After the Moon Rises

by Karilyn Bentley

  “Well, if we don’t see you this time, there’s always next month.”

  “True. Hope you have a good run.”

  “Same to you. Bye, Elizabeth. Bye, Tom.”

  “Bye.” Tom raised a hand and went back to seasoning meat.

  Margie showed herself to the door, while Vonda picked up the used tea cups and placed them in the dishwasher.

  “What did you do today, Elizabeth?” Tom asked.

  Elizabeth leaned on the counter, watching Tom work.

  “Vonda took me to her place to grab some clothes because she said she’s crashing here for awhile. Then we went to eat at the deli. Margie was here when we got back and she talked to us for the rest of the afternoon. What did you do?”

  Vonda listened to them talk as she set the table. It was not her imagination Tom ignored her. On another day that would bother her, but today she didn’t mind. Margie had explained some things, some very interesting things, when Elizabeth offered to play the piano for them. Once she heard what Margie had to say about the matter, she could hardly wait to see if the alpha was correct.

  And to do that, she needed to convince Tom to sleep with her before the sun went down.

  Time was running out and she still hadn’t discovered how to get Elizabeth to leave them alone. But she’d think of something. She needed Tom and if Margie was correct, he needed her as his lover more than he knew. And as the moon would rise in a couple of hours, she didn’t have long to convince him of it.

  Good thing she liked challenges.

  Chapter 8

  “Elizabeth, why don’t you go practice the piano? Vonda and I have some things to discuss and we don’t need an interruption, okay?” Tom looked at Elizabeth as they cleaned up the kitchen after dinner.

  “But I practiced this afternoon for Margie.”

  “Is there something you could do in your room?”

  “So like, you’re kicking me out of the first floor?”

  “Pretty much.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “Adults. You guys are just weird. Fine, I’ll go read a book, okay?”

  Tom patted her back. “Thanks honey.”

  “And I’m going now. You can finish up the kitchen.”

  “Hey...”

  “You asked for that one,” Vonda said as Elizabeth huffed up the stairs. “Not like I’m complaining. You just solved my big dilemma of the day.”

  She leaned against the counter, hand outstretched for a plate to put in the dishwasher.

  “Glad to be of service.” He handed her a plate to put in the rack. “Now if I could just solve one of mine. Something’s been eating my herd each month. Only one or two head, but...”

  Vonda looked at the ceiling. That corner might need a broom. Looked like a cobweb hung there. She glanced back at Tom. That white-knuckled grip he had on the dishrag was bound to hurt.

  “You? You’ve been eating my herd?”

  Busted.

  She shrugged. “They were there.”

  “So are deer. And they need thinning.”

  “But they aren’t steak tartare. I love steak tartare.”

  “That herd’s my living!” He threw the dishrag into the sink.

  “It was only one.”

  “Yeah, one a month.”

  Vonda looked at his feet. Being busted was so not her idea of fun. “I didn’t mean to take all of them from you. I’m new to the area and wanted to eat. I thought it was from different ranchers.”

  Tom sighed and picked up the dishrag, which he shook at her, wet sprinkles emphasizing his words. “Promise me you won’t do it again.”

  “Okay, I’ll try. But I can’t a hundred percent promise. You have no idea how good they taste off the bone.”

  “Try. Please. Go eat deer. I’ll buy you steak tartare in a nice restaurant. Please.” His green eyes beseeched her.

  Who could resist those peepers? “I’ll try really hard.”

  ****

  Tom stared at Vonda. Unbelievable. She caused the thinning of his herd. Even so, even though he should still be pissed at her, he found her attractive. Her amber eyes gleamed with mischief and desire. Despite his failure last night, she wanted him. And he wanted her. More than he wanted his herd to live, he wanted this woman. What was it about Vonda that turned him on, that made him forget his anger?

  “It’s my sexy good looks.” She smiled at him, wiggling her eyebrows.

  “Are you reading my mind again?”

  “You’re broadcasting again. It’s hard not to know what you’re thinking.”

