Terry Spear’s Wolf Bundle (49 page)

“I wouldn’t worry about it.” Lelandi brought out some more glasses. She figured Trevor wouldn’t react because he wouldn’t care what Silva did, truth be told.

Silva took the beer to Chester’s table and handed it to him. He smiled and thanked her. Returning to the bar, Silva grabbed another tray of drinks. “Chester seems a likable sort. Hope Darien’s not too hard on him.”

“He wasn’t molesting me, by the way.”

“As an outsider, he was getting
way
too friendly.” Silva took off with the tray of drinks.

“Another refill?” Carol asked Lelandi, lifting her empty wine glass. Her eyes glassy, she appeared as though she’d had enough, a drink or two ago.

Lelandi handed her a bottle of ice water. “Your head will thank me in the morning.” She hoisted another tray of drinks and headed for a table of humans when Ritka shoved Angelina’s shoulder.

That was all the cue Angelina needed, and she rose from her seat and rushed to get in Lelandi’s face this time.

“Getting all the guys hot and bothered now, eh? Not enough that you’ve got Darien panting for you? Even
some damned outsider can’t keep his hands off you. You’re just like your sister.”

If she hadn’t been holding a tray, Lelandi would have slapped the bitch in the face, but the place got awfully quiet. Instantly, Lelandi saw the reason. Darien, flanked by his two brothers, was on the warpath. God, he was gorgeous. Dressed in a coat with long tails and a gold paisley brocade vest, he outshone everyone else in the tavern. But his brown eyes turned even darker when he saw her, his measuring gaze taking in every inch of her bodice—way too exposed.

Now, if nothing else would, the cut of her gown would force him to return her promptly to his secure lair.
Fine.
She’d search his house for clues concerning her sister’s murder while everyone was enjoying the fair. And locate her gun. She wanted to read her sister’s letter to him also. If she’d thought of it earlier, she could have stayed home and done so already.

Jake targeted Chester, who was promptly asked to leave. Darien motioned to Ritka and the other woman and mouthed the word, “Out.”

Tom yanked Angelina out the door before she could utter a word. Darien took the tray of drinks from Lelandi, delivered them to the wrong table, then led her behind the bar.

Carol rested her chin on her hands. “How romantic. Why can’t I find a hero like you to rescue me? All I need is a job as a nurse at the hospital.” She waved her arm toward the door and nearly fell off the barstool. “Maybe I could replace that nurse who rammed a chair into Lelandi when she was trying to serve drinks.”

His brow furrowed, Darien looked from Carol to Lelandi. “Did she hurt you?”

“Ritka? No.”

He didn’t look like he believed her. “What did Chester McKinley say to you?”

“He wants to aid in the investigation. I said he could.”

Darien’s dark expression lightened, and he even managed a small smile. “What did he say to that?”

“I’d have to talk you into agreeing.”

“Damn right. And it isn’t happening. From now until you want to return home, you’re staying behind the bar. Got it?”

She frowned back at him and lowered her voice when she spoke so Carol wouldn’t hear. “If he can help us locate Larissa’s killer, then we should hire him. I know pack leaders don’t like interference from
lupus garous
from other packs, but if he can aid us…” She gave Darien a look like she meant for him to agree or else.

He rubbed his hand over her bare arm, as though he was contemplating something. Taking her home? She thought so. But then his expression turned devious, his eyes darkening even more, a slight smile curving his lips. He took hold of her arm and led her into the room off the bar and closed the door. “Silva has the devil in her when she dresses you to entice me, but she doesn’t need to make the effort.”

“What do you think you’re going to do?”

“This.” He kissed Lelandi’s lips, hungry, demanding, his hands on her bare shoulders, caressing, and just as needy. He broke the kiss, his breathing and hers labored. “I haven’t told my people officially yet that you’re mine.” He growled under his breath. “Until I have done
so, more than half those yahoos out there think you’re still available.”

Although she craved having him, she gave him her meanest glower, wanting the situation with Chester resolved. “I doubt it, Darien. But I still want Chester on the case.”

He growled again and tackled her mouth. “You’re too damned enticing for your own good.” He rubbed his fingers over the satin fabric covering her breasts, let out his breath in exasperation, then reached lower to lift her skirt.

“What are you doing?” she squealed, holding her gown down, startled, but loving how much he wanted her, his wolfish possessiveness, his urgent craving. “I want Chester on the case.”

