by Beverly Rae
“The one and only.”
Devlin glanced up to see his lecherous friend stepping closer to his mate. “Thank God for that.” He sent him a back-off look.
Conrad stopped and held out his palms. “Relax, dude. I know the score. But haven’t we met before, babe?”
The smirk on his friend’s face pushed at Devlin’s last nerve. Obviously Conrad was talking about the time in the parking lot. But he’d yet to tell Tala that the wolf she’d seen was his best friend. Devlin tossed a questioning look at Tala, who blinked at him and switched on her frosty glare.
“No.” Tala’s expression left little doubt in Devlin’s mind that she wasn’t thrilled to meet Conrad. She fisted her hands on her hips and scowled. “And please don’t call me babe.”
Conrad arched his eyebrow at her. “Ah, feisty. I like that.” He grinned at her, letting her in on his joke. “And don’t call you babe. Got it.” He walked around the room, picking up knickknacks and pictures to examine. At last he paused and gestured at the walls. “Love the wolf posters, by the way. At least that explains why you’ve hooked up with Dev here.”
“I have an affection for wolves.” She arched her eyebrow in an exact imitation of Conrad’s gesture. “Or at least, most wolves.”
So she’s figured it out. Devlin laughed. That’s my girl.
Fortunately Conrad could take as good as he gave. “Ooh, good one.” He shot Devlin a questioning look, then tilted his head at her. “So you know?”
“Of course she knows. She knows about us and the rest of the pack.” He decided to plunge ahead. “We’re mated. I’ve already marked her twice.”
Tala moved over to Devlin to snake her arms around his waist. “Yep. I’m Devlin’s mate. And I’m guessing you owe me a repair job for my car. Those scratches are going to cost me a bundle to get fixed.”
Conrad’s surprise lasted briefly before he pointed at her and chuckled. “I definitely like her, dude. She’s a good one.”
“So? Whaddya say?” Tala broke free of Devlin’s squeeze and stepped toward the big man. As she opened her arms for him, jealousy, pure and simple, crashed into Devlin’s heart. “Want to give Devlin’s mate a welcome-to-the-pack hug? And just maybe I’ll forget about the repair bill.”
Conrad grabbed Tala and hugged her. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he grinned at Devlin, daring him to break them apart. Devlin resisted the thought of wrestling his friend. That is, until Conrad’s hand slid down and grabbed Tala’s shapely tush. “Actually, we give a welcome-to-the-pack rump rub, instead.”
Devlin lunged forward but wasn’t as quick as Tala. Her hand whipped around to grasp Conrad’s and bent it, wrenching his fingers backward toward the top of his hand. He hollered, pulling his hand away, and backpedaled away from her. Tsking at him, she slid into Devlin’s arms.
“She’s something, huh?” Devlin couldn’t resist rubbing it in—a little.
“You got that right.” Conrad massaged his sore fingers. “But does that mean the rump rubbing is off?”
Before Devlin could snarl his answer, the phone rang. He shook his head at Tala and beat her to the punch. “No, I’ll get it. And if it’s your work, I’ll tell them you’re busy meeting your new wolf pack.”
“They’ll never believe the crew I’ve gotten hooked up with. Oh, and tell them I’ll give them a call back.” Lifting her chin, she howled. “Wolf style.”
Warmed by her quick acceptance of his friend, Devlin picked up the phone. “Wilde residence.”
“Hey, Freak. Bitten anyone lately?”
Recognizing the voice, Devlin scowled and put his back to Tala. The little man who beat the she-wolf. George. “Fuck off.” In one quick motion, he disconnected the call and took a deep breath. No need for Tala to know.
“Who was it?”
Crap, I should’ve known she’d ask. He let Tala’s question wait a second before deciding to lie. “Wrong number.”
“A little harsh weren’t you? I mean, a wrong number is a simple mistake. There’s really no need to curse at them.”
“Meanwhile—” Conrad, as usual, wanted the center of attention on him, “—what d’ya say we sit—”
The jangle of the phone came again, interrupting his suggestion. “Damn.” Devlin blocked Tala from getting the phone and scooped it up. Holding it close, he cupped his hand over the receiver and hoped his posture wouldn’t relay his fury to Tala. “Talk.”
