by Louisa Bacio
Loving. As if all his emotions were behind that kiss. Sensation traveled through her body, starting in the pit of her stomach and branching out. Warmth infused every inch of her skin. Exhilaration. Here was the prize at the end of the race. Her heart pounded, and desire flared between her legs. He broke away from her, breathing heavy.
“Come on, upstairs,” he said. “Let me make love to you, good and proper, in a real bed.”
Something so simple, and yet his words stilled her heart. In all her meetings with men, she hadn’t taken one to her bedroom. Part of it had been realistic. With her brother in the house, she didn’t feel comfortable having sleepover guests. More so, she liked the control of not having to wait for the other to leave.
She’d let Yas into her home, and further into her heart.
After the work he had been doing in the house, her room now looked legitimate, complete with shelves for her books and porcelain wolf figurines. To celebrate, she’d even ordered new sheets and a bedspread.
She sat on the edge of the bed, tentative. Being indoors made her feel even more naked and exposed. Ground-in dirt caked her bare feet. And why not? They’d been rolling in the grass for hours.
“You want to get cleaned before we mess up these sheets?” she asked.
“Nothing I’d rather do,” he said.
In the bathroom, she turned on the hot water and stepped inside. The luxurious spray enveloped her body like an invisible hug. Yas moved toward the rear of the stall, avoiding blocking the main stream. Such a considerate guy.
For being in such an isolated place, the one fringe benefit Tala’s parents had spent money on was a big shower. Overhead, a large rain head covered most of the stall while a more focused one on the side worked perfectly for rinsing hair. A built-in bench acted as a safe place for relaxation.
In Tala’s peripheral vision, she caught Yas lathering up with the soap. The scent of vanilla-lavender permeated the enclosure and invigorated her. It was one reason why she liked the combination so much.
Her Wolf lover moved toward her, palms extended. He pressed up behind her, his cock sliding into the furrow between her legs, and he cupped her breasts with his frothy hands.
“Someone looks a little dirty,” he whispered into her ear, before biting the lobe.
She ground her ass against him. “Are you sure you want me to clean up?”
“Not too much. I kinda like you dirty.” He stretched his arms around her body, gliding his hands over her stomach, and dipping below toward her pussy.
As he swirled his fingers over her clit, tension built from her core and pulsed through her body. Tala’s breathing hitched, and she leaned her head on his chest and kissed him, drifting between the sensations of the warm water and his even hotter body.
The thick hardness of his cock probed, searching for its own entrance into her heat.
“Place your hands on the bench and brace yourself,” he directed. “You’re so fucking hot. I have to take you now.”
Without question, she obeyed. From behind, he plunged his finger into her pussy, stretching her, then guided his cock home. Inch by inch, he edged his way in, one hand resting on the small of her back, until he sank to the base. She rocked into him, loving every moment.
“Harder. Faster. Yes, show me how much you want me.” Her words came out in short bursts. As he pounded into her, his balls slapped her ass.
“So much.” He maneuvered their bodies until the stream of the water beat upon her clit, adding direct stimulation. All the while, he continued to thrust into her.
Every bit of lingering hesitation flowed down the drain, and she gave her pleasure completely over to Yas. At the thought of loving him, the orgasm ripped through her body. Not a slow build, but a complete grand slam. Her pussy clamped down on his cock.
“That’s it,” he murmured, encouraging her. “So hot. That’s it.”
And then he was thrumming inside her. His cock pumping out its own pleasure.
As their tremors ceased, Yas pulled out, and she turned within his arms. He kissed her eyelids. She rubbed her pelvis on his groin, enjoying the small aftershocks.
“Haven’t you had enough?” he whispered into her ear, sending shivers through her body.
“Never.”
A shift in the water pressure indicated it was about to turn cold. If they kept up these antics, she might have to ask him to install a larger water heater. She turned off the shower, and stepped out, handing him a towel and taking one.
“I thought you said you were going to make love to me all proper in a bed?” she teased, drying off.
“You wanton she-wolf.” He snapped the towel at her thigh, causing her to squeal and jump. “See what you do to me? I couldn’t wait.”
“That’s all right,” she said. “I think we’ll have plenty of time for that later.”
Much later. Exhaustion set in the moment she settled into bed. Nude, he snuggled with her, one arm lazily slung over her hip.
Content. She could get used to the feeling.
***
In the light of the new day, Yas considered what had been happening the past few weeks. Tala snuggled closer to him in her sleep, and he luxuriated in the warmth of her body. Her tight ass pressed up against his groin, and he enjoyed the sensation.
I could get used to this. Very fast.
Who was he fooling? He was already used to it. He didn’t like the idea of her staying at the B&B alone, with the events taking place. Broken windows were one thing, but the danger might escalate.
With an exasperated sigh, he rolled over, pulling away from the lover within his arms. The moment the cool air between them separated their bodies, she grumbled and scooted closer to him.
“Where’d you go?” she asked.
He slipped an arm under her neck and kissed her forehead. “Nowhere. I’m here. Just thinking.”
She yawned, halfway covering her mouth. “What about? What’s so vital to wake us up after last night?”
