by Sierra Brave
“What’s wrong?” She looked at the office manager. “Don’t tell me I got any bad reports today. I worked hard.”
Becky looked up from some paperwork on her desk and smiled. “No nothing but accolades.”
“See!” Lucy tapped her finger against Chance’s iron-hard chest. “You owe me dinner.”
He nodded, staring at her as if he was baffled before blinking a few times and then, finally, offering her a smile. “That’s right. Let’s get out of here.”
As they walked outside, she noticed Chance had driven his own Chevy rather than his patrol vehicle. She reached into his pocket and then pulled his keys out before running off toward his truck. “I’m driving.”
He pursued her, grabbing her around the waist just before she could get the key into the lock. “Hey now, you could at least ask nicely.”
Lucy placed her hand over his arm so he couldn’t jerk it away as she looked over her shoulder at him, her eyelids lowered seductively. “May I, please, drive your truck?”
He tightened his hold on her as he tilted his head and looked at her face. “Mmm, I just don’t know. Are you even a licensed driver?”
She relaxed her back against his firm chest, relishing the heat between their bodies and his fantastic, manly scent. “I sure am.”
He slipped his hand down in her back pocket where she kept her billfold-type cellphone case. “Is it in here?”
“Yes.” She bit down on her bottom lip and sucked in her breath to keep from moaning.
After he pulled out the pink and white case, he used his thumb to pop open the snap. “Let’s see here…”
Lucy squirmed around so she could face him while he perused her ID as if he were a doorman at a nightclub. “Well, look at you being an organ donor. Ah, here we go, according to this you are indeed a redhead, Ms. Tate.”
“Told you so.” Something about the way he was eyeing her picture put her ill at ease. “Gimme that back.”
“Nope, I’ve got to check your birthdate.”
She lifted an eyebrow and shrugged. “Why, you want me to buy you some beer?”
“No, but maybe we’ll have some wine at dinner time. Everything checks out. You are a grown woman and not a seventeen-year-old kid.”
She shook her head and laughed. “Where’d you pull that number from?”
“Doesn’t matter. Truck’s not locked.” He reached out and then opened the door. “Hop up and drive.”
“Whoo hoo!” Lucy jumped in the driver’s seat, and after bucking her seatbelt, she cranked the engine.
Chance had barely gotten seated and was still closing the door as she took off in reverse. “Good Lord, woman!” He slammed his door shut before he grabbed the handle by the roof, hanging on for dear life with one hand while fastening his seatbelt with the other.
Lucy put the car in drive before heading down the dirt path serving as a driveway. She rolled down the window and smiled as the wind blew through her hair. “It feels amazing to be behind the wheel again.”
She glanced at Chance just in time to see him remove his hat and the tie holding his long, black hair back in a low ponytail. As she maneuvered along a curve, the breeze flowed through his gorgeous locks, and her heart skipped a beat as he glanced at her. His full lips pursed together in a smirk as he did his best not to laugh. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”
“Oh, I am. Mama was so stingy on the long drive here—she wouldn’t let me behind the wheel at all.” She turned on the radio, tuning into a station playing hip hop and then bobbed and swayed as she tore up the road.
“You’re going to need to take the next right.”
She glanced at him. “That’s not the way to Ms. Banks’ house. Are we going straight to your place?”
“Yeah.”
She frowned. “I’ve been working all day. I wanted to freshen up.”
“You look terrific and smell sweet. Please, let’s go to my place.”
“Alright then.” She flipped on the signal before making the turn.
Chance grabbed the handle again. “I can see why your mama wouldn’t let you drive. Would you slow down?”
She flashed him a toothy grin. “What’s the fun in that?”
“The fun is in not flipping my truck and killing us both. Plus, you have to turn again soon. Now be a good girl so I don’t have to spank your behind before dinner.”
