Fire in the Smokies (Durham Wolves)

by Becca Jameson

  She stepped toward him, gripping her towel around her. His voice had a way of luring her anywhere.

  He bent her over the side of the bed when she reached him and whipped the towel off.

  She shivered, not so much from the cool air, but from his high-handed manner as he set a firm hand on her lower back, nudged her legs apart and circled the rim of her ass with a finger. When had he gotten the lube?

  Brianna braced herself as he pressed the cool tip of the plug against her tight hole.

  “Push out, babe.”

  She held her breath and scrunched her face as he slid the phallic object into place. When she exhaled, she realized how peculiar it was going to be walking around in public wearing the thing. Did Jaxon know how aroused she would be with that plug constantly reminding her of him?

  “You look beautiful. I love knowing you’re wearing it. No one else will know.” He kissed her on the back of the neck and stepped away. “Breakfast is ready. Meet you in the kitchen.”

  Brianna dressed quickly and joined Jaxon at the table. The man had cooked. He wasn’t kidding.

  “God, that smells good.” Bacon and eggs covered a plate, toast on the side. “Where’s yours?”

  Jaxon patted his stomach. “I couldn’t wait. Sit. Eat. I’m going to borrow your masturbation chamber for a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”

  “Ha ha,” she called after him. She couldn’t imagine sitting with the plug in her ass. She was in so much trouble.

  Chapter Fourteen

  When Jaxon pulled his truck up to the house, he finally let go of Brianna’s hand. He hadn’t stopped touching her the entire drive. “Guess we need to take care of some business first, but then I want to retire to my room for a few days and see how many ways I can make you scream.”

  His mate blushed. Her cheeks looked so cute when she did that. Her pale skin and blond hair made the red stand out.

  Jaxon rounded the truck and took Brianna’s hand once more. Without releasing her, he stepped across the gravel and climbed the steps to the front porch. With a deep breath, he opened the door.

  “Hey. ’Bout time you guys got here. What were you doing?” Sergius teased. The question didn’t require a response.

  In fact, Juliana swatted Sergius on the arm. “Leave your brother alone.” She gave him a stern look, her eyebrows furrowing together even though she didn’t quite wipe the mirth from her face.

  “So what’s the news?” Jaxon took a seat on one of the room’s couches and tugged Brianna down practically on top of him. Technically she was next to him, but there was no air separating his thigh from hers.

  Sergius, Juliana and Micah all sat around the coffee table.

  Sergius began. “I got a call from Uncle William early this morning. They apparently took our request seriously because since yesterday he seems to have contacted everyone he’s ever met and compiled some information for us.”

  “That was fast,” Jaxon said.

  “Anyway, there don’t seem to be too many vampires out roaming this planet. Just a handful—that anyone knows of. A few in Canada, South America, Asia…you get the point. And over the last hundred years they have rarely caused any problems.”

  “Has anyone successfully killed a rogue vampire?” Jaxon asked.

  “No one is sure.” Sergius shook his head. “But many have tried. The most important thing I learned was that our friend Keeton McKinney is without a doubt alive and well somewhere. A rusty metal stake will not do the job. Others have tried. Vampires have the uncanny ability to regenerate, even their hearts. However, he’s most likely in a weakened condition somewhere licking his wounds, both the mental and the physical. It’ll take a while for him to resurface, according to Uncle William’s contacts.

  “Every method of elimination we’ve ever heard of in myths has been attempted. All have failed with the possible exception of one.”

  “What’s that?” Jaxon leaned forward.

  Even Micah, who had remained silent until then, angled his head toward their oldest brother.

  “Fire. No one is quite certain, but the wolf pack living in Northwestern Canada believes to have eliminated their local threat with a contained fire. They trapped a vampire, surrounded him against the edge of a steep mountain and burned him alive. At least that’s what they think. They never found a body and they haven’t heard from or seen him since.”

