by Jane Jamison
She let out a breath. Was it getting hotter?
“Kristal?”
Lena’s hand on her shoulder jolted her out of her sex-induced trance. “Sorry?”
“So you have relatives in Twisted?” Lena’s eyes narrowed.
She doesn’t believe me. Just like David and Darion didn’t believe me.
As a reporter, she thirsted for the facts and the truth. Yet, as a reporter, she’d learned when she had to fabricate a cover story. She’d thought she’d gotten pretty good at it, too. Then again, maybe she hadn’t.
Once again, the memory of David and Darion sitting on top of their horses flashed through her mind. The sizzle she’d felt with them catapulted its way down to her crotch.
Good grief. Think about them later.
“Earth to Kristal.”
“What?” Get a grip, girl. “Um, they’re in Crosston.”
“Oh. Well, that makes more sense.” Lena’s scrutiny intensified. “A little, anyway.”
Although she’d gotten enough practice, lying still didn’t come naturally to her which was part of the reason she didn’t like doing it. That and not liking to deceive anyone. She had to change the subject and fast. “A couple of guys on horseback told me this was the place to stay.”
Lena’s features brightened. “Is that right? What were their names? I’ll have to thank them for the referral.”
“David and Darion Conroy.” Simply saying their names gave her a quick tingle of delight.
“Ah, the Conroy boys. They’re a handsome couple of cowboys, don’t you think?” Lena appraised her. “If I was younger and meant for them, I wouldn’t hesitate to tap them.”
Tap them? The word didn’t seem right. Kristal giggled then abruptly slapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to poke fun.”
Lena’s laughter was louder, less restrained than her own. “Did I use the word incorrectly? Tap, I mean? I heard it on a television show.”
“You used it the right way. I don’t know why it sounded funny.”
Lena hooked her arm in hers. “I do. An old woman like me shouldn’t try to act cool. Is cool still in? Crap. There I go again. Anyway, all I’m saying is that they’re quite the men. Handsome and good-hearted, too. A woman could do a lot worse.”
Why was Lena telling her about them? Could she see how much they’d turned her on? But how? It was bad enough that her lying skills stunk, but to be read so easily by someone who’d just met her? That sucked.
“Anyway, let’s get you inside and settled in. Grab your suitcase and follow me.” Lena turned her loose and strode toward the front porch. “I’ll put you in the front bedroom. It’s the biggest and gets the best light.”
“Thanks.” Kristal retrieved her suitcase and hurried after Lena.
“Plus, it has the benefit of being next to the back stairs.” She winked at her. “In case you want to have visitors at night, they won’t have to come and go through the front door. A girl like you needs a little privacy.”
A girl like her? She would’ve asked except Lena was already inside. Hefting her luggage in one hand, she entered the house and gazed around. The place wasn’t fancy by any means and had an old-fashioned style she liked. A huge sofa dominated the room to her left while a staircase led up to the next level. Photographs of cats decorated most of the walls along with photos of what she assumed were family and friends.
“You must really like cats.” She fell in behind Lena as she started up the steps.
“Doesn’t everyone?” Lena skimmed her fingertips over the picture of two white tigers. “I’m partial to the big cats, of course.”
“Oh. Sure.” Like everyone preferred big cats.
“Do you like cats, Kristal?” Lena took her arm again at the top of the stairs to lead her to the first room on the right. She pushed open the door and waved her inside.
“Uh-huh.”
“Good to know. And dogs? Do you like them, too?”
“Sure.”
The room was filled with sunshine that spread over the white eyelet bedspread. Pale blues and green gave the room a relaxing feel with a white rocker and huge dresser taking up most of the remaining space. An open door showed the attached bathroom and a club foot tub with a blue wraparound curtain. A simple white framed mirror hung on the wall above a pedestal sink. A small chest sat next to the toilet.
“Most people around here are cat people. Just so you know. The Conroy men included.”
“Okay.” She placed her suitcase on top of the bed. Why did she need to know they liked cats?
“The linens are in a small chest in the bathroom. Feel free to spruce up. Something tells me you might want to look your best this evening.”
“Why?” Did the woman always act like she had a ton of secrets?
“I’m thinking the Conroy men will want to get another look at you.”
“Another look at me? You make it sound like I’m a horse for sale.”
“Oh, now, honey, I didn’t mean it like that. Still, they’re blue-blooded men and you’re a pretty girl. It doesn’t take much to put two and two together. Or should that be two and one?”
The conversation had taken a definite odd turn. Maybe Lena liked to think of herself as a matchmaker. Whatever the reason, it’d be safer to veer away from a discussion of the Conroy brothers. Especially since every time Lena said their names, she felt a flash of the same sensation that had struck her before. A sensation she didn’t understand, but was already craving to feel again.
Listening to her gut was a big part of her job and her instinct was telling her to take a chance. Maybe she should’ve shown the video to Darion and David. After all, sometimes jumping right into a story, asking everyone for information, provided better results than easing into it.
“Lena, since you’re so fond of cats, including white tigers, maybe you’d like to watch a video of one. I think you’ll find it interesting.”
