Untamed (18 page)

A growl rumbled low in the back of her throat.
That
must
really
chap
some
pure-blooded Amoveo ass.
Layla turned her back on William and entered the open doorway of the old cottage with her lover close behind.
I
have
to
admit
this
was
definitely
worth
the
wait. My whole body is buzzing, and I feel like I could kick some major butt.
She threw a glance over one shoulder and snarled
. So you better watch out, or I just might start with you.
Her teasing voice touched his mind with an unsettling familiarity.

The interior of the tiny, one-room cottage was practically empty. The wood floors had all but rotted away with weeds and dirt poking through the broken planks. The fireplace overflowed with a mass of leaves and a nest from some kind of animal. The yellow floral curtains Layla had put in when a young girl were tattered and faded from years of exposure. Even the table and chairs she used to inspect her photographs was faded and warped, but the old place still felt like a second home.

Familiar white moonlight filtered through the cracks in the roof, giving the entire place an ethereal glow. The funny hint of energy she always sensed was there, embedded in the property… or maybe it was only in her memory. Whatever it was, it made her feel safe.

Layla took a deep breath, closed her glowing eyes, visualized her human form, and within seconds, she stood on two feet instead of four.

Light-headed, but no longer fur-covered, Layla smiled at her newly mastered ability and stretched her arms over her head. Her muscles felt more alive and energized than ever before.

“I could definitely get used to this,” she said as she reached over and touched her fingers to the floor. Bent over, back to the doorway, Layla loosened the muscles in her legs.

“Me too,” William said with his eyes fixed firmly on her ass.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of William standing there watching her. He filled the doorway of the cottage the same way he filled every other space he entered—completely. His sharp, glowing eyes tracked every move she made, but he said nothing as she straightened and walked around the cottage, absently touching the fluttering curtains in the open window. Standing on the opposite side of the room, he gave her what she knew was a false sense of security.

She’d allowed him into her body, and now into her hideaway.

What was next… her heart?

Layla turned her back on William and looked out the open window at the moon-dappled forest. All the memories of her childhood and feelings of inadequacy came flooding back in vivid color, and she let out a gentle laugh.
No
more.
She’d shifted, after all these years… she’d done it… and she knew that William was partially responsible.

Layla nibbled on her lip and folded her arms over her chest, wishing this big sweatshirt really could swallow her up. “I used to come out here all the time as a kid. Whenever I felt like a freak, when Sylvia and her flunkies gave me grief, or when I got lonely, I would come to this place, and somehow, everything felt okay,” she said without turning around.

Layla swallowed the lump forming in her throat and kept her gaze fixed on the woods. She didn’t have the nerve to look at William. At every turn he’d been there to help, and she’d done nothing but run or hide.
Coward.

“You knew, didn’t you?” she asked quietly. “You knew I’d never shifted before.”

“Yes.” Layla glanced over her shoulder to find he’d stepped into the cabin and was looking around the small space. “I suspected it when we were in the dream realm, but the other night at the bar”—he gazed at her—“when you started to shift involuntarily, that was when I knew.”

Layla made a small sound of understanding and looked at the curtain she was worrying between her fingers. “It didn’t bother you?” She leaned against the rotting window sill and looked him in the face again. “It didn’t upset you to know that I was so… inept?”

“You are not inept,” he said as he slowly closed the distance between them. “You shifted tonight, as I knew you eventually would, and I agree with you.” He smiled and took her face in his hands. “It was definitely worth the wait, Firefly.”

Layla’s brow wrinkled with confusion as she tried to ignore the pull of desire that thrummed strong and steady between them—so much for thinking that a quick tumble would satisfy the crazy attraction she felt. She couldn’t have been more wrong, because it had only grown in its intensity.

When he brushed his thumb along her cheek, she heard him whisper that odd nickname along the edges of her mind,
Firefly.
A delicious tingling fluttered over her breasts, and heat flared between her legs.

“Why do you call me that?” she asked in that shamefully lusty voice that didn’t sound like her. She covered his hand with hers and searched his eyes for answers. “Why do you call me Firefly?”

Every cell in Layla’s body flamed to life, and her heart hammered in her chest in perfect time with the pounding pulse of their mingled energy signatures. William loomed over her, his long blond hair fell across his forehead, and she couldn’t help but brush it back and tangle one hand in those soft locks.

