forward. “I just got here, and that drive is way too long to head back that quick. Besides,” she added, a pout forming on her mouth, “I thought we could have some fun while I’m here, while you’re away from the pressure of the pack.”

  “This isn’t the place.” Eion shoved away from the wall, bringing them closer. “Go home in the morning.” He narrowed his gaze. “I’m not playing.”

  “What does that mean, ‘this isn’t the place’?” She stood. “Why? What’s so special about this podunk?”

  Eion settled his beer on one of the end tables and placed both hands on the back of the couch, glaring at Tawny. “As your rising alpha, I told you to leave, and that’s all you need to know.”

  “I can’t,” Tawny said, her voice barely above a whisper. She stuck a fingernail between her teeth. “You know your father.” She collapsed back down on the sofa. “If I go back so quickly, he’ll be angry. You know how he hates failure—from anyone.”

  Slowly he straightened from the couch, turned, and paced the few feet of space between the kitchen and the hallway that lead to the bedrooms. Damn. He speared one hand through his hair. She was right. As much as her presence added more stress to the situation of him trying to keep his mind on the Wilsons’ ranch and off Liv, he didn’t want her facing his father’s wrath, even if she was serving as his father’s P.I.

  “Okay.” Eion stopped, sighed, and faced Tawny. “You can hang out here for a few days.” She perked up and grinned. “But you have to stay put.”

  “You mean in the house the whole time?” She scowled and peered around the room.

  “It’s either that or you go home.” He crossed his arms.

  She puffed out her cheeks, and then blew her hair away from her eyes. “Whatever you say… However, I’m beginning to think that you keeping me stashed in here and out of sight means that there’s something you don’t want me to see,” she stated.

  Eion’s head pounded, but he couldn’t decide if it was from the rush of the alcohol or his blood pressure about to rupture a blood vessel in his skull. Probably both. He sucked in a long breath, searching for patience, and moseyed over toward Tawny.

  “Stop it.” He shook his head and cupped her nape. “There’s nothing going on. Just some business I need to take care of that’s going to take a while. I’ll be back in Screaming Eagle soon. You and my father have nothing to worry about.”

  Tawny gazed up, her big brown eyes searching his.

  “If you say so.”

  He pulled his hand back. “I say so.”

  “Okay.” She chuckled and tossed her hands up as if in surrender. “So where do we sleep?”

  Eion sighed and cocked his head. “I sleep in the first bedroom on the right. You can have the guest room. Last door on the left.”

  She shrugged. “If you say so…” Tawny sauntered in the direction of the bedrooms, the sway of her hips exaggerated in blunt invitation. She glanced over her shoulder, a wicked smile on her lips.

  “I say so.” He shook his head and grabbed the bee
r waiting for him on the end table. Eion pulled a long, hard swig. Yeah, one more had been a good call.

  ***

  A few days turned into a week with Tawny still making herself at home on his ranch. Her inside the walls of his home equaled him not being there. Eion sighed and tapped the menu on the diner counter, deliberating between the Reuben and murder. Both sounded pretty tasty right now.

  “Hey there, hon. Nice to have you back in town.” Betty wedged a hip against the opposite side of the counter, pad in hand. Betty Williams and her husband had run Take a Break diner way before he had moved to Little Crow Pass and attended high school. He and Kris had hung out here almost every afternoon after class.

  “Thanks, Betty. It’s good to be here.”

  “How’s our war hero, Kris, doing?” Betty pulled out a large blue and white striped towel and starting wiping the counter in front of him. “I hear you’ve been out at the Wilson ranch giving him a hand.”

  Eion chuckled. Nothing happened in Little Crow that Betty didn’t know about. “He seems to be doing okay. His leg is still healing.”

  “Well, that’s mighty nice of you helping those kids out while you’re here. With their dad passing last year, and then that boy coming home with his leg tore up like that, it’s been hard on them. I’m sure Kris appreciates his best friend being around again.” She straightened with a smile. “You ready to order?”

