Cry of the Wolf Page 15

  He smiled. “Trust me. I’ve got a plan.”

  And it worked like a charm. They crept from the back of the house down to his boat dock. Using oars, he pushed out from the dock, down the channel, waiting until they’d reached the entrance of the main body of water before starting his motor.

  The newshounds clustered out front of his house had no clue they were even gone.

  At the marina, Colton tied up his boat in front of the restaurant and located Theodore reading the paper in the back. Handing over cash, Colton accepted the keys and the title to the Jeep.

  “It’s full of gas,” Theodore offered, baring his yellow teeth. “You’ll love it come deer season.”

  Since deer season was still four months away, Colton merely nodded. “I’ll bet I will. Would you mind putting my boat in a slip for me while I’m gone? I’ll settle up with you when I return.”

  “No problem.” Theodore grinned. “Have fun.”

  They drove off in the Jeep, successfully leaving the newshounds camped out at Colton’s place.

  “I brought these.” Digging in her tote, Jewel held up an ornate, hammered-metal case. It looked old and well taken care of. After opening the lid and checking the contents, Jewel slipped the case into her bag.

  “Silver bullets.” She gave him a tremulous smile. “Now I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  They headed west.

  Every half hour, his cell phone rang. After the fourth call from Floyd, Colton turned off the ringer.

  Skirting the southern edge of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, they drove west. Eventually the concrete and freeways gave way to small towns and two-lane roads. Some were little more than a few shacks. In the distance, mesas rose treeless from the prairie.

  Jewel sat up straight, watching their surroundings. “This is different.”

  “Welcome to West Texas.”

  “What happened to the trees? They’re so…small.” She reached for her neck, then stopped. He’d noticed the movement before. Turning onto the road leading to his leased land, he let the car coast to a stop. “What’s wrong?”

  “I had a necklace I always wore. I never took it off. It was unusual, a silver wolf. I lost it when the car crashed into the restaurant.”

  “I’ll buy you another.”

  Her emerald eyes widened. “Colton—”

  Because he didn’t know what had prompted his rash promise, he did what he’d been wanting to do since he’d seen her nearly run down by the car. He kissed her. Hard.

  She made a startled sound, low in her throat. Then, with a soft sigh, she kissed him back.

  He deepened the kiss. As always, desire flared to life. But they were in an open-sided Jeep, parked on the side of the road.

  Breaking away, he grinned at her, all the while marveling at the strength of his own arousal. He’d never felt anything like he felt with her, hot and consuming, searing yet safe.

  Tentatively, she smiled back. “What’s so funny?”

  “I’m just happy. This is the first time you’ve kissed me without it being after one of your episodes.”

  “Hmmm.” She looked thoughtful. “I think you’re right.”

  “I know I am.” He wanted to press her, ask her what she thought this new development might mean, but knew better. Instead, he put the Jeep into gear and pulled back onto the road.

  They went miles before they saw another car passing acres and acres of rolling farmland, dotted with the occasional mesquite tree and odd herd of cattle.

  “Where are we?” she asked, a slight frown crinkling her brow. “Are we still in Texas? Never mind another state, this looks like another planet.”

  He laughed. “I like West Texas. All wide open sky and room to run.”

  “It’s different. It makes me feel smaller, somehow.”

  “When I was small, my dad used to bring me out here. I’d pretend I was a wild animal or bird, deer or hawk or mountain lion, and wonder what it’d be like to have unfettered freedom.”

  “It’s wonderful.”

  At his startled look, she bit her lip.

  “I would imagine,” she amended.

  “Here we are.” Slowing, he turned off the road. “We’ll be glad to have the Jeep now. You’d better hold on.” The dirt path to his deer lease wound up one hill and down another. Rocks and dirt warred with potholes and ruts. The Jeep bounced valiantly. He was glad the seat belts worked, holding them in place.

  “Some people do this for fun,” he told her.

  She raised a brow. “What, they like to make their teeth rattle?”

