Reflections of the Wolf (9 page)

“Stop it. Be serious.”

“I’m trying, Caro, but you have to understand how crazy all of this sounds. It’s probably just a case of PTSD or mass hysteria. As a nurse, I know that it’s possible. You don’t really expect me to believe that all of that stuff really happened the other night, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“The whole wolf battle? And the big werewolf secret? That’s all just some sort of coping mechanism my brain made up so that I wouldn’t go crazy being held hostage by a mad man, right?”

“Tina Dawn Jameson, are you calling me a liar?”

“No, well, not exactly. I think that you believe everything you said, but it can’t be real. Werewolves don’t exist.”

“I’m not going to argue with you about something you saw with your own two eyes. You were there, Tina. If it weren’t for you distracting Barton, I would probably be dead right now. You watched me shift, and you saw Devin, Damon, Liam, and the others all as wolves. They were honest with you when you asked questions. Don’t you dare think that you can call them liars without pissing me off. I know it’s a lot to believe, but you can’t say that it didn’t happen.”

“Sure I can. I’m good at arguing.”

“Damn it, T. I’m getting really irritated with you now. You only have one chance in life at finding your soul mate and making each other happy. Are you willing to risk losing that because your little reality can’t handle the fact that werewolves exist?”

“Well, I guess when you put it that way…”

“Exactly. Now, you ran from Liam because you got scared or angry or whatever, but you can’t deny that you’re drawn to him. Are you going to avoid him forever?”

“Geesh, I just met the guy, and then I had sex with him. I don’t know what came over me. He was so sexy and hot and amazing—I’ve never ever had sex like that in my life. But you’re telling me that he’s a
wolf
? For God’s sake! I’m a human, and I have no intention of becoming a werewolf at any point in the near future. My bikini waxing bill would be astronomical, and how would I dance on four paws? It’s lust, Caro. We are attracted to each other, but that’s all. It will fade eventually.”

“I know you know in your heart that that’s not true, Tina. It’s called the mating bond, and now that you’ve had sex it will get stronger. It’s an intense attraction to your mate, and sometimes it drives all logical thought from my brain completely. To the point that all I can think about is my men and being near them. Look, all I’m asking is that you trust me, and give him another chance.”

“I don’t know. You know what I went through when I lost Esteban. I thought he was my soul mate, too. Liam said that he smelled something different about me that told him I’m his mate. What kind of pick up line is that? And I freaking fell for it hook, line, and sinker! Clearly I’m suffering from the lack of sex in the last couple of years, because I lost my mind when I had sex with him.”

“No, you were feeling the attraction because of the mating bond. Stop being so obtuse. The feeling will only get stronger until you two claim each other.”

“What do you mean, claim each other? You’re not going to tell me to let him bite me, are you?”

“Tina, the claiming will start when he bites you. Once he bites you during sex, deep enough to draw blood, then you will start the change into your wolf form. You will feel the urge to bite him after that, and once you do, the claiming is complete. The bite mark is like a sign to other people that the wolves are mated. Male wolves can smell Liam on you so that they don’t approach you.”

“I don’t want to be a wolf. I don’t want a husband, or a mate, or anything like that. I thought I wanted forever before, but—”

“Oh, sweetie, I know you loved Esteban, but he wasn’t your soul mate. You’ve told me many times that, looking back, you know now that he wasn’t the right man for you.”

“He died because of me.”

“No, he died because some crackhead decided to shoot him for his wallet. That’s a totally different thing.”

“I don’t want a permanent relationship, Caro.”

“I didn’t say accept a marriage proposal, T. I’m not even telling you to bare your throat and beg him to bite you! I just want you to go out with him and get to know him.”

“I don’t know…”

“For me? Just one more shot. He really is a good man, and you already know you want his sexy body.”

“I’ll think about it, okay, but I’m not making promises.”

