by Jane Jamison
Kira.
He sat up, ignoring the slashes of agony, and searched the area. Had the attacker taken the young one? If so, he’d spend his last breath finding her. He sniffed, trying to locate either Kira’s human or fawn scent, but couldn’t. He hoped she’d run off in time—especially before he’d shifted back to his human and very naked form—and was already well on her way back home.
Although shape-shifters were used to seeing everyone nude, young and old, he couldn’t shake the uneasiness of being around a preteen girl while in his butt-naked human body and out like a light. He’d shifted into his wolf form behind a bush when Kira had begged him to play. She’d laughed at his shyness—after all, she’d grown up in The Hidden, and she was used to seeing everyone bare assed—but his conservative upbringing in Toledo, Ohio, was too difficult to shake.
Once again, he glanced around and saw no sign of her. She had to have gotten away.
A small form lay close by, the dark hair hiding the assailant’s face. Her red jacket made a splash of color in the pristine snow. She was a lump on the ground, but there was no ignoring the body.
Her rounded bottom caught his attention. Her rump was the perfect size for a man to grab hold of as he plunged his cock deep inside her ass. The hair that hid her face was long and lustrous, urging him to run the silky strands between his fingers. Her legs were shapely even under the denim, and he wondered what treat was disguised by the bulky jacket she wore.
A woman had gotten the best of him? Even worse, a human woman? Humiliation mixed with the pounding of his headache. If the others got wind of the attack, he’d end up a laughingstock. He hoped Kira wouldn’t say anything.
The woman moaned and moved a bit then stopped. He crawled over to her and leaned closer to take a big whiff. He’d expected her to smell like most women, but her aroma held an extra spice that entranced him. He drew in a longer breath, wanting more of her fragrance.
Damn, but she smells good. Like wildflowers on a sunny spring morning. Like the honey from a beehive with a taste of jalapeño pepper thrown in for an added pop of flavor.
She was spicy, sweet, with a good dose of female pheromones thrown in. He couldn’t help himself. He skimmed his hand along the curve of her luscious butt cheek, paused, then squeezed it. She was firm yet pliable, exactly how he liked his women.
She moaned again, and he could easily imagine her moans of desire as he spanked her butt and slid his cock between the crease of her bottom and into the dark recess of her anus. He pulled his hand away reluctantly then took her by the shoulder and rolled her onto her back.
She’s stunning.
He swept away the hair that covered one cheek and studied her oval face. She wouldn’t win any beauty pageants by society’s standards, but that was what made her so attractive to him. Instead of the flawless symmetry that movie stars and models strove to attain, her features spoke of intelligence and a maturity well past her years. Her body was fuller, riper than the skinny women most men found alluring. She had real breasts that were larger than his wide hands and pushed at the zipper of her coat. Her rounded stomach didn’t flatten out even while she was on her back. She was all woman.
Damn. She’s hurt. I’m gawking at her, and she’s lying here hurt.
Guilt flashed through him, but he stubbornly pushed it away. It wasn’t as though he was groping her without her knowledge like some kind of pervert.
Although I kind of did.
He thrust the thought away. He hadn’t asked her to butt in. It was her own fault that she’d gotten hurt.
Dried blood formed around the injury to her forehead, but a fresh ribbon of blood oozed from it. She must’ve reopened a previous wound when she fell. He touched the gash to determine how deep it was and was relieved to find that it wasn’t too bad. He unzipped her coat, telling himself that he needed to check her for any other signs of injury.
The jacket fell away from her generous breasts, and he had to struggle to take in air. The low-cut blouse she wore had shifted with her movements. One breast was fully exposed with her nipple peeking out from above the neckline of her shirt. Her brown areola was larger than most women’s, and her nipple—due no doubt to the chill in the air—was pebbled. Saliva filled his mouth as he could almost feel the textured bud against his tongue as he licked the top of it and held it between his teeth.
