Fox, Morgan - Craving Silence [Cowboys and Werewolves] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (11 page)

For whatever reason, Lance suddenly felt bad for the brooding soul. He could only imagine how he’d feel if a man had done to him what he had done to Walker.

A chill ran up his spine, and he turned to see Silence staring at him. Her soft blue eyes seemed magnified from the redness that surrounded them. Her tear-stained face was like a knife to his heart.

Guilt was all-consuming as he realized what he’d done. Control was not a factor for him. He simply had none. When the wolf called to him and the urges took over, it was all he could think about. Now, staring into the eyes of the woman who’d not only saved his life but satisfied his wolf, he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel. What he did feel was completely confused and out of control.

Chapter Eight

The pain that saturated Silence’s heart felt like the calling of death. She’d gone and killed herself, turned her life into a complete disaster in less than twenty-four hours. Who was the dumbass who put her in charge? She couldn’t even take control of her own mind and body long enough to keep her from having sex with a man she’d just met.

Now, she had a stranger staring at her and the love of her life had just marched his ass as far away from her as he could go. Judging from the vibrations she felt oozing out of him, he had no plans of returning.

Had the room not been full of the men that looked to her to keep order in their small town, she would have crumbled to the floor and cried like a baby, longing for her mother. Crying, however, was not an option. She’d spent enough time in the bathroom feeling sorry for herself, judging her actions, waiting for the guilty verdict and punishment to come crashing down upon her, which did the moment Walker slipped away.

Right now she was her own worst enemy and had to find a way to bottle up her personal issues and step up and take charge as the Sheriff she was required to be.

Sighing, she said, “Marcus and Gaius, please secure the back of the clinic and assess the damage, if any, and report back. Declan, I’d like you to check out the front. Gavin, please assist Shadow and help her get this office up and running for business. We need to keep questions down to a minimum if possible.”

“What about me?” Lance asked, stepping forward.

Avoiding eye contact with him, she said, “I think it’s best you stay inside until we have a moment to figure out what we’re supposed to do next.” She glanced over to Shadow. “I’m going to call the council. We’re going to need their help.”

Everyone disappeared. Silence turned to find a private room to call the council, and as soon as she did, she felt Lance’s presence envelop her.

“Lance, I think you need to wait in the lobby. We shouldn’t be alone together. It’s not safe for either one of us.”
I know it’s not safe for me. I can’t seem to keep my clothes on long enough to realize what I’m doing is wrong.

He nodded. “What if those feelings arise again?”

“They can’t,” she quickly said. “What happened between us wasn’t natural, and it will never happen again. Once you are able to control your wolf, you can leave and go back home. By that time you’ll know what is required of the wolf, and then you’ll be safe to go about your normal life.”

He stepped closer to her. “Will I always want you like I do now? Because if I continue to hurt like I do, knowing what you are to me, I don’t think I could be anywhere but near you.”

The sincerity in his voice had her gasping. Her eyes darted to meet his. “Lance, what you are feeling is just a side effect of the wolf.”

“You make it sound like a disease.”

“Technically, it’s a virus.”

He smiled. “What if I don’t want things to be over between us?” He took another step toward her.

The spark of electricity fired in her blood, and she found it difficult to breathe. “Lance, you don’t know what you are saying.”

“I know that I crave you like a man craves oxygen. I can’t get you out of my head. I went crazy when I saw Walker. I wanted to rip his head off just because I knew he desired you.” Trapped by the bed, she gasped as Lance closed the distance between them. “I grew up a Southern gentleman, Silence. I’m a gentleman who just happens to know what a hard day’s labor is like.” He smiled at her, and the smile warmed her straight to her soul. “My mother would be furious if she’d known what I did to you without courting you like a man should a woman. Especially a woman I admire and respect.” Cradling her face in his hands, he whispered, “I want you, Silence. Whether you like it or not, I’m connected to you. I’m a part of you. I don’t know all the fancy terms, but I think it’s called ‘claiming,’ and I do claim you, Silence. I want you, and I know you want me, too.”

She shuddered, arguing, “No, I don’t. I wanted Walker, but I messed that up when I let you fuck me. Now, please stop doing this.” She tried to squirm out of his hold, but he was quick and blocked her escape.

“I’m sorry I screwed things up for you, but I don’t want to regret being without you. Seeing you hurting is my biggest grievance. Making love to you was not a mistake.”

She gasped. “Making love? Lance, what we did wasn’t love.”

He stroked her damp cheeks with his thumbs. “It can be, if you let me.”

Tears stung her eyes. What she wanted was to understand what was happening to her. Learning why she’d given in so quickly to Lance without even a second to consider the pain she’d cause the man she loved. How could she do that to Walker?

“Please, Lance, just go away.” She closed her eyes as more sobs came.

He kissed her forehead. “I know that we just met, but I also know that there is something unique between us. What happened to us doesn’t just happen to people. I can’t explain why I want you so badly. I just do, and I’ll fight to have you in my life.”

