by V. Vaughn
“I can’t tell you. But if he doesn’t soon, I will. I promise.”
“Okay.” My mood won’t stay somber, and I bounce out of the chair. “I’m going to call him now to thank him for the newsletter.” I squeal again. “He’s just so cute!”
My happiness is contagious, because Katie smiles at me and says, “You do that. I’m going to go juggle appointments to fit these guys in.”
I find my phone in my purse and text Bosun. “Can I call you?”
“I’ll call you in 5”
I hold my phone against my chest and sigh as I picture his dreamy blue eyes gazing at me. I decide I need a special ring tone for him and giggle at myself when I search for wolf howls. I have it set up when I wander out to the main area before he calls.
When my phone rings, Katie glances over at me. “You gave Bosun a wolf howl ring tone?”
“I’ll explain later.” The glass of my screen is smooth under my finger when I slide it across to answer the call. “Hi.”
Bosun says, “I know it’s been less than twelve hours, but I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.” Plastic rattles when I pull open a supply drawer to straighten out the combs. “But I think you’ve been busy. Did you send out a newsletter this morning?”
“Last night, after I dropped you off. Is the coupon working?”
“Ah, yeah. Poor Katie is swamped with appointments to schedule. Thank you.”
“That means you’re going to be busy.”
I move over to the hair care products display and slide bottles around so the brand name faces the front. “Not too busy to see you. I have an in with the boss.”
“So do I.” His tone is saucy, and heat rushes to my lower belly.
“Yes, you do.”
“You’ll be happy to know your car should be ready this afternoon. When are you finished with work?”
“I usually close up around seven.”
“Great. I’ll bring it to you, and then you can take me home.” Bosun’s voice lowers to a deep rumble for the last words, and I lick over my lips, remembering the way he tasted.
“Should I assume we have another date?” I ask.
“You should assume I want you with me every free night you’ve got. I’ll let you off the hook for special occasions, though.”
“Deal.” The door to my salon opens, and Greta, my next appointment, walks in.
He says, “Good. I’ll make you dinner, so be hungry and ready to talk. I have something I need to tell you.”
“Sure.” I want to ask more, but I should deal with my client since I find it rude to be on the phone when a customer is in my shop, so I add, “My appointment is here, but I’ll see you at seven.”
“Yes. You will. Bye, sweetheart.”
I let out a tiny squeak when I hang up the phone and say to the inquisitive faces of Katie and Greta, “He called me sweetheart.”
Katie looks at Greta. “New love. Isn’t it grand?”
Greta smiles broadly. “It sure is. I want to hear all about it.”
“Right this way.” I sweep my arm with a flourish and try not to float over to the shampoo station.
After Greta leaves with a fresh cut and color, Katie announces the plan for the rush of new clients. When she’s given me my updated schedule, she says, “You might need to consider hiring another stylist. I know most of these guys, and they’re going to keep coming back.”
“While I like to think I’m amazing, how do you know that?” I dump the towels from the dryer onto the counter, and we both pick one up to fold. The cotton is warm in my hands, and I’m reminded of Bosun’s skin.
“They’re tight. Most of them were truck-club members in high school. And now that you’re dating Bosun...” I recall the group of guys in Pete’s last night and wonder if any of them are my new customers.
“Yeah. That crew seems unusually close, don’t you think?”
Katie shrugs. “Maybe, but you’d better get used to it. I have.” She smoothes out a towel on the pile.
I recall my phone conversation earlier. “Bosun is bringing me my car, and then we’re going to his house for dinner. He says he has something to tell me. Do you think it’s the deep, dark secret you want me to know?”
My friend stops folding and puts her hand on my arm to get my undivided attention. “Dev, I bet it is. No matter how you feel about it, I’m here to talk to. Understand?”
Her face is serious, and a tiny chill runs down my spine. “Okay. Sure.”
“You can call me anytime tonight. I’m so used to getting up for my children, it won’t be a bother.”