  Jaxon gasped. “God. That would explain McKinney’s hesitation to get close to flames.”

  “True. Assuming he knows of the danger,” Micah added. “Just because fire might be an effective method of killing them, doesn’t mean McKinney is aware of the threat.”

  Jaxon nodded and turned back to Sergius. “How long ago did this happen?”

  “Well, that’s the clincher. It’s only been a few months. If the flames didn’t kill their vampire, it’s possible he’s still lurking around somewhere, recuperating or planning his next attack. There’s no way to be sure.”

  Brianna pressed her hand into Jaxon’s thigh. “It’s certainly better information than anything else we have.”

  Juliana agreed. “That’s for sure. Now all we have to do is figure out how to accomplish such a monumental task and execute it.”

  Sergius stood and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll make coffee.” He turned back to the room. “The important thing is that everyone is safe for now and we undoubtedly can count on having a few months’ reprieve from the likes of Keeton McKinney before we need to be on the defensive again. That gives us time to research and plan.”

  Jaxon nodded. He exhaled a breath he’d been holding for seemingly two days since he’d met his mate. She stared up into his eyes. For now, she was safe. “Brianna…” He turned to face her head on, grabbed her hands and rubbed her palms with the tips of his fingers. “You need to move in here. I can’t protect you when you’re at your apartment.”

  She nodded and whispered, “Okay. I get it.” She swallowed and he watched her throat working.

  “And, as for your job…” Would she balk about that too?

  Yes. She would. “I’m not quitting my job. I worked hard for that and I love it.” She shook her head.

  When Jaxon tensed, she gripped his hands tighter.

  “Listen, I fight forest fires. I love my job.” She glared at him before continuing, “Don’t get your panties all in a wad. It’s a part-time job. I’m on call when they need me.”

  Jaxon imitated his mate and swallowed also. “What do you do when you aren’t fighting fires?” How had this not occurred to him before now?

  Brianna smiled. “Several things. Part-time firefighters in the Appalachians don’t make enough money to pay the bills. I also teach wildfire classes at the center for Southern Area Wildland Fire Training. And I’m finishing my degree in forestry. Online,” she added. “I figure the next best thing to fighting fires is learning how to prevent them in the first place.”

  Jaxon grabbed his mate and tugged her against him for a giant hug. What more could he ask for right now?

  His mate was safe. She intended to spend her days hovering over a computer inside the protection of his home. And the best part? She’d always be available when he wanted…needed…her sexy body.

  “Just so we’re clear,” Brianna began, “don’t think you can walk all over me when it comes to my life. I’m strong-willed. You won’t win. Ever.” She narrowed her gaze.

  Jaxon tried to breathe normally. His mate was not in any immediate danger. If she got called on to fight a fire, he’d just have to shift and follow her. In the meantime, he’d pray for rain. Lots of it.

  “I’ll try to be reasonable when it comes to your feelings about safety, but I’m not a china doll you can keep hidden away. If I was, you wouldn’t even like me.”

  The woman had a point.

  Liking her wasn’t really an issue right now. Jaxon was quickly falling head over heels in love with her. The only thing that would make his life perfect would be if she felt the same.

  “Oh, but I do,
Jax.” She tipped her head to one side. “I’m as in love with you as you are with me.”

  When he froze, she continued, “What? You thought you had all your personal thoughts completely contained from me?” She giggled. “Hate to burst your bubble, but when you think as hard as you sometimes do, you slip up too. I can read you like a book.”

  Still stunned, he leaned back.

  “Oh, stop it. Don’t worry,” she mimicked, “you’ll learn to block me better soon.”

  Epilogue

  Brianna stared at her computer screen, not seeing a word. Her mind wandered to the last few weeks. She had settled into a routine. Jaxon hadn’t wasted any time moving her into his wing of the house. She didn’t really have much in her meager apartment to begin with. Between teaching wildfire classes and taking her own online courses, she’d been stretched thin financially. Without the responsibility of rent, she could worry less and concentrate more on her goals.

