by Louisa Bacio
Her ass swayed in her cute denim overalls as she climbed up the stairs, and his cock grew harder with each step. He counted the beats—step, sway to the right, step, sway to the left. Repeat. He’d been having trouble controlling his shifting, especially when turned on. He wanted to reach up, lay his hands on her hips, and feel the movement. His wolf liked what it saw.
What if she had another lover who visited her at the house? Would he lie in bed awake at night, listening to them pound the headboard into the wall?
A growl from low in his throat threatened to escape. The rumble started in his chest, and he fought to keep it down.
She turned, looking down at him. “Did you say something?”
“Umm, no. Just clearing my throat.”
He needed to get his base instincts under control. Recent research showed that wolves in the wild killed in order to protect their domains and to get more space. He didn’t want to be ruled by his wolf. He’d grown up in the city, with humans, not out in the forest. His mom had tried to talk to him about shifting, but as a woman, she didn’t have the same experience.
He couldn’t go to a shifters anonymous group for help with his sexual urges. Maybe he needed to start his own support group. He snorted at the idea. At the top of the landing, Tala turned to the right, and he followed.
They entered what had to be the master bedroom suite. It was painted a vibrant lavender color, and the bed had a green floral comforter with an abundance of fluffy throw pillows. White dollies rested on the two nightstands, and a vase of wildflowers called for attention. The feminine room seemed in sharp contrast to his host. She didn’t look frilly.
“This will be your quarters.” Her lips pursed, and she blinked a few times.
The idea shocked him. “What? I’m sorry, but it looks like your room.”
“Well, it has been. But it’s the nicest room in the house, and as a guest, figure you should have it to be comfortable. I’ll move my things into another one.”
He waved his hands in front of him, as if shooing away something physically bad. “No way. No can do. Give me the second best, then. My first job can be fixing it up.”
She smiled. “Well, second best would be my brother’s room, and even though he’s on a trip right now, I don’t feel comfortable moving his stuff. So third best, and we work today to make it more, um, livable?”
Her choice of words made him pause. “Deal.”
As they walked down the hallway, things got worse. A whistling rattled, and he swore the floor shook. With all the doors shut, he wasn’t sure where they were headed.
“This here is the bathroom.” Tala pushed open a door.
He peeked in, taking in stains on the ceiling, which must have come from a bad leaky roof. By the looks of things, it had been in poor shape for a while. Didn’t her brother do any upkeep?
“And your room is the next on the left.” She removed a key ring from her pocket and unlocked the door. “Safety reasons,” she mumbled under her breath.
Once he stepped inside, he could see why. A gaping hole where a window should have been looked out onto the forest. Two birds rushed past them and outside. He looked up to the corner where they’d come.
“Is that a nest up there?”
“Probably. Better than bats, though, right?”
He shuddered. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask. Why didn’t you board up that window?”
“Well, then the birds couldn’t get to their nest, could they?”
The reasoning almost made sense to him. Except he’d be the one staying in the room. “Any other creatures I need to worry about?”
“Maybe a squirrel or two, depending upon the time of year.”
“I see. Well.” He surveyed the room. It really was a quite stunning view, one he didn’t get living in the city. The bed was stripped, and the mattress looked a bit worse for wear. “This room may take longer than this afternoon to become habitable.”
He preferred not to share his space with wildlife, especially ones he may eat come shifting time. Unless, that is, he was living outdoors. Being in a home should have some basic comforts. This room was the best of the rest? He had his work cut out. He’d seen the oversize sectional downstairs. “Is the couch comfortable?”
“Soft,” she said, “but clean and comfortable. I take naps there often.”
He imagined her scent filling his nose as he drifted off to sleep. The thought aroused him once again. Maybe the plumbing didn’t matter too much. He predicted an awful lot of cold showers in his future.
“Sold.”