“Don’t hang up on me again, Freakazoid. I know all about you and your buddy. Just how many of you freaks are there?”
His hatred of George sent his blood boiling, but he managed to keep his tone level. “Don’t call again.” He started to hang up when he heard George shouting.
“You’ll be sorry!”
“Is something wrong?” Tala frowned, concern mixed with curiosity on her face, and yanked on his arm.
“Naw. Probably just the pack wanting him to bring home some dog biscuits.”
Yet Devlin could tell Conrad knew something was up. He concentrated on keeping the phone turned away from her and stuck to the conversation. “I don’t think so.” What he wouldn’t give to be able to reach through the line and throttle the guy.
“Oh, but you’re gonna want to hear what I have to say.”
Tala inched nearer, forcing him to speak even softer. “Again. I don’t think I do.”
“Yeah, you do. Unless you want something to happen to pretty Tala. Something real bad.”
Devlin squeezed the phone tighter, his knuckles turning white from the strength of his grip. Tala again moved closer, forcing him to put on an act. “Hey, buddy.” Looking at Tala, he feigned a big smile, covered the phone and told yet another lie. “It’s a friend of mine. And no to the dog biscuits. Although I am hungry.”
Tala seemed unconvinced but took his not-so-subtle hint and headed for the kitchen. “You two have a weird way of relating to each other, whoever this guy is.”
She trusts me and I’m lying to her. He thought about telling her and opted against the idea. No, I have to keep Tala safe. Even if it means keeping secrets from her.
Conrad, however, drew next to Devlin and narrowed his eyes to let him know he hadn’t bought his lie. With his friend’s sensitive hearing, Devlin didn’t doubt he could hear everything.
He jerked his head at Tala in a silent don’t-let-on message. Again turning his back to Tala, he spat out his whispered warning. “If you hurt Tala in any way, I promise you I’ll snap your neck. After I tear the skin off your body in tiny strips. Then I’ll let you die a slow agonizing death.”
“And what? Eat me alive?”
This smile was genuine. “Yeah, but with lots of ketchup to take away the nasty taste.”
The silence on the other side told him he’d hit home. Unfortunately, the silence didn’t last long enough.
“Listen up, Wolf Man.”
So he does know. George was brighter than he looked.
“If you want to keep Tala safe and sound, you’ll meet me tomorrow at the downtown park around four o’clock. You and your freaky friend. And don’t bring anyone else. Especially Tala.”
“And why should we meet with you? You won’t be able to get near her with us around.”
Tala waved at him from the kitchen and held up a sandwich. Devlin smiled and nodded, silently thanking her.
“Don’t bet on it, dog breath. You can’t guard her twenty-four seven. I’ll visit Tala when you’re not around and she’ll get a taste of my tender loving care. You know, like I showed the female wolf? Or maybe I’ll give Tala a treat with a little booty action first. That’s how you doggies like it, isn’t it?”
Devlin tipped his chin at Conrad and waited for his agreement. The big man licked his lips and smiled, always ready for action. “Consider us there.”
“Good doggy.”
The resounding click echoed in Devlin’s ear.
ƒ
“I don’t get it. Why are you acting so mysterious?” Tala flopped on the bed to watch Devlin get dressed.
Just thinking about running her tongue over his toned abs, heading for the black hair below, made her mouth water. I haven’t had a dick sandwich in a long time. She swallowed at the thought. For at least four hours. Waay too long. Her pulse quickened and the muscles between her legs tightened. The man has a body other men would kill for and women would die for. And it’s all mine. She ran her tongue over her lips to draw his attention. Come on, Dev, let me eat a hot dog.
Devlin stopped buttoning his shirt. “Damn it, Tala. Don’t tempt me.” The low sound in his throat sent pleasurable chills through her. “I’ve got something I have to do.”
I wish he’d growl for me. Growl while sucking on my tits. “With Conrad. Devlin, you’re starting to really tick me off. This thing better be important.”
“It is. I have to go. We stick together when threatened.”
