by Jane Jamison
She chanced another glimpse at the young couple sitting at the table closest to her. The girl, wearing a cheerleader’s uniform with the head of a wolf emblazoned on the front, held hands with a teenage boy decked out in camouflage attire. Both were young and vital, happy and laughing, yet Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that they were watching her, sizing her up. But for what?
She finished her meal in a hurry then placed a five and some one-dollar bills on the counter.
“I guess you really were hungry.” Milly picked up the money and didn’t bother to add it.
“I was, and keep the change.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Milly shoved the cash into the pocket of her apron. “You be sure to come back again, okay?”
“I will. But maybe you could help me find someone.” In a second, the air filled with tension, and she forced herself to resist the urge to look around. Instead, she focused on Milly, who’d taken a step back and straightened to her full height. Somehow her smile seemed less friendly now.
“If I know him, I will. Who are you looking for?”
Emma handed her a paper containing the information for the rental. “I rented a house from a Mr. Jackson Carr. In fact, I paid up through the end of the year. Do you know where I could find him?”
A stirring among the crowd had Emma sliding off the stool, instinct telling her to be prepared to run. She braced her feet apart and held her ground. But why did she feel like she had anything to fear? Because the locals were curious?
Milly’s face held a dreamy expression. “Jackson Carr, huh?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“Not if you like hot, hunky, and all male. If you do, you’re going to love your new landlord.”
“Oh.” Her landlord was handsome. But what did it matter?
“His brothers, Jacob and Jayden, aren’t bad on the eyes either. I tell you what, Emma. Right here on Main Street, you’ll find the office of Forever Realty. I’m sure Jackson had Robert Virton handle the transaction. After all, there’s only the one realty company in town. Pop on over there and ask him to drive you out to the Carr Ranch.”
Emma took the paper back, thanked her, and rushed out the doors, relieved to get away from the others’ prying stares. Once outside, she stopped and dragged in a deep breath. “Good grief, Emma. You’re acting like you’re being chased by wild dogs.”
Shaking off the odd feeling, she hurried across the street to Forever Realty. Emma burst into the real estate office, almost knocking over a short, stocky man with huge, round glasses.
“Oh!” She stumbled backward as the little man jumped out of the way.
“Are you all right?” He reached for her, taking her by the elbow to steady her. “Here, take a seat. Can I get you some water?”
“No thanks. I’m fine.” She slid onto the chair on the other side of the huge mahogany desk, gathered her wits, and took in her surroundings. The office was one room, filled primarily with the oversized desk, a few chairs, and a filing cabinet. A window air conditioner sputtered and dripped water into a pot on the floor. Still, the humid heat cocooned her like a wet blanket. If anything, it was hotter in the office than it was outside under the grueling summer sun.
“Can I help you, miss?” He tilted his head back and forth as though studying her from different angles. Green eyes sparkled in a pleasant face. He shuffled around his desk, paused to squint at her, then plopped his rotund body onto his chair.
For a moment, she would’ve sworn his hair, what little there was of it, turned a soft purple. She blinked but saw only his balding head surrounded by tufts of graying black hair.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have barged in here like that. I’m Emma Rand. Are you Mr. Virton?”
A grin split his round face. “That I am. But please call me Robert. My old man was Mr. Virton. Did you say you’re Ms. Rand?” At her nod, he added, “Wonderful! We were hoping you’d show up today.”
“We?”
“The Carr brothers and the rest of us.”
Emma didn’t bother asking who he meant by the “rest of us.” Instead, all she wanted was to get to her rental home and move in. “Do you think I could have the keys and get settled? I’ve had a long drive, and I’d like to get some rest.”
Robert jumped to his feet. “Sure. No problem. I tell you what. I don’t have the keys on hand, but I’m sure Jacob does. Either that or he can call one of his brothers to get them. I just passed Jacob as I drove into town. He’s out in the pasture by the highway feeding cattle, and he might still be there. If you like, I can drive you. It’s on the way to the rental home anyway.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got my own car. I’ll let you lead the way, okay?”