“Your brother. After all that has been happening, maybe you should call and fill him in. He might be able to visit for a few days and dispel the situation. If people think he’s going to be around, then maybe that would kill these stupid sabotages.”
“What do you mean my brother?” She drew closer to him, her face turned up. All he wanted to do was kiss away her anger, but he knew it would only make her madder. “How do you know my brother?”
He swallowed the lump lodged in his throat. “I told you about that…about meeting him.”
She tilted her head to the side, and he watched her lips first purse and then part. “You. Did. Not. I would definitely remember you saying something about meeting Shilah. Why don’t you tell me this mesmerizing story? Now.” Without waiting for him to reply, she got out of bed and yanked on some clothes. “Downstairs.”
So secure he’d follow, she didn’t even glance back. Oh, and he did, feeling like his tail was tucked between his legs. She sat on the couch, legs crossed, and arms folded over her chest. If he didn’t realize what was happening, or the fury beneath her outward calm demeanor, he might have believed they were sitting down for a light chat or tea.
Yas went to sit next to her, but her glare scared him away. He took the uncomfortable, overstuffed chair and scooted it closer to her. He wouldn’t let her push him away. “Listen, Tala.” He took her hand, hoping the physical connection would help bridge the gap between them. She held her hand stiffly. “It’s no big deal. On my hike in, I ran into your brother.”
She crooked an eyebrow and remained quiet. The silence lengthened, and he had to fill it. “I was looking for a place to stay, and he suggested I check out your bed-and-breakfast. He failed to mention quite how much upkeep it needed. That’s it.”
“Really? I have a hard time believing that. No, ‘take care of my little sister, please’?” She pulled her hand away from him.
The tone of her voice cut through him. Why the animosity?
&nb
sp; “Oh, sure. Do you think he’d send me up here to watch over you, maybe even sleep with you? Hell, maybe he thought we’d fall in love and get hitched. Then he really wouldn’t have to worry about what happened to you. Right?”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. You don’t understand Shilah. He was used to constantly watching over me. Since he couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Los Lobos and me behind, he did everything possible to make me go with him. But this one time, I refused. He couldn’t persuade me. Very convenient for him to accidentally run into you and find a protector.”
Yas barked out a laugh. “Protector. Do you think he expected me to jump into bed with you, too?”
“If that’s what it took. Shilah’s a pretty good judge of character. He might have taken you for a good guy.” She stood up, brushing some nonexistent dust off her pants. No amount of smoothing it down would get rid of them. “Well, it’s been fun. I appreciate all the work you’ve done here, but I’m not sure I’ll need your services anymore.”
“What are you saying to me?” He gritted his teeth. “We passed the employer-employee relationship a while ago.” Physically, he moved closer. If she was trying to deny what they shared, he wouldn’t let her.
“You made it very clear you were only here for a short time. Well, that deadline has passed. Have you found what you were looking for?”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Argh. You’re infuriating. Do you know that?”
Why the hell did I come here? I wanted information about my mother. But it wasn’t like they were going to have her private journals, or suddenly, he’d get insight into what she was thinking when she left. Hell no. Instead, he got to see the beauty of the city, feel what it was like to live within a pack with others who understood what he was experiencing, and fall in love with Tala. Wolf or human form, he loved both sides of her.
“I’ve learned more than I could ever have hoped or imagined,” he said. With his fingertips, he tilted her chin up. “You’ve taught me more than anyone.”
Chapter Eight
Damn, Yas wasn’t making it easy for her. She insisted on standing on her own two feet, and even absent, her brother had to go and fuck this up for her. Yas was perfect. She never thought she’d meet someone like him in Los Lobos, and it had to take a stranger showing up out of nowhere to help her. Now, she’d learned it wasn’t fate that brought him to her, but her brother. If only she could go back an hour in time and not find out. How could she look at Yas and not see her meddling sibling?
She’d about given up hope bonding with a mate, and when she’d least expected it, and least wanted it, it happened. Too bad the timing wasn’t right.
He didn’t understand. She saw the hurt in his eyes and had to close hers in order to shut it out. “I think you should find someplace else to stay.”
She opened her eyes, taking in the firm set of his jaw. He looked away from her, and her heart panged at what she was throwing away. He was her one chance at happiness. How could her ideals make her turn away the man she’d fallen in love with? It made no sense. While her emotions screamed, her will turned to steel. She was determined to be independent, and she meant it.
No matter what the cost.
“Hmm, if that’s what you want,” Yas said. “That’s one thing I don’t do, stay past my welcome.”
She watched his tight ass as he stormed upstairs, and listened to him stomp while packing his things. Tala sank into the couch. If she followed him, she’d end up saying she was sorry and asking him to stay. Pushing him into bed….
No way. Instead, she resigned to staying put. All too soon, he’d returned with his beat-up backpack slung over one shoulder. He hesitated at the door.
“If you need me, I’ll be at Gee’s for a few days until I figure out what I want to do.” He swept his eyes across her body, and his hunger and pain cried out. When she didn’t reply, he nodded and walked out of her life.
For no good reason, she’d chased him out.