  “Yeah.” He hoped that was the case. “Thanks, Betty. I’ll have…” The door chimed, signaling another customer. The bounce of a dark brown ponytail out of the corner of his eye had him cranking his head to get a better look. His heart slammed against his sternum at the sight of Liv walking through the door wearing a set of dark green scrubs that he knew matched the color of her eyes. Somehow she’d managed to escape the ranch before he’d arrived the last few days. A part of him was grateful, because that meant he’d be able to focus through the day, yet the other half grieved every second without her presence.

  “Eion?”

  “Huh?” He jerked his head back to Betty.

  “Your order…you never said what you wanted.”

  “Oh.” Eion rattled his head. “Sorry. The Reuben. To go, please. You make the best, Betty.” He winked and smiled wide.

  She swatted him with the menu. “Flattery will get you nowhere with this old lady, Eion Mandrake.” Yet despite her claim, her cheeks flushed as she tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear and waddled away.

  “I haven’t seen Betty blush like that in years.”

  Liv slid onto the vacant red barstool next to his. Awareness heated his skin like hundreds of tiny flaming pinpricks. He snagged the glass of ice water Betty had left for him and swallowed down a couple of gulps.

  “I think you made her day.”

  Lowering the glass, Eion added, “She was always really nice to us when we’d sit in her booths for hours after school.”

  Liv nodded. “Yeah. It won’t be the same in Little Crow when she and her husband can’t run the place any longer.”

  “Speaking of running the place,” Eion said. “It’s only been a week, but I’ve got some things I’d like to go over with you guys. I’d like your approval to implement them right away. They should prove cost effective in a very short time.”

  “Great.” She smiled. “I’m sure he’d love to hear your ideas, especially if it will cut costs and bring in some money.”

  Liv gave Betty her lunch order and Betty placed a glass of water in front of her. She wrapped her fingers around the clear cylinder and lifted it for a drink.

  “How’s…Taylor, is it?” Like he could forget the other man’s name.

  She pulled the glass away from her lips, her gaze darting to the counter’s surface as she lowered the water. “Oh, he’s fine.” Liv looked up, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “We’re just fine.”

  “Good.” He nodded. “That’s good to hear.” It was, wasn’t it? Why did he feel like someone had given him a sharp kick to the gut?

  “There you are, Eion,” a female voice called out from behind him, ratcheting the pain higher in his gut. You have got to be kidding me. In a slow, deliberate move, Eion swiveled his stool around.

  “Tawny?” Her name coming from his lips in front of Liv felt ten kinds of wrong. “What are you doing here?” Eion pasted on a thin smile, knowing full well Liv was taking in the whole scene.

  “Your real estate agent showed up at the house,” she said, a mischievous grin blooming on her face. “Said she’d been trying to call you on your cell.”

  Eion grappled for the phone secured in its holder on his belt, all the while wishing he could remedy the order he’d given to Betty a few moments ago. This time he’d pass on the Reuben in favor of item number two. He glared down at the cell’s display. Three missed calls. He checked the ringer. Damn. Somehow he’d tripped the smart phone’s silent mode.

  “Anyway,” Tawny said. “She had a client who wanted to look at the place, so I needed to get out of there.” She glanced over at Liv.

  “Hi. I’m Tawny Danniger. A close friend of Eion’s.” She stuck out her hand. Liv slid her palm into Tawny’s and shook. “You two know each other?” Tawny narrowed her gaze at Eion then looked at Liv.

  “Yeah…” Liv stared at Eion, confusion written all over her face. “Um…” She glanced back at Tawny. “I’m Olivia Wilson.” Liv smiled, but the effect never made it to her eyes. Dear God. Eion’s eyelids shuttered. This was turning into a nightmare. “Eion went to high school with my brother. They were best friends back then.”

  “Oh…” She grinned. “How nice. Wait a minute.” Tawny looked to Eion then Liv. “Wilson? As in the Wilson ranch that Eion’s been doing some work at each morning?”

