Watch Me, page 4
Telling Tiffy what Zalin’s beta guards had done to him was out of the question. She’d run straight to Zalin and the game would be up. He’d have to fight, or leave, and he wanted to do neither. Tiffy would get caught in the middle, no doubt, just like last time.
For now he’d keep his distance, watch and wait, while he combed the local paper’s archives for clippings that might relate to Kell’s death. Keric counted on someone reporting a dead wolf, unless Kell had been killed on the compound. It was a distinct possibility, in which case he’d find absolutely squat.
No matter what he found, it would only tell him how, but not who, or why. He wondered if Tiffy knew. Considering she was related to the Alpha, he guessed she knew at least a little, if not all of it.
His gut twisted at the thought of asking Tiffy. She struggled with his being here, and he didn’t blame her. If they were really mates–and he very much suspected they were–it had to be hard on her, confusing too. They’d known each other no more than a day, and he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind the entire time he’d been away from her. If she felt the same way, it would have been so much more difficult for her, not knowing if she’d ever see him again. At least he’d known where Tiffy was the entire time. It had made keeping his distance a little easier.
Keric made his way through the trees, back to the cabin he’d rented under a false name. Tomorrow he’d start his research. Tonight...tonight he’d run.
Chapter 4
Tiffy caught the scent of a wolf she didn’t know, and froze in her tracks, lifting her muzzle into the light wind. He smelled familiar, but she couldn’t explain the slight frisson of fear making her shiver. Something wasn’t right.
She quietly went in search of the stranger, her wolf clamoring to get close, desperate to find the one who smelled so...tempting. It didn’t take long. Instead of avoiding her, the wolf loped right into her path and stopped when he saw her.
Tiffy watched the wolf cautiously. He was big, broad-shouldered and dark. So very dark. Dangerous, because he outweighed her, but she might be faster if he chose to attack. For a moment something about his appearance pricked her mind, but she forgot about it when the wolf shifted, making himself vulnerable to her.
Keric. It shouldn’t have surprised her. There was only one strange wolf around, and it was him. She’d liked his wolf form, but even her wolf could appreciate the sight of Keric, without a stitch of clothing, standing in the sparse moonlight. He sported the same broad chest and shoulders as his wolf, with muscle delineating every inch of him. She had to admit he was quite a catch, even if he wasn’t in his prime yet. A few more years, and he’d challenge some Alpha somewhere. And win. Shame he was so unreliable.
Tiffy sat on her haunches, watching him, wondering why he’d shifted to human form. It was a sign of trust, she knew. While she was wolf, and he human...she could rip his throat out before he had time to shift back.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your run.” His voice sounded soothing and gentle. “I didn’t expect you to come so far south.”
His words meant little to her. While she understood, her wolf brain was only interested in the wolf she’d encountered, not the man.
Keric hunkered down, dangling his arms in front of him, one hand crossed over to clasp his right forearm, seemingly relaxed. If Tiffy could have grinned, she would have. The way he had positioned his arms hid some rather vital parts of him from her view, just when she’d checked him out more closely. She’d seen enough to know he wasn’t exactly lacking in that department either.
“So you’re just going to stare at me?” He smiled. “Not very polite, is it?”
Ha. She wasn’t about to oblige him and change. He wanted to talk? Tough titties.
“You’re still the most beautiful wolf I’ve ever seen.” Keric released his hold on his forearm and stretched his hand out to her. “Would you come to me?”
What would be the harm? She moved forward, keeping a watchful eye on him. He kept his hand there, letting her sniff it. Tiffy jerked backward when his fingers stroked her nose.
“So soft. I bet you’re like this all over.” Keric tilted his head to the side. “If I shift back, can I join you on your run?”
Run with him? She’d love to, but wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Keeping her distance was priority, and sharing a night run with him wouldn’t help.