Chapter Three
The scent of roasting meat filled the house. Yas reached the kitchen and took in the beauty of Tala. The late-afternoon sunlight streamed in through the window—what was there—bathing her in hues of soft yellow and orange. Her long black hair flowed down her back, and she’d changed into a summery dress that stopped right at her knees, showing off her shapely calves.
She hummed a song he couldn’t quite place.
“It smells good.”
She jumped and dropped the wooden spoon. “Oh, you scared me. I’m not used to someone else being in the house. My brother clumped his feet so much I always knew he was coming.”
As he bent to pick up the spoon, she reached down at the same time, and they clunked heads.
“Ouch, sorry,” they said in unison.
“Jinx,” she threw out, really fast.
He chuckled, holding out the spoon. “I owe you a Co-Coke?” His mind had wanted to fill in “cock.” He bit the side of his tongue, reining the beast in.
So she was beautiful, and from the smells, she knew how to cook. It didn’t mean he needed to be aggressive. He’d take it easy, get to know her and the town. He hadn’t come looking for a mate—not really—but as she turned to wash off the spoon, he took in the swish and sway of her hips and he needed to be reminded of the fact again.
Mate? Why was he even thinking that word? He was the handyman. That was all. Handyman with benefits? “Anything I can do to help?”
“I about have it covered. Did you get your things unpacked okay?”
“Mmmm-hmmm.” He picked at the salad on the dining table. The crisp radish crunched in his mouth, and he savored the burst of freshness. For the time being, she’d given him a drawer in her room, and he’d only unloaded the essentials. He didn’t travel with much.
Next to the stove, she stirred something and then put on some oven mitts to take out the roast.
“You didn’t have to go through so much trouble.” His stomach roared in protest. He wasn’t too bad in the kitchen, but he rarely got a home-cooked meal. Everyone was too busy.
“Gives me practice for when this place is filled. It’s a B&B, remember.”
“Yes, but that second B usually stands for breakfast.”
“Well, with how small our town is, I’ll be a bit more full service.”
Some plates and silverware sat on the counter, and he picked them up and laid them out at the table.
“You don’t need to—”
“Hey, I’m happy to help.” He had to keep his hands busy; otherwise, they’d get him in trouble.
A roast, potatoes, and vegetables—a bona fide feast in his eyes. All that was missing was the gravy, and then he caught Tala standing at the sink, pouring steaming gravy into a boat. His mouth watered. After the hike into the town and too many granola bars, real, hot food sounded too good.
They settled at the table. When she passed a platter over to him, their fingers brushed, and he met her gaze. A slow smile spread across her face.
“I’m thankful you showed up today. I thought I’d be eating leftovers alone. It’s good to have someone else here, to care for….”
“How long have you been alone?” he asked.
“Oh, not too long. My brother headed into the city to go to college. He was tired of being caged in a small town. Greener pastures, and all that. What brings you here to Los Lobos?”
“Greener pastures,” he joked. “After growing up in the ‘cement jungle,’ I wanted to see where my mom came from, our roots. How about you? No desire to see the rest of the world?”
Tala finished chewing, glanced at the familiar knickknacks decorating the dining nook, and finally shrugged. “It may not be much, but this is my home. Some people are destined for more, have bigger dreams. Me? Maybe I’m stubborn or something. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Sometimes it might make my life easier though.”
Although he understood where she was coming from, the last statement was a bit curious.
“Easier how?”
“Let’s enjoy the meal. We have plenty of time to talk. Sometimes a small town feels small.”
After dishes, Tala said good night and slipped upstairs. She didn’t normally go to bed so early, but being with Yas put her on edge. It was more than meeting someone new. She found him attractive—too much so. As a she-wolf, she was coming into her time. Shifting and sex often went together. With her brother in the house, she hadn’t felt too comfortable running wild. With him gone, her hormones shifted into overdrive, and tonight the fantasies consisted entirely of her first houseguest, Yas.