For a minute, he stared at her, his expression stormy. “Lelandi, this is something I have to do as a leader, and I don’t want investigators from outside our pack. As for you…” He took a ragged breath. “You are mine. I will remind you of this. I don’t want any
lupus
hitting on you.” He looked down at the cage around her legs. “I have never done this before when a woman was wearing this metal contraption. How do I remove it?”

She seized his hands. “We have to discuss Chester.”

As focused as he was on wanting to ravish her, she realized after his hearing rumors that other
lupus
were
“hitting” on her, he was giving into his more primitive wolf instincts. Compelled to show her he was hers and she was his, that no one else had any right to her, he seemed determined to satisfy this basic need.

She sighed. “We talk about Chester when we get home, or else.”

He gave a sharp nod, although his eyes were so smoky with desire, she wasn’t sure he was listening. But she meant what she said. Either they talked when they got home, or she took the case into her own hands.

He yanked off the lightweight steel crinoline, tossed it aside, then slipped her bodice down, exposing her breasts. Her body heating with the compulsion to mate, the frustration over his leader stubbornness melted. She cherished the sensation of his hands on her breasts, the way he massaged and lifted, bent his head over one and kissed the nipple, making it pucker and tingle. She slipped her fingers through his hair, felt a tinge of icy dampness. Snow.

He slid his hand down her waist and pulled the long skirt up again. He had a one-track mind. But her fingertips chased away the frown across his temple, and she kissed his mouth, stopping him momentarily.

A shudder shook him and he quickly pressed his hand between her legs, finding the opening in her crotchless drawers and gave her a lusty smile. “Hmm, Lelandi, you’re hot and wet for me.”

Always, whenever he observed her with that lascivious look in his eyes. He slipped his arms under her and laid her down on the wooden floor. “Just think, September 19
^th
is Talk Like a Pirate Day. You’ll be my sea wench and I’ll plunder your treasures.”

She slid her hand down to his trousers and rubbed the bulge already hard and readied for her. “I’ll be the Pirate Captain, sir, not the treasure.”

He laughed.

“You laugh, but I’m serious. I could be the Viking pirate Princess Sela or Princess Rusla.”

His eyes sparkling, he kissed her again. “You’ve already stolen my heart, princess. Now I’ll steal yours.”

Lelandi tugged at his trousers. “Fine. Hurry, Darien.”

His fingers parted her feminine core as his tongue touched hers. “Heaven on earth, love. That’s what you are.”

“It’s not fair that my breasts are bare and my skirts are tugged up to my waist so you can have your fill of me while you’re dressed to the teeth.”

“Complaints, complaints, woman.” He moved her hand from his waist to the crotch of his pants. “Release me and end my pain.”

She unbuttoned his pants and reached inside and touched his rock-hard erection.

“It’s all yours, madam.”

“Then send me to the moon, sir. Make me climb the peak.” She stroked his member, long, hard, faster, soliciting a groan from deep within his throat, his eyes glazed over with lust.

“Enough, you vixen.”

He centered himself between her legs, then entered her, easing in at first, then thrusting hard.

His hand closed on her breast, massaging the mound as his mouth sought her free breast, his lips suckling at the nipple.

She arched against him, reveling in the feel of his hard thrusts, her pelvis meeting his with as much enthusiasm, her eyes closed so she could concentrate on the feel of his penetration, and of his tongue licking at her sensitive nipple. His heartbeat thundered in her ear, mixed with the sound of her own heart pounding. He gripped her bare shoulders as she slipped her hands underneath his waistcoat and yanked his shirttail out of
his trousers. His eyes fluttered opened and he grinned, wicked, amative.

She traced his abs, the muscles flexing beneath her fingertips. Closing her eyes again, she breathed in the wild, spicy scent of him, of the piney woods and spruce, and felt suspended in time between now and the past, the centuries bridged.

“My princess,” he mouthed against her lips, “my goddess.”

His chest rubbed against hers, the satin fabric of his vest, teasing her nipples, and then the power of Niagara Falls washed over her in a rush of heated passion, carrying her over the edge, sweeping her toward…toward…

She moaned as a second wave stole her thoughts, his hot seed filling her womb. “Adonis,” she gasped. “In the flesh,” she breathed in his ear.