She quickly sat up. “Threatened?” What the hell is he not telling me?
He shot her a reassuring smile. “It’s just an expression. I didn’t mean it literally.” But his comforting smile didn’t last. Instead he acted nonchalantly—or tried to—and asked, “You’re sticking around here, right? Until I get back?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.” She studied him, searching for his hidden agenda. “So why the hurry? What’s going on, Devlin? You’re not telling me something. I know it.” What’s he hiding from me now?
He tucked his head, averting her scrutiny. “Don’t worry. Nothing’s going on. It’s just business. I can’t keep doing all my business by phone, you know.”
Business my ass.
She slid her hands over her breasts and tweaked her hardened nipples to elicit another lustful look from him. Pouting, she put on her best sweet-and-innocent yet don’t-you-think-I’m-sexy expression. “Wouldn’t you rather do something fun with me?” She ran one hand over her breast and down her stomach. Pausing, she sent him a sultry look, then slid her fingers under her thong and played with the aching part of her body. “Come on, Dev. Get busy with me.”
He let out an anguished sigh and turned away from her. “You, woman, are a devil in disguise. Get busy? So we’ve gone from making love to plain old getting busy?”
“Oh, Dev-lin.” Her sing-song tone brought him around to face her again. Grinning, she whipped her teddy nightgown over her head and tossed the red silk at him.
He caught it and rubbed the lacy material between his fingers. Oh, you so want me, my hunky wolfie. Give it up and take me. Jiggling her breasts at him, she raised one breast upward and swiped her tongue over the brown tip.
Devlin’s eyes gleamed with unmistakable lust. “You’re killing me. You know that, right?” At her come-take-me look and wink, he moved closer.
Wanting to keep him moving toward her, she fell back on the bed, her arms flailing out to the side with a dramatic flair. She knew that her movement made her tits bounce appealingly. Skimming her hands along her body, she once more attempted to lure him onto the bed. She pushed her fingertips under her thong to play with herself again, this time spreading her legs for him to get a better view. “Come here, Devlin. I need you.” She mewed, putting all her sexual frustration into the sound. “I can do this alone, but it’s not half as fun.”
If he hadn’t taken her in his arms right then, she really would have gotten worried. But his strong arms around her left her with no doubt. She ran her hands over his shoulders and rubbed her breasts against his chest. He took them in his hands, and helped her rub against him.
“You drive me crazy, Tala. You know I’d rather be with you.” His eyes flicked to the bed. “In you.”
“Then stay. Do work later.” She tracked her tongue lightly under his chin. “You can do all the work you want after you work for me.”
Taking her face in his hands, he pressed his mouth to hers, exhaling his warm breath into her. She drank up his taste, so sexy and familiar, and quivered. Parting her lips, she welcomed his tongue, dragging it inside, sucking it hard. His moan wafted into her, shooting down her throat to the rest of her sexually-tormented body.
Too soon, however, he broke their embrace. Yet before she could complain, he met her eyes, diving deep inside, searching for an answer.
“We’re already mated, Tala. But maybe you’d like a traditional wedding anyway? With all your family and friends?”
How can one man be so sexy and so sweet at the same time? Tala, you are one lucky woman. “Devlin Cannon, are you officially asking me to marry you? Human to semi-human?” She wiggled her nose at him, hoping to prod him into challenging her jab.
“Real cute.” He nodded. “And I am, Tala Wilde. So what do you say? Wanna marry the Wolf Man?”
“Will you follow me around for the rest of my life? Nipping at my heels?”
Devlin fondled her breasts, rubbing his thumbs over her taut nipples. “You betcha. I’ll nip at your heels every day of the week and beg for a treat.” He bent and bit her tit. “Unless you’d rather I nip at other things.”
She pretended to play coy and consider his proposal. “Well, okay. I guess I’ll have to say yes. Besides, you’ve already marked me and we’re mated, so what else can I do?”
Devlin tugged her lower on the bed and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Rubbing the cleft between her legs against his jeans, she wiggled harder and was rewarded with his cock straining at the zipper. Soon she’d have his jeans off and his cock in her hand. Or mouth. Or pussy. She licked her lips, trying to decide which place to put it first.