His lips curved into a smile as he strummed featherlight strokes along her cheek. “You are my firefly, Layla,” he whispered without taking his eyes off hers. “You are the beautiful and elusive pinpoint of radiance that lit up the darkness and called me home.”

Her throat clogged with emotion, and the cabin swirled with the intense pulse of their combined energies, sending visible ripples like a heat wave through the confined space.

“I love you, Layla.” His mouth set in a firm line, and his jaw clenched. “Fate or imprinting, or whatever the hell my people want to call it—
none
of that can
make
me love you.” His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “I love
you
, Layla. I love your stubborn streak, the way you love Rosie, Raife, and Tati. I admire your desire for independence, and Lord knows, I love your moxie.” He bent down, brushed his lips against hers, and murmured, “Fate didn’t make me love you…
you
did.”

His name rushed from her lips on a sigh, and tears pricked her eyes as she greedily captured his mouth with hers. Layla deepened their kiss as William cupped her bottom and lifted her easily off the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clung to him as he pinned her up against the wall. Desperate to get closer, to show him how much he meant to her, she ripped his shirt open, sending buttons flying across the room.

Still too afraid to say what she wanted… all she could do was show him.

Lips suckling, tongues tangling, she drank greedily from his perfect mouth and stroked his bare chest.
I
need
you
inside
of
me. Now.
When she touched her mind to his, he moaned and trailed kisses down her throat as he reached up under her shirt and palmed her sensitive breast. He rolled her nipple between his talented fingers and sent her an image of their naked intertwined bodies. “Verto,” he murmured against her neck.

Static flickered around them, and within seconds their clothes were gone, and they were naked. A wicked smile curled across William’s flushed face before he captured her lips with his, reached down, and slipped himself inside her.

She hooked her ankles behind his back, anchoring to him, as he held her ass and pumped into her with slow, deliberate strokes. Her bare breasts crushed against his chest as his mouth devoured hers time and again.

White-hot pleasure blazed over her skin as he thrust his hips and filled her over and over. Layla reached up with one hand and grabbed the edge of the open window for support as he picked up pace and drove into her, harder and faster. Then just when she thought she’d reached the peak, he stopped and carried her to the small table while still buried deep in her tight channel.

“I have to taste you,” William said gruffly.

He set her down on the table and disengaged from the warmth of her body, but before she could say a word, he dropped to his knees, spread her legs wide, and put his mouth on her. Layla cried out as his tongue found her most sensitive spot. She lay back and basked in the pleasure that flared through her body in lightning-fast streaks.

She threaded her fingers through his hair, while he feasted on her and worked that sensitive nub with his devilish tongue. His arms, like two bands of steel, held her to the table as she writhed and bucked her hips furiously beneath his unrelenting assault.

“Please,” she said between panting breaths. “I want you inside me.”

William trailed kisses along her thigh, and his eyes smiled at her over the edge of her leg. “My pleasure.”

Layla scooted off the table and stood in front of William, but before he could pick her up, she spun around, leaned over the tabletop, spread her legs, and offered herself to him. That was all the invitation William needed.

With one sure stroke, he drove deep. He held her hips as he thrust into her again and again. Every time he filled and stretched her, it sent wicked licks of fire through her body, and the coil of lust tightened with every breathtaking pass, until finally, he surged into her one last time as the orgasm crested and carried them over the edge.

Sweating, panting, and spent, William collapsed over Layla but was careful not to crush her. He leaned on one elbow and whispered into her ear, “This table is not the most comfortable place to rest.”

“I know.” Layla laughed as he placed a kiss on her hair. “I think I have about fifty splinters in my ass from this table.”

“I believe I can remedy that and find us a more comfortable spot.”

Just as she was going to ask him what he was planning on doing, the image of his bedroom at the farm floated into her mind. The eyelet curtains, the wrought iron bed frame, and the warm glow from the antique lamps on the nightstand, all shone brightly in her mind as William whispered, “Verto.”

Static electricity. Displacement. A subtle breeze.

***

Moments later, they were lying on a downy mattress and covered by the familiar quilt of the guest room. A huge smile cracked Layla’s face as she lay in bed naked and wrapped in William’s arms. Propped on one elbow, he had a look of satisfaction as he coiled one of her long curls around his finger and smiled at her.

She narrowed her eyes. “You think you’re pretty slick don’t you, counselor?” Layla held the covers over her naked breasts as he played with her hair.