  Tom took a breath, wondering if she’d know the answer to one question that plagued him all day. Or plagued him in those small moments when he wasn’t contemplating what to do to Vonda’s body.

  “Did Margie say why, if I’m a genetically defective werewolf, I have telepathic abilities? Among other things.”

  “What other things?” Vonda stuck another plate in the rack.

  “Did she or didn’t she?”

  “Maybe. What other things?”

  “Are you always this stubborn?”

  Vonda grinned. “On occasion.”

  Tom snorted. “Uh-huh. I’ll go first. Sometimes I know what’s going to happen before it happens. Now it’s your turn.”

  “She might have mentioned something.”

  “Hey, no fair. I told you, the least you can do is return the favor.”

  “I will. But there are other things that have been on my mind all day concerning you and talking isn’t it.” Vonda raised her eyes to his, her amber irises glowing.

  Ditto for him. So far this conversation was better than he thought it would be. “Yeah? Like what?” He couldn’t help the grin that curled his lips.

  She lightly slapped him on the upper arm. “Like what?”

  Tom caught her wrist and pulled her toward him. “I can do better than last night if you’d like to try it.”

  Her hands slid up his chest, winding around the nape of his neck. “You have really good ideas tonight, mister.”

  “Glad you like them.”

  Warm lips touched his and the same spark he felt yesterday when he shook her hand shot through him. Heat circulated through his body, his heart thumping a frantic beat. Muscles tightened as if he prepared for a race instead of a horizontal bed session. The scent of Vonda’s skin pushed his desire to a new level, thickening his erection. If the damn thing got any bigger, it would unzip his pants on its own. Not like he was complaining, at least all parts were a go.

  Vonda’s body pressed against his as he deepened the kiss, stroking his tongue against hers. With one foot, he closed the dishwasher door.

  “Why don’t we go in the bedroom?” Tom whispered in Vonda’s ear.

  She shivered. “What’s wrong with the kitchen?”

  “Elizabeth might not stay put.”

  “Oh, yeah. Bedroom it is.”

  She started walking in the direction of the bedroom, but Tom reached for her hand, turning her to face him. Lowering his head, he kissed her, not wanting to lose contact with her body even for the short distance to the bedroom. Vonda let out a little squeak when he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off her feet.

  Despite what studies showed about men, he could do two things at once, kissing and walking while holding Vonda. And with his erection straining against his zipper after four years of inactivity, he was so the man.

  Despite his poor performance last night and the fact Vonda would be the only woman since his wife died who he slept with, he felt an amazing lack of nerves. Being with Vonda felt right, as if his entire life happened to lead him to her.

  The bedroom door shut with a resounding click when he nudged it with his foot, closing him in with his fate.

  ****

  Vonda moaned as Tom’s tongue swept against hers. His kisses made her legs weak. Thank goodness his arms remained around her waist, keeping her from falling. She tilted her head back as he kissed down her neck, nipping gently at her shoulder. The fire that shot through her v
eins burned hotter than anything she felt before. Something about being around Tom made the mating heat stronger, and yet his touch calmed her. As if curling up next to him would make everything in her life okay.

  His mouth burned a trail of kisses from her shoulder across her skin to where her tank top began. When his arms loosened around her waist, she clutched at his shirt to remain on her feet. Tom slid his hands under her tank top, pulled it over her head and dropped it on the floor in one movement. He traced a finger around the lace cups of her bra.

  “Sexy.” He winked at her and sprang the back clasp free.

  Before he could remove it, Vonda locked gazes with Tom and slowly lowered the straps down her arms, teasing him with small glimpses of her nipples, while she held the bra cups in place with one hand. His gaze left hers, fixating on her chest. Slowly, ever so slowly, she lowered the cups, the lace rasping against her sensitive nubs.

  Tom licked his lips, glanced at her face and dropped his mouth to one nipple. With his tongue, he circled the bud, driving her crazy before finally drawing it into his mouth. Vonda sighed as she ran her hands through his hair, holding him against her. The man had talented lips, fingers, tongue. Wonder if all parts of him were equally good?

  Probably.

