Wolf Call Read online

  “What the hell did I do?” She looked around her at the familiar surroundings, yet they weren’t the furnishings she’d expected to see. How had she’d gotten to the ranch instead of waking up in her townhouse? But the bliss of ignorance didn’t last long as the memory of the previous night came back to her.

  “Oh, hell.” Did I really grab a guy’s butt at Saddles?

  But not just any guy. The man she’d accosted was grade-A primo male stock. Even now, without anyone to witness it, she grew pink from the blush rushing up her neck and into her cheeks. A kick in the head by the hundreds of tiny drummers banging around in her skull came swiftly on the heels of the blush.

  She stretched, the consequence of sleeping on the window seat striking aches into her neck and back. “I must’ve really been zonked out to not make it to bed. But at least I had Joe drive last night.”

  Moving slowly, she stood, working out the little pains that seemed to pop up everywhere on her body. She tossed her hair, running her fingers through it and promising to get into a hot shower right after she made a pot of coffee. She reached for the cord to close the plantation shutters and stopped.

  What the hell is that?

  She squinted, ignoring the agony the sunlight gave her eyes. A dark form moved along the edge of the lake, its head lowered to the ground, its tail swishing slowly back and forth. Although her brain soon recognized what it was, she still had to look harder. The black wolf padded close to the water then lowered its muzzle down to drink.

  She’d seen plenty of wolves near the lake, but no wolf had ever looked like this one. He was at least twice the size of a normal wolf. Plus, he moved differently, like a prince, stately, confident, without a worry for the fact that he was near a human’s dwelling. The fact that he was at the watering hole during the day, especially one close to a house, was strange enough, but he glanced around, taking in the area in a casual fashion instead of searching for any attack.

  Suddenly, he paused then hunched down. His tail dropped low and his ears pitched forward. She followed the direction he was looking and found a doe and her fawn getting a drink on the far side of the lake, oblivious to the nearby danger.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.”

  Rushing to the gun case in the nearby study—oh, God, my head!—she found the key hidden behind one of the books on the bookshelf and unlocked the door to the cabinet. Pulling the shotgun from its holder, she hurriedly checked to see that it was loaded. She’d often fought with her father about leaving weapons loaded, but for the first time, she was glad that he’d done it. Who knew how long the gun had sat unused, but she couldn’t think about that now.

  Sliding on a pair of slippers she found in the hallway closet, she rushed to the back door, praying she wasn’t too late. She believed in letting nature take its course, but watching a wolf attack a poor fawn was more than she could handle. She flung open the door and dashed down the path toward the lake.

  “Hey, you! Get away from her!”

  The wolf, who had gotten within ten feet of the deer and its fawn, jerked his head around. The deer and fawn took off even as she hurried closer. She slammed to a stop several yards from the wolf, lifted the shotgun, and put him in her sights.

  “Get! Run! If you don’t, I’ll plug your butt with so many holes you’ll be see-through.”

  Yet instead of fleeing, the wolf cocked his head to the side and stared at her. She lowered her gun a little and returned his stare. If she didn’t know for a fact that she was stone sober, she would’ve believed he grinned at her.

  “Okay. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Lifting the gun to her shoulder again, she pointed at a spot just over his head and pulled the trigger.

  The wolf growled, lowered his body, then jumped, landing in the water, then going under. He’d moved faster than she would’ve thought possible. Astounded, she ran to the lake and searched for any sign of him. Yet, other than a few bubbles rising to the surface, she couldn’t find him.

  “Where the hell did he go?” She watched the lake, looking and listening for anything that might tell her where the wolf was. Had he jumped in and drowned? Wolves could swim, so she didn’t think it possible, but why hadn’t he surfaced?

  “Hey.”

  She swung around, coming face to face with a gorgeous, hotter-than-any-man-has-a-right-to-be hunk. He wore his dark hair short and unruly, sticking out at odd angles then feathering around his neck. Thick eyebrows lifted in question. Sparkling green eyes, surrounded by the beginnings of laugh lines, latched onto her, making her warm in places that the sun couldn’t tan.

