Howling at the Moon [The Mystic Museum] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (2 page)

She watched the beautiful beast leave the dark safety of the evergreen trees. It covered the distance quickly. Its body grew larger with each step. It was huge, and it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. Fifty yards from her, near the mural’s edge, she watched it morph from a wolf into a man. The man stood there as naked as the day he was born. His muscled body bathed in moonlight. His golden eyes bore into her soul. She felt everything in her being reaching out to this man. He stretched out his arm and opened his hand. “Come,” he said.

Jacob howled his agony to the moon goddess. Where was his mate? He, Sven, and Milo needed their woman. Their female would bind them together so they could create their own pack. She would unite their souls. The three of them weren’t brothers in blood, but they were brothers of the heart and had sworn to do their best to create a pack of their own.

He and Milo were orphans and had met in a foster home, the home of a non-shifter. Together they’d learned about their shifter heritage and they’d helped each other through that discovery and learning process. Their bond had grown stronger because of it. Never having belonged to a pack, neither of them had known that kind of “family.” They’d become all the family they needed. When Sven came into their lives, the three of them decided they needed to create a pack, a family of their own. They needed a mate to bind them together. Children and all that went with that responsibility would make them strong. A future filled with love and trust would be forged that way. All of them had agreed, sharing a female would accomplish that. A female they could all love would cement their bond, making it stronger and permanent. Now they waited for her to come. He howled again. Where was she? The answer prickled the hairs on his neck. He turned his head and saw her. She was a strange vision, but he was compelled to go to her.

Jacob left the high peak to search for her. In the space of a heartbeat he was at the valley floor. Concealed by the darkness of the trees he watched her. She sat there. Worry and stress were etched on her face. She had the look of a woman whose heart had been gravely injured. Her large blue eyes searched for something. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled back in a most unbecoming manner, and yet, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

He moved from the cover of the trees. Jacob knew his life was about to change forever. Using a ground-eating lope, he rushed toward her. Mere moments later he’d traveled as far as he could. It was up to her now. Jacob shifted into his human form. “Come,” he said.

The woman rose as if in a trance. She left her coat and purse behind. She walked toward his outstretched hand. She placed her hand in his. The universe shifted.

Her hand was chilled. Jacob could feel her trembling. She wore sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was printed with the face of a wolf that could very easily have been his own when in that form. He smiled at the thought. Her eyes fastened onto his lips. His cock began to rise. She chewed on her bottom lip. Her brows pulled together. Her free hand traced his pectoral muscles, and they twitched in response. She looked at her hand. Amazement filled those blue eyes. A moment later those eyes were ablaze as her desire for him manifested itself.

The woman leaned into him and breathed in his scent…a long intake of her breath. Her warm breath fanned his chest as she exhaled. She began to pant. She was the one. He was sure of it. He felt connected to her in a way he’d never experienced before. They would mate, and she would be his forever. Her fingers became warm as they explored and heated his skin. His blood began to soar as she worked her magic on him. Her touch ignited his desire. His engorged and throbbing cock already ached for her. He stood still as stone. He enjoyed watching her.

Her eyes roamed his body, and she licked her lips. She leaned into him and reached for his face. After a slight hesitation, the space of a breath, she pulled his lips to hers and gently kissed him. Shyly and tentatively, she increased the pressure. Her body leaned fully against his. She moaned and opened her lips. Her tongue sought his. Her hips pressed into his groin. Jacob cupped her buttocks in his hands and pulled her closer to him. His tongue met hers, and a fiery lust ignited between them.

Jacob slid his hands under her sweatshirt and pulled it up. She released his lips as he pulled the sweatshirt over her head and tossed it to the ground. Her chest heaved with her frenzied breath. She sought out his lips again. Jacob slid his hands into her jeans and squeezed her ass. He wanted her naked so he could look at her. He broke the kiss. Looking into her eyes, he saw her raging desire for him, lust such as he’d never known. Licking his lips, he held that gaze as he unzipped her jeans. After a momentary pause, he lowered them over her hips and let them fall to the ground. The sight of her lacy pink bra and panties made his cock dance.

