“Oh, my God,” Janna said, between chewing. “I so couldn’t judge you if you did use them for the food, if they all cooked like this.”
Garrett laughed. “Roxy is a sweet girl and can cook like a dream, but someone else has his eyes on her.”
“Hunter?” Janna frowned, not believing that boy had eyes for one girl.
“Ah, no,” Garrett snorted. “Hunter has his eyes on anything with a…”
Janna held up her hand stopping him. “I get the point,” she replied with a laugh.
They sat eating in silence, both lost in their own thoughts and comfortable with the quiet and each other. For once, Janna’s beast seemed at ease, letting her have peace to enjoy a meal. The restlessness she usually felt was still there, but not so close to the surface.
“It’s really nice what you did for Leda and Sam.” Garrett finally broke the silence. Janna looked at him surprised. “Sam likes to talk, especially about you.”
Janna shrugged, but smiled when Sam was mentioned. “They’re good kids. They were just hungry, but took from the wrong guy.” She shook her head, remembering her first meeting with Sam and Leda. “I stopped in this little restaurant to grab a bite to eat. I noticed Leda and Sam right away because they sat at their table with just water. I watched as a guy got up, leaving his plate. Sam snuck over grabbing what he could, then went to go back to share with his sister, but the man came out of the bathroom and saw him. The guy was a real ass. Instead of being kind, he picked Sam up shaking him and yelling.”
“And you came in being the hero.” Garrett leaned further back in his chair stretching, but his eyes never left her.
“Well, if being slammed across the room so he’d drop Sam is what a hero does, then yeah, I was a hero.” Janna cringed, rubbing her still sore ribs. “But I’d do it again.”
“No one did anything to help?” Garrett frowned. “Weren’t there any men there?”
Nodding, Janna tried to hide her grin. “Yeah, there were, but then Sam tried to shift and sent a few running.”
Garrett laughed. “The kid is something else.”
That sobered Janna’s light mood instantly. “I want you to be honest with me, Garrett.” His name felt weird on her lips, but comfortable. “Is my being here putting people in danger? I don’t understand exactly what’s going on other than the man who killed my mother is going to be hunting for me, but I don’t want anyone getting hurt. You have a lot of kids here and I would never forgive myself if something happened to someone because of me.”
Slowly, Garrett got up and walked around the small island stopping in front of Janna. Leaning down slightly, he lifted her chin with one knuckle bringing her gaze to his. “No one comes into my town to harm or take anything from me or my people. That includes you.” He leaned in closer, breathing deeply. “Trust me, Janna.”
All Janna could do was give one short nod. When he didn’t attempt to move, she cleared her throat, her eyes plastered to his. “I do.”
Rubbing his thumb against the softness of her chin, he slowly let go. “Good, because nothing will happen to you under my protection.”
Janna let her breath out as he turned away. Finally, she looked away from him as he cleaned up the kitchen, and down to her half-eaten meal. Her appetite was gone, at least her appetite for food. It seemed like her body had a different appetite in mind as did her beast, who woke up full force. Grabbing her plate, she dumped the remains in the trash and helped him finish cleaning up in silence. Once it was all done, she turned to see him staring at her.
“I guess I need to see Jonah.” Her voice indicated it was the last thing she wanted to do at the moment.
“Not tonight.” He reached down grabbing her bag she dropped. “I’ve a guest room upstairs. You need to rest.”
Sighing, Janna nodded, happy hearing those words. Rest was something she hadn’t been able to do much of lately. She could fight him about staying here, but she wasn’t going to. She spent enough nights sleeping in her car, and a hot shower with a bed sounded too good to pass up. She was too tired to fight. “I would kill for a shower.”
Garrett turned as he led her out of the kitchen to a set of stairs. His eyes ran down her body with a heat she actually felt.
“Well, I wouldn’t actually kill, but…” When he grinned and continued up the steps, Janna rolled her eyes at herself. Sometimes, it was just best if she kept her mouth closed.
