Lock

by Terry Bolryder

  Benny’s hazel eyes were conflicted. “I’m not sure. Can I trust you?”

  Lock sighed. “You always have before.”

  “But she’s an alpha female, and if she’s as rare as you say she is… plus with pheromones—”

  “I’m no rapist,” Lock said fiercely, shaking his head at his friend. “You should know that. You’ve never bought the façade I show others, the rake I use to keep people at arm’s length. You know I have a higher purpose. The only people who need to fear me are the Tribunal and anyone who plans to get in my way.”

  “And if Tasha wants to get in your way?”

  Lock considered it for a moment, carefully. “I’ll just convince her to get out of it.” He stood, looking at the office. “Shouldn’t be hard. The longer she’s around an alpha male, the more attracted she’ll be. But trust me, Benny. I won’t put hands on her ‘til she’s asking for it. And maybe not even then.”

  Benny shook his head. “As long as you’re careful.”

  Lock shoved his hands in his pockets, grinning at the thought of the leverage he might soon have over the Tribunal. “I’m smart, and that’s better than careful.”

  He started down the hallway toward the office where Tasha was waiting.

  “Your scars say otherwise,” Benny called after him, warning him.

  Lock paused for a moment, considering his reply. “My scars prove I don’t have a choice.”

  “There’s no way I’m going home with you,” Tasha said, scooting the office chair she was sitting in back against the wall as far from Lock as she could be.

  Something had come over her when he was close to her, and she didn’t like it at all.

  It felt like she had awakened in ways she didn’t understand.

  Or maybe that was just how hot he was.

  She didn’t know what he’d been doing when he left her to eat, but when he’d come back, he’d announced that she needed to come with him.

  “You don’t have a choice.” Lock folded his arms and leaned against the doorframe. “We can’t let you go until you’ve calmed down.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “And then you’d let me go? I thought you said that wasn’t possible.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I’m not a kidnapper, so of course it’s possible, but I think it would be a huge mistake.”

  “Why?” she asked sharply, sitting up. “Why would it be more of a mistake than coming home with you?”

  “It’s not my place,” Lock said. “And besides, if I wanted to rape you, don’t you think I would have done it while you were asleep?”

  She flushed at his bold words. How could he talk about something so horrible so freely? “Gross.”

  He smiled. “I’m not the type to just take what I want. I prefer for people to see the benefits of whatever I’m offering. For you, it’s protection, and all you have to do is be mine.”

  “I don’t want to,” she said quickly. “I don’t even know you at all.”

  “We’re both alphas,” he said. “We’re compatible. But we can talk more about that later. Don’t you want to go sleep in an actual bed?”

  “Actually, I want to see my friend,” Tasha said eagerly. “Jackie. Do you know what happened to her?”

  “She went home with Max,” Lock said. “She’s fine.”

  “Wait, is he one of you?” She stood abruptly. Was her friend in danger right now?

  Lock waved a tanned hand. “That’s not my place to talk about, but I promise you she’s fine. Probably getting busy at the moment.”

  “Why should I trust you?”

  “Do you trust Benny and Harley?” Lock asked. “I believe you know them, right?”

  She blinked, thinking of her two friends that she’d become close to while hanging at the bar. Big, friendly, handsome Benny and sexy Harley with those huge green eyes. “I do.”

  “I’d be taking you to their place so they can go check on Jackie and Max.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean check on? I thought you said Jackie was fine?”

  “She is,” Lock said. “But they have to verify the two of them are… Anyway, it’s complicated. And you have bigger things to worry about.” He opened the door to the bar and gestured for her to join him.

  “Like what?”

  “Things we can talk about when we get you home,” Lock said.

  “It’s not my home,” she grumbled, getting up and slowly walking over to him. “And I’m not going anywhere without seeing Harley or Benny.”

  “Hey,” a gruff voice interjected, and Tasha scowled down the hall to see Benny’s face.