Like the ultimate battle between good and evil, he struggled with his conscience. Was it his fault that her breast was exposed? Of course not. But he should cover her up. And he should do it fast, before his rising cock got the better of him and decided the outcome of the war.
Gritting his teeth, he pulled her jacket closed again. She wouldn’t die from her wound, but unless he got her to shelter soon, she could wind up freezing to death before help came along.
He glanced at the car a few yards away. From the way the hood was bent toward the windshield, the vehicle had struck the large tree going at a good clip. She’d probably hit her head on the steering wheel then stumbled out of the car. Why she’d gone from stranded motorist to hunter he didn’t know. But did it matter? He should be thinking of himself and not the woman who’d tried to take off half his head.
He snarled and pushed himself to his feet. If he had any sense at all, he’d haul her back to her car and leave her for someone else to find. Doing anything else would only make more trouble than he cared to handle.
He wasn’t a do-gooder by any means. As a former assistant prosecuting attorney by profession, he’d had his fill of sad cases. All too often he’d gotten called into his boss’s office and had been reamed out for letting his feelings get in the way of doing his best to win a case. But he couldn’t help it. If he thought the defendant had gotten crappy breaks in life, he always tried to take it a little easier. Why kick a person when they were down? More than once he’d wondered if he’d ended up on the wrong side of the courtroom.
But that was before he’d found The Hidden. He’d heard about the mystical sanctuary for supernaturals, and, although he wasn’t even sure it existed, he’d come into the mountains every year to search for it.
From what he’d heard from stories told throughout the werewolf community on The Outside, supernaturals found The Hidden through one of two ways. Either they knew someone who could show them the way, or they were able to sense the entrance whenever they came upon it. Rumored to be deep within the mountains, The Hidden’s magical essence could be felt in the forest surrounding it.
During the second year, he’d run into Renkon, his cousin who had left home years earlier. He’d stumbled onto his cousin as he ran through the woods in his wolf form. The two had wrestled as they’d done as boys, rejoicing in seeing each other after so many years apart.
Once Rosh told him that he was seeking The Hidden, Renkon was more than delighted to show him the way. Renkon had found The Hidden on his own and had never returned to The Outside.
Renkon’s description of the paradise-like place entranced Rosh and he’d followed Renkon into The Hidden. Aside from brief excursions like today, Rosh rarely went far from his new home.
He looked at the car then back to her. No way could he leave an injured woman alone. Who knew who or what might come across her? But what could he do? Take her down the mountain and get her help? Yet doing so would cause unwanted speculation as to how he’d found her. Plus, he didn’t want her telling any stories about seeing a large wolf attacking an adorable deer. Stories of Red Riding Hood and Bambi would fill the media airwaves followed by a photo of her naked rescuer.
He only had one choice. He had to take her with him. The others wouldn’t like it. As far as he knew, the only humans who were allowed into The Hidden were those who were going to mate a supernatural.
Grumbling, he took her by the arms and pulled her up. Her head lolled to the side in a sickening way that only reinforced his decision. Ducking down, he grabbed her ample bottom and pushed her limp body onto his shoulders. He settled her against him, made certain that his hold on her was secure,
then strode into the woods.
* * * *
Shay had suffered through her share of headaches, but the one pounding inside her head was the worst she’d ever had. Add that to the constant bouncing of her body against a hard surface and she was sure she’d either pass out again or upchuck.
She opened her eyes, struggling against the pain behind them, and saw the ground moving underneath her at an incredible rate. Whoever, whatever was holding her moved faster than humanly possible.
Fear gripped her even as the sight of a bare butt enticed her to blink and take a better look. The man’s hind end was firm and strong. Muscles moved under the bronzed skin, and a patch of dark hair led her gaze to the crack between the cheeks.
She flattened her hands against his back and pushed her body away from his then lifted her head. Maybe she could get a good look at her…her what? Her rescuer? Or her abductor?
“Hey! Whoever you are, put me down!”
