Watch Me, page 5
“Yes, I know.” There went her dream of moving out. “But I’m sick of my friends laughing at me, because I still live at home.”
Zalin raked his hand through his hair. “All right.”
Had he just agreed? Tiffy’s heart thumped in her chest. “Really?”
“I just said all right, didn’t I?”
Tiffy jumped off the bed, ran to him and hugged him fiercely. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
“We’ll see. Don’t make me regret it.” Zalin extricated himself. “I hope you realize Lucia will want my head on a stick.”
Tiffy laughed. “As if. My sister loves you too much to do permanent damage.”
Zalin shrugged. “Sleep well.”
He left and she dropped on the bed again, too wired to sleep. What a day! First Keric kissed her, and now she would get her own place. Although she was excited at the prospect of moving out, the kiss was foremost on her mind.
Tiffy crossed her arms behind her head and grinned. Tomorrow she’d see him again. He’d wanted her tonight. She’d felt his rock-hard erection against her belly when he’d kissed her, but he’d held on to sanity somehow. Tomorrow she’d drive him so nuts, he would lose control and she’d add another first to her list. “Your single days are numbered, Keric. You’re mine.”
Chapter 5
Keric stared at the screen and rubbed his eyes. There was a report of a wolf finding a miserable end after straying into the local hospital, but no details. He guessed it was Kell, although why he’d been in a hospital was beyond Keric. Kell hated hospitals. He wouldn’t have gone there.
Still, it was the only lead he had, and he jotted down the names of people involved. Kell had never referred to anyone by name, which wasn’t helping.
A tap on his shoulder made him turn.
“We’re closing in ten minutes.” The librarian smiled at him. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“No, but I’m sure I’ll find it.” He pulled the printout of the hospital article toward her. “I found this, instead. A wolf in a hospital? How did it get in?”
She glanced at the printout. “Oh, I remember this one. Shame, really. The poor thing probably got lost and didn’t know how to get out.”
“It doesn’t say how the wolf died. Did they shoot him?” He kept his voice light, curious rather than desperate, trying not to betray his apprehension.
“I’m not sure.” She leaned over, scanning the article once more. “Doesn’t it say?”
“Nope. No mention of how, or why.”
“Well, I’m sorry, I can’t help you there. I don’t know the details.” She frowned. “Is it important?”
“It just struck me as odd, that’s all.” Keric smiled. “I was curious because I’d never heard of a wolf going into a building filled with people. I used to study them in college.” He hoped she’d buy the lie.
“Oh, I see. Yes, I can understand why it would catch your interest.” The librarian glanced at her watch. “Five minutes until closing time.”
“I won’t be long. Just a few more obituaries to check.” Keric pretended to scan names and heard her walk away. He scrolled through another paper, and was about to turn the machine off, when he noticed a strikingly handsome man in a crowd photo.
Something about the man reminded him of Tiffy. A relative? He printed the page off and headed to the front desk. “Excuse me, I have one last question before I go.”
“Sure. What can I help you with?”
Keric put the photograph on the counter. “Do you know who this man is?”
She put her glasses on and studied the image. “He’s not been around for a long time. Probably moved away. I don’t remember his name.” She frowned. “Geth, or Goth something.”
“Is there anyone who might know? I think he may be related to the friend I’m helping.” And if he wasn’t mistaken, the guy was Alpha. Which begged the question, what was another Alpha doing on someone else’s turf?
If there had been a fight for territory, it might explain how Kell had ended up dead.
“You could ask Sheriff Henson. He might know.”
Keric nodded. He wouldn’t go anywhere near the sheriff. “Good idea.”
Goth something. He recalled Barad’s explanation about Tiffy’s father finding his destined mate. Gothrim? He’d said his name was Gothrim. He glanced at the photograph once more.
Holy crap. That was Tiffy’s father? Damn.
Where was he now, and what had happened to him? Did he have something to do with Kell’s disappearance? Tiffy hadn’t spoken of her father, and Zalin’s protectiveness suggested Gothrim wasn’t around anymore. He could ask Tiffy, but he didn’t want to cause her any pain.
Once more he looked at the librarian. “Could his name be Gothrim?”
“That’s it. You know him then?”
“Only heard the name. Thanks for the help.” He pocketed the printout.
“You’re welcome.” She followed him to the door and locked up behind him.
Keric drew a deep breath. He was no closer to any answers than he’d been yesterday. It was almost six, and he’d skipped lunch, so he headed for the diner.
A few more hours, and he’d see Tiffy again. The thought lifted his spirits.
* * * *
“Man, you have way too much stuff.” Becca wiped her arm across her forehead and blew her fringe out of her face. “Is that the last box?”
“Two more.” Tiffy set her box down and put her hands on her hips, arching her back. “I never thought this stuff would be so heavy.”