Once at the top of the steps, he pointed down one end of the hallway. “The bathroom is down there with towels in the small closet.” He opened up a door leading into a small room with a bed and night table. It could definitely use a woman’s touch. He set her bag on the bed. “If you need anything, just yell.”
When he turned toward her, Janna realized just how small the room was with him inside it. She tried to calm her breathing as he stood staring at her, probably waiting for her to say something. “Listen, I really appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“I haven’t done much.” Garrett actually looked a little embarrassed as he eased his way out of the room. “Get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be busy.”
Janna nodded and watched him leave, shutting the door behind him. Loneliness surrounded her like a heavy cloak as the door closed, leaving her standing there staring. Biting her lip to keep from calling out to a man she hardly knew at all, she went to her bag, pulling her clothes and toothbrush out. This was ridiculous. Maybe it was just because he made her feel safe that she felt this toward him. She just wondered what it was exactly she felt toward him, as she stood staring at her stuff. With a huff, she grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. She was tired and needed sleep. She would be over this fascination she seemed to have developed for Garrett Foster, but as she walked into the hall, she looked around, hoping to see him near.
CHAPTER 7
Jasper Simone sat at the bar watching his bartender keep the customers happy with watered down whiskey and old beer. His club was always busy. It was the only dance club within miles so no one complained about the light whiskey taste of the drinks, and if they did, his security would just kick them out. His son, Evan, walked through the crowd pushing someone off the stool next to Jasper.
“That was a customer.” Jasper watched his son drink from the customer’s shot glass.
“Since when did you care about customers other than their money?” Evan Simone slammed the glass on the bar, indicating to the bartender to get her ass in gear and pour him another, which she did. With a smile, she leaned down low enough for Evan and Jasper to get a good view of her breasts spilling from her tight top.
Jasper raised his eyebrows at his son’s words, but never took his eyes off the young woman’s full tits, which was a requirement of all the women working at the Liquid Kitty Dance Club. “What are you doing here?” Jasper took a drink of his own shot before the girl could walk away. “I gave you a job to do.”
“And I did it.” Evan frowned at his father. “Just like I do every job you give me.”
“You found her?” Jasper’s full attention turned to his Evan. “Where? And is she with Jonah McCall?” He knew that bitch Virginia knew where Jonah was, but even as she held her own fate in her hands, she wouldn’t give him up. His only hope was that she would send her daughter to him, thinking he would keep her safe.
“She’s in Beattyville, Kentucky.” Evan grinned, but there was nothing happy about his grin. It ran more along the lines of evil anticipation.
“Where the fuck is that?” Jasper downed his last shot, pushing the glass away and shaking his head when the bartender went to fill it again.
“Eastern Kentucky and I’m not sure about Jonah.” Evan held up his hand before his dad could bitch him out. “Nate couldn’t get too close. She’s found a pack down there run by an alpha named Garrett Foster, but I’m sure Jonah’s there.”
“He better fucking be,” Jasper growled, his eyes glowing bright. “I want that son of a bitch to suffer.”
“Don’t you think killing his mate did tha
t job?” Evan asked, but knew the answer by the look on his father’s face.
“I want that bastard to suffer for the rest of his life,” Jasper sneered loudly, drawing attention to some who dared to look his way. “No one makes a fool of me.”
“The girl is mine for the Reaping. She has my brand.” Evan warned his dad, but then shrunk back when Jasper grabbed him around the throat before he could even move.
“I run this show, you little piece of shit.” Jasper’s face was inches from his son’s. “Don’t fucking push me. Do you understand?” When Evan nodded, Jasper pushed him away by the throat.
“There may be a problem.” Evan changed the subject of the Reaping. “This Garrett Foster and his brothers are known bad asses in that part of Kentucky. No one has ever challenged him for the pack.”