She started to pound against his back then stopped. What good would it do anyway? His back was as solid as a wall of granite and flexed with every step he took then tapered down to his delectable buttocks. If she got the chance, she’d love to pinch his butt then run her tongue over the smooth surface.
Shit. How can I think about sex when I’m being hauled around like a side of beef? A nauseous side of beef that might lose it at any moment?
She dug her nails into his skin. If she couldn’t impede his progress by demanding he put her down, then the least she could do was inflict a little pain. Yet he didn’t seem to notice even when she managed to lay down long scratches.
Her hair flopped in front of her face as she tried to regulate her breathing. If she didn’t get him to stop soon, she wasn’t sure what would happen except that it wouldn’t be pleasant for either one of them.
“If you don’t put me down real fast, you’re going to be sorry.”
She got a response from him, but it wasn’t the one she’d wanted. Who chuckles when they’re threatened?
Struggling against him, she wiggled as much as she could, but that only resulted in his tightening his hold on her. At last, she couldn’t hold it back any longer.
“I–I’m going to—”
She tried to choke her vomit back but couldn’t. Giving up, she opened her mouth and spewed her last meal down his back and over his awesome butt.
“Shit!”
He skidded to a stop, jostling her even more. Another wave of sickness swept over her as he bent over and dumped her to the ground. She hurled again, this time managing to turn her head away from him.
Dry heaving now, she jolted when he took her hair and held it back. He knelt beside her, dipped his hand into the clean snow, and cupped his hand. Holding out the fresh snow, he offered it to her.
She hadn’t dared to look up and, instead, studied the sparkling fluff in the palm of his hand. Embarrassment swamped her, making her forget that she’d warned him.
Drinking like a forest creature from a stream, she flicked out her tongue, sweeping up a bit of the snow. It felt cool inside her mouth and washed away the grime.
“Use a little to wash around your mouth. Especially your chin.”
She still couldn’t look him in the eye, but oh, how she loved his voice. Like a medicine all its own, his rich, deep timbre flowed over her, warming her body like an electric blanket on a winter morning. Taking a dab of the snow, she did as he suggested.
“Are you better?”
Why was he being so nice to her? Was that how kidnappers were supposed to treat their victims? Why haul her ass off only to help her when she got sick?
“I’m sorry.”
Aw, crap. Now he’s apologizing? What’s with this guy? Yet she couldn’t help but give him a piece of her mind.
“You should be. What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Are you kidnapping me?” She lifted her head, letting her anger and embarrassment form her defiance. Yet when she looked into his dark eyes, she lost every thought except one.
He’s amazing.
His eyes were only the start of him. Straight black hair drifted forward to caress his high cheekbones. His nose, slightly crooked, led to a mouth that was surrounded by stubble. His jawline was the kind only leading men had while his chin jutted out, proudly pronouncing him a dominant, take-charge kind of guy.
She dropped her gaze down his wide, harder-than-a-diamond chest to his ripped stomach. If she dared to touch him, she knew she could ram her fist into his stomach and he probably wouldn’t even notice. No wonder he’d chuckled at her feeble attempts to get free. He made every other man look like a ninety-pound weakling.
Swallowing, she did the only thing she could do. To not do it would be an insult to womankind everywhere. She let her gaze slide even lower.
Oh. My. God. Is he really that big? Or am I hallucinating?
“Consider the apology rescinded. I thought I was helping you.”
“Helping me? By kidnapping me?”
He took a deep breath, expanding his already-huge chest. What would it be like to have that chest hovering over her?
“No, I’m not. But never mind about that. Do you feel better?”
She blinked and tried to make sense of his words. How could anyone expect her to think with that battering ram pointing at her? “What?”
“I asked you if you’re feeling better.”
She brought her attention back to his incredible face. “Oh. Yeah. I guess so.”
“Good. Then maybe you can tell me what the fuck you were thinking?”
“Huh?”
