by Siobhan Muir
Jeff stopped behind the black lacquered bar and wiped down the glasses from the dishwasher so no water spots marred their surfaces. He wanted to snarl and hurl one of them across the room. Goddess, how long would it take for a decision to be made on the Luna candidates? He was going insane, although his insanity stemmed from his need to see Julianna more than the small annoyances offered by the other candidates.
Gritting his teeth, he closed his eyes and held perfectly still, his hands tight around one of the glass mugs meant for coffee. Goddess, he needed Julianna. Staying away from her, pretending he hadn’t already chosen his Luna, frayed his control. His temper shortened in direct proportion to his distance from his True Mate, and it hadn’t helped when he’d infuriated her at the party. Was that why she hadn’t been around? Was she avoiding him?
Oh, fuck, I hope I haven’t screwed up that badly.
Panic and despair surged through him, but he refused to be swept along in its wake. He didn’t know what she was thinking or feeling. He hadn’t seen her. He couldn’t just let his fears take over. There was still time. No one had passed all the tests yet to his knowledge. His father would have told him if one had. All he had to do was wait for Julianna to pass. Then this farce would end, and he’d have her in his arms.
And in your bed where she belongs.
Controlling the surge of lust, Jeff took a deep breath and smoothed his expression, opening his eyes. He’d been doing a lot of that lately, especially after the party two weeks ago. Julianna had left him with aching balls and his heart pounding like the Light Brigade riding into the Valley of Death. Damn, she was magnificent, even at the cost of my testicles! Despite the fire in his groin, he’d wanted to pounce on her and screw her to the wall. But she’d sailed out the door and disappeared for the last two weeks.
Two long, excruciating weeks.
She hadn’t even come into town, much less the bar, and he was burning for her. He drove past her house on his way to the homes of the other Candidates, always slowing down to see if she was in her apartment over her mother’s garage, but the lights were always off, and he didn’t dare knock on her door.
The separation was killing Jeff, though some part of him knew being near Julianna was almost worse. She inflamed his senses, and her scent begged him to take her somewhere private and please them both. He hadn’t known she was a Moon Singer eighteen years earlier, but now that he did, it seemed as if he’d been waiting all that time for her to come back into his life. Now she was nowhere to be found. His dick complained he should’ve fucked her while at his father’s house, but he clenched his jaw tight enough to give him a headache and tried to think of something else.
He looked around the bar, searching for anything that might take his mind off his missing candidate, but nothing grabbed his attention. Everything around him reminded him of her, and he set the glasses down before he broke them.
Sweep the floor, maybe? No, been done. Wash the bar? No, it was clean. Go help stack the boxes in the backroom? No, Kyle and the others would smell his desperation.
Shit.
He threaded his way through the tables and chairs, checking on the candles in the little holders, which were all new, and finally stalked to the front windows to scan the street outside. His mind wished he could see Julianna’s sexy body striding through the late morning sunshine, her nearly black hair catching the light, and he put his hands on the windowsill to lean his forehead against the cool glass.
“Where are you?” he whispered.
As if the Lady Moon had heard him, Julianna Morris strode past the window in sunlit glory. She wore a deep green blouse that hugged her generous curves, highlighting new muscles in her arms and shoulders. Her butt flexed under light blue denim capris, and he wanted to run his hands over her ass to feel if the muscles were as tight as they appeared. She wore her brown-black hair in a ponytail that bounced along behind her with each stride. The beauty in every step she took taunted him with the strength inherent in her body. He felt himself being dragged toward the doors of the bar by her magnetism, his cock hardening as he moved. Damn, the woman had him on a leash, and she didn’t even know it!
“Tell Kyle I’ll be back in a little bit!” he yelled as he spotted Zach, knocking over a couple chairs in his haste to get out into the street.