  She sighed in relief and walked over to hug him. “I’m glad you’re here. Don’t leave me with this crazy person.”

  Benny rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I’m surprised you haven’t seen Lock around the club.”

  “I wasn’t around when she was in here,” Lock said. “I was…”

  “Getting the shit kicked out of you,” Benny said. “I forgot.”

  Lock gave a bashful grin, and Tasha tried to tell herself that fighting was stupid and the fact that Lock got into trouble should turn her off.

  So why did she have to be a sucker for bad boys?

  All the more reason to get out of Dodge as soon as she could.

  “So why do I have to stay with you?” She turned to Benny as they walked out of the bar and into the cool night. “I’d rather just go home. My flight leaves tomorrow.”

  Benny eyed her warily. “It’s just, you know things, and Lock can’t erase your memory due to—”

  “He thinks I’m one of you, but I assure you I’m not,” she said stubbornly. “I would know by now. Right?”

  Benny looked at Lock. “I don’t know. I can’t scent you, but he can.”

  Lock nodded. “And I’m sorry, princess, but a lot of other people are going to be able to scent you soon.”

  “Why?” She whirled on him. “If no one knew before, why would they now?”

  He advanced on her, and she had to crane her neck to look up at his handsome face, those gleaming eyes like harvest moons. “Because you’ve met me now, and the wolf in you is awake. She’s going to be calling to mates now. Without me, things are going to go wrong.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Sounds convenient for you since you want me. Even if I don’t understand why.”

  Lock smirked as he walked past her to a parked Ferrari she’d never noticed in the club lot before. She scowled at him. Of course even his car would be hot.

  He opened the door. “Want to ride with me? I promise to drive safely, and if you knew me, you’d know that’s an offer I don’t often make.”

  She snorted. “As if. I’m going with Benny.”

  But as she walked over to Benny’s Jeep, she could feel an odd ache, a weird disappointment that she hadn’t gone with Lock.

  He couldn’t be right, though. There couldn’t be something in her that she didn’t know about.

  And despite how weird everything had been tonight, in the morning, she would leave it all behind.

  Chapter 3

  The night was uneventful, and Tasha had been grateful that as soon as she’d arrived at Benny’s place, he and Harley had quickly shown her to the guest room and made her feel at home.

  She hadn’t had to so much as look at Lock before she’d been able to sink into a comfy bed behind a locked door so she could rest up without anyone bothering her.

  And if a certain pair of glowing orange eyes haunted her dreams, well, Tasha didn’t plan for Lock to ever know about it.

  She woke up rested and was relieved to hear Harley at her door almost immediately, calling her out for breakfast.

  That was until she saw that Lock was also there. Glancing at the couch in the living room, she realized he’d probably also stayed the night, which was weird.

  Or not, since he seemed oddly attached to her. No, attached might not be the right word. Obsessed. He seemed obsessed with her.

  And he kept implying that she would be in t
rouble without him there, despite her taking care of herself for her entire life.

  She’d grown up alone, raised in the system, moving from home to home. The only family member she had was a brother who must have been in the system before her. While he only ever sent letters and the occasional gift, she truly valued him, treasuring any contact she could get.

  Though she’d never even seen him in real life, she knew how she pictured him.

  Tall, handsome, kind, gentle. The guy-next-door type with brown hair and eyes and a warm smile. The type of guy who didn’t say much but meant all of it.

  Okay, maybe she was a bit obsessed. But in her life, he’d been the only person to care. Sure, she’d made friends as a teen and adult, and Jackie was one of them, but no one could replace her brother.

  Which was why she was a little worried that she hadn’t gotten a note from him in some time. Or more perfume.

  Another reason she had to get home.

  She ignored Lock’s smirk and raised eyebrow and walked by him to sit by Harley, who passed her a plate of pancakes.

  Digging into them eagerly, she tried not to think about how weird the situation was.

  But two pancakes in, she just couldn’t ignore it anymore.

