“To run us off from our job.” Conservationists could be a passionate lot. Militant, even. And she’d been extremely confrontational this morning.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she countered. The arrogance in her manner had returned. “I was out for a walk and got spooked when you came outside. I’ll be on my way now.”
That woman, spooked? He snorted. “You’re lying.”
“Believe what you will.”
She turned away, and he grabbed the handle of the backpack slung across her shoulders. Damn, it looked heavy, as if it were loaded with rocks. “Not so fast. What you got in there?”
“None of your business.”
She tried jerking out of his grasp, but he held firm. “It is my business when you’re sneaking around on my land.”
“You got a property title? ’Cause I’m pretty sure this land belongs to Jeb. Not you.” A nasty smile curled her full lips.
She’d cunningly boomeranged his own words from their earlier encounter. “A technicality. We’re renting, which gives me a reason to legally be here. Now, why are you slinking around our home?”
“I told you already.” With surprising strength, she pulled away from his grasp. “If you want to call the cops or something, be my guest. I happen to know the sheriff.”
Terrific. She had connections with some Bubba local law enforcement dude. And trouble with the authorities was the last thing they needed. The locals here could call the cops in Montana, and information might get exchanged about a series of unsolved murders. He and his pack were innocent of wrongdoing, but it was as if a toxic miasma clouded their reputations.
“We can settle this between the two of us, no need for the police,” he replied. “For the last time, what are you doing here?”
“And if I don’t change my answer?”
Maddening. What a shrew. Her eyes flashed, and her chest rose and fell with her hot-tempered breathing. Ah, but she was sexy as all get-out. His gaze focused in on the cleavage exposed by her deep, V-cut shirt. A leather-fringed and beaded necklace, with some sort of woven charm, settled in the space between her rounded breasts. He couldn’t help it. Payton reached a hand out, as if his bones were made of steel and the necklace a magnet pulling him closer. He touched it, his fingers lightly brushing her skin.
Heat sparked his fingertips and spread throughout his body, and he dropped the necklace and stepped backward. For a brief instant, he caught a returning fire banked in Tallulah’s widened eyes—until animosity again took its place.
“What’s that on your necklace?” he asked, trying to break the tension.
“A miniature dream catcher I wove. And don’t you dare touch me again like that.”
Did he imagine it, or did her voice sound a tiny bit husky? His desire doubled, and an erection began to strain against his jeans. Here was an opportunity. He dared all right.
Payton stepped closer to her, their bodies inches apart. She didn’t retreat.
“You felt it, too, didn’t you? A spark between us when we touched?”
She skirted the question. “I loathe everything about the work you do.”
“But I’m not my job. I’m a man and I find you...very intriguing.”
“Don’t you mean maddening instead of intriguing?”
“Flip sides of the same coin. Can we call a truce?”
Tallulah crossed her arms. “I’m not one to back away from my principles, not for you, not for any man. Besides, there’s something strange going on around here.”
“Only strange thing from where I stand is that I found you slinking around in the dark with only a stupid story to explain your presence.”
“It’s not stupid. I often walk the woods in the evening,” she insisted.
“Ridiculous and unsafe. Perhaps I can coax the truth from you,” he said hoarsely. He bent his head, and she still didn’t budge.
A sure sign she felt the same chemistry as he did.
Because of the transient nature of his job, he didn’t allow himself to become too emotionally invested in any woman. But physically...that was another matter. What would this woman be like as a lover? Passionate, no doubt. If he could put up with her saucy tongue.
His mouth found hers.
Despite his calculated move, doubt assailed him. What the hell was he doing?
She pressed her full lips against his and groaned softly. The sound undid him—it had been too long since he’d been with a woman. He placed his hands on the sides of her waist and drew her even closer. Damn, she felt good. No, not good...great. Fantastic. They’d be perfect in bed together.
“Stop.” Tallulah stepped out of his arms.
Payton blinked at the unexpected emptiness and his hands fell to his sides. Even for him, he’d assumed too much, too quickly. He’d been carried away with passion from a mere kiss. What was the matter with him? “Sorry. Too much, too fast?”
She regarded him for several heartbeats. “You don’t know me. You don’t even like me.”
No denying that. He gave her a lopsided smile. “You’re growing on me.”
Her mouth trembled, as if she were about to smile, but she pressed her lips into a frown. “I have my own doubts about you, too. Am I crazy, or did a wolf enter your farmhouse about ten minutes ago?”
Chills doused the fever her body had created, and he became aware of the rain running in rivulets down his arms and face. Tallulah’s words plunged him back into reality. Apprehension replaced desire in a heartbeat.
“A wolf?” he repeated stupidly, buying time. “Not supposed to be any wolves in this part of the country.”
She crossed her arms. “Exactly. That’s what I thought. But I know what I saw.”
So someone had slipped out into the woods and shifted. A violation of the new pack rules. As a precaution, Matt had ordered that they only shift in pairs. That way, if one of them developed the lycanthropic fever, it would be impossible to hide the symptoms of their bloodlust from each other while in wolf form. Yet someone had violated the alpha’s edict. Why?
