Caged Heat (Black Meadow Pack)

by Milly Taiden

  Sam groaned when a loud knocking interrupted her sleep. Sunlight streamed through her open windows. She flipped to her stomach, threw a pillow over her head, and tried to ignore the incessant knocking. When the loud yell of her name penetrated through the pillow, she cursed and threw the pillow to the floor. Goddamn! She sat up in bed. Who the hell dared to mess with her sleep? Then she remembered she’d gone to bed naked. Her body had gone into overdrive after seeing Riel’s private show. She’d ended up pulling out the vibrator and using it to relieve her sad, horny state.

  It took some mental maneuvering, but she was able to talk her body into getting off the bed. She pulled on another set of tank-top-and-short pajamas, adding a robe over her outfit. She didn’t bother fixing her messy ponytail.

  Teeth brushed and mouth clean, because she didn’t want to yell at anyone while there were dead soldiers in her mouth, she felt ready to face whoever was at the door. She was barefoot and in need of caffeine. She muttered her way down the stairs to the front door, growing about needing rest and sex.

  “Sam!” She heard the voice yell again. Only this time she recognized it as Nat’s.

  She sighed and threw her door open. Within seconds she was being enveloped in a bear hug by her best friend since the third grade.

  Natalia took a step back and stared at her from head to toe with wide green eyes. “Oh my goodness, Samira. You look fantastic. Como—How the heck did you manage to do that while living in the jungle? How did I not see this when we did those video conferences?”

  Sam rolled her eyes and laughed, ushering her friend inside. “You mean I look fat. I gained twenty-OK, probably more like thirty—pounds from eating so many carbs. My old dietician would have kittens if she knew. Shit, I don’t even want to remember how much bread and how many green bananas I ate. Let’s just say I have enough cushion on my legs, butt, and thighs to get me through a full hibernation.”

  Natalia shook her head. “No. I mean have you seen yourself? Your normally golden skin is glowing, and you’ve got an even deeper tan.” She snatched some of Sam’s loose hair and studied the strands. “Your hair’s amazing. So shiny and gorgeous. I don’t care what you say. If a woman looks as hot as you do now after a year in the jungle, then sign me up for one tour in mosquito-hell.”

  Sam chuckled and headed toward the kitchen. Natalia shut the front door and followed behind her.

  When she got to the kitchen, she went straight for the coffee maker. “Nat, I warn you, I need coffee. You woke me up, and I’m still exhausted.”

  Nat sat on the kitchen table and grinned. “I’m sorry, but I had to see you. Can’t you see I even cut my trip short to get my ass over here to see my best friend? I missed you like a PMSing woman misses chocolate.” She pouted. “It was rough.”

  She giggled at Nat’s silliness and set the coffee maker. Afterward, she walked to the fridge and sent a quiet thanks to Jonas for making sure her refrigerator was stocked. Carting items to the island in the kitchen to make breakfast, she listened to Nat complain over how much she’d suffered without her feminine advice.

  “So, have you seen your neighbor yet?” Nat asked with enough enthusiasm to rival a kid ready to go to Disney World. She bounced in her seat. Her long red ponytail swung up and down. She was clearly up to something.

  “I did. It’s Riel Karven.”

  As if unable to contain her enthusiasm, Natalia stood up and sprung toward her. “Isn’t it fantastic?” Her eyes twinkled with excitement. “He’s the guy you’ve had the hots for since…forever! Now you have him a few yards away. How is that not fate?” she gushed.

  Sam and Nat washed their hands at the sink while they chatted. Sam started scrambling eggs for breakfast in a large skillet and shrugged. “I don’t know about fate, but the guy is still able to make me freeze into stupidity.”

  Nat placed pieces of bacon in the same big skillet. “I think you need to be open-minded and see if things go somewhere with him. I’ve always had the impression he kind of liked you.”

  She froze for a moment. She remembered the times she’d come across Riel. He had been really nice and tried to chat with her, but she’d always taken off, afraid he’d notice she was ready to drool over him. “I don’t know. I’ll have to see. I just got back and still need to figure out what’s going on with Ginny’s estate. The entire family is ready to crucify me for getting everything.”