He rubbed his hands together. “Sounds like a plan. Shall we go now?”
The energetic man was out of his chair and striding toward the door before she could answer. Emma followed him outside, where she got into her car, backed out of her parking space, then pulled behind his pickup truck as he waited in the middle of the road. He waved and started driving down Main Street.
Keeping behind Robert wasn’t a problem with only a few cars passing by. Keeping her nerves from getting the best of her? That was something else. Why did the fact that the Carr brothers were hot make her so nervous?
Ten minutes later and Robert pulled his pickup off the road and onto the shoulder. He honked two times then slid off his seat and stalked toward a wooden fence. Emma pulled her car behind his and joined him.
She searched the flat horizon but didn’t see anyone. “Are you sure he’s out here? Do you think he heard you honk? Maybe we should call or go by his place of work?”
Robert chuckled. “This is his place of work. Trust me. He heard. See? There he is now.”
Emma followed Robert’s tilt of the head and blinked. A horse and rider galloped across the pasture, eating up the distance with the long, easy strides of the beautiful animal. Dirt billowed up from the ground under the horse as it galloped toward them, but the rider didn’t bounce as so many riders did. Instead, he rode above the horse almost as though his body didn’t touch the saddle. His hat was pushed low on his head, his denim shirt and jeans highlighting his firm physique.
He pulled the large bay to a stop a few feet from the fence then turned the horse to the side. His long leg draped over the horse and drew her attention lower to the worn boot hooked in the stirrups. The man, his eyes shaded by the hat, sat with his wrists crossed on top of the saddle horn.
Emma could feel his gaze on her, could almost touch the power radiating from him. She tried to look away and found she couldn’t.
The beautiful horse snorted but stood still as the cowboy swung his leg over and dismounted in one graceful movement.
Emma’s breath hitched in her throat, and she wondered if she was dreaming. Like a hero right out of a Western movie, Jacob Carr sauntered over to her, his boots kicking up dirt. His stride, like the horse’s, was long and easy, and she couldn’t help but let her gaze drop to the silver belt buckle so close to his crotch. Her mouth dried up as her imagination took over. If the rest of his strong, masculine body was any indication, he was powerful between the legs, too. She jerked her gaze away from temptation and fought to calm her racing heart. The electricity oozing from him, however, wouldn’t let her focus go anywhere except on him.
Dark eyes latched onto her then slid inside her to strike a match to a flame she’d thought had burned out long ago, long before her ill-fated romance with Brian. A lean face led to a strong chin. Dark stubble covered the square jawline, over and around the sensual lips. Short brown hair framed his face then curled around his ears. He walked like a man who knew who he was and how he fit into the world. A raw power oozed from every pore, and sexuality surrounded him like a haze of lust. He looked like he’d just walked off a billboard and into her life.
He nodded at Robert then wrapped the horse’s reins around the top post. “Good to see you, Robert.”
A fresh roll of heat swept t
hrough her, almost buckling her knees. Wetness flooded between her legs, dampening her panties. Her pulse pounded in her ears, an echo to the rhythm she felt quickening her clit. A quick image of him lying between her legs made her moan. Startled that she’d made the noise out loud, she dipped her head and concentrated on regaining her equilibrium. If that was even possible.
“Emma Rand, this is Jacob Carr.”
His name didn’t do him justice. But then again, what name would? Yet when he offered her his hand, she almost fainted. What was it about the man that had her willing to beg for his touch? She’d never been one to care about a man’s appearance. Instead, she’d always gone for the intelligent man, the man who could feed her mind and soul. Yet, although she didn’t know him, she was certain he could feed not only her mind and soul but her body as well.
She took a deep breath and slid her shaking hand into his.
The heat that had started at first sight leapt even higher, lashing into a blazing firestorm. A burning sizzle zipped up her arm and into the rest of her body, but she didn’t try to take her hand away. She’d suffer the torture of a thousand flames for his touch. Her pussy creamed, and her legs weakened.