  He was built like he was made of rock, a fact that his black T-shirt and black jeans couldn’t disguise. His face could make any woman have a wet dream. But he had a presence, a strength about him that made her want to come closer and lean against him for support then beg to find out everything about him. But more, the connection, the energy coming off him cocooned her, making her feel safe and wild all at the same time.

  “Um, could you lower the gun?”

  “What?” She glanced down and saw that the shotgun was aimed at the same level as his crotch. “Oh. Sorry.”

  He let out an exaggerated sigh as she cradled the gun in her arm and lowered the muzzle to the ground. “For a minute there, I thought you were going to shoot me for trespassing.”

  “Well, you are trespassing.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I am. But I have a good reason.”

  Had he seen the wolf and come running to help? But he didn’t look like he was breathing heavily. “And what reason would that be?”

  “I heard on the sly that John Cumming is putting Windy Hills up for sale.”

  Her gut twisted, aching as though he’d plunged a knife into her stomach. “Where did you hear that?”

  “Not from the Sandman, that’s for sure.” The corners of his mouth tipped up as his gaze slid down then back up her body.

  “What? Oh, hell.” She’d forgotten that she had her pajamas on. Embarrassed twice in less than twenty-four hours was one time too many. “Yeah, well, I saw a wolf about to attack a doe and her fawn, so I didn’t have time to change. Did you see him?”

  “A wolf? Nope. Can’t say I did.”

  “I guess he was gone before you showed up.” She glanced back at the lake. “It was weird. He jumped into the water and disappeared. I never did see him come out.”

  “He must’ve been a smart animal.” He gestured to her gun. “I about jumped into the lake when you whirled around and pointed that thing at me.”

  “Sorry, but you are trespassing, so I didn’t expect to see anyone.”

  “Apparently not. Tell me. Do you have duckies on all your pajamas? Maybe even one to float in your bathtub?”

  Oh, shit. Why did I have to get caught wearing my ducky PJs? Tipping her head so he couldn’t see the pink that had returned to her cheeks, she strode past him and headed toward the house. “I’m going to assume you know the way out.”

  He was behind her and taking her arm before she’d gotten halfway back to the house. She gasped, not because of him grabbing her but because the strange, electrifying sensation ripping up her arm and into the rest of her body intensified, dragging her breath away. The sensation reminded her of the feeling she’d experienced the night before when she’d gotten close to Banning. But at least this time she wasn’t drunk and wouldn’t act on her sudden impulse to cup her hand over the bulge in his jeans.

  Wait. The bulge in his jeans?

  She couldn’t help herself. She had to look again to be sure she’d really seen it.

  Wow. He does have a bulge in his jeans. And a very large one at that.

  “Hello there. I see you’ve met my brother.”

  They both turned to see a man, one who reminded her of the man standing next to her, stride out of the trees on the left. He had dark eyes and hair, with a body that could rival anyone’s. His faded jeans were perfect, not too tight or loose, and his white T-shirt molded around the curve of his muscles and ridged abdomen. He
moved as though he owned not only the land under his feet but the sky and moon as well.

  “Not really.” She was thrown. Two strange but amazing-looking men had shown up on her land and were ready to converse as though she were in a business suit instead of her favorite pajamas. “You two are brothers?”

  “I’m DJ Banning, and this guy with the wet head is my older brother Rick. We’re interested in purchasing the ranch.”

  The man who’d come out of the trees slid a hand through his wet mop. A breeze blew his long hair away from his shoulders, and she found herself jealous of the wind. “Are you any relation to the guy that works at Saddles?”

  * * * *

  “You must be talking about our brother, Brandon.” Rick had changed back into his human form as soon as he went under the water, but for a while he was afraid she’d stay on the shore, waiting until he finally had to come up for air. If DJ hadn’t shown up, he would’ve had to choose between exposing his naked body when he came up for air or getting his ass shot off in his wolf form.

