Captivated by the She-Wolf

by Kristal Hollis

  “I’ll check with Grace and let you know.” Rafe gave her a slight, assuring nod and she knew he would also inform Gavin. The Alpha wouldn’t be pleased with Jeb’s attempt to circumvent protocol by not checking in with him before contacting her.

  “Thanks,” Ronni said, feeling slightly better about the situation. “Bodie and I are going to lunch. I’ll stop by later.”

  “All right.” Rafe’s gaze slid to Bodie.

  “I’m being a good friend.” Bodie gave Rafe a thumbs-up.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Ronni asked as they continued their walk.

  “I know Rafe is your relative and worries about you,” Bodie said easily. “I thought he should know you’re in good hands. The best, actually, but I didn’t want to brag in case Rafe thought his were better. They aren’t, though. Mine are.”

  “Oh, really.” Although her voice deadpanned, Ronni liked how Bodie’s teasing manner put her at ease. He provided moments of levity when she really needed it. And a little clarity.

  Since Bodie admitted he was just being a “good friend,” that bone-melting kiss was all show, despite their bodies’ very real reactions.

  They stopped at the corner to wait for a car to go past before crossing the street.

  “I should apologize for what happened at the store.” She’d outright panicked when Jeb refused to leave and when Bodie walked in, her brain had gone all haywire. Apparently, her body had, too, and she’d be a liar if she denied enjoying the lip-locking show they had given Jeb.

  “I’m glad to have been there at the right time.”

  “Now the shock of seeing him again is over, I’ll handle him better next time.”

  “No worries. My lips are available anytime you need them.” Bodie held the door open to a noisy Mabel’s Diner for Ronni, then walked in behind her.

  “Other things are, too, if you’re interested,” his voice whispered through her mind. But that wasn’t possible.

  Wahyas were telepathic with their own kind when in wolfan form but they couldn’t communicate with humans in this manner unless they shared a mate-bond. Which of course, they didn’t.

  Maybe the loud chattering in the restaurant made his voice seem like it was inside her head.

  “Did you say something?”

  Bodie continued looking around the diner as if he didn’t hear her.

  She tugged on his sleeve and he leaned closer. Clean and masculine, his scent caused her stomach to flutter. With all the smells circulating in the diner, she was surprised to hone in on just his.

  “Hey, what did you say when we came in?”

  “My lips are available anytime.” The flecks in his eyes were shimmering. “Are you putting in a request for right here, right now? Because I’m good with that.”

  His smile was outrageously flirty but he made no move to sweep her into his arms, bend her over and plant a big one on her. Despite her reasonable brain’s utter dismay, she kind of wished he would have.

  “Did you say anything else?”

  “No, but tell me what you want to hear and I’ll say it.” The wiggle of his dark brows made her laugh and he smiled. Without boast or taunt, it was a genuine smile that made her respond in kind.

  His gaze settled on her mouth. She knew that was where it landed by the way her lips tingled.

  “Hey, you two!” Mabel waved them over to a window booth. “You want the blue plate special? Or order off the menu?”

  “The special is fine, and sweet tea,” Ronni said, scooting into the booth.

  “I’ll have the same,” Bodie said. “And apple pie for dessert.”

  “It’ll be ready in a few minutes.” Mabel stepped away from the table, out of Bodie’s line of vision, and gave Ronni an exaggerated wink before heading into the kitchen.

  “So supper with Jeb. I’m invited, right?” Fingers laced and arms on the table, Bodie leaned forward. His flirtatious smile returned. “Since we’re pretending to be a couple, I should be there.”

  “We’re not pretending to be a couple.” She could feel her eyes roll.

  “So we’re a real couple.” He did a little head bob. “Cool.”

  “We are not.” She should’ve saved the eye roll because this was when it was really needed and all she had left in her arsenal of incredulous body language was a flat shake of her head.

  “Well, what are we, beautiful? Because something’s going on between us.”

