by Jane Jamison
“Jackson, this is serious.”
She could sense his entire demeanor change. “What is it?”
“It’s true, isn’t it? Someone has turned teens into vampires.”
His silence told her that he’d known about it even before he admitted it. “Yeah. But tell me how you know.”
“Because I just ran into three of them. They’re in the south pasture, and they’ve gutted one of your calves.”
His expletives came fast and fierce. The sounds of his curses died as she heard him cover the phone, muting his voice as he spoke to someone else. Once he came back to the phone, she heard him take a breath to steady himself. “Did they hurt you?”
“They tried to. Thankfully, I was in my wolf form and hightailed it out of there. But it was close. Too close.” Her thoughts drifted to the he-wolf that she’d chased and lost. But that was for another time. At least she hoped it was.
What if he never comes back?
She shoved the awful idea away. “So you did know about them.”
“I did. And I’m working with a few others to rectify the situation.”
“A few others? Werewolves or vampires?”
“Both.”
“Is Deacon Slater in on this?” It figured that Forever’s most notable vampire would know something. She doubted he was the one responsible for turning youths, but he had close ties to the other vampires in the area. He stayed to himself most of the time, coming into town only at night to run his Up All Night Pharmacy.
“I’m not going to say anything more right now, Milly. It’s better that you don’t get involved.”
“I was almost ripped apart by three vampire punks, so I’d say I’m already involved.”
“I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be. I’m sending Anderson Holmes and Jayden out to check on that calf. Thanks for letting me know.”
“Damn it, Jackson. You can’t dismiss me that easily.” She gritted her teeth and fought down her wolf that wanted nothing more than to take its frustrations out on him.
“I’m not. At least that’s not how I see it. Just do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t go running alone again, okay? And try to enjoy your stay there.”
The memory of their fangs and their flashing eyes brought a chill to her. In a fair fight, she could handle her own against one vampire. But against three young, strong ones? She wasn’t so sure.
“Jackson, tell me straight up. Am I safe?”
“Yeah, you are. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you stay. They’re new, and I doubt they know a lot of people aside from their maker. Plus, they haven’t attack anything other than animals. Play it safe, though, and lock your doors.”
“Will do. But you’d better get the problem licked soon. Until then, let me know if I can help.”
Her inner wolf howled, itching to prove she could take the vampires. Milly smiled. She’d never backed down from a fight before, and if she hadn’t been caught off guard earlier, she wouldn’t have run then, either. But if they decided to make a house call, she’d show them just how tough she could get.
Jackson’s laugh felt good against her ear. “Will do, bitch.”
She smiled as she hung up the phone. He’d called her a bitch, not meaning it in a derogatory way, but to show that he could sense her inner wolf’s readiness to fight.
* * * *
Matthew Hudson wagged his tail as he stared at the silhouette outlined on the shade. The house was a small one, probably with two or three bedrooms and a combined living room and kitchen. God knows he’d seen enough of the same thing in his travels. But at last, his traveling days were over.
As soon as he’d seen the beautiful woman sitting in the rocking chair, he’d known he’d finally found the mate he and his brother would share. She was radiant even as her head leaned to the side as she dozed, the wine glass she held precariously balanced in her hand. Her golden hair curled around her oval face, and long eyelashes teased him, making him guess what color her eyes were. She was fair skinned with a ripe body, toned yet full of womanly curves.
He’d snuck up as close as he could, wanting to get a whiff of her scent. He’d caught the barest hint of lilacs with the telltale underlying aroma of werewolf.
Our mate’s already a shifter.
A touch of disappointment was gone in a flash. Although he’d often dreamed of the moment he’d change their mate into a werewolf, the fact that she already was one wasn’t bad. In fact, that opened up other opportunities. Instead of waiting for her to change, he could run with her as soon as he met her.
I should call Dan.
He should, but he didn’t want to leave her yet. After doubling back to make sure the vampires hadn’t hurt her, he’d hurried on to the house. He’d watched until, at last, he’d seen her shapely silhouette and known she was safe. Dan could wait until later.
His mood darkened as he thought about the young vampires. What vampire would sire ones so young? And what were they doing with the slaughtered calf? Vampires didn’t have to hunt like they used to. There were too many other, easier ways to get blood. In all his travels, he’d never run into any teenage vampires.
Being the impatient types, his brother and he had agreed that he’d leave their home in Bakersfield, California, to seek out their mate. Dan, his younger brother, remained home with their niece, Riley Carpenter, and waited for him to report back.
Although they both knew Matthew might never find her, might, in fact, spend the rest of this days looking for her, they’d acted as though he wouldn’t be gone for long. That was thousands of miles and two years ago. He visited as much as he could, but he always left again, in search of that one special woman.
Two long years and I’ve finally found her.
He sighed, the sound coming out in a low growl. He shouldn’t have met her in his wolf form. He’d wanted to meet her as a man first, but he’d needed to run when he’d been drawn to her home and found her asleep on the porch. When she’d come toward him, he hadn’t wanted to move, but then, as she grew even closer, he’d had no choice.
His wolfish grin spread wider.