  “So who here is a shifter?” Tasha asked frankly, looking around.

  Benny raised his hand sheepishly, while Harley shook her head. “I’m not,” she said. “I’m only in the world because I know Benny.”

  Tasha cocked her head. “How did you know he’s a shifter?”

  Harley flushed, her pink cheeks clashing with her bright-red curls. “We grew up together. It’s hard to keep secrets.”

  Tasha decided there was probably more of a story there, but she wasn’t sure her tired brain could handle it at the moment. “Gotcha. So you think these guys are safe to hang out with?”

  Harley’s eyes darted to Lock, showing a little doubt, but she nodded. “I’ve never seen them do anyone harm who didn’t deserve it.”

  Tasha sighed. “That’s good to know.”

  “Worried I hurt people, princess?” Lock quipped, sitting with one hip on his stool, a pancake perched on his fork awkwardly.

  “Not thinking of you at all, actually,” Tasha said. “And stop calling me princess.”

  Lock shrugged and went back to his meal, seemingly unbothered.

  “We are going to go check on Max and Jackie,” Benny said. “We’ll let you know how they are. You okay staying with Lock?”

  “I’d love to see Jackie,” Tasha said eagerly. “Can’t I come?”

  Harley and Benny shared cryptic glances. “Jackie thinks you’re getting your memory erased,” Benny said. “We can’t let her know you’re a shifter, and Max and her… They’re still working things out. It’d be best if you just stay here and rest for now.”

  Tasha tried not to show her disappointment but couldn’t help stabbing at her pancakes. “Fine. I’ll stay here, then.” She looked at Harley. “But are you sure you have to go?” She jerked her head at Lock. “Don’t leave me alone with him.”

  “Why? Worried you’ll be tempted, princess?” Lock smirked, and it was all Tasha could do not to knock him off his stool.

  Why he kept setting her off, she didn’t know, because she usually got along with most people. “I told you not to—”

  “The more you tell him, the more he’s going to do it,” Harley hissed conspiratorially. “Ignoring him is best.”

  Tasha sighed. “True.”

  Harley placed a comforting hand on her knee. “You’ll be safe here. Lock can protect you, and if he even thinks about trying something, the thought of Benny tearing him to pieces should prevent it.”

  “True,” Lock said affably, folding his arms.

  Tasha fought back a nervous giggle. “I guess that’s… fine.” She frowned. “What is Benny if he can beat up a wolf?”

  Harley was about to answer, but Benny stopped her with a glare.

  “We should be going,” he said, suddenly stern.

  Harley shrugged. “Maybe he can tell you later. Benny’s a little bit sensitive about his—”

  “Now,” Benny called.

  Harley hugged Tasha around the shoulders and then jogged over to Benny, grabbing her purse and jacket as she went.

  Sooner than Tasha wanted, they were gone, leaving her alone with an oddly attractive, super grating wolf.

  One she wanted to bang, against her better interests.

  Lock scented the air, and then his eyes narrowed on her and his lips spread into a grin. “It’s happening even quicker than I expected. I hope you brought some of your perfume.”

  She bit her lower lip, pain lancing through her as she realized that a lack of it also reminded her of how long she hadn’t heard from her brother.

  Surely, he would contact her again soon. Perhaps there was a letter waiting at home.

  “No. I brought a little on the trip, but I ran out already. I need to get home, because hopefully, there’s more waiting for me.”

  Lock’s face looked genuinely surprised. “Wait, so you’re out of it? Or will be soon?”

  She nodded. “It’s not the worst thing. It’s sentimental, nothing else.”

  Lock’s tanned face seemed to lose a little color. “No, it’s not the worst thing, but it’s definitely bad. Listen, all jokes aside, you better stay here because—”

  She waved a hand. “Listen, whatever you think I am, I’m not that. I’m just… me. And that perfume is hard to come by, so I might not be getting more of it, and—”

  “From your brother…”

  “Yes,” she said sharply. “Though, I’ve never met him, and—”

  “What did he say when he sent it?” Lock asked, his expression suddenly sharp and focused.