She’d better stock up on sunscreen because with that fair skin and blond hair, he’d burn his first full day out in the sun. The city-boy wouldn’t know what hit him. Mentally, she reviewed the list of supplies they’d have to pick up to get started, all the lumber and pipe. Plenty of people had seen him come through earlier in the day, and they were probably wondering where he’d gone. She’d have him review the list and see if she’d missed anything.
Where he slept in the living room lay directly underneath her bed. He’d probably taken his shirt off and was lounging down there now. She swallowed the surge of lust. A squeak outside her door made her jump.
“Night, Tala. I’m headed down to bed.”
“Pleasant dreams,” she managed to reply. Of course, he’d had to come upstairs to get ready. Before she drifted off, she prayed none of the vandals who’d been harassing her would come overnight. She didn’t want to scare off Yas too soon.
The scent of the woman filled his nostrils. His body ached for release. She lay upstairs, so close to him, and yet the chasm between them was too great. Pain radiated along his legs, from his calves to upper thighs. He groaned as a white-hot lash struck across his shoulders, making him double over on the couch. Twisting and turning, he tumbled to the floor, knocking over a lamp.
Unforgiving wood offered no comfort to the heat pounding through his veins. He fought against the change. He needed to be in control, not his wolf.
“Are you all right down there?” Tala called.
Her lean silhouette stood at the top of the stairs. Light shone through her gown, and her luscious curves called to him. She took a step down.
“I’m fine.” He gritted his teeth against the pain. “Just rolled off the couch.”
The sound of footsteps came halfway down. “Can I get you anything? Do you need any help?”
“No. Don’t.” Spasms streaked across his shoulders again, and he growled. “Stay. Away.”
Quicker, Tala rounded the corner of the living room and stopped. “Yas? What’s wrong?”
His face morphed, shifting into a partial form. He opened his jaw, snapping at empty air, unable to vocalize what he wanted to say. A scream of frustration broke through, and he seized upon his humanity.
“I can’t. Control. It. Get away.”
Did she ever listen?
“I can help you, Yas.”
Closer. He smelled her. The heat between her legs. He wanted to tear her clothes off. Bury his snout into her breasts. Lick her pussy. Take her. Take her. Take her.
The thought. Only that thought. Sliding his cock into her warmth. Take her.
With everything he possessed, he pushed off the hardwood floor and away from her. She followed, hand outstretched. Didn’t she get it? She should fear him. Rocking, he sat on his heels, ready to jump at any movement.
Light fingers stroked the back of his neck, feathering through his hair. He tilted his head toward her touch and sighed. She was an angel, caressing away his doubts. Her stroke tamed his wolf. For a few moments, he considered she might be right. She could help him. All his wolf wanted was a little bit of attention and to meet the bearer of the scent firsthand.
Then she moved closer, her bare legs resting against his skin, and the wolf took over. He snaked his arm behind her knees, catching her off balance, and knocking her onto the couch. She exhaled with a loud “oomph” as she fell.
He pounced, straddling her. His cock nestled between her legs, pushing against the soft cotton of her underwear. Her mouth opened in a surprised O. Fuck foreplay or first kiss. His wolf wanted to sink deep inside her. Now. In bocca al lupo. Good luck with that.
“Well that was a bit unexpected.” Her eyes sparkled in the dim lighting. Her musky scent grew stronger. She was turned on. She wanted him. Probably as much as he did her.
See? His wolf howled.
“Does this mean you’re attracted to me, or do you greet all women in this manner in the middle of the night?”
Leaning over, he caught a whiff of her natural scent, and he sniffed her neck, from right below her ear all the way down her cleavage.
Tala shuffled beneath him, trying to break free. “Dude, watch the sniffing. It’s a bit creepy. While I’ve enjoyed our little interaction, anything more is a bit too soon for me, understand? I just met you today.”
His wolf didn’t care. From first sight, he knew he’d have her. He lusted after her.
