The Call of Her Heart (Whiskey Springs Pack Book 2)

by Stella Night

  “You okay? You seem a little distracted.”

  Celia looked up at him and felt her cheeks grow warm. There was no way she could tell him about her wolf and what it wanted. He had grown up in a pack, he would know exactly what it meant. “Yeah. Fine.” She gave him a little smile and followed him to the table.

  He surprised her by pulling a chair out for her. He slowly slid it in behind her. When she was seated, he bent and kissed the curve of her neck where it met her shoulder — the spot where a shifter would mark his mate. She watched him as he moved to his own chair and sat.

  Celia twirled the pasta on her fork. It was easier to concentrate on the food than to meet his eyes again.

  “I was thinking—” he started.

  “Would you like—” she said.

  Logan grinned. “You first.”

  When she met his eyes again, she almost forgot what she wanted to ask. She cleared her throat and started again.

  “So, some of the older kids tend to feel left out of the full moon runs. They’re not old enough to join but they are too big for the baby house. I was thinking of taking some of them to the river tomorrow afternoon. There is one good swimming hole left and it’s still warm enough. Would you like to go with us? And again the day of the run?

  “Sure. I think that would be great.”

  “And maybe we could do dinner again tomorrow night?” Celia hoped she didn’t sound desperate.

  Logan smiled. “Yeah, I’ll cook again.”

  “Do you mind helping out with the little ones as well? Since this is new, I think I’ll have a pretty full house and could really use a couple of extra hands.”

  “Sure.”

  “Really? Most guys would run from that.” She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the intense flavors of the sauce.

  He shrugged. “I like little kids. I used to help watch the kids in Boerne during runs. Besides, someday I’d like a whole houseful of my own kids.”

  Her eyes flew open. Surely, he is joking about that. She nodded slowly and said “The extra help would be great. So, what were you going to say?”

  “I think we should be extra careful the next two days.”

  She stopped eating and looked at him. His eyes were serious now. A small frown marred his forehead. “Why?”

  “Like I said the other day — full moon, firebugs. I really think whoever is doing this is here in Whiskey Springs or close enough that he comes and goes frequently with little or no notice. And I don’t want to take any chances.” He met her gaze. “I’ve spoken to your brother as well. I want to make sure everyone in the pack is aware of the potential for more fires.”

  She looked up at him and smiled. “Well then, having my own arson investigator along should make things safe.”

  ***

  Celia dried the last fork and watched as Logan put it away in. She couldn’t take her eyes off his hands, couldn’t stop thinking about where those hands had taken her the night before.

  “You’re growling.”

  She jumped, startled by his words. Her breath caught when she met his eyes. His pupils had dilated, leaving the barest rim of sky blue. Her wolf danced in happy circles, yipping and whining.

  Logan took the dishtowel from her hands and threw it on the counter. Putting his hand on Celia’s waist, he pulled her close and captured her mouth with his.

  She opened to him. Their tongues fenced, give and take. She wound her arms around his neck, pulling him as closely as she could. A throbbing began in her core, matching time to her racing heart.

  He pulled away only long enough to say, “Celia, I need you. Now.” Then his mouth slanted across hers again as his hand cupped the back of her head, holding her hostage to his onslaught.

  She moaned into his mouth as he lifted her to the counter. She grabbed his shoulders and opened her legs as he moved in close. Her head dropped back as the bulge in his jeans met her throbbing clit. She pulled him closer and rubbed herself against him. She had been thinking about him all day long. She couldn’t get enough of him, couldn’t get it fast enough.

  Logan grabbed the bottom of her sweatshirt and whipped it over her head. As soon as her hands were free, Celia grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and ripped it from stem to stern.

  Her eyes widened and her breath caught. She looked at the two pieces of fabric in her hands, shocked at what she had done. Logan looked down at the tatters that had been his shirt. When he started laughing, she relaxed.

