Dance on the Wilde Side: Cannon Pack, Book 2

by Beverly Rae

  The man possessed a charm all his own. Besides being a hunk, he knew how to flatter. Should she believe his watching her had been unplanned? God knows she’d yearned to hear those words from a handsome stranger.

  He winced and brought her attention back to his wound. Ashamed for allowing her mind to wander, she again tried to rise. Again, he stopped her.

  “You need medical attention. Why didn’t you get help before now? I’ll get a towel or something to help stop the blood.”

  “No. I’m okay.” He lifted up on his elbow and started to get off the lounge.

  Shaking her head, she pushed on his chest, her hands sliding under his open shirt. A shock like that of an electric current rocked her, zapped her mind offline, rendering it unable to comprehend anything except her screaming libido. Holy shit! If touching his chest is like that, what would touching him there be like?

  She wasn’t certain, but minutes could’ve passed before she was able to function normally again. She mentally regrouped and forced him down. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re— Uh, you’re—”

  “I’m what?”

  His tongue slipped over his upper lip, ratcheting up the burn between her thighs. She copied his gesture with her tongue while her fingers explored the sensation of smooth skin over hardened biceps. If she died from electrocution, then so be it. His jaw dropped, parting his mouth, and she fought the urge to thrust her tongue inside.

  His voice swept over her, making her breathe in deeply as if she could capture the richness of his tone by smell. Mesmerized, she watched his lips move again.

  “I’m what?”

  His thick eyebrows lifted in question, prompting her to break free of his spell. Snatching her hands away, she cleared her throat and croaked out her answer. “Oh…uh, you’re hurt. Wounded. Shot in the tail.”

  He blinked at her and plunged those wonderfully masculine eyebrows toward his nose. “In my tail?” Twisting to see his rear, he touched the bloodied area gingerly and turned to her. “No. You shot me in the ass.”

  “That’s what I said.” She stared at him, trying to understand the difference. “Wait. I shot you?”

  The quizzical expression stayed on his face. “You said I got shot in the tail. Trust me.” Pointing at his bottom, he spoke in a clipped tone, punctuating each word as if she didn’t understand English. “This is not my tail.”

  Tala glanced from his face, to his butt, and back to his face. What the hell does it matter what we call his rump? He said I shot him. But I shot the dog. Had some of the buckshot hit him, too? But I didn’t even see him. Confused, she decided to shelve that discussion for later. Later?

  “Okay. Whatever you say. But your ass—” she added quotes for emphasis, “—has buckshot in it and requires a doctor. I’ll call for an ambulance.” And the police while I’m at it. Yep, Tala, it’s time to start thinking again.

  She rose, slapping away his hand—and ignoring the urge to grab it and tug his magnificent chest against hers. With an exasperated sigh, she darted into her apartment. She’d reached the coffee table, scooped up her cell phone and thumbed the number nine into the phone before his hand clamped over hers. “Hey!”

  He tugged the phone from her and held up both hands above his head. “Please. Let me explain.”

  Alarm sliced through her, cold and mean. In one swift motion, she scurried into the kitchen area, putting the counter between them. Her breathing quickened and she struggled to keep the panic at bay, allowing her to think. What the hell is the matter with me, letting lust overtake common sense? Will he pull a psycho and slice me up? Not if I can help it, he won’t!

  She wrenched a drawer open, grabbed a paring knife and pointed it at her hunk-turned-intruder. “Don’t come any closer. I’ll cut you. I swear I will.”

  His eyes twinkled at her and he chuckled. Lowering his hands, he nodded at the knife and spoke in a soft, placating tone. “Seriously? What do you think you’re going to do with the cute little knife? I’d think you’d have better luck if you called for Billy Bob instead.”

  “Bobby Lee.”

  “Whatever.”

  Irritation at the truth of his words tempered her fear, yet she wouldn’t give in. “I’ll gouge out your eyes if you come any closer. Stay away from me.” She jabbed the knife at him, hoping the gesture would make the knife appear more threatening. “And give me back my phone.”

  Yet when he attempted to move toward her, offering her phone, she jumped and waved the knife again. “Stop! Don’t get any closer!”