His mouth crushed against hers in a searing kiss. He molded his lips to hers and worked her mouth until she was pliant in his arms. Inside, she could feel the attraction deepening for him, and she knew he’d never give up his pursuit of her. She was in his blood now, and one night would never be enough—for either of them. She felt his need to possess her heart and claim her soul. Strangely, she wanted to give him both.

He moved his mouth over her cheek and jaw, then down her neck. She sucked in a breath, her arms tightening around him, locking him in place against her. Instantly, his lust matched hers as their kiss grew harder and fiercer, their mouths and teeth tearing at one another’s.

His hands dropped lower, cradling over the round curve of her ass, lifting her onto the bed. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him close. His hard cock ground against her pussy, and her body shrieked at her in response.
Damn
, she knew he wanted her, and he wasn’t hiding the emotions swirling through his head. The impulse to have him take her was so strong it was almost painful.

He thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, and she was just as hungry as he was, returning the tantalizing pleasure. His hands moved over her body, caressing her breasts and heightening her arousal. Groaning through the kiss, his hands dipped lower, and she trembled as his fingers searched for the button on her pants.

A moment later, she came to her senses and pulled away, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. Her eyes widened as she realized that even after telling him she didn’t want him, her body clearly did.

What am I doing?

Shaking, she told him, “You have to leave me alone. Please, Lance, I can’t think when you’re this close, and right now I need to keep my control. Okay?”
Why do I lose myself when he touches me?

Staring at her, he cupped her cheeks in his hands. The rough pads of his fingers and palms grazed against her skin. His lips were red from their kiss, and she felt hers throbbing. He gently, but briefly pressed his lips to hers. “Whatever you need, but know this, Silence, I’m not going anywhere.”

A chill tingled all along her skin once he cleared the room. She sighed heavily as her blood coursed thickly through her veins. Her mind and body were at war with one another, and her heart was caught in the middle—never in her life had she been so out of control.

Taking several deep breaths, she took her cell phone out of her pocket and called Tim Dalton once again. This time she’d make sure the senior members of the council didn’t leave her to manage these events without the support of the entire council. With the events of last night, they’d have no choice but to get involved, because if they didn’t she was sure one of them might get killed. Or worse, the human population would discover their little secret.

* * * *

Alone, she dialed Tim Dalton’s number. “Good morning, Silence. How is our guest faring today?”

She swallowed. “I’m afraid he’s doing a hell of a lot better than the rest of us are, sir.”

She hoped her sarcastic tone would spark his interest. It did. “What happened?”

“Sir, have you sensed anything strange with the rogue lycans that have decided to wreak havoc on our little town?”

She felt his wall go up, blocking their lycan link before she even heard his response. “Why do you ask?”

Aversion was not going to work for her. She honestly didn’t care if she pissed him off. At this point, she needed answers and she needed them now. “Sir, I’m sorry if this sounds like I’m a total bitch, but please don’t answer a question with a question. I’ve just spent the last twenty-four hours trying to keep things under control with Mr. Hickman only to have the clinic fall siege to an attack by our unwelcome guests.”

His voice raised an octave as he asked, “They came for him?” His tone was laced with total surprise, and if she hadn’t known the man personally, she’d think he even sounded a little afraid.

“Yes, and I’m pretty sure it’s not the last time we’ll be seeing them.” She paused. “Sir, there’s something very different about this werewolf. I get the feeling he’s older and knows more about our town than we would like. Are you sure you haven’t sensed anything that might help us identify who he is?”

“You seem sure it’s a male. I thought you said it was a group of young lycans.”

She had said that earlier, but she clearly remembered telling him she thought they were dealing with an older, more powerful lycan. How else could Lance have changed so rapidly?
He knows something. Keep digging.
“I can’t explain it, but I feel like the lycan leading these attacks is older and extremely powerful.”

He said nothing for a long moment. “Where is Mr. Hickman now?”

“He’s with me at the clinic. I’ll keep him in my custody until we have a chance to discuss things with the other members of the council.”

Interjecting immediately, he said, “That won’t be necessary.”

Won’t be necessary?
“Sir, with all due respect, I called yesterday and asked for your help. You gave me none, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you blow me off this time as well.”

She heard him draw in a deep breath. “You know, my dear, you remind me so much of your father.”

She knew that wasn’t a compliment. Her father drove him nuts, keeping his ass on his toes, just like she was doing now. “Thank you, I’ve been told that before. Now, please set up a time that I can speak with the council and figure out who this lycan is that wants Lance Hickman so badly.”

“We’ll come to you. The council will be at the clinic by eleven. Be sure you bring Mr. Hickman with you.” The line went dead.

Silence’s chest bounced from the raging beat of her heart. She couldn’t believe how aggressively she’d spoken to the most senior member of the council. He could have her executed for disobedience if he saw fit. He’d have to have the council’s unanimous vote. Or he could just call the “cleaners” to come and handle things for him.

She shivered, thinking that maybe she needed to reel in her emotions where Lance Hickman was concerned, especially if she was forced to be near him in the presence of the council. She couldn’t risk “raising skirt,” so to speak, in front of them. She knew it was bad enough that her tongue had a way of flapping out words that seemed to effortlessly charge right out of her head.