“I’m not. I just...” I glance around, noting the punch bowl a few feet away, and start toward it. “It’s hot out here and I’m thirsty.”
I fill one of the empty glasses and drain it quickly, feeling the burn start to spread from my throat and warming my whole body. Maybe the fourth glass wasn’t such a great idea.
Piper coughs, her brows furrowed at something behind me. “Okay, but I should warn you that Blaine is coming over here right—”
She stops mid-sentence because Blaine is mere inches from me, rendering her words pointless. I don’t see him, but I can feel him.
What are you doing? The words are hard, frustrated, and not spoken out loud.
I may be losing my mind.
Slowly, I turn and have to crank my neck to meet his gaze. If I thought I was warm before, the heat just went up another ten degrees, and I could melt under the promise in those eyes. That is until he opens his mouth, and I’m reminded why I don’t like Blaine Koleman.
“You shouldn’t have any more of that punch,” he says gruffly.
I scoff. “Uh okay, Dad, but actually I can do whatever I want.”
The muscles in his jaw twitch. “My aunt Marge brought it and she’s got a heavy hand. It doesn’t taste like it has much alcohol, but it’s practically a hundred proof. Go easy on it.”
I look at Piper, wondering if she finds Blaine as ridiculously arrogant as I do. The last thing I need is another man telling me how to behave. Been there, done that.
Piper is biting back a smile though. So is Kate, but she seems almost as distracted as I am.
“Don’t encourage him,” I hiss. “I don’t need someone telling me what to do.”
“Maybe you do,” Piper says with a shrug, clearly enjoying herself. “I mean, you nearly drowned a week ago because you were being–”
“Hey!” Now it’s my turn to cut her off. “Not nice.” I give her a pointed look. “It was an accident.”
“I know,” she says, lifting her hands in defense. “But accident or not, Blaine saved your life.”
“Whose side are you on?” I ask, crossing my arms, feeling betrayed by one of my besties. “You know, maybe you should go out with this jerk if you’re so Team Blaine.”
“Team Blaine?” His brows lift, and I see a sliver of amusement cross his expression.
It wasn’t meant to be funny.
Piper laughs and gives him a knowing look. “I don’t think I’m his type.”
“You’re not.” He scowls. “And she isn’t either,” he tells Piper, obviously referring to me, which gets under my skin more than anything else he’s said to me, even though I was just thinking the same thing a few minutes before. “I’m just trying to help.”
Piper grins, looking between us. “If that’s the case, how come you two just spent five minutes unable to keep your eyes off one another?”
I swallow. She saw it too?
Kate doesn’t seem to be following our conversation, instead, her eyes dart around, obviously looking for someone.
“I need another drink,” I mutter, wanting to get away from Blaine and his raging pheromones or whatever it’s called when another person’s scent gets the better of you. I swear, standing next to him gets me all dizzy - he’s more than a mountain man, he is earthy and wild and making me literally punch-drunk.
“No more,” Blaine says, taking my cup from my hand. The authority in his voice makes it obvious that he’s used to people doing what he tells them.
Sorry, buddy, been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and not dealing with another control freak again.
I lift my chin at him and flip my hair in defiance. “I’m a big girl, Blaine. Why don’t you go back to the grill before you overcook dinner.”
We both look over to the smoky barbeque. “Shit,” he says, rushing back to the grill to salvage the meat.
“What was that all about?” Kate asks, still acting distracted.
I huff, grabbing her elbow and turn back to the punch table. “I have no idea.”
“He’s totally into you is what that was all about,” Piper offers, still grinning like she knows more than I do.
“No, he’s...” A sideways glance tells me that he’s watching me, and he doesn’t look happy. “He doesn’t even like me.” But there’s no denying the chemistry between us.
“That man definitely likes you,” Piper says.
“She’s right,” Kate sighs. “I wish just once a man would look at me the way he was looking at you.”
“Kate,” I say, squeezing her arm. “You’re beautiful. You just need to put yourself out there.”
“My advice exactly.” Piper winks at me.
Maybe she’s right. But then, what if she’s terribly wrong. I can’t go through another relationship like the one with Chad.
“He’s hot and single.” Piper nudges me. “What would it hurt to give it a try?”
I shake my head and turn my back to Blaine, but I can still feel him, still hear him in my head.
No more punch.
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Of what?” Kate asks.
“Of falling for another guy who’s bad news.” Defiantly, I pour myself another glass, even though I can already feel the effects making my head swirl - or maybe it’s just Blaine’s presence. “I can’t fall for another guy that doesn’t like who I am, that wants to change me, or control me.”
Piper shakes her head. “Sweetie, you don’t have to fall for every guy you find attractive.” She grabs a glass of punch for herself, clinking her glass with mine. “Have a fling. A rebound. Use Blaine to get over Chad. You deserve a little fun.”
Fun. It’s something I’d forgotten about. Something I’d promised myself to have more of when we moved here.
“That’s what I’m trying to do.” I take a deep sip of the punch, letting the alcohol course through my body. Letting myself forget that Blaine isn’t the kind of man you marry, but with a body like his - he is certainly the kind of man who can help you move on.