  “I’m giving you the phone like you told me to do.”

  Again the truth of his words rankled her. Why the hell had she left the sliding door open for him to follow her inside? Who knew he had the strength to follow her? “Never mind. Just put it down on the coffee table and get the hell out.”

  He put down the phone as she directed but stayed rooted to his spot. “If you’ll let me explain—”

  “I told you to get out.”

  He sighed and flipped his sleek hair behind his ears. “I’ll leave. But only after you promise to listen to me.”

  She fidgeted, unsure what she could do to force him out. How had she gotten into this mess? Trapped in her own apartment with a stranger. How stupid could she be? She ran through several crazy ideas of escape, none of which had a chance in hell of working, and finally gave in. “You’ll leave once I’ve listened to you? You promise?”

  He drew himself to his full height and nodded. “I promise.”

  No one would come if she yelled. Her neighbors were all at work. And the likelihood of getting past him was slim to none. What else could she do except mollify him until she could figure a way out of this situation? “Go ahead.”

  He nodded and smiled at her. A smile she—God help her—trusted.

  “Let’s start from the beginning. I’m Devlin Cannon.”

  She gaped at him and stammered until the words finally sorted themselves out in her mouth. “I—I don’t want to know your name.”

  “Why not?”

  When she didn’t respond, he continued. “Okay, we’ll do it your way. I told you the truth. I never planned on spying on you.” He chuckled a deep sexy sound. “I just got lucky.”

  She blew out a puff of air and tried to concentrate. But his broad shoulders beckoned to her, making her wish she could run her hands under his shirt again. Or maybe past his unbuttoned jeans…

  “Nonetheless, I did watch you. I wish I could say I’m sorry I did, but I’d be lying. You’re a gorgeous woman and I enjoyed watching you.”

  Although his declaration whetted a need she’d never had filled, she couldn’t let him get away with… With what? Admitting that he’d spied on her? Complimenting her? She couldn’t decide whether to feel flattered or angry. Choosing the safer option, she let her anger grow. She took a deep breath and got ready to wail on him. But he beat her to the punch.

  Holding up one hand, he tipped his head. “I know, I know. I shouldn’t have. Watch, I mean. I’m sorry. But I’ll never say I’m sorry I enjoyed every minute of the show.” She glowered at him. “But, hey, I got paid back, didn’t I? You and Annie Oakley from downstairs shot me with a load of buckshot. Silver buckshot, too.” He sported his engaging grin. “And in the ass.”

  What did it matter if the buckshot was silver or gold or whatever the hell buckshot is made out of? Still, he is wounded and he has such a nice voice. Tala caught herself leaning on the counter, relaxing to the sound of his voice. She jolted up, renewing her defensive position. “Right. In the ass.” Why is he so obsessed with what we call his tush? “We’ve established that fact. But since your wound doesn’t appear life-threatening, you can get out and leave me alone. Forget what I said about listening to you or helping you. I’m not helping some nutcase who gets drunk and winds up in my animal run.”

  “Oh, come on. Like you’ve never gotten drunk and done something stupid. Everyone has at one time or another. Admit it. You’re probably a wild animal with a little drink in you. Am I
right?”

  Her mind flashed to the night she’d gotten on all fours and howled in front of Carly. With pictures to prove it. “What I do is none of your business. Anyway, like I said. Forget I offered.”

  He moved quickly, scaring her, making her jostle from foot to foot. “Don’t move. Unless you’re leaving.”

  He ignored her, crossing over to look at some of the pictures on her walls. “You like wolves.” Turning in a slow circle, he stared at all the posters. “A lot.”

  She frowned, thrown by this change of conversation. “Never mind my interests. The door’s over there.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  She got ready to run as he studied the poster of a wolf pack. Did he think he could get her to loosen up by commenting on her love for wolves? Was his interest real or fake? Glancing at the picture he was studying, he caught her unprepared again when he whipped around to face her.

