by Jane Jamison
She felt it, all right. That much was easy to see. Need was blatantly exposed in her expression, and he could feel the lust-filled heat warping off her body. He could smell her arousal as it grew steadily stronger. He ached to slide her hand between her legs. If he held her long enough, would she spread her legs willingly?
But then, of course, she had to go and screw it up.
“Put me down, you big ape.” She shoved against him hard, and when he didn’t turn her loose, she pounded against him, once then twice, but he held on. Her strikes were no more powerful than a feather repeatedly blown against his chest.
“I’ll set you down, but you’re going to listen to reason.”
Her eyes, as captivating as any seductress’s, narrowed. She relaxed, seemingly to soften, to give in. Her eyes glazed over, clouding with lust. Blinking, she abruptly shook her head as though trying to clear her mind. “Fine. But put me down first. Then I’ll listen.”
He doubted that either one of them wanted him to put her on the floor. Doubted that either one of them wanted to turn loose of the other. She still clung to him, her grip tightening as though she could hang on forever. Unless, of course, it was to spread her legs and take her right then and there. But that wouldn’t do. Not after what he’d said about making a fool of herself. Although a mate taking another mate had happened before in the bar, he wouldn’t take his mate in the front of everyone else. He’d show more respect for her. He set her down, but did so in a not so gentle way. She wavered on her feet at the abrupt drop, but he steadied her before finally turning her free.
“No lady should be dancing on top of the bar. You don’t know what you’re doing. Look around you. Do you think these guys give a damn about how good you are at dancing? Can’t you see what they really want? Look at their faces.”
She glanced around her, but didn’t seem fazed. “Is that all you have to say? Are you worried for my reputation, my virtue? Or are you interested in something else, too? Maybe the same thing they’re interested in?” Her tongue peeked from between her lips, enticing him.
He didn’t bother denying it. After all, she was right. She’d probably see the truth on his face. He wanted exactly what everybody else wanted. The difference was, however, that he was her mate. And, hopefully, his brother was her mate, too. Hopefully, she felt the connection with all three of them. “I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to keep you out of trouble.”
“Malia, listen to him,” said Darrold.
Mike ached when she turned her beatific smile on his cousin. “Did you like what you saw, Darrold?” Her words were slightly slurred, but still held the allure of a temptress. Obviously, she’d been drinking. Her alcohol consumption had probably given her the courage to get on top of the bar.
“I sure as hell did,” answered Darrold. “I liked it a whole lot.”
She turned her smile toward Mike, and if the smile hadn’t been tainted with irritation, he would’ve been at her mercy. Men had died for less than her smile. “Do you believe in werewolves, too? Darrold does. And he’s going to show me one. Is that why you’re here? Are you guys going to show me a werewolf?” Her laugh was light, airy. “Like I believe they’re real.”
Fuck. Mike shot a glare at Darrold. He wasn’t the only one glaring. Others around them sent hard looks Darrold’s way. “My cousin doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Uh-huh.” Her mesmerizing gaze narrowed. “So what do you think you’re doing?” She arched an eyebrow again. “Oh, that’s right. You’re only looking after me.”
“Now you’re getting it.”
“Oh, I’m getting it, all right. But now it’s your turn to get it.” She stabbed her finger in the middle of his chest. “I don’t care if you are my father, my brother, or my lover. I don’t care who you are. Nobody but nobody, no man, has the right to talk to me that way.”
The men around her moved closer, their murmurs growing louder, giving her the support she needed to take on a man his size. Mike scowled at his neighbors and friends. Didn’t they understand what was going on? He’d sure thought they had. And judging by their expressions, he knew that some of them did. But the way this was playing out was too entertaining for them to mess that up. He almost moaned when she stabbed him in the chest yet again. If he wrapped his hand around her finger then sucked on it, would she wrap her hand around his cock?
“Look, I don’t care how sex—” She stopped, realizing what she’d almost said. “Look, whoever you are—” she said.
“I told you before. The name’s Mike. Pay attention.”
