Wickedly Twisted: Fairy Tales for Adults

by Davis, Lia;

  Neal hesitated before saying, “I get the feeling it’s not good. Are you a serial killer?”

  Close… Shannon chuckled to calm his nerves. “No. It’s just hard to believe, and maybe a little crazy.”

  “Ah, I can deal with crazy. Grew up with crazy. In fact, we’re BFFs.”

  Another laugh escaped Shannon, and more tension eased. Before he spoke again, Neal took Shannon’s hand. “Whatever it is, just tell me. I’ve been a ranger for a long time and have seen a lot of strange things.”

  Have you seen a real-life werewolf? Shannon squeezed Neal’s hand gently and brought the man’s knuckles to his lips. “All right. But you must keep an open mind, and remember that I could never harm anyone.”

  Neal narrowed his eyes, the playfulness fading away. “That sounds serious. Okay, I’m listening.”

  Shannon drew in a long breath and exhaled just as slowly. The moment he opened his mouth to speak, Neal’s phone rang. Figures.

  Glancing at the phone, Neal cursed. “Sorry. I should take this.”

  Shannon released Neal’s hand and nodded while the other man answered the call. “Yeah…What?”

  The frantic sound of Justin’s voice on the other end of the phone call reached Shannon’s sensitive hearing. “We have bear problems. An injured mother with two cubs, and she’s pissed off. I don’t have any tranquilizers on me.”

  “Okay, where are you?” When Justin replied with the coordinates, Neal rose to his feet. “I’ll be right there.”

  “What is it?” Shannon asked, trying to stay calm so as not to give himself away.

  “There’s a pissed off mama bear…” Neal paused then asked, “You used to be a ranger, right?”

  A sour feeling sank into Shannon’s gut. “That was a long time ago.”

  “Would you like to ride with me? I’d love to have a second opinion. Justin has only been on the job for a year.” Neal’s grey stare held concern and a hint of fear.

  “Let me grab a shirt and shoes.” Shannon escaped to his room to gather his clothes and the backpack he kept at the ready. Inside the pack were things like a first-aid kit, a flare gun and flares, and a gun that could shoot both silver bullets and tranquilizers. He hoped he didn’t have to use the silver bullets today, and that Ron was sleeping off his change.

  Because even if the wolf were in human form, Shannon wouldn’t hesitate to put a silver bullet in his heart. He just hoped he had time to explain things to Neal before he was put in that situation.

  Chapter Three

  “Looks like she was in a fight with something larger than her.” Justin gave a short nod to Shannon as he approached him and Neal where the bear had been spotted.

  Neal grunted. “Nothing in these woods is that big. Where is she?”

  Justin pointed to a group of bushes several feet to the left. When Neal took a step, Shannon gripped his arm. “Slowly. She’s hurting but protecting her cubs.”

  He ignored the stares from the other two men and scented the air. Ron had been there but didn’t hang around. Most likely he’d gotten scared off by Justin. “When I draw her out, hit her with a tranq.”

  “Are you serious?” Neal grabbed his hand and tugged. “I can’t let you go near her.”

  Facing him, Shannon cupped his cheek. “Trust me.”

  After a moment, Neal released him and nodded. Shannon proceeded to the bear with slow, calculated steps. He kept his tone soft and soothing. His wolf senses told him she didn’t want to hurt anyone, but she would kill to protect her babies. “Hey, Mama. I don’t want your babies. I just want to help you.”

  When he got within a few feet of the brush, she let out a growl and moved forward to stand in front of the cubs. She snapped her teeth at him and swiped her paw in the air. With each movement, she grunted in pain.

  “I know it hurts.” Shannon eased closer, careful to stay out of the line of fire of her massive claws.

  She lunged at him, only to fall to the ground, growling in pain. His heart hurt for her, and his stomach knotted at the sight of the large gash in her shoulder. The wolf had tried to rip her throat open, and had, apparently, missed.

  A gunshot startled him from his thoughts. A moment later, the bear slipped into a heavy sleep. Shannon glanced up to see Neal climb into his truck. Then Shannon glanced to Justin. The twenty-something-year-old male stared at him, mouth open and eyes narrowed like he was trying to figure out how Shannon could face an angry bear.

