by Faye Avalon
To guard his woman, he must claim his mate.
Beasts of Bodmin Moor, Book 3
Ex-special forces operative Nathan Quinn enjoys women, but he just doesn’t trust them. Thanks to a mother who abandoned him, he prefers no-strings relationships, and has no intention of ever marrying or mating with a fellow shifter.
He focuses his energy on building his security business until a human woman catches his eye—and firmly rejects his charm. Which only challenges him to work harder to break down her barriers.
Born of ambitious, emotionally cold parents, Erin Howard’s craving for attention led her down a slippery slope to an abusive relationship. Now on the run from her ex, she plans to lay low and stay away from possessive, dominating males. But who says she can’t enjoy a little hot sex without a shred of commitment?
Soon their attraction explodes into something so fierce, that Nathan feels the primal need to mark Erin as his. But his fallback plan—distance himself—creates the space for Erin’s past to drive the final, possibly fatal, wedge between them.
Warning: Contains a sexy panther shifter with an attitude problem, a human female intent on playing things safe, and an anxious dog learning to co-exist with the local cats.
Beast Untamed
Faye Avalon
Dedication
For Vivvy. Our four-legged treasure.
Chapter One
Deep in the throes of administering oral sex, Nathan Quinn wondered at what precise moment he’d started performing sex by rote. Because hard as he tried not to think of it that way, it was exactly what was happening. Get the woman’s clothes off ASAP, then move proceedings quickly along until he was between her legs claiming the prize.
It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy a hot, willing woman purring beneath him, and maybe that was the heart of the problem. Lately, he’d been enjoying it too much. Ever since Naomi, his friend and fuck-buddy, had hooked up with Tynan, also his friend and business partner, he’d been banging a different woman whenever the urge took him—and the urge had been taking him a whole lot. Human or shifter, he wasn’t fussy. But the women? They just weren’t doing it for him.
He didn’t especially lament the loss of Naomi. Theirs had been a mutual liaison, born of neither one of them wanting anything deep and meaningful. That was before Naomi finally accepted her fate and had fallen into Tynan’s welcoming arms.
Never in his life had Nathan felt like a fifth wheel, not until he’d invited Tynan to make up the threesome that Naomi had been itching to try. After that, Naomi had been too loved up with Tynan to even give him a second glance. He was happy for them. If that was what they wanted, then he was all for seeing two people mooning over each other and planning happy-ever-afters. Shit. He should be getting used to it. His friends were dropping like flies. First Caleb, the leader of their pack, had fallen for a human reporter and had gotten a ring on Talia’s finger faster than a man could breathe. Then Tynan upped and made an honest woman of Naomi, or at least he would do in little less than a week.
Both men were sporting smug looks and permanently hard dicks. As for him? Well, one out of two wasn’t bad. He’d never yet had a problem getting it up.
“Ooh, Nathan.” The blonde currently heating the sheets pouted. That high-pitched I’m a naive little innocent and you’re corrupting me tone had amused him a few hours ago. Now it was starting to send him up the fucking wall. “You stopped,” she protested, fluttering her lashes. “And I was just starting to get all heated up again.”
Damn it. What the hell had he found even remotely attractive about the leggy human with her minion voice? He rose up her body and covered her mouth with his, if only to shut her the hell up, then positioned himself between her legs. In one smooth, if weirdly frustrated move, he was inside her. He worked her hard, letting his mind go blank as he always did, and focused on the rhythmic shove and retreat. Her tight muscles gripped him, and she moaned into his mouth. Levering his hand between them, he found her clit. She gyrated her hips, gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh to the point of pain.
Her hot little body was just made to fuck, and he took full advantage.
Absently, he thought that if it wasn’t for that voice of hers, they could maybe hook up again sometime. But then she came, screaming his name, over and over in that breathy tone. Seconds later, he joined her and, apart from a few grunts on the last couple of shoves, kept his mouth shut.
Spent, he withdrew. While she stretched out and made satisfied noises, he strode to the bathroom to dispose of yet another condom.
* * * * *
Next morning, he sipped coffee and prepared for the hard part. Despite the fact that his conscience pricked, he quieted himself with the thought that he’d fucked her well and there’d been no promises made for anything other than a night of what had turned out to be pretty acceptable sex. She walked him to the cab he’d called, and he said good-bye with a pat on her ass and a promise he’d call. He wouldn’t.
An hour later, he was back in his kitchen when his cell vibrated. He picked it up and stared at the screen. Naomi. Likely some more wedding shit. Being a groomsman came with its trials. He’d call her back later. Right now he planned to shift and run. He needed to shake off some of the edge that seemed to plague him lately. Maybe it really did have something to do with Tynan and Naomi hooking up.
Yeah. He kind of missed Naomi. Missed the straightforward nature of their arrangement, the easy camaraderie they shared after they put on their clothes. There were none of the awkward postcoital expectations. No need for promises to call.
He refused to even consider that some of his edge might be down to the pinch of envy he experienced each time he saw his friends together, wrapped up in each other and savoring every moment of it.