  “Yes. It’s even better when you do this in the mud. Mudding, we call it.”

  Instead of answering, she shook her head.

  A huge hawk screeched in the sky above them, diving into the tall grass for prey. Watching intently, Jewel licked her lips, her eyes blazing green.

  “How I envy that bird.”

  “That’s what I was talking about. You do understand, don’t you?”

  “Oh yes. You have no idea how much.”

  They continued on, over gully and ravine, up one embankment and down another.

  “Where is this place?” she asked, hanging on to the panic bar on her side.

  He tossed her a grin. “I told you, it’s remote.”

  “That’s the understatement of the year.”

  “The more remote, the better the hunting.”

  “Do you hunt here a lot?”

  “In season, yes. The area’s plentiful with game. Deer, wild pigs, turkey, you name it.”

  He could have sworn she licked her lips again.

  Finally, they pulled into a clearing. “Here we are.” The place looked exactly as it had the last time he’d been here. Not much. A weathered mobile home sat rusting in the sunlight.

  “We should have the place to ourselves,” he said, killing the engine. “Deer season is still months away. Though you can hunt pigs any time, not too many hunters come here in the heat of summer.”

  She nodded, her gaze on the mobile home. He couldn’t tell from her expression whether she was appalled or approved. “This is yours?”

  “I don’t own it, no. The trailer house comes with the lease. I’ve got the place for five years.”

  Unlocking the door, he stepped inside and flicked on the lights. “Wait here. Let me get the windows open to let out some of the heat. It’s like a furnace in here.”

  He left her outside, hoping she’d find something to admire in the primitive beauty of the landscape. As he opened the windows he saw buzzards circling in the sky above them.

  A bad omen? Or merely a dead animal?

  Once a breeze was blowing through the trailer, the heat level dropped tremendously. He flicked on the two ceiling fans, then took a deep breath and went to get Jewel.

  She was watching a small lizard sunning on a rock.

  “It’s still warm, but bearable now. And more than a little dusty.” He wiped perspiration from his brow. “But it won’t take long to get it cleaned up.”

  “Does the air conditioner work?”

  “Sometimes.” He gave her a rueful smile. “I turned it on, but the generator wasn’t running. I’ll try it again later. Come on in.”

  Stepping aside, he expected her to brush past him, to breeze around the place and inspect it, the way women do. Instead, she moved close and wrapped her arms around him.

  His heart skipped a beat. “Jewel? What’s up?”

  She sighed. He felt the movement of her breasts like a caress. Chest to chest, she tilted her head to look at him, and gave a slow, sensual smile.

  “Make love to me,” she said.

  At first, he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly, though his swift and instant arousal belied his confusion. “Are you sure?”

  She leaned into him, rubbing her body against his like a mischievous cat. “Positive.”

  He searched her face, his throat tight. “Jewel—”

  “Just once, I want to make love to you without any compulsion.” Voice tight, her e
xpression was fierce. “Just once, I want to have sex because I want to. Because I desire you, need you.” She kissed his chest at the collar of his shirt. “Crave you.” She moved higher, to where the pulse beat at the base of his throat. “And long for you.”

  As he started to speak, though who knew what he was about to say, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him full on the mouth. And he was lost.

  Chapter 12

  Later, on the dusty sofa, still cradled in Colton’s arms, Jewel listened to the steady thump of his heart and felt peace for the first time in years.

  The feeling unnerved her.

  Frowning, she twisted to peer up into his gaze. “Don’t fall in love with me,” she warned. She didn’t know if she was talking to him or to herself.

  He raised his head and gave her a lazy, sated smile. She felt it burn, low in her belly.

  “No worries,” he said. But the warmth in his dark eyes told her he was lying.

  A small falsehood from one who claimed to value truth, though she couldn’t really blame him—cuddling with him like this made the temptation to lie to herself equally strong.

  Especially now.

