Wolves Gone Wild [Werewolves of Forever, Texas 12] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Jane Jamison

  Lance snorted. “That won’t do any good. She was there, remember?”

  “Yeah, but why let her keep having to see it? Come on. We can move the car before she gets up and around.”

  “You’re too late.”

  Duncan whirled around to face Christy as she walked out of the diner. Guilt like a kid caught with his hand in his mother’s purse washed over him. The guilt was gone in a flash, however, when his gaze scanned her. His stomach tightened as his cock twinged, ready to spring into action.

  “So what were you planning on doing with my car? Taking it to a junkyard?”

  She knew he was checking her out, and judging by her expression, she didn’t mind one bit. Lance scooted up to her and took off his hat.

  “Hey, Christy, how’re you doing? Um, we heard about last night and figured we’d better make sure you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine.”

  He had the distinct impression that she wanted to add, “No thanks to you.” Instead, she thrust out her chin. “And about my car?”

  Lance rubbed the back of his neck, a sure sign that he wasn’t sure how to answer.

  Still, he’d let Lance do most of the talking. He didn’t have an answer, either, except for the lame fact that they were just getting it out of the way. But with Lance talking, it gave him more time to soak in her beauty. She was one of those women who didn’t have to wear a lot of makeup or jewelry or fancy clothes. Her skin was flawless, radiant in the morning light even with the small patches of darkness under her eyes. Her body wasn’t the kind most men dreamed of, but the curves she had were perfect for him. He stood several feet away, but he could still feel the sizzle of attraction.

  The sensation was both amazing and terrifying all at the same time. They were wrong. The attraction wasn’t any less than it had been last night. In fact, it was more. He wondered if Lance was feeling the same draw.

  “We, uh, figured that it’d be better for you not to have to see it again. We didn’t know you were already up.”

  “Well, as you can see, I am.” The sadness he saw in her eyes made him ache to hold her, to comfort her. “I’m not sure it’s much good getting her repaired now. What am I am going to tell the insurance company? That a man tore the hardtop roof off my car? Somehow I don’t think they’re going to buy that.”

  “You could always let the adjuster come out and see for himself.”

  Duncan had to interject. Lance wasn’t doing them any good. “We know you had a rough time of it last night.”

  “Is that what Jackson told you?”

  “Jackson?”

  “His wife is in the diner. She told me Grant and he are taking care of the two men who tried to accost me last night.” She pffed out a breath. “Accost. That’s a slightly nicer way of saying that they tried to rape me.”

  Once again, anger erupted in him, threatening to turn his inner wolf free to exact revenge. He clenched his fists, pushing it back into submission. He had to let Jackson and Grant handle it. Either they’d work out a deal that included punishment for Merle and Gabe, or the werebears’ refusal to do so would open up the possibility of war between the two shifter clans.

  “We’re sorry we weren’t around to help you.” He hated telling her that. Instead, he wanted to confess that they were the three wolves who had saved her.

  She pulled her body straight. She was proud and courageous. Everything he’d always wanted in a mate. “What’s done is done, as my mamma always says.”

  “She’s right.”

  Lance took her hand, and jealousy, pure and simple, ripped into Duncan. The green-eyed monster was gone in the next second, replaced with the lust-filled one inside him. If he didn’t get between her legs soon, he’d explode. And yet, if he did, he could risk a lifetime with her.

  This is a bad idea.

  “Lance, we need to get going.”

  He’d meant that they should get away from her as soon as possible. They needed to stay at the ranch even if it meant having someone like the Carr brothers chain them up until the amber moon phase had passed. Lance, however, took it the wrong way.

  “Yeah, I know, man. Look, Christy, we were wondering if you’d like to come out to the ranch today.”

  Shit. How do I get us out of this?

  He had to pray she’d pass on the offer.

  She hesitated, then squashed his hope. “Sure. Okay. Why not?” Her hesitation was replaced with an excitement that made her appear even younger and more carefree. “Do you think I could ride a horse? I’ve never ridden one before.”