“Then I guess you better pray you’re a bigger badass.” Jasper stood, looking down at his son. “It’s time you branch off and get your own pack, instead of running with mine. With bigger numbers, we will dominate not only Ohio, but Kentucky as well. And keep it quiet what pack we are going up against. I don’t want the others knowing.”
“I’m ready.” Evan’s chest puffed out, his eyes bright with excitement. “Garrett Foster don’t have a clue what’s coming. He’s probably just some hick alpha.”
Jasper grinned as he turned to leave the bar. “You better hope so, son. ‘Cause if you lose the challenge, you can find another pack to run with.”
Evan watched his father go, a flash of fear and determination crossing his face. Turning, he yelled for another shot of whiskey.
******
Thunder rattled the house startling Janna out of a sound deep sleep. She sat straight up in bed soaked. She looked up at the ceiling thinking there was a leak, but then her sleep-fogged mind cleared as she remembered not only what she was, but where she was. She was tangled in the covers, indicating she hadn’t really been sleeping soundly, but had been tossing and turning. Her beast was most active at night and she sometimes took something to put and keep her asleep. Another loud crack of lightning and thunder filled the room, making Janna scream in surprise. Slapping her hand over her mouth, she cringed. She screamed again when the door to her room burst open.
“I’m sorry.” Janna held up her hands to Garrett who was standing half-naked in her room, looking around ready to attack whatever made her scream. “I’m fine. The thunder scared me.”
“Damn.” Garrett’s stance relaxed slightly. He took in her damp hair and tumbled covers. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I usually love thunderstorms, but that was loud.” She laughed, embarrassed.
“No, not that.” Garrett stepped further into the room. “Your face is really flushed and you’re hair is wet.”
Janna raised her hand to smooth down her hair, feeling self-conscious. She could lie, but he would know she was lying. Finally, she was with someone who could answer questions and she really needed to take advantage of that. “Nights are really bad for me,” she finally said. “I don’t sleep very well because my…beast is restless.”
“Your beast?” Garrett frowned, crossing his arms as if he wasn’t standing in her room wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers.
“Yeah, that’s what I call it.” Janna frowned, using her hand to feather her hair back out of her eyes.
“No wonder your wolf is restless. Not only will you not shift, but you call it a beast.” Garrett sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed. “Has no one talked to you about anything?”
“No.” Janna scooted back, giving him some space, not even upset he sat on the bed. It actually calmed her more.
“Dammit,” he cursed under his breath, but Janna heard him.
“Listen, I don’t want to be a bigger pain,” Janna assured him. “I’ll figure it out.”
“This is something you can’t just figure out, Janna.” Garrett frowned at her. “And just figuring it out is dangerous.”
“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” she agreed with a nod.
“It’s more dangerous to you than anyone else.” He shook his head. “Why haven’t you shifted?”
“I’m scared,” she replied honestly. “I didn’t want to hurt my mom or anyone else.”
“When you shift, you are in total control of your wolf,” Garrett explained, his eyes growing bright in the darkened room. “And honestly, it’s been pretty selfish of you not to shift. Your wolf needs to be free.”
“I didn’t ask for this,” Janna snapped. She wasn’t selfish. She was scared and it really bothered her that he would think that of her. “I didn’t ask to be a…dog.”
Garrett leaned back his head and laughed. “You are not a dog.” He grinned down at her with understanding. “You are a strong she-wolf.”
“Same difference.” She huffed before practically jumping in his lap when another crack of thunder shook the house. His strong arms grasped her waist, keeping her steady, their faces inches apart. “Sorry.”
His hand reached up, touching the side of her face. “I would bet every cent I have, you will be a beautiful she-wolf.”
Janna’s body leaned into him with a will of its own. “With fleas,” she murmured, watching him lean closer to her. “I don’t know you.”
“But your wolf does,” he said against her mouth before running his tongue across her lips.