There she was, still striding away from him, as tempting as a desert mirage. He threw his dignity to the winds and sprinted down the sidewalk after her, his heart beating way too fast for the short distance he covered behind her. He’d almost reached her when she spun around and slid to one side, almost out of reach. If he’d been anyone but a west of left fielder, he would’ve missed her completely. Instead, he stopped like he’d come to the end of his tether and grinned at her inanely.
“Julianna,” he gasped. “I, uh, I saw you pass by the bar and wanted to catch you.”
“Catch me?” she asked with a frown.
Jeff realized he sounded like he was trying to round up horses.
“Yeah, you know, catch you before I missed you. I haven’t seen you in two weeks and I, uh, well, I just wanted to see how you were getting along since your dad’s death.”
Smooth, jackass, just remind her of the saddest day in her life since she got home. Why don’t you ask her about her ex-husband while you’re at it? Then you could insult her mother and make it perfect!
“Oh, I’m okay, I guess,” she replied, though she looked tired.
He heartily wished he could take her home and tuck her into his bed, making sure she got enough rest so, when she woke up in his arms, he could fuck her into exhaustion once more. She’d moan and writhe beneath him, and her glorious almost-black hair would fan out over his pillows. He’d run his fingers through it as she sucked his cock, letting the cool strands slide out of his hands to fondle her perfect breasts.
Man, you gotta get a grip!
“Thanks for asking,” she said, and he jerked back to reality from his fantasy. “I’ve been trying to come to grips with everything.” When he frowned in confusion, she added, “Now that Dad’s gone and all that happened at the party. I’ve had a lot to think about.”
His cock reminded him how she’d felt under his hands that night. “I guess you would. Hopefully, it wasn’t all bad, though.”
She just looked at him a minute with her light brown eyes, and he mentally smacked his forehead for sounding like a complete idiot. Wasn’t all bad? She’d kicked his ass and left angry. Was she still furious with him? He felt like a nervous teenager on his first date. Where had his cool gone? Where was the polished Successor? Why couldn’t he talk to her like he could to the other candidates?
Because you’d rather be laying her down on your bed and licking the hell out of her than talking to her.
Holy Mother Moon, I am so screwed!
“No, not all bad, I guess,” she replied, and he heard hesitancy in her voice. “It’s a big responsibility to be chosen as a candidate. It was more than I expected after the funeral. To be brutally honest, it scares me a little. I’ve never thought of myself as a leader, and I’ve never had so many people depending on me to get something right.”
Julianna looked distant and strained, lines etching the edges of her full lips. Jeff wished he could wrap her up in his arms, using his strength to protect her from all the things hurting her. She grabbed her ponytail in an endearing nervous gesture, and his eyes caught sight of something dangling below her wrist.
Dear Goddess, is that…?
Before he could stop himself, he caught her hand and held it between them so he could see what hung from her arm. She yelped in surprise, but didn’t fight him as he drew her hand up to his eyes.
Under her wrist, on a long black cord she’d wrapped around it, hung a silver Celtic wolf’s head pendant matching his own. The aquamarine chips in the eyes glittered in the morning sun, and he recognized the small notch in the left ear from having stared at it for years and years. The pendant had belonged to his mother when she was Luna, and he’d completely fo
rgotten about it until now.
“Where did you get that?” he demanded.
Her eyes widened even more, and she glanced at the pendant quickly before they narrowed in anger.
“Where do you think I got it?” she snapped, jerking her hand free. “It’s my token from your father. He gave it to me before you jerked me into a dark hallway trying to rape me into submission, remember?”
“The Alpha gave you that token? But that was my mother’s.”
Her expression dissolved into chagrin. “Your mother’s? Oh, God, I had no idea. Do you want it back?”
“Back?” he repeated stupidly, then jump-started his brain. “No. No, if the Alpha gave it to you, you should keep it until…until a decision is reached.” He closed his hands around her wrist and held the pendant against her coppery skin. “I’m just surprised he’d give this pendant to anyone. He loved my mother to distraction. Her death was like a big hole ripped in his world, and he’s been harder and colder because of it. Everything he had of hers he kept close. I haven’t seen this pendant since her death.”
