First Frost

by A Lyrical Press Anthology

  “I was afraid I’d lost you.” He turned her in his arms and lowered his lips to hers. “And now you’re mine,” he whispered as he grazed the tender flesh of her mouth with teeth that elongated and sharpened. He didn’t hide anymore, and the intimacy of the shared secret, evident in their touch, sent a delicious shiver up her spine.

  Her skin burned and chilled in turn as he trailed his mouth down her jaw and neck, finding a resting place on the tender pulsing skin he’d bitten to change her life. How could a week feel like ages? She knew him, right down to his very bones. He was honorable, savage, hardworking, protective, and most importantly, hers. She gave him all of her and he, nothing less in return.

  “Change with me,” he rumbled against her neck.

  “Teach me how,” she breathed.

  Those quiet woods were no place for words. Comfortable, reverent silence stretched across the forest and perched pleasantly on the taut string binding their hearts. Snow crunched under her boots in a steady rhythm as she followed him deeper and deeper into the wilderness.

  “Here,” he said at last. Pulling at his fitted thermal shirt, he undressed and stood, vulnerable, masculine, perfect in front of her. “Let me,” he said when she unzipped her jacket.

  His touch was fire as his hands brushed her chilled skin. Taking his time, he removed her clothes piece by piece until she stood as exposed as he. With his liquid mercury eyes he raked her body, raising wave after wave of gooseflesh. His gaze was so consuming she could almost feel it on the breeze.

  He brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “I can see her. Close your eyes and let her out. Let your wolf have your mind and she’ll do the rest.”

  The wolf who had saved her— She owed the animal her life and would start paying that debt by surrendering her control to the Lycan in her. Sighing and clamping shaking hands in front of herself, Linden leaned her head back, giving the moon her neck, and closed her eyes. Light filled her, growing brighter and brighter until it consumed her and she’d die of it. And in the last second of panic at the pain, she slipped into the skin of a gray furred animal. Graham, a dark and lanky wolf, paced the edge of the tree line, a slow whine coming from his lips. He needn’t be worried, though. She’d recognize him in any form.

  His approach was slow and measured, and when finally he reached her, she rubbed her head against his side until the warmth and confidence radiating from him filled her. A howl pierced the night air, as lonely as the song of a whippoorwill, and she turned. Graham watched her and when an answering howl ripped from her, he threw his head back and joined her. The woods were filled with the song of her new pack, a sound both chilling and comforting at the same time.

  Graham loped off toward the sounds then waited at the edge of the trees and watched her with that sterling gaze of his. Of course she’d go after him. Wherever his life went, hers would follow. Their fates were intertwined like the gnarled roots of a cypress tree. Her happiness depended directly on his existence, and so long as she lived, she wouldn’t hold back from him. He’d given her a second chance and deserved all of her.

  She trotted off behind him, and side by side they made their way through the forest to her new pack—through the woods that would lead her to a new life.

  About Tera Shanley

  Tera Shanley writes in sub-genres that stretch from Paranormal Romance to Historic Western Romance, to Apocalyptic (zombie) Romance. The common theme? She loves love! A self-proclaimed bookworm, she was raised in small town Texas and could often be found decorating a table at the local library. She currently lives in Dallas with her husband and two young children and when she isn’t busy running around after her family, she’s writing a new story or devouring a good book. Any spare time is dedicated to chocolate licking, rifle slinging, friend hugging and the great outdoors.

  Find Tera at:

  Website: www.terashanley.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terashanley.author

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/terashanley

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212904.Tera_Shanley

  Blog: http://www.terashanley.blogspot.com

  Other Lyrical Press books by Tera Shanley:

  An Unwilling Husband (May 2014): http://lyricalpress.com/un-unwilling-husband/

  Like Autumn Leaves and Campfires

  GLBT erotic romance by Elle Parker

  Mysterious neighbors, scheming wives and bar fights. This was not Dino's idea of a relaxing vacation.

