Wolf Charmer, Team Greywolf, Book 3

by Eva Gordon

  “I finally escaped Project Sabertooth. Pour me another.”

  “Okay.” He filled her glass. “We better get you fed.” He called the waiter over to take their order. “What do you recommend?”

  “We’ll start with caviar and a crab dish specialty followed by black truffles and our chef’s special lobster, and beef Châteaubriand.”

  Kane turned to Gaby. “What do you think?”

  “Yes.”

  “Very well, that will do.” The waiter nodded and left.

  Gaby lifted her glass. “I propose another toast.”

  Kane’s feral gaze held her in his alpha force field. He raised his glass. “Yes?”

  “To frenemies with benefits.”

  He laughed. “And to the one and only wolf charmer, who I vow to protect with my body and soul.” His tone softened. “Forever.”

  Gaby gaped, seeing the wolf shadow him. The werewolf who during the heat of his climax claimed her as his. Like a commitment, and now he appeared to confirm his intention. “You mean that?”

  He reached for her hand and gently kissed it. “Yes, I do.”

  She closed her eyes and savored the moment of complete bliss and happiness. No. I can’t be in love. Doubt darkened her lovesick contentment. He needed to come back to reality. “Steele, eventually, you will remember and I’m afraid I won’t be allowed in your life.”

  Without letting go of her hand, he met her eyes. “Why did you call me Steele?”

  “It’s your real name.”

  “I don’t want it to be.”

  “Why not?”

  “The name Steele reminds me of a life without you.”

  “But it was your real life.”

  “I’m happy the way things are. You, me, and once we settle, we can adopt a shelter dog or two. We can move by the coast.”

  Gaby’s heart skipped a beat. She too imagined them together. A cottage by the ocean. Throwing a ball on the beach with a scruffy terrier chasing after it. Quiet candlelight dinners. Her artwork, dog training and he tinkering with a sailboat. She shook her head. “How soon before they find us?”

  “Trust me. I’m on guard. No one will find us.”

  “Sounds great and I bet after more dreams your memory might snap back.”

  “Even if I manage to remember my identity, we’ll never part.”

  Gaby drank the entire second glass. Frank too had promised her the world after they made passionate love. They would travel and on their return, he promised a bigger house near headquarters. How opportune for Frank. Her face reddened. He would have two homes, one for his wife and one for his mistress.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing…everything.” She shook her head. “Let’s not ruin the best day of my life.”

  He lifted a brow. “Let’s plan on making each day as good as today.”

  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. She braved a smile. “Okay.”

  The first course arrived and though he couldn’t remember his past, she told him everything about hers. He wanted to know. The good, the bad and the very ugly, including the year of torture after her attempt to escape. “Giles used electroshock until I swore to never run away again. But the dark isolation room was by far worse.”

  He sighed. “The ass told me what he did to you and if the lion hadn’t killed him, I would have.”

  “After he released me from isolation, things got better. I was allowed to get my online art degree and even my own home away from the facility, but still stuck on his property.” She sighed.

  “It’s over, I’m glad you told me.”

  The waiter brought the main course and then poured the red wine for Kane, waiting for his approval. Kane savored it as if trying to identify every ingredient. “Exceptional indeed.”

  Gaby drank her glass. “Yes, the best red wine I’ve ever tasted.” The food melted in her mouth. So good. Telling him had almost dampened her mood. Time to start anew. “Let’s talk about something fun.”

  He poured her more wine. “The night is young. Any ideas?” He smiled. “Besides trying out our Jacuzzi.”

  “A sightseeing walk would be nice.”

  “How about cocktails and then dancing or a show?”

  She was not a party animal, but maybe he had been. “Sure.”

  He finished the meal as if it were fast food. “We’ll hire a limo and take a tour of the city.”

  “Sounds like a former wolf prince showing a peasant girl a good time.”

  “I’m sure I’m not that type of prince and you are no peasant.”