Chapter 5
Blaine
The party is in full swing and I’m able to step away from the grill and focus on what really matters.
Harley.
She’s still drinking. Dammit. I run a hand over my beard trying to think of how to approach her without pushing her away. Clearly she didn’t take my warning very seriously.
If anything, I think she may be drinking more because of my warning.
God, the woman is stubborn.
Defiant.
And too damn beautiful for her own good.
I’m not the only man here who has eyes for her, and it’s starting to piss me off.
She’s my mate.
Mine.
But the way she tilts her head back and laughs at one of Kale Grant’s jokes, he or anybody else he wouldn’t know it.
Isn’t that what I want?
I’ve never wanted to be mated. It’s one of the curses of our kind. But I also know that now that I am, I’ll never find pleasure in anyone else's body.
Roughing my hand over my beard I mutter a series of curses under my breath, watching Harley with Kale. He’s a good looking guy, and the way she smiles up at him, I’m ready to go over there, toss her over my shoulder, take her back to my cabin, and show her how mine she really is.
It’s not just the physical need that has my mind caught up in a clusterfuck of turmoil and emotions. There’s also the need to protect her, keep her safe - even from herself, that has my bear pacing inside of me.
Damn pig-headed woman.
Although, I’m slightly impressed with the way she’s handled her alcohol. I doubt anyone else has noticed the slight sway to her stance, or the trace of a slur to her words. But I can do more than just see her, I can sense her, feel her, and I know my mate is more than a little tipsy, she’s bordering on drunk.
And if I don’t get her out of here soon, and have to watch Kale Grant touch her arm one more time, I won’t be able to help myself if I lose my cool and punch the man stra
ight in the jaw.
I catch Piper by the punch bowl, and growl out, “You need to take Harley home.”
She raises a brow at me. “She’s having fun.”
“She’s drunk.”
“So are half the people here. What do you care?”
When I just grind my back teeth, she chuckles.
“Why don’t you take her home?”
“You’re her friend. Shouldn’t you be protecting her?”
“Does she need protection from you?”
I shake my head.
“Good.” She nods in Harley’s direction where Kale currently has a hand on her lower back, steadying her. “My advice. You better make a move soon, before someone else takes her home.”
It only takes those words, and Kale’s hand inching lower on Harley’s back to have me stalking off toward them. I hear Piper chuckle behind me.
“Blaine,” Kale smiles at me when I approach like he doesn’t know how close he is from losing his front teeth. “Do you know Harley?”
My bear rumbles, deep, low, and very audible.
Harley, who’s now swaying, giggles, obviously not sensing the seriousness of the situation. Kale, on the other hand, immediately pulls his hand away from her back, and his brows raise. I can sense his own bear stirring, but thankfully he isn’t willing to fight for her - I am!
“I think I’m going to get another beer,” Kale says before turning and walking away. I see him say something to Gunnar, which has my brother chuckling, but right now I don’t care.
“You scared him away,” Harley pouts up at me.
“Good.” I take her elbow, steadying her, and she leans into me.
“You’re bossy.”
“And you don’t listen.” I lean closer. “And as much as I’d like to spank you for disobeying, I have a feeling you’re going to wish you listened to me come morning.”
“You want to spank me?” Her words are slurred, but I see the rush of desire that races to her cheeks, smell her lust, feel her need.
God, help me.
“I want to do a lot of things to you, sweetheart. But right now I’m taking you home.”
“You’re no fun.”
I sigh and start leading her away from the party. “Harley, I’m more fun than you can handle. But you’re drunk, and if I see another guy put his hands on you--”
She smirks up at me. “You’re jealous.”
In the driveway, I open the side door of my truck. “Get in.”
“Stop ordering me around.” Her arms crossed over her chest. “I have a brain, I can make my own decisions.”
Stop fighting it.
You want this.
I’m not sure who my words are for, me or her, but they come from the deepest part of myself.
Her eyes widen.
“Fine. What do you want, Harley?” I place my palms on either side of her and lean close so that I can practically taste the punch on her breath. Her scent wraps around me, and I know I won’t survive this woman. “You tell me what you need, and I’ll give it to you.”
“I need...” She leans closer, her lips a breath from mine. But I won’t force another kiss. Hell, if I was smart, I’d be running in the opposite direction, not shoving her in my truck.
“What?” I ask.
“I...” She groans and closes her eyes. “I need to sit down. I don’t feel well.”
I grunt, helping her into the truck, and praying I can get her home before she empties the contents of her stomach in my brand new Silverado, and knowing what we both need is probably going to make both our lives a living hell.
And yet, here I am, walking straight into the flames.
Getting in beside her, I buckle her in and mutter, “I told you not to drink the damn punch. Next time you’ll listen to me.”
“I don’t listen to anyone but me,” she murmurs.
That’s about to change, mate, my bear rumbles inaudibly.
Her eyes widen, and for the second time tonight I think she can hear me. I’ve heard it’s possible, but I never believed it. But before I’m able to test my theory, her eyes close once again, and her sweet little body snuggles into mine, her head resting in my goddamn lap as I turn the ignition.
“Shit,” I growl low, my cock bursting against the seam of my pants.
