“You lived here all your life, Sheriff?”
“Born and bred.”
“You like it here?”
“It’s home.”
“I’m from New York. Staten Island, aka the forgotten borough. I miss it a little, but I like it here so far. It’s really quiet, nice people. It has its advantages.”
Like a bronzed god for a sheriff. I kick my wedged sandals off and place my feet on the dashboard, wiggling my toes.
“You don’t mind, do you?” I ask.
“Um… no, of course not.”
That uncomfortable look is on his face again, and he keeps glancing at my legs. Huh… a little leg cleavage has the sheriff feeling the heat?
“Where did you learn to handle a bar like that?” he asks.
“I worked as a bartender all through college. By the time I graduated, I was a manager.”
“What did you study?”
“Business at NYU. I’m gonna run my own bar one day.”
“Why a bar?”
“I just love the atmosphere. Plus, you have to admit, I’m pretty good at it.”
“Yes, you are,” he agrees.
“You like being a sheriff?”
“I love it.”
“You would. You strike me as one those alpha-male types.”
His laugh begins as a low rumble. Did I say something funny? He throws his head back, his chest shaking with laughter.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing… just… What about you? Are you the alpha-female type?”
“All the way, baby! I was born to lead.”
He looks over at me, his eyes flush with desire. My heart beats an erratic rhythm as I stare into them.
“Could you pull over here for a sec?” I ask.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
He pulls over, and I slide next to him. His breathing becomes heavy. The sexual tension in the small cab is so thick you need an electric saw to cut it. He grips the steering wheel hard and looks straight ahead.
“Sheriff?” I touch his cheek and turn his face toward me. “Are you going to kiss me or not?”
“I want to.”
“Then do it already.”
I lean in, and he cups my cheek, stroking it with his thumb. His milk chocolate eyes are the last things I see before I close mine. His lips are soft, his kiss tentative, yet awareness jolts through my body. Pulling back, he gazes at me in wonder. I know he felt it, too. He covers my lips with his, slowly teasing. I slide my hand to the back of his neck, urging him to take control. And he does. His arm slips around my waist, pulling me onto his lap. I part my lips and his tongue sweeps into my mouth, tangling with mine. God, he smells good! Like pine trees and… heaven. This is how men should smell.
Whimpering, I wrap my arms around his neck. His hand slowly wanders up my leg, over my hip, and stops at the exposed skin between my shirt and shorts. His touch warms my very core, and I want more. All of a sudden, I don’t feel tired anymore. I try to move into a better position, but the steering wheel hinders me. Reaching between his legs, I grab the lever under his seat, and it slides back with a jerk. Startled, he pulls away. Breathing heavily, I straddle him, grab his shirt, and yank his lips back to mine. He moans, sinking his fingers into my hips. I run my fingers through his hair, reveling in the feel of the soft, silky strands.
His lips move over mine with an unmistakable hunger, one I feel compelled to satisfy. The erection between his legs calls to the dampness between mine. He tugs on my hair, and I realize he’s removed the ties. Both hands tangle in my hair, roaming my scalp, and I rock my hips against him as we devour each other’s lips. I whimper at the sensations flowing through my limbs as I rub my pussy against his hard dick. I need him inside me. I make quick work of the buttons on his shirt and push the sides apart. He jumps at my touch but lets out a long, deep moan when I run my fingers across his rock-hard abs. This is so much better than I thought it would be.
I reach for his belt, but he grabs my hands and breaks our kiss. I open my eyes, and his are shut tightly, his features conveying some kind of internal battle.
“Sheriff?”
He takes a deep breath, and his lids flutter open.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I ask.
“We can’t.”
“Yes, we can.”
I try to reach for his belt again, but he tightens his hold on my hands.
“We shouldn’t.”
“Why? Don’t tell me you don’t want to, ’cause what I’m feeling between my legs tells me you do.”
“I do. More than you know, but… not now. Not here.”
Oh, God! Of all the men in town—and probably the whole world—I had to choose the one who turns down a ready and willing woman. I climb down and move back to my side of the truck, pouting like a six-year-old.
***Ethan***
She’s mad. Why is she mad? I thought women wanted men to do the whole romance thing? I button my shirt, re-adjust my seat, and pull back onto the road. That kiss was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me. She tastes even better than I thought she would. No woman I’ve ever been with could hold a candle to Casey… and there have been quite a few. The Council has been riding me for the last couple of years about finding a mate, and they’ve been throwing women at me left, right, and center. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed everything they offered and left them satisfied, but none of them lasted more than a night. They weren’t right, but she is. I know it. My wolf knows it. I can’t afford to mess this up.
She pouts, muttering directions along the way. When I pull into her driveway, I kill the engine and turn to her.
“Casey—”
I look cautiously toward the house as movement at her front door catches my attention.
“That’s my neighbor, Mrs. Johnson. She and her husband keep an eye on my dad when I’m not here.”
Relaxing, I turn back to her. “Look—”
“It’s okay,” she interrupts me again. “You’re a take-it-slow kinda guy, right?”