Jacob growled as he reached for her breasts. Those perfect mounds of lace-covered flesh filled his hands as he squeezed them. She moved her hands behind her back and released the hook of her bra. The bra opened. He agreed the material was in the way. He slid the thin straps over her shoulders his palms grazing her soft skin. The frilly garment fell to the ground. Her panties stood in the way. Without hesitation he reached for them and tugged them over her hips and past her ass. She wiggled, and they slid the rest of the way down her legs. Immediately she stepped out of them. She stood there in her naked glory. Moonlight bathed her skin. Her breasts rose and fell with her labored and excited breaths. She was panting and hot for him. He lifted his face to the moon and howled.

Jacob’s hands itched to touch her. He wanted to suck and lick her all over. Those cravings filled his mind as he moved to take her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his. She lifted one leg around his hip. He moved the tip of his cock to play with her warm opening. The head of his cock teased her clit, making her whimper and him groan. Her warm juices coated him, and the smell of her sex made him growl. She pressed her pelvis into him at an ever-increasing rate. He guided his cock into the furnace that was her core. Wet and tight, she surrounded him. He helped her to lift her other leg around his hips. Long legs locked behind him. Her arms around his neck and shoulders helped to support her weight. Hungry lips fastened onto his. Her tongue taught him what she wanted his cock to do.

He cupped her ass in his hands. Jacob lifted her body away from his. He pulled her buttocks back onto his cock and matched that thrust with his hips. He’d buried his shaft in her warm sheath. He repeated that motion. Each thrust faster, harder, and deeper. She broke the kiss, and they gasped for breath. Their muscles strained as they reached for their climax. Her mouth came down on his neck. She sucked hard. She bit him, pushing them both over the edge. His cock exploded, shooting his delight deep inside her. He felt her pussy twitch as she screamed her release.

Her body relaxed. Jacob moved one arm to encircle her back. He relished the feel of her against his body. He didn’t want to let her go. Her breathing calmed. She sighed and then stiffened.

“Oh my God, what have I done? What must you think of me?” She sounded almost panicked.

“I think you are wonderful,” he whispered and tried to nuzzle her neck.

“I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m so embarrassed.”

She was struggling to get out of his arms, so he released her. “Don’t be embarrassed. That was fucking amazing.”

She gathered up her clothing and quickly dressed. The woman looked around. A momentary panic seemed to flash across her face. Questions registered in her eyes. She didn’t seem fearful, just worried, yet calm and accepting as if she’d figured something out and come to a conclusion. He’d been in the human form long enough now, which enabled his clothing to reappear.

“How can I get out of here? I have to go back.” Her eyes darted, looking anywhere except at him. She seemed to realize she wasn’t where she had been, but she wasn’t afraid.

“You want to leave? After making love like that, you want to leave?” He couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t believe it.

She looked at him. He could see desire and interest lingering in her eyes, a kind of primal need that matched his own. He was sure if the light was better, her complexion would be flushed deep pink with mortification. If being embarrassed was the problem, it would be easily fixed.

“Yes,” she said with little conviction.

“I don’t know. We can ask Sven. He may know. You’ll have to come with me so we can find out.” He jerked his head to the side, indicating the direction they should go. He waited a moment to gauge her reaction. She looked like a scared rabbit. Did she want to bolt?

It was a chance he had to take. Sometimes the only way to catch a fish is to give it some line. He turned and started to walk away. It was one of the most difficult things he’d done in his life.