  The sound of Neal’s truck starting broke the standoff. Shannon nodded toward the mama bear. “Help me get her into the truck.”

  Justin pushed forward. “There is a wildlife sanctuary not far away. They’ll patch her up and keep her and the cubs safe until she is healthy enough to be released. Shouldn’t we wait on Neal to help?”

  Shannon nodded and frowned. Another perk of being a werewolf was his strength—superhuman strength. He could probably lift the bear enough to drag her to the truck, but he didn’t need to reveal himself to Justin. Or Neal, just yet. “Yeah. Silly me.”

  Shannon glanced at the sky. A peachy hue streaked through the clouds, indicating that the sun was setting. But he didn’t need to peer at the sky to know that. Especially when it was the full moon. The werewolf virus let him know. The urge to shift into his animal grew stronger the closer it got to sunset.

  But for some reason, it wasn’t as intense as usual.

  After helping Neal and Justin get the bear and the cubs into the back of Neal’s truck, Shannon began to walk down the foot trail a few feet away from where the bear had been.

  “Where are you going?”

  Shannon turned at Neal’s question. Shit, he’d been so distracted by Ron’s scent and the need to hunt the bastard down that he’d forgotten about Neal. And dinner. Right. “I thought I heard something, but it’s nothing.”

  He strode back to the truck and climbed into the passenger seat. Even though his skin itched and his wolf pushed against him from the inside, things wouldn’t get critical until the full moon was high in the sky.

  So he had a few hours before he’d have to lock himself up until dawn. Just long enough to seduce Neal. Maybe if Shannon showed Neal that he could never hurt him, then Neal wouldn’t want to shoot him when he found out that Shannon was a werewolf.

  Neal climbed in the driver seat and started the engine. “So, what do you like to eat?”

  Reaching over, Shannon cupped Neal’s head and tugged him in for a quick kiss. “Surprise me. I’m not picky.”

  The sweet scent of Neal’s arousal added a spark to Shannon’s own fire raging inside him. Desire became a pulsing, aching need that made him rock-hard. He suppressed a growl and fought not to strip the other man bare before they’d even reached his house. If he did that, then they’d end up on the side of the road, the truck windows fogged up like a couple of horny teens.

  Glancing out the window to keep from undressing Neal with his eyes, Shannon tried to rein in his need and rolled down the window about halfway. Maybe the fresh air would help clear the haze of need swimming in his brain. The sudden urge to hang his head out to better enjoy the wind crossed his mind. Maybe the wolf’s closer to the surface than I thought.

  A few moments later, which seemed a hell of a lot longer, they pulled into Neal’s driveway. Shannon exited the truck, stalked to the front door, and waited.

  Once inside, Shannon watched Neal move to the sofa while throwing his keys on the coffee table. The male faced him, and Shannon’s dick jerked behind the zipper of his jeans. The grey of Neal’s eyes darkened slightly, and his lids lowered a fraction as if he were drunk on the desire pulsing between them.

  Shannon took slow, calculated steps forward, closing the gap until they were inches apart. Raw sexual tension coiled around them like a thick blanket. “I suggest we skip dinner and go straight to dessert.”

  Neal’s lips lifted in a sexy smile. “I was thinking the same thing.”

  Cupping his neck, Shannon dipped his head and brushed his lips back and forth against
Neal’s. A groan escaped from them both before Neal deepened the kiss, marking Shannon with his full, hard lips. Shannon opened, allowing their tongues to twine in a sensual dance.

  Every nerve in Shannon’s body hummed to life and felt like they would snap at any moment. He was on fire, yet he wanted more.

  He broke the kiss and trailed feather-light kisses down Neal’s jaw to his throat. The male’s low, growl-like groan made Shannon even harder.

  “God, I want you so bad.” Neal gripped Shannon’s upper arms, his fingers digging into the muscles.

  Shannon lifted his head and watched Neal through a desire-laden, drunken haze and pushed him to a sit on the couch. Neal chuckled and immediately reached for the button on Shannon’s jeans. With a low growl, Shannon gripped Neal’s wrist and shook his head. “No. You first.” Then he dropped to his knees between Neal’s thighs.