  “Logan—”

  He grabbed her hand and helped her off the counter. “It’s no big deal.” He pulled her through the apartment into the bedroom as he said, “It’s an old shirt. I’m done wearing it.” He pushed her backward to the bed. “In fact, I think we both have too many clothes on.” He reached for the button on his jeans.

  Celia slipped her shoes off as she pulled her jeans down. Before he could finish sliding his jeans off, she stood before him in nothing but a lacy bra and matching thong. He stopped moving as his gaze swept over her. She smiled when his eyes dilated again.

  “You are so beautiful, Celia.” He got the jeans off and stood before her. His enlarged cock strained at his boxer briefs.

  Celia reached out a tentative hand, squeezing gently. He dropped his head back as his breathing increased. She felt a rush of power when he moaned her name.

  She reached for his chest with her other hand, her fingers sliding through the soft, blond hair there. Her hand dipped lower, gliding over the hills and valleys of his abs. She watched her fingers trail over him, watched her other hand as it stroked and squeezed.

  She hooked a finger into the elastic band of his briefs and pulled him toward her. Once again, she wound her arms around his neck. He pressed against her, hard and hot.

  Celia trembled in response. Her wolf danced. She fought back another growl and a sudden desire to mark him. She knew now that she had been right in pushing Rick and all the others away, keeping them at a distance, waiting for her mate. But what if he’s not the one? She pushed that thought away.

  His hands slide around her, finding the clasp of her bra. Her breasts spilled into his hands. He squeezed them gently, rubbing his thumbs over the pebbled peaks. Dipping his head, he caught one in his lips. He sucked, pulling the nipple into his mouth. He ran his tongue around the hardness there, over and over.

  Just when Celia thought she might go crazy, he turned his attention to her other breast and repeated his ministrations. She grabbed the back of his head, holding him there.

  She snarled softly when he broke the contact. Logan chuckled and kissed her quickly. He put one arm around her shoulders and, bending down, slid his other arm under her legs. He kissed her again, slow and deep, as he laid her in the center of his bed.

  She rose up on her elbows to watch him.

  He stood and slid the boxer briefs down his slim hips, over his muscled thighs. Celia watched as, inch by inch, his hard cock was revealed. She immediately felt dampness followed by a quickening in her core. She watched as his eyes moved from her face to the throbbing spot between her thighs.

  His smile told her he knew exactly what had happened.

  He kicked his underwear off and knelt on the end of the bed. He bent down and kissed one ankle and then the other. He slowly made his way up each leg, trailing kisses up their length, stopping only when he reached the juncture of her thighs.

  Logan placed a hand on her belly and gently pushed her down on the bed. He laid a kiss at the top of her mound. Then he pulled back.

  Celia lifted her hips, whimpering, begging him to touch her again. Logan took both sides of the thong in his hands and pulled. She gasped as the fabric snapped and fell away from body.

  Logan moved up. Taking both breasts in his hands, he ran his tongue around the nipples, moving from one to the other. In no time, he had her writhing on the bed. Her voice grew breathy as she begged and pleaded. When he stopped, she whined, echoing the sound of her wolf.

  She raised up on her elbows again and watched as he set
tled his shoulders between her thighs. He nudged them wider and scooted closer to her. With a wicked grin, he leaned in and blew.

  Celia dropped her head back and moaned. Her muscles clenched with the beginning tremors of her orgasm.

  When Logan touched the tip of his tongue to the pearl nestled in her damp curls, Celia screamed. There was no respite when he clamped his lips around her and continued to tease and taunt with his tongue. She fell back on the bed, hands threaded through his hair, alternately tugging and pushing.

  She finally managed to push him away and beg him to stop.

  He pulled away from her. His chin glistened with her juices. The wicked grin returned as he pulled up and slid into her waiting sheath. She gasped again and pulled him close as her legs wrapped around him and held him exactly where she wanted him. The wave of another orgasm began to build.

  She could feel him thicken as his movements increased. Her breath quickened and her thighs began to tremble with exertion. Logan pulled back and looked into her eyes. This time she didn’t pull away from the love she saw shining there.