  “Two things you should understand. One, there is nothing going on between us.” Yeah, she nearly choked on number one. “Two, my situation with Jeb isn’t your problem.”

  “One.” Clearing his throat, Bodie narrowed his eyes at her. “Liar, liar, pants on fire. Need me to pat out those flames with my hands?” He squeezed the air with his hands just like he’d squeezed her butt, which was now warming, again.

  “Two, if you’re expecting more problems with Jeb, then I’m definitely coming. He’s the reason I got to kiss you in the first place and I don’t want to miss an opportunity for a repeat.”

  “I’m not interested in any more of your kisses,” she said, although her heart chanted, yes, I am with every staccato beat.

  Bodie’s easy smile turned arrogant and irritating. “Oh, I think you are very interested. Maybe even interested in a little more than a kiss?”

  “Keep talking like that and you’ll be eating lunch alone.”

  He chuckled lightheartedly and let the matter drop. That he didn’t allow his dominant side to keep pushing her to admit something she didn’t want to helped Ronni become even more comfortable in his presence. Fun and playful, he knew how to balance his teasing without crossing the line and disrespecting her boundaries.

  “Here ya go.” The server smacked two blue plate specials onto the table and slid two large glasses of sweet tea and a big wedge of apple pie in front of them. Dropping the wrapped silverware on table, she said, “Enjoy.” But Ronni didn’t think she meant it.

  “Carla must be having a rough day.”

  “Must be. She’s usually quite flirty.”

  “You don’t say.” Ronni watched Bodie unwrap his silverware. If he had a clue that Carla’s behavior might be due to jealousy, he didn’t show it.

  “So what is the blue special?” A knife in one hand, a fork in the other, Bodie peered at her in earnest.

  “An open-faced roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes.” Although it was hard to tell since the entire platter was covered in a dark, rich beef gravy. “Haven’t you had the special before?”

  “Nope.” He cut into the sandwich. “I like to live dangerously.”

  “Is that why you went along with my impromptu charade at the store?” Ronni took a bite of her meal.

  “I didn’t have a choice. The way you mesmerized me with that sassy little strut, I was completely under your spell.” With a daring gleam in his eyes, he held her gaze. “Cast it again. I dare you.”

  If he only knew how much she would like to do just that. Since Zeke’s passing, Ronni had felt nothing but a hollow chill, but something about Bodie warmed her, inside and out.

  “What if I don’t want to?”

  “Oh, you do,” Bodie said but didn’t push any further.

  They began eating in amicable silence and she liked the simple comfort of sharing a meal and enjoying his company again.

  “I like you,” Bodie said.

  She liked him, too. Probably a little more than she should.

  “We’re both single parents of teenagers,” he continued. “We eat the same foods. We have great chemistry, right?”

  Bodie’s caressing gaze started a chain reaction. Ronni’s body heated, her skin prickled, her heart pounded, butterflies danced in her stomach and a jolt of awareness lit up her libido like Fourth of July fireworks.

  “Yeah,” he said. Though his head bowed over his plate, there was no
hiding his bodacious grin. “You know I’m right.”

  “So what?”

  “Let’s make a deal.” He lifted his gaze. “I’ll play your boyfriend until the situation with Jeb is resolved. But whether or not you agree to the deal, if I see that he’s harassing you, I will step in to end it. That’s nonnegotiable.”

  “You’re a terrible dealmaker. That deal is all one-sided.”

  “I’m not finished.” Bodie pushed aside his empty plate. “You have to give me a real chance at winning you over.”

  “You can’t be serious.” Ronni’s heart thumped an extra beat.

  “See this?” Both of his index fingers pointed at his face. All traces of humor were gone. His dark brows slashed down savagely over eyes now devoid of all humor. The tightness in his jaw sharpened the angles of his cheeks into blades. And determination set his firm, masculine mouth like granite. “This is my serious face.”

  It certainly was.

  “I fully intend for us to explore that spark between us.”

  “There is no spark.” She took a sip of her iced tea and managed to slurp nearly all of it down.