“You thought wrong,” he stated flatly, trying to create doubt and throw her off. “A wild animal wouldn’t let you get that close. It’d smell you a mile off.”
How had she managed to see this? Now that he thought of it, her human smell had been faint when he stepped outside. It should have been much stronger. Tallulah held his gaze, unflinching and challenging. He rubbed his chin, studying her exotic beauty. She was a mystery, a most unusual female. “I’ve never met a woman quite like you.”
“No,” she quickly agreed. “You have not. Now about that wolf—”
“There is no wolf.”
“Was.”
“Wasn’t.”
The rain picked up, and leaves rustled in the heightened wind. They stared at each other, bristling like wary dogs.
“We appear to have reached an impasse,” he said at last. Apparently, there was no changing her mind with mere words.
Tallulah held up a hand and stared up at the rain. “For now. I’ll be on my way.”
He couldn’t let her escape so quickly. Know your enemy. He had to win her trust, find out more about her. Ensure her silence if needed. “Wait. We started off on the wrong foot. It’s ugly out here, let me make it up to you by giving you a lift home.”
Tallulah hesitated. Was his presence so distasteful now that she’d rather wander home—alone at night—in the rain? “C’mon,” he said cajolingly. “Don’t be stupid.”
Her chin jutted forward in a now-familiar gesture, and she opened her mouth—no doubt the precursor to some sharp retort. Calling her stupid was no way to win her over. Time for damage control. Payton flashed his most charming smile. “What kind of gentleman would let a lady walk home at night in a storm?”
“How about the same gentleman who called a lad
y stupid?”
He bowed gallantly. “My bad. Please let me drive you home, or I’ll worry about you all night.”
“Yeah, right,” she said with a snort. “You’re not exactly my idea of a knight in shining armor.”
He kept his smile in place, although it took great effort. “I have a feeling your standards run extremely high. Besides, no one could mistake you for a damsel in distress.”
“Damn right. I can take care of myself.”
With that, she turned on her heel and started down the gravel driveway, her back ramrod straight. Same posture as that morning when she’d left the work site in a huff. The rain picked up, saturating her hair and clothes, making her appear sleek and even more sexy. Tallulah didn’t even hurry her pace. A woman used to the elements, impervious to nature’s nuances.
It appealed to his inner, primal wolf. That hidden part of himself that was also at one with the night and the land. His pulse raced as he imagined the two of them in some hidden forest glade, naked and wet, making love under a full moon as rain caressed their bodies.
He blinked, coming out of his hormonal trance. Damn, if she didn’t do the weirdest things to his mind. Tallulah was already at the end of the drive and stepping out onto the road. Payton ran a hand through his soaked hair and dug the truck keys out of his pocket. Quickly, he jumped in the truck, cranked up the engine and eased out of the tangle of vehicles.
Tallulah never even turned around as he pulled up beside her on the road. He unrolled the passenger side window.
“Get in,” he barked.
She kept her face forward, her angular profile set in stone. “No, thank you.”
Son of a bitch. Payton shifted to Park, scrambled from the truck and marched in front of Tallulah, blocking her direct path. Just as she had blocked him this morning on the skidder. “C’mon, Tallulah. This is ridiculous.”
It wasn’t just a matter of getting wet. It was dark, and a member of the pack had violated house rules by roaming in wolf form, so who knew if others were doing the same, and damn it, he couldn’t stand seeing a woman walk the streets alone at night. Even one as strong and stubborn as Tallulah.
A sudden thought floored him. “You aren’t afraid of getting in the truck with me, are you?”
“’Course not.” Her chin lifted.
Payton hid his smile and opened the passenger door. “Well then,” he said, gesturing her to enter. If he guessed correctly, she wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.
“I guess I could use a lift,” she said ungraciously, her mouth twisting. “If you’re sure.”
Tallulah climbed in the old Chevy and he shut the door, hurrying to the driver’s side and getting out of the pouring rain.
She sat as far from him as possible, her body jammed against the door. “Does the entire timber crew live out here?” she asked with a nod toward the farmhouse.
Payton shot her a sideways glance as he shifted into Drive and pulled away. Evidently, he wasn’t the only one fishing for more information. “We do. It’s more convenient that way. What about you? Do you live alone?”
“Yes.”
“No, Mister Silver?” he asked.
“Only my twin brother. No husband and no father.” She faced him, direct as usual. “You married?”
“Nope.” He could be as circumspect as she could.
They came to a stop sign. “Right or left?” he asked. “I need directions.”
“Take a right. I live about seven miles down this road.”
“Pretty long walk you took tonight,” he observed. And she was willing to walk that distance alone in the rain? Just to spite him?
“I’m in excellent health,” she said icily.
He surreptitiously glanced at the shirt clinging to her full breasts, the toned biceps of her arms, her long, lean legs. What he wouldn’t give to see her without clothing, to explore every inch of her fit, golden body. Something about her drove him wild, made him as sex-obsessed as a teenager hyped up on testosterone.