  Nat sat down on one of the stools on the other side of the island. “I’m sorry, Sam. I know you loved Ginny. Were they really that bad?”

  She nodded furiously. Anger rose within her. She was starting to hate being part of that family. “You’ve no idea. Juan Junior looked like he wanted to take me out back and put me down like a stray dog.” She placed the cooked food on platters and started carting them to the kitchen table. “And you should’ve seen Marcia. I felt so bad for her. He left a hand print on her arm from how hard he’d grabbed her.” She shook her head.

  “I don’t know how that woman puts up with him treating her that way. Seriously? I’d have kicked his ass and had him arrested the first time he raised his voice or his hands.”

  Sam was in full agreement. “I think she has issues. Ginny used to say that Marcia would always be mistreated by Juan because she was more interested in money than anything else.”

  “Still, would you let some man treat you like that?”

  Sam lifted a brow. “Are you out of your mind?”

  Nat giggled. “I know, dumb question. You’d probably kick his ass the minute he looked at you wrong.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far…but if you’re in a relationship with someone, there has to be trust and mutual respect. Those two don’t know what either of those words mean, and that’s messed up because they have kids.” Her heart ached for the children Juan and Marcia had. She’d never been allowed near them because Juan openly hated her, and Marcia wouldn’t dare go against what he said. “The last time I saw them they were toddlers, but I wanted to snatch them up and take them somewhere safe. Ginny said that as long as she was around, she’d ensure nothing happened to those kids, but she’s gone now.”

  Natalia set the table, brought the coffee and creamer, and took a seat. “That is a damn shame, that they’d treat you that way after all these years. And to think those kids are deprived of getting to know the best teacher in the universe. Can they do something to fight the will?”

  “Hmm, I think so, and I think some of them will try. In fact, I wish they went ahead and did it. I’m sick of all of them making it seem like I’m a leper and they shouldn’t be near me.” She sat down across from Nat. “Jonas said if they fought they’d lose their million dollars, but I don’t know. He also said they’d lose all rights to the properties they are using under Ginny’s estate.”

  She fixed a cup of coffee, took a sip, and sighed. Perfect. Now all she needed was some more sleep and maybe she’d start feeling human soon.

  “So they’re screwed, and they’re pissed at you because Ginny left them a million apiece?” Nat bit down on a slice of bacon and groaned. “Oh god. This is why I missed you. Nobody makes breakfast like you. I’ve been deprived. It sucks to live off cereal and toast.”

  Sam grinned and picked up a piece of the crunchy meat. She’d never been a fan before, but it smelled really good now. The taste exploded in her mouth. It was a salty delicious sin. Hell, she was in trouble now. She took another sip of coffee and grabbed two more pieces of bacon.

  “Yeah. Can you believe it? You can feed a small country with their inheritance. It’s not like that kind of money is just a few cents. And they’re complaining.”

  “What are you going to do with Ginny’s money?” Nat sucked on her greasy fingers and moaned.

  Sam passed Nat a napkin and grinned when she declined, choosing instead to continue to suck the grease off her fingers.

  “What she always wanted me to do. She has particular charities she wanted taken care of. That’s what I’ll do. Keep them going for her. I know Ginny set up her own c
haritable funds. But come on, I am not keeping all that money. And I’d really like to rub the family’s nose in the fact they can’t do anything about me giving it all away.”

  A warm breeze entered the large kitchen. Her thoughts were focused on what she’d need to follow-up on to set up funding for Ginny’s charities. She took a deep breath and almost gagged. She scrunched her nose in distaste. “Ew. What is that stench?”

  Nat bit down on a piece of bacon, visibly sniffed, and shook her head. She lifted her brows while staring at Sam. “I don’t smell anything.”

  Sam stood and inhaled the disgusting scent again. “Yuck. It’s so nasty. How can you not smell that?”

  Nat scrunched her face and sniffed hard, making a loud inhaling noise through her nose. “Nope. I don’t smell a thing.”

  Sam stepped toward the door leading to the backyard; she didn’t even need to sniff anymore, the scent was overpowering. “Oh yuck. It’s stronger over here.”

