Blood Moon (Entangled Select Otherworld)

by Lisa Kessler

  The trick would be getting myself to believe it.

  After all the pictures were finished, Logan’s band started playing, wrapping everyone in a cocoon of sound. I wandered onto the deck and my pulse raced. Gareth was gone. I tried not to spin around in panic. The wolf inside me pushed forward, reminding me I had new tools at my disposal if I stayed calm and focused. Pulling in a slow breath, I realized Gareth’s scent still lingered, a single strand within a tapestry of others, family, friends, food, cake.

  Gradually my heartbeat slowed. I couldn’t see him yet, but he was here. Somewhere.

  I leaned on the railing of the deck overlooking the lake. The final moments of sunset ignited the sky with orange and red behind the mountaintop. Strong arms rested beside mine and I smiled before glancing his way. “There you are.”

  Gareth handed me a flute of champagne. “Just getting ready for the toast.”

  I took the glass, hating myself for doubting him. While my wolf seemed anxious to bond and claim her mate, apparently trust was coming slower for the rest of me.

  “Thank you.”

  He started to reply when Adam’s voice came through the speakers. “Can I get everyone out on the deck for the toast?”

  The rest of the Pack joined us while Logan’s bandmates stepped back from the microphones. Jared wandered out with his parents, elders in the Pack. Wyatt held hands with his beautiful silver-haired wife, Sarah. He raised his glass in my direction and I smiled in response.

  Jason followed them out, but crossed the deck and stood on my other side, his aggression, bitterness, and pain making the hairs on my arm rise on end.

  Gareth’s emotions remained sealed from me, although the heat from his hand at the small of my back almost burned my skin right through the fabric. His fingers splayed, pulling me a little closer to him. I didn’t need to be empathic to know he wasn’t happy about having Jason standing so close to me.

  I kept my attention on Adam, wishing I could send him a mental transmission to make his toast fast.

  He lifted his glass toward Aren and Sasha and smiled. “Here’s to my baby brother.” A chuckle echoed through the crowd and Aren rolled his eyes. Adam wasn’t quite an hour older than his brother. “Congratulations on finding your mate.” He tipped his head toward my sister. “And to the bride, take care of him even when he’s too hard-headed to let you.” More laughter swelled as he held the glass a little higher. “Sasha Sloan, welcome to the family.”

  My sister practically beamed as she hooked her arm with Aren’s and they each sipped their champagne. I clinked my glass against Gareth’s and before I could take a sip, Jason’s glass toasted mine.

  He leaned in close. “I need to talk to you. Alone.”

  Oh crap. I took a sip, glancing his way. His bright hazel eyes were locked on mine. My heart sank. I’d been with the Pack long enough to know the aggression of the wolves was never far from the surface, and it didn’t take much to stir them up. But deep down they were family. They’d risk their lives for their Pack brother.

  Right now I’d settle for not punching each other.

  “Okay. Meet me in the kitchen.”

  Jason nodded and walked away without sparing a glance at Gareth as he passed by. I felt Gareth’s stare before I even met his eyes. He’d heard Jason and me. We’d kept our voices down, but it didn’t do much good in a roomful of werewolves.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He caught my hand. “I’ll go with you.”

  “You know that’s a bad idea.” I shook my head. “I can handle this. He probably just wants to tell me what time to come into the office for another dose of the serum we’re trying.”

  “Serum?” He raised a brow. “Jason found something to help?”

  “Sort of.” I gave his hand a squeeze and tried to let go, but he didn’t release me. “I’ll explain everything, but right now, he’s hurt and seeing us together isn’t going to make it any easier.”

  “It’s also not going to go away, so he’d better get used to it.”

  I rolled my eyes. “While you ran to another state, that man in there has been helping me. I owe him and I’m not about to walk into that kitchen and hurt him on purpose.”

  A flash of pain washed over his features for a second. Gareth loosened his hold on my hand. “If I could take back the past week, I would.”