Running with her was fun. Or at least it was up until I almost collided with the vampires.
When the lights went out in the house, he stood, watched for a minute longer to be sure, and then padded into the darkness. He’d meet her in the morning in his human form. Until then, he needed to find a safe place to sleep.
* * * *
Milly loved the breeze that swept over the land. She held her face up to the sun and let the warmth wash over her as she clamped the clothespin on the line. Her laundry waved as a gust of wind picked it up, and she inhaled, drawing in the scent.
So that’s what Fresh Springtime smells like.
She’d purchased the laundry soap because of the fragrance name and was happy that it was living up to its reputation.
I wonder if they make a soap that smells like a man? Or better yet, the aroma of a man after he’s just had sex? If they did, I bet it’d outsell everything else.
She was smiling when she turned, laundry basket in hand, and saw him standing at her mailbox. The sensation she’d felt the night before ripped through her again, stronger than ever. As though she’d known him all her life, she dropped the basket and ran to him.
She was only a couple of feet from him when rational thought brought her to a stop. Even after swallowing the lump in her throat, she still found that she couldn’t speak. What would she say? After waiting for him to arrive, waiting to feel the connection so many had told her about, what words could express all the emotions running rampant through her? Instead, she lifted her hand in a slight welcoming wave.
He had dark, wavy hair that fell just below his ears. Expressive brown eyes locked onto hers, and a slight smile curved his mouth. She guessed he was an inch or so over six feet tall with broad shoulders that weren’t hidden under the jean jacket. His waist tapered in nicely while a black T-shirt hinted at the ripped abdomen ly
ing underneath. Jeans that had seen better days enclosed the long legs and were frayed at the point where they met his scuffed, light brown boots. A golden buckle with a half-moon emblem engraved on it sparkled in the sunlight.
He lifted his hand, which she assumed was meant as a return wave, then lunged forward and grabbed her, pulling her toward him. The stubble on his face beckoned her palm, and she had no ability to resist placing it against his cheek. His skin was soft and stubbly all at the same time, and she laughed, unable to keep the joy rising in her from spilling out.
“You.”
His dark eyes held a glint of amusement. “Me?”
“That was you last night.”
He answered although she hadn’t said it as a question. “Yeah.”
“I chased you.”
The glint grew brighter. “You did.”
“Why did you run?”
He opened the gate that was between them, never once letting her hand go. He tugged her closer, slipping his hands around her waist to find the rise of her buttocks. “Because it was fun.”
His answer confused her at first, but then it made sense. “Yes. It was.”
He tilted his head to the side, exposing the strange scar on his throat that was shaped like a diamond. “Do you know what else is fun?”
She thought she did, but she wanted to hear it from him. “What?”
“This.”
Chapter Three
Milly would tell her friends later that the kiss was only a kiss. But she’d say it with a knowing smile that told her friends she was lying.
The stranger’s kiss began as a caress of his lips against hers. The electricity surging from his body into hers jolted her, and if he hadn’t been holding onto her, she would’ve fallen backward. Instead, she laid her hands on his chest, barely touching him, yet she still could feel the strength of his muscles, the rigidness of the rocklike expanse. But along with that came the heat that radiated out of him and into her. She swore she could feel the rhythm of his heart underneath his clothes and her fingertips and felt it skip a beat in order to match the pounding of hers.
He tugged her even closer, pushing his crotch against hers, and increased the pressure of his mouth on her lips. She moaned and leaned forward, uncaring that she didn’t even know his name.
What did his name matter when she knew why he was there? They connected more than with their bodies, but with their minds and their souls.
He’s here. He’s finally here.
His tongue touched the plump portion of her lips then eased its way inside her mouth. He circled once, then twice, bringing his flavor in to mix with hers. She pushed her breasts against him, moving her hands around to lock her fingers at the back of his neck. The ends of his hair tickled her skin, tempting her to reach up and take hold.
He gripped her butt. She sucked on his tongue, telling him that she wanted something else inside her. He groaned then placed his hands on her hips and pushed her away.
Her slap came out of nowhere, as much of a surprise for her as it was for him. The sound of her palm striking the stubble she’d stroked jerked her back to reality. She stepped away as shock registered. She wasn’t sure if she’d hit him because she was angry that he’d kissed her in the first place or because he was breaking that kiss apart. Or maybe she’d struck him because he’d taken so damn long to find her. The reason didn’t matter. Only his reaction did.
She’d expected him to get angry, even furious. Kissing her was what she’d wanted, and he must’ve smelled her arousal before she’d gotten within ten feet of him. She could hardly blame him for taking what she so obviously wanted him to have. She studied him, wondering what he was thinking.
His dark eyes still held the same mischievous glint. He lifted his chin, giving her another chance to slap him. “Did you get it out of your system? If not, then go ahead. Hit me again.”
Was he crazy? Or was it a trick?
“Why do you want me to hit you again?”
He shrugged. “I figured you might need to. Go on. Do it again, if it’ll make you feel better.”
She shook her head. “No. That’s not what will make me feel better.”
He lifted his eyebrows in question. “Then what will?”
“This will.”