  “Then what is it?” A quiver of a smile ghosted his tight lips.

  An inferno? “Barely a flicker.” She waved her hand dismissively.

  Laughter erupted from Bodie’s chest. Deep and rich and vibrant, it reverberated through her like a tribal drumbeat.

  “Challenge accepted.” Locking his gaze on her, Bodie extended his hand. “Do we have a deal?”

  “No, we don’t have a deal.” Ronni tucked her fingers beneath her crossed arms just in case her body had other ideas.

  “Chicken.” He said the word so softly, she almost missed it.

  “Trust me. I am not a chicken.”

  Bodie actually began clucking.

  Well, that was all it took for her wolf instinct to take over and when she regained her senses Bodie was shaking her treacherous hand.

  Tugging Ronni to her feet, he kept a firm grip on her hand as they strolled toward Mabel, who was sitting at the cash register, grinning like a fiend.

  “Everything was delicious,” he told her while paying.

  “You two lovebirds come back anytime.” Mabel winked.

  “Oh, we’re not—” Ronni didn’t finish that sentence because Bodie pulled her outside. “Look, about our deal.”

  “Too late to retract it. We shook hands.” Mirth danced in Bodie’s eyes a half-second before he tangled her in his arms, slanted his mouth over hers and kissed her. Softly at first, waiting for her to open.

  Which of course she did because her body happily remembered the last kiss and was eager for more of the same.

  His hand trailed down her back to grip her ass, hauling her tight against him. Fingers laced behind his neck, she gave in to his quickening pace. His tongue explored and claimed, branding her with the tastes of sweet tea, apple pie and red-hot desire. Funny how chill bumps began to dot her skin even though she was burning up. She rose on her toes, giving as good as she got.

  Suddenly, Bodie tore his mouth away. “And now, we’ve sealed the deal with a kiss.”

  “What?” Ronni said, feeling discombobulated and a little unsteady on her feet as the lustful fog began to lift from her brain.

  “We don’t have to jump into bed together right away.”

  “Are you insane?” Smacking her palms flat against his chest, she shoved away from him.

  “Oh, well if you’re all for it, so am I.” Playfully, Bodie caught her arm. “How soon can we start?”

  A flood of hormones unleashed a very real desire that had nothing to do with the effects of a full moon. Especially since it was still a couple of weeks away.

  “Look, I don’t need any more complications in my life.” Ronni ignored the riotous uproar going on internally.

  “Boy likes girl, girl likes boy. Boy and girl have wild, crazy, sweaty sex.” Bodie’s ridiculously broad smile was infuriating. “It can’t get any more complicated than that.”

  Oh, yes. Yes, it could.

  * * *

  Waiting in the pickup lane at the high school, Ronni allowed herself a moment to breathe. She liked life simple, uncomplicated. Serene.

  Not the hang-and-bang roller coaster ride that Fate had strapped her into today.

  The bitch.

  Couldn’t let Ronni have one amazing thing without it being tied to something shitty. Yin and yang could suck it!

  She touched her mouth. Yep. Lips still there, despite Bodie’s effort to kiss them right off her face. In full view of everyone inside the diner plastered against the window, watching. The way the tongues wagged around Maico, by sunset, everyone would think she and Bodie were engaged.

  The nerve of him!

  The tickle in her stomach started up again and in no time, her body was humming.

  “For crying out loud,” she told her reflection in the rearview mirror. “It was only a kiss.”

  Yeah, like the Hope Diamond was only a lump of coal.

  Teenagers flowed out of the buildings and Ronni grew wistful about not finishing high school. At seventeen, she was married and pregnant and working as a waitress. There had been no time to finish school.

  Sadly, she’d miscarried. It had taken a few years of trying to conceive before Alex came along. She would do anything for that boy.

  Pride swelled her heart when she saw him walking across the school yard. Tall, handsome, with a confident swagger. A total transformation from the lanky, grieving, uncertain boy she’d brought with her from Pine Ridge.

  Someone stopped him.

  Jeb!