  “I know.” Did I? One problem at a time.

  I walked away from Gareth and into the cabin. The kitchen was to the right, and like everything else in here, it was much bigger than the word “cabin” suggested. All the appliances were professional grade stainless steel, and the countertops were solid granite. Jason leaned against the stove, arms crossed, jaw tight.

  “Jason, I—”

  He held up his hand. “I didn’t ask you in here to try to talk sense into you about your relationship choices.”

  I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he went on before I could make a sound.

  “My office is usually closed on Sundays, so I can open up and have Dr. Granger in any time. When is good for you?”

  “Maybe afternoon?” The tension around him choked me. “Jason I’m sorry. I wish… I know there is someone out there for you.”

  His eyes narrowed, his practiced bedside manner slipping. “If he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass until he wishes I’d kill him. Tell him that.” He pushed off the stove, straightening to his full height. “Be at my office at three.”

  He walked past me without another word. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and went to the sink. As I filled a glass with water, I caught Gareth’s scent.

  “Are you all right?”

  I took a sip and nodded without turning around. “Yeah.”

  He came up beside me. “I saw Jason leave.”

  I set the glass in the sink and met his eyes. “He deserves better than all this.”

  He tensed. “What are you saying?”

  Jealousy. Wariness. And then it was gone.

  “I’m saying he’s done nothing but help me, and care about me, and he wants more, but I don’t have anything to give. What I feel when I’m with you, that’s what he deserves, but he doesn’t believe it exists.”

  “He still thinks you could be his mate.”

  “Probably.” I shrugged. “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m not, and I never will be.”

  “But you wish you were.”

  My jaw went slack. “What? No.”

  He turned toward the sink, gripping the granite so tight I worried his biceps might split the seams in his sleeves. “If you could take your wolf out of the equation, you’d rather be with him.”

  “Taking my wolf out of the equation isn’t an option.” I put my hand over his and that bond seemed to tighten with every touch, pulling me closer to him. “And even if it were, before I was bitten, I used to look forward to your visits to Adam’s ranch. And before you kissed me, before my wolf recognized yours, you were the one I wanted to be with.”

  He stared into my eyes and I struggled to read his emotions. I wasn’t used to being so “blind” with someone. He ran the back of his fingers down my cheek.

  “It wasn’t instinct that brought me back. Usually I’m a loner, but I like having you around.” He took a breath, his voice lowering. “I’m trying to let down my guard and let you in even though it scares the shit out of me.”

  “I’d like that.” I kissed his fingers. “You letting me in your heart, not that it scares the shit out of you.”

  Gareth laughed, the deep sound like a balm to all the emotional wounds I’d suffered when he walked away. He shook his head slowly. “I’m such an ass. I was so busy being pissed at fate that I almost missed the amazing gift I’d been given.” He bent to kiss my lips and whispered, “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m going to do my best to make sure you never regret it.”

  I took his hand. “How about starting with a dance?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Gareth

  I led Na
dya through the cabin and out to the deck. Logan gripped the mic, singing one of his original songs, “Madness in the Moonlight,” one of his slower tempo tunes with a melody line that reached inside your chest to tug your heart. He sang about staring at the moon, wondering if she’s looking at the same moon, and doubting he’ll ever find her.

  Somehow I had and I hadn’t even been trying.

  Nadya laced her fingers behind my neck as I slid my hands around her waist. Holding her in my arms, her body pressed against mine, made me wish we were alone. I didn’t want to share her. Our time was precious. If I paid attention, I could almost hear that damned clock ticking, reminding me our days together were limited.

  I stared into her eyes, doing my best to stay in the moment and not think about the future. She smiled up at me and pulled me closer until my forehead rested against hers. Her scent, like lavender and fresh rain, intoxicated me.

  “You are so damned beautiful, Nadya.”

  She rubbed her nose slowly along mine. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  The woman had a knack for making me smile. “I clean up pretty well, huh?”