“You shouldn’t have turned down Dale’s offer to help. He’d make a great mule.” Becca dropped onto a stack of boxes. “He’s a nice guy, Tiffy. You could do worse.”
“I could also do better.” Like Keric. Oh yes, much better. Keric! Oh crap! “What time is it?”
“Almost midnight. I’m going to call it a night, if you don’t mind. We can grab the rest of the boxes tomorrow.”
She was late. Way late. They’d met at around eleven last night, which meant she’d stood Keric up. “Yeah, sure. Night Becca.”
Becca got up, giving her a quizzical look. “You okay?”
Tiffy nodded, desperate for her to leave, so she could nip out of the back door. “I’m fine.”
The redhead frowned at her. “Why do I get the impression you’re itching to be somewhere?”
“It’s late. I have to work tomorrow. The only place I’m itching to be is a nice soft bed.” With Keric. Only, he’d have left by now.
“Uh huh.” Clearly Becca didn’t believe her. “Want me to hang on and help you build it?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just crash on the mattress for now.” Tiffy forced a smile. “Thanks for helping, Becks.”
“Well, if you’re sure...” Becca studied her through narrowed eyes. “Something is different.” She held up her hand when Tiffy wanted to protest. “No, it’s okay. But whatever it is, you’d tell me if you’re in trouble, right?”
“Of course.” Warmth flooded her. Friends like Becca were hard to come by. “I’m just excited. The first night in my own house!”
Becca laughed and headed for the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yep. Night!”
The moment the door closed behind her, Tiffy was on her way out of the back. Minutes later she raced toward where she’d bumped into Keric, hoping he’d waited. With every leap she sniffed the air, hoping to catch his scent, and elation hastened her paws when she did.
* * * *
Keric sat on a log, fully dressed, watching her approach.
“You’re late,” he murmured, burying his hand in her fur. “I worried I’d missed you.”
Tiffy shifted, wanting to explain herself then realized he was dressed–and she wasn’t. “Uh. Can I borrow your shirt?”
Keric grinned and slowly unbuttoned the check shirt he wore. “I’d rather you didn’t, but hey...if you must.”
She rolled her eyes. “Can you unbutton it any slower?”
A wicked gleam entered his eyes. “I can try.”
Tiffy held out her hand and he shrugged out of his shirt. For a moment she just stared at his bare chest, the dark hair there and how it narrowed, leading down in a seductive shadowy trail until it vanished beneath the waistband of his denims. Damn. He really was impressive. It hadn’t been her imagination.
She slid her arms into the soft cotton and buttoned up the front, inhaling his scent and feeling as if she’d just wrapped him around herself. “Thank you.”
“Welcome.”
She climbed onto the log next to him. “I’m sorry I’m late. I was moving house and lost track of time.”
“It’s okay. You’re here now.”
Yeah, and as usual, she didn’t know what to say to him. “You didn’t come to run, huh?”
“I did. It’s just less suspicious this way. People tend to notice a wolf leaving a cabin.” He tipped his head to one side. “So, what’s the verdict?”
“Verdict?”
“How did I compare. Remember, you said you’d tell me today.”
“Oh.” Tiffy chuckled. “I’d say they were about the same, but the second was a definite improvement.”
“Either I kiss badly, or your first was very good.” Keric sighed in mock despair. “Maybe I need to practice.”
“Well in that case, your kisses were terrible. Absolutely dreadful. You definitely need practice.” It would be the perfect way to seduce him. “Lots, and lots of prac–”
Keric tumbled her onto his lap and shut her up with a stormy kiss. “Oh yeah?”
Tiffy sat on his lap, cuddled against his chest and sighed at the feel of warm skin and muscle. She felt at home there, safe, as if nothing could happen to her in Keric’s arms. He cocooned her in a world of their own, where everything was perfect and sweet. Tiffy placed a kiss on his chest and chuckled when he jerked. “Ticklish?”
“No, baby.” Keric tipped her head up to look into her eyes. “It makes me think about naughty things, though.”
Tiffy grinned, then laughed. Naughty things? Oh hell yeah.
Keric tweaked her nose. “That’s funny?”
“Yeah. It makes us even. I’ve been thinking naughty thoughts about you all day.”
His gaze heated. “I’m going to bet your naughty thoughts were tamer than mine.”
“You think so? I have a vivid imagination.” She stroked her finger across his nipple, delighted when she heard a suppressed moan. “I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours. Then we can compare notes.”
“Sure.” His voice was thick, low, and his breathing heavy. “But I don’t want to shock you.”
“You won’t.” She could imagine what he expected. Chaste kisses and a little touching probably. Well, she’d likely shock him, instead. “My naughty involved you, naked, tied to a bed, while I lick you all over, and then ride you into the sunset.” A strangled groan told her she’d hit the mark, dead on. “So what’s your naughty?”
“You win.” Keric stroked his hands down her body and rested them on her hips. “Yours sounds like more fun.”