“Good! Now, tell me more about this amazing sex…”

“Oh, Lord have mercy! Nope, I’m going to go take a nap. My head hurts and I have to work tomorrow. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Wait a second! I actually called for another reason. I want you to come out dancing with me and the guys tonight. There’s a cute little country-and-western bar they hang out at. It’s called Rustlers, and their cousin Cash sings there. He’s on tonight, and I thought it would be fun.”

“Caro, I really don’t feel like partying right now. If you didn’t catch on, I’m kind of in the middle of a personal pity party. It’s private, and I’m not inviting anyone else to join me.”

“Well, pull your big-girl panties on and deal with it, sister, because I’m not letting you mope. We’ll pick you up at nine. And wear something sexy.”

“Fine! I’ll go, but I’ll meet you there. I know where it’s at. I don’t want to stay out too late because I have to work tomorrow morning.”

“All right, sleep well, and I’ll see you in a little while. Love you, girl.”

“I love you, too, Caro.”

Chapter 7

Tina almost fell out of her bed when her alarm clock started beeping. She hadn’t been sleeping much for the last few nights, and when she did sleep, she dreamed of a silver-colored wolf waiting for her in the forest. Just my luck that I meet a man that wants me long term, and he turns out to walk on four legs, she thought to herself as she stood slowly to avoid stumbling.

A quick glance in the mirror after relieving her aching bladder reminded her that she would have to get to work on prettying up if she was going to make it to the bar by nine. Throwing her rumpled clothes in the general direction of the laundry hamper, she jumped into the shower, shivering under the cold water until it warmed. She washed quickly, and at the last second decided to shave her legs. She didn’t usually wear a skirt out in public, but tonight it was going to be for pure enjoyment. She wanted to feel sexy and feminine, because she fully intended to dance until her body ached with every available single man she could find. Maybe then she could completely forget about the one man that dominated her brain lately.

Liam hadn’t bothered to contact her. It hurt almost as much as the anger in his glare through the window when the taxi pulled away from his home. She hadn’t realized at the time that walking away from him would be so hard, but it seemed like every moment of the day he was in her thoughts. She found herself missing him. It irritated her that she would have such longing for man that she had barely spent a day with.

After blow drying and styling her short ebony locks, she applied a light sheen of moisturizer to her face and a coat of lip gloss. She considered applying a little more makeup and decided that she didn’t need it. Just thinking about Liam put a fresh pink blush on her cheeks, and a sparkle in her brown eyes that she couldn’t seem to replicate with makeup. And the two men she was going out with tonight were taken, so what difference did it make?

She hesitated again in front of her closet, wondering what she should wear to a country-and-western bar, but she finally settled on wearing what made her feel good. She slipped on a pale orange and pink dress that had spaghetti straps and gathered just under her full breasts then fell in delicate ripples to an almost indecently short length. Her long legs looked miles longer in the strappy sandals she buckled on, and the thin G-string with rhinestones that was underneath gave her a boost of feminine confidence. Even without a bra on, her breasts were full and firm, making her cleavage looked amazing, and she added a delicate gold chain around her throat. A sexy matching ankle bracelet and small gold hoop earrings finished off the ensemble. Admiring her image in the mirror, she grinned at her sexy self. Liam Gray, eat your heart out, she thought with a giggle. Snagging her purse off the table, she headed out of the house, letting the front door slam behind her.

* * * *

“Tina! Over here!” Caroline called, pushing on Devin’s shoulder to scoot him out of the booth so that she could get to her friend.

“Calm down, sugar, she’s coming this way, not running away!” Devin said as she stood quickly, and watched the two women embrace.

When they pulled apart, Caroline held onto Tina’s hand and made her twirl for her. “Damn, T, you look fantastic!” she exclaimed, and Tina grinned.

“She sure does!” a voice from behind them drawled, and Tina turned to see who was speaking. The two men approaching with beers in their hand looked familiar, but Tina wasn’t quite sure who they were.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile at the handsome men.