Doing something so out of character of herself, Janna jumped on Garrett, crawling onto his lap, taking his tongue into her mouth. Both hands flew to the back of his head, pulling him closer to her. She couldn’t get enough; she was out of control. She welcomed the feel of his hands on her body. Her mind fought against itself, telling her this was wrong, yet it felt so right. His lips left hers, running down her chin to her neck. Janna’s head fell back, savoring the sensation of his mouth on her, but it gave her mind time to slow down and sudden horror of her actions hit her hard. Using her hands that were only moments earlier pulling him toward her, she was now desperately pushing him away.
“Stop.” Janna’s voice cracked. “Garrett, stop. Please.”
Garrett did stop. Both their breathing was harsh in the quiet room. “You can’t fight this, Janna.”
“But I hardly know you and I’m acting like a…”
“I knew the moment you walked into my town you were mine, and you are acting normal. It’s different with shifters.” Garrett gently grabbed the back of her hair, forcing her eyes to his. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, beautiful.”
“Said the wolf to the lamb,” Janna whispered, feeling embarrassed by her actions.
Garrett chuckled. “You are no lamb, but a beautiful, confused she-wolf, who doesn’t understand our ways.” He leaned down, kissing the corner of her mouth. “But I am patient and will give you time.” He picked her up easily and laid her gently on the bed.
Janna had to fight herself from grabbing him and begging him to stay with her. “Give me time for what?”
“For your human side to catch up with what your wolf already knows.” Garrett’s voice was deep and strong in the quiet room.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Since my beas…” He frowned at her so she stopped the word. “…wolf only growls at me, can you please explain?”
“It’s different between shifters, Janna.” Garrett stared down at her. “We do not pick our mates, but our wolves do, and my wolf has picked you.”
Okay, if there was ever a ‘holy shit’ moment this was it. She watched Garrett turn and walk toward the door, her mouth wouldn’t even form words as her brain remained in shock at his words. His wolf picked her for his mate, but what exactly did that mean? What really shocked her was what she really wanted to know. Was this handsome man happy that his wolf picked her? She silently watched as he stopped just at the door and turned toward her.
“Get some rest, Janna.” His eyes said more, but he turned and left the room.
Janna opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Both hands went to her hot cheeks and she could have sworn her beast…wolf just cal
led her a fool.
CHAPTER 8
The next morning Janna stood staring at her closed door. She was a chicken, not a wolf. It would not surprise her if she ever did change, she’d have feathers instead of fur. With no sleep, Janna’s mood was loopy as hell. Looking down at the doorknob, she urged her hand to reach for it.
“Just open the damn door, idiot.” Watching as if her hand belonged to someone else, she rolled her eyes and threw the door open only to face head on what she had been dreading.
“Having problems with the door?” Garrett leaned against the wall across from her door, a sexy grin on his face.
Janna felt her face flame with embarrassment, and then rolled her eyes. “Actually, problems with my pride, but I’ll get over it.”
Straightening from the wall, Garrett towered over her. “As I said last night, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” He placed his large hand on her lower back, leading her down the hall. “It was a normal reaction and I’m hoping it happens again tonight.”
Stumbling at his words, Janna’s head jerked up to look at him. “What?”
“Oh, you heard me.” Garrett chuckled, grabbing her arm to keep her from falling. “How did you sleep?”
She felt like lying, but figured he’d know. “I didn’t.”
“Me either.” He winked at her before they descended the stairs. “After some breakfast, we need to talk to Jonah. He’s called me fifty times already this morning wanting to talk to you.”
Janna nodded, not really wanting to talk about Jonah McCall. Her mind was still on this mate thing, which she totally didn’t understand. She also didn’t understand why she felt so at ease with a man she didn’t even know. Walking to the island she sat at last night, Janna took a seat staring at nothing. Her mind went a million miles an hour. Garrett placed a large plate of food in front of her before going back to get his. Once he returned, he sat and started to eat.
Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves Book 1) Page 5