Dance on the Wilde Side: Cannon Pack, Book 2 Page 4

  “The guy was on a bender. Hell, he probably didn’t know which side was up.”

  Will they just shut the fuck up? He wanted to leave, but he didn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t move. Not yet. Not until the pain subsided a little.

  The two voices argued for a bit longer while Devlin tried to ignore their existence. They could quarrel until the sun exploded for all he cared. That is, until a sharp pain hit his side. Something had poked him. And hard.

  “Hey, dude. You’re going to have to get up. Like right now.” The younger voice seemed more agreeable than the older one, but Devlin didn’t care.

  “Move your ass, man, or I’ll move it for you.” The owner of the older voice was definitely less friendly.

  Another sting in his side left no doubt which voice was doing the prodding. Devlin flipped over onto his back, whipping his arm out and striking a hard object. The clang of metal hitting stone rewarded his effort. Peeking between puffy eyelids, he glimpsed two pairs of work boots then squeezed his eyes shut.

  Aw, double crap.

  “Has he said anything yet?”

  The sweet lilt wafted over Devlin’s sore body, coaxing his eyes open again. Long legs stopped his breath, but his eyes kept moving up their forever length, staying for a moment over her soft rounded stomach, then rising to linger on the generous breasts straining under her shirt. Her name on the plain blue denim shirt was appropriately stitched in gold thread. Tala Wilde. My Tala. He let out a shuddered breath, all of his muscles relaxing—except for one.

  “Nope. Not a thing.” Surly-voiced man wiped his nose on his sleeve. “But he did strike at us.”

  “Only because you kept stabbing him with the prod.” A younger man, his kind eyes meeting Devlin’s, pointed at the metal pole lying on the ground near a rock with writing that ordered the reader to Pee Here. “Nothing I wouldn’t do if someone poked me.”

  “Ms. Wilde—”

  His gaze found her brilliant blue eyes. Damn, she’s beautiful. And more. She’s beautiful, suspicious and pissed, too. But he didn’t care how she looked at him. Just as long as she did.

  “—we need to call the authorities. This guy’s either wacko or waking up from an all-night binge. Or both.” Surly leaned closer and sniffed. “From the stink of him, I’d say the bender part’s definitely right.”

  Wilde. What an ideal name for his mate. He hoped her actions—especially in bed—would fit her name.

  “I called you instead of the cops because I figured Wilde Veterinary didn’t need any bad publicity,” Kind Eyes continued even as Surly tried to interrupt. “I mean, do we want to explain how this man, a drunk, got into the clinic? Remember the fuss when the little kid got into the cage with all those flea-ridden kittens? I say we get him out of here before the place opens and clients show up. Besides, he’s injured.”

  “Didn’t anyone set the security alarm last night?”

  Surly snapped his mouth closed and ducked his head. “I guess someone forgot.”

  He-he, you mean someone like you? Just thinking about chuckling made his head hurt.

  “You mean someone like you?” Tala fisted her hands on her hips.

  Devlin stared into her captivating eyes, his breath halting as he waited to hear her voice again. Does she regret what happened? Does she finally recognize who I am?

  They gazed at each other, neither speaking nor moving. Suddenly, she knelt by his side. “Who are you?

  Oh, hell. She doesn’t know who I am. Devlin opened his mouth, ready to answer, but the only answer he could give was a croaking sound. Man, what I wouldn’t give for a tall glass of cool water.

  Perfect eyebrows slid toward a perfect upturned nose, making him forget about the water. She’s a vet and takes care of animals. Although the thought of her caging animals, even if only for a short time, was disturbing, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have her take care of him.

  “Do you want me to call a doctor?”

  His hand flew to his ass, spreading blood onto his fingers. Shaking his head, he pushed up on his elbows and reached out for her.

  She moved with quick ease, surprise more than fear highlighting her features. “Uh, here.” She handed him a rag sticking out of her pocket. “Tell me. Do you end up naked in an animal run every time you get drunk?”

  Good. She has spirit. He grinned, thankful he’d swallowed the clog in his throat, allowing him to speak. “Not often. Just when I want to meet a beautiful vet.”