  One thought kept nagging at her, one insidious, dangerous idea. This thing between them could be beautiful, a once-in-a-lifetime pairing.

  Mates.

  No. The word should be a curse word. She’d believed Leo was her mate, and look where that foolishness had gotten her. She needed to rein in the fantasy now.

  Outside, birds sang. The breeze drifted in the open windows, making the cotton curtains billow and spin. This dusty little trailer was a far cry from the mansion she’d shared with Leo, yet she’d trade them instantly if given a choice. Right here, right now, being here with Colton, being held in his arms, made her feel cherished and loved.

  Dangerous thoughts.

  Still, she couldn’t banish the contentment.

  Time to be rational, practical. She’d made a bad choice before. This thing with Colton would be an even worse one.

  She began to list the reasons. Though they were numerous, the two most important were all that should have mattered.

  She was a shifter; he was not.

  And one of the most notorious criminals in the United States wanted her dead. He’d get his wish soon, if she didn’t figure out a way to change.

  She refused to give in to self-pity.

  Looking up, she found Colton watching her.

  “You worry too much,” he said.

  Wanting to laugh and cry at the same time, she shook her head. “I’m serious, Colton.”

  “I am, too.” Tracing the line of her jaw, he regarded her with eyes still dark from passion. “I’ll tell you what. I won’t fall for you, if you don’t fall for me.”

  She went still. Even her heart stopped beating for half a second. How had he known? Chest tight, she tried to respond with an equally lighthearted comment, but couldn’t get past the lump in her throat.

  Finally, she managed to choke out a response. “You’ve got a deal.”

  “Good.” He brushed a kiss near her ear, making her shiver.

  If she turned the slightest bit, she could capture his mouth with hers….

  No.

  Scooting backward, she sat up. Swinging her legs over the side of the couch, she brushed her hair from her eyes. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

  When he didn’t respond, she couldn’t help but look at him. He stretched, drawing her gaze to his flat, hard stomach and muscular chest. When he saw her looking, he gave her a lazy smile so full of masculine confidence her heart skipped.

  “You think?” he teased. “I kind of doubt that.”

  “You hate secrets,” she reminded him, a thread of desperation sneaking into her voice despite her effort to sound cool and collected. “And I have plenty of them.”

  His laughter made her smile.

  “While I admire your tactic, it’s not gonna work. I care about you, Jewel. Whether you like it or not.”

  Damn. If she responded in kind and told him the truth, she’d make things worse. Already the ties between them grew stronger, deeper.

  Because she was afraid she might weep, she spun and headed back to the bathroom. No way would she let him see her cry.

  That night, though Colton wanted her to sleep beside him in his double bed, Jewel deliberately chose the lumpy sofa. Best to put some distance between them. Especially since she planned tosneak out once he was asleep and attempt to release her wolf.

  The urge had been building in her all day. Ever since she’d seen the wide open landscape, so perfect for a wild animal to run free, she’d known she had to try to change. This time, she had a feeling she’d either succeed or die trying.

  But once she closed her eyes, to her complete surprise, she slept like a baby. No midnight run, no changing. She didn’t wake at all until the sound of Colton rattling around the kitchen roused her.

  Tentatively, she stretched, testing out her body. She felt…rested. For once, the wolf inside her was at peace.

  Weird.

  Sitting up and pushing back the blankets, she rubbed the back of her neck and yawned.

  Colton looked up from the coffeemaker and grinned. “Morning.”

  “Good morning.” Looking at him made her feel warm and dizzy. Hellhounds, she had it bad. “What’s up?”

  “I’m making coffee. I don’t know about you, but I could sure use a cup.”

  “Me, too.” She blushed. Was this how normal people acted after a night spent making love? Having nothing to gauge by, Jewel murmured something more about how wonderful coffee sounded and padded toward the bathroom. She felt his gaze scorch her all the way there.

  Damn, damn and double damn.

  Once inside, she scrubbed her face so hard her skin turned red, then splashed cold water to rinse the soap off.