Lucy’s couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but with her bottom still raw from the whooping she received that morning, she applied her foot to the brake. For the rest of the drive to his house, she behaved, following his directions.
“Starting from here, you’re on the reservation.”
“Really?” She glanced around. “Aren’t there usually signs?”
Chance laughed. “It’s not a real federal reservation, but all down this long winding road and in near about every direction as far as the eye can see is land owned by members of the wolf clan, and all of us have at least some Native American blood. The horse shifters might have been the first Europeans to settle this area, but the wolves were already here.
“Wow.” Lucy bit down on her bottom lip as she considered the implications. “I’m surprised the two groups are so close with such a history…competition for resources and such. I mean, I know the history taught in schools is skewed. The natives weren’t as aggressive or without cause to be angry as presented and the settlers weren’t as innocent as they were made out to be.”
The edges of Chance’s mouth turned upward. “Well, look at you smarty, not conforming to institutional indoctrination.” He chuckled and she joined him, snickering lightly. “Our story is a bit different than the norm. Even though the two groups didn’t speak the same language or share the same religious beliefs, they could smell each other’s shifter pheromones. The wolves acknowledged the horses as family right away and vice versa.”
“That’s amazing.” Lucy slowed down, hoping he’d tell her more if the ride was longer.
“Yep, the settlers believed God had led them to the mountains to find the wolves. In Europe, if anyone learned their secret, they’d have been burned as witches, but they’d found a remote land inhabited by people like them.”
“A dream come true.
“Unlike a lot of the white settlers, who wouldn’t marry native women, the horse-shifters were happy to join the two clans.” He rubbed the side of her arm. “Or so the stories go.”
“Thank you for sharing that with me.” She glanced at him, her cheeks burning as she flashed him a flirty smile.
“My pleasure.” He pointed at a two-story cottage. “My aunt and uncle live there with several of my younger cousins. About a mile behind the house and through the woods, there’s a trailer where two of the Lowrey brothers live—they’re hell raisers and distant cousins of mine on mama’s side. When they aren’t working at the garage their grandpa owns, they spend most of their time drinking.”
“They sound like an interesting duo.” Lucy snickered.
“Only if you’re fascinated by non-stop beer pounding and challenges to feats of physical strength.” He touched a lock of his hair, fiddling with it nervously. “Unfortunately, when it comes to the young, unmarried male wolves, a little too much of that sort of thing seems to happen around here.”
As they passed a small one-story building with a faded sign and a couple of gas pumps, Chance pointed. “My parents own that little gas station store. They both work there along with a couple of my cousins. When my little brother finishes college, he plans to come back, renovate the joint and take it over when dad’s ready to retire.”
“Did you ever work there?”
“Yes, I did, part-time since middle school until I graduated from college. Unlike my brother, I’m more of a homebody. I chose a school close by and commuted.”
Lucy’s eyes widened and she slammed on the breaks so fast her seatbelt snapped tight across her chest. “You still live with your mama?”
“Jesus, Lucy!” He rubbed his neck as he looked over his
shoulder. “Thank God no one was behind us…and hell naw, I don’t live with my mama. I’m a grown ass man with a job and a mortgage.”
Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I can’t be playing in the sandbox with a mama’s boy.” She put her foot on the accelerator and took off again.
His skull jolted back against the headrest. “Shit! You’re determined to kill us. Do you do much driving back home?”
“Every day. I drive myself to and from work and any other place I needed to go. My mama has my car right now. I’m still irritated about it. She makes me leave my good paying job and forces me out here to work as a maid and to add insult to injury, she took my car.”
“Well, it’s my understanding you weren’t exactly behaving yourself and giving her reason to trust you.” He extended his index finger. “Turn in right there.”
She pushed her lips together in a pout, wishing she could tell him the truth as she made the turn. This is so unfair. I don’t give a crap what most people think, but I don’t want him to think poorly of me.