“Hey, Tina. You probably don’t remember us from the other night. I’m Owen, and this is my brother Cash. We were at your place when everything happened, but there was a lot happening. If I would have known you looked like this under all that panic, blood, and guts, I would have fought Liam a bit harder for the chance to take you home.” Owen gave her a breathtaking smile as his eyes skimmed over her slim body, lingering on her breasts and then her naked legs. The two brothers were absolute walking wet dreams with their tall muscular bodies and that sexy golden tint to their skin. She couldn’t help the hum of interest that zipped through her veins as she appraised them back.

Owen was an inch or so shorter than Cash at about six four, and his long, hot body was encased in designer slacks and a white dress shirt that was open at the collar and rolled at the sleeves. His hair was more chestnut than black and looked very sexy against his golden skin. His hazel eyes glowed at her, and she could see the spark of attraction in them. He wore his clothing like a second skin, and she had no doubt that he was a powerful man in every sense.

Next to him Cash looked more like a lazy cowboy in his relaxed stance, but the ripple of muscles under his faded blue jeans spoke of raw physical energy. He wore a plain white T-shirt better than any man she had ever seen, and the ebony curls that peeked out from under his black cowboy hat were too tempting for words. His brown eyes were framed with long, thick eyelashes, and under her intense scrutiny, he quirked one eyebrow at her.

“It’s nice to see you both again. I’m sorry I didn’t remember you, but I promise I won’t forget you again,” she said with a flirty smile and a wink. Turning back to Caroline, she leaned in a little bit and said in a loud whisper that was sure to be heard by everyone, “Why didn’t you tell me what a honey hole this place was for hot men? I would have been here sooner!”

The laughter that followed was cut off by a low growl, and they all turned to see Liam standing a few feet away. Cash and Owen both moved back a little bit to put more distance between Tina and themselves, but Tina just narrowed her eyes back at Liam and crossed her arms under her full breasts. She smirked when his eyes focused there instantly.

“Well, hello to you, too, Liam,” she snapped, and he appeared slightly startled by her anger. Flushing, he took a step toward her and then paused, seeming to think better of it. “Are you growling to clear up more misunderstandings, because if that’s the case, we had better clear up the biggest one. I am
not
yours, and you have
no
rights to me.”

His ice-blue eyes flashed even colder, and his jaw clenched as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “That’s a discussion that we will continue later, sweetheart, but for now all those two dogs need to know is that you are off-limits.”

“The hell you say,” she said in a deathly quiet voice, then she turned to Owen and Cash, who seemed to be trying to look anywhere but the scene in front of them. “Would one of you two sexy gentlemen like to dance, because I don’t plan on sitting around all evening?”

With a quick apologetic glance at Liam, Cash stepped closer and held his arm to her. She gave him a relieved smile and took his arm so that he could lead her to the dance floor. As they walked away her eyes met Cash’s and he winked.

“Trust me, I’m glad to dance with a sexy woman even if she’s taken, but you know you just opened a can of worms, right?” he asked.

“Why? I was serious. He has no right to tell me what or
who
I can do. Now no more talking about the party pooper in the corner. I want to dance my ass off tonight.” She immediately tugged him a little closer to her, and they began to move to the music. His smile was jaw-dropping and had probably caused more than a few pairs of panties to drop as well. She wished that she could feel more than an appreciation for his masculine beauty, but the dark thundercloud of a man watching her from the VIP tables held her attention. She shook herself mentally to clear her brain and let her body loose into the rhythm of the sexy country song.

Cash could move, that was for sure, and he held her with strength and confidence, which made him a fantastic dance partner. They laughed together when he spun her and dipped her over his arm, and she felt lighter than she had felt all week. The weight of loneliness was off of her chest, giving her more room to breathe. She twisted and gyrated her body to a sexy, thumping bass as the current singer sang about country girls shaking their ass, and Cash groaned.