  How had she let it come to this? Because she’d had no choice, she told herself, hating the way her hands shook, conscious of her ever-present need to change. Colton thought he knew her, but in fact he knew nothing about the real her. If he were to find out, he’d recoil in horror.

  She’d heard the stories. Other shifters had tried to take human mates. Most failed. A few, a lucky few, succeeded. Jewel had never been even remotely lucky, not once in her life. She didn’t expect she’d start now.

  Colton watched as Jewel stalked to the bathroom. He wondered if she had any idea how beautiful she was. Though they’d made love twice the night before, he wanted her again. But he knew he’d have to be careful. She was skittish enough already.

  When she emerged a few minutes later, he handed her a mug of steaming coffee. “I put one cream and two sugars.”

  Accepting it, she shot him a surprised look. “How’d you know?”

  “Watched you make it enough times, I guess.”

  While she sipped the coffee, his cell phone rang, making him jump. Flipping it open, he checked the caller ID. “Reba,” he told Jewel. “It’s about time she returned my call.”

  “Reba,” she repeated. He could see her thoughts reflected in her expression. She’d believed the woman was her friend, but the Realtor obviously had another agenda.

  He answered with a terse hello.

  “Colton, I’m sorry. I meant to call back earlier, honestly I did. But there’s been a lot going on.” Reba sounded frantic. “I know I have a lot to explain and I promise I will, but not now. I know I was wrong, but…” She took a deep breath. “It’s Bettina. She’s missing and I think she’s done something bad to Roy.”

  “Bettina?” Anger coiled in his stomach. “The woman who claimed to be my girlfriend? Who told Jewel I beat her up? And Roy, someone I thought was my friend, who lied about me, too? Why would I care where they are?”

  “I understand. Really. But Colton, please listen. This is serious. I think Bettina’s crazy and she might have hurt Roy.” Her voice caught. “He’s in bad trouble.”

  Something in her voice gave him pause. Terror? “How so?”

  “I
love him, Colt. And he loves me. When he learned of Bettina’s plans, he tried to stop her. I think she’s taken him hostage.”

  One word stood out. “Plans? What plans?”

  “She’s working with Leo. He wants Jewel back and he wants to punish you for daring to touch her. I think he’s paying Bettina an awful lot of money to help him.”

  Suddenly alert, now he listened. Bettina as Leo’s operative? As they’d suspected, that meant her false accusations made a lot more sense. Getting Colton—Jewel’s protector—out of the picture would make it easier to reach Jewel.

  Reba coughed. “Colton, you’ve got to hide. Both you and Jewel. Get out of town before they find you.”

  Could Reba be trusted? He’d known her for five or six years. But she’d believed the worst of him, branding him abusive on the word of her lover and a stranger. He couldn’t take the chance.

  “We’re gone. In a safe place. I’m going to keep Jewel safe.”

  “Good. Oh, and Floyd’s been all over town looking for you. He knows you’re with her, but isn’t sure where. He’s pretty angry. Something about you owing him a front-page story.”

  “I don’t have time for that now. Thanks for the warning, though.”

  “Where are you?”

  “You don’t need to know. It’s safer that way.” Without another word, he closed the phone, ending the call.

  When he relayed the conversation to Jewel, she stared. “He’ll never find me here.”

  “Floyd’s looking for me, too. He wanted me to write a story on you and I kept stalling him. But he’s pissed.” Now Colton paced. “I’m worried about him. If he thinks about it, he might figure out where we’ve gone. I brought him here last year during deer season.”

  A shadow crossed her face. “That’s not good. I don’t like that.”

  “Me either. But I don’t know what else to do or where else we could go.”

  Fidgeting, she combed through her hair with her fingers. “I keep feeling like I should run as fast and as far away as I can. I feel…trapped.”

  “Don’t.” He took her arm. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. There are lots of trails here and pretty abundant wildlife this time of year.”

  She sighed. “Okay, but I need you to promise me something.”