Wolf Bite (Wolf Cove #2)

by Nina West

  Scott has been conspicuously absent since the ceremony. At least, I noticed when the round of applause was over, the string of violins began, and William Wolf leaned into his ear, sending him off stage and out the door immediately after.

  I can’t say I’m not happy about it.

  “Oh, looks like Wolf needs you. See you around.” Richard takes off, offering a nod toward Henry as they pass each other. Henry merely glares at him before adjusting his sights on me, something he’s done very little of all night. I’ve stayed within ten feet of him, a shadow that floats unseen, but taking in everything he does, aware of his every move, and I’ve barely caught his attention, even in passing.

  Roshana has been watching him intently, too. I’ve found small consolation in the fact that she hasn’t been attached to him all night, but she’s been watching. With every hair flip, she takes the opportunity to mark his location.

  Just like most women in here do.

  Henry is a prize in their eyes. I guess he was a prize in my eyes, too. Was being the operative word. Now it just plain hurts.

  “I no longer need you tonight. You can go home. Take the morning off and come to my place at one.” He’s his usual public self—detached, impersonal.

  “Okay.” I steal one last look at his impassive face and then head for the exit.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Abbi!”

  My bunkmate’s voice carries across the narrow corridor by the lobby. I haven’t talked to Autumn in days. Of all of us, the concierges have been working the hardest to please guests. I heard they’re understaffed, which doesn’t help.

  She speeds over to meet me by the indoor water fountain—a dazzling sculpture of stone and logs, intended to represent a natural waterfall. “You look... incredible!” Her green eyes sparkle as they skate over my features.

  “Thanks.”

  “Are you done for the night?”

  “Yeah. You?”

  “I wish. I have another hour to go.” Her angular face, highlighted by an adorable pixie cut that I could never pull off, scrunches up. “These media people are awful. My lips have been attached to their asses all day and night and I’m sick of it. Now they’re drunk and even more demanding. I just spent fifteen minutes trying to explain to one of them that, no, they can’t go for a two-mile hike in the middle of the night because there are animals out there that will eat them! So now we have to alert security to keep an eye out for any idiots heading toward the trails.” She scoffs, making her annoyance somehow funny, and I start to laugh. It feels good.

  “It’s getting late. Maybe they’ll be too drunk to do anything but sleep.”

  “Yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “After they finish fornicating in public. You want a good laugh? Grab a drink and talk your way into the security room. Those guys see the full gamut of things on nights like these. People in stairwells, in hallways. Sneaking into banquet rooms. Apparently there were two people getting hot and heavy on this last night.” She points at the log-carved bench next to us. “The woman was giving the dude a hand job. Security had to politely escort them to their rooms.”

  Oh my God.

  “Yeah. Anyway, you should come to the staff lodge tonight. A few of us are going to de-stress with some drinks.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Apparently the staff lodge has become one big party most nights. There’s always someone who doesn’t have to get up early in the morning for their next shift, and the Outdoor crew doesn’t care if they go to work hungover.

  “The big bad wolf is running you ragged, isn’t he?” She tsks. “I heard he’s not easy to work for.”

  “No, he’s not.” That’s an understatement.

  “But, hey! I heard you had something to do with getting Rachel back here, so I guess you hold some sway.” Autumn nods to something behind me. “Speak of the devil. Wow. Look at him.”

  My heart stutters of its own accord, simply because I know she’s talking about Henry. Taking a deep breath, I glance over my shoulder. Henry strolls toward the lobby doors, flanked on either side by a rosy-cheeked Roshana and a willowy blonde in a crimson dress, the two women staggering slightly. His hands are settled on the smalls of their backs.

  My stomach drops as I watch him step forward to hold the door for them. The blonde passes through but Roshana stalls, turning to brazenly grab hold of his belt buckle and pull him to her. He smiles down at her, coaxing her through the entrance with a nod toward the covered path.

  I watch them walk cozily along until they disappear from view, heading toward the seclusion of their private cabins.

  I don’t think he saw me, but I wonder if he’d even care.