Holy crap. She flicked her tongue over her upper lip then yanked her hand away. Get a grip, Emma.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Rand.”
Had her name ever sounded better? The voice was silk bedsheets and wet sex rolled into one. It was smooth yet had a tantalizing edge that could overwhelm any woman.
“Please, call me Emma.” Hell, he could call her anything he wanted, just as long as he called her.
“And you should call me Jacob. I guess you’re wanting a key to the house?” He dug into his front pocket and pulled out a key chain with two keys attached.
Her gaze strayed from his pocket to his crotch, and her dry mouth watered. Was it her imagination or had the bulge in his jeans gotten bigger? She struggled to keep her hand at her side instead of reaching out, unzipping his jeans and taking his hard cock in her hand.
He shook the key ring, bringing her attention upward, then took off one of the keys and handed her the key ring. Another electrifying zing flew over her flesh and down into the inner recesses of her being. Her pussy pulsed with need.
“Thank you.” If she had a million lifetimes, she would never get tired of his smile.
“Do you know how to get to your new home?”
She shook her head. At that moment, she didn’t care if she ever saw the rental house. She’d rather stay right where she was, drinking him in. Fortunately, logic finally broke through the fantasy. “Uh, no. I assumed Robert would show me the way.”
“That’ll work since I’m on horseback. How about I meet you there?” He lifted his eyebrows at Robert then brought his chocolate gaze back to hers. “I’ll see you in a few minutes, okay?”
She nodded then watched as he turned toward his horse. His jeans fit his firm, round bottom, not too tightly but just enough to make her ache to squeeze a cheek. She jerked her head up as he mounted the horse with ease, shot her a wink, then urged the horse into a trot.
“Ms. Rand? Emma?”
She forced her concentration away from the horse and rider. “Uh-huh?”
“Are you ready to go?”
Ready to go wherever Jacob Carr wanted her to go? Ready to explore his body with her tongue? Ready to let him ride her from behind? She continued to stare after him until at last she couldn’t see him any longer.
“Emma? Did you hear me? Are you ready to go to your new home?” Robert’s emerald eyes twinkled as he studied her.
She nodded and turned toward her car. “Am I ever.”
* * * *
“She’s here.” Jacob kept watch, waiting for Robert’s pickup to come over the rise in the road leading to the small rental home that rested on the far corner of the Carr Ranch. He held the phone away from his ear and hit the speaker button on his cell phone.
“Was I right? Is she the one?” Jackson tried to hide his feelings, but Jacob could hear the excitement in his brother’s voice.
“You were dead-on, bro. And you sensed she was the one by just hearing her voice over the phone, too. Your ability never fails to amaze me.”
Every werewolf could sense his mate when he met her, and a lucky few could sense their mate as soon as they came within a certain distance of each other. But only an alpha-alpha like Jackson could recognize his mate by the sound of her voice.
Jacob paused, listened to his inner wolf, and once again confirmed what he already knew was true. “Yeah. It’s her. I felt it the moment I saw her.”
“We were lucky Martin overheard her talking to someone outside her apartment and jumped in to tell her about Forever and our rental. Calling me on the spot so I could hear her voice was good instinct on his part. I hate to admit it, but I was starting to give up.”
The relief in his brother’s voice was unmistakable. He shifted the phone from one hand to the other. “Martin always did have a good head on his shoulders. Too bad he had to leave, but maybe that’s what fate had in store. Maybe he had to leave to be the catalyst to get her to come to us. Otherwise…”
He didn’t have to complete his sentence. All the Carr men had worried that she’d never come and they’d have to leave their home to find her.
It didn’t happen often, but when luck or fate or whatever deity the men believed in didn’t bring their future mate to Forever, then the men had to strike out on their own. If she didn’t come to them, then they had no choice except to leave the pack to search for her.