“I have my moments,” he said quietly. “You should get some sleep. We still have a lot of unanswered questions. Malcolm and Dante will arrive with their mates in the morning, and something tells me things are going to get worse before they get better.” His serious brown eyes latched onto hers. “We still don’t know who attacked Rosie, and until we know who that is, I’m not letting you go anywhere without me. Agreed?”

Layla studied his face and nodded silently. She knew there was little point in arguing. She’d do whatever she had to for Rosie, and if it made William feel better to think she’d follow his orders, then so be it. She gave him a quick kiss and turned onto her side as he snuggled up behind and spooned her body against his. As they lay with their bodies nestled together, she listened to the steady pattern of William’s breathing as he fell asleep, and she struggled to shield her emotions.

She tried not to think about the fact that he didn’t say the ceremonial mating rites when they’d made love in the cabin. She thought for sure that since he’d pledged his love, he would’ve bound them together forever. She’d been with him again, knowing that it was likely he would do it… but he didn’t.

Layla expected to feel relieved, but she felt something far more surprising… disappointment.

The smell of bacon frying filled the bright country kitchen and sent William’s stomach rumbling. He padded around silently on bare feet as he cooked breakfast for Layla and their guests. Dante, Kerry, Samantha, and Malcolm were due to arrive. He tuned in on Layla’s energy signature and found that she was finally awake and in the shower. She’d looked so serene this morning that he couldn’t bear to wake her up, and hopefully, she wouldn’t mind that he was making himself at home in Rosie’s kitchen.

He smiled at the memory of Layla sleeping peacefully. He’d never get tired of seeing her red curls splayed over snow-white sheets, or the graceful curve of her bare shoulder that peeked out from under the covers. He warmed as he recalled everything they’d shared last night—she was beginning to trust him, but she still had doubts.

He’d wanted nothing more than to say the ceremonial mating rites and bind her to him for eternity, but no matter how much he desired it, he couldn’t do it—
wouldn’t
do it—until she was ready. He wanted her to be certain of what she was doing and understand that there was no going back. She had to be willing to bind her life to his—it had to be
her
choice. As William set the table for breakfast, he couldn’t shut out the nagging question.
What
if
she
never
did?

The sound of tires crunching up the gravel driveway captured his attention, and he sensed the familiar energy signatures of his friends. Within seconds, Layla’s panicked voice whipped into his mind.
Who’s here?
Jesus
Christ! William, how many are there?

He smiled. As difficult as it was to hear her that alarmed, it was also a blessing. She picked up on their energy signatures as swiftly as he did, and that was one sense she would need to master for her own safety.

Yes, it’s Malcolm and Dante.
He touched his mind to her, sending her soothing energy as he looked out the window at the approaching car.
And
as I suspected they would, they brought their mates with them as well.

They
came
in
a
car? Isn’t that slumming it for the Amoveo?
Her jab sliced into his mind with all the sass she’d intended.

William sighed audibly and shook his head at her clear annoyance.
First
of
all, they’ve never imprinted on this location. Secondly, we can’t just materialize in and out of places all the time. We have managed to stay hidden for hundreds of years, and that wouldn’t have happened if we were constantly appearing out of nowhere.
He softened his tone and sent her subtle waves of reassurance.
Come
downstairs, so you can meet them.

She shut her mind to him on a curse, which only served to broaden his smile. He didn’t know exactly why her mild irritation was amusing, but it was. Perhaps it was due to a new comfort level they had with each other, or perhaps it was because he enjoyed needling her. Maybe it was both.

William tossed the dish towel over his shoulder and opened the front door to greet his friends who were already walking up the steps. However, instead of the warm embraces he expected, and was mildly uncomfortable with, he was greeted by four shocked individuals who stared at him as if he’d shapeshifted into a squirrel.

Dante and Malcolm, overnight bags in hand, looked him up and down and shook their heads in disbelief as both women gave each other a knowing glance.

“Looks like someone finally figured out how to loosen you up,” Samantha said with a wink as she tucked her long blond hair behind her ear.

William pushed his hair off his reddening face and snatched the dish towel off his shoulder in a vain attempt to straighten his rumpled appearance. His button-down shirt wasn’t tucked into his jeans and looked like he’d slept in it—even though there’d been little sleeping last night. His lips curved at the memories.

Dante let out a slow whistle. “Oh man.” He laughed. “I never thought I’d live to see the day that William Fleury wears anything but a three-piece suit.” He pointed at his feet. “Holy shit! He’s barefoot too.”