  She found herself caught off guard by this side of him now that she was used to his casual ease and smirking. “He asked me to always wear it as part of our connection as family.”

  Lock scowled. “And you don’t think that’s a bit weird? Getting perfume from your brother?”

  She shrugged. “He’s the only family I have that ever cared about me. Of course I wanted to have something that tied us together.”

  “Did he say anything else?”

  She scrunched her brows together, thinking back. “Just that… Let’s see. If I didn’t hear from him or the perfume didn’t show up, I was supposed to contact someone. I don’t remember who, but I’d have it at home.”

  “Another alpha probably,” Lock said, putting a hand to his face and dragging it down. “Look, I can tell I’m not going to be able to convince you not to leave, but since you’re out of perfume, I’m asking you to really think about it.”

  “Why?” She shook her head. “Why, of all things, does it matter if I have perfume?”

  Lock bit his lip, and she tried not to think it was sexy. “Because, princess, it’s disguising your scent. Without it…”

  “Without it, what?”

  Lock cocked his head. “I don’t know if I should even explain it or just wait for you to see. I’m not sure you’d believe me. I’m not sure if you’ll listen to anything I say. Typical stubborn alpha.”

  “Without it, what?” She pressed on, hating that he was being evasive.

  He stood up out of his seat and came over to her, putting a hand on either side of her on the counter, pinning her over her plate.

  His warmth, his huge body, all of it surrounded her, and she felt herself become instantly aroused. No man had ever bothered her this quickly, and no man had ever made her ache with want despite her hating him otherwise.

  Perhaps just one time…

  She shook her head. Tasha, get ahold of yourself.

  He leaned in so his breath was over her shoulder, his chest to her back. “Breathe in, Tasha. Scent me. It’s the only way you’ll understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  “What we are,” he uttered softly.

  She hesitated, then took a deep breath right next to him just to prove him wrong.
/>
  Which was a mistake. A heady sensation overcame her, enlivening her from head to toe as sheer want flooded her.

  She looked at him over her shoulder with a little snarl. “My room. Now.”

  He sauntered away from her, calmly leading the way to the bedroom as if he’d been expecting this all along.

  Tasha didn’t even care that she was proving him right as long as he buried himself deep inside her.

  Chapter 4

  By the time they reached the bedroom, Tasha could barely hold back, the need in her throbbing like nothing she’d ever felt.

  She’d been a flirt before, loved dancing and coming on to other guys. Loved attention and making new friends and enjoying the night.

  But for some reason, she hadn’t gone all the way before.

  She knew she portrayed herself as someone worldly and experienced, but the truth was something always stopped her at the last minute. Often much to her date’s frustration.

  She didn’t mean to be a huge tease, but still, she was a virgin at twenty-eight.

  As she pushed Lock into her guest room, pulling at his clothes, shoving off his jacket, eager to see as much as she could of him naked, she decided she wasn’t going to tell him this was a very new thing for her.

  She didn’t want him to have the satisfaction.

  She shoved him backward, knocking him onto the guest bed, and struggled to pull his shirt over his head. She heard muffled laughter, and let his shirt fall back down so he could see her glare.

  He was resting back on his elbows, sexy arms bared in a tee shirt, a bit of chest hair peeking out of his V-neck, his hair mussed and looking beautiful in the sunlight.

  His smile showed perfect teeth that were almost too white.

  His pants that she’d somehow unbuckled in her frenzy were partly open, showing off deep-blue underwear she longed to tear off with her teeth.

  “I had forgotten what it was like with an alpha female,” Lock said. “The pheromones are pretty strong.”

  She blinked at him, running her hands over her arms. What the hell was she doing? She was in a friend’s guest room and a lot was going on, and she was trying to seduce an annoying man who had done nothing but irk her from the start.