  Christ. Eion bit back a groan, ready to spit molars. Tawny was making sure Liv knew that Tawny was staying with him.

  “That’s right.” Liv’s smile drew tight. “It’s been a long time since Eion and I have seen each other. We’ve appreciated how much time and effort he’s been putting in at the ranch. Eion’s really been a big help. But I guess even after all this time, bonds like those we form from back then never really fade. Do they?”

  “I see…” Tawny’s grin died. “No. Apparently they do not.” She glanced at Eion, her nostrils flaring. “You guys must be having a great time catching up. There must be some interesting history between you.” The corner of her mouth lifted with an attempt at another smile as she wedged herself between him and Liv. “I would love to chat and hear all your Eion stories.” Her voice dipped, the words coming out close to a growl.

  What the hell was she doing?

  “Yeah, I’m sure that would be fun…” Liv added, however the look in her eyes said fun wasn’t exactly how she’d describe this particular moment. Was she jealous? “So…” She swung her stool around, making room for her to stand. “Pleasure meeting you, Tawny. Sorry we haven’t before now, but Eion failed to mention a friend was staying with him.” Liv added a laugh, but she failed to sell the humor. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.” She turned to leave.

  “Wait.” Eion’s stomach roiled as he reached for her arm and jumped to his feet. Liv slowed and glanced over her shoulder. “I can explain. This…” He indicated the other female with a lift of his chin. Tawny had pasted on her best innocent expression. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”

  Liv stopped and faced him. “What am I thinking, Eion?” She shrugged.

  Eion surveyed the restaurant and the sprinkling of customers who pretended they couldn’t hear a thing. Yeah, right. He lowered his voice. “You know. That we’re…” Eion wagged his finger between him and Tawny with a shake of his head.

  “What you two do on your free time away from the ranch is your business, Mr. Mandrake.” She crinkled her nose. “Doesn’t matter to me who you’re sharing your…whatever with.” She added a wag of her own finger between Eion and herself. “We’re not dating.” Liv whirled back around and out the door.

  “Livvy!”
Betty called out as the door clanged shut. “Poor girl walked right out without her lunch.” She shook her head and tsked, the To Go bag ready in hand.

  Frustration over what Liv was thinking festered under his skin like a parasite ready to erupt and consume him. The woman had no idea what kind of power she had over him. The last twelve years had been nothing more than a string of one-night stands, because he could never imagine any other woman sharing his bed for more than one unfulfilling release.

  A second later, the door chimed once more. Liv hustled back inside and up to the counter.

  “Forgot my lunch,” she mumbled, breathlessly, tossed down a few bills, and accepted the brown bag.

  “You okay, dear?” The crow’s feet that added extra character to Betty’s face deepened with concern.

  “Sure.” Liv nodded. “Just in a hurry,” she added with a dismissive wave of her hand and an uncomfortable sounding chuckle. Liv pivoted without a glance in their direction and retraced her steps—slower, more controlled this time. The sway of her hips, her hair, a siren’s song to his libido.

  Eion yanked his gaze from Liv before he ran after her and told her…what? That she had it all wrong. Tawny wasn’t his lover because twelve years ago he’d bonded to Liv which meant giving his heart and soul to any other female wasn’t possible. That she was the intended lifelong mate to a wolf shifter? Not going to happen unless he wanted to be arrested and placed in a straightjacket.

  “Your order is ready too, hon,” Betty announced, pulling him back from his thoughts. Eion paid, thanked Betty, and nabbed the bag from the counter. Turning, he tossed the order into Tawny’s hands.

  “Here,” he barked. “Lost my appetite.” Eion walked toward the door. Tawny could follow or stay behind and eat. He didn’t give a shit. At that moment, all he wanted was some distance between them.

  Outside, he yanked his keys from his jeans pocket. “Wait a minute,” Tawny yelled, coming up behind him. She clutched his arm, halting him. Eion whipped around, but she didn’t let go. Instead, with her brow furrowed, she ran her palm up his arm as if getting a better feel of his skin.