  He could imagine her body in front of his, riding bareback, the heat from the horse’s back mixing with the heat from her luscious behind pressing against his crotch. The horse couldn’t bear their weight for long, and the feel of her next to him would break every bit of restraint he had.

  It was another bad idea, but one that had his need stirring on a hard, fast boil.

  “Of course you can.” Lance swept her into his arms and whirled her around. She laughed as he put her on the ground. “We’ll make you one hell of a good cowgirl. You just wait and see.”

  * * * *

  Christy’s nervousness about being alone with Lance and Duncan was gone the second she saw the horses. They were beautiful creatures, regal and serene, yet bundles of energy just waiting to explode at the slightest movement. A lovely, chestnut-colored horse pranced around the enclosure, while a horse with spots all over its rump lifted his head from munching the grass to see what the humans were up to. A black horse shook her head, sending her glossy mane dancing.

  “They’re all so amazing.” She itched to stroke their necks and whisper to them. They stood well over her height, and for the first time since asking if she could ride, she reconsidered the idea. Falling off would hurt. Getting kicked or bitten would hurt even more.

  “Yes, they are.”

  She glanced up at Lance, noting the reverent tone of his voice. He cared about the animals, not just as property, but as living creatures he had the privilege to care for. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to ride one? Like I said, I’ve never ridden a horse before. Not even one of those kiddie ponies at the fair.”

  She forced her attention away from Lance. Riding to the ranch seated in the middle of the pickup’s front seat had taken a lot out of her. She’d wanted to sit on top of Lance’s lap and ride him like she was about to ride one of the horses. Instead, she’d talked her head off, about everything and anything, and fixed her attention on the road ahead.

  Duncan grabbed hold of the fence, then thrust his body over the top railing, never losing his grip on the bridle he’d slung over his shoulder. He landed on his feet, grace and power rolled into one sexy package. His swagger didn’t speak of cockiness but of a quiet confidence. He was a stallion in the body of a human.

  “Duncan’s going to get Star ready for you.”

  She bit her lip and tried not to smile. It was kind of a corny name.

  “Yeah, I know. The name sounds like a teenage girl named her. But it came from the patch of white fur on her left flank in the ragged shape of a star. It would’ve been nicer to have the star on her forehead, but don’t go telling Mother Nature that.”

  Duncan patted the black horse on the neck then slipped the bridle on without any problem. He led her over to Lance and Christy.

  “You can trust Star. She’s not skittish and she’ll recognize a novice rider. Just don’t panic if she dances a little. Every horse is bound to have a little get up and go.”

  “If you say so. Oh!” She jumped when Lance put a cowboy hat on her head. “What’s this for?”

  “Every self-respecting cowgirl needs a hat.” He’d taken it off the fence.

  Had he had it there just for her? She tugged it lower. It was a bit big, but that was okay.

  “I’ll take Star back inside the barn and get her ready.” Duncan yanked up the bar that held the gate closed, led the horse through, then let Lance shut the gate behind them.

  “Come on, babe. You can h
elp me get our horses ready.”

  Babe. The sound of it was nice. She could get used to being called babe. “Okay. Although I don’t think I’ll be much help.”

  “Just watch and learn. It’s not hard once you get the hang of it.” Lance took her hand, and just as it had so many times before, the sizzle that was becoming more familiar hit her. Familiar, however, didn’t mean that it was any less intense. In fact, it was getting stronger, like every time they touched made the current ratchet up another notch. How intense could it get? Enough to blow a fuse between them? Or enough to set her body ablaze from the inside out?

  The smells of the barn, hay mixed with horse manure and other aromas she couldn’t name, assaulted her nostrils as she walked into its cool dimness. Several other horses were in their stalls. They nickered and stomped their feet as Duncan and Star approached them. Duncan brought the horse to a stop, then grabbed a brush and wiped her down, before taking a colorful, coarse blanket and tossing it onto the horse’s back.

  “Wait here.”