She took his hand and dragged him along with her up the porch steps, through the house, and into her bedroom. All the while, her head screamed reasons she shouldn’t do what she was about to do, but she forced them away, determined to take advantage of the moment she’d longed for. Whirling to face him, she pushed against his chest and sent him falling backward onto her bed.
Tearing off her T-shirt, she climbed on top of him and started undressing him. She couldn’t have stopped if she’d wanted to, and she sure as hell didn’t want to. His jacket hit the floor on the other side of the bed and was soon followed by his shirt. Seeing the massive chest that she’d felt before, she growled and started working on his belt buckle.
He lifted up, snagged her by the hair and pulled her mouth to his. As she fumbled with his belt and jeans, he did the same, but got hers pulled down before she’d managed to get his unbuttoned. He rolled over, taking her with him, and as she kicked off her sneakers, he yanked her jeans down her legs and off.
Their mouths molded together, breaking apart only when it was necessary to breathe. Her inner wolf rose to the surface, ready to claim him as her mate. Snarling, she fell to the side, pulling his jeans over the rise of his butt. He helped to push them to his ankles.
“Just a sec.”
“A second is all you get.”
He went onto his back to tug off his boots and jeans. She paused to take in the wonder of his hard body. Sensing that he was as hard and muscled as the god Zeus himself wasn’t the same as seeing his amazing body without clothing. She glided her gaze from the handsome face, over the mountainous chest, and landed on his crotch.
His cock was long, thick, lined with purple veins, and curved at the end. Pre-cum glistened on the tip, and she had no more choice than she’d had when he’d kissed her.
She leaned over and took his cock into her mouth. He tasted better than she could’ve imagined, all musky and tangy. His vein-lined skin slid easily in and out of her mouth, like her favorite Popsicle. He moaned and held her hair back for her as she bobbed her head up and down.
She received another moan when she cupped his balls and moved her fingers, bouncing them. Deep-throating him, she dragged him back out, sucking hard enough to get every bit of his flavor, but not enough to hurt him.
Her wolf howled with delight and scratched at her resistance. One day they might make love in their wolf forms, but for now, she wanted the man and not the animal.
His hand found her breast and played with it as he lifted his upper torso to watch her. His abdomen was taut, and she splayed her fingers over every muscled ridge. Going faster, she toyed with the idea of making him come in her mouth, then decided against it. Werewolves could get aroused again much faster than humans, and she didn’t want to take the chance that she’d rush things to an abrupt conclusion. Popping him out of her mouth, she pushed him back down then slung her leg over him.
* * * *
Matthew let out another moan—had he ever moaned as much?—and ripped her pink, lacy thong off. Her silky blonde hair flowed around her shoulders. Her eyes clouded over with need, and the lust-filled expression on her face was enough to drive him over the edge if he didn’t hold back.
He’d known it last night, but now that they’d touched, he was even more certain than before. She was the one he’d hunted for, the one he and his brother would share. The zing of the connection between them had been instant and was as real as the sun shining through the curtains into the cozy bedroom.
After waiting for so long, he couldn’t have waited another minute. He was just happy that she’d felt the same way.
He took her breasts in his hands and rubbed his thumbs over her hard nipples. Her mouth, that delicious instrument of pleasure, parted,
and she peeked out the end of her tongue. He wanted to kiss her again, but that would mean he couldn’t see the rest of her body.
She shifted into place and slid his cock inside her pussy. She inhaled and flattened her hands against his chest as she began to rock slowly like the steady cantor of a wild horse.
Her pussy walls clamped around him, making his cock grow impossibly thicker. Thrusting his hips upward, he drove into her. Her gaze locked on his, and he gave her a wolfish grin, daring her to do what few male werewolves would ever allow their mate to do—take complete control.
Recognition flickered in her eyes as amber filled them and she grabbed his hands and shoved his arms over his head. Her body leaned over his as she kept her hands around his wrists, offering her tits for his enjoyment. He reached up and took her nipple into his mouth and held it with his teeth. She cried out at the pain, but didn’t attempt to make him stop. He jerked his hips upward again. She cried out again, throwing her head back, as his cock hit farther back and skimmed along her sweet spot.
Her eyes blazed when she looked at him, and he could tell that her wolf was close to the surface. But like him, she was keeping it restrained.
“Fuck me harder.”
He gritted his teeth and gave her what she wanted. Over and over again, he slammed his cock into her pussy. Over and over again, she cried out as he struck deeper. Her soft “uhs” accentuated his movements, and her hair fell forward in a golden rainfall. She was magnificent on top of him, dominating him as only his intended mate could do.
But even as liberal a werewolf as he was, he could take only so much domination. He’d give into her now, but later he’d show her what it was like when he took control.
She circled her hips, adding a new sensation to the mix. He nipped at her other nipple then planted his feet and lifted her higher, taking his butt off the bed. She yelped as the slant of his body had her falling forward, but the new position created even more friction against his cock.
“Ride me, baby.”
She whined like a wolf aching to go for a run. She shook her head, making her hair whip back and forth across her face, then leaned over and crammed her mouth against his.