  He leaned down to kiss her as the wave crashed over her. She moaned into his mouth as he held her close.

  He raised up and shouted her name as he reached his climax. His movements slowed but he held her close, raining kisses over her face.

  He rolled over, taking her with him. As she nestled in the crook of his arm, he whispered, “I love you, Celia.”

  She didn’t answer. She could only lay still, not sure what to do. No man had ever affected her the way he did physically, emotionally. He said he loves me! This was all so new to her. Never mind the fact that her wolf had never made an appearance before.

  And on top of all of this, the damned wolf had to call him mate.

  Chapter 15

  The giggles and squeals of the children echoed through the woods as Logan made his way to where they splashed in the river. The sound brought a smile to his face. He stood on a small bluff and watched them, the older kids keeping watchful eyes on the smaller ones.

  Then his glance found Celia.

  She stood knee deep in the water with her back to him. Her hooded red sweatshirt stood out like a beacon. Drops of water on her long legs glimmered like diamonds in the sun.

  She was so beautiful that it hurt. He had never fallen as hard for anyone as he had for Celia Masters. Two weeks ago, he didn’t believe in love at first sight. Now he was a devout convert. Here was a woman capable of feeling deeply, a woman who cared about those around her and didn’t think twice about pitching in to help. She was intelligent, witty, sexy — everything he had always wanted. And she loved kids.

  Damn it, he could see a life with her. He had even told he how he felt. He knew he might be rushing it but he also knew, deep in his heart, that they were meant to be together.

  She was splashing a little boy who was giggling with delight as he tried to avoid the flying drops of water. The child suddenly shifted, a small wolf cub paddling in the water where he had been standing. Celia scooped him up and set him on the bank. He let loose a squeaky howl, then promptly changed back into his human form. He stood, naked and laughing, while Celia wrapped him in a towel. Logan could see she was struggling to keep the smile off her face as she scolded the youngster.

  When she stood, his mouth went dry. The sweatshirt jacket fell open in the front, revealing a tiny red bikini. His hands could feel the flat plane of her belly, the gentle curve of her breasts. He remembered how good it felt, just last night, to cup her ass and pull her tight against him— “Logan!”

  Celia’s voice snapped him out of his reverie. Realizing that his body had responded vigorously to his daydream, he dropped his towel in front of his crotch as he waved to her.

  Taking the trail down the hillside, he joined her on the riverbank. Several of the older children greeted him while a couple of the little ones peeked at him from behind Celia’s legs as she dug through a tote bag. One little red-haired girl he knew as Steffie smiled at him. She giggled when he called her by name. “He knows my name,” she whispered to the little girl beside her. They ran off giggling.

  He reached for Celia, but she stepped out of his reach. She gave him a tight smile and shook her head. “Not in front of the kids,” she whispered.

  Logan dropped his hand. “Okay, sure. No problem.”

  Acute disappointment flooded his veins. She had not declared her love for him but he was sure they had made a deep connection last night. Now he felt that she was brushing him off.

  Celia finished helping the little boy into extra swim trunks and handed him off to a teenage girl. Her dimples deepened as she watched the tyke scamper away, then she turned toward Logan.

  “They aren’t supposed to shift when they’re not with their parents. They’ve been taught that strangers can’t always be trusted.”

  He nodded. “I remember that. Jack once got his hide tanned, so to speak, for shifting at school. He was lucky everyone there was associated with pack in one way or another.”

  Celia cocked her head at him and gave him a dimpled smile. “I sometimes forget you were raised in a pack.” She took his hand and led him toward one of the huge cypress trees that lined the river. A red and white checked blanket was laid beneath it. A wicker picnic basket sat on one corner.

  Logan chuckled.

  She turned and narrowed her eyes at him. “What the crap are you laughing at?”

  He shook his head as he answered her. “It’s just kind of right out of a fairy tale. Should I be calling you Red Riding Hood?”