Jeff stopped, swallowing around the sudden lump in his throat. “He must think pretty highly of you to give you this token.”
Julianna stared back at him for a long moment of silence, and he damn near fell into her eyes. Tiny golden flecks in the irises caught the light like buried treasure beneath her dark arching brows. How the hell could she be so sexy just standing there? Her skin was soft in his calloused hands, and her scent seared his nostrils until the world fell away. He wanted to wrap her body up in his arms and never let go.
“I hope you think pretty highly of me, too.”
He grinned. “I don’t think of anything or anyone else. ‘Highly’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
A winsome smile slid over her lips, transforming her from merely beautiful to exquisite. She had an unusual ring of beauty marks around her left eye, but it gave her an exotic air that turned him on. He almost grabbed her, pulling her against his body and crushing her lips with a bruising kiss, but his good sense prevailed. Barely.
I want to kiss her! his Brother whined.
Yeah, but I don’t want her to kick me in the balls again.
She’d at least be close.
“Good,” she stated with satisfaction. He felt heat bloom in his chest. “It’s about time.”
He laughed. “Yeah, well, sometimes I’m a little slow on the uptake.”
“Better late than never.”
“So, are you free this evening?” Not that slow.
“I’m sorry?”
“I’d like to take you out to dinner tonight.”
“You would?” Then she glanced around to see if anyone was watching them. “Aren’t you supposed to visit with all the other candidates, rather than just me?”
“What do you think I’ve been doing while you were gone for two weeks?” he demanded incredulously, then bit his tongue with a grimace. What was wrong with him? “Sorry. Yes, I have to visit with all the candidates, but I’ve spent the last two weeks socializing with them, and I haven’t seen you once. I figure I have to make up for the last two weeks.”
Her smile bloomed again. “Did you meet with the other candidates in public?”
“Actually, we had dinner at their homes, with their families in residence, so we were definitely not alone.”
“Would you prefer to have dinner at my place, then?”
He’d love nothing better, but he knew the mating heat would give them no quarter, and he wouldn’t be able to stay away from her. They’d end up with his cock in her pussy, and the whole pack would know it. Probably before they’d even finished.
She saw his hesitation and blushed, embarrassed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be so forward.”
Jeff reached out and stroked her cheek with one finger, trying to ignore his body’s feverish reaction to her closeness. “I’d love nothing better than to be alone in a room with you, but I’m not sure I could control myself, and you know why I have to, even if I’d choose differently.”
“Yes, I do, even if I’d choose differently, too,” she said with a bittersweet smile. “Another time, then.”
“Only at your place. Tonight, I’d like to take you out. Still want to go? We could take my Camaro.”
Her eyes sparkled as she laughed, and he reveled in the sound. “You will finally take me out somewhere in your black Camaro? I’ve always wanted to see the inside of that car.”
I’ve always wanted to see the inside of your pussy! He had to think of changing the oil on said Camaro before he gave himself away.
“Great, then dinner it is,” he replied instead, smiling and hoping it didn’t look strained. “I’ll pick you up about seven o’clock and we’ll go to—”
“The Sawmill?”
“Better not. One of the other candidate’s family owns that restaurant, and it’d be awkward for them to see us together. It’s best to keep the meetings discreet even if everyone knows they’re happening.”
“Right, sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” She flipped her ponytail with her hand again. “Where would you rather go?”
“How about to Wipple? I know a fairly decent restaurant there that’s good.”
“What, the Sonic isn’t really your style?”
Jeff snorted derisively. “Much as I like burgers, Sonic just doesn’t say commitment to me. It says something more like ‘I’m a pimple-faced geek who wants to show off his high school girlfriend everyone said he’d never get’. I’m a little too old for that.”