Carolyn watched the man, wolf…man, walk away. What the hell was he anyway? His clothes just appeared as if by magic. The red-and-black checkered flannel shirt and jeans looked just as good as his naked body. The shirt did nothing to hide those broad shoulders. The tight jeans hugged his muscled ass. God, what she’d just done with that man, and she didn’t even know his name. He was right, though. It had been fucking amazing. She couldn’t believe it, and even harder to believe, she was thinking about doing it again. She wanted to do it again. “Wait,” she called. He turned his head, never slowing his pace. She was going to follow this man. She felt a connection with him. She couldn’t explain it. It was the natural thing to do, the right thing to do. Every cell in her body agreed with her decision.

“Come on,” he said.

She trotted to catch up. Maybe if she didn’t talk about it, she could get over this awkwardness. “Where are we going?”

“To the cabin.”

“Is it far?” He had long legs. She was still running to keep up with him.

“Not really.”

Thank God, I won’t be able to keep this pace up for too long.
“Who is Sven?”

“My brother, kind of.”

“Where is this place? I mean where we are?”

He looked at her strangely. “Nevada County, California.”

“How did I get to California?” she mumbled. She was expecting something much stranger than California. What had she been expecting? Some alternate universe? That would explain this ridiculous trust she had in this man. She felt like he was part of her, like they shared something greater than normal love, something that was biologically compelling. She felt as if she was finally where she belonged, which made absolutely no sense.

“The cabin is just ahead. Sven, Milo, and I are rangers.”

“So we’re up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere?” Why did she like that thought? She was in the wilds with this very sexy man. They’d just had an amazing encounter, and she found herself wanting more.

“Pretty much.”

“If you’re a ranger, why don’t you know how to get me out of here?”

“I don’t know how you got here. So I don’t know if you can just walk down the mountain and leave the way we would.”

He had a point. She didn’t know how she’d gotten here, either. California was a long way from New York City. Through the trees ahead she saw a light burning in a window. It didn’t look like a ranger station. It was a large log cabin with a porch the length of the building. He stepped on the porch. The boards creaked from his weight. He opened the door, and golden light spilled out through the doorway. The light beckoned and welcomed her. This felt like home. She shook her head, dismissing that thought. This was as far away from skyscrapers as one could get. How could it feel like home?

She stepped inside the door, and two men at the kitchen table rose to their feet. One of the chairs tumbled backward and fell to the floor. Her body flinched at the loud thunk. The blond-haired man stooped to straighten it.

She followed the man with the red checkered shirt into the room. The black-haired man scowled. His blue eyes shot icy shards of displeasure at her. “What is she doing here? Who is she?” he snarled.

He stepped toward her. His anger washed over her in waves. What had she done to make him so upset? She took a step backward.

“Shit.” Red-checked shirt turned toward her. “What is your name?” he asked. He smiled apologetically.

“Carolyn,” she said, eyeballing the black-haired man cautiously.

“Carolyn, I’m Jacob. This rude guy is Sven. And that is Milo.” He nodded to each in turn.

What the hell was she supposed to do now? She wanted to run out of there. Sven was a very intimidating man. “I’m pleased to meet you, Jacob.” She moved and extended her hand to Sven. Sven ignored her. She gave him a questioning look and moved to Milo. “I’m pleased to meet you, Milo,” she said as Milo clasped her hand.

“It’s a pleasure, Carolyn.” Milo held her hand, and his green eyes searched hers. He lowered his head slightly and took a deep breath. “You smell wonderful.”

“Thank you.” She tugged her hand slightly, and he released it. She could have sworn she heard a slight whimper.

She turned to move back toward Jacob. Sven blocked her way. His cold blue eyes speared her. Every muscle in her body tightened. She closed her eyes tightly. Sven lowered his head to her neck and breathed in. “She reeks of fear, and the stench of death surrounds her.” Her eyes flew open. He moved around her slowly as if he was circling his prey, every step more menacing than the last. He stood behind her and lowered his head to her neck once more. He breathed in once again, sending shivers of fear and erotic excitement down her spine. “I can smell you all over her, Jacob. You fucked her and you didn’t even know her name?”