Giddy with happiness, Tala kissed him long and hard. “My friends are not going to believe this.”
“Will you tell them what I am? What you’ll be? And, if you do, will they approve of me?”
She played with a strand of his silky hair, pretending that his caresses weren’t heating her insides to the boiling point. “They’d better like you or I’ll let you shift and scare the panties off them.”
A wicked glint flashed in his eyes and the mischievous grin she’d come to love spread across his face. “Hmm. Scare the panties off the lady friends, huh? Sounds like a job I’d love to do.”
She good-humoredly slapped him on the chest. “Watch it, Wolfie. You’re all mine.”
“And glad of it.”
He kissed her again and she smiled into the kiss. Now all I have to do is get his jeans off and—
Without warning, he pulled away from her, jarring her out of her blissfulness. “Hey! Watch how you treat your future bride.”
“Sorry.” Unwrapping her arms and legs from him, he scooted off the bed and dug his phone out of his pocket. “Duty calls.” He chastely pecked her on the cheek, fending off her attempt to bring him back onto the bed. “Gotta go.”
Stunned, she lurched for his arm and held on. She knew something was up, knew she should keep him close, yet she didn’t know how. “No. Come on, Devlin. Blow your friend off just this once.”
“Blow my friend? Bleck, what a thought.” He faked a shiver of disgust.
“Quit trying to change the subject. You know what I mean.” Batting her eyelids at him, she tried one last proposition. “I promise I’ll show you a good time.” She tipped her head to look up at him seductively. “A really good time.”
But his serious expression squelched her humor and he took her hands away. He’s way too serious. Something’s definitely up. A shot of dread coursed through her, reinforcing the urge to keep him by her side. “I know you’re hiding something from me. Please tell me what it is.” She fixed her eyes on him, not letting him move away.
Breaking free, he strode out of the room, calling to her as he darted through the apartment and out the door. “You’ve got it all wrong, Wilde. I’ll get back as soon as I can and then we’ll get busy.”
Gaping, she stared at the emptiness surrounding her until she heard the door slam shut. What the hell just happened? Since when does he ever turn down sex?
The silence left behind after Devlin’s departure pounded against Tala’s nerves. She snatched up jeans and a T-shirt and tugged them on a
s she loped through the apartment. “No way, Devlin Cannon. I’m going to find out what you’ve got going on whether you like it or not.”
She swung open the door and checked the stairs leading down to the ground floor. Grumbling under her breath, she grabbed her keys, shoved them in her jeans pocket and pulled the door shut behind her. Since Devlin wasn’t driving—no way would he ever drive again if she could help it—she was determined to stay on his heels. At a discreet distance, of course.
Taking the stairs two at a time, she scanned the area around the apartment building. Off in the distance, she spied Devlin jogging down the sidewalk across the two-lane road running adjacent to the apartment complex. Pulling in a breath, she started after him.
Rough hands latched onto her, wrenching a shout from her throat. Two large men dragged her to the side of the building. Strong arms pinned hers behind her back while the other man hooked her legs under his arms.
Tala tried to cry out again, but the sound was suffocated against the cloth pressed over her mouth.
Chapter Eleven
The blackness slowly dissolved into a mist, changing from pitch black to gray then, at long last, to a dingy haze. Tala groaned, her head a heavy ball of stabbing pain balancing on top of her neck. “Aw, crap. I feel like shit.”
“The effects of the drug will wear off soon enough.”
Her attempt to move her arms sent painful pinpricks from her wrists to her shoulders. Coarse ropes bound her arms and legs to a chair with her hands bound behind her. She flexed her fingers, working to regain some sensation in them.
Widening her eyes hoping to clear her vision, Tala blinked at the squat man sitting across from her. Yet the clearer his image grew, the more she wished she couldn’t see. The man was a poster child for Dirty People Against Baths, and his greasy strands of hair were a testament to his aversion to shampoo. His shirt, almost stiff with the grime clinging to the material, billowed over khaki slacks that hadn’t seen the inside of a washing machine since they’d left the factory.