  Her chuckle warmed him more than clothes ever could have. “I haven’t heard that pickup line yet. If nothing else, I have to give you points for originality.” Her lips curved at the edge in a natural way that could break a man’s heart. She kept her eyes locked on him, a dare not quite hidden in the sparkling depths.

  “Well, you know. A man does whatever works.”

  Her gaze slipped to his semi-erect shaft and rested there for several seconds. Faking a cough, he brought her attention back to his face and a flash of heat flickered across her face. I wonder if the heat spread all the way to the glorious snatch below.

  “Oh, my God.”

  He glanced at his now fully-extended cock and back to her. “Yeah, I get that a lot from women. Impressive, huh?” She caught his joke and he winked at her, delighting in the blush flowing from her neck into her cheeks. I bet it does. “Thanks for noticing.”

  She blinked twice before lowering her voice, narrowing her eyes and driving her statement home. “You have buckshot in you.”

  “Yeah.” Devlin humphed and pushed into a cross-legged position, giving her an even better view of his jewels. He picked up a couple of the pellets that had worked themselves out of his skin. Silver. No wonder it’s taking me so long to heal. He’d been lucky the hunter had used buckshot. That amount of silver concentrated into one bullet could’ve killed him. “Damn weekend hunters.” He pointed at his ass. “This makes a good argument for gun control, don’t ya think?”

  Her mouth worked as though she’d tried to say something, but couldn’t. At last, she finally got words out. “You’re the man Bobby Lee saw outside the apartment, aren’t you?” Her eyelashes fluttered, captivating him. “About your dog… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… I hope he’s okay.” Her cheeks flamed. “If you’ll send me the vet bill, I’ll pay for his care. You were there with a w—uh, dog, right?”

  “Are you asking or telling me?”

  “What?” She frowned, confused at his question for a moment, then dismissed it. “Tell me why.”

  “Why what?”

  “Why were you outside my home?”

  He studied her. She hadn’t called him. At least, not on purpose. Damn, she didn’t even know what he was, much less what they meant to each other. His heart sank. She hadn’t recognized him when he was in wolf form either. A knot in his gut formed, letting fear take over. This was going to be more difficult than he had imagined. He’d known from her scent that she was human, but he’d thought, dared to hope, she knew about shifters. About him. But at least she was attracted to him and she had called him. She just didn’t know why yet.

  Would she believe him when he told her the truth? Or would she laugh and call him crazy? The hard ball in his stomach tightened.

  When he started to give her an explanation—a lie—she raised her hand and placed it against his chest. A sizzle of hot flame scorched through him. Her mouth, opened to speak, remained opened. Ocean-colored eyes widened in surprise.

  Good. She’d felt it, too. He ran his tongue over his lips and saw her tremble. Just wait, Tala. It gets better. All you have to do is give us a chance. He pushed the worry away. Somehow he’d make her believe. Then she’d come to him, like in his dreams.

  She swallowed, recovering from her stunned silence. “Uh, never mind. I don’t want to know. You just stay away from me.” Her glare sent icy chills down his spine, not from fear, but from the hurt her words caused him.

  Before he could respond, she bolted from him, wheeling toward the white building behind he
r. Throwing one final confused look at him, she shouted orders at the two men left gawking at her. “Robert, give the man some of the old work clothes in the back room, then show him out—” her smirk parted her lips in unintended invitation, “—the rear entrance.”

  ƒ

  Tala hopped onto a barstool in her tiny kitchen and turned on the small television sitting on the counter. She took a bite of cereal and let her thoughts wander again—as they had most of the night until she’d finally fallen asleep—to the mystifying, gorgeous man who’d watched her dance, then broken into her clinic.

  Of course she didn’t believe Bobby Lee’s story of the man changing into a wolf. How could she? Her neighbor must’ve been hysterical. The intruder had a dog with him and Bobby Lee had gotten confused. She frowned, remembering the large creature she’d watched running into the woods. That was one big dog. And when the animal’s eyes had locked onto hers, she’d known he was no ordinary canine.