  Except no one has ever referred to me as a princess. They finished their meal, and shared dessert of tiramisu. All the alcohol, food, dessert and the presence of the handsomest man on earth made her giddy. Surprisingly, she managed to walk without stumbling. They went to the lobby and ordered a private limo and more champagne.

  The limo pulled up and the driver opened the back passenger door. Kane bowed, “Princess Gabriella.”

  “Yes, my prince.” She stepped in. More champagne poured. Like a fairy tale she hoped would never end.

  Kane said. “Don’t move.”

  “As if I would.” For one, she was in heaven and two, she felt quite inebriated. Coffee might be good, except they needed a good night’s sleep. Then again, she knew the minute they returned to the hotel, hot sex would be in order.

  Kane knocked on the driver’s window. “Give us the grand tour and then we might stop at a club for dancing if you can recommend one.”

  He nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Chapter 12

  Kane sprawled on the bed. Gaby snuggled at his side. Her naked body provided him with the best view of all time. He sighed in contentment. Oh, baby. How many times had they had sex last night? Wild. Almost a blur like his memory. Gambling. Drinks. More gambling and winning, hot sex, then fine dining with the sexiest woman alive, going out on the town, dancing, drinking and then…?

  He stared at the white garter around his wrist and then the wedding ring on his finger. Married? The Las Vegas cliché of a spontaneous wedding. Not that it was a bad idea, in fact, he wanted her to be his forever, but he wished he remembered their nuptials better.

  He sat up and brushed his fingers through her disheveled just-had-sex hair. Mine. He nuzzled her ear and whispered, “Gaby, wake up.”

  She snuggled closer and whined. “No.”

  He glanced at the clock. “It’s past noon. We better get back on the road.”

  “My head hurts.”

  “I’ll get you some water, beloved wife.”

  Gaby sprung up as if he’d thrown ice water on her. “What?” She stared at her wedding ring, a diamond studded gold band. “Really?”

  He caressed his finger along her arm, enjoying the sight of goose flesh springing up. “We were both of sound body and mind. For sure the sound body part.” He smirked. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember?”

  She ran a hand through her lush brown hair and then stared back at her wedding ring. “I do, sort of.”

  “The little chapel and me on my knees proposing to you,” he said as tiny important details came back to him and he smiled, remembering how she gaped for the longest time and then jumped up and down saying, yes. He handed her a picture of them kissing under a canopy. “Proof.”

  Gaby stared at the photograph and shook her head. “I thought I dreamt it all…but now I remember. I thought you were joking, but I agreed and then we found two witnesses.” She glanced at the door. “You carried me over the threshold when we entered the hotel.”

  He took her hand and kissed it. “Then we consummated our marriage…I think…most of the night.”

  She turned her red bleary eyes to him. “Not a dream?”

  “A dream we shared and made real.” Kane looked around the room. “Hold on.” He walked over to the table and picked up the papers. “Look, a State of Nevada marriage certificate. Mr. Kane Wildwood and Mrs. Gaby Wildwood.”

  “Isn’t that Steele’s last name?”

&nb
sp; “I figured I wanted to make sure our marriage was legit so I used my so called surname.” He feigned hurt. “Don’t tell me you don’t like my last name.”

  “Of course not.” She pressed her hands over her temples. “I have such a hangover.”

  He walked to the refrigerator and got a bottle of water for her. “Drink while I call room service for some pain meds.”

  Gaby took off the lid and drank. She groaned. “What I need is coffee.” She finished drinking the rest of the bottle then went into the bathroom.

  Kane dressed in the hotel robe and called room service. At least she hadn’t thrown up. Next time, he’d keep a better handle on her drinking. His wolf grumbled. Taking a wolf charmer mate will mean being on the run from the packs.

  Get a grip, we both desired her. Besides, I am perfectly happy to stay a lone wolf.