  “I guess he’s getting his freak on tonight. Not surprised, given what I’ve heard about him,” Autumn jokes, oblivious to my anguish.

  So I’m not the only one that sensed that’s where the intimate touches and looks were heading.

  It wasn’t bad enough that he screwed her last night. He’s about to screw her again, tonight, along with another woman. And I have the pleasure of knowing about it while it’s happening this time. No wonder he gave me the morning off, again.

  “Abbi? You okay?” Autumn frowns. You’re a little pale.”

  “I haven’t been feeling well all day.”

  She rubs my arm. “Go and get some sleep. We’ll party at the lodge another night.”

  “Sounds good.” All I want to do is put my pajamas on and curl up in my blankets and wish this awful, sick feeling away. “See you later.” I don’t hesitate, turning to dash toward the nearest exit.

  “Oh, wait, Abbi. Let me get you an umbrella! It’s—”

  Her voice disappears behind me as I push through the door and into the cold rain.

  Chapter Twelve

  I’m shivering by the time I reach the path to my cabin, the silky material of my dress clinging to my body, my face no doubt streaked with black mascara, from the tears or the rain, it doesn’t matter.

  Great. It sounds like there’s a party going on inside. That steady beat of music is going to be a problem. Then again, maybe it’ll help drown out my sobs.

  The moment I step inside the cabin, I know I won’t be curling up or sleeping any time soon. The smell hits me first; booze, clean sweat, and a muskiness that I now recognize as sex—arousal and slick bodies grinding against each other.

  I gasp in shock as I take in the sordid sight of strewn clothes and tangled bodies.

  Ronan is shirtless and standing with his back against Katie and Rachel’s bunk. His jeans and boxers are pushed down his thighs and his fingers are tangled through a kneeling Rachel’s bleach-blonde mane, his hands moving in time with her bobbing head as she sucks him off. Rachel is completely naked.

  As if that’s not enough, Katie is sprawled out on top of pillows on the floor in front of me, her enormous fake breasts sitting perfectly upright, her legs spread and her bare pussy on full display. At least, I’m pretty sure it’s Katie. I can’t actually see her face given it’s buried between Rachel’s legs, her fingers gripping Rachel’s hips as she tongues her best friend’s slit.

  My roommates are having a threesome in the middle of our cabin, and they clearly don’t care who might walk in and see it.

  Ronan’s hooded gaze meets mine but he makes no attempt to stop Rachel, his lips parting with his ragged breaths. He even scoops her hair off to one side to, I think, give me a better view of his erect cock, sliding in and out of Rachel’s mouth.

  I’m frozen, wanting to turn around and run, but unable to move.

  The music must have drowned out my entrance because Katie and Rachel haven’t stopped, or covered themselves up. I would think they’d stop out of respect, had they realized they were being watched.

  Then again, they probably shouldn’t have started this here, out of respect.

  I’m still frozen, still telling myself to turn and run.

  Still staring at them like a pervert.

  Ronan’s heady gaze hasn’t left me, either, and he begins thrusting his hips
with each bob of Rachel’s head, his hands gripping her hair in tight fists. He clearly enjoys having a spectator.

  Rachel pulls away from him with a loud moan, her fist wrapping around his erection to continue what her mouth isn’t doing, her free hand stretching over Ronan’s firm, heaving chest, decorated in ink, as she looks down at Katie between her legs. “God. Yes. Almost there. Yes!” Rachel’s moans grow louder as Katie’s fingers disappear into her, and Rachel begins grinding her hips. Moments later she cries out in ecstasy as she comes against her friend’s tongue.

  And I am still standing here, watching this!

  Rachel aims her mouth for Ronan’s hard, protruding cock again but he steps back, reaching for a foil packet that waits for him on the bed, ripping the package with his teeth. “Turn around.”

  He slides the condom on as she obeys, getting to her feet.

  And that’s when she sees me, and Katie sees me, and both their eyes flash with surprise.

  “Abbi, I didn’t think you’d be back so—” Rachel begins, but Ronan cuts her off.