Now my stomach rolls with anxiety over what I might hear. Is my balloon about to pop? I glance at the clock on the wall and figure out I have four hours to wait. I decide to go back to my giddy-with-love state in case this is all I’m ever going to get. I smile at Katie. “Thanks, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
She says, “It will be whatever you need it to be. But no matter what you decide, I’m in your life forever. Remember that.”
I reach out and pull my friend into a hug. “You’re kind of scaring me.”
Katie squeezes me tightly. “Don’t be afraid. I love you, Dev.”
“Love you too, Katie.” But like the horror movies where you tell yourself you won’t jump and then do, my friend’s words don’t make my fear go away.
CHAPTER NINE
I try not to laugh at how cramped Bosun looks in my Volkswagen Bug as I drive him back to his shop. He asks, “Did you miss her?”
I rub the plastic wheel lovingly, and a beep sounds as I tap the horn. “I sure did, and you were right. Someone did take good care of Cherry for me.”
“That someone wants to take care of you that well, too.”
I glance over at him. “And here I was, worried that you were going to tell me this is all a mistake. Want to give me a hint about what it is you need to tell me?”
Bosun’s saucy twinkle is back in his eyes, and he lets out a howl. An amazingly realistic one that makes goose bumps form on my arms. I say, “Whoa. You’ve been practicing.”
“You could say that.”
“So that’s my hint? A howl?”
“Yup. But I don’t think you’ll be able to guess.”
His teasing makes me think that maybe his news won’t be that devastating. I pull over and park in front of the auto repair garage. Bosun’s taunting tone is missing when he says, “You should follow me home in case you want to leave after we’ve talked.”
My stomach sinks. “Sure.” I reach for my purse to settle my bill, but Bosun shakes his head. “I’ve already locked up for the night. And no matter how our evening goes, the repair is on me.”
My unease makes anger bubble to the surface. “No. I pay my own way, Bosun Lindholm.”
He stares at me for a moment, and I watch his brow knit with... sadness? Regret? He reaches out to take my hand. “I know you do, Devon. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“It’s fine.” I sigh. “You’re scaring me with what you need to tell me, and I think we should just get it over with.”
Bosun opens the door, and cold air blows toward me. He says, “You’re right.” The door slams behind him, and my small car shudders a little.
As I follow his truck to Silver Lake, my mind goes to dark places. Is he married and estranged from his wife? Did he hurt someone? Oh, God. Is he dying of something? What the hell does a howl have to do with it?
I slam my palm against the steering wheel, and sharp pain radiates through my hand. My car bumps down the dirt road to Bosun’s house, and I take a few cleansing breaths. I’ll be fine. I haven’t even slept with the guy, so if tonight means we’re done, it won’t be a big deal. Heck, at least now I know I can fall for someone. So that’s good, right?
Bosun waits for me and takes my hand to help me out of my car. I gaze into his eyes as if they’ll tell me something, but all I see is the blue color that makes me want to be his one and only.
When we get inside, he takes my c
oat and hangs it on a hook next to his. “Would you like a glass of wine? I’m making spaghetti, and I have a nice red.” Bosun has already lifted the bottle into his hand and starts to slice off the foil.
His words are faster than usual, and I realize he’s nervous. “Yes. Where are the glasses?”
The wine opener squeaks in the cork, and he nods toward a cabinet near the sink. I pull out two matching goblets and hold them while liquid gurgles in as he pours.
Bosun places the bottle down to take his drink from me and grabs my hand to lead me over to the couch. We sit and each take a sip of wine before setting the glasses down on the coffee table.
“Silver Lake is my home for a very special reason. The same reason my brothers live here and most of my friends.”
The chilling sound of his howl earlier comes to mind. “Does this have something to do with the wolves?”
He nods. “You’ve noticed how I run hotter than most people.”
My heart jumps into my throat, and I reach for his hand. “Are you sick?”
A small smile forms on Bosun’s face. “No. We don’t really get sick the way you do.”
“We?” Is he in some cult?