  “I don’t know…” She shrugged her shoulders a little. “I think you’re pretty hot when you’re working in the garage with grease on your hands, too.”

  I held her tighter, her hips moving slowly with mine. No doubt she could feel the effect she had on me, but instead of distancing herself she tilted her head and kissed me. Her lips were soft, warm and inviting. The wolf inside of me stirred, adding to the urgency to claim much more than a kiss.

  I caught her lower lip with my teeth and the sound of her moan nearly undid me. Shit, I’d never wanted a woman this bad in my life. “Wish we were alone.”

  She nodded, breaking the kiss. Her heavy lids lifted, and her bedroom eyes sent another powerful jolt of lust through my body. “Me, too.”

  I scanned the crowd. “Think they’d miss us?”

  “We already took the pictures of the wedding party.”

  “There’d be more cake for everyone else…”

  Her lips curved into a sensual, tempting smile. “Did you bring me a helmet?”

  “I did… Just in case.”

  She glanced down at her dress. “Should I change?”

  “No time.” The slit reached to her upper thigh, so she wouldn’t have any trouble straddling the bike. The image of her straddling me flashed through my mind.

  I took her hand. “We need to go. Now.”

  She gave it a squeeze. “Let me tell Sash good-bye.”

  I followed her over to Mr. and Mrs. Sloan. Standing close behind her, I let go of her hand and made a quick adjustment to my raging erection.

  She embraced Sasha and I went over to clasp Aren’s forearms. “Congratulations.”

  He smiled and tugged me in for a tight hug. “I’m glad you came tonight.”

  “Me, too.” I pulled back and glanced toward Nadya.

  Aren nudged my shoulder, and I shifted my attention back to him. “You stickin’ around for a while or heading to Colorado?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Until that moment it hadn’t seemed real, but here I was. I’d stay with Nadya. Come what may.

  She came over and hugged Aren, leaving me standing with her sister. Sasha and I stared at each other. She used to work for Nero, a jaguar shifter like the killer who murdered my brother. She’d abducted Aren and tried to attack Adam all in an effort to steal Lana and bring her to the Nero headquarters to be studied.

  How did Aren forgive that? I wasn’t sure I could.

  But without Sasha, I never would have met Nadya. Maybe I could keep that in mind.

  Sasha extended her hand. “Thanks for coming.”

  I shook it with a firm grip and nodded. “Congratulations.”

  She didn’t let go of my hand. “I know we haven’t gotten along, but my sister isn’t one to toss her heart around. I trust her judgment, so I’m trusting you.”

  I rolled my shoulders back, ready to tell her I didn’t give a shit if she trusted me or not, when Nadya turned toward me. Her smile disarmed me, and seeing the way she looked at her sister reminded me they were family, their own tiny Pack. If I rejected Sasha, in a way, I’d be rejecting part of my mate. Part of her heart would always belong to her sister.

  Before I could talk myself out of it, I tugged Sasha’s hand and hugged her. Her body stiffened for a second, and I questioned my judgment, but gradually her arms wrapped around me.

  “Welcome to the Pack.”

  She stepped back, staring up at me with a stunned expression that gave way to a genuine smile. Moving to Aren’s side, she glanced at both of us and took a breath. “You take good care of my sister.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Nadya embraced her sister once more and grabbed my hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

  I didn’t waste any time heading for the front door. Nodding my good-bye to Adam and Lana, we slipped out the door. As we neared the Harley, Nadya moved between me and the bike and rose on her toes to kiss me. I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in tight against me. Passion like I’d never known before sent my pulse into overdrive. If I didn’t get a grip, I’d take her right here in the driveway.

  I broke the kiss, my voice more of a growl than a whisper. “Let’s get someplace private.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, chest heaving. “Let’s get there fast.”

  I reached around her to hand her the helmet. She stared at the giant globe for a second before she took it from me. “This puts too much distance between us.”