  “Don’t worry, she’s been here a while. She’s enjoying this. Aren’t you, red?”

  I can’t respond, because I don’t know. Am I enjoying this? Is that why I haven’t bolted yet?

  Ronan guides Rachel to her knees and, shoving his pants to his ankles, he kneels behind her. With his hand on the back of Rachel’s neck, he gently pushes her face between Katie’s thighs. And offers me a wry smile. “You’re welcome to join.”

  Rachel looks up at me once more, just as Ronan thrusts into her from behind and the sheer ecstasy of it splays across her face.

  The same look I saw in my own face yesterday, when Henry thrust into me.

  Henry.

  My initial shock of walking into this debauchery has faded, replaced by the raw realization that this must be what Henry is doing with those two women right now.

  It’s a gutting reality.

  I turn and bolt out the door, down the slick path, fighting my tears, no clue where I’m going. I can’t go to the lodge, or the hotel—not the way I look right now. I run without aim, lost and alone and heartbroken.

  Right into someone.

  “I’m sorry!” I try to fumble past him, keeping my head down.

  “Abbi?” He pulls his hood back to reveal his face.

  “Michael?” Henry’s masseuse.

  “What are you doing out here?” He pauses, frowns as he takes in my face. “Are you okay?”

  Three simple words. A simple question. But for some reason it crushes my resolve, and I break out in a fit of sobs.

  Michael quickly wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his broad chest. “Come on, let’s get you back to your cabin.”

  I shake my head frantically. “Can’t.... My roommates.... Sex.... Ronan....” I can barely get the words out.

  “Okay, okay. Shhh.... Come on. My place is just over there. I can’t promise mine aren’t too, but they’re probably doing it somewhere else right now.”

  Cocooning me against his body, Michael leads me along the path to a cabin on the opposite side of mine, swiping his key card to unlock it.

  The cabin’s empty.

  I hear a soft “Thank God,” under his breath. He pushes the door shut and leads me to the far wall. “Bottom bunk is mine. Here, let me get you something. You’re shivering.” Michael rummages through a drawer while I do my best to stifle my sobs. He hands me a plush white towel. “Just did laundry.”

  I press it against my face to smell it, inhaling the scent of the fabric softener. That’s always been a calming scent to me. Only when I pull it away do I remember my face is streaked with makeup. “I’m so sorry!” I cringe at the black marks I’ve already left.

  He reaches over his head to yank his sweatshirt off, his t-shirt lifting just high enough in the process to show me his stomach, the ridges of his abs hard and defined, the trail of blond hair turning darker as it disappears below the waistband of his black dress pants. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a towel. That’s what bleach is for.”

  Still, I must look a disaster. “Do you mind if I use....” I gesture toward the small powder room.

  “Of course, go ahead. But I make no promises about what shape it’s in. There are six guys and who knows how many girls using it.”

  My eyes drift around the cabin at the strewn about clothes and shoes, trashcans overflowing with candy wrappers, and the empty beer bottles stacked next to them. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I don’t have much that will fit you, but you really should get out of that dress before you get sick.” His eyes drift over my frame, and I instinctively tug on the skirt, wet and clinging much higher on my thighs than it should. Ducking his head, he rummages through the dresser again, pulling out a t-shirt and boxers. “Best I can do, but it’ll be more comfortable.”

  I collect them from his hands with a small “thank you,” and make my way into the small powder room, trying to quell my shivers as I close the door behind me.

  A homely girl stares back at me from the mirror, her face streaked, her hair clinging to her scalp, her eyes bloodshot, her teeth chattering noisily.

  The dim lighting in here sure doesn’t help.

  Stripping down to nothing—everything is soaked right through—I quickly towel myself off and wash my face with the bar of soap, doing my best to ignore the condom wrappers that spill out over the trash can. At least the makeup comes off easily enough, leaving me with a fresh, albeit puffy face. My hair is an entirely different story. Nothing short of a hot shower and conditioner is going to tame this mess, but I pull the elastic and pins out, and finger-comb the tangles.

