by Debra Smith
Jesse rose from the table muttering something about stupid males followed by a string of curses.
Alex followed and watched in awe as the leggy redhead pulled the two shifter males apart by their ears.
“Now you listen here, you will stop this fighting and apologize. Kane didn’t drug Alex. It was a misunderstanding.”
Clint growled at her.
She twisted his ear, turning the growl into a whine. “I told you, Clint Matthew, I don’t like it when you growl at me, not when we were kids and sure as heck not now.”
Kane snickered, earning a glare from her.
“Now apologize or do I have to get the hose?”
“He started it,” Kane grumbled.
“I don’t hear anything like an apology.”
She must have twisted Clint’s ear again.
“Ow, you harpy. Fine, I’m sorry.”
She looked expectantly at Kane. He rolled his eyes and looked at Clint.
“Even though you are the one that attacked me, I am sorry you were wrong.”
“That’s it. That was your apology?”
Kane shrugged.
“Whatever, now can we please go finish breakfast? I need to head into town. You still coming?”
“I’m not sure. You promise not to hurt me again?” A small smile formed at the edge of Kane’s mouth.
Jesse grinned. “Nope. Dust yourselves off before you come inside.”
Then she turned around and skipped up the steps and into the house.
Both men were rubbing their reddened ears when Alex smiled at their frowning faces, “You know, I really like her. She’s feisty.”
~****~
Clint was losing his ever-loving mind. Females would do that to a guy. His sister and his Little Cat sat across from the breakfast table giggling as if they were in high school. Meanwhile, he was next to Kane with his ear smarting to beat the dickens. How was he supposed to know that Kane didn’t put the stuff in her drink?
This morning had started out so promising. He hoped the events from last night hadn’t been just the catnip. He wanted her to want him. Because he wanted her like crazy. Maybe if he just sealed the deal with her once he could get her out of his system. After all, their arrangement couldn’t be anything more than temporary. Unless, Jenny and Gryph returned and gave Alex the freedom she wanted. Then maybe.
He took a drink of his scalding hot coffee, letting the burn bring him to a clearer state of mind. The liquid mud coated his throat. Clara knew how he liked it. His momma had always said if you brew a pot of coffee and could put a horse shoe in and it would stand erect, then it was made right. He didn’t know if she had ever really tried it, but with as stiff as the brown liquid was he wouldn’t be surprised if it was more than just one of Clara’s charming sayings.
He couldn’t forget the ache in his gut from waking up next to Alex. Wanting to be closer to her but still being revved up from last night, he pushed her too far and made her literally run from his grasp.
No problem though he liked the chase. It appealed to his inner predator. He could picture her in cat form darting between the sagebrush with moonlight shining down on her white pelt. He’d find her, pin her to the ground, force her to shift, strip off her clothes, and make love to her beneath a blanket of stars.
He must have uttered a curse because everyone at the table just stared at him. He drank more of his cooling coffee, ignoring their questioning faces.
“Okay, I better get on the road. You ready?”
Kane nodded and Clint sent him a clear message with his eyes saying, ‘Anything you do to her, the same thing happens to you, but I do it.’
Kane gave him a nod but rolled his eyes and waited by the door leading to the front. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about Jesse getting caught up in a bunch of shifter bull.
Gryph and Jenny better hurry up from their honeymoon. He understood the need to be with someone you cared about, but the couple had been gone a little longer than expected without a word. Not hearing from them didn’t bother him. Gryph didn’t see the need to check in. He’d been that way ever since they were kids, a no news is good news sort of thing. Just to be safe he’d call the satellite phone and leave a message. He needed to get the situation with Alex taken care of.
“Take care, big brother.” Jesse gave him a bear hug then turned toward Alex. “It was real nice meeting ya. Come back and see me. Don’t worry about bringing the stick in the mud with ya. You’re more fun than him anyhow. Oh and Alex, good luck with Ol’ Gus.”
Clint smiled evilly. Old Gus might prove too much for her. Clara found him roaming around on the south forty a few days after she found Clint. Near as she could figure, he was wild raised and that was why he was so damn crabby.
“Bye, be safe. Don’t worry—now that I found another girl that loves papaya and lime as much as me, there’s no way I won’t stay in contact.”
“Good to hear it.”
With tear-stricken eyes Clara squeezed Jesse as if she would never see the poor girl ever again. “Love ya, call me when you get there. Don’t forget to mind the speed limit on Drifters Bend. The law’s been sneaking around down there, and keep your eyes on the road. You know it’s rutting season for the males.”
“I will. Love ya, Momma.” She practically dragged a shocked Kane out the door and made a beeline for her car. But Clara persisted.
“Wear your seatbelt and no texting and driving. Bye Kane, safe travels.”
Alex shared a look with him and giggled.
“So are you ready for your chores?”
She sobered. “Yes, I am. When do we start?”
“Right now.”
“Okay, let me finish my coffee.”
She topped off her cup leaving room for the gobs of vanilla creamer she added. He stared at the cup when a strange feeling of envy rooted itself in his chest like a spring sapling. He briefly wished he was the cup in her hands, the one that got to kiss her sleepy lips every morning slowly waking her up.