  Gaby turned on the shower and stepped in. Hot water ran over her body. She closed her eyes. What have we done? Were they really that drunk? After the best sex ever, she fell into a beautiful dream of them taking their vows…’til death us do part. A female pastor officiated the ceremony. At least an Elvis impersonator hadn’t married them. What will I do if his she-wolf mate finds us? If his memories flood back, will he leave me and go back to his old life? An annulment was the only solution. There had to be a grace period to dissolve the marriage without requiring a divorce. Who knew she’d end up married? She figured it would never happen. Did she love Kane? Attracted, yes, from the moment she saw him. He was hot, sexy and kind, at least to her, but she’d only known him for such a short period. Oh, boy, did he regret the marriage? He certainly didn’t act like it.

  The door opened. “Are you feeling okay?” He wore a wolfish grin on his face that remained as a permanent façade. Like the wolf that ate the lamb.

  “Yes, the throbbing is going away.” Her pounding headache turned into a pounding heart.

  “Good. Breakfast or rather, brunch is on its way.”

  “I’ll be out soon.”

  “Take your time. Coffee is brewing.”

  He whistled a happy tune. Kane wasn’t the least bit worried about their new relationship status. Did all lycans skip dating and long engagements? Were they more canine in selecting their mates? She never had to convince male dogs to approach a female in heat. He had sniffed every inch of her as if she was in heat. Not complaining. Last night had been over the top gloriously hot, needing, pleasuring him and demanding his oh so lovely tongue to do things to her she’d never imagined in all her wildest sex fantasies. Not to mention his domineering I know how to please expertise. None of her past lovers had been so skilled. Gaby soaped her body and then shampooed her hair. Doing her best to ignore her hardened nipples. She washed off and then stepped out, grabbed a white robe and smelled the rich aroma of French roast coffee. As she stepped into the bedroom, he handed her the mug. “I added cream the way you like it.”

  “Thanks.”

  His amber eyes glistened in mischief. “Anything for my wife.”

  Wife? Before she could respond about how they rushed into marriage while drunk, the doorbell rang.

  “Brunch.” He smiled and opened the door. She peeked; relieved it was room service and not the bad guys. Two attendants brought in a pushcart filled with food. They set the elaborate meal on the table.

  The older of the two men smiled. “Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon.”

  “We will indeed.” He handed them both a hefty tip that brightened their faces.

  How many people did he tell?

  Kane escorted her to the dining table and pulled out a chair for her. “Sit.”

  She did and he handed her a mimosa, then joined her. He lifted his glass. “To a long lasting marriage.”

  They clinked glasses and sipped. Numb, she finally formulated words. “We need to talk.”

  “And so we are.”

  Insecurity about his real intention for getting hitched surfaced. “We married to help our escape plans, right?”

  “To be honest, I doubt getting married helps our flight.” He winked. “I claimed you as my mate and you accepted.”

  Mate sounded so wolfish. “You can’t be serious.”

  His tone changed from jovial to a near growl. “Taking a mate is the most serious vow a wolf can make.”

  Holy shit. He meant it. “But we don’t know each other.”

  “I know enough.” He cocked his head. “Did I not satisfy you in bed?”

  “Yes, of course. It’s just that lust and love are birds of a different feather.”

  “Gaby, if I didn’t love you, I would not have taken you as a mate.” His brows furrowed. “Don’t you love me?”

  “Yes…no…I don’t know. I’m so confused.”

  “A wolf knows his mate, but I understand humans require a longer bonding period.”

  “Didn’t you say you can’t take a human as a mate? Besides, what if you someday regain your full memory back and realize you left behind a princess wolf mate?” Then there was the wolf charmer enemy thing.

  He engulfed her small hand in his. “My wolf warned me about taking a human female, but he and I agree. You are the one.” He released her hand. “Unless, you really hate being my mate.”

  “It’s just until we know who you really are, why risk our hearts?”

  “I’ve decided not to pursue my past identity. My life started back in the lab the minute you walked in and your beautiful green eyes rocked my world.”

  Her heart melted. “Love at first sight?”