  Rick exchanged a telling look with DJ. He couldn’t believe their luck. Brandon had told them about sensing their mate at the club and then losing her in the turmoil that had followed, but he would’ve never believed he and DJ would run into her by accident. Which was lucky for Brandon, since he and DJ had wanted to beat the shit out of him for letting her slip away.

  “Do you know him?” DJ asked the question even though his brother knew the answer as well as Rick did.

  “Tell me why you’re here again.” She tugged on the adorable ducky-covered shirt and cradled the shotgun in her other arm. It was an odd combination but one he found irresistible.

  Did she mean to ignore my question? But who cares? She’s sexy and cute. What could be better?

  “We got wind—and no, I won’t tell you how—that the ranch is up for sale. My brothers and I want to buy it.”

  She was thrown by his statement, but it was more than that. She was upset. But why?

  She nodded, staying in a professional mode despite the duckies. “Is that right?”

  “Yep.” Damn, but he loved the way she acted all tough. But he’d guess she was more of a softy underneath it all. “Do you know anything about it?”

  “I’m Heather Cullins. I’m a friend of the Cumming family and staying here as their guest. How about we talk after I’ve had time to change? I, uh, know a little bit about the ranch going up for sale, and yes, I’m curious how you found out about it. I’d think you’d owe me that much at least for trespassing. If you’ll just hang outside until I get dressed…”

  “Is that how you usually run around the property?” The pointed look she gave him was priceless—and hot as hell.

  “Very funny. Of course not. As I told your brother, I saw a wolf getting ready to attack a poor defenseless deer and her fawn.”

  He let out a snort. “Defenseless? Have you ever been kicked by a deer? Trust me. Bambi’s mommy packs one hell of a wallop.”

  She stared at him like he’d gone out of his mind. “No, I’ve never been kicked. And I understand about the predator-needing-the-prey thing, but I didn’t want to see it happen to the baby. Call me a softy, but that’s how I am.”

  Yep. I pegged her right. She’s a softy, all right. He tracked his gaze over her. “I’ll bet your heart’s not the only soft thing about you.”

  Her mouth parted, making him think of wonderfully sinful things that he could do to her lips. He could feel the sizzle between them, sensed that she was as attracted to him as he was to her, but she was bound and determined not to let him see it. He could almost feel her underlying nervousness.

  “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. I’ll forget that you trespassed if you leave right now.” She started backing away then turned to hurry toward the house.

  Taking the chance, he bumped against DJ and whispered, “Get lost. Two of us at once is too much. And I was here first.”

  DJ complained even as Heather turned around. “So you’re giving the orders now?”

  “What did you say?” Her gaze jumped from his brother to him.

  Rick answered before DJ could. “I said that DJ here is very sorry, but he’s got to run. Don’t you?” Rick shot his brother a warning look.

  DJ scowled but went along with his wishes. “Yeah. I’m sorry, but my brother can handle it from here.”

  “Okay. Not that there’s anything to handle, but it was nice to meet you. Next time, get permission before you traipse onto someone else’s land. You never know who might mistake you for a wolf.”

  “That’s me. A big, bad wolf.”

  Rick closed his eyes for a moment, blocking out DJ’s grin. Still, had he expected his brother to say nothing with that kind of a setup?

  “Get going, man.”

  DJ nodded and rushed to take her hand, beating Rick at the chance to touch her. Rick watched as the two of them reacted, each getting a strong burst of the connection that came between all werewolves and their mates. Although they’d get used to the strong impression, it would never go away, binding them together for the rest of their lives. “We’ll see each other soon, Heather. I promise you that.”

  He gave Rick a pointed look and added, “Don’t do anything you’re not supposed to do, bro.”

