by Terry Spear
“Yeah, they’re excited about it.” There wasn’t anything the family loved more than being part of the ski community. They were also looking forward to having visitors interested in hiking and other sports in the region. They loved being here with a wolf pack, which was why the family had solicited Darien and Lelandi Silver to allow them to open a ski lodge here, once they learned Silver Town was actually run by wolves. Not everyone in the pack had been happy about them opening the business at first. “I think most of the wolves in the pack accept us now,” Blake said.
“Yeah. We knew we’d have to work at it a bit. I suspect when our sisters show up, some of the bachelor males will be even more agreeable to us being here.”
Blake shook his head. “Roxie and Kayla won’t be prepared for the onslaught of dating offers, I bet.”
“They might not admit it, but I think they’re looking forward to it. Little did we know there were so many males looking for she-wolf mates.”
The brothers had worked super hard at trying not to take business from the bed-and-breakfast and the Silver Town Inn in town, doing everything they could to help advertise the other wolves’ businesses too. It was good wolf-pack public relations. Most of the wolves were warming up to them being here. They’d finally opened the Howling Wolff Bar and Grill at the lodge, and that had also concerned some of the business owners in town.
The Silver Town Tavern, which boasted the best drinks and lunches and dinners around, was open exclusively to wolves, courtesy of a high-dollar membership that the wolves didn’t really pay, so human visitors needed someplace else to go for dinner. Even so, the tavern’s owner, Sam, and his mate, Silva, had worried the Wolff restaurant might take more of the wolf population’s business. Silva ran the Victorian Tea Shop, which was open for lunches, but not everyone wanted to leave the slopes to eat lunch in town.
The ski lodge featured a large deck, offering dining for skiers who wanted to grab an appetizer, a drink, or a meal before they hit the slopes, and they had indoor dining too. A lot of folks came there on dates, not just to ski.
The Wolff brothers had downplayed their competitive nature, so this past Christmas, they hadn’t participated in any of the competitions—snowmen or snow sculptures, gingerbread houses, even Christmas lighting. They’d decorated the whole lodge in lights, of course, but they hadn’t entered their place in the competitions. Except for getting their business off the ground and making it a profitable venture, they hadn’t had time for a whole lot of anything else.
“Looks like I’ve got some business to take care of.” Landon frowned, his gaze focused on someone behind Blake who he could hear was fast approaching. From the sound of the ski boots on the tile floor, he thought the person was female. “You go ski, and when you’re done, I’ll take a few runs down the slope.”
Blake glanced back and saw the pretty blond he’d noticed observing him and Rosco during the avalanche training. She was headed straight for them, her expression intense, brows furrowed, her gaze shifting from Landon to Blake. He smelled a whiff of her scent—fresh air and she-wolf. No wonder his brother was eager to assist her. At the same time, Blake was a little embarrassed that the woman approaching had witnessed him struggling with the snowblower. Good thing she hadn’t seen him with an out-of-control Saint Bernard even earlier.
Blake smiled. “I can hang around for a moment and take care of whatever issues she’s having.”
“No, that’s okay, Blake. The sooner you ski, the sooner I get to.”
Blake knew that wasn’t the only reason his brother wanted to take care of the woman’s concerns. Landon had recognized she was a wolf too.
When she drew closer to them, she targeted Blake, and he was eager to be the one to handle whatever was upsetting her. Happily. Conflict didn’t bother him or his brother. It was a chance to prove they could resolve any issues that arose at the lodge with the least amount of fuss. When he caught another whiff of her wolfish scent, that made him even more eager to help her. Though he reminded himself she could have a mate or a potential one.
She smiled brightly at Blake, her cheeks and the tip of her nose rosy from the cold. She was wearing a white parka, the furry hood down, a light-pink and white ski hat, dickey, and gloves, and formfitting light-pink ski pants and white ski boots, looking as if she’d just came off the slopes. She reminded him of cotton candy and snow bunnies, innocent and sweet.