“If you must know—” William sniffed and wiped his hands with the towel. “I’ve been busy making you ingrates breakfast, but I have half a mind to feed it to the horses.”

“Barefoot
and
in the kitchen?” Malcolm chimed in. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

William cast him his signature glare, but it did little to snuff out their amusement at his expense, but the truth was that he couldn’t blame them. They were right. He looked and felt nothing like the man he’d been a few days ago. He was no longer weighed down by the worry of never finding his mate, and it showed in more ways than one. He was lighter, less encumbered, and it was reflected in everything from the way he dressed to the way he wore his hair—and it was all because of Layla.

“Leave him alone, boys,” Kerry added. The statuesque beauty with the raven hair linked her arm with Dante’s.

“Kerry’s right,” Samantha added. “Something tells me he’s got his hands full enough without you two giving him a hard time.”

“Your mates are very perceptive women.” He bowed his head and stepped back to allow them entry into the house. “Welcome to Layla’s home,
ladies
.”

***

William filled them in on the latest developments over a hearty breakfast, and he was relieved to find they were as surprised by several of the revelations as he was.

“Interesting,” Dante mused before sipping his coffee. “Raife and Tatiana are the first hybrids that we’ve encountered who were able to shift before finding their mates. Maybe it’s because they’re twins, and their combined energies helped bolster each other?”

“I’m more curious about the chick who left the note—Bianca,” Kerry added. She turned her large brown eyes to William. “I understand why Layla is so pissed. People have been playing with her life and taking away her choices.” She let out a slow breath. “I can totally relate.”

William watched Dante take her hand in his as she smiled lovingly back. The unfamiliar feeling of jealousy crawled up his back. Would Layla ever be that comfortable with him?

“Speaking as the other hybrid in the room, I agree with Kerry on both counts. I have a question,” Samantha said as her big blue eyes flicked around the table at them. “Is anyone else a little unsettled by the fact that we have a Council member hiding three hybrids, and obviously keeping it from Richard and the rest of the Council?”

They all looked at her and then at each other.

“Hello,” she sang. “If Bianca knows about Layla being here, then she
must
know about Raife and Tatiana, right?” She retrieved the pot of coffee from the counter. “William, didn’t you say that in her note she referred to this house as a ‘safe house’?”

William furrowed his brow and frowned. “Well, yes, she did.”

“Hmm,” she murmured as she poured more coffee for herself and Malcolm. “I wonder how many other ‘safe houses’ there are?” Samantha sat back down, and Malcolm rubbed her back reassuringly. “What really bothers me is that Richard told the Council members about the Purist movement and their crimes. So why would Bianca continue to keep these safe houses, and the hybrids living in them, a secret? Why wouldn’t she have told Richard and the rest of the Council?”

She looked around the room at each. William nodded in agreement as understanding washed over him, and the cold hand of dread ran up his belly.

“It could only mean that what we’ve feared the most is true.” William looked from Malcolm to Dante, while the gravity of the situation settled. “There are Purists on the Council.”

***

“I thought the Council members wanted to protect us?” All eyes turned to Layla.

She stood in the doorway of the kitchen with her arms folded tightly over her chest, regarding them through serious green eyes. She had never met another Amoveo or hybrid other than William, Raife, and Tati, and she had no idea what to expect.

She’d met Dante and Kerry on the photo shoot in New Orleans, but somehow, they seemed different now, more at ease with one another. Kerry was almost as tall as her auburn-haired mate, who looked like he could model alongside her any day of the week. She gave them a tight smile and nod.

Layla’s gaze instantly went to the other two she hadn’t met and could only assume were Samantha and Malcolm. The curvy, stunning blonde had smiling, blue eyes and an open, welcoming energy signature. Her mate, Malcolm, was as gorgeous as she would expect any Amoveo man to be.

Shit. Did the Amoveo even make unattractive people? They were all good-looking, and even though she should feel at home—after all it was her house—she still felt like a freak.
Raggedy
Ann
doesn’t belong in this dollhouse.

She knew William would sense her apprehension as her energy signature rolled and tumbled through his. She flicked her eyes to his as he rose to greet her. Layla tugged at her plaid flannel shirt, wishing she’d put on something nicer than this old shirt and her jeans. These two women looked absolutely stunning, and she looked like a hayseed.