As they pulled into the dirt path leading up to Chance’s modest ranch-style home, Lucy looked as if she had something to say to him but then faced front. He considered leaning on her a little harder to make her spill the truth, but somehow it didn’t feel right. He’d promised her a nice dinner if she’d done a good job at work and he didn’t want to ruin it before the main course. There would be time enough for him to ask questions later on.
As they pulled up to the carport, Lucy asked, “Do you have any roommates?”
“Nope, it’s just me. How about you? You live with anyone back home?”
Her face flashed bright red and she looked away as she mumbled. “I live with my parents.”
He heard her, but he leaned in closer. “What was that? You live where? With who?”
She put the truck in park and then turned to stare at him while placing her hand on her hip. “Okay, I get it, but to be fair, you’re older than me. It’s way more acceptable for me to live with my folks in Las Vegas than it would be for you to live with yours in this…charming, rustic place.”
His lips parted as he laughed. “Oh, now you’re bagging on Horse Mountain?” She started to open her door. “Wait. Sit tight.” He jumped out of the vehicle and then rushed over to her side to help her.
Lucy rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I can let myself out.”
“You cannot because I won’t let you.” He bugged his eyes out at her as he shook his head while offering his hand.
After removing the key from the ignition, Lucy swung her feet around, letting them dangle as she threw her arms around his neck. “How about this?”
He grinned. “Oh, even better.” Without thinking, he parted her knees and pulled her closer. As his lips brushed against hers, she wrapped her legs around his waist. She leaned into the kiss, and he lifted her with ease. As Lucy gasped, Chance took the opportunity to plunge his tongue into her mouth. She flicked her tongue, meeting his in a swirl of warm saliva.
As he pulled her out of the truck, he continued the passionate kiss, kicking the door closed with his foot before heading to the front porch of his home. Lucy grabbed a handful of his hair and ran her fingers through the strands, finding them as soft and silky as she’d imagined. As they ravaged each other’s mouths, her body sizzled as if she could melt into him.
She held onto him tighter as he walked up the stairs, scared he’d drop her but unwilling to let go of him or pull away from their lip lock. As her back pushed against the door, his body crushed her, holding her there as he reached one hand behind his head, retrieving the keyring from around her thumb before he fumbled around unlocking the deadbolt.
As the door flung open, Lucy gasped, certain she was about to tumble to the floor until Chance’s quick footwork resulted in her back landing against the wall next to the entrance. As he held her there, they kissed while he ground his pelvis against hers. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue stroked against hers.
She broke for air, panting as Chance’s lips pressed against her neck. He licked and nibbled before sinking his teeth in just hard enough to send a jolt of arousal between her legs. “Oh, God!”
Her legs trembled as her feet dangled on either side of him. She pointed her toes, stretching, reaching for the floor while his kisses traveled up to her earlobe. His hands were in her hair as she grasped his back and shoulders.
“I want you so much.” His voice was husky and sexy as hell.
“Let’s take a shower together.” She was dying for the opportunity to see every inch of him.
“Sounds like a plan.” He released her from his hold, allowing her feet to touch the floor before grasping her hand and leading the way. Lucy glanced around the living room as she walked. He’d done a good job decorating, but his home could use a woman’s touch. He had blinds but no curtains and his hardwood floors were bare when a rug could have really brightened up the room. His walls were painted boring beige, but the place was spotless with nothing out of place. The prettiest spot in the room was a painting of a couple of wolves standing under a full moon hung to the left of the TV.
As they stepped into the bathroom, Lucy was shocked by the extreme tidiness. There was nothing on the counter, not even a tube of toothpaste. Two burgundy towels hung on the rack beside the shower and the matching hand towel was hanging by the sink. All the bathroom fixtures, including the toilet, were sparkling clean.
While he turned on the shower, she asked, “Are you a clean freak?”