  She opened her mouth as though to ask what he meant then closed it and started following DJ as he strode away. Unable to resist, Rick moved closer and took her elbow. In an instant, the sensation he’d heard about from other werewolves racked into him. Although shocking in its intensity, the feeling was one of pleasure, joy, and undeniable attraction. Brandon had gotten it right. She was their mate.

  He didn’t care what his brothers and he had talked about. He didn’t care what he’d promised them. He had to have her right then or he’d burn up inside. Turning her to face him, he took the gun away from her and laid it on the ground.

  “What do you think you’re doing? You need to leave. Now.” Her blue eyes clouded over with lust, belying her words.

  “There’s not a chance in hell that I’m leaving you. Not today. Not ever.”

  He tugged her to him, his hands going to her buttocks as though they’d been molded for his hands. He kissed her neck, pushing aside her long, silky hair all while drawing in her intoxicating scent.

  Heather pushed against his chest, struggling for only a moment before, at last, leaning into him. She pushed her chest against his and clung to his neck. “Damn it. What took you so long?”

  Chapter Four

  Rick mumbled an answer, but it didn’t really matter. If he’d had any doubt about her being their intended mate or whether or not she’d sensed the connection between them, her question had blown his doubts away. He tugged her shirt open, popping buttons off to scatter on the ground. He half expected her to complain, and when she didn’t, his inner wolf howled with delight.

  Cupping her breasts, he lowered his head as she threw hers back and dug her fingernails into his shoulders. Her nipples were already taut, and he groaned as he whipped his tongue around one then the other. Sliding his hands down, he explored under the waistline of her PJ bottoms.

  Could he take her where anyone who came on the property could see them? Yet she answered that question with a tug on his shirt. He stopped long enough to pull it over his head and fling it to the ground next to hers.

  “Have you ever been fucked in the open?”

  Her eyes brightened, whether in fear or excitement he wasn’t sure. “No.”

  He pulled her close again, daring to risk that she might turn him down. “Good. I’m glad your first time will be with me.”

  She flicked her tongue over his lips, driving his need even higher. Did she know what she was doing to him? Or was she oblivious to how sexy she was? He reached down and pulled the string bow of her PJ bottoms. She gasped and glanced around but didn’t stop him as he pushed her bottoms to the ground. She toed off her slippers then stepped out of them, leaving her bare from top to bottom.

  Now it was his turn to
inhale sharply as he stepped back from her. Her breasts were full and ripe with nipples that pointed toward the heavens that she must’ve come from. Her stomach was round and full like a real woman’s. Her hips widened and led his gaze to the strip of curls between her legs. She was curvy and luscious. Not a stick woman like a lot of girls were. He couldn’t remember what the style of waxing was called, but he liked that she wasn’t completely clean shaven.

  “What about you?”

  He jerked his attention back to her face. “What about me?”

  “Have you ever done it in the open?”

  He would’ve sworn her eyes had flashed with a wicked gleam. “Absolutely.”

  His answer dulled the gleam twinkling there, and he could’ve kicked himself for being such an idiot. No woman ever wanted to think of her man with another female. “But I know this is going to be different.”

  “Why would it be any different?”

  The simple quickening of the rise and fall of her chest as she took shorter, quicker breaths was intoxicating. She was by definition the hottest woman he’d ever seen. He gave her not only the answer he knew she’d like but the truth. “Because it’s you.”

  Her mouth parted as she took him in, surprise and a touch of disbelief showing on her face. Then those emotions were gone, replaced by a sultry expression. “Get naked.”

  He grinned and did as she commanded. The belt with its big shiny buckle came off first. Then, hating that he’d have to take his sight off her for even a second, he bent over and tugged the boots off his feet. Yanking at the button then at the zipper, his jeans were off faster than he’d have thought possible.

  She drank him in, sliding her gaze from his face to his feet with a long pause when her attention landed on his growing cock. Her tongue flicked out again, this time to skim the seam of her lips.

  They came together again, and he put his hands on her pliant flesh, skimming his thumbs over her nipples. She moaned and flattened her hands on his chest.