by Jane Jamison
She wasn’t sure why she was sneaking around. If they found her out of bed, this time she wouldn’t let them make her go back.
At the bottom of the staircase, she plastered her body to a wall and peered around it to the room to her left. It held a long table with enough chairs to seat twelve. The table and the chairs were made of a different kind of wood and had lots of nicks and dents giving it a roughhewn appearance she liked. That was not a table for fine dining, but for rowdy, boisterous get-togethers with friends and family. She could almost hear the laughter of the dinner guests. She just hoped that those guests weren’t all women.
“She didn’t have anything on her, man. I checked her clothes right after I got her undressed.”
The sound of Zack’s voice turned her head toward the back of the foyer. A short hallway led to the rear of the house. She assumed it would lead to a kitchen area.
“Yeah, about that. How’d you managed to get her undressed and cleaned up without taking a feel or two? You never did answer that question.”
Chan was with him.
She walked as fast as she could, glancing over her shoulder in case someone else came up behind her. Once she made it to the large wooden door, she put her ear to it and strained to hear. From the level of their voices, it wasn’t hard.
“Get off it. I wouldn’t take advantage of her that way. Not of any woman, much less her.”
Zack didn’t mention their kiss, not that a kiss could be seen as taking advantage of her when she’d been a willing partner. At least she’d gotten that right about them. If they were womanizers, they were ones who knew boundaries.
“Yeah, I know.” Chan sounded exasperated. “Having her upstairs for the past two days has driven me crazy. I don’t think I’ve had a solid night’s sleep since she got here.”
Zack chuckled. “Who wants to sleep when she’s around?”
“True enough. I haven’t been able to think about anything but her.”
“So you get that feeling, too? That maybe she’s special?”
They thought she was special. She couldn’t help but get a warm glow from that. A warmth that spread from her heart straight to her pussy and sent a thrill racing through her. She’d had dreams, waking and asleep, about the men coming to her, telling her how much they cared and how much they wanted her. But she hadn’t let herself dare hope that they felt anything more than lust for her.
“Yeah, I do.”
Special meant more than sex. Or at least she hoped it did.
The silence that followed had her nerves jumping. She was ready to bolt if they came through the door.
“Don’t get too excited, man. We don’t even know if she’s free. She could have a husband or a boyfriend.” Zack sounded defeated.
His tone made her feel raw with need. She’d jump at another chance to kiss him. And Chan? He made her feel just as excited as Zack did. But still, was she the type of woman to fool around on a boyfriend, much less a husband? She didn’t think so.
Am I involved with someone?
It didn’t feel right. If she’d had a man in her life, she sensed that she’d know it. If not with her head, then with her heart. She wracked her brain, trying to conjure up an image of a man she cared about and came up empty. No, she didn’t have anyone like that in her life. She just knew it.
“I don’t think she’s tied up with anyone. I didn’t see a wedding ring or even a tan where one used to be and she doesn’t strike me as the type who wouldn’t wear one. I say we go for it. Besides, what kind of self-respecting man would let her end up stumbling around outside in the cold? If that’s the kind of man she’s involved with, then he doesn’t deserve her. Married or otherwise.”
She had to agree with Chan. A man should take better care of his woman. It didn’t sound very liberated to think so, and she couldn’t shake the impression that she felt a woman should be strong and independent, but if she had a man, he’d have to be the kind of guy who’d take charge. He never would’ve allowed anything to happen to her, much less lose her on some back road.
Maybe she didn’t know the facts about her life, but her gut and intuition were still intact. She’d bet on that. And her instincts told her she was a free woman.
“When you’re right, you’re right, Chan. But she may not see it that way.”
“I have to trust that she will. She’s too amazing to let go. I don’t care what her situation is.”
She wasn’t sure how he meant that. They wouldn’t try and keep her against her will, would they? Being their guest was one thing. Being a prisoner was a totally different thing. She wouldn’t mind playing captive to their masters, but she wouldn’t stand for them keeping her against her will.
“She is amazing. But again, we have to take this easy. We don’t want to scare her off. As much as we don’t like it, if she wants to leave and the roads are passable, then she gets to leave.”
“I plan on giving her a whole lot of reasons to stay.”
“Don’t go getting any ideas of having her to yourself.” Zack’s tone had dropped, the sound filling with a growl.
Pleasurable zings whipped through her. She’d love to hear his voice sound that way while he was between her legs.
“Seems to me you already did. I picked up your scent on her that first day.”
She wasn’t sure how Chan could pick up an aroma, especially after taking a bath. Still, if it was a guess, he was dead on.
“I kissed her. That’s all. We’ve already gone over this.”
“You mean that’s all for now.”
Zack’s growly voice came again. “Let’s not go there. Not again.”
Go there. Damn, how she wanted him, wanted them to go there.
“Fine. First, we have to figure out what’s going on with her. She didn’t end up on the side of the road by accident, you know.”
The awful feeling of fear that kept coming back hit her again, wiping away the delicious sensation of desire. If only she could remember!