He refused to consider it because he didn’t want it. He loved his life. Loved the security business he’d set up after leaving Special Forces, which he now ran with Tynan. Loved the house he’d built on the edge of Bodmin Moor, which gave him both privacy and the ability to shift to his panther form and pound across the moor right from his own back door. Most of all, he loved his single status.
“Yeah. Fucking love my single status most of all,” he muttered, and started peeling off his shirt.
* * * * *
At some point in her new life, Erin Howard knew she would have to learn not to stop and check over her shoulder whenever someone opened a door in her vicinity. It had been almost two months since she arrived in Bodmin and had landed a casual job in the small tea shop, but the nauseous feeling that someone would enter and recognize her hadn’t diminished.
It was virtually impossible and highly unlikely that anyone in her old life would vacation or visit the small town located on the edge of the Cornish moor. More likely they would be found in Monte Carlo or the Caribbean. But she wasn’t taking any chances.
She took the order from the two ladies who came in every Thursday morning after their art class, then went back to the counter.
“We need more milk,” Sandie Kemp, her boss, said as Erin handed her the order slip. “Be a love and pop over to the store for me.”
Sandie owned the tea shop and when Erin had wandered into the premises one morning shortly after arriving in Bodmin, they had gotten chatting. Erin told her that she was only in town for a few months and asked Sandie if she could steer her in the direction of some casual work in the area. By a stroke of pure luck, Sandie was looking for part-time staff in the tea shop, wanting to cut down her own hours since her husband’s recent retirement. Because luck seemed to be flowing in her d
irection, Erin had chanced it some more by asking if Sandie would be able to pay her on a cash basis. Sandie had eyed her with curiosity more than suspicion, and had agreed to a one-month trial—on a cash basis—after which, if things were working out for them, they would talk further.
Thankfully, one month had stretched to two, but Erin knew that when the promised conversation happened, she would need to be prepared to move on sooner rather than later. Since she liked Bodmin, she hoped Sandie would let it go a little longer still.
“Shall I get more cream too?” Erin asked as Sandie slipped money into her hand. “The scones are flying out this morning, and I noticed we’re down to the last couple of tubs.”
Reaching out, Sandie pressed her palms to Erin’s cheeks. “You’re fast becoming a godsend. Have I told you that?”
She had. Many times. But Erin never tired of hearing it. And all the time she was that godsend, she might get to float along on the status quo. The compliment pushed a warmth into her chest that had for too long been a wasteland of icy wilderness. She loved hearing the praise and, after an initial urge to shy away from the physical contact, was getting used to Sandie’s touchy-feely personality.
Erin ached to respond, but she supposed she was taking baby steps right now. It was enough to enjoy her new life, her new freedom. To be able to wake each morning and not dread what the day held.
Months earlier, when she’d made her escape, she had taken the proverbial pin and stuck it in a map. Thankfully, it had brought her here.
A few minutes later, she walked out onto the cobbled street, the unseasonable warmth of the sun hitting her face and heralding an early spring. She couldn’t wait for spring. Couldn’t wait for the pop of color as bulbs and flowers sprang to life. There was the vast expanse of the moor to explore. Willa would love that. On some stretches, dogs had to be kept on a lead, but Erin would find the parts where they allowed dogs to roam free. Willa would love that too. Like Erin, she’d been cooped up for too long. It was time for both of them to taste the heady tang of freedom and discover what it meant to live without fear.
Reminding herself to get some of those liver treats her girl seemed to love so much, Erin made a mental note to call at the pet supermarket when her shift was over. She worked three mornings a week, which kept her and Willa in food, and meant Erin only had to dip into her savings for utilities and essentials. At some time in the not too distant future, she would need to find more work, but hopefully by then she would have the paperwork declaring she was now legally Erin Howard. Maybe that would mark the moment she could stop checking over her shoulder all the time.
“Hey, Erin.”
She hesitated for a second, then turned in the direction of the call. Perhaps she really was starting to get used to her new life, and her new name.
Naomi Flynn ran across the road, adeptly evading a couple of cars and a bicycle. The sun picked up red highlights in her long dark hair, which floated loose around her shoulders, signaling she wasn’t due at the surgery or had house calls to make that morning.
Despite her initial reservations about starting friendships in Bodmin, Erin had become quite friendly with Naomi, and Talia, a reporter on the local paper. The two women visited the tea shop a few times a week, mostly to discuss Naomi’s wedding plans, and Erin had been drawn into their conversations.
“I was just heading out for a coffee,” Naomi said when she caught up. “Tynan’s at home working with the constructors today. They’re planning his home office. I had to get out for a break. Too much talk of drywall and loading beams. I swear it just goes over my head.” She positioned her bag on her shoulder. “Where are you heading?”
“To the store. We’ve run out of some essentials at the shop.”
“I’ll walk with you.” She shoved her hand companionably through Erin’s arm, and Erin forced herself to relax into the easy camaraderie. “I’ve been meaning to catch up with you. To tell you about times for tomorrow? My hen night,” she prompted at Erin’s blank look. “You’re not backing out. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“I’m not sure I can make it,” Erin confirmed. She thought it best to keep her head down as much as possible. When you made friends with people, they asked questions. But it was hard keeping a distance when she wanted a bunch of friends and a normal life again. Doing things like hen parties and girls’ nights out.