  He chuckled. “The mate signal went off the charts, but I have to admit, I fought it. Mostly because my wolf told me you were forbidden fruit.”

  “There is so much besides finding out your real identity we don’t know. I mean what about children and other things?” Not that she’d ever thought of having a family. Far from it. She assumed she’d never get married. Not to mention marrying a different species.

  “True, I don’t have all the answers, but together we’ll discover them.”

  Gaby remained confused, but the thought of being with the handsomest sexiest man alive forever shadowed her practical side. She met his feral eyes and knew, for better or for worse, he was for her.

  Kane held the trunk of the car opened. Bags of new clothes, for him and her, a new laptop and the briefcase with their cash. After shopping for hours, they were finally ready to go as the sun set. “Are you sure you have everything?”

  Gaby looked the stereotypical tourist, wearing a sun hat, sunglasses, tight black jeans, short boots and jade silk shirt. She put away her new smart phone. “Yep.”

  He closed the trunk. “To the coast then and our new life.”

  She sat in the passenger seat and set their GPS. “Let’s head just north of San Francisco.”

  His hackles rose, the air crackled, and he growled. He quickly got into the vehicle.

  “Kane, what’s wrong?”

  “Let’s get the hell out of here.” He sped away, taking side roads to the main freeway.

  She looked back as if trying to figure out who chased them.

  “Don’t worry, their scent was a mile away.”

  “Whose scent?”

  “Two werewolves, a man and woman.”

  “You can tell their gender?”

  “Can you smell a pizza from bacon?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s how clear.” He frowned. “Their scent is familiar.”

  “You must know them.”

  “My nose thinks so.”

  “Do you think they are vacationing or looking for us?”

  “Las Vegas is not exactly a werewolf vacation destination.”

  “I don’t see why not. You said they were a male and female.”

  The problem was they could be friends or enemies out to finish the job. He sighed. “Damn. I got sloppy.”

  “I know there are cameras everywhere, but why would they randomly look for us in Las Vegas of all the places?” This included the photograph of their nuptials. He’d let Gaby
keep the picture and wished he’d deleted it from the chapel’s photographer’s camera.

  “They might have figured I used my mind control for gambling. How else would a rogue werewolf get easy money? Robbing a bank would have brought more attention. Not to mention using my last name on our marriage certificate.”

  “You make them sound like Big Brother.”

  “Again, my wolf warns me they could be stalking everywhere.”

  “Why not talk to them? I mean you sniffed only two, right?”

  “Not worth the risk.”

  “I think I’d rather take my chances with your kind than mine.”

  “Gaby, what if my kind still murders wolf charmers?”

  “That’s pretty cold blooded.”

  “Avery has a point. We werewolves are willing to do whatever it takes to keep our society secret. Even if it means murder.”

  “I’m sure if you reason with them, we can negotiate a deal about keeping silent. Trust me. I’m good at keeping quiet.”

  He glanced in the rearview mirror. No one appeared to follow. Yet. “My inner wolf warned me taking a human as a mate is taboo.”

  “It’s not too late for an annulment if it means our lives.”

  “You can’t mean that.”

  “I have to admit the Las Vegas marriage after too much booze and great sex should be a mistake, but it feels right. Perfect. If your memory returns, I don’t want you to regret it.” She shook her head. “What I’m saying is if you are Steele again, I won’t stand in your way if you want to dissolve the marriage.”

  “It’s not the damn paper we signed, it’s more. Claiming you as a mate is far more binding.”

  Gaby opened her eyes. Night had fallen. The flat desert road turned busier with commuters. Well lit roads. Trees. Homes on hillsides. How long had she slept? The last thing she remembered was stopping for a meal and studying the map. She straightened. “Where are we?”

  “On I-5 heading north, past the Bay Area.”

  “You must be tired.”

  “I’m on werewolf fuel.”

  “Meaning?”

  “It seems like I can go into super protective mode without rest for an extended period of time. Must be an alpha thing.”