  All Dino Martini wants is to enjoy his vacation with best friend turned boyfriend, Seth Donnelly. But when he stumbles across a mystery, it feels like business as usual. If Dino wants to spend his time focused on Seth instead of fighting in bars, he might have to get back to work.

  Content warning: Contains explicit sexual scenes for adults only.

  Chapter 1

  “A hatchback, Dino? Seriously?” Seth slouched in the seat and tried to look thoroughly disgusted in spite of the wicked gleam in his eye.

  “I let you drive, didn't I?”

  “Yeah, well A, you didn't want to, and B, this is supposed to be a vacation. I really think you should have sprung for a better car.”

  “Tell you what,” I said, reaching to turn the heat up a notch, “next time you can be in charge of car rental.”

  “Damn straight.”

  “You can pay for it, too.”

  “Fine.”

  We were heading north through Wisconsin to a cabin near the town of Samoset. Seth and I had been working hard lately, and when I mentioned to my neighbor, Ruth, I'd been thinking of a break, she’d offered to let us use her family's place.

  The trees around us exploded with vivid red, yellow and orange leaves, and the crisp October air made a sharp contrast to the Florida sunshine and humid gulf breezes we'd left behind when we boarded the plane that morning.

  My name is Dino Martini, and I'm a private investigator. I'm a middle-aged, skinny Italian, and until a few months ago, my life was pretty comfortable. Then my best friend, who also happens to be my mechanic, decided we should be considerably more than friends. I've always known I was some flavor of bi, but I'd never done anything about it, so this was still pretty new to me. To make matters more complicated, Seth Donnelly is the perfect embodiment of a spitfire redhead, about as wild and free as you can get. And I'm...not. I like to say I'm private and reserved, and I tend to be selective. Other people have described me as uptight and old fashioned. If those things weren't enough, Seth is also eight years younger than me. Maturity-wise, you could double that gap.

  “Are we almost there yet?” he asked.

  “Maybe another hour.” I looked at my watch. “Ruth said we should stop in town for supplies, and then the cabin is six more miles. We ought to be there in plenty of time for dinner even with the stop.”

  “And there's a grill?”

  “So I'm told. Steaks for dinner?”

  “Steaks, plenty of beer, and then you in bed.” Seth shot me a wicked leer that sent shivers down my spine.

  * * * *

  An hour and a half later, we turned onto a gravel drive that disappeared off into the woods. Sunlight streamed through the trees, blazing with fall color, as we followed the road down a hill and around by the lake. On the way, we passed a huge campsite made of what looked like two or three tents all mashed together.

  “What the hell is that?” Seth asked.

  “Ruth's cousin, I think. She said the place is like a compound. There's the original cottage, the cabin, a camper her granddaughter's family uses, and this place.”

  Farther along, chairs ringed a fire pit with a tree house nearby, and then the drive forked to go to the cottage straight ahead, or the cabin to the left. Seth pulled into an obvious parking space by the garage and shut off the car.

  We climbed out and stretched, and Seth looked around. “Wow. This place is really something.”

  “Yeah, it is.” I took a moment to appreciate the utter peace and quiet.

  The cabin was a s
mall brown building set on the top of a gentle hill surrounded by a nice lawn and dozens of birch, maple and oak trees, decked in fall colors. All this was tucked into a pine forest, creating a cozy seclusion. Lakes on either side made it truly spectacular, providing amazing views. One lake lay beyond the cabin, down a steep bank, and looked like the old Hamm's beer ads. The other lake was across the driveway through the trees. A winding path led to it.

  Seth came around the end of the car and pressed me against the window while he ran his hands up my sides. He planted a hot kiss on my neck. “You know, we could get naked first and worry about dinner later.”

  I returned the kiss and stroked a thumb along his jaw line, but said, “If we don't unpack the car, dinner will be wrecked and the beer will get all warm.”

  “Well, you sure know how to blow a mood.”