  His mouth moved to her other nipple, while one warm finger circled the nub he had sucked, the contrast of warm finger and cold air causing chill bumps to form across her skin. She felt desire rushing through her blood, heating her, her core growing wet for him, because of him.

  She wanted the feel of his skin against her. Needed it. Needed him. His shirt had to go. Now. Even if it meant breaking the connection of his mouth against her breast.

  Vonda yanked his t-shirt out of his pants, shoving it up until it caught on his arms. Drat it.

  “Eager, eh?” Tom grinned at her, male satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

  “You have no idea.” Vonda managed to yank the offending t-shirt over his head and deposited it on the pile of clothes littering the floor. About time some article of his clothing joined the pile.

  “I like you like this. Wanting me.”

  She smiled at him, pulling him close for a kiss. The mating heat might rule her hormones and cause her to need sex, but it didn’t make her long for his touch. The longing was all Tom’s doing. She had never wanted a man like this before.

  She trailed kisses to his ear, while his fingers played with her nipples, circling, pinching.

  “God, Tom, you make me want you. Now.”

  “Hmm. That’s what I like to hear. But it’s denied.” He flicked a fingernail across her nipple, eliciting a groan from her. “You have to wait. I have a lot to make up for.”

  “Mmm. I like that idea. Unfortunately the sun sets soon, so unless you want a furry wolf in your bed, you need to get a move on.”

  “You have a point.”

  She reached for the button of his jeans. “Let’s make you more comfortable.”

  His hands ran down her ribs, over her waist, stopping on the waistband of her low rise jeans. “Ditto for you.”

  And then he kissed her and all thoughts except for getting that damn button undone left her mind. In a rush of hands, sweep of arms and some fancy footwork, they both managed to remove each other’s jeans and underwear.

  Vonda felt the bed hit the back of her knees and she tumbled onto the patchwork quilt covering the mattress. Tom’s weight fell on top of her, a delicious blanket of warmth and comfort.

  She wrapped her legs around his waist as his hips rolled against hers, his staff rasping against her sensitive clit. He pulled back and thrust forward, teasing her, making her groan.

  The fire built in her veins, centered in her core, as he continued teasing her clit, thrusting, pulling back, until she started convulsing. One big hand touched her mound.

  “Not yet. I want to be in you when you come.”

  “Well then, hurry it up!”

  Tom chuckled. Using his hand, he guided that huge erection to her entrance. Locking gazes with her, he thrust into her core, sinking to the hilt. Vonda gasped as he filled her. For sure she’d be sore tomorrow. His thumb stroked her cheek, concern in his eyes.

  “You okay? I’m a little big.”

  “A little? Feels good. Would feel better if you’d move.” She tightened her legs, pushing his hips into hers.

  Tom smiled and did as she wanted, pulling back and slamming into her, over and over again until she tightened around him, crying out. Two thrusts later and he joined her, spilling into her spasming channel.

  Dropping her legs from his waist, Vonda ran a hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. He raised himself onto his arms and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. A wrinkle appeared between his eyes, the anxiety bleeding into his gaze.

  She smiled. “That was great. We’ll have to do a repeat later. Like when I’m human again.” Maybe Margie didn’t know what she was talking about. Everything looked to be normal. Oh, well. It had been an interesting theory.

  The anxiety in his eyes vanished, replaced by joy. “We have a deal.” He pulled out, the absence of his weight leaving her feeling abandoned. Odd, that.

  Since Margie was so obviously incorrect, Vonda needed to clean up and mentally prep for the bone-wrenching pain of the change. After all these years of changing, she knew when the sun was about to set, when the magic of the change would overcome her, turning her into a wolf. Shouldn’t be much longer now.

  Vonda made it halfway to the bathroom when she heard Tom cry out. She whirled around to see him kneeling by the bed, one hand bracing himself against it. Pain-filled eyes turned to her.

  “God, Vonda, what’s happening?” His voice broke, the ending of the last word coming out in a growl.

  The skin on his back rippled and the oddest thought crossed her mind. The only time she’d seen another person change was when Margie forced it from Big G. And that happened so quickly, Vonda hadn’t processed it. But this, this she processed. Did she look like that when she changed?