“Yes, we. The pack.” He reaches for my other hand.
I shake my head. “You belong to a pack?”
“Devon.” Something flickers in his blue eyes, and the tightness of his grip makes adrenaline surge through my veins as panic begins to take hold. “I’m a werewolf.”
“Ha! A werewolf.” I grin at him. “Right.”
But he doesn’t smile back, and I pull my hands away as my voice barely sounds. “You’re serious.” I stand up and walk over to the windows. I had heard legends of werewolves existing in Silver Lake, but I always assumed they were stories that were made up over campfires late at night.
I turn to him still sitting on the couch. He looks so normal. “So you’re human, and during the full moon you become a wolf?”
“Not exactly. We can change anytime we want. Although the full moon does increase the urge.”
I walk over to the fireplace, and the metal of a picture frame is cool in my hand when I lift it off the mantel. “And your whole family are werewolves too?” I notice how similar the Lindholm boys are in appearance. Katie.
“Yes.”
Katie’s married to a werewolf. That’s why she’s been so concerned, because she knows. Bosun is silent as I pace the room, trying to process the shock of finding out the man I’m falling in love with isn’t really human.
He stands up and says, “I’m sure you have a million questions. You can ask me anything, and I’ll do my best to explain.”
Wait. Katie has children. A werewolf’s children. “Are Katie’s babies werewolves too?”
“They will be when the time comes. They’re too little to shift yet.”
My best friend is part of a werewolf family. I try to wrap my brain around why she would want to do that and then remember how she freaked out the summer after our senior year. The plan was, she and Brindle were going to get married, and then she did an about-face to go to college far away instead. I bet finding out he wasn’t human was the reason.
I gaze over at Bosun. He’s keeping his distance, and his face is clouded with concern. I say, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to lose it on you.” I grin. “I figure if Katie can marry a werewolf, then I’m probably safe with you.”
“You’re always be safe with me, Devon.” He takes one step closer to me. “That is, if you want to be.”
I shake my head slowly. “I don’t know. I don’t know what being with you would mean.”
“I’ll show you.” Bosun holds out his hand for me, but I ignore it to walk over and pick up my wine glass. I’m afraid my physical attraction is too strong for me to think straight, and I need time to process this information. I take a sip and let the rich berry flavor sit on my tongue for a moment before I swallow. “So the guys in high school with the big trucks. Are they werewolves?”
Bosun nods and offers a smile. “Yes. Those guys the other night at Pete’s? Most of them are part of my pack.”
Okay, so my boyfriend gets hairy and howls. I suppose it could be worse. I put my glass down and step closer to him to place my hand on his chest. “You really were sniffing me the other day, weren’t you?”
He places a super-warm hand over mine. “I was. And I wasn’t kidding about you smelling amazing. There’s a lot more I need to tell you, if you’re willing to listen.”
“Okay, lay a little more on me.”
He lifts my chin, and even though I’m nervous about what he’s told me, I can’t help the physical desire coiling in my belly. “This attraction we feel means something.”
You got that right. It means that even though you’re part dangerous dog, I still want to get you naked.
Bosun says, “We’re true mates.”
I snort. “You’re kidding. True mates? I’m a human, I can’t be your mate.”
“No, technically you can’t. Yet.”
Whoa. Is he suggesting... “Hang on. What do you mean by yet?”
“In order to be mated, I need to turn you into a werewolf.”
I step away from him. “Okay.” I hold my hand up in a T. “Time out. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of accepting you’re a wolf. I still want to kiss you, so that tells me I’d even consider a relationship. But no way am I going to become one of you.”
“That’s fine. I’m not asking you.” He touches my arm lightly as if I’m a skittish kitten. “I’m surprised you haven’t run, screaming.”
Oh, God. He was afraid I’d think he was a freak. “Oh, no.” I reach up and place my palm on his cheek. “Maybe I should be, but I’m not afraid of you, Bosun. Not at all.”