“You’re coming,” Naomi stated categorically. “Even if I have to come and drag you out. We’re starting at Dalmonde’s,” she explained, referring to the country club a few miles from town. “Then we’ll probably start a bar crawl. Wear something sexy.”
“I don’t do sexy,” Erin said, hoping to get Naomi to give up asking her to come along. “I’ve got a few blouses and skirts for work, but really I only possess jeans and sweatshirts.”
She’d left most of her clothes behind, grabbing only essential casual gear and necessities. Apart from a few items that belonged to her mother and grandmother, she possessed no jewelry, her only adornment a watch, which she considered an essential.
“Where have you been?” Naomi widened her eyes, feigning shock. “A sexy dress in a girl’s wardrobe is crucial to her health. You must have something.”
Since she didn’t want Naomi to start asking awkward questions about her past, Erin laughed. “Well, I do have one,” she lied. “I’ll dig it out.”
“Great.” They reached the store, and Naomi released Erin’s arm. “I’m going to call in at the paper, firm up times to meet at Talia’s. I’ll ask if Caleb can pick you up. He’s been roped into driving us so we can all enjoy a drink.”
“No. Really. He doesn’t need to do that. I can drive.”
“Not going to happen. There’ll be champagne, and you’re going to enjoy it.”
“I’ll get a taxi over to Talia’s, then. Meet you there.”
Naomi shrugged. “If that’s what you want. Let’s meet at seven.” She dug in her bag and grabbed an old receipt, scribbling on the back of it. “Here’s Talia’s address.”
Before Erin could think up an excuse, Naomi had shoved the paper into her hand and was breezing off in the direction of the local newspaper offices.
Since she didn’t have Naomi’s cell number, she couldn’t ring and drop out at the last minute, which meant she was stuck with going. Not only that, but she had to shop for something appropriate to wear to a hen night.
Consoling herself with the thought that she could always call for a cab to drive her home at some point during the evening, she went into the store and pushed away the panic slowing rising in her chest. If she was intent on making a new life for herself she had to get used to this kind of social occasion, didn’t she? It was okay to make friends, okay to have some fun. If she didn’t, then she was as much a prisoner as she’d always been. Maybe it was time to loosen up. Just a little.
* * * * *
Erin took a last look at herself in the hallway mirror. “What do you think?” she asked Willa. “Too much? Too little?”
Willa sat patiently observing her mistress, her head cocked to the side.
“Maybe I should have splashed out and had my hair done,” she told the golden retriever. “But this dress cost more than I should have spent, so what the hell?”
Erin turned to check out her back view, which Willa took as a signal to jump up on her. Erin laughed, swinging around to encourage Willa off. “You know you’re not supposed to do that,” she chastised. “Not only don’t I want hair on my dress, but it’s just not polite.”
Willa promptly went into a play bow, making Erin laugh. “I don’t have time, baby girl. But when I get home, we’ll take a late walk around the block. How does that sound?” She bent to scratch Willa between the ears. “You be good, and enjoy your treat ball. There’s some little surprises in there for you. In your bed now. Won’t be long.”
Erin grabbed her coat from the rack and waited while the dog
turned and circled into her bed at the end of the small hallway. She opened the front door. “Love you, baby. Be good.”
She closed the door behind her, feeling the little snick in her heart at leaving the love of her life. If it wasn’t for Willa, she didn’t know how she would have survived these past months. But then, if it wasn’t for Willa, she likely wouldn’t have had the courage to eventually make the break.
Since the evening was mild, Erin had decided to walk. The quaint cobbled street skirted the town center before joining the main road out toward Talia’s house, and she reckoned it would be an easy thirty minutes in her comfortable flat slip-ons. She dug into her functional cross-body bag and retrieved the paper with Talia’s address on it. Since she’d checked an online map, she knew her route. Thankfully, the roads were well lit and signposted, and she arrived at Talia’s without any deviation.
The house was beautiful, set on the edge of the moor but surrounded by trees and shrubbery, which Erin imagined would provide a stunning setting in the full bloom of summer. She wished she could still be around to see it.
Not allowing herself to dwell on negatives, Erin walked up the drive and made a promise to try and enjoy herself. An array of vehicles were parked off to the side of the house: an old truck, a couple of small saloon cars, and two SUVs, one of which looked in desperate need of a wash.
Nerves fluttered in her belly, but Erin breathed them away. She was going to enjoy herself tonight. She was going to be normal, make conversation, have fun.
But when the door swung open in response to her knock, those nerves came flooding back with a vengeance. The man towered in the doorway, his dark and brooding good looks like something in a magazine devoted to warrior gods of times long ago.
“You must be Erin,” he said, the hint of a smile softening almost harsh features. “Come on in.”
He stepped back, and Erin was about to enter when Talia came down the hallway. “Great. You’re early. We can have a drink before we get going. You’ve met Caleb?”