  Celia playfully punched his shoulder. “Not if you like your head attached to your shoulders, asshat.”

  Logan clutched his heart and fell to his knees. “Those terms of endearment get to me every time.”

  She laughed and gave him a playful punch in the arm. “Shut up.” She reached into the basket and pulled out a plastic wrap encased sandwich. “Here. Eat this.” She watched him as he unwrapped it.

  Biting into the sandwich, he closed his eyes and moaned. “Oh man, this is good.” He took another bite and swallowed. “Did you make these?”

  Celia pursed her lips to one side then slowly shook her head. “Nope. Those are a Gemma Gilbert special — chicken salad with green grapes.”

  He grinned and said, “Maybe I’m chasing after the wrong woman then.”

  She pushed him back and sat on his chest. “You take that back, Logan Nilsson.”

  He gulped as he felt the heat between her legs, fought to keep his hands from caressing her curves. He mentally listed Bexar county fire statistics, hoping it would keep his traitorous body at bay.

  When he had gained a little more control, he took another bite of the sandwich he had managed to hold on to, closed his eyes and sighed. “Oh, damn. This is like food of the gods! I need to get back to town and swear my love for that woman.”

  Celia grabbed his sandwich and tossed it across the blanket. Then she leaned down, her mouth a fraction of an inch from his. He lost the battle this time. His hands settled on her hips and he felt his swim trunks become decidedly uncomfortable.

  Logan stared up into her eyes, and sucked a breath in. They glowed with molten fire. He laid still until they changed back to their normal hazel.

  “Don’t you kid about that, Logan.” Celia’s voice was the barest of whispers. He could feel her breath on his cheeks as she spoke.

  Unable to keep the grin off his lips, Logan choked out “Why Celia, someone would think you cared.”

  She sat back on her heels and then stood. Offering her hand to him, she growled “Of course I care, you jerk.”

  As he sat up, his grin widened. “I meant what I said last night, Celia.”

  “I think I can salvage your sandwich.” She dusted it off and handed it to him, not meeting his eyes.

  What the hell? He took another bite out of the sandwich and watched her as she dug into the basket and pulled out different containers. “I was thinking I might uproot myself from Boerne,” he said.


  Celia’s movements stilled. She lifted her head and gazed down toward the river where the children were playing. “Oh? And where would you go?”

  “I was thinking I might like to settle down with another pack.” He waited, watching her. “ Maybe someplace like Whiskey Springs.”

  The exhalation of her held breath was her only movement until she reached up and pushed her hair off her face. “Oh? And what would you do in Whiskey Springs?”

  “I heard they don’t have a restaurant and I thought I might open my own there.”

  Celia whirled on him, her eyes glowing again. “I can’t believe you’d be so callous, Logan” she snarled.

  Logan jumped up and backed away from her, stopping only when she growled at him. “What the hell, Celia?”

  “I think you should leave. In fact, I think you should leave Whiskey Springs.” She picked up his sandwich and threw it at him. “I can’t believe I was starting to care about you, you heartless, uncaring asshole. Those people are barely in their graves and you’re still trampling all over their legacy.”

  “Is it that? Or is it something else? Do you even know what it is that’s making you push me away? I know you care about me, about us.”

  She didn’t answer.

  Logan clenched his jaw so tightly he could hear his teeth crunch. He knew Celia heard her because her eyes widened for just a second or two. Then she went back to growling at him. He grabbed his towel and turned toward the trail, then turned back to her.

  “I meant it when I said when I said I love you. I don’t know what’s bugging you but I do know that I can’t stay here for someone who won’t admit her feelings. Grow up, Celia.”

  Chapter 16

  What the hell is wrong with me? Celia had been up all night thinking about what had happened last night. She had planned to talk about everything, including why she wasn’t ready to admit her feelings. Well, I sure fucked that up.

  She watched as Logan disappeared through the trees. She could hear him muttering to himself as he went. None of the words were flattering to her. She couldn’t really blame him. She agreed — she was being childish.