She tossed her hair away from her shoulders, the gesture sending flames of desire to rack his body. Damn, how he wanted her.
“Okay, Mike. Like I was saying—so pay attention—I don’t care who you are. You don’t have the right to talk to me that way. Because, if I want to dance on the top of the damn bar, I’ll dance on the top of the damn bar.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she wasn’t letting him get a word in.
“And if I want to drink a ton of beer, then I’m going to drink a ton of beer.”
The crowd shouted their approval, cheering her on. He vowed that, whenever he saw any of those men on their own, he’d give them hell.
“And what’s more, if I want to kiss every damn man in this place, I’ll kiss every damn man in this place. Whether you like it or not.” For a moment, it seemed she realized what she’d said and thought she’d gone too far. Then, obviously growing reckless again, she smiled a little bigger and raised her hands into the air, gesturing the crowd to cheer her on. They happily obliged. She stabbed his chest again and brought her point home. “And what you want doesn’t mean a damn thing.”
The men around him went crazy, pounding their feet on the floor, raising their voices. Even some of the women cheered her on. She grinned, her gaze scanning the crowd, loving that they were supporting her. Milly stood nearby, watching carefully, yet staying oddly neutral.
“You’re being stupid.” He didn’t really think she was a stupid woman—he could see the intelligence in her eyes—but she was damn sure acting like one. “I will not allow you to do whatever you want.”
She gaped at him as though he’d lost his mind. “Man, you just don’t learn, do you?” Then, without warning, she turned to Johnny Acres, grabbed him by the collar, and tugged his mouth to hers.
The wolf inside Mike roared to life. His mate was kissing another man. The wolf demanded he pull her away from Johnny and tear the young man into shreds. Once the wolf had disposed of his rival, Mike would throw her on top of the bar and fuck her until she screamed his name.
If Byton hadn’t put his hand on his shoulder, he might’ve given in to the urge to kill. Instead, he fisted his hands and gritted his teeth.
He could barely get the words out, but at last, he did. “Johnny, back the hell off.” Not that he truly blamed the young man. After all, she’d grabbed him and kissed him. What red-blooded werewolf wouldn’t kiss her back? Still, the reason didn’t matter to his wolf. If Johnny didn’t back off fast, he’d shift and challenge Johnny for his mate.
Thankfully, Johnny wasn’t stupid. One look at Mike and he took hold of Malia’s shoulders and pushed her away. Amber flared in his eyes, showing he was turned on, but he knew the danger he was in. Quickly, Johnny stepped away, disappearing into the crowd.
Malia confronted Mike, fisting her hands on her hips. “Maybe you can scare him away, but you still can’t tell me what to do.”
Part of him was stunned at her assertiveness. Yet the animal part of him liked that she had defiance in her. Being a werewolf’s mate wasn’t easy. She’d have to have strength to stand up to them, to face the world should it learn of the existence of werewolves. But she had to learn her place with her mates and she had to learn it fast.
For a brief moment, she looked past him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Milly lower one leg. Why had she brought her knee up?
But it didn’t matter. He turned back to Malia, but as soon as h
e opened his mouth, she slapped her hand over it, reaching up high to do so.
“Be quiet. Try listening instead of talking for once.”
His wolf howled its displeasure and it took everything in him to hold the beast in check. Then, suddenly, she surprised him yet again, when she lifted up on her tiptoes, puckered her lips, and took her hand off his mouth. The crowd murmured, some encouraging her to kiss him.
Her lips came closer as he stared into her eyes. He could almost feel the softness of them and could breathe in her breath. Her tantalizing scent invigorated him, excited him, making his cock stiffen.
He wanted her more than he’d wanted anything in his life. More than eating. More than breathing. Her kiss would be only the beginning. As soon as her lips met his, he’d clutched her to him, lift her off her feet, and carry her out of the bar. Whether they made it home before he took her was the question. Yet would it matter? As long as they came together, he didn’t care where it happened. Even now, including the bar.