When she reached him, she threw her arms around Blake in a hug, startling him. He smiled down at her, amused at where this was going. Since he was single, he didn’t have to worry about a mate throwing a fit. If he had, all she’d have to do was smell this woman all over him, and he would have been in the doghouse. As long as the woman hugging him didn’t have a mate either. Then again, wolves mated for life, so she probably wouldn’t act this way if she were mated or courting another wolf. She could smell that he didn’t have a she-wolf’s scent on him either. Not until now.
He was surprised at her action. Did she think he was someone else? But she would recognize his scent, which quashed that theory. The only other thought that flashed through his mind was that she was trying to pretend she had a relationship with him because some guy was hassling her. Whatever the reason, he was all too willing to play along and take care of whoever was giving her trouble.
She kissed him, startling him even more, and his brother laughed. “It appears your day is looking up, and I think you have a handle on this.” Still chuckling, Landon walked off.
Blake was enraptured with the woman. Her lips were soft and malleable as she pressed them gently against his, but she began building up the steam, licking his mouth and then nipping and melding hers with his.
Relishing the scent of the she-wolf and the crisp, cold out-of-doors that she carried with her, Blake wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against his body, enjoying her soft curves and warmth, building a slow fire deep inside him. They were kissing like they needed a room, he realized, not family fare in the lobby of their lodge. He very reluctantly pulled his mouth from hers and smiled. “Do I know you?”
“Took you long enough to ask.” She smiled up at him, and he wondered what he was getting himself into.
Hell, he was game.
“I’m Nicole Grayson, and you’re my fiancé. For the moment. My life depends on it.”
Blake frowned, worrying she was really in trouble, though she didn’t seem overly anxious—not in her facial expression, and certainly not in the way she’d been so easily intimate with him. “Do we need to call the sheriff?” He should have already had his phone out, but he didn’t want to let go of her if there wasn’t any need. This was just too damn nice.
“No, I’ve got a handle on this.”
He wanted to laugh at her choice of words since Landon had said the same thing about Blake. “All right, good show. By the way, I’m Blake Wolff.”
“Wolf? I’ll say.”
He smiled. He liked her easy banter and didn’t think she could be in any real danger. He would have smelled her anxiety for one thing, instead of her enticing arousal that was fueling his own. “I’d shake your hand, but I think we’re beyond that.”
“For this to be believable, yes.” She smiled up at him as if she truly adored him. “I saw all the trouble you were having with the snowblower earlier.”
“Uh, yeah.” That kind of blew his macho image, he was afraid. He had hoped she wouldn’t bring it up. “I’ve never used that kind before.”
“I kind of figured that. I haven’t either, or I would have tried to help.”
He smiled. “You watched instead.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “You were entertaining.”
“You saw everything?”
“You mean the spill you took too? Yeah, you should have seen me hit a patch of ice on the slope this morning. I was sprawled every which way.”
He chuckled, not feeling as bad now. He li
ked how she could make him feel better about it. “I was just going to ski. Did you want to come with me?” He thought that would be fun if it was in line with the ruse she was playing and because they would both be dressed for it once he put on some ski boots. Besides, he hadn’t been this interested in a she-wolf since he and Susie Northrop ended things between them. She’d been so pissed off that he and his brother and sisters were moving to the “wilds” of Colorado, the Wild West, she said, that she broke it off with him a year before he left. Good thing for that.
“I just came in from out-of-doors. Take me to your room instead,” Nicole said.
He raised a brow. He hadn’t quite expected that. Then again, he hadn’t expected any of this—the hug, the kiss, now this. He wasn’t letting go of her though. “Because your life depends on it.”
“It would seem more realistic. If we’re lovers. And we can talk.”
None of this seemed real to Blake. Well, the kiss sure did, but the rest? No.