“Good morning.” Taking her hand, he pulled her into the shelter of his embrace and placed a gentle kiss on her head.

As she studied each of their guests carefully, her body trembled in spite of her best efforts to keep her nervousness under control.
They’re here to help, Firefly. You can trust them. I promise.
She didn’t answer but glanced at him briefly before introducing herself.

“Hello again,” she said with a quick wave to Kerry and Dante. “Weird, huh?” She shrugged, which only made William squeeze her tighter.
Awkward.

“Hey.” Kerry winked. “Good to see you again. It’s a small world, isn’t it? Last month you’re shooting my layout, and this month we’re practically related.” She raised her coffee mug and smiled broadly. “Welcome to the family, girl.”

“We haven’t been properly introduced.” Samantha hopped out of her chair, skirted the table, walked over, elbowed William out of the way, and proceeded to wrap Layla up in a hug. “It’s so great to meet you.”

“I should’ve warned you,” Kerry said with a smile at Layla’s shocked expression as she received the unexpected embrace. “She’s a hugger.”

“Good to meet you too.” Layla looked at them through surprised eyes as she hugged her back.

“I feel like I just gained a long lost sister.” Samantha released her from the embrace, wiped at her eyes, and sat down next to Malcolm.

“Oh yeah.” Kerry laughed. “She’s a crier too.”

“Hey—” Samantha giggled and swatted her friend playfully. “I can’t help it if I get emotional, and now that I’m pregnant, it’s about a million times worse.”

“Oh please.” Kerry rolled her eyes and turned to Layla. “Don’t let the pregnancy excuse fool you for a second. She’s always been a crier, no matter what she tells you.”

“Pregnant?” William shook Malcolm’s hand, who was grinning from ear to ear. “That didn’t take long—you two have only been mated for a couple of months.”

Samantha turned beet red, but Malcolm gave them a bigger smile and draped his arm around Sam’s shoulders. Layla observed the stunning couple and wondered how on earth they could be so happy, considering all the dangers that lurked around every corner.

After all, their child wouldn’t be considered a pure-blood, and that meant it would be fair game for the Purists. How they could intentionally bring a child into this crazy world?

“Congratulations,” Layla said. She sat in the chair that William held out for her and snagged a piece of toast. Bland bread was about all her nervous stomach could handle.

“Have you heard from Raife this morning?” William asked.

“Yes,” Layla said as she swallowed a bite of her toast. “Rosie is still sedated, and he’s
still
refusing to leave her side. I told him we’d bring a change of clothes at some point today.” She glanced around the room at the others, before looking back to William. “Besides, I’ll need to introduce him to whoever is going to help cover the hospital. I’ll feel much better when we get the person who hurt her.”
And
have
fewer
shifters
in
the
house.

“Well, let’s take a look at the evidence so far,” William said, ignoring her comment.

He poured some coffee and sat next to her at the unusually crowded table. Layla cast him a sidelong glance as she sipped her coffee. He’d obviously put his bossy boots back on and was in lawyer mode.

“The letter was written by Bianca Wayland, who claims to be your aunt, and we know she’s a member of the Council. It doesn’t make sense that she would harm Rosie.” He looked pointedly at each of them. “What we
don’t
know is who else was here that night and why they hurt Rosie, which is why I’ve asked you all for help.”

“You’ve got it,” Malcolm said firmly. “We’re here until we’ve got more answers, and we know that Layla and her family are safe.”

Layla’s eyes flicked to Malcolm in surprise.
Her
family.
He’d acknowledged her adoptive human and hybrid family with genuine respect; there was nothing coming from him that suggested anything else. She watched the way he doted on Samantha, and it was evident that he loved her, and she was clearly gaga for him. Maybe fate knew what it was doing.

William stood and cleared his dishes into the sink. “After I clean up, I’d like to take Dante and Malcolm around the property so they can develop some familiarity and imprint on the farm. I was hoping you could show Samantha and Kerry where they’ll be staying, and then we can go to the hospital to see Raife and check on Rosie.”

He turned to face her, and his penetrating brown eyes scrutinized hers with an intensity that had become oddly comfortable. When did that happen? Her throat suddenly dry, she sipped her coffee and nodded agreement.

After a record-fast clean up, William took the men out to survey the farm, which left Layla with two strangers in the kitchen. She rinsed her cup and set it in the overflowing dishwasher, before turning it on.