He scooped up a large amount of snow, stood, and started washing the results of her upset stomach off his back and rump. Even in his current soiled condition, she couldn’t help but run her tongue over her upper lip. Once he cleaned himself up, would she dare to drag her tongue along the rippling muscle? Maybe around to the front of him and over his huge cock?
“Uh, I’m sorry.”
He glared at her.
“You know. For upchucking on you. Not for anything else.”
“Yeah, that made my day. But pay attention. I want to know what you were thinking when you hit me.”
“I hit you?” She frowned, trying to remember. She’d run off the road to swerve away from something in the road, but there was no way this hunk of a male specimen was that scrawny thing.
“Yeah, you did.”
She shook her head and came to her feet, albeit a bit wobbly. He grasped her by the arm and kept her steady. Suddenly she wished she was naked, too, so she could feel the touch of his hand on her arm.
“No, I didn’t. I saw an animal or whatever in the road, and I stupidly tried to miss it, which sent my car into the trees.” She turned around, only now taking the time to see where they were.
The forest lay behind them as they stood in a tiny clearing. She pivoted around and stared at the open expanse before her. Taking a step forward, she was grateful that he still held on to her.
They stood at the precipice of a cliff overlooking a roaring waterfall. A river rushed below them, the white caps of the waves testifying to the speed and power of the current. On the far side of the divide, the forest spread out and led up the mountainside.
“Wow.”
“What did you see in the road?”
The serious tone of his voice caught her, sinking fear into her heart. His hold tightened on her, causing her to whine against her will.
“I don’t know. I can’t really remember what it looked like. Hell, I’m not even sure I got a good look at it. It had red eyes, I remember that, and it was thin. Really thin.”
“And then you crashed into the tree.”
She nodded, confirming his words that weren’t a question. Carefully, she pulled her arm away. “Yeah. I think I conked out for a bit. Then I got out of my car, and that’s when I saw this enormous wolf about to attack a poor little fawn.”
He let out a long breath. “And you thought you could take down a wolf?”
His frustration was evide
nt in his snarl. “Okay, I admit it wasn’t my best idea. But I wasn’t thinking very clearly right then, you know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
She had to stop thinking with her libido. Granted, he was hot as hell, but he was still a stranger who had slung her over his shoulder and taken off with her. A naked stranger. She stepped away, putting a few feet between them.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
What do the experts say about handling kidnappers? Keep them calm?
“Look, I appreciate you, uh, carrying me, but I’m going back to my car. I think I’ll have a better chance of someone finding me there.”
“Not now you won’t.” He glanced toward the setting sun that was coloring the sky with purples and blues.
If they’d met under different circumstances, the sunset might’ve seemed romantic. As it was, she knew he was right. Trying to go back to her car through God knew how big a forest was a bad idea. But what choice did she have?
“You’ll have to come with me.”
“I don’t think so.” Going with a stranger was bad enough, but a naked stranger who hung out—literally—in the woods? Not a chance. “Why don’t you have any clothes, anyway? Is this Montana’s answer to the annual polar bear swim?”
“The what?”
“You know. That ritual where normally sane people go swimming in the middle of winter in ice-cold water.”
“So you think I’m insane? But no, that’s got nothing to do with this. You’ll find out soon enough.”
Is that a threat or a promise? I think now’s the time to get the hell out of here.
She turned and ran even though she knew she’d never outrun him. He caught her before she’d gotten ten feet.
“Calm down. I’m doing this to save your hide.” He grabbed her jacket and tugged her out of it.
Panic took over, but she was no match for his strength. She struggled, fear clogging her throat so she couldn’t scream. Tossing her jacket aside, he ripped her blouse from her in one quick move.
Shay struck out as he took her arm and tugged her closer to the edge. She broke free, but he snatched her up by the waist and put her ass flat on the ground. Kicking him was like swatting a dinosaur with a stick. He got her boots and socks off without much trouble then took hold of the top of her jeans and yanked them down her legs. She lay shivering in the snow as he threw them over the side of the cliff. He bent over her, and she struck out, hitting him in the face.