His cheeks flushed pink and he shrugged. “Maybe…”
“That’s cute.” She reached over and unbuttoned his shirt before pulling the shirttail out of his pants and helping him pull it off. Her eyes widened and she stood nearly speechless as she took in his bulging biceps and sexy torso. Her mouth watered at the sight of his tight and toned torso, particularly the six prominent abdominal muscles showcasing his navel.
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him again, crushing her mouth with his. She parted her lips as she closed her eyes, relishing the warmth between them. He grasped her ass, squeezing her cheeks. She flinched before turning her head and pulling out of the kiss. “Ow.”
“Sorry about that. I guess your backside is still a might sore.” He rubbed her bottom.
“I’m okay.” She stood on her tiptoes to line up their mouths for another kiss. He nipped at her upper lip as he unfastened and unzipped her shorts before reaching inside and cupping her rear over her underwear.
She couldn’t resist exploring his body, running her fingertips over his chest and then trailing down the indention between his stomach muscles. As he deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue inside her mouth, her fingers rested on the waistband of his pants. She unfastened his belt and nearly popped the button off his uniform pants as she hurried to get him out of them.
She slid his trousers over his firm rear and down his legs. He pulled out of their kiss. “I’m gonna need to get my boots off.”
She caught her breath before dropping to her knees. “I got it.” She untied his perfectly polished, government-issued shoes before removing them. As she lifted her head, her gaze fell on the huge bulge in his underwear. As she stood, her head spun. To regain her balance, she grabbed ahold of Chance and placed her face in the crook of his neck. His shifter pheromones made her heart pound like crazy while her skin sizzled and her pussy throbbed with need.
She’d been thirsty for a man before but never like this. The overwhelming sense of urgency had her in a race to shed to her clothes. She stripped as fast as she could and hopped in the shower before pushing her hand around the curtain and using one finger to beckon him to join her.
When he stepped inside she admired his naked form. He had strong, muscular thighs and literally the biggest dick she’d ever seen. It was already poking at her stomach, and she wasn’t even standing that close to him. “Holy hell!” She reached out and stroked the long, veiny monster.
He threw her a sexy smile while lifting h
is eyebrows. “You like Lucky?”
“Lucky?” Nearly in a daze, she lathered her hands with soap before cupping his balls with one hand and resuming her gentle stroking method with the other.
“Ah…Yeah, I’m Chance, and he’s Lucky.” He pointed at his cock.”
She rolled her eyes. “That is so lame.”
He grimaced as he rubbed his head. “Yeah, I just came up with it. Sounded better in my head—truthfully, I never named my dick, but hey, he’s lucky right now because you’re touching him.”
“Nice save.” She snickered while reaching around to lather his back. He’s corny but cute.
Chance took the soap and went straight for her boobs, covering them with suds. She moved in on him and used them like a sponge, rubbing her supple, fleshy lobes along his chest and torso. Apparently, he liked it because his twitching cock kept pushing against her.
Lucy sweltered beneath the running water as the air between her and Chance steamed up the shower. He placed his hand on her nape as he leaned down and kissed her. Her brain alternated between seeming on the blitz to being hyper-aware of every sensation. As if taken over by instinct, she moved like an animal in heat, crashing her lips against his. Their hands roamed each other’s bodies, cleaning every inch, but to her, it was all a blur of touching, licking, kissing and caressing while her heart nearly pounded its way through her chest. She shuddered in his arms as every tiny hair on her body stood on end and every nerve ending pulsed with pure pleasure.
Chance pulled out of the kiss. “Damn, this feels good.” He reached around her and turned off the water. “Fuck it. We’re clean.” He shoved the shower curtain open before grabbing a towel off the rack. Lucy’s eyes bulged—she’d never seen anyone move with such resolve.
He seemed to have forgotten all about his neat freak tendencies, throwing the towel to the floor before grabbing another one and reaching for Lucy’s hand. He helped her out of the shower and dropped to his knees, patting her feet dry before moving up to gently wipe off the rest of her body.