The windshield wipers beat out a steady rhythm, emphasizing the charged silence between them. Tallulah didn’t speak again for several minutes, and when she did, it was a curt instruction. “This is it. Slow down and turn on the next dirt road to your right.”
The unpaved road twisted and curved for at least a quarter mile. A wooden cabin appeared, surrounded by magnolias and oaks. Small, but not too rustic.
“Nice place.”
Her mouth curved into a genuine smile, the first one he’d seen. It transformed her into a radiant beauty. “Thanks. Tombi, my brother, built it. He’s a carpenter.”
One of her hands was already on the handle. She was ready to jump out and slip away into the dark night.
“Can I see you sometime?” he asked quickly, before Tallulah could make her escape. For all her bravery, she was on the skittish side. Somehow, he needed to earn her trust, discover if she harbored secrets, as he did.
She gave him a considering look. “It’s a small town. We can’t help but run in to each other again.”
Ruefully, he watched as she slammed the door shut, strode purposefully to the cabin and never once looked back. So much for making headway by acting charming and gallant. At least he knew where she lived, and that was a start.
Payton turned the truck around and went back down the driveway. You betcha I’ll run in to you, Miss Tallulah Silver. We have unfinished business.
Chapter 3
Tallulah scrambled out of her vehicle, clutching her coffee cup, and joined her brother and over a dozen of their friends—mostly fellow shadow hunters—where they gathered by the timber site.
Dawn had barely broken, but the logging crew would be arriving soon. She approached her twin. “What did you find out about this property?” she asked with no preamble.
“It belongs to Hank and Sashy Potts. Rumor is that they’re hoping to sell it to developers interested in building a strip mall and a storage warehouse on the outskirts of the bayou. They’re making it more attractive to them by clearing the land. And in the process, the couple are making a huge profit selling the timber.”
“This is Hank’s doing,” she said darkly. “Always was one to sell out for a quick buck.”
“You’re right about that. Sashy’s a decent sort of person, though.” Tombi raked a hand through his long black hair. “We might make more headway putting pressure on them than harassing the timber crew. Whether we like it or not, they’re just doing their job.”
She sipped her coffee and gazed at the gashed landscape. “No reason we can’t attack it from both ends.”
“Can’t be out here every day protesting,” Chulah said. “We all have jobs, including you.”
“There’s always the weekends,” she muttered.
Several vehicles pulled onto the side of the road, including a faded red Chevy truck. Payton and the other workers had arrived.
She watched as he jumped out of his truck and sauntered over their way, along with Matt, the crew supervisor. Her stomach gave an eager, betraying little lurch. If she’d hoped seeing Payton again in the broad light of day would make her come to her senses, she was dead wrong. If anything, the dawn’s light shining on his ash-blond hair and the hard flint of gunmetal-gray eyes made her toes curl. None of last night’s good humor or desire showed in his face today. In fact, he didn’t look at all pleased to see her. Had she really kissed this foreboding man last night? Felt his desire pressing against her abdomen?
Matt spoke first. “What are you all doing here?”
“Protesting the desecration of our land,” she said quickly. “I told you I’d be back with more people.”
“You got a permit for this demonstration?” Matt scowled, ignoring her as he stared at Tombi.
Two natural-born leaders seemed to recognize each other on some
primitive level. Must be some testosterone signals in the air.
“Don’t need one,” Tombi said levelly. “This strip of land we’re standing on is public property. We’re not on your work site.”
“Make sure it stays that way,” Matt said with a growl. “We don’t take kindly to intruders on our property.” He pinned her with a direct stare.
Tallulah’s gaze flew to Payton. So he’d told Matt she’d been at the farmhouse last night.
She drew her shoulders back and regarded Matt with a level stare. “If that’s a threat, you don’t scare me.”
“What’s all this about?” Tombi asked, puzzled.
“Payton caught her skulking behind one of our vehicles at the house last night. If there’s any damage to our vehicles or property, we know where to look.”
“It’s not your house, it belongs to Jeb Johnson,” she said hotly. “And I’d never destroy—”
Tombi cut her off. “None of us are going to hurt your stuff. That’s not our way.”
Matt huffed. “See that you don’t.” He aimed another glare at Tallulah, then stalked away.
“Well, that’s a fun start to the morning,” she drawled, staring accusingly at Payton.
“He has a right to know what’s going on.”
“I’d like someone to clue me into what’s happening,” Tombi insisted.
Payton raised a brow. “And you are...?”
“Tombi Silver, Tallulah’s brother.”
Payton extended a hand. “Nice to meet you. Tallulah spoke of you last night.”
Her twin shot her a quizzical look as he shook hands with Payton.
“We met yesterday when she stood in front of my skidder while I was doing my job,” Payton continued. His manner was calm and friendly. Damn him. “Then we ran in to each other again last night when I found her hiding behind one of our vehicles at the house.”
Her cheeks flamed. He was painting her in the worst possible light.
“Is that true?” Tombi asked her. His face grew rigid, which meant he was getting riled.
“Yes, but—”
“It won’t happen again,” Tombi said to Payton.
Bayou Wolf Page 3