Keric shifted back and sniffed the air. He turned his head toward a rabbit, pressed to the ground, trying to avoid the two wolves. To her surprise he sat, instead of going after the terrified animal. Tiffy’s heart lifted. She’d never known another wolf who wouldn’t take the opportunity of a quick chase and a hearty meal. Not this one. He just sat and watched, angling his head, studying the rabbit.
She nipped his leg, gave a yip, and raced off into the night. He gave chase a second later.
Together they ran, feigning attacks, speeding across the soft ground. Tiffy barreled into Keric, yipping excitedly when he playfully snapped at her heels. She leaped into the air, over the top of a log, and took off down a steep hill.
He caught up easily, and they continued their little game until Tiffy dropped into the grass at the bank of the pond they’d reached. It took Keric by surprise, and to avoid slamming into her, he sailed over the top–straight into the small lake. Tiffy shifted, laughing out loud when he surfaced with a hefty sneeze and paddled to the bank.
She squealed and yanked her arms up when Keric shook himself, spraying her with water. Still chuckling, she lay in the dewy grass, looking up at the stars. Keric dropped down next to her, no longer wolf.
For long minutes neither said a word, content to just lie there, quietly, and enjoy the solitude.
“I like it when you laugh.”
Tiffy turned her head to see him facing her. “You do?”
He nodded, smiling. “It was fun, running with you. I normally run alone.”
“I do too.” She sighed and turned her gaze to the sky again. “It was fun. We should do it again.”
“Tomorrow?”
She glanced at him. “It’s a date.”
Keric lowered his head into the grass. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a date as a wolf.”
“Me either.”
“A first for both of us then.”
Tiffy stared up at the stars, wondering why she felt so content to lie here, stark naked, with a man she barely knew. Normally she dressed immediately and never hung around while the others shifted. This time...this time it was different. “Why do I feel so comfortable near you?”
“I don’t know, but I feel the same way.” Keric moved on his side, propping himself up on one elbow. “I’m glad I ran into you tonight.”
So was she. Tonight had turned out quite unexpected. “Why didn’t you chase the rabbit?”
“Uh...well.” Keric cleared his throat. “I like watching them. They’re cute. Besides, I wasn’t hungry.”
His answer warmed her heart. Somehow she’d hooked up with a guy who had a lot in common with her, and it seemed too good to be true.
“Did you come back because of me?” She had to know if she’d played a role in his return and now was as good a time as any to ask.
“I hoped I’d see you.”
Not the answer she wanted, but better than none. “Where have you been all this time? Why didn’t you come back sooner?”
He was silent for a long time.
Too long. “Keric?”
“I was in a bad place, Tiffy. It’s not something I want to talk about. I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“The scars?” She couldn’t imagine how he’d got them. If she ever found out who’d hurt him, she’d rip them to pieces.
“Yeah, the scars.”
“I’m sorry.” Lycans healed too fast to scar, so whatever happened to him had to have been bad.
“You didn’t cause them.”
Well, obviously. But someone had. “Who did? Because I’d like to meet them in a dark alley and–”
“No.” His denial was flat and sharp. “It’s not important. Now let’s talk about something else.”
So he wasn’t going to tell her. She guessed it was a painful memory and understood. Her own past wasn’t exactly rosy either. Zalin had sworn the entire pack to keep quiet, but very few knew the full extent of Kell’s betrayal. Perhaps if he weren’t the Alpha he’d be easier to deal with. He had his own demons to fight and after being thoroughly fooled by Kell, trust was a real issue for him.
For her, too. Knowing Keric had gone through something that had left visible scars made her own mental scars a little easier to bear. He’d know what it meant to be betrayed and she doubted he’d ever do it to her. He wasn’t the kind of guy who’d hurt someone he cared about.
“I like you, Keric,” she whispered.
He reached for her and Tiffy let him draw her close. Her heart beat in her throat and she stared into his face, hoping to read what he was going to do. She recalled him saying he regretted not kissing her. With a little luck, he’d remedy the situation.
Keric stroked her face, his gaze following his fingers as if he meant to memorize every inch of her. Tiffy remained still, tempted to touch, but not sure if she should. To do so might invite more than she’d bargained for.