He rubbed her arm, his other arm still keeping her locked against his body. His was hot and aroused, to be sure. He couldn’t believe how much he didn’t want to let her go. Then again, she was the one who had tackled him first.
He glanced around the lobby, looking to see if anyone was eyeing them with speculation. Their guests all seemed to be enjoying visiting with friends or were on their way somewhere—to the restaurant, restrooms, seating by the big center fireplace, out-of-doors to ski, or to their rooms. “Okay, we have a little problem with going to ‘my’ room.”
“Don’t tell me your roommate won’t go along with it.” She sighed.
“I’m not staying here.”
“Okay, you can come to my room. But my partner has high-altitude sickness and might be sleeping.”
“Partner. Male?” As in a real boyfriend? That could be awkward. Then again, he couldn’t be, since Blake didn’t smell a male’s scent on her except his own. Blake hadn’t met her before, but he was definitely showing any other eligible wolf bachelors here that he had a real interest in her. Was she part of the Silver Town pack, and he just hadn’t met her yet? He didn’t think so, or she wouldn’t be staying at the lodge.
“Yes, he’s a he. So you live in Silver Town? And are just up here for the day skiing?”
“I’m part owner of the ski lodge and restaurant, along with my brother and two sisters.” He normally wouldn’t have mentioned that to a she-wolf he’d just met who wasn’t a member of the pack, feeling like it was bragging a little.
Her brows rose this time. “Oh, Wolff as in two f’s. Okay, this won’t do. I need to find somebody else.” She started to pull away from him.
He held on tight. “No. Wait.”
She smiled up at him again. Then she frowned. “I shouldn’t involve you. You seem like a nice guy.”
“I’m already involved. And I can be a not-so-nice guy if you need me to. Ask my brother and sisters.”
She chuckled, but then she grew serious again. “Okay, here the two men come. Make this look good. You can be my lover, and Larry is my brother.”
“Larry, as in your partner?”
“Yes.” She didn’t give Blake a chance to ask any more questions as she kissed him again.
She didn’t smell like she’d been around another male, so he didn’t think the guy was really her partner as in mated. Instead, Nicole was wearing Blake’s scent and he was cloaked in her sweet fragrance, making it seem, to other wolves, that they were together.
Blake had every intention of making it look real, but he wanted to see who she was worried about. He wanted to ask her who she was and who her “partner” was.
For now, he concentrated on the workout they were having, his mouth pressed hungrily against hers, and that was not faked in the least. She kissed him back just as greedily, her olive-green eyes feral as she gazed up at him, and then closed them again to concentrate on the kiss.
He could feel her pulling her mouth away finally, and he reluctantly went along with the plan. Her cheeks were flushed with heat, her gaze still on his mouth, as if she was thinking of kissing him again.
He smiled. She was hot and interesting, and he could have kissed her all day long.
She sighed. “Let’s go.”
Blake glanced back to see if his brother was busy working. Landon was standing near the fireplace, arms folded across his chest, watching them, smiling. Which was normal for a family member and a wolf who was curious how this would play out.
“Wow, we leave you guys alone for a couple of months, and what do we come home to?” Blake’s sister Roxie asked. He turned to see her and their sister Kayla openmouthed and staring at him in surprise.
Chapter 2
Blake realized Roxie and Kayla had entered the lobby, and instead of greeting him after their long trip, they had been watching the situation between him and Nicole unfold, just as Landon had.
“Ohmigod, you!” Roxie said to Nicole, finally really looking at her.
“Roxie…um…Wolff? You’re related to Blake?” Nicole asked, sounding surprised.
Roxie folded her arms. “Yeah. I’m his sister. And this is our sister, Kayla, and our brother Landon.”
“You two know each other?” Blake suspected from his sister’s aggravated tone and posture that she did, and it wasn’t in a good way.
Roxie turned to Blake. “Unfortunately, yes. I know her. Remember me telling you about that worthless CID investigation concerning the MP who threatened me with a gun, ordering me to hand over my coin collection?”