  Knowing my mate wanted me… Shit, I felt like a goddamned god. I grabbed my helmet and flashed her a smile. “Trust me, if you could get close enough to put those lips on my neck while I’m riding, I’d kill us both.”

  Her mouth curved into a sensual, playful grin. “Guess I’d better put this helmet on then.”

  She pulled it over her head, and I got on the Harley. I waited while she hiked up her dress and her shapely tanned leg slid around behind me. I shifted my hips forward on the seat, giving me a little more room for the hard-as-nails erection she inspired.

  I didn’t notice I’d forgotten to put on my leather riding gloves until I reached back to pat her thigh to be sure she was ready before I started the engine. Her bare thigh. I ran my hand up her smooth skin.

  She leaned in closer to me, her hands sliding up my chest. Although the helmet kept her lips from making contact with my skin, I had no trouble hearing her voice. “How fast can we get back to your place?”

  Not fast enough.

  I fired up the engine and rolled out to the street. Luckily the Mt. Rose highway wasn’t too busy. I rounded a couple of curves faster than I should have, but Nadya didn’t seem to notice. Her body leaned into the turns with mine like we were one. My pulse throbbed below my belt. Good thing I could make the drive home without thinking, because at the moment all my decisions weren’t being made by the head above my shoulders.

  Once we were down the mountain and heading toward Reno, I released one hand from the grip and reached back to touch the cool skin of her thigh. Even with the wind on my face and blowing past my ears, I heard the moan deep in her throat. Having the hearing of a werewolf didn’t suck. I tightened my hold on her leg, wishing like hell my arm was longer so I could slide my hand even higher.

  Suddenly her cool fingers brushed the skin on my abdomen. My grip tensed on the one handlebar. She freed another button on my tux shirt and slid her whole hand inside.

  My entire body ignited with desire.

  I released her leg, putting both hands on the grips, and gave the Harley more gas. We needed to be back at my place. Now.

  By the time I rolled into the garage, Nadya’s nimble fingers had my shirt untucked and completely unbuttoned. The only casualty of the night was my bow tie. I could buy another one.

  As the big door closed behind us, Nadya dropped her helmet to the ground, her lips teasing my earlobe as her hands explored my bare chest. I pulled off my ha
lf-bucket helmet, tossing it aside as I twisted to kiss her. She opened her mouth, welcoming my exploration as my tongue found hers. I growled at the spicy taste of her.

  She hooked her leg over my thigh, and I ran my hand higher, under her skirt. Her fingers wandered lower, stroking me right through my pants. I rocked my hips forward, groaning into the kiss.

  Enough with having her behind me.

  Planting my feet on either side of the Harley, I was grateful for the added werewolf strength in my legs. I kept the heavy bike steady between my thighs as I grabbed her knee, moving her leg around my waist before I reached back to her hip and shifted her all the way around until she was facing me. Nadya sat on the flathead tank of the bike, in front of me, her long legs tight around me, dress hiked up to her waist.

  Oh yeah, this was much better.

  Holding her tight, I deepened the kiss, my tongue demanding hers. Nadya stopped stroking me just long enough to unfasten and unzip my pants. She reached inside, her soft hands freeing me of the confines of the fabric.

  I growled against her lips. “Better slow down or I’ll take you right here on the bike.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Nadya

  Heat coiled low in my body at the sound of his deep gravelly voice near my ear. As I stroked my fingers along his erection, he responded instantly, pressing closer, pulsing against my hand. He wanted me just as urgently as I wanted him. This passion, this raw desire, was something I’d never experienced before. I didn’t recognize myself.

  And I didn’t care. Right now, I felt powerful, sexy, alive. So alive.

  Before I realized what I was going to say, I caught his lower lip in my teeth and whispered against his mouth. “I hope that’s a promise.”

  Gareth kissed me. Hard. He slid his rough hands up slow and firm from my hips to my breasts, kneading them through the fabric. I freed my arms from the spaghetti straps of my dress and he pushed it lower, his lips trailing down my neck.