“Hurry up,” he grumped at her.
She looked at him briefly with confusion then followed him to the back of the house. The room by the back door was used to store extra leather gloves, muddy boots, and coats. Kindling for the fire place sat in a wooden chest to the left, and supplies, in case a winter storm knocked out the power, sat on a shelf just above that.
“Grab a pair of gloves from that group over there. You wouldn’t want your delicate hands to get blisters.”
She put her hands on her hips and jetted out her chin. Even though she stood a good foot shorter than him she still managed to look down her nose at him.
She was so darn cute, he could just devour her starting with her cute, little toes working his way up to her sweet, bitable lips. Seeming to struggle with her next words, she deflated and grabbed a pair of light-colored gloves.
“So what kind of animal is Gus?”
Her words trembled slightly. Maybe it was mean to torment her but he couldn’t help it.
“Jesse didn’t tell you? He’s a darn ornery critter. Mean as a snake. You need to be really careful not to get on his bad side.”
“Is he big?”
“He thinks he is. Gotta attitude big enough to fill the whole state of Wyoming. You’ll just have to see for yourself. He’s down by the barn. We have to keep him away from the other animals. He tends to cause a lot of damage. So let’s go meet him.”
Her eyes were the size of saucers. It took every bit of control he had to keep from busting up laughing.
Most of what he said would prove to be true. Old Gus liked certain people. Clint wasn’t one of them.
She followed in silence, twisting the front of her shirt while staring at the ground. He stopped just in front of the corral, waiting for her to see all that the mighty Gus had to offer.
She punched him in the shoulder.
“You are so mean. That’s it—this tiny little pony is the animal that gives you so much grief? I’ve seen wild boar bigger and meaner than him.
”
“His not a pony, darlin’. He’s a donkey. Don’t let his looks deceive you. He’s Satan’s mighty steed.”
She snorted. “Yeah, okay. Just tell me what I need to do.”
“The little gray shed over there is where we keep his feed. Grain him once a day, the scoop to measure is in the can, give him two leaves of grass, once in the morning and once at night. Muck out his stall and let him out into the larger pasture after you feed him in the morning. He’ll come home right before his second meal. Make sure you lock the gate to the pasture or the little devil will run out after he’s done eating. Any questions?”
She looked as though she did have some, but she just shook her head no. She’d be fine. He’d check on her later. After this morning’s close call he needed to awaken her passion. One thing he could do was sweep a girl off her feet. He’d plan a surprise for her. He knew just the thing too.
“I’ll be around gathering eggs from the hens and fixing a fence here or there. Call if you need me. I’ll see in a bit.”
She muttered a goodbye and slowly made her way to the shed, never taking her eyes off the little bugger. He wished he could stay and watch but there where chores to do. Life on the ranch would never be easy, entertaining, but never easy. He wouldn’t stray too far, not with people after her. They shouldn’t be able to track them here, but he’d keep within earshot just in case.
Chapter Eight
Really? This rough and tumble little creature brought fear into the hearts of men. Not likely. She could practically hear Clint telling the story for years to come of how little Old Gus got the best of the city girl Alex. Well she’d show him. She kept her gaze on the little creature waiting for him to sprout fangs and blood red eyes, but nothing happened. He just stood there watching her right back chewing on some errant blades of grass. What he really needed was a bath and a brush ran through all his hair. Then maybe he would feel better about himself.
“You know, Gus. I think we could be friends.”
He farted.
Pinching her nose, she hoped it wasn’t a sign of things to come. The shed, more of a mini barn, was complete with a little family of cats. The kittens came out to greet her immediately. Felines could sense their own kind. She played with them for a few minutes, especially one that was completely white with green eyes, just like her. She named her Luna.
Once the little ones were safely back with their watchful momma, she found a wall filled with brushes, pitchforks, and a shovel probably for cleaning up Gus’s droppings. A wheelbarrow sat next to a large plastic container.
She opened the lid and found the scoop nestled into the grain. Now all she had to do was figure out what a leaf of grass could be. She should have asked for clarification but she didn’t want Clint to see her struggle. He seemed so capable all the time, and after all, she was supposed to helping out not making him doubt her abilities or intelligence.
She grabbed the scoop, filled it with the sweet-smelling grain, and walked back to the corral. Gus still followed her every movement, seeming curious and wary at the same time. So she talked to him, careful to stay on the outside of his corral until he got used to her.
“Good morning. Seems like it’s going to be a beautiful day. In case you haven’t noticed I smell like a cat, but don’t worry. I already ate breakfast so you’re safe.”
She smiled at her lame joke, but he seemed un-amused.
“You have quite the reputation for a troublemaker, but I don’t think it’s deserved. I think the stupid wolf is having a laugh at my expense. You know I usually hate all dogs. Even though wolves refuse to consider themselves in the same species as their canine cousins I think they just don’t like the idea of being related to something that sniffs each other’s butts.”
Gus’s ears swiveled, and he started to move forward. She found a little trough with a few pieces of grain in the bottom and emptied the contents of her scoop into it. He sauntered over, taking all the time in the world to get to his food. Stopping just before it, he just stared at her.
“Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned. I cross my heart.”
And she did too, with her fingers over her chest to show her sincerity. Alex really liked having someone to talk to that didn’t judge her, remind her of her duty to her family, or just plain get on her nerves. So it all came out, everything she was feeling. She leaned against the fence, making herself comfortable.
“I feel bad for getting Clint swept into my trouble. He looked like he was about to kick me out of the bar. I didn’t have any other choice but to invoke Hospitality. I could release him.” She shrugged. “But I still need him. I don’t know who found us at his cabin but if they find us here, I couldn’t bear Clara getting hurt. I wonder if my father sent Carlos after me. He’s the one that popped my cherry. He was cute enough, but he was too damn bossy for my taste. Always telling what to do, what to wear, and when I could speak. I am not that kind of girl so I ended it. He scared me after. He got all quiet. Nothing good ever happened when he became silent. As my father’s Beta he took on the hard jobs, the ones my father needed to be separate from, you know the bloody ones. Clint doesn’t seem like that type. He seems protective and all but not really bossy. I hate bossy, unless it’s in the bedroom.”
She winked at him. “Any-who, the truth is, I like Clint, a lot. I like Clara and Jesse too. I wish after everything was over I could come back, but if the queen doesn’t return from her honeymoon soon then there will be nothing I can do. I’ll be stuck in a loveless marriage. Barbaric, I know. Looks like you’re done with the grain. Time for your second course. I’ll be right back.”
Walking toward the barn, she noticed his water seemed a little low. She’d fill it after she gave him his grass. She restrained herself from doing a happy dance. Clint couldn’t be more wrong about sweet little Gus.
The bales of grass were bound by an orange twine. Looking around she found a knife on a shelf and used it to free the grass. It broke apart in sections. At least she could guess what a leaf was. She carried them out and threw them into the larger trough next to his one for grain. Next she needed to get him some more water.
One problem presented itself. The nozzle for the water couldn’t be reached from outside the fence. Gus seemed content with his muzzle buried in grass. Slipping between the rungs in the fence, she made her way over to the water container. The faucet protested, but she managed to turn it on. Water flowed, quickly filling the container.
She turned to check on Gus when she swallowed a lump in her throat. The little bugger pawed at the ground with a devious gleam in his eyes.
“Hey there, big boy, I’m just getting you some fresh water. I’ll be out of your hair in a moment.”
Her soft-spoken words didn’t seem to deter him. She inched her way back to the fence when he charged, reminding her of a bull not a three-foot little donkey.
“Shitballs.”
She turned to run but lost her footing, falling into his ice cold water trough. Water splashed into her nose and face as she flailed, trying to gain the upper hand. Her oversized clothes stuck to her skin, adding to the feeling of being trapped. Water flowed down her throat, and she choked. Panic started to swell, when a calming voice broke through her whirlwind thoughts.
“Need a little help, darlin’?”
She opened her eyes, realizing how utterly ridiculous she must look, practically drowning in a water barrel. She sat there neck-deep and looked for the stampeding Gus. The little bastard must have returned to his food, because he ate peacefully as if nothing happened.
She trembled with anger and humiliation. Her legs hung over the edge, so she did in fact need help.
“Please,” she coughed. He looked so damn pleased with himself it grated on her nerves, like some Prince Charming ready to save her.
So when he got in range she unleashed a torrent of water that Poseidon would have been proud to call it his own. She almost drowned from the effort, but when she glimpsed her success, she would have gladly given her life for
her cause.
He stood there covered in water from head to toe, still grinning. His shirt clung to the planes of his chest like an all too eager participant. Rivulets ran from his hair down his nose until they fell to their death from his chin. He looked absolutely glorious. Well, as glorious as any wet wolf could. His grin turned wicked.
“That was really naughty, Little Cat. I think you deserve a spanking.”
Okay maybe it wasn’t worth it.
“I was having such fun I thought you should join me.” She lifted her hand and gave him a wide-eyed, innocent look, even going so far as batting her lashes. “Do you think you could get me out of here now?”
“Sure thing, darlin’.”
He helped her out while she lost herself in the way his body moved. Graceful and strong, like the predator he shifted into.
Water ran down her face and into her eyes, but she couldn’t stop staring. She knew what he hid underneath his clothes, although somehow the thin layer of fabric made it more sensual. Her body heated and her inner walls clenched. Her gaze found its way to his lips and held on for dear life.
Would he kiss her again? She could see the effect she had on his body. His hands clenched at his sides while his erection pushed at his jeans. His pupils were dilated when he pulled her from the water, but still he stood there feet away as something vast separated them. He confirmed her suspicion when he turned from her.
“I made us lunch.”
“Okay.”
She did what any woman would have done—she followed him. What? She was hungry.
~****~
It took everything he had to keep from leading her to the little shed, taking her from behind, and making her come. The things he wanted to do to her made him want to blush like a virgin. But despite the primal urge he had to claim her, he resisted. He held onto the idea that a girl like her needed romanced, which probably had a lot to do with him keeping it in his pants. Once he had her where he wanted her, he would pounce.