  “Congrats. You’re not genetically deficient after all.”

  He panted, gritting his teeth against the pain. “Huh?”

  “You’re changing.” She knelt beside him, touching his shoulder. “Margie said it can happen if a half-breed who hasn’t changed has sex with a full-breed. That’s why she stuck around last night, to see if you’d changed. Guess she’ll be surprised tomorrow. Shh, just relax, let it flow over you, don’t fight it.” Naturally, he fought it. She had too, all those years ago. Until she realized changing was much easier if she relaxed and let it happen.

  “It hurts.”

  She ran her hand through his hair wanting to take the pain from him. “I know. It will go away once the change is complete.”

  Tom opened his mouth as if to speak, but before he could, she saw the beast inside him win the fight. His face changed, growing longer, growing fur. He yelled, the sound turning into a howl as he changed. Fur rippled across his skin, brown fur tipped in black as if he were a calligraphy brush dipped in ink. His arms turned into legs and he collapsed on the floor.

  Damn. Does it hurt like that all the time? His voice sounded in her head.

  “Not quite that bad, but it’s still painful.”

  Vonda felt the sun drop below the horizon, the magic in her veins pulling her beast out. Her skin rippled like Tom’s had, flowing into fur as she dropped to all fours, shaking the pain from her muscles. Unlike Tom she had grown used to the pain, or as used to pain as one could get.

  Footsteps sounded at a fast pace, followed by a pounding on their door.

  “Daddy! Are you okay? I heard yelling. Daddy?”

  Elizabeth opened the door and burst into the room, coming to a halt as she stared at the two wolves. Fear crossed her eyes, but she held her ground.

  “Vonda? Daddy?”

  Don’t be scared, honey. I seem to have changed.

  It’s okay, Elizabeth. Your Dad changed like me, Vonda said at the same time.

  Elizabeth’s eyes d
arted from one wolf to the other. “Oh, my gosh. Daddy changed into a wolf. How wicked cool!”

  How wicked painful, Tom muttered.

  Elizabeth didn’t hear him. She ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck. Tom licked her face.

  “Does this mean Margie isn’t going to try to take me again? I like her, but I don’t want to live with her.”

  No, sweetie, that’s why Vonda’s going to live with us, Margie isn’t going to take you from me.

  “But you’re a wolf now.”

  I am, but Vonda is going to stay here and show us how to be wolves. Someone has to and I’d rather it be Vonda than Margie, wouldn’t you?

  Elizabeth looked at Vonda and then back and Tom. Vonda kept her mouth shut. She was staying, no way was she letting Tom go, but Tom needed to explain things to Elizabeth. If it wasn’t for Tom’s change, she’d have left the two of them alone to talk things out.

  “Yeah, I like Vonda. She can stay.”

  Vonda gave her a toothy grin. Score, she was in with the kid. For now.

  Tom, I’m going to run. You want to come with me? I promise I won’t eat your cattle.

  “She was eating on the herd?” Elizabeth’s brows shook hands with her hairline.

  They were tasty, but your dad made me promise not to eat his herd. One of these days you’ll understand the taste.

  “Eww. I don’t think so.”

  Honey, I’m going to go out with Vonda. You stay here. Keep the doors and windows shut and locked and we’ll be back by morning. We’ll be around the area if you need us. Okay?

  Elizabeth shrugged. “No one’s coming after me again, right?”

  Right, honey. Will you be okay?

  “Sure. Soon I can go out with you, too. Cool. I’m going to go read. Maybe I’ll stay up all night reading since you won’t be around to tell me otherwise.”

  Hey, now...

  Elizabeth jumped up, kissed Tom’s head and darted out the door.

  She doesn’t listen to me, Tom sighed.

  Yeah? Get used to it. They tend to do that.

  Are you happy with this? His paw gestured to her and back to him.

  This?

  Me. Like this. Or not like this. I mean, are you happy with this decision? It was forced on you and I appreciate you offering to stay with us so I could keep Elizabeth, but I want you to be happy with the decision.