He leaned down, bringing his face closer to hers. He was ready. Oh, so ready.
Mike wasn’t the type to get caught off guard, much less sucker-punched. Yet she did just that.
With a swift movement, she brought up her leg, straight between his. For a moment, he wasn’t sure what had happened. At least, not until the pain seared to his crotch.
She bent over, following him as he put his hands over his crotch and leaned forward. Clutching his hair, she made him look at her. Quietly, softly, her light green eyes shining with victory, she said once again, “Don’t tell me what to do.”
Instead of him speaking, out came a cough. Shit.
With a wicked smile, she spun around and pushed her way through the crowd toward the front door. The crowd’s laughter followed her.
He was just beginning to straighten up when it occurred to him that neither Byton nor Darrold had helped him. He scowled at them, the gesture turning into a snarl. “What the hell were you two doing? Why didn’t you speak up?” He cast a hard look at Milly who had covered her mouth in a useless attempt to stop laughing.
Byton looked at Darrold. “Like you really would’ve wanted us to?”
Darrold laughed. “Besides, it was a hell of a thing to watch. Pure entertainment.”
Chapter Three
Malia sat on the front porch of the rental house thinking about the men. She’d gone to the bar hoping she’d see Darrold then had decided to indulge in some of the local fun. After having a few drinks—okay, maybe a few too many—she’d ended up in the bar, dancing to the music, feeling freer than she had in a very long time.
Dancing on top of a bar was something she never would’ve done until she’d made the decision to live it up, to do things she normally wouldn’t do. After all, her adventure wouldn’t be an adventure if she didn’t push herself out of her comfort zone.
Topping even that thrill, she’d not only seen Darrold again but had met—sort of—two other sexy men. All three men were major hotties and looked like cowboy fantasies come to life.
If Mike hadn’t yanked her off the bar, she might’ve fallen off when the sensation she’d felt earlier with Darrold hit her again. The feeling had swept through her, rattling her with a force that had weakened her knees. Attraction—no—outright primal need had taken hold of her.
Was Darrold the cause of it? Or had it grown even more powerful because of the other two men? The electricity of passion had wrapped around her, urging her to throw her body against theirs. If Mike hadn’t been such a tool by trying to order her around, she might’ve given into the compulsion. Even now, the sensation still lived inside her, urging her to find them and spread her legs for them.
Talk about getting out of my comfort zone! But wow. Oh, wow. Who knew I had it in me?
Not only was she experiencing new sensations and having a great time, she couldn’t remember a time when she’d had that much fun with Bill. The longer they’d dated, the less fun they seemed to have. Had the relationship turned too safe, growing too comfortable like an old shoe? Should she throw out the relationship like she would an old shoe? She felt guilty for even thinking she should.
Bill would’ve have blown a fuse if he’d seen her on top of the bar. But she was tired of living her life the way Bill wanted. Tired of not tossing caution aside and having some fun. He wasn’t a demanding boyfriend, but he was set in his ways and got upset whenever she didn’t go along with him. He wasn’t domineering. Just simply disapproving.
No. Don’t think about Bill. We were over a long time ago. I just didn’t know it. I bet he knows it, too, even if he hasn’t admitted it yet.
She shoved thoughts of Bill away, determined to do like Scarlett O’Hara and think about their relationship—or the lack of one—tomorrow.
Man, but those three men are amazing.
Sure, maybe she’d made a spectacle of herself, but who cared? She’d definitely gotten their attention. Maybe it hadn’t turned out the way she’d hoped, but, judging from the glint in their eyes, she was bound to get another chance to see them. Besides, dancing on the bar had been fun and she hadn’t hurt anybody.
A happy glow warmed her. Well, at least, I didn’t hurt anyone too much. Other than Mike, that is.
She’d enjoyed giving him what he deserved, even if it was a little too harsh. But what right did he have to tell her what to do? She didn’t even know the man, and yet he thought he could make the rules governing her actions?