  Ronni’s fingers froze on the steering wheel. How dare he show up at the school! What did he hope to accomplish? Alex had never even met him.

  She forced herself to breathe. Loosened her hands and prepared to get out of the car.

  Alex adjusted the backpack slung across his shoulder and started walking again. Jeb fell into step beside him.

  Ronni could see that Alex was tense by his grip on the straps of his backpack, but he didn’t seem upset or distressed so she remained in the vehicle.

  They crossed the road and walked to the car.

  “Hey, Mom.” Alex slid into the front passenger seat.

  Jeb leaned down to the open driver’s window. “I came by to introduce myself.”

  “How considerate.” The snarky tone of her voice should’ve conveyed how much she thought it wasn’t. “But don’t do it again. The administration doesn’t tolerate unannounced visitors, especially those not on the designated list.”

  And hell would freeze over, thaw and refreeze a million times before Jebediah Lyles’s name would appear on that list.

  “And in case you forgot, Gavin Walker is in charge of scheduling your visits,” she continued. “I suggest that you don’t circumvent him.”

  Jeb glanced at Alex, earbuds in place and buckling his seat belt. “I have a meeting with Gavin, his son and Rafe this evening to settle the matter of you and Alex returning to Pine Ridge with me. Start packing.”

  If the matter wasn’t so serious, she would’ve laughed. Gavin had already informed her of his and the pack’s support. And Jeb had no idea that not only was Rafe Brice’s best friend, but he was also the Alpha’s godson. And none of the three wolfans were easily intimidated. So, the meeting Jeb was so cocky about definitely would not go in his favor.

  “Mom.” Alex tapped the face of his cellphone showing the time. “I’m going to be late.” He loved working with Rafe. His calm, steady, patient mentorship had turned Alex’s life around for the better. Jeb’s influence would undo all the gains.

  “I’ll be in touch, sugar.”

  I’ll keep the disinfectant handy.

  Jeb stepped away from the car and Ronni rolled up the window.

  “He looks like Dad, don’t you thi
nk?” Pulling out one earbud, Alex watched Jeb stroll across the road like he owned it. He didn’t even acknowledge the driver who had slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting him and was now laying on the horn.

  Egotistical maniac. If you ever walk in front of my car...

  Of course, she would never actually do it, but thinking about it gave her perverse pleasure.

  “I see some resemblance,” Ronni replied. Except for the eyes. Zeke’s hazel eyes had been warm and kind and loving, and the reason Ronni had been able to see past the physical similarities to his brother.

  “I don’t like that he looks like Dad, because he isn’t. And that’s kinda creepy.”

  The creep factor had less to do with Jeb’s physical appearance than with his cruel nature.

  “What’s he like?”

  “I really don’t know what Jeb is like now. The man I once knew was very different from your father.”

  She cranked the ignition, then eased the car into traffic. “He shouldn’t have come to you without my permission.”

  “I told him that. He said that I was a mama’s boy and that he would toughen me up.”

  Okay, now she was rethinking her ability to commit vehicular homicide.

  Alex laughed. “I told him to piss off.”

  “Alex!” That’s my boy.

  “He also asked if I knew about your boyfriend.”

  A growl rumbled in Ronni’s throat.

  “It’s okay, Mom.” Alex stared out the window. “I’m cool with him.”

  “With who?”

  “Willow’s dad.” Swinging his gaze toward her, Alex rolled his eyes.

  “Bodie and I—”

  “At the football game, he made you smile, Mom. Like Dad did,” Alex said. “If you’re gonna say Mr. G isn’t your boyfriend, then maybe he should be.”

  The rest of the drive, Alex remained quiet. Ronni wasn’t quite sure how to interpret his easy acquiescence toward her dating, but it was one less worry moving forward with Bodie’s plan.

  Approaching the Sorghum Avenue intersection, she noticed Jeb’s SUV several cars back. Before the light changed to red, she turned. At Wyatt’s Automotive Services, she parked next to an open bay.