“Not really. I just want to take it slow with you.”
“Too bad.”
“Too bad?”
“I’m not in a take-it-slow frame of mind right now. You seem like a nice guy, but I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“I see.”
I have never heard those words come out of a woman’s mouth before. Where did she come from? I’ve never encountered anyone like her in my entire existence. And I’ve been around for a while.
“And you got me all hot and bothered. I just might have to call on Roman tonight.”
She gives me a sly smile and reaches for the door handle.
Who the fuck is Roman? Whoever he is, he’s dead. I grab her hand, pulling her back.
“Who’s Roman?”
“Why, Sheriff? Are you jealous?”
Goddamn right. You’re mine. “Who’s Roman?” I repeat.
She giggles and slides closer, curling her index finger at me, and I lean in. Her voice, barely above a whisper, washes over me.
“My vibrator.” Fuck. She smiles at my dumbfounded state and leans closer to my lips. “I’ll be thinking of you the entire time.”
She plants a soft kiss on my lips and hops out of the truck with a giggle. I watch her as she walks inside. Images of her pleasuring herself flash across my mind… pleasuring herself while thinking of me. My dick, which I thought couldn’t get any harder, just did.
I have to have her. She will be mine.
I don’t even know how long I sat there before the Johnsons passed me on their way home and asked me if I was okay. I start the truck and pull out of her driveway while reaching for my phone.
“What’s up, boss?” Charlie answers.
“Call a council meeting. Tonight.”
***Ethan***
I sit and watch as the members of The Council gather in my living room. It consists of my parents and six other elders who help to ensure the w
ell-being of the pack. Charlie and Brick are on either side of me, no doubt anxious to see the outcome of this meeting. Once seated, they all go silent and turn to me expectantly. This is not going to be easy. We’re a pack of purebreds. How am I going to tell them the mate I intend to take is not only not a purebred but that she’s human?
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’ve called this meeting.”
“I hope it’s to tell us that you’ve found me a daughter-in-law,” my mother says.
I look over at her unsmiling face.
“She’s right. The fate of the pack is at stake here. Plus, you’re at your strongest when you have a mate. With Stone’s pack causing trouble, we need you at your best.”
Everyone mumbles their agreement with my father.
“Well, you’ll all be happy to know that I have found her.”
Everyone expels a breath of relief and begins chattering happily.
“Oh, thank heavens!” Mother exclaims. “Who is it? It’s Shae, isn’t it? I knew you two would hit it off—”
“Mother.” At the tone of my voice, they all fall silent again. I’m in alpha mode now. “It’s not Shae. As a matter of fact, you don’t know her.”
“Well, who is she?”
Charlie shifts uncomfortably in his seat but squares his shoulders in support.
“Her name is Casey, and… she’s human.”
My mother stands and places her balled-up fists on the table.
“You’re joking, right?”
“No, I am not. She is my mate.”
The pandemonium that ensues is what I wanted to avoid. They’re all running around like headless chickens and talking amongst themselves, talking about me as if I’m not here. With a sigh, I listen to scraps of conversations.
It’s unheard of.
A human?
This is preposterous!
It can’t be done.
We can’t let it happen….
That last one enrages me. No one tells me what I can or can’t do. My wolf is fighting to be let loose, and I allow him a little freedom. As alpha, I’m the only one who can change at will, but it’s only one of the powers I possess. My breathing accelerates, my fangs begin to descend, and I know my eyes have changed from brown to yellow. I let out a vicious growl and everyone steps back in fear. Charlie gets to me first, grabbing my shoulder. Next, I feel Brick’s hand on my other shoulder. Closing my eyes, I rein him back in.
“Son—”
“The last time I checked, I was alpha,” I cut my father off. “That means I can do whatever I want. I didn’t call you here to ask your permission. I’ve been waiting for her for too long. No one is going to come between us.”
“Surely you don’t mean to turn her?”
I turn to Dad. It’s strange that at every council meeting, my parents are the only ones brave enough to even speak to me directly.
“She’s everything I want and need in a mate. The fact that she’s not a wolf is semantics.”
“Think about what you’re doing, Ethan. This is not just about you. It’s about all of us.”
“I know. I will present her with a choice. If she doesn’t want me, then I will take a mate chosen by you.”
Because if I can’t have her, it doesn’t matter who I end up with. Every wolf has their one true mate, but can be mated with anyone. If I mate with someone other than Casey, the bond would be nowhere near as powerful, but would still give a boost to my abilities. That’s the only thing they’re concerned about, not my happiness.
My mother turns to Charlie. “What do you think about this?”
This would be a perfect opportunity for Charlie to challenge my leadership and make a play for the alpha position. I wait for his response.
“Ethan says she’s the one, so I support him one hundred percent.”
Good man.
“This meeting is over,” I state.
I watch them trickle through the door, except for my parents. They’re giving me that “you’ve been a naughty boy” look, but I stare back with unwavering determination.