Werewolves who never found their intended mate ended up living lonely lives. On nights when the moon was full, those desperate men would spend the hours until morning howling to the moon, their hearts broken, their hopes destroyed.
“Jayden and I will be there in a few minutes.”
“No. Stay where you are. Let’s not overwhelm her right off the bat.”
Jackson’s tone dropped lower. “Says the man who got to meet our future mate first.”
“Yeah, well, I was the one who grabbed the keys when Robert called to say she might get here today. The early wolf gets to see his mate first, you know.”
“No, I don’t know.” His younger brother, Jayden, chimed in from somewhere near Jackson. “So? What’s she like? Is she hot?”
Leave it to Jayden to get down to the nitty-gritty. “I’ll fill you in on the details back at the house.”
“In other words, she’s not good-looking.” Jayden growled. “I know it won’t make a difference to us. A mate’s a mate, no matter what they’re like. But still, a man can hope.”
The less his brothers knew about the amazing appeal of their mate, the less likely they were to show up at the rental home and cut into his alone time with her. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter, so cut out the disappointment.”
“Yeah, well, anyway, just be sure you handle her right. Don’t scare her off with your ugly mug.” He could hear Jackson laughing at Jayden’s dig.
Jacob laughed, too, but his chuckle died away as Robert’s pickup crested the rise. A small car followed the pickup as the vehicles headed toward the entrance to the driveway.
“I need to go, bros. I’ve got a lady to show around the house. And trust me. I plan to give her the grand tour, including showing her around the bedroom.”
“No way, man. Don’t touch her until all of us have met her.”
“What did you say, Jackson?” Jacob made static noises. “You’re kshhh ing up. I can’t crrr you.”
“Don’t try and pull that old trick. Jacob, are you hearing me? You’d better keep your paws off her.”
“Can’t”—he made more static sounds—“crrr you. I’ll call kishhh later.”
Jacob grinned, turned off the phone, and shoved it into his back pocket. The two vehicles came down the dirt driveway and pulled to a stop in the circular drive. Robert slipped out of his truck and hurried to open Emma’s car door. She stepped out, a smile of thanks brightening her features.<
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Damn, but she’s beautiful. Maybe she’ll smile at me like that.
The Carr brothers had hoped their mate would be sexy, even gorgeous, but no one ever knew until they actually met. Even if she’d been less than pretty, they would’ve thought her amazing. Any prospective mate was appealing to the werewolves who would pledge to love her until the end of their days. But Emma was anything but unattractive.
He studied her as she swayed toward him. She was a little thing with long brown hair highlighted with golden streaks. Her face was oval, innocent looking, yet possessed of a quiet quality that he’d seen in the photographs and paintings of queens. Although petite, her legs looked like they went on forever, and her breasts were smallish but firm and perky. The T-shirt she wore highlighted her trim physique and fell gently around the swell of her breasts. He could see the outline of her nipples through the thin material and felt his cock twitch. He groaned and pulled his attention away from her breasts to her lower half. Her jeans hugged the curve of her hips, and he ached to have her turn around and show him her tight, round ass. A tight, round ass he planned to shove his cock into as soon as possible.
His balls tightened and his cock twitched again as he imagined his hands cupping her perfect-fit-for-him breasts. She was so small he could lift her high with ease then position her pussy against his crotch or even his face. The animal inside him howled, pacing back and forth, and scratched his insides to get free. Her sway was simple, yet intoxicating and sensual. She moved not in the “look at me” way some women did but with a gentle glide that made him want to throw her over his shoulder and take her home to his bed.
When they reached him, she deferred to Robert, standing off to the side as they came to a stop. She glanced around as though looking for something.
“Where’s your horse?”
Her voice matched her. Sweet, soft, yet with a backbone of steel hiding beneath the lilting tone. He’d wager she had a spine to match, and he couldn’t wait for her to go through the transformation to werewolf. Once she did, he’d bet she’d be wild in bed.