“We keep her safe until we know. Then, it’s her decision, Chan.”
“Okay, but in the meantime, I don’t see any harm in having a little fun. Let’s see how far she’ll let us go. I want to see what she likes. If she’s submissive, all the better.”
They wanted her to submit to them. She wasn’t sure if they meant sexually or emotionally. Either way, she liked the idea. She’d always wanted a man who would take charge and make her do what he wanted sexually. That much she could remember as though it was an innate part of her. Having two men she could submit to would make it even hotter.
“Down, boy. Remember she’s had a rough time of it.”
“Yeah, I know, Zack. Still, you might need to remind me from time to time.”
She leaned against the wall as they grew quiet. A few minutes passed and then a few more. Since she could hear one of them moving around every so often, she assumed the other one had taken a seat. If they didn’t continue the conversation soon, she’d go inside and act like she’d just come downstairs.
She straightened her hair and tugged the shirt a little tighter over her bosom. Until she could find out how she’d ended up with them, she’d make the most of it. She’d deal with any consequences later.
She had her hand on the door when a low growl made her freeze. Taking a deep and hard-won breath, she turned back toward the foyer.
The wolf was so large that it blocked a good portion of the hallway. The width of its shoulders had to measure at least two feet and its paws were the size of baseball gloves. It stood the height of a Saint Bernard but the likeable sweet face of that dog was nowhere to be found on the animal. The wolf was all packed muscles ready to spring into action. Fangs that measured several inches flashed as it pulled back its ears and snarled at her.
She sucked in a breath and was ready to bolt through the kitchen door when a sudden calmness descended over her. The wolf’s eyes, a deep, piercing, rich blue, took hold of her, and yet, instead of sending her panic higher, they took away any sense of
danger. It was as though she’d seen his eyes before.
He didn’t want to hurt her. She didn’t know why and knew it didn’t make sense, but she knew it for a fact.
Instead of running, she took a step toward the wolf.
“You won’t hurt me. I know you won’t.”
His low growl didn’t frighten her, either. Instead, it was a like a call to a part of her that had lain dormant all her life. She wanted to run her palm over his dark fur. She yearned to feel the strength of his body under her touch.
She was shocked to find that her need was almost sexual.
The wolf growled again and padded a few steps forward. He held his head low and never took his eyes off her. She didn’t take her eyes off him, either.
“Come here, boy. I won’t hurt you.” It was laughable to say that. He could kill her with one quick swipe of his paw.
The wolf got even closer until, at last, only a couple of feet separated them. She moved slowly, careful not to make any sudden gesture that might startle him.
“That’s it.” She bent low, going to her knees, then reached out her hand. “You’re so beautiful. Let me touch you.”
The wolf crouched lower and stretched out his neck. The tip of his nose was within an inch of her hand.
“Oh, come on! Get the hell out!”
Lace jumped at Chan’s shout, then at his hand on her shoulder. He knelt and encircled her with his arm, protecting her as the wolf bent lower, its fangs dripping with saliva, its eyes narrowing.
“Chan, don’t. He wasn’t going to hurt me.”
Chan whispered in her ear. “You can never be too sure about animals like him.” He brought her to her feet and backed her up. He pushed against the kitchen door with his back and eased her along with him.
The wolf’s head jerked up and his blue eyes widened then grew less intense. If she hadn’t known better, she would’ve sworn he was confused.
I really did get a knock on my head.
Chan turned her away from him, pushing her into the kitchen as he kept facing the wolf. He let her go when she was far enough away that she could no longer see the animal.
“It’s okay, Lace. Just stay put while I get rid of him.” He closed the door behind them.
She opened her mouth to tell him to leave the wolf alone, to say that she didn’t want him to run it off, then merely nodded, certain that if she said those words, he’d think her crazy.
Chan grabbed hold of the broom resting against the wall, shot her a look like a man going into battle for his woman, and opened the door. “Take this, you mangy hound.”
He rushed out of the kitchen, leaving her to gape after him. “No, Chan.” Although she was sure that the wolf wouldn’t harm her, he might feel threatened when Chan charged him with a broom. She dashed to the door and swung it open.
Chan stood by to the front door with the wolf beside him. Yet a fight wasn’t happening. Instead, Chan set the broom against the wall then held the door open and waved the wolf outside. She lurched backward out of sight when he started to turn back toward the kitchen.
How had they made it to the front door so fast?
But an even bigger question hit her. He let the wolf out like it was a pet instead of a predator. But if he knew it wasn’t dangerous, why’d he act like I was in danger?
When she peeked into the hallway again, Chan was headed her way. She pushed open the door and walked toward him.
Lust struck her core, growing stronger the closer he came. If she didn’t get upstairs, she wasn’t sure what she’d do if he got too near her. She hurried past him and up the steps, ignoring his attempt to stop her.
“I’ll talk to you later.”