She banged her fist against his arm. “Did you hear me? Get off. Let me up.”
A battle for control warred within his body. The duality tore him apart. He should have known better than to think he could control it. He snarled, baring his teeth, and threw his body to the side. He rolled onto the floor.
With a fluid movement, Tala took to her feet. She brushed off her nightgown and fisted her hands on her hips. “You are quite a handful, aren’t you?”
Weak from the internal fight, he lay on the floor, willing her to leave him be. Without her presence, he’d tame the beast.
“I know what makes me feel better. A good run.”
With those words, she stripped off her nightgown and stood before him nude. On fire, his body roared as he shifted into his wolf form.
She whistled. “Look at you. You’re gorgeous. Your fur is so blond, it looks white…like the snow.”
After opening the front door, she stood basking in the moonlight streaming in. He advanced, and, in a blink of his eyes, she’d shifted into a wolf. She opened her mouth in a grin and bounded outside. He followed.
Cool night air clung to Yas’s fur as he pounded through the woods. His heart raced with the speed of his body. Every now and then he caught a glimpse of Tala running in front of him. But she remained out of reach. She ran with a sure comfortableness in her own backwoods.
Freedom. Running in parks at home had nothing on this experience. The moon guided them in its warm embrace. With each passing moment, the built-up fury within his body dissipated. She led him to a small river, and they stopped to get a soothing drink of water. She stood just far enough away that if he advanced, she could get away. At the moment, he didn’t care.
Fresh green earth and dirt. He dug his nose into the ground and pawed at the long grasses. Tala yipped at him, capturing his attention. With a swish of her tail, she took off again in the direction of the house. As her sight diminished, Yas stretched out in the clearing and stared up into the open sky. Power from Mother Nature surged within his body, and he wished he could better control some of the aspects of shifting.
When he started changing into his wolf form, he’d thought of it as a curse. Now, lying in the forest with the open world surrounding him, for the first time he believed it might instead be a blessing.
Chapter Four
Working constr
uction on and off for the last five years, Yas naturally woke up early. After making a pot of coffee, he went out to the front porch with a pad of paper and pen. With one hand on the top of a chair, he tested its sturdiness. It seemed stable enough. The old wood groaned under his weight, but it held together. Since it’s what potential customers saw first, it needed to go on top of the list. He could sand down the wood, repair some missing pieces, and repaint it, probably in a day. Two at the most.
Inside? He shook his head as he made notes for the breakfast nook and upstairs bedrooms. He suspected the home needed more repairs than Tala was letting him see at the moment. Pride probably kept her from allowing him to get too close of a look, especially at her room.
Dew glistened on the grass as the sun took hold more overhead. A few birds called to each other, rejoicing another night survived, and another day to live. He shut his eyes, breathing in the fresh air and letting his mind wander. After he settled down, he hoped to send word to his little sister.
Sugar wouldn’t care to be called “little” much. The last time he’d seen her, she’d planned on rushing a sorority. He had a hard time imagining Little Miss Prissy in the wild of Los Lobos, but the lack of concrete jungle would do her well.
The front door opened with a creak, and the scent of baking blueberries drifted out with Tala.
“You’re up early,” she said, leaning against the jamb. She wore a soft-yellow robe that reflected the early morning light and cast her in a glowing halo.
He shielded his eyes to meet her gaze directly. “Habit. Something smells good.”
Her smile increased the glow. “Blueberry scones. Hungry?”
“You don’t need to do anything fancy for me.”
“Who says they’re for you? If you’re going to get this place up and running fast, then I better get used to serving the guests.”
“Expecting an influx of newcomers to the area?”
She gazed out over the yard and the rooftops of the main town area in the distance. “We’ve already seen some new faces since Magnum died and his son Drew took over. With all the remodeling and improvements, I’m sure our little community will expand. Not that we’re advertising for new settlers or anything. We like to keep it private.”