  She plopped her spoon into the bowl. Who’d have figured on someone watching her the one and only time she’d let loose and left the curtains open? Still, if she had to have a Peeping Tom, then at least her Tom was a doozy. A hunk to the extreme. Built without an ounce of body fat on him.

  Seeing him lying on the ground in the animal run had stunned her, but not enough to keep her from taking stock of his remarkable physique. Once she’d laid eyes on that hunky bod of his, all her fear had left her body, leaping out of the way of her fast-moving lust. His long, strong legs had snatched her breath from her and she’d nearly fainted from the sight of his ripped, toned body.

  In fact, if her two employees hadn’t been there, she’d have given in to the heat coursing through her at the sight of his delicious form curled on the ground. Hell, if she’d had her way, she’d have ridden him even while pets and owners looked on.

  She shivered with delight and imagined straddling him, the sun beating on her naked back. But the heat from above was no match for the heat underneath her. She pressed her legs together, capturing his lean torso between them.

  Placing her palms on his stone-like pecs, she wiggled against him, covering his shaft with her freely-flowing juices. He grabbed her breasts with both hands, kneading them, rubbing his thumbs over her tits. She laid her head back, letting the sun beat down on her face as she covered his hands with hers, encouraging him to squeeze harder. Running her tongue over her upper lip, she hoped he was watching her. When she finally looked down, he was. His heated gaze raked over her. “How do you want it, wolf man?”

  He growled, using his animal-speak instead of words. Yet his meaning was clear enough. Fangs slipped over his lips before his tongue followed in their path.

  I want him to bite me. On my tits, my belly and between my legs. Hell, especially between my legs. “Oh, is that the way it is?” She laughed, happy that he wanted a taste. She slinked forward, leaving a trail of her wetness across his stomach and chest. She’d have left more of the trail over his chin, but he didn’t wait for her. He clutched her thighs, lifting her as easily as he would have a piece of steak, and crammed his mouth against her pussy. She yelped in surprise and delight, clutching her tits as he had done. “That’s it, wolfie. Make me come.”

  Mewing sounds of delight, she listened to him lapping her juices from her. Her body tightened and she tried to relax, wanting to enjoy the rush of ecstasy coursing through her. “Suck on me, wolfie. Suck me dry.”

  He moaned, breathing air onto her aching clit and then reversed it by drawing her nub into his mouth. He swept his tongue over her sensitive bud, making her tremble. Gripping her ass like a man holding on for his life, he kept her to him, merciless in his attack. Quake after orgasmic quake racked her body until she was sure she had nothing left. Suddenly, he moved, slipping a little lower to pierce her pussy with his tongue. Darting his tongue in and out, he tongue-fucked her, deeper and longer than she could have imagined. She squirmed, wanting more, yet needing to get away if only for a moment’s reprieve. But he was relentless. She cried out, dropping forward, her breasts jiggling, catching his attention. Gasping for air and fighting to hold herself up, she watched his eyes change, the intense glow of brown morphing into brilliant amber.

  The tension grew stronger, stronger until she feared she’d black out. The whirlwind of lust channeled up from her abdomen, along her spine to wind around her heart. The next climax, stronger than all the others, took her unaware and she inhaled, exhaling only when the shudders had subsided.

  Again he lifted her, this time pushing her over his head. She crawled forward, confused by his abrupt move.

  “Stay.”

  He flipped his body over in one smooth movement to land on his knees. His hard cock bounced, teasing her with his pre-come shining on the tip. She swallowed and wondered if he’d fit inside her. He’s going to be tight. She licked her lips. But tight is good.

  Without warning, he pulled her ass to press against his cock, pushed her to her elbows and lifted her bottom. Spreading her bottom, he plunged into her. She screamed, her own hot cream easing the pain of his penetration.

  Crack!

  The loud noise interrupted her fantasy, blasting the tantalizing image from her mind and dragging her back to reality. Another gunshot brought her gaze to the television screen where a scene straight out of a police drama played out. The words scrolling at the bottom of the screen, however, proved that what she was seeing was real. “Oh shit. The news.” Angrily, Tala punched the off button on the remote, snagged her coffee mug, and hopped off the barstool. “Damn it all to hell and back.”