  His eyes snared hers, drawing her into them, holding her to him. Her chest tightened in excitement and her nipples rose in anticipation. Licking his lips, he rolled his shoulders, opening his shirt to expose his rock-hard abs, and she waited for him to speak. Instead, he tilted his head up and howled, sending shivers sprinting down her spine.

  She stepped back a couple of steps and gawked at him. “What the hell are you doing?” He howled. Just like the man in my fantasies.

  His glorious grin, somehow wolfish, returned. “I’m howling for my mate.”

  Oh, my God. “You howled? You mean, like a wolf?” Like the animal-man of my dreams.

  The vision of her raising her head to the moon, howling until her throat hurt, flashed through her mind. She blushed, the heat coursing up her neck and into her cheeks. No! This is not the same thing at all.

  “Right. Like a wolf.” His gaze hammered into hers. “Ever done any howling?”

  Her blush heated her cheeks, but she shook her head, determined never to admit what she’d done the other night. “Of course not.”

  “Oh, but I think you have.”

  How could he know? Her throat closed, keeping her from an admission of guilt. “You’re wrong.” Tala swallowed and dropped her gaze. Her heart pounded against her chest, making breathing more difficult. He couldn’t know. Unless he’d seen her outside the bar. Stunned, she brought her gaze to his and held on. Who is this guy? Will he hurt me?

  Still playing the role of mind-reader, he answered her. “Don’t worry. I’d never hurt you.”

  She had to get him out. Now. “I’m going to tell you one more time. Leave.”

  Ignoring her yet again, he pointed at a poster of a wolf and his mate. “Wolves mate for life, you know.”

  “What? What’s that got to do with anything?” Thrown, she stammered and tried to sort out the emotions whirling inside her. How did he keep her from yelling? Why wasn’t she screaming for help? Not that anyone would answer. But he didn’t know that, so maybe it was worth a try. Yet why was help the last thing she really wanted? She lifted the little knife and slashed through the air. “Look. I’m warning you one last time. Get the hell out.”

  Answering her demands at last, he turned toward the door, paused and grinned at her.

  Right before he collapsed to the floor.

  Chapter Three

  What the hell?

  Tala let out a cry as her intruder hit the floor with a resounding thud. She stepped forward out of instinct, wanting to help him, and then stopped, realizing the possibility of a trap. Undecided on how to react, she bounced back and forth on the balls of her feet. “Oh, damn. What do I do now?”

  Eyeing her phone on the coffee table near him, she bit her lip, gathered her courage, and made a quick dash to retrieve it. With her phone in hand, she scampered behind the counter again and punched the first button. The man on the floor moaned and she paused. Something about the sound bothered her.

  “What’d you say?” Setting the phone down, she leaned over the counter. “Devlin? Was that your name? Do you hear me?” She scowled as much at herself as at the man. “Of course he can’t hear you, dimwit. He’s hurt and unconscious.”

  The little voice in her head scolded her, phasing out some of the lingering fear. Quit talking to yourself. You know he’s out cold which is why you should call the cops and escape while you can.

  Yeah, silently talking to yourself is so much better than talking to yourself out loud. Not. She paused, squinting at the lump on her floor. He rolled from his side onto his back, causing her to nervously prance on her feet. Then why aren’t you calling?

  Devlin moaned again and this time her instinct sent her feet off and running before her brain could stop them. Crossing the distance in strides, she fell to the floor beside him, ignoring the warning shouts in her head. Don’t be a crazy woman. Don’t be stupid. Run, Tala.

  “Damn it all to hell and back. I don’t know why I’m helping you. But right after I do, I’m hiring the best psychiatrist in the city. For me.”

  She reached out and placed the tips of her fingers alongside his throat, ignoring the jolt of attraction whipping through her fingers all the way to the vee between her legs. His eyelids fluttered a second, making her yank her hand away. Cursing under her breath, she reached out again and pressed harder against his jugular vein. “Good. Your pulse is strong.” Her palm slid down his neck as she’d done so many times before when comforting injured animals. But her eyes grew wide at the bulge in his crotch. “Looks like something else is strong, too.”

  “Only because you touched me.” He opened his eyes and winked at her. “Caught you looking again.”