  She opened the door and glanced down. A dismembered animal strewn on the walkway leading to the backyard. A scream tore from her throat and the food she’d eaten rolled up her throat. She gagged. It was hard to control her stomach. She used a hand to cover her mouth and swallowed to keep from vomiting all over the entry. The smell of dead animal was unbearable.

  Nat rushed over and gasped at the mutilated dog corpse. “Get back inside. You look like you’re going to be sick all over the floor. Go sit down, and I’ll go get help.” She pushed Sam inside and ran out the backdoor.

  Sam took shallow breaths. The stench permeated into the kitchen. Moments later her back door slammed open, almost coming off its hinges. She jumped in her seat. Riel walked in wearing only a pair of shorts. Oh good lord. What the hell had Natalia done? His eyes sought her, and her heartbeat accelerated in her chest in a furious, untamed gallop.

  “Sam? What’s wrong? Are you OK?” He marched right up to her and knelt in front of her seat.

  She visually caressed him from the top of his spiky hair down this naked torso before she remembered he had asked her a question. “It stinks really badly. Please, take it away or I’m going to be sick.”

  He nodded sharply, stood, and headed back out the door. She closed her eyes and focused on keeping her stomach contents still. The little bit of food she’d had was still rolling around in her gut, pushing her to let it out. It took some mental manipulation to keep things inside. Moments later the scent of dead animal started to dissipate. She opened her eyes to find Nat smiling at her.

  “I’d say he likes you all right. All I had to do was say your name, and he ran over before I finished the sentence.” Nat strolled up to the table and took a seat across from her. She grabbed another piece of bacon and continued to eat. Nat grinned. “We are not wasting perfectly good food. Besides I don’t smell anything. You’ve got some keen sense of smell. I don’t remember you ever doing that before.”

  She was about to answer when the door opened again. Riel walked inside with a tall blond guy. Wow. He looked like a really hot version of Thor. And somewhat familiar. Of course he had nothing on her spiky-haired, sexy neighbor. Only Riel made her want to drool and pant at the same time. She shook her head at herself.

  When Nat huffed and she glanced at her friend. Nat’s face was set into her don’t-fuck-with-me expression.

  Riel pointed to the blond and headed to the kitchen sink. “Sam, this is Troy Helix. He’s also an enforcer for the Black Meadows Pack.” He washed his hands at her sink as he spoke. Once he was done, he walked back to stand next to Troy.

  Oh. Another shifter. She’d stayed away from shifters all her life, because they seemed so large and dangerous. Now she had two in her house like it was no big deal. The interesting thing was that Troy had locked his gaze on Nat and hadn’t glanced away from her once. Nat’s face had turned a telling shade of red. Aha. Something was definitely going on with those two.

  “Troy? Haven’t we met before?” She stood and shook the hand he offered.

  Troy smiled, firmly shook her hand, and stepped back next to Riel. “We have, but it’s been years. Nice to see you back in town, Sam.” He looked back and forth between the two women. “So can someone tell us why there would be a dead animal at your backdoor like a sick welcome home gift?”

  “If we knew that we would’ve told you already, Casanova. Sam doesn’t know why some weirdo would’ve left that at her door.” Nat pursed her lips and folded her arms over her chest.

  Riel stepped toward Sam, giving her one of those sexy grins she remembered, the ones that made her go mute and run like a bat out of hell. “Can I speak to you alone for a moment?”

  Sam glanced back and forth between the other couple wondering if it was a good idea to leave them alone. Nat knew how to take care of herself, but it was Troy she was worried about. Her friend would tear him a new one if he pissed her off. She nodded and headed toward the living area with Riel.

  Electricity buzzed over her skin. The man she’d always had a crush on was in her house. It seemed almost unreal. Her thoughts bounced back and forth between running back to the safety of the kitchen or following her hormones and throwing herself at Riel.

  When she reached the living room, she stopped and turned. Her breath hitched in her throat at his proximity. Jesus. The man even walked like a predator. Too preoccupied with the other couple not killing each other, the dead animal at her door step and the crazy arousal running rampant inside her, she hadn’t even heard him get as close as he had. She inhaled and whimpered.