  Running a hand up Neal’s denim-covered leg to the bulge behind the zipper, Shannon cupped him, gently squeezing and rubbing. Neal sucked in a breath, rested his head against the back of the couch, and closed his eyes. A satisfying smile lifted Shannon’s lips.

  Shannon undid the button of Neal’s jeans then slowly, teasingly, lowered the zipper. Neal’s cock sprang free, long and thick. Nice. The male goes commando. A low, husky groan rumbled from Shannon’s throat. His mouth watered.

  When he wrapped a hand around Neal’s dick, the male jerked his hips and let out a soft curse. Leaning down while holding on to the eye contact with Neal, Shannon took the male’s hard length in his mouth. He sucked, drawing raspy breaths and soft moans from the man.

  Neal threaded his fingers through Shannon’s hair and pulled. The slight sting against Shannon’s scalp quickly turned to pleasure, driving him closer to his own climax. And the male hadn’t even touched him yet.

  Fuck. Everything about Neal felt right. The wolf within him pushed against his skin as if wanting to feel their lover. Not now. You’ll get to meet him when it’s time. The beast seemed to calm a little, but still stayed close to the surface.

  Neal’s muscles tightened under Shannon’s hands, telling him his lover was close to going over the edge. Replacing his mouth with his hand, Shannon stroked Neal, slowly and then faster until the male thrust into Shannon’s fist and came in a fierce rush.

  “Come here,” Neal gritted out as he stared down at Shannon with a desire-drunk gaze. He gripped Shannon’s arms and tugged him up, but Shannon broke the hold to rip off his shirt. He used the cotton to clean Neal up, teasing the male further.

  “Shannon,” Neal growled out as if he meant it to be a warning.

  The thought of teasing Neal even more entered Shannon’s mind, but the need to be inside him chased it away. Without warning, and as if the male were thinking the same thing, Neal cupped his face and drew him up to claim his lips. A half-growl, half-groan rumbled out of Shannon as Neal’s tongue pushed inside his mouth.

  Breaking the kiss, Shannon stood and pulled Neal to a stand. Then a frown formed on his lips. “I don’t have a condom.”

  Shannon didn’t have to worry about diseases because the wolf virus kept him in perfect health. But he’d offered for Neal’s benefit.

  A slow, sexy smile lifted Neal’s lips. “I do.” Twining their fingers together, Neal tugged him to the bedroom. Once inside the room, Neal pushed Shannon down on the bed, a wicked smile on his handsome face.

  Shannon hardened more, if that were even possible. “Don’t tease. I’m about to lose what little control I have.”

  A chuckle huffed from between Neal’s full, kissable lips. “Oh, but you can tease?”

  Shannon glanced to Neal’s still hard cock as the man slid his jeans off. After removing his shirt, Neal moved to the nightstand, opened the drawer, and withdrew a condom and lube. While Shannon couldn’t catch or transmit diseases, Neal didn’t know that. A conversation for another time.

  Shannon admired the lean muscles of Neal’s back and side as he flexed and moved. Need and desire flowed around him and inside him. “Come here.”

  Neal turned to him. One dark brow rose just as his lips lifted at the corners. “Take your jeans off.”

  Not wasting time, Shannon did as he was commanded. However, he figured he’d do a little teasing of his own. If the male were going to take his time, Shannon might as well give Neal a little show.

  Grapping his dick in his hand, Shannon made long, slow strokes. Neal followed each stroke with a hungry gaze. The tip of his tongue slid between his lips, and Shannon almost came, wanting that tongue and mouth on his cock.

  Neal walked to him then captured his lips in an unforgiving, hotter-than-hell kiss. Shannon squeezed his cock to keep from coming too soon. With his free hand, Shannon cupped Neal’s head and lay back on the bed, taking the male with him. God, he felt too damned good in his arms, Neal’s naked body flush against his.

  After a brief moment, Neal brushed Shannon’s hand away and cupped his balls, rolling them in his palm while moving against him. Their cocks rubbed together, and the friction sent a hot bolt of pleasure straight to the core of his soul. Something inside him snapped—awareness.

  Neal was his. No other would ever fill him so completely. Ever.

  It was a frightening thought. Shannon frowned.

  Rolling to his side, Neal cupped Shannon’s chin and forced him to look at him. “What is it?”