He leaned in slightly, still hesitant. She didn’t know why. Was he waiting for a starting pistol? Come on, kiss me already.
* * * *
Keric allowed her plenty of time to pull away. She had to know what he was going to do, but didn’t object or back away. He took it as a sign of compliance and dipped his head to hers, capturing her lips with his.
Her little gasp drew his breath from him. He’d meant to go slowly and, in one heartbeat, everything changed. Keric rolled over and pulled her on top of him, framing her face in his hands while he explored her mouth. He hoped it distracted her enough so she wouldn’t realize how turned on he was. He couldn’t hide his reaction. Sooner or later she’d know, but right now he was only interested in her pouty mouth, and the small responses he got. Damn, she kissed like a virgin, and he was pretty sure he wasn’t the first to kiss her. Not when she’d been hell-bent to find out what it was like, last time they’d met.
When he drew back, she blinked lazily.
“That was nice.”
Nice? Damn, he was losing his touch. Here he was, half out of his mind with holding back, and she thought it was nice? “Didn’t compare to your first kiss, huh?”
Tiffy chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know.”
“Uh-huh.” God. He was losing it.
“I think you should kiss me again, so I can make an informed decision.”
This time there was no holding him back. He flipped her on her back and smiled when she giggled. She was pliant beneath him, making him all too aware they were skin on skin. He traced his tongue along the seam of her mouth, dipping in when she gave a startled gasp. Within seconds he teased and played, relishing the tentative strokes she returned.
Keric wanted nothing more than to deepen the kiss, to take her right there, in the grass, but her responses were too careful, too hesitant, for him to go after what he wanted. Needed. He’d spook her, and it would be over. For now he’d tread lightly. He drew back, and dropped into the grass next to her, belly down, to hide what she’d done to him. Although she’d probably felt it, anyway. He was harder than a railroad spike, there was no way she’d missed it. “So? What’s your verdict?”
Tiffy licked her lips, the sight sending another jolt of desire through him. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.” She placed her fingers on his mouth when he wanted to respond. “No. Tomorrow. And now I have to leave. I’ve been gone too long already.”
Keric watched her shift and knew their time together was over. Had he gone too far? Shocked her, because he couldn’t hide his reaction to their kiss? He wanted her to stay with him the rest of the night, but knew she wouldn’t. It was too soon. “Tiff, wait.”
She turned her head.
“Same place, same time, tomorrow?” He took her answering bark for confirmation. “I’ll be there.”
She took off around the pond, a silver streak in the darkness. Keric watched until he lost sight of her–and already felt the loss. This was worse than he’d anticipated. And yet, he didn’t regret kissing her. She’d been inexperienced, but eager. Whoever had taught her to kiss was either a complete failure, or she hadn’t liked it. Possibly both.
Keric smiled. He’d enjoy teaching her. He shifted and sprinted back to the cabin.
* * * *
Tiffy raced home, shifted after entering the house through the large flap at the back and gasped when the light came on without warning.
Zalin leaned against the door jamb, his face tight with barely suppressed anger. “Where have you been?”
Trust him to ruin her good mood. Tiffy yanked a robe off the hook by the back door and slipped into it. “Out. Running. I don’t see how it’s any of your business.”
“You went out running until–” He checked his watch. “Until four in the morning?”
“Yeah.” She brushed past him. “And now I’m going to bed.”
“Who is he?”
Tiffy held her breath. “Who?”
“The man you were with. Don’t play dumb, I can smell him on you.” He frowned. “I can’t place the scent.”
She’d never hear the end of it if she admitted to seeing Keric. There was no point alerting Zalin that he was back. He’d never let her out of the house again if he found out. “Just someone I met while I was out running.”
“You’re not going out alone anymore.”