Although she didn’t want a man controlling her, another part of her thought having a strong man was the way to go. Bill had seemed strong in the beginning, but the longer they’d dated, the less forceful he’d become. He seemed to be the less…manly. Every woman wanted a man who was forceful, strong, even primal at times. The trick was that he needed to know when to be forceful and when to back off.
Mike was big and strong and everything a woman could ever want in a man. The men with him were also yummy as hell. God knows she’d gone to the bar hoping she might run into Darrold. She thrilled at the idea of talking to him again, getting to know him better. The fact that he’d been with two stellar-looking men had made the chance meeting even better. God knows she was as attracted to them as a cat to catnip.
Still, maybe she should’ve been a little nicer. Maybe if she hadn’t had so much liquor in her, she might not have gotten antagonistic. Yet when Milly had motioned for her to knee Mike in the groin, she’d taken her friend’s advice and had reacted before thinking. Sure, it was a little too much, but he’d had it coming to him, right? Besides, she doubted it hurt him for long. She doubted much could hurt him for long.
I wonder how Mike’s doing. Should I apologize?
Yet apologizing didn’t seem quite right. It was his fault that he’d stuck his nose in her business.
Maybe I could call Darrold and find out if Mike’s okay? I bet Milly has his number. I hope I didn’t bruise his package.
From what she’d glimpsed, that would’ve been a damn shame. A real damn shame.
The three men were definitely men she’d like to get to know better. Not to cheat on Bill—was it cheating when they hadn’t had sex in several weeks or when the feelings were gone?—but just to show her around town and to tell her about the werewolf myths. Not that she actually believed such creatures existed. But it was a good enough excuse to have all three men act as her guides around Forever. She could pretend to believe and to want their protection.
Three big, strong men sticking close to me. Yeah. I need protection, but not from wolves.
She laughed as she stood and went inside the house. She knew what she was doing. She was making excuses like crazy. All she really wanted was to see the men again. And, although that made her feel guilty about Bill, she knew she couldn’t resist them. Something about those three men drew her to them. It didn’t make any sense, but sense wasn’t always the best thing to follow. Especially while on an adventure.
Tomorrow I’ll find them. I’m sure Milly or someone else will know how I can get ho
ld of them. Mike and I will smoke a peace pipe or whatever the hell they do around here and be all good.
Just then the phone rang. She glanced down and saw Bill’s number. Her hand hovered over the phone. She really should break it off with him. Yet instead of picking the phone up, she let it go unanswered.
* * * *
It hadn’t taken long for Malia to find out where the men were. After asking around town about Mike and Darrold, she’d found out that the other man was Mike’s younger brother, Byton Woodston. Then after a few more minutes of chatting with Milly, she’d gotten all the information she needed. Milly had been very helpful. At least until Malia had jokingly mentioned the existence of werewolves. Milly had then suddenly had “a problem” to deal with in the kitchen.
She’d thanked the café owner for directions to their ranch.
I’ll have to ask them where they got the name Dirty Dawg Ranch. Dog spelled DAWG, no less. There has to be a story behind the name.
She maneuvered the car around the bend and looked for a broken tree lying across part of the road. Why didn’t anybody remove the tree? It was a safety hazard. Someone driving around the bend might not see it in time and plow right into it. Yet, the tree had become a sign for the ranch.
There it is.
She pulled off the pavement onto a gravel road then stopped the car and reconsidered her actions. After last night, Mike might not appreciate her showing up unannounced. In fact, he might not appreciate her showing up at all. But she knew Darrold would. And, hopefully, Byton would, too. At least, she hoped they would. They’d looked like they could’ve eaten her up last night. She just hoped the attraction would still be there today.
Gripping and releasing the steering wheel, she gave her idea one last once-over then put the car back into drive and headed down the gravel road. She drove slowly, not wanting to kick up dirt that might signal the men of her arrival. Not that she really believed she could sneak up on them, but if she got lucky, the element of surprise might work in her favor. At the very least, she hoped she’d reach the house before Mike saw her and tried to run her off.