He nipped her chin and squeezed her breast with one final thrust. “My…dreams…have…come…true…, love.” His head sank next to her face, his hand cupping her breast. “I have died and gone to Valhalla.”

Her fingers caressing locks of his damp hair, she gave a contented sigh. “I never want to move from here.”

He chuckled. “Next time we’ll do it with fewer clothes. I would never have lasted with you in the earlier time. In truth, I’m glad the days of long gowns and the like are gone.” He swirled his tongue around her nipple as if he was licking the ice cream on a sugar cone. “Though I like the cut of this gown on you.” His gaze shot up to hers. “But not for everyone in town to see. Silva is absolutely the devil.”

He rolled off her, adjusted his pants, and tucked his shirt back into his trousers. He helped her stand. Pulling
her bodice up, he covered her nipples, his thumbs rubbing the sensitive nubs underneath the lace-trimmed satin. Focusing on them, he let out a low growl. “Wear a shirt over them until they settle down.”

Lelandi laughed. “It’s all your fault, Darien.”

He kissed her lips, his tongue penetrating her mouth, his hands wrapped securely around her waist. “I love it when you call me by name, Lelandi, for all the times we made love together, and you didn’t know who I was.” He kissed her forehead and brushed his hand down her waist until his fingers reached the apex of her thighs. He cupped her mound through her skirts and rubbed and let out a husky breath. “Hurry home and I’ll join you.”

“Hmm,” she moaned in response, then smiled and pressed her lips against his, nipping his lower one. “Don’t make me wait long.”

“I won’t,” he said with lustful promise and escorted her out of the storeroom.

Sam stopped filling a mug and looked from Darien to Lelandi and gave a knowing smile.

Some difference from the first time she’d been here, sitting at the table in the corner, an outsider in disguise.

Darien kissed her cheek and left her behind the counter. “No more serving drinks to the tables.” He glanced at the table where the grays had been trying to get her attention. “I’ll have to keep you under lock and key,” he muttered under his breath.

“Right,” she said. “As if that’s ever happening.”

Trevor walked back into the place, but Tom and Jake took seats at an empty table also.

“Killjoy,” she said to Darien.

He gave her a smug look. “It’s for your protection, Lelandi. I’ve got some business I have to take care of. Let Jake know when you want to return home.”

The humans talked like nothing had gone on. But every gray in the house watched Darien, and when he left, Tom and Jake would observe them next.

Silva gave her a big smile. Lelandi tried to fill a glass, but it dropped from her grasp and Sam caught it.

“You can put out some chips.” He gave her one of his wolfish grins.

Silva joined her behind the bar and
tsk
ed. “Boy, you sure have a stranglehold on that man. I keep trying to learn from your example, but I’m not sure what it is you’re doing to garner his attention. Just when I think he’s going to confine you at home, he takes you in the back room and ravishes you.” She sighed. “Now half the grays in the tavern had their eyes on that door, just waiting to see what the two of you looked like when you came out.”

Feeling sated, Lelandi poured chips into a bowl.

“Darien’s chest was so puffed out, he looked like a peacock strutting out of there. And you, well,” Silva glanced down at Lelandi’s bodice and sighed heavily again. “A fresh bloom to your cheeks and lips, your hair tousled in the throes of passionate lovemaking, and you’ve even lost your hat. In the olden days, that would have been utterly scandalous.” She laughed.

“For humans,” Lelandi reminded her, speaking low so only Silva could hear, although she imagined Sam was eavesdropping as well. “Not
lupus garous.
”

“Ah, but most of these yahoos didn’t know you and Darien were mated yet. Besides, he’s the pack leader.
Whatever happens in regards to him is important to them. When he’s happy…” Silva shrugged. “Makes him easier to live with.”

Lelandi glanced in the mirror on the back wall. Most of her hair hung to her shoulders in curls, no longer bound.

Silva gave her a hug. “I want to know all your secrets. Julia Wildthorn has nothing on you.”

Lelandi smiled, brushed a curl of hair away from her cheek and returned to the counter. Conversation renewed and she could just bet the topic of conversation. Red wolf strikes again!

Silva ran her hand over Lelandi’s arm. “Everyone’s glad for the two of you. Darien’s come out of his dark mood, except for the other deadly business. Soon you’ll be carrying his babies and the pack will be well on it’s way to mend.”