  “No, see, I know you better than you think.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him close. “Waiting a while isn't gonna cool your libido one bit, but having to drink warm beer would make you cranky as hell. I'll take randy over cranky any day.”

  He gave me a sly grin and backed away. “Don't think that means I'm not gonna keep tryin' until I do get you into bed.”

  “You keep trying all you want to. I like playing hard to get.” I took the keys from him and opened the hatch to unload the groceries and beer.

  “If only you played,” Seth said, grabbing the duffel bags. “I've never had to work so hard to get laid in my life.”

  “And yet somehow you always seem to manage. Go figure.”

  I let us in and set my bags down, then pulled out my cell phone and called Ruth. When she answered I said, “I just wanted to let you know we got here okay. This place is gorgeous.”

  “I'm glad you like it. You can find whatever you need in the garage, and the boat keys should be hanging by the door in the cabin. Feel free to use anything, and have fun.”

  “Thanks, Ruth.” I hung up and looked around. It was a simple layout. Bedroom, bathroom, and a big living room with a kitchenette attached. The decor consisted of wood and old leather furniture, with a large freestanding fireplace against one wall, and a stuffed fish on another. A screen porch overlooked the far lake, and at the corner of the wraparound deck stood the grill and a patio table with four chairs. Seth had found a cooler and taken it out there, and he was in the process of filling it with beer and two big bags of ice. I put away the food and went out to join him.

  “Let the vacation officially begin,” he said as he cracked open two beers and handed me one. I clinked bottles with him and took a sip.

  As we stood there, a white dog ran up on the deck and someone yelled, “Guinness, come!” A woman crossed the yard to join us. She was maybe late thirties, short blonde hair under a ball cap, wearing plain gray pants and a sweatshirt and carrying a beer of her own. She reminded me of Ruth and I was pretty sure I knew why.

  “Hello,” I said. “You from down the road there?”

  “Yep. Helen Gram,” she said, holding out her hand. “Everyone calls me Honey.”

  Seth said, “What is that place, anyway?”

  “That's Shantytown,” she said with a bright smile. “Don't let the looks fool you. I have all the comforts there. You should come down and check it out while you're here.”

  “I take it you were expecting us?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Ruth called to let me know you'd be here. She said you were all kinds of trouble and I should keep a close eye on you. So I figured I'd invite you down to the campfire tonight. Then I can supervise without leaving my comfy chair.”

  “That's cute,” I said.

  “I've actually brought in reinforcements,” she said. “Some of the neighbors will be there and I have lots of beer. We'll be on the beach across the drive from Shantytown. You should come.”

  “Thanks, we'll see you later then.”

  She whistled for the dog and ambled off the way she’d come, sipping on her beer.

  Seth cocked his head and said, “Well, she's a little weird. Nice enough, but weird.”

  * * * *

  We lounged around on the deck until we got hungry, then Seth started grilling steaks while I went inside to make a salad. I came out to put some plates and the salad on the patio table and eased up behind him, slipping my arms around his waist. He was warm and solid, and I pressed into him as a cool breeze blew around us. The stress of the past few weeks slipped away and I nudged in against his neck to brush my lips over his skin.

  “If you think I'm putting out before I get to eat this steak, you're sadly mistaken, Dino. You had your chance.” He tested the meat with his fork and turned one over.

  “Can't blame a guy for trying,” I said as I traced my tongue along the edge of his ear. He tried to play it cool, but I felt him shiver and caught the soft hum of satisfaction. “Still, if that's the way it's gotta be...” I turned to fish a couple of beers out of the cooler. Behind me, the fork clattered onto a plate and the grill snapped shut. I grinned.

  When I came to the table, Seth was serving steaks and he nailed me with a gaze so steamy I thought our dinner might catch fire. I'll admit, it gave me pause. He's usually the insatiable one, but at that moment, I could have been persuaded to screw dinner and do him instead. I'm sure that showed, because Seth shot me a smirk and sat down to dig into his food.