  “Holy shit!” Tala scrambled backwards, landing on her bottom. Her nails dug into the carpet behind her as she supported herself on her palms. “Quit surprising me.” Move, Tala. Now. Before he gets up. But her body wouldn’t respond. Not while entranced by those chocolate eyes.

  Devlin pulled her deeper inside those eyes. Her irritation melted away into their depths, soothed away by their soft gleam.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” The gleam shifted into a wicked spark. “Not much anyway.”

  This man is dangerous. In good and bad ways. “Yeah. Right.” She wasn’t certain if her remark was meant for his words or her thoughts. Her attraction to him ratcheted up to the next level. Who knew she could go so high? “You freaked me out when you fainted.”

  Devlin elbowed his back off the floor and let out a groan. “Men don’t faint. Men pass out.”

  “Uh, sorry, Mr. Macho. Call it what you will, but out like a light is out like a light.” Unless he’d faked it?

  He shook his head, his straight black hair sifting over his shoulders. For a moment, Tala imagined his face transforming into the face in her dreams. His dancing dark eyes morphed into amber jewels while his jaw changed, elongating, and his teeth grew longer. Somewhat afraid to, yet too curious not to, she sucked in a short breath, steadied her nerves and reached out.

  The touch of Devlin’s grip on her outstretched hand startled her out of her trance. His fingertips caressed hers, launching rockets of shivers through her hand and into her arm. Yet the shivers were nothing compared to the tremors he evoked when he laced his fingers through hers.

  “Are you all right?”

  His question was little more than a whisper, yet the concern in his tone blared in her ears. She tilted her head and wondered how this stranger could cause so many reactions within her. She whispered in response, surprised to find her voice working. “Me? Sure. I’m not the one with buckshot in my ass. But are you?”

  The expression in his eyes socked her in the gut with its sincerity. “I’m doing much better since I met you.”

  Damn it all to hell and back. The man knew how to lay it on. And she knew how to lap it up. Like a dog after a treat. Not that she’d ever let him know.

  “Okay, then. Since you’re okay, you can leave.” She hurried to her feet and backpedaled away from him. He watched her as though not understanding her wariness, and pushed himself to a standing position.

  His arm
muscles flexed with his movement and she couldn’t recall when she’d seen such a delectable sight. How would those arms feel wrapped around her? Pulling her body against his? Her ass to his shaft? She swallowed, trying to push the idea of him naked in her bed out of her mind. To her surprise, however, the expression on his face returned her to the present.

  What was with this guy? His look, so sad yet determined, hurt yet forgiving, awakened all the yearning in her soul. Here was a kindred spirit. A man who knew what loneliness was. A man who ached for the touch of that one special person.

  Get a grip, Tala. You’re letting your dreams run wild. And dreams rarely come true.

  She’d managed to convince herself of the truth behind her words when Devlin rose, turned and started for the door. He stumbled and clutched the end of her sofa to steady himself, making her sigh, a mixture of relief and disappointment.

  “Hey! You’re definitely not okay.” She was with him, seconds after his stumble, slinging his arm over her shoulder and steering him toward her bedroom. “You need a doctor. Lie down and I’ll call for an ambulance.”

  “Damn silver,” he muttered. His tone, however, grew even harsher and his head fell forward. “No. No ambulance. No doctor. You have to promise.”

  “But—”

  “No! Promise. Or let me leave. That’s what you want anyway.” He shifted their bodies, weaving them away from the bedroom toward the front door.

  Tala shoved against him, at once keeping him upright and helping him stagger toward the bedroom. “No way. You need me.” She grappled to hold his weight, led him over to the bed and pushed him on top of it. His weight catapulted her along with him, his strong hands gripping her, pulling her to him. Somehow, someway, they flipped, putting her under him as they landed on the soft mattress.

  His body pinned hers to the bed and their noses touched, reminding her of two canines greeting each other. A sly grin lifted his mouth and he positioned his arms along the side of her head.

  For a moment, she knew pure delight as the bulge in his pants pushed against the cleft in hers, fitting as though made for her. Only her. “Uh, I think you should get off me.”