“This is not up for discussion, Dad.”
“Son, I know you’re under a lot of pressure, but think this over.”
“You don’t think I have? That’s all I’ve been doing.”
“Helena.” He turns to Mother. “Give us a minute, will you?”
She gives me a final warning glare and walks out. I think she may just disown me after this.
“I’m asking as a parent… What makes you think she’s the one?”
I take a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain it to him.
“Dad… the moment she walked into the room, her scent… It almost knocked me out of my chair. When she’s close, I can barely control my wolf. He fights me every step of the way. And that’s just the feral side of it—”
He places his hand on my shoulder to stop my passionate discourse. I hold his stare, desperate for him to understand what I’m going through.
“I was the same way when I met your mother. I just didn’t think it possible with a human.”
“So, you understand?” I ask, seeing a glimmer of hope.
“I do, but she’s not a wolf, son. That really mucks up the works.”
“That’s easily fixed.”
“Easy enough. But at the expense of the purity of the line.”
I shake my head, breathing a sigh of resignation. “I don’t want anyone else.”
“Just promise me you’ll exhaust all your options before you make any permanent changes.”
“In other words, don’t turn the human girl.”
He pats my shoulder and shakes his head.
“I don’t envy your position, son.”
“Are you sorry you passed on the responsibility to me?”
“Hell no! You’re a great leader, and the pack loves you. I’m sure whatever decision you make will be best for us all.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“No problem. I’ll talk to the others and try to buy you some time. Now, let me see if I can calm your mother down.”
When he walks out, Charlie and Brick re-enter the room. They’ve been by my side through thick and thin, and I can’t imagine better friends.
“What’s the plan, boss?” Charlie asks.
“I don’t know yet. But I know I have to do something quickly.”
“The full moon’s comin’ up. Plan on taking another sightseeing trip?”
“I didn’t plan the first one. Who knows what he’ll do.”
The night of the full moon is the only time I can’t control the change. Restraining my wolf at that time is hard, but I’ve always managed before now. Last month, he completely took over, and there was nothing I could do. He knows she’s his mate. His primal instinct is to be with her, so he sought her out. I need to move fast.
***Casey***
Jan playfully pokes me in the side and jerks her head toward the entrance. I look up and find two chocolate eyes staring at me from behind a huge bunch of red roses. He moves in my direction as Charlie and Brick choose a booth at the far end of the room. The man has the most beautiful smile I have ever seen… and eyes… and hair… and lips… and—good God—arms. I try not to notice how he fills out his black T-shirt, the way the material clings to him, showing off his muscular arms and defined chest. I try not to notice how perfectly his jeans fit, hanging off his hips. I tried. I really did. Well… maybe not so hard. He is undoubtedly the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my life. I catch a glimpse of his abs as his shirt inches up when he runs his fingers through his hair. Did it just get hotter in here? Yes, this ultra-slow night just became extremely interesting.
The closer he gets, the bigger the knots in my stomach become. My knees wobble just a little, and I hold on to the bar to keep me upright. His manly-man smell sends my body tingling. I try my best to look unaffected as he sits on the bar stool in front of me. He’s so relaxed and sure of himself. Not in a cocky way, but in a confident, sexy, panty-wetting way.
>
“Miss Bryan.”
“Sheriff McKenzie. What can I get you?”
“Dinner.”
Fuck! Please, don’t do this. “In case you didn’t notice, this is a bar. We do drinks, not dinner.”
“Have dinner with me. Tomorrow.”
Oh, no… “Like a date?”
“Not like one… A date.”
His smile is gone, and his stare becomes intense. For the first time in my life, a man is making me nervous. The thing is, I don’t date. I don’t do relationships, and he wants to take things slow. That sounds very relationship-y to me.
“Um… I’m working—”
“I’ll fill in for you,” Jan offers eagerly.
I look over at her, widening my eyes in irritation. Butt out!
“It’s your night off. You—”
“I’ll be happy to do it. Go, have a good time.” Leaning in close, she whispers, “I want details.”
She bounces off with a self-satisfied grin. Beautiful, ample Jan. She flips her brown hair and bats her lids at one of the patrons. As she leans close, he stares up into her blue eyes. She sure is a charmer. And a meddler. Sheesh.
“Well…” I turn back to the sheriff. “I guess I’m free.”
“Great. You can come to my place. I’ll cook.”
“You cook?”
“I make a mean steak.”
“Huh… We’ll see. Should I bring anything?”
“Just your beautiful self.”
He called me beautiful. How can I say no now?
“Okay, it’s a date. But….”
“But?” He raises a brow.
“I’m still not in the market for a relationship, Sheriff.”
He just smiles, like what I’m saying is inconsequential. So he thinks he can change my mind?
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Make it eight. I have to get my dad down for the night before I leave.”
“No problem.”
“Okay then.”
“I’ll do my best to make it a detail-worthy evening.” He winks.
“You heard that?”
“I have great hearing.”
“That you do.”
“These are for you.”
Runaway Bear Page 11