  “You think you're real cute, don't ya?” I said, piling salad on my plate.

  “Some people find me impossible to resist.”

  “I suppose it's like scratching an annoying itch.”

  Seth took a sip of beer involving a lot of tongue and a few moves my dick was more familiar with than the neck of that bottle. I took a deep breath. We ate in silence for a while as the sexual tension hung around us like smoke. He kept up the suggestive moves, and I shifted into heavy macho Italian mode, with a lot of bedroom eyes thrown in for good measure. By the time we were done eating, I had no idea who was winning, and I didn't really care.

  We cleaned off the table and I stacked the dishes in the sink for later. I had better things to be doing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of red hair go out the door, and noticed Seth had grabbed his sweatshirt. I stepped outside to find him rummaging in the cooler. When I slipped behind him and squeezed his ass, he turned and shoved two beers into my hand.

  “You know the bedroom isn't very far away,” I said. “We can always come out for another beer if you think we're gonna need one.”

  Seth made a face. “We have a campfire to go to. You didn't forget, did you?” I swear to God, he batted his eyelashes at me with absurdly fake innocence.

  Yeah, okay. “Oh, so now you're the one tryin' to play hard to get?” I licked my lips and slid a hand into my pocket. “Better be careful. You know damn well I'll win that game.”

  For a split second, Seth hesitated, These were pretty high stakes, after all. I smirked and reached for him, but he hopped off the deck and walked slowly backward toward the drive, taunting me.

  There are a lot of times when I feel like I'm in over my head with Seth, and usually it scares the crap out of me. This time, though, I was a goner and I loved every minute of it. I grabbed my jacket off the deck chair and followed him. Halfway there, I caught onto his game. Every time I got close to him, he managed to shy away. The little shit knew if I got a hold of him, he wouldn't be able to resist me.

  “You're pathetic, you know that, right?” I told him.

  He opened his mouth to answer, but voices ahead of us caught our attention, and we saw the light of the fire. I figured I’d better get it together. Playing cat and mouse alone with Seth was one thing, but being all horned up in front of a group of strangers was not really my style. To his credit, Seth fell in step beside me as if nothing was going on.

  “Greetings,” Honey said, with a tipsy smile. “Can I offer you a beverage?”

  “Maybe later,” Seth said. “We brought our own first round.”

  “Excellent.” She motioned to a log bench for us to sit and announced, �
�Introductions. Dino, Seth, this is Nell and Steve. They own the next cabin over, past your dock. I don't know if you've been down there yet. And this is Fred. He's my cousin. We don't frequently admit we're related.”

  Fred nodded and raised a beer at us. He was kind of scruffy and looked roughly Honey's age, but it was hard to tell in the dim light. Nell and Steve looked maybe a little older. Both were on the stocky side. He had dark hair and a beard, and she wore her hair chin length and laughed a lot.

  “So you guys came from Florida?” Fred asked. “Usually by this time, all the snow birds have fled back to their sunshine.”

  “Eh, I'm used to this,” I said. “I grew up in New York. Seth is the born and raised beach bum.”

  Seth scoffed. “I don't see what the big deal is. This isn't bad.”

  Everyone laughed and there was some conversation about weather in general and the pros and cons of having seasons. Talk turned to gossip about the people around the lake, with a particular focus on some of the newer families, who were clearly regarded as outsiders. Honey explained that most families in the area had been around for at least a few generations, if not more. Hers was well into its fourth, and not too far from number five.

  “The Schmidts are basically cool,” she said, “but the Masons are new this year and haven't exactly made a lot of friends.”

  “They're fucking creepy,” Nell said. “They showed up during the summer, and they hardly talk to anyone. If you try to go over there, they get rude and huffy.”

  “What makes them creepy?” Seth asked.

  “It's hard to put your finger on, exactly, but things just aren't right over there.”

  Honey said, “It could have something to do with the graves they've dug all over the yard.”

  “Graves?” I raised an eyebrow.