  She didn’t like it at first, Jaxon helping her out so much, but she’d had to relax and focus on more important issues.

  Juliana was an angel. The woman made her feel more welcome than Brianna could have imagined. Juliana was fighting her own battle against Sergius to gain more freedom. She wanted to lead more group hikes and work more hours than he was willing to consent to. “Safety” was a word both women cringed over several times a day. It gave them a camaraderie and something to talk about as they got to know each other.

  It wasn’t that the men were being unreasonable. There was, after all, an unknown entity in the way of a very angry vampire out there somewhere. Both women were leery about his presence. However, they were also strong-willed individuals who wanted to lead their lives. The push and shove between the men and women followed a very fine line.

  “You okay, Bri?”

  Brianna startled at the sound of Jaxon’s voice behind her. She twisted from her spot in front of her computer and found Jaxon sauntering toward her. Every time she laid eyes on him, he still made her squirm. She must have been truly lost in thought to have not sensed his presence.

  “Just thinking.” She reached for him and wrapped her arms around his waist when he got close enough. His warmth comforted her.

  “Good thoughts, I hope?” Jaxon gripped her shoulders from above and massaged.

  Brianna moaned. She hadn’t realized she’d been so tense. “Piecing together the last few weeks. I can’t believe it’s been only fourteen days since we met. Seems like forever. My life is completely transformed.” She angled her face up toward him.

  “Mine too, baby.”

  She inhaled long and slow and released her breath on a sigh. “How long did you say this mating frenzy thing would last? I can’t concentrate.” She gripped him around the waist tighter, pressing her cheek into his stomach and inhaling his scent. She had the urge to pop the button of his jeans with her teeth and tug the zipper down. “I can’t study when you are around,” she mumbled into his shirt.

  “And I’m not helping matters, am I?”

  “Nope.”

  “Maybe if we…”

  “Don’t even say the words out loud, Jax.” Brianna released her hold on him and pushed his body away from her. “I need to study.”

  “It didn’t look like you were studying when I came in.”

  “Yeah, well, I should have been. I’m behind.”

  Jaxon’s fingers still lingered on her neck.

  “Give me half an hour and then I’m all yours.”

  His eyebrows rose along with the smile that spread across his face. “Promise?”

  “Would it matter?”

  “Not really, but I love it when you’re eager and willing. I always feel a bit guilty when I lure you away from your work with only carnal intentions.”

  “Sure you do.” She peeled his hands from her neck and leaned back. “Thirty minutes and then I’m yours.”

  Jaxon took her cheeks in both hands and leaned in for a kiss. “I’ll be back,” he mumbled against her mouth. “Half an hour.” His promise lingered in the air as he padded from the room.

  Brianna stared at his back. There was no way she was going to be able to study, but she just smiled. Perhaps instead she could use the time to dream up a way to make him burn as much as she was right now…

  Keeton McKinney awoke in his apartment with a start and bolted upright before immediately collapsing back onto his bed.

  “Motherfucker that hurts.” He gripped his chest where it still ached from the worst wound he’d ever experienced.

  He glanced at the clock. It was the middle of the night. How long had he been lying here? Thirteen? Fourteen days? He needed to feed. Every time he awoke he relived that day in his mind.

  Once he’d managed to unpin himself from that goddamn iron stake, he’d hobbled deep into the forest and gotten as far away from the cave as possible before slumping onto the ground and resting when he couldn’t go another step.

  Then the rain had fallen, large welcome drops drenching him, rinsing away the blood and dirt that had accumulated all over his body. The other benefit of the downpour was to mask his scent. He was much harder to track in a deluge. Of course the wolves were too, but he didn’t have the energy to track a flea after the beating he’d taken.

  If he hadn’t been so pissed and sore, he’d have laughed.

  The audacity of that wolf to think he could kill Keeton with a rusty metal stake? Ha.