  What could he say? “I’m a werewolf,” would get him kicked out of Neal’s bed forever. No, Shannon wouldn’t reveal any of that, not tonight anyway. “I don’t want this to be just a one-night thing. I want to see you more, get to know you.” Mate with you.

  A smile formed, reaching Neal’s eyes. Eyes that seem to dance with joy and passion. “I don’t do one-night stands.”

  Good. Shannon kissed him hard and rolled on top of him. Taking the condom, he rolled it on. He noticed the tube of lube next to them on the bed. Shannon picked it up and squeezed some on his finger. Then, Shannon slipped his hand between Neal’s legs and spread the lube over his hole.

  Neal groaned and moved his hips. Hooking one of Neal’s legs over his shoulder, Shannon eased a finger inside the male. Neal reached down and took Shannon in his hand, stroking. A jolt of passion shot through Shannon, and he thrust into Neal’s fist as he fingered his lover.

  Shannon slipped another finger inside Neal, surprised at how ready he was. With a half-growl, Shannon leaned down and nipped Neal’s earlobe. “Someone’s ready.”

  Neal let out a groan as Shannon removed his fingers and placed the head of his cock at the entrance. “Plug…” Another groan. “I’d planned to seduce you since you came to town.”

  “Naughty boy.” Shannon pushed inside and moaned. “Fuck. So tight.”

  Neal gripped his shoulders and locked his feet around Shannon’s back. “Don’t stop. Damn, that feels so good.”

  Shannon inched his way in, pulling out then thrusting back inside until he had a steady rhythm, fucking Neal and jacking him off at the same time. Both their bodies went rigid, and a moment later, they cried out as a tidal wave of an orgasm crashed over them.

  Pulling out, Shannon scooted off the bed and glanced around.

  Neal pointed to the bathroom attached to the room. “Just grab a towel hanging up.”

  After retrieving the towel and cleaning them up, Shannon stretched out beside Neal, drawing him close. He kissed the male’s temple and felt boneless. Even the wolf curled up and fell asleep, sated for the first time. His heart bloomed with…what? Love. Was it too soon?

  Would Neal be able to look past the monster within and return his feelings if it were?

  “Will you stay the night?” Neal asked.

  Dread seeped into Shannon’s being. He couldn’t promise that, not with the full moon rising in the night sky. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep. There is something I need to take care of at home before morning.”

  Neal’s nodded and spoke sleepily. “Always the handyman. Tinkering with things.”

  A few long moments later, Neal drifted
to sleep. Shannon held on to him as long as he could before the wolf woke back up. Time to let the beast out. God he longed for the day when he had full control over the shift. If that day would ever come.

  Chapter Four

  Shannon reluctantly turned away from Neal’s house and advanced down the path leading into the woods. His stomach soured with each step away from Neal, as if he’d just kicked the man’s dog. He wanted nothing more than to stay with the male. No, he couldn’t be around when the wolf came out.

  His skin broke out in a cool sweat and his bones ached. Damn it. The change was coming on faster than it ever had. Breaking into a run, he raced to the warehouse he owned about a mile outside of town. The one place he could go to avoid hunting and killing his neighbors.

  With inhuman speed, he reached the small warehouse just as his whole body started to seize and cramp. His vision blurred as he fumbled with his keys to pop the lock. A frustrated growl ripped from him a moment before the door opened. There was no time to secure it again. He stumbled to the reinforced, silver-coated, iron cage and managed to get inside and click the lock into place a moment before he fell to his knees.

  For the first time in a long time, the shift was as painful as the first. He felt every bone break and reform, tearing his skin so it would be replaced with the black fur of the wolf.

  Once the shift was complete, he let out a howl that echoed throughout the warehouse. However, he didn’t feel the hunger that usually came with the full moon shift. No, instead, he felt desire and lust.

  And there was only one person who could satisfy his need.

  Neal Hartman.

  ***

  There were times Neal wanted to take a sledgehammer to his phone. This was one of those times as the damn thing rang like it was the end of the world. With a groan, he rolled over and checked the caller ID. Justin. Fuck. With a graveled, sleepy voice, Neal answered the call. “This better be important.”

  Justin blew out a breath. “There’s been another attack.”