Blake looked at Nicole, waiting for her to confirm.
“You can’t be here!” Nicole said to Roxie, panic in her voice.
“What?” Roxie wore a growly expression as she glowered at Nicole.
“Can we talk about this in private? Please?” Nicole asked, pleading with Roxie and Blake.
Blake knew from the change in Nicole’s scent from interested in him to highly anxious that something really was wrong. “Yeah, we can go to the office,” he said, worried Roxie might be in some kind of trouble.
“I just got here, and I fully intend to see everything and do my job. You can get lost.” Roxie glanced at the restaurant, and her face brightened. “I love the decor. I know we helped plan it, and you sent us pictures, but it’s even nicer than I had envisioned.”
“If you haven’t had lunch, you ought to check it out,” Blake said.
“No!” Nicole said, even more anxious now.
Everyone looked at her like she was crazy.
“Can we please move this to someplace private? To your office, like you mentioned?” Nicole said.
“Sure. Come on.” Blake led the way, and his sisters and Nicole followed him to the office.
As soon as they were all inside, he saw Landon give someone a quick word, then shake his hand and stalk across the floor to join them. Blake was glad they could all meet together to learn what Nicole thought was wrong. Landon hugged their sisters, and then Blake realized he should have too when he first saw them, but he’d been wrapped up in Nicole and the kiss and whatever the trouble seemed to be. He began to make introductions, explaining to his brother about Nicole having been with CID and investigating the unsolved crime against Roxie.
“Hey, I’m Kayla,” his other sister said, stepping in to shake Nicole’s hand. “So you’re a member of the Silver Town pack?”
“Uh, no.” Nicole smiled and shook Kayla’s hand. “The town has a wolf pack then?”
“Yeah. Are you still with the CID?” Kayla asked.
“No. I left the army.”
“Did you have too many unsolved cases?” Roxie arched a brow, her arms folded across her chest.
“That was my first case, and my first unsolved case, true. I had a few more, but I solved a lot more than I lost. That wasn’t the reason I left the service. Okay, listen. Not all cases can be solved. I couldn’t
find any hard evidence to charge the MP with the crime, though I believed your story in its entirety. I even learned who the MP was.”
Roxie’s eyes widened. “And still you did nothing?”
“I smelled his scent, then found his desk and his nameplate sitting on his desk, so I knew he was the one who had held your driver’s license. But you know we can’t use our ability to recognize scents in a court of law. If I’d had a security video of him accosting you or one of him getting into his car and the license plate number, I could have nailed him. I even did surveillance on him until he left the service, whenever I had any free time, though I was often working seventy-hour weeks on cases. I was trying to pin him down on a different crime, to find a pattern of criminal behavior. At the time, I thought either he had never committed a crime before or he was lying low, afraid someone might realize what he’d done. But I never caught him doing anything illegal the rest of the time he was on active duty.”
Her eyes narrowed, Roxie still looked miffed, but Blake understood Nicole’s situation. With nothing to go on, she couldn’t have done anything more. Wisely, he didn’t comment and take Nicole’s side though.
“What are you doing here if you’re not part of the pack?” Roxie asked. “Besides kissing my brother like he’s your long-lost mate. And why don’t you want anyone to see me?”
“He’s here, the MP, and I’m here to do surveillance on him with a partner who unfortunately has high-altitude sickness.”
“Partner?” Roxie and Kayla both glanced at Blake, as if expecting him to look surprised, especially after all the kissing that had been going on between the two of them.
Roxie eyed Nicole again, then said to Blake, “I’d sure check out this ‘partner’ before I got much more involved with the former special agent. So the MP is here? And you’re doing what? Looking to finally make this right? If you’re no longer in the service, I don’t see that you can. Unless you’re FBI or something now and he’s committed another crime, one you can do a better job solving.”