Leaving Tala’s place was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. As Yas walked off her property and down the road, he kept waiting to hear her chasing after him. Not only had he grown quite fond of their time together—living with her the past couple of weeks felt right, so easily they’d fallen into a routine—but he also worried about her safety in that big ol’ house all alone. No wonder her brother didn’t want her staying behind.
It was more than bad luck. Someone had purposely been sabotaging the construction. Thinking about her, an attractive woman—his woman—without protection, got his hackles all raised up.
Before he headed to Gee’s, there was one stop Yas had to make first. He’d been avoiding it the entire time he’d been in Los Lobos. Now, when he was more down than ever before, why did he choose to go? Hell, he didn’t get it. But if his time was about up in this small town, then he wanted to see the home he’d grown up in and his family had fled.
The house was located on the other side of town. The farther he got away from the core of revitalization, the more rundown the remaining buildings became. Finally, he reached the end of the drive.
Wilderness encroached on the property. The main structure of the house remained, but it was missing the front door, and the windows had been broken out. Typical.
Could his family have moved out, and no one ever inhabited since? The gate hung on one rusted bracket. And he’d thought Tala’s house had been unkempt.
A huge tree hung over the side of the house, and as he passed, Yas caught sight of chains and rubber submerged in the greenery.
His heart stilled. It couldn’t be.
Memories of a tire swing or pushing his toddler sister while she giggled crowded his mind. How was it possible he’d forgotten? Until now.
Foliage crunched beneath his boots as he pounded a path to the front. He rubbed his palm against the trunk and gazed upward. It made a mighty fine swinging tree.
The sound of a bird hawking drew his attention to the house followed by a staccato of memories of his mom throwing plates at a man, screams, and fire. He tested the wood of the stairs and made his way up, blinded by the past and hopeful for the future.
Running his fingers over the bannister’s peeling paint, he factored how much it would take to make the home hospitable again. After more than twenty years abandoned. He imagined his mom tending to the flowers. If left unattended, would they grow? The answer was yes, unbounded. And grow, and grow.
Inside, a damp muskiness filled his nostrils. So much of this wood would have to be knocked down and replaced. If he were staying in town, he’d probably start working on the house in his spare time.
In fact, who said he had to leave? Just because Tala didn’t want him in her life didn’t mean he had to run out of town with his tail between his legs. She might change her mind eventually, when she figured out that he wasn’t the threat.
Seeing their old home threw him into even more of a funk, and he had to get out of there quickly. Sure as shit he’d be doing some late-night visits to Tala’s place to ensure everything was fine. Too soon, Yas arrived at Gee’s Bar. One look at his face, no one asked many questions. After picking up a room key, he settled in upstairs. The joyful chaos of the bar was in stark contrast to the quiet solitude of where he’d been staying. He kept waiting to hear Tala’s sweet voice as she called him to dinner. Instead, the rumbling of his stomach made him stop pouting long enough to go downstairs for a meal.
Gee acknowledged him with a nod, and the server slipped a plate of food in front of him. Paul raised his eyebrows and looked at the empty chair. Paul didn’t utter a word, but Yas knew what the guy was asking. Where’s Tala?
“Just me. She tossed me out. Damn that woman. She wants to be so independent, even when no one’s trying to take her freedom away.”
With a shake of his head, Paul commiserated with Yas. He lifted his palms upward and shrugged his shoulders.
“What am I going to do? Not hightail it out of this town and forget ab
out her. She dug her nails into my soul, and now she won’t be able to get rid of me so easily. I’ll give her a little bit of breathing space, but I’m hoping she comes to her senses sooner rather than later.”
After nodding in agreement, Paul pointed toward Yas’s food. While the meals at Gee’s were good, he figured he’d get mighty tired of them day in and day out if that was all he got. He should be eating beef potpie at Tala’s about now and gazing into her sparkling eyes.
Damn it all. She had to hook him and then toss him like he was an underweight catch. As he ate, he eavesdropped on the various conversations happening. Most of the customers appeared to be pretty relaxed, but a group of three guys at the bar pounded the shots too quickly for his taste. In the space of half an hour, they’d ordered three rounds, and that was only what he’d seen. The tall, dark-haired guy on the end raised his hand at Gee, who shook his head and did a slash through the air with his palm. Yas recognized the universal signal for “done.” They’d been cut off.
“Fuck that,” the speaker for the group said with a snarl. He tossed some bills down and swept his hand across the bar, punctuating his words by knocking off the empties. The glasses crashed onto the floor. “We’re outta here.”
The jerk turned to survey the bar, probably checking out who was paying attention to the scene he’d created. The guy’s nose and face looked flat, pushed in, as if he’d broken it too many times and hadn’t bothered to get it reset. With such an attitude, it wouldn’t surprise him if he’d been in a few altercations.
As Mr. Flat Face made eye contact with Yas, his eyes widened as if he recognized him. He elbowed the shorter dude next to him, and all three turned to check him out. A sense of unease soured Yas’s gut. How could they recognize him? The only way would be to see him in town, and without Tala by his side, they probably figured out she was alone.