  She hated turning Lance’s hand loose. He strode over to the second stall, his long legs eating up the distance. She couldn’t help but think that he was the epitome of the lanky cowboy of every girl’s fantasy. Giving her a grin, he opened the stall door, went inside, and soon came out leading a paint horse.

  “This is Paint.”

  She didn’t stop her giggle this time.

  “Okay, so we’re not very inventive with names. But the horses don’t seem to mind.” He’d already put a bridle on Paint and was slipping a pad over the horse’s back. “Pay attention. We might expect you to saddle up the next one.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. I’d never forgive myself if you fell off because I tied the saddle wrong.”

  “Well, since you called it tying a saddle, then maybe you’re right. Still, pay attention. You never know when it might come in handy in the future.”

  She’d never imagined a future where she’d go riding, but it wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe she had a country girl buried deep inside her just dying to come out and lasso a three-pack of handsome cowboys.

  He settled the saddle on top of Paint, who didn’t even flinch as it landed on its back. Lance pulled on the strips of leather that held the saddle on, then yanked at others. She didn’t know what the parts were called, but it was obvious that Lance knew what he was doing.

  In a short time, he had Paint saddled and ready to ride. He handed the reins to her. “Here.”

  “Wait.” She held the rope away from her, her arm outstretched. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “You don’t have to. He does.” Lance moved to another stall.

  She gripped the reins and swallowed back a squeak when Paint jerked his head up and down. “Uh-oh. He’s moving.”

  Duncan, who had Star saddled, eased past her, leading Star back out into the sunshine. “Of course, he did. He’s not dead, you know.”

  “But…” She wanted to take Duncan’s arm and keep him there, but she was too afraid to move. What if she frightened Paint into rising up on his hind legs and kicking out like she’d seen horses in the movies do?

  Lance came back out leading a brown horse with a darker brown mane and tail. “Babe, take it easy. Horses can sense when you’re nervous. The calmer you are, the calmer he’ll be.” He started getting that horse ready to ride.

  She took a breath and let it out. Drawing in another breath, she lifted her hand, waited to see if Paint would do anything, then timidly reached out and skimmed her fingertips along his broad forehead.

  “Hi, Paint. I won’t hurt you, if you won’t hurt me,” she whispered. As if she could ever hurt the large animal.

  “He knows that.”

  Lance hadn’t been near enough to be able to hear her whisper, so how had he heard her? She was just about to ask him when he led the horse by her. She stood there, unsure if she should try leading Paint out or not.

  “Babe, are you coming? Bring him out,” called Lance.

  “How?” If she turned around and started walking, would he step on her heels?

  “Just walk. You can even drop the reins. He really doesn’t need anyone holding him.”

  She had the sneaking suspicion she’d been set up. There was no denying that she was a city slicker. “Okay, Paint. Follow me. But not too closely.”

  She let go of the reins and turned around. Walking at a brisk pace, she could hear the horse plodding behind her. Once outside, she stopped then pivoted to find Paint behind her, coming to a stop right along with her. “Good boy.”

  “Here you go, babe.” Lance held out his hand as he stood next to Star. “Let me help you into the saddle.”

  The newfound confidence was gone. “Are you sure? Maybe I should ride with one of you. Like a bicycle built for two.”

  The need that flashed in Lance’s eyes told her that he liked the idea, too. “Sorry, but horses aren’t designed to carry the weight of two people for long. Don’t worry. You can’t get a gentler ride than Star.”

  It was now or never. Either she got on the horse or she’d have to go back into town with her tail between her legs. “Okay, just tell me what to do.”

  “Take hold of the saddle horn.”

  She shot Lance an “are you serious?” look.

  “It’s the holder thing on front of the saddle.”

  “Oh.” She laid her left hand on top of it. “Now what?”

  “Just put your foot in the stirrup. That’s it. Now hop on up.”

  She did as he instructed and let him help her. Before she knew it, she was sitting on top of the huge animal. “Wow. It sure is high up here.”