“You can’t change me,” she murmurs sleepily, her palm resting on my inner thigh.
Maybe not.
But I have a feeling that everything is about to change for me.
Chapter 6
Harley
I wake with a start. Sitting upright in a bed, in a room I can’t quite place, with a parched throat and a startling realization that I have no idea where I am, panic squeezes my chest. There’s modern furniture everywhere and dark grey bedding. The room looks masculine, metal edgings, a platform bed, and a skylight above me. I see big trees when I look out the window of the modern cabin and the bathroom door is partially open and steam travels from it into the bedroom, and I hear a running shower.
What exactly happened last night?
Fearing the worst, I look under the blanket. I’m in nothing but my bra and panties.
Dread rises, I look around the room for identifying details... and my clothing. My jeans and shirt are neatly folded on an armchair and on the bedside table there is a bottle of Advil and a tall glass of water. Okay, so whoever hosted this sleepover was at least thoughtful. I pop a few in my mouth and drink the glass dry.
Empty glass in hand, I remember the punch from last night. Blaine telling me I’d had enough - more than enough. I should have listened to him because whatever was in that punch was lethal.
Lethal enough that I ended up in a stranger’s bed practically naked.
God. I made a fool of myself.
“You’re up, finally.” A deep voice pushes my self-loathing to a whole new level.
Blaine Koleman enters the bedroom. His bedroom. In nothing but a towel.
Oh God. I watch him watch me and ever so slowly I pull the blanket over my head. Immature, probably, but I can’t look him in the eye.
Flashes of the night before return to me like bolts of lightning.
Stop fighting it.
You want this.
His thoughts had found their way into my mind. It was insane. Or maybe it was the alcohol. But I had heard him, even when he said nothing.
I feel Blaine sitting down on the bed next to me. Every hair on my body stands on end, his presence does something to me. Something… inexplicable. When we get close, it’s like oxygen and fuel and heat. We are a fire, the flame too hot to handle. So I keep pushing him away.
Piper told me to have a fling and I thought she was right, that it would help me move on. But then Blaine gets close like he is right now, sitting inches from me and I know she is wrong. I’m not sure I can handle what he has to offer.
A thin blanket is the only thing separating us and I know a one-time thing isn’t possible. He is all consuming and it scares me.
But also, it excites me.
“We need to talk about last night. Now.” Blaine doesn’t broach subjects politely. He tells me how it is.
Even though Chad may have been demanding, critical, and arrogant... it’s different with Blaine.
As crazy as it sounds, I trust that Blaine. He jumped into action and saved me at the river. He knew his aunt’s punch was too much for me to handle. And he knows after last night that I want him.
I groan.
So now, when he says we need to talk, I want to listen. Damn, there’s even a part of me that wants to do as he says. To show him that I may be a little over the top sometimes, but I also want a man in charge who actually knows how to take care of me. Not in a demeaning way, like Chad was, but in a protective way. In a way that will make me feel safe, both in my own skin and in his arms.
Maybe that man is Blaine.
And maybe I’m still feeling the effects of the punch.
I lower the blanket and lift my eyes to his. I’m still trying to hide pa
rts of myself, which is ridiculous and impossible.
With Blaine, there is no hiding. Like it or not, with him I am seen.
“Why do you keep putting yourself in harm’s way?”
“Drinking isn’t dangerous.”
“It is when you’re surrounded by--” He shakes his head, then sighs. “Anyone could have taken advantage of you. And the day at the river, you didn’t take the warning of every forest ranger in the valley.”
I scoff. “You didn’t either, you were there too.”
“I’m from Bear Valley. I can handle myself. You? What do you know about the woods?”
“This is stupid,” I huff. “ You’re right, I’m wrong. I’m a mess, you’ve got it all figured out.” I hate how I feel right now. Hate knowing he’s right.
“That’s not true.” Blaine presses his fingers to his temples. “I’m the one who is a mess.”
“Yeah right.” I roll my eyes, not believing Blaine is anything but in control. “I’m practically naked in your bed and don’t even remember coming here last night.”
He gives me a small smile at that. “You don’t remember anything?”
Groaning, I admit the truth. “I kinda blacked out.”
His lips twitch. “So you don’t remember me picking you up and carrying you into bed?”
“You carried me?”
“Yeah. And you kept going on and on about…” he pauses, chuckling to himself.
“What? Tell me,” I say, reaching for his bicep, playfully. But once my hand is wrapped against his solid muscle, I don’t want to move it. “What did I say?” I ask more softly, so very aware of how naked we both are.
He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his eyes fixed on mine. He reaches for my cheek, tucking back a loose strand of my hair. “You kept saying how hard my cock was that day at the river. When I saved your ass. You said you wanted to see my cock again.”
Oh my God.
Heat rushes over my face, but I don’t look away. I should be mortified, but surprisingly I’m not. I guess the alcohol allowed me to be honest. To tell Blaine that beneath his aggravating attitude my body is dreaming of melting against his strong supple frame.
“I said all that?” I ask, licking my lips.
Untamed Lovers (Mountain Men of Bear Valley Book 2) Page 3