  But, damnit, the pain had been intense.

  Keeton was even angrier with himself than Jaxon. Why had Keeton been such an easy target? It had seemed so cut and dry when he’d planned and executed this murder. He hadn’t been thinking clearly. It should have occurred to him that Jaxon could shift and escape. You can’t just tie a large wolf up with a knot and expect him to stare at it when all he had to do was shift and untie himself. Even two weeks later he was still kicking himself in the ass for his own stupidity.

  It seemed the effort to mask the wolf’s ability to communicate for an extended time at long distances had rendered Keeton’s judgment a bit lax. His focus on his prey had kept him from thinking things through clearly. He would have to work on that before he struck again.

  It was wonderful he was able to block telepathy. Perhaps there were other abilities he could tap into of which he was as yet unaware. In which case, he really needed to be able to make sound decisions simultaneously. Unlike that day. The blocking must have drained him and left him vulnerable.

  Obviously, judging by Jaxon’s flight from the scene, those wolves had no idea how to kill a vampire. That information would come in very handy in the future. Unless… Keeton had been incoherent for a while before he’d regained consciousness. It could be that Jaxon simply fled for his life, not caring whether or not Keeton was actually dead. Who knew?

  Hell, if it hadn’t been for the massive fire in Chicago in the late 1800s, even Keeton himself wouldn’t have known how to kill a vampire. He’d unexpectedly been in the right spot at the right time and that information had changed his life.

  There was nothing more to do but wait and regenerate. It would take months for Keeton to be back in full force.

  Meanwhile, he would plot. Because those wolves had pissed him off for the last time. Their days were numbered. And he wasn’t going to be nice about it anymore. Their deaths were going to be cruel, ugly and messy.

  Keeton tried to relax into the mattress. His chest pounded with the pain of regenerating tissues. He closed his eyes. He needed more sleep. He needed to feed. In that order. And then…he needed a plan.

  About the Author

  Becca Jameson lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two kids. When she isn’t writing, she can be found reading, editing, scrapbooking, running, swimming, biking, or taxiing kids all over creation. She doesn’t sleep much…or sit down often…but she loves to be busy! Unlike many other authors, Becca had never written a single word until a few years ago. After enjoying several years on the editing side of the business, Becca decided to give writing a try.
Now she can’t stop! And the voices in her head are clamoring to get out faster than she can get them onto “paper”! Still experimenting with both contemporary and paranormal genres, there is no telling what she may come up with next. To learn more about Becca Jameson, visit her blog at www.beccajameson.com, email her at beccajameson4@aol.com, or tweet her @beccajameson.

  Look for these titles by Becca Jameson

  Now Available:

  Durham Wolves

  Rescue in the Smokies

  Coming Soon:

  Freedom in the Smokies

  Only one will win the right to call her “mate”.

  Rescue in the Smokies

  © 2013 Becca Jameson

  Durham Wolves, Book 1

  Sergius Durham and his brothers are legendary trackers in these parts, and only the local sheriff knows why. They’re wolf shifters, attempting to live quietly on their horse farm. A difficult task when they’re summoned every time a hiker goes missing.

  Serg knows there’s something different about his latest case the moment he touches her left-behind clothing. She is his mate, and nothing will stop him from finding and claiming her—except maybe the repeat-offending nuisance of a vampire who lured her off the trail.

  Juliana Polanski isn’t sure how she got so lost, but there’s no mistaking her instant attraction to her rescuer. No denying the passion that explodes between them when rain drives them into a cave for shelter—or at his home, in his bed, even after the crazy, improbable truth of his heritage comes out.

  Yet Serg knows the danger isn’t over. At any moment Julianna could be kidnapped right out of his arms—by the only creature the Durham brothers have never been able to track.

  Warning: This book contains hunky shape-shifters living in the mountains, hot steamy sex in caves, mind-blowing oral, mild bondage and wild abandonment in front of mirrors.