  Duncan laughed and swung with ease onto Paint. “You’re going to be fine. When in doubt, just pull back on the reins and push your knees against him to keep you steady.”

  “Promise me you won’t make the horses run.” She was worried enough about simply staying on while Star was walking. Running, galloping, or whatever it was called was out of the question.

  Lance got on top of the brown horse. “Stick close to us and you’ll sit a good saddle soon enough.” He leaned over and patted his horse’s neck. “Give Star her head and she’ll get between Paint and Buck. Your horse will do most of the work.”

  “Why is your horse named Buck?”

  “Because he tends to buck a lot.” Lance made a clucking sound and lightly tapped his heels against the horse’s sides.

  Her nerves jumped into high gear when Duncan did the same thing. With a snort, Star fell into step in between the other two horses.

  * * * *

  Christy started off hanging onto the saddle horn as most inexperienced riders did, but within thirty minutes, she was relaxed in the saddle and carrying on an easy conversation. Duncan barely felt the rocking motion of his horse because he was too absorbed in watching Christy.

  Yet it wasn’t only her body that kept his attention. It was the happy light in her eyes, the glow on her face that the sunshine hadn’t put there. She was in her element, a natural cowgirl who had finally found her place in the saddle.

  “Oh, wow.”

  He followed her gaze toward the pond and was surprised at how fast the ride had gone. The pond wasn’t the prettiest pool of water, with its dark, greenish hue and murkiness, but the green trees offering plenty of shade from the heat and the soft grass more than made up for it.

  “Do you like it?”

  Duncan jerked his head toward Lance, the gravelly tone of his cousin reminding him that he wasn’t the only one being affected by her presence. Lance’s face was tense, yet eager, and his eyes were already showing flecks of amber. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear Lance’s wolf was about to make an appearance.

  Problem was, he didn’t know better.

  “Lance?”

  When his cousin didn’t answer, didn’t even acknowledge that he’d heard, he reached over the rear of Christy’s horse and slapped Buck’s rump. The horse bolted ahead, making Lance take hold of the reins to bring him back to a w
alk. Lance glared over his shoulder at Duncan, started to say something, then stopped. He’d gotten the message.

  “Is everything all right?”

  The way she looked at him, those big eyes so trusting, tore at the slim hold he had on his own wolf. He shifted in the saddle as his cock twitched to life.

  Shit. We should’ve listened to Grant.

  “We need to head back.”

  “What?” She looked to Lance who didn’t give any hint either way. “But why? We just got here.”

  “Bringing you out here…” He shook his head, unable to explain the real reason. “It was a mistake, that’s all.” He and Lance had let their need for her overtake their common sense.

  Lance, however, wasn’t going for it. He dismounted, walked Buck over, then took hold of Star’s bridle. “We’re already here so why not enjoy it?”

  Duncan hoped she couldn’t see what he saw. Lance had stepped too close to the boundary between control and abandonment. The flecks of amber as well as the barest glimpse of his fangs told him as much. It was up to him to bring his cousin back to reason.

  Christy let Lance help her off her horse. For a moment, they stood, chest to chest, her hands on Lance’s shoulders, his on her waist. The air sizzled with their connection, striking Duncan in the gut. The world blurred and his wolf scrambled to the forefront of his mind.

  He wanted her. Like nothing he’d ever experienced before, he wanted her.

  No. That wasn’t it, either. It was something more than want. It was an obsession, knowledge that if he didn’t have her as his mate, he’d go insane.

  Duncan swallowed and slid off his horse. He was beside them, ignoring the horses as they stepped away, their heads going to the grass to feed.

  “Lance. No.”

  Her mouth was parted, an invitation if he’d ever seen one.

  The muscles in Lance’s face worked, his struggle to not give into the moon’s pull showing. Even without the influence of the amber moon, it would’ve been hard enough not to want her, not to pull her against them and feel her body melt to theirs. The connection made that true any day. But with the moon’s invisible tug snaring them in its grasp, it was next to impossible.