  Horrified, she took a step back and away from him. A slow smile spread over his sexy lips. Don’t mentally strip him. Don’t mentally strip him. Too late. Her mind went back to the images of him jerking off the previous night. Oh lord. She was so going to hell. There just wasn’t enough prayer in the world to save her soul when the only thing flashing through her mind were images of her doing really dirty things to him.

  “What—” She cleared her throat. “What did you want to discuss?” She made a beeline for a sofa chair.

  He sat on a matching larger sofa across from her. Tension increased in the room the longer he sat there saying nothing. What the hell was he thinking? Probably much more normal things than the perverted thoughts doing cartwheels in her mind. Thank god he wasn’t a mind reader, or he’d know she was licking every inch of his sexy body in a daydream. She wished she could just tell him to strip for her. She mentally cheered him to take it all off. Shake what your mama gave you, you sexy thing.

  His voice broke through the fantasy strip show. “You can look all you want, darling.” He grinned.

  She blinked and swallowed. Was he flirting with her? “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare…” Liar! Yes, she did. “You just seem bigger than the last time I saw you.”

  Her body throbbed. How did his scent arouse her girl parts faster than any man had in her life?

  More of his even white teeth made an appearance. A sexy dimple showed in his cheek, and he winked. He was definitely flirting. “Like I said, I don’t mind. If you want more than that, I’m willing to accommodate you. I’ve been waiting for you to want to do more than look for a long time, Samira.”

  What? Sam had to bite her tongue to keep from ordering him to strip down to nothing. “Uh, thanks.”

  He glanced at her mouth. She traced the muscles rippling in front of her with her eyes. Her temperature shot out of orbit. Oh but she was in definite trouble. She was ready to jump on his lap and ride him. What in the world was wrong with her?

  “I know you just got back from a long stint of volunteer work. Are you planning on staying here long-term?”

  Surprised at the amount of information he knew about her, she raised her brows and nodded. “I am. My five years are over. That was my goal and promise to Ginny. I achieved it; I’m done. My goal was to do something to give back before I came home to teach locally. I’m here to stay.”

  “Have you had any problems with anyone that would cause them to leave that kind of surprise by your door?”
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br />   She thought of her relatives. At any other time she’d take their attitude as the norm, but since he was asking. “Well…”

  “What?” He pressed, the smile sliding off his handsome face. “Anything you can think of is important to finding out who did it.”

  “When they did the reading of Ginny’s will, I was named the sole inheritor, and it created some tension among my other relatives.” She bit her lip and rubbed her hands over her robed knees. “They’re not very happy with me right now. Let me rephrase that, they’ve never been happy with me, only right now it seems they hate my guts more than usual.” She almost jumped out of her skin when he growled.

  His voice turned raspy and so deep it was hard to make out what he said. “Have any of them threatened you?”

  Sam shook her head. The need to pacify him blossomed inside her. He sat stock-still, but angry energy vibrated off him, seeping into her pores and turning up her anxiety. It didn’t feel right. She wanted him laughing again. “No. No one threatened me. They were more upset that they didn’t get more money, but no one made any remarks to make me feel like my life was hanging by thread. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

  He slid to the edge of his seat and curled one of his hands over hers. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You don’t have to worry. No one will hurt you.” The conviction in his voice made something soft work its way into her heart.

  “Thank you. I don’t really think anyone means me harm. It’s probably just a prank. I’ve been gone for a while, but I know there are still teenagers all over this town. They love doing things like this.”

  “They do not love dismembering dogs, Sam.”

  “Yeah, OK. But I still say it was just a one-time prank.” Saying the words and believing them were two different things. But this was her family. They had been jerks to her forever, but no one had ever done anything to make her think they wanted her dead. Though now they had billions of reasons to want her dead.

  He drew circles over her palm with the tip of his finger. A low heat gathered in her stomach, growing with every little twirl, and pooled at her core. Oh god. Not now. His eyes darkened to a molten gold. She’d never seen anything as beautiful. Her breath hitched. She stared at his dilating pupils, until there was only a small rim of gold visible. The fire in her veins roared. Her gaze slid down until it fastened on his lips. She darted her tongue over her dry lips, glanced up, and caught him staring at her action with unwavering interest.