She laughed, and he felt his cock harden again. Damn, I’m gonna have blue balls for a week! He loved to hear her laugh, and he couldn’t wait to make her do it again.
“Okay, Wipple it is, then. Casual or fancy?”
“Casual,” he said promptly, hoping she’d keep on the clothes she wore now.
“Okay.”
She seemed to be working up to say good-bye until the evening. Desperate to spend more time with her, he blurted, “So where are you going now?”
“I was going back home. Why?”
“Can I walk you?”
Julianna snorted with humor. “It’s not like it’s dark or far. I think I can make it. Besides, aren’t you at work?”
Jeff shrugged one shoulder. “They can keep the place together for a few minutes without me.” He winked at her. “You said it’s not far.”
She laughed. “Okay, Jeff, you can walk me home. Are you sure you aren’t a pimple-faced geek with his high school girlfriend?”
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” he retorted as he fell in beside her, and she grinned. “So, where have you been for the last two weeks? I haven’t seen you around town at all.”
“I’ve been hanging out with Sebrina. She’s been teaching me about…”
Her voice trailed off, and she turned her head to scan the street ahead. He scented her uncertainty and wished he could reassure her. About what, he didn’t know, but he’d move heaven and earth to settle any fears she had.
“She’s been filling me in on the events within Callowwood for the years I’ve been gone. She’s had some pretty interesting stories.”
Jeff snorted. “I bet. I’m probably in most of them.”
Julianna looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Not in the ones she’s been telling me. Is there something I should know about you, Jeff?”
He widened his eyes in mock fear and put up his hands. “Oh no! No, no. Nothing you need to know.”
“Right.”
She matched his grin, but it soon faded as she fell back into the thoughtful silence he’d interrupted when he caught her on the street. He could tell her mind was on something, but she didn’t wear her thoughts on her sleeve. He frantically searched for something to say to keep the conversation from stagnating.
“So, have you been working since you’ve come home?”
Yeah, okay, not the best line, but it was all Jeff could come up with on short notice.
“Hmm? Oh, no, but I’ve been thinking about
getting a job to help Mom out with the property taxes.”
“A job? What kind of job?”
“I was hoping to find some place with a managerial position available,” Julianna mused with a shrug. “I might as well use the things I learned while in Reno and Fresno to keep Mom and me afloat.”
“I think I might be able to help you with that,” he heard himself say, though he had no idea where it came from.
“You do?”
“Yeah, I just happen to have a bar that needs a good manager.”
She eyed him for a moment. “Isn’t that what your job is?”
“No, I’m the owner.” Who is this guy using my voice? “I oversee payroll and ordering, maintenance, and security. I need a good manager who can oversee scheduling the wait staff, bartenders, and bouncers, and make decisions on the floor when I’m not available.” Whoever he is, the guy sounds really confident.
Julianna bit her bottom lip while she considered Jeff’s suggestion as they walked. He desperately wished she was biting his bottom lip in passionate lovemaking.
“Are you serious or are you just teasing me? I don’t want to come in for a job that belongs to someone else and find out I’m kicking them to the curb. Is this job for real or something you just made up on the fly?”
How to answer that one honestly? In truth, Jeff had been thinking of hiring someone to take over some of the duties bogging him down. He got less and less done at the bar with all the other odd jobs cropping up. Maintenance was a big one. But he’d forgotten about it in all the commotion over the Luna candidacy. Now the idea seemed a great one when Julianna mentioned looking for a job in a managerial capacity.
“I don’t have a manager right now,” he admitted, “but I’ve been thinking about hiring one because there’s so much to do and I can’t be everywhere at once. I could really use the help. So the job is made up on the fly right now, but I do need someone to fill the position. You think you might be interested?”
“I’m interested if it’s real,” she agreed slowly, nodding. “Should I send you my resume and other credentials so you can make it official without it looking like you’re just trying to get into my pants?”