Lust is coursing through my body, and a flush of heat surges in me. “Can we—” I’m having trouble remembering what I was going to ask. Oh hell. I pull his head down and kiss him.
CHAPTER TEN
A tiny voice in my head tries to tell me this isn’t a good idea, but I backhand it out of the way as I let my mouth explore Bosun’s. When he breaks away to start on my neck, I know I’m gone. Cotton wads up in my hands as I grasp his shirt. “This feels so good.”
His mouth nibbles down my chest to the edge of my top as his hands slide under it and move up my back. My nipples ache to be touched, and I let go of him to lift my shirt over my head. Bosun lets out sigh when he sees my breasts and cups them over my bra. He whispers, “So beautiful, Devon.”
I unhook my bra and let the straps fall off my shoulders for Bosun to remove it. It whooshes lightly to the ground as he suckles me. His teeth bite my taut peak lightly and send a shock wave through me that makes me tremble. I say, “I can’t stand. Can we move to the couch?”
Bosun shakes his head and scoops me up in his arms. “I’m taking you to my bed. Is that okay?”
“God, yes.” I lick his neck to taste him as he carries me us up the stairs to the loft. My high heels thump on the stairs as I kick them off on the way. I squeal when he drops me on the bed. Lifting up on my elbows, I say, “Strip for me.”
Bosun whips off his shirt to reveal a chest that makes me sigh. He works on his pants more slowly. I ask, “You know what would turn me on even more?”
“You mean my naked body isn’t enough?”
I widen my eyes dramatically when he reveals his large cock. “Growl for me.”
Bosun chuckles and says, “I had no idea you were such a dirty girl.” He steps to the edge of the bed.
I sit up to reach for his dick. “Oh, I think you did.”
He grabs my hands. “Uh-uh, not so fast.” He drops to his knees to pull off my jeans. When he drags my thong down my thighs, he lets out a low, animal growl that makes me gasp. And I just about levitate when he drags his tongue along my slit. Using his fingers to thrust in me, he works my clit with his mouth.
It doesn’t take long for me to scream with a climax. Bosun climbs over me on the bed. “I was right. You are good enough to eat
.”
I chuckle. “I’d give you a clever comeback, but I can’t think right now.”
Bosun lies beside me and props himself up on an elbow. He slides a finger between my folds, making me quake. “Now that’s my kind of dumb blonde.”
“What?” I sit up and push his hand away. “You are in so much trouble.” I grip his cock and position my head over his groin. “Let’s see you be the Big Bad Wolf now.”
I take him in my mouth and begin to suck. The salty essence of him coats my tongue as his silky-smooth skin slides easily in and out. I work at making Bosun lose control, and when I hear the low rumble of another growl, I’m ready to take his release. But he pulls my head away.
I climb over him and watch his chest rise and sink with his quick breaths. He says, “I want to be inside you. Do you want that?”
I rub my sex over his cock, and the sensation makes my voice croak. “Yes.”
Bosun’s hands are on my hips, and he says, “We don’t get STDs. Are you on birth control?”
I reach down and direct him toward my entrance as I nod. I slide onto him and lower myself slowly. I’m not sure if it’s the heat of Bosun or the lack of latex, but I’ve never felt anything this amazing. I ride him as his fingers dig into my butt and guide my movements.
When my core starts to flex around him, and my motions become frantic, Bosun flips me over and lifts my thighs to drive in deeper. “Let me take you over the edge, sweetheart. Come for me.”
My orgasm crashes into me, and my cries have to be loud, but I barely notice. As I come down, Bosun is close, and I whisper to him, “Give it to me, baby. Harder. That’s it.”
He shatters with a groan before he collapses on me. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I was going to take it slow and let our undeniable attraction convince you.”
His cheek is on my chest, and I thread my fingers through his hair. “It did. I’m a quick learner.” I chuckle, and he slips out of me as my core pushes him out with my laughter. “Before I decide if I can handle you being a werewolf, I had to make sure the sex didn’t suck.”