“A video of a white tiger, huh?” All at once, the sparkle in Lena’s eyes dulled, suspicion taking its place. “Sure. Why not?”
“Great.” Kristal pulled out the phone the man had given her. She’d transferred the video to her phone as well as her computer, but she preferred keeping the original with her. “Here it is.” She got the video going then stuck out her arm, giving Lena a good view of it.
Lena watched, her head cocked to the side. When it came to the part where the tiger morphed into the man, she blinked then stepped away. For a moment, Kristal thought she saw worry on Lena’s face.
Lena cleared her throat. “Where’d you get that?”
“The man who took it gave it to me.”
Lena pulled herself straighter and laughed. Her previously happy demeanor was back. “You need to tell him he should go to Hollywood. He did a really good job of faking the big cat changing into a man. Is he in the entertainment business? Does he make those supernatural movies with werewolves and the like?”
Lena was good at covering, but Kristal still picked up on her uneasiness. “He says it’s real.”
Lena scoffed. “Oh, honey, come on. A tiger turning into a man? You don’t really think such a thing could happen, do you?”
“Truthfully, no. But then again, the white tiger part seems real enough. From the sign, the tiger was filmed around here.”
“So that’s the real reason you’ve come here? To find a tiger in the middle of Texas?” Lena’s expression couldn’t have been more skeptical. “Are you a reporter or something?”
“I am. I work for a small cable station in Dallas. I figured why not check it out?”
“I guess. If you don’t mind wasting your time.” Lena strode over and pulled the lace curtains aside, letting even more light flood into the room. “So do you think the room will do?”
She’d changed the subject. For now, Kristal wouldn’t push. “The room’s great, but maybe we should discuss price before I get too attached.”
“Honey, I run the place for the fun of it. Money doesn’t matter much to m
e. I care about the people who stay here.” Lena seemed more relaxed as she walked toward the door.
She wasn’t sure what to say. “Still, I should know the daily rate.”
Lena shrugged. “Pay me whatever you think’s right, but don’t make it much. Besides, you get a big discount the longer you stay.”
“I’m only in town for a few days.”
The twinkle in Lena’s eyes came again. “Don’t put a time limit on your stay just yet. Our little town can grow on a person. Who knows? You might end up never leaving.”
Okay. That’s kind of spooky.
She brushed off the remark. Lena was only being nice. “I doubt it, but okay. Would fifty a night be enough?”
“Honey, five a night would do. That and your company is all I want.” She whipped up a finger, silencing Kristal before she could argue. “Nope. Enough talk about money. It gives me indigestion. I’ve got to take care of an errand. In the meantime, you make yourself comfortable. Explore the house and feel free to use the kitchen to make yourself a meal. You’re on your own meal-wise.”
“But—”
Yet before she could tell her five dollars was far too little, Lena spun around and, with the quickness any feline would’ve admired, she was at the stairs and hurrying down them.
“Wow. Talk about fast.”
She waited until she was sure Lena was downstairs then shut the door. Although she hadn’t gotten any help from Lena, maybe she could gather information from some of the other citizens in town. Besides, she wouldn’t mind getting the lay of the land, especially if she got lucky and ran into the Conroy brothers again.
She sat in the rocker and gazed out the window. What had she felt with them? Something had whipped over her the moment Darion’s gaze had met hers. Like an electric shock, it had seared into her and brought every inch of her body to attention. Her mouth had gone dry as her pussy had wept. Her legs had shaken and she’d almost dropped her phone. If the sun had exploded overhead, she doubted it would’ve drawn her attention away from them.
On top of the weird, tantalizing feeling, she’d gotten a deeper, down-to-her-core impression that she knew them. Not what their likes or dislikes were, but on a more instinctual level. As though her soul had touched theirs and recognized them as being part of her.
Soul mates. I must really be tired.
She gripped the arms of the chair. That was all it was. It had to be. Yet, as hard as she tried to convince herself, she couldn’t.
Then there was the attraction. They’d turned her on, harder, faster than any man ever had. All without touching her. Being tired couldn’t explain away the sensation.
She didn’t know what it was or what to call it. The only thing she was sure of was that she wanted to feel it again. And soon. If she didn’t, the need inside her, the yearning that kept getting stronger, would drive her crazy.
“Wow,” she whispered. “What the hell is going on?”
* * * *
Roar was like a million other small bars. The wooden counter ran the length of the back wall flanked on either side by a hallway. Bottles rested on glass shelves in front of a huge marble-cracked mirror. A big guy manned the bar while a couple of waitresses swayed around the interior, joking and laughing with customers as they delivered drinks. Like most of the other barstools, the leather of her seat was split showing the stuffing.
At least, Kristal thought Roar was like all the rest until she took a good look around. Or maybe it was the customers that gave the place a unique feeling. They were dressed in typical casual Texas wear, with long-sleeved shirts rolled up or graphic T-shirts. Jeans and boots were the norm for both women and men. Yet the way they lounged in their chairs, almost as though their bodies were devoid of any bones, seemed different. They were relaxed beyond what most people could achieve, yet an underlying energy emanated from them.