  Frustrated, she forced herself to get on with the day. What good would it do to fantasize about a man she’d never see again? Crossing over to the sliding glass door, she yanked open the curtains, flooding the apartment with sunlight and, with any luck, driving all images of the naked man from her mind.

  What she saw made her drop her mug, splashing coffee onto the window, the carpet and her jeans. Yet even the burn from the coffee couldn’t drag her gaze away from the figure lying on her lounge.

  Her fantasy man lay curled on his side with his back to her. At first, the impressive distance between the tips of his shoulders caught her attention, and she swallowed against the tightness closing her throat. Long black hair glistened in the morning light and she held her breath, her fingers itching to touch the silkiness.

  The denim shirt he wore lay open, half of the material draping over his back to expose the right side of his firm torso. His jeans, pulled down to cradle his ass, were open at the top, exposing the top portion of his buttocks. One arm curled under his head for a pillow while the other stretched out across his side.

  My fantasy man is sleeping on my lounge chair. How cool is that? Perplexed at her ridiculous thought, she reached for the lock on the glass door and paused. This was the third time he’d shown up where she was. This time I should call the police, right? Yet something rooted her to the spot.

  He looks so peaceful. Loveable even. Like a puppy taking a nap. An incredibly sexy puppy taking a nap. A puppy with blood running down his tight buns.

  She gasped. Oh, my God, is that where I shot him? But wait, I shot the dog, right? She swallowed and tried to grasp the thought just out of reach, but couldn’t. By accident. But the dog, not the man. Right? Not that it made it much better. Shaking the disturbing idea away, she made her decision and unlocked the door.

  Why hadn’t he gotten medical help? Guilt slammed into her. She should’ve helped him yesterday when she’d had the chance. After all… Sliding the door wide, she went to him, falling to her knees in front of him. She studied his tanned face, her gaze skimming over his slightly parted lips, and watched the steady rise and fall of his Herculean-muscled chest. Wow, talk about a Greek god.

  For a second, she forgot about his wound—until he released a low moan. His moan galvanized her and she ran through her first aid training. Hey, it’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. She smothered a smile.

  Taking care not to touch any of th
e bloody wounds, she slipped his jeans out of the way and examined the injured areas, biting her lip to keep from making a sound. She’d need to remove his jeans to get a good look at his wound.

  “Don’t draw your own blood on my account. I’ve think I’ve spilled enough for the both of us.”

  Startled, she jerked backward. His warm brown eyes ran over her body, coming to rest on her face. Apprehension settled in her gut, yet her body wouldn’t budge, providing time for her concern for him to overwhelm her fear for herself. “Are you all right?”

  At his raised eyebrows, she coughed out a nervous titter, glanced at his injury, and returned to those beautiful eyes. “Sorry. Dumb question.” Gazing into his eyes froze her brain, wiping it clean of any ideas. Or at least, any helpful ideas. Instead, lust-filled ideas filled her head and drenched her panties. “Uh…um…”

  He smiled, a slow, easy stretching of his mouth, and she studied him, entranced by his rugged square jaw. She tried to rise, shaken by the jolt of desire racing through her body.

  His large hand wrapped around her wrist, keeping her on her knees. “No. Don’t be afraid.”

  She should be afraid. The only sane thing she could do was to be afraid. She had a stalker. A stalker who had already peeped into her apartment, shown up at her work—naked—and had come to her home again. Yet fear couldn’t raise its ugly head while her hormones raced like missiles through her body. She swore she could come any second now. “What are you doing here? Is your dog okay? Are you okay?”

  He closed his eyes, flattening his thick lashes against his bronze skin. When he opened them again, she could see the awkwardness that he felt. “Well, obviously, I came to see you. And, uh, yeah, the dog’s fine.” A frown creased his broad forehead. “I didn’t mean to spy on you the other night.”

  She cocked an eyebrow at him and inclined her head. “Uh-huh. And I suppose you’ve got some property in Brooklyn to sell me?”

  His grin, a wide okay-you-caught-me grin, lit hot coals in her stomach. “Okay, I did watch. But I couldn’t help myself. I came by and I happened to see you. What man could resist watching a sexy woman dance?”