“Oh come on! I bumped into him, we ran, he fell in the pond, we parted company. Big deal. Have you never run with another wolf before?” She wisely kept the kisses to herself. Oh man! She’d finally been kissed! And it had been everything she’d fantasized about, only better. Zalin would flip if he knew, and she wasn’t about to share the experience with him. Lucia, maybe. Zalin? Hell no. Especially not since she’d been naked at the time. Yep, he’d definitely freak if he found out. God, Keric was back! She still couldn’t believe it.
“I’m a man. You’re a nineteen-year-old girl. Slight difference.” Zalin exhaled a frustrated sigh. “Apparently you have no concept of how vulnerable it makes you.”
“Oh I know.” Tiffy lifted her chin. “Poor little helpless Tiffy. She can’t stand up for herself, she’s such a weakling.”
“That’s not what I said.”
She raised her hands in mock defeat. “Fine. You’re right, I’m wrong. Either way, I’m going to bed now. I’m tired and I have to be up for work tomorrow. Today. Whatever.”
Tiffy stomped up the stairs, annoyed and hurt. Why did he always treat her like she was twelve? Yes, he was the Alpha, and yes, he was protective of his pack, and she appreciated his way of running things. Life had been relaxed and easy since Zalin had taken over, and the pack was content. But surely he had to realize he’d have to loosen the reins at some point where she was concerned. She wasn’t his child. She was a grown woman, capable of making her own decisions.
She dropped on her bed and pulled the pillow over her head. Tomorrow she’d look for an apartment off the compound, away from the pack. She didn’t want to move, but Zalin left her no other option. If he got wind of who she’d met tonight, there would be hell to pay. She’d sensed the animosity between Keric and Zalin the last time they’d met. She didn’t want to repeat the encounter.
A knock on the door made her groan.
“Tiffy?”
“Go away,” she mumbled.
“Tiffy, I know you’re not asleep yet.”
“Asshole.” She pulled the pillow tighter onto her head.
“Tiffy, please. I’m sorry. I was worried about you.”
She threw the pillow to the side. “Fine. Come in.”
Zalin opened the door, but didn’t enter. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She waved her hand at him. “Go away. I’m tired.”
“I overreacted.” Zalin smiled. “It’s just, when I got here, you were fourteen. It’s hard for me to see you all grown up.”
“You’re not my dad, Zalin. I don’t see what difference it makes.”
“Your dad made me look out for you from the second I arrived.” His smile became rueful. “Hard habit to break.”
She knew he wasn’t hard on her on purpose. He meant well, and he still blamed himself for trusting Kell. It was no less annoying. He’d go ape if she left the compound and moved beyond his reach, but what about staying here, just not in this house? “Did the Jensons leave yet?”
“Yes, this afternoon.” He frowned. “Why?”
“Do you have anyone assigned to their house yet?” She hoped not. The house was small, just two bedrooms, at the edge of the forest. Perfect for her.
“Not yet, I–” Zalin shot her a sharp look. “Forget it. You’re not moving to the Jenson house.”
“Yeah, I will.” Tiffy grinned. “Aren’t you sick of having me underfoot all the time?”
“You’re not moving into the Jenson house.”
“No problem. I’ll find an apartment in town then.” If he didn’t give in, she’d have no other choice, although she didn’t particularly want to leave the safety of the pack.
Zalin glowered at her.
“I mean it, Zal. I’ve had enough of you hovering like a mother hen.”
“You’ll break Lucia’s heart,” he grumbled.
“Oh get off it. The house is less than a mile away. It’s not like I’m moving to the other side of the world.”
“I don’t see why you want to move. There’s plenty of room here, you’re safe, you’re never alone, you don’t pay rent, you–”
“Plenty of room? Connor’s crib is in your bedroom, Zal. My room would make a great nursery.”
“I’ll extend the house.”
He seriously had a solution for everything. Tiffy groaned. “I’m nineteen, Zal. I need my own life and, frankly, aside from being a convenient babysitter, what other use is there for me here?”
“You’re always welcome here.” He shot her a worried look. “We don’t just want you here to babysit. You know that, right?”