They’d checked her out as she’d entered, but she’d expected them to. She was a stranger in a small town. Of course they’d be curious. Yet the curiosity didn’t fade after a few minutes. Although they didn’t stare, she could sense their eyes on her, watching her, following her movements like…
Like what?
She searched her mind, trying to think of what they reminded her of. The Conroy men had given her the same impression, but how could so many people do the same?
What is it? Where have I seen this before?
When the idea struck her, she couldn’t help but grin. The look they gave her, the way they slouched yet seemed ready to pounce reminded her of Bootsie, her neighbor’s cat. Bootsie had a way of sneaking up on her, catching her unaware with her big golden eyes fixed on her, staring straight through her as though Kristal was both intriguing and boring.
What was the deal with cats and Twisted?
“Name’s Purdy. Welcome to Roar. What can I get you?”
She swiveled around. Purdy was a burly kind of guy with dark hair and eyes. His belly bumped against the side of the bar. The T-shirt he wore sported a white tiger holding a dead bird between its jaws. “How about an Appletini?”
Aside from one eyebrow shooting upward, he didn’t move, didn’t even change his expression. “Lady, this ain’t Dallas. We’ve got beer in bottles or on tap. Now, let me ask again. What can I get you?”
“How about you choose the beer?”
He sighed into a resigned frown. “Whatever.” He tugged on the spigot, filled a tall glass then set it in front of her. “That’ll be four-fifty.”
She slid a ten dollar bill in front of him. “Can I ask you a question?”
“You can. Not promising I’ll answer.”
She smiled, hoping to tame his gruff attitude. “Have you ever seen or heard of anyone having a big cat in the area?”
The sounds of people talking and laughing died, leaving only the country song from the jukebox filling in the quiet. Not wanting to turn around and face them, she glanced in the mirror and found everyone watching her. Not in the curious way they’d done before, but with more intensity, maybe even a little animosity.
Purdy scowled, sliding his black gaze around the room. The others went back to what they’d been doing. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Someone told me they saw a white tiger about ten miles outside Twisted.”
“Did he see an elephant and a giraffe, too? I’m missing both of mine.”
She wouldn’t let his sarcasm throw her. “He showed me a video of it.”
His smirk died. “Lady—”
“My name’s Kristal. Nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand. A hand he ignored.
“Kristal, you’ve got to be kidding. You don’t look like you’re a fool, but if you believe everything you see then let me help you out. There ain’t no big cats in Twisted. Someone’s trying to trick you. Looks like they’re getting the job done, too.”
She took his slight jab in stride. “If it’s a fake, then it was faked here. There’s a road sign with Twisted listed on it.”
He shrugged. “So? It’s still a fake.”
“I don’t think so.”
She glanced in the mirror again. Although everyone was acting normally, once in a while someone would glance her way.
They’re all listening.
“Okay, I’ll bite.” Purdy chomped his teeth together. “Why do you think it’s real?”
“I think someone got stupid, bought an illegal exotic cub, and tried to raise a pet tiger. Either they got frightened when it grew up and they turned it loose, or it got free on its own. It’s running wild in the middle of Texas.” She raised her voice. “Either way, don’t you think people would want it caught? I’d hate to see someone’s poodle as the cat’s appetizer. Or worse, their child as the tiger’s main course.”
Purdy tensed. The anger radiating from him was almost palpable. “Not all big cats are killers, you know.”
“Uh, yeah. They can be. If they get hungry enough.”
“So if it was up to you, every big cat would get locked up? Put in a cage to wither and die?
”
“I didn’t say that. But there is a public safety concern to consider, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. But I don’t like throwing animals into cages.”
Why was he taking it so personally? Unless, of course, he knew more than he was saying. The man obviously liked white tigers. Could he be the cat’s owner?
Although his anger had dissipated a little, he was still intense, bordering on scary defensiveness. He definitely knew something about the cat.
“Don’t you think a dangerous animal should be contained? Maybe sent to a zoo? Or, if possible, sent to live on a nature habitat? Maybe they could turn it back into the wild. They could even teach it to hunt and live on its own.” Giving alternatives to what they could do for the tiger didn’t seem to change his attitude. He was still pissed off.
It happened too fast for her to be sure, but she thought she saw flecks of amber color brighten his eyes then disappear. But that couldn’t be real.
“Look, Purdy, I’m not trying to get anyone in trouble. I just want to—” She froze, the next word lost in a whirlwind of emotions.
She felt them before she saw them.
They’re here.
She forgot about the tiger. She forgot about Purdy and the other people. Instead, she spun around and found herself up close and personal with Darion and David.
At once, her body came alive and yet relaxed. How she could feel both reactions was beyond her, but she liked it. Like she was safe in their presence yet turned on. If she’d been pressed for a description of her emotions, she would’ve sworn she could trust them and be afraid of them all at the same time. Yet the fear wasn’t anything she’d run from.
The contradictory emotions raged inside her, pulling and pushing at her to take hold of them and bring them closer. Her mind, on the other hand, warned her to stay away. They mixed her up, inside and out, with her libido revving and her mind spinning.