  Thankfully it’s still just us when I emerge. Michael has kicked off his shoes and socks, and changed into track pants, and is sitting on the edge of his bed, resting his elbows on his knees. He’s turned on the small reading light affixed to the side of the bunk to cast some light into the little nook.

  “A little bit better, at least?” He nods toward the clothes I slipped on. The t-shirt reaches midthigh and I have to hold up the boxers to keep them from slipping off.

  My smile is weak, but genuine. “Yeah. Thanks. Do you have somewhere I can hang this?” I hold up my wet things.

  “Right behind you.” He’s on his feet and coming around to help me, reaching over me to get the wire hanger off, the faint smell of soap and cologne wafting from him. “We’ll hang it above the heater.”

  I quickly hook my dress and undergarments. There’s no hope for modesty with my panties and Katie’s bra dangling, but Michael doesn’t say anything. I guess he’s learned how to be respectful of people’s vulnerabilities, given his profession.

  “You’re still shivering.”

  I fold my arms over my chest, trying to still my body. “I’ll be okay.”

  “Get under my covers. That’ll help.”

  I merely nod and comply. After the day I’ve had, I’m beyond caring that I’m crawling into a guy’s bed. I pull the blankets up to my chin, reveling in how safe and comfortable they feel.

  “Do you mind?” Michael gestures toward the bed.

  “Of course not. It’s your bed.”

  He eases in beside me with a groan, forcing me close to the wall to fit both of us. The bunks are wider than the ones I remember as a child, but they definitely weren’t designed to sleep two grown adults comfortably.

  Silence hangs as he stares at the top of the bunk above us and I stare at his profile. He’s really handsome in that high school sports-star way. Short blond hair and a wide easy smile, framed by dimples, a jutting Adam’s apple to define a long, thick neck. His jaw is coated with just the slightest amount of blond stubble, which I’m sure will be shaved off before his shift tomorrow.

  If I weren’t so enthralled by Henry, Michael is the kind of guy I would have noticed walking by. Probably would have watched shyly.

  Henry....

  I clear my throat, trying to dislodge the lump that’s flared once again. “Wh
ere are your roommates?”

  “A couple of them are working the night shift. The others are probably partying in the lodge.” He turns to settle big blue eyes on me. “Is whatever you walked in on in your cabin what made you so upset?”

  I shake my head.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “About what I walked in on?” It was shocking, yes. It was depraved, yet, if I’m being honest with myself, I wasn’t completely turned off by it. Ronan’s naked form doesn’t elicit feelings of disgust, that’s for sure.

  But that’s definitely not something I’m admitting to Michael.

  He chuckles. “I was in the lodge earlier, with Katie, Rachel, and Ronan. The three of them left together after a bunch of drinks and I have a pretty good idea about what you would have walked in on back there. So, no, not that. Do you want to talk about what had you burst into tears like your heart’s been broken?”

  My heart is broken. Again. Because I’m a stupid farm girl who can’t see things that are right in front of me.

  I shake my head. I can’t talk about any of it, because it would mean divulging details about Henry.

  Michael heaves another sigh. “Okay, I understand. But if you change your mind, I’m here to listen. And you can stay as long as you need to.”

  “Thanks.” I offer him a weak smile as one of those ragged post-sob sounds escapes from my lungs. This feels like the safest place for me to be right now.

  Voices flare just outside the window.

  “Shit,” Michael mutters, reaching behind him to grab hold of the privacy curtain. He has it drawn all the way around the bunk just as the door opens to loud laughter.

  “Dude, I wouldn’t last ten seconds with that girl’s lips wrapped around my cock.”

  I recognize that voice but I can’t place it.

  “Like you’re gonna get a chance. She’s been polishing Buckey’s knob every night for the last week. Bastard. They went into the tool shed last night and she let him go bareback in her ass.”

  “Lucky fucker. I need to find myself one of those. I’ve been yankin’ it too hard lately, with all James’s pussy comin’ through here.”