* * * *
“I know. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Zack leaned against the front porch railing, and not for the first time, cast his gaze up to the second floor where her bedroom was located. After Chan had let him out, he’d loped into the forest and had run until his legs couldn’t hold him up without shaking. Once he’d returned home, he’d found out that Lace was back in her bedroom. He’d have never forgiven himself if he’d frightened her into leaving.
“No, you shouldn’t have.” Chan took a drink of the expensive Cabernet that he imported from Italy. Although he’d adjusted to the life of a rancher, he still had the sophisticated taste of his upbringing.
“Yeah.” Zack took a swig of his beer. Unlike Chan, he preferred a cold beer to any fancy imported wine. As far as he was concerned, the cheaper the beer, the better it tasted. “But it was fun.”
Chan swirled his wine around in the glass. Zack never understood why wine drinkers did that.
“I’ve got to admit, I kind of liked playing the dashing hero. Maybe we can do it again tomorrow.”
Zack snorted and pushed, setting his grandfather’s chair to rocking. “Not on your life. And even if we did—which we won’t—it’d be your turn to play the beast.”
“Shit. You’re so much better at it. Besides, you could change into a bear the next time. I’d really rate some points if I saved her from a grizzly.”
Chan was kidding, of course. Or at least Zach hoped he was. “Naw. That’s not going to go over well once she finds out that we’re the animals.”
“Speak for yourself. I may be a werewolf, but I’m no animal.”
Zack let it go. He’d been born a skinwalker like many of his ancestors had been. Not every child was blessed with the ability to take the form of any animal they chose. He was proud that the Great Spirit had chosen him to be a skinwalker.
Chan hadn’t been born a werewolf. Instead, a lone werewolf, a rogue without a pack, had attacked him when he was only eighteen. From what little he’d told Zack, he’d had a rough time accepting what he’d become. His family hadn’t understood that he’d needed time and space, and he couldn’t tell them the reason why. The tension grew when his father had asked him to take over part of the family’s huge network that comprised Channing Enterprises. Fearing that such an important and visible position would expose him, Chan had declined. That decision had made living at home intolerable and Chan had left, saying a final good-bye to his family. It wasn’t until Zack had forced him to admit what he was while they were stationed together that Chan had finally learned to accept what he was. Since then, he’d grown to like being a werewolf.
Chan downed the rest of his drink in a not-so-classy way, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand instead of using a napkin. He was slowly picking up some of Zack’s manners. “I’m dead on my feet. See you in the morning.”
Zack nodded, then tipped his hat to his friend. “See you then.”
Chan was almost inside the house when Zack said, “Don’t go sleepwalking tonight. I wouldn’t want to haul your ass out of her bed.”
Chan chuckled. “Shit. And here I thought I had a solid plan.”
Once his friend was inside, Zack faced toward the darkness of the forest around them. Then, unable to keep from doing so, he looked up again. All he had to do was go around the house toward the back and the one small window of her bedroom.
What would it hurt to take a look?
Setting down his beer, Zack disrobed and let the change sweep over him. Within a minute, he’d transformed into a black crow. Taking to wing, he flew to her windowsill, then perched there as he peered inside. He resisted the urge to peck on the windowpane and get her attention.
She was curled into a ball on her bed and was completely covered with the comforter. The only part of her he could see was a splay of yellow hair over the pillow.
Tomorrow. I can’t wait any longer than tomorrow.
* * * *
Lace bolted upright in bed. Her heart raced and her throat tightened.
It’s just a dream.
But the sound of men’s voices raised in anger were real. And coming from downstairs.
Please stop.
She crushed her palms over her ears and squeezed her eyes shut. They were too loud to shut out.
And then
came the images.
Four men surrounded one. The one struggled, but he couldn’t get free. Two of them restrained him by holding his arms while another stood by with a gun to the back of his head. Yet even as horrible as they were, the man standing in front of their prisoner was the worst.
His black eyes sparkled as he glared at the man. He was a big man, not with added weight, but with muscle that his expensive tailored suit couldn’t mask. His face was lined as though every treacherous deed he’d ever committed had been etched into his flesh. Short, spiky red hair shot straight up like dancing flames on top of his head. A ragged scar ran from the corner of his right eye over to his ear.
“Did you really think you’d get away with stealing from me?”
The man couldn’t answer. She couldn’t see his face, but the strangled sound of his voice was enough to tell her that he was in bad shape.
Her heart thundered in her ears and she couldn’t believe they couldn’t hear it. Yet if they did, she was as good as dead.
“Tell me where you hid the money.”
“Please, boss. I don’t know. I didn’t—”
The man never completed his sentence as the evil man backhanded him across the face. The poor man’s body jerked back from the power of the hit, then seemed to crumple until the two restraining him had to hold him up to keep him on his feet.
Sitting in the middle of the bed, safe in Zack and Chan’s home, Lace trembled in fear. She slapped a hand over her mouth as the shouts from below grew louder. It didn’t do any good to cover her ears.
No! Please stop fighting.
She kept her eyes closed. Even though it was irrational to think, she couldn’t bear the possibility of opening her eyes and witnessing what she knew was coming.