Tiffy pushed her hands against his chest. “Not so fast, buster. We had a deal. Tell me.”
“I thought about making love to you out by the pond, your skin glowing in the moonlight. I wanted to kiss you from head to toe, and back again.” Keric bent his head to her neck, nuzzling a spot behind her ear. “I was thinking of making you scream with pleasure, while I take you to heaven.”
Tiffy’s heart beat faster and she shivered. “Sounds great.”
Keric kissed her ear. “I thought about being inside you, so deep, you won’t ever forget me. Won’t ever leave me, because it would be like leaving a part of yourself.”
Someone had left him? She didn’t want to break the mood, so she didn’t ask, but tucked it away for later. “I like your naughty much better than mine. If it weren’t so cold today, I’d say let’s do it.”
“Something tells me there would be too much friction to get cold.”
His lips tugged on her earlobe and hot longing shot straight from her ears all the way to her toes. She turned her head and met his mouth, kissing him softly–practicing, if she was honest with herself. Her lack of finesse didn’t seem to bother Keric. He had to be used to far more experienced women and it worried her. What if he found her unsophisticated? Naïve? Or, God forbid, boring? She pulled back slightly and straddled him. Her butt parked on his thighs seemed to be a magnet for attracting his attention. It didn’t take two seconds and Keric’s hands curved around her naked bottom.
His touch made both of them gasp. She’d forgotten she wore only his shirt, and apparently so had he. Tiffy bit her lower lip when his thumbs traced the curve, then he drew her close, shifting her forward until she was flush with the hard ridge beneath his pants. She wriggled. Keric sucked in a sharp breath.
He felt so good. Tiffy’s head swam with desire and she could see a slight flush on Keric’s cheekbones. He wasn’t exactly unaffected either, and it made her heart beat faster. “I think you should take off your pants,” she whispered.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “I think I should keep them on.”
“Spoilsport.” She kissed his nose. “Getting me all bothered, and then you say no.”
Keric lifted his hands to her face. “Tell me honestly, have you ever–” He cleared his throat. “I mean, from the way you act, you’ve never–”
Tiffy put her finger on his lips. “No. I haven’t. I wanted it to be you.”
“All this time? What if I hadn’t come back?”
“I would have hunted you down to have my way with you.” Tiffy smiled. “I don’t know why, but the thought of letting anyone else touch me...it just wasn’t right.”
Keric wrapped his arms around her, holding her so close, she could feel his heartbeat. “It never felt right for me, either.”
For a moment she wondered if he was as inexperienced as she, then dismissed the idea. “I’m sure you’ve had other women.”
“I have. But they weren’t you.”
His words made her heart sing. “Then make love to me.”
“It’s too soon, we barely know each other, and–” Her finger on his lips cut him off.
“I feel like I’ve known you forever. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you, and I know you wanted me too. You can deny it all you want, but I saw the way you looked at me, even then.” Tiffy kissed him softly, but drew back when Keric tried to deepen the kiss. “I’ve waited all my life for you, Keric.”
He smiled. “I doubt that.”
“It’s true. Do you want to know why I asked you to kiss me again, so I can compare properly?”
His eyes narrowed.
“It’s because I didn’t have anything to compare it to.” Tiffy blushed. Admitting it was making it real. He’d probably think she was a total wallflower now. “I’ve had pecks on the cheek, even on the mouth, but I’d never been kissed by a man before. Not...like you did.”
Keric stared at her. Either he was speechless, or he was reconsidering becoming involved with a novice like her.
Self-doubt hit hard and she lowered her head. “You probably think I’m useless.”
“I think you’re the sweetest girl I’ve ever met.” Keric lifted her chin with his hand. “And if you really want this, then let’s make it special for you. A tumble in the woods won’t do.”
Oh, she wanted to melt. He didn’t know her, and yet he knew her so well. Tiffy wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his scent. Spicy, warm and oh, so good. “Anywhere would be perfect, as long as it’s with you.”
He kissed her again, slowly, taking his time to explore her face with his lips, before returning to her mouth. Tiffy licked his lower lip and everything changed. Keric moaned, one hand clamped on her rear, keeping her pressed against him, while he plundered her mouth with his.
She tightened her legs, rocking against his erection, and felt him shudder. Keric kissed her neck, nuzzling the shirt aside to trace his tongue along her collarbone, before returning to her mouth. Tiffy shivered with anticipation. She needed to touch him and splayed her hands on his chest, one thumb tormenting a hard nipple, while she traced an index finger down to his belly.
“You’re killing me,” Keric gasped against her mouth. “Don’t stop.”
Stopping wasn’t on the agenda. Every rasp of breath, every jerky reaction turned her on more. All the while he barely touched her. Tiffy started to worry he might not like her body.
Keric looked up, his eyes dark and full of fire. “Your place, or mine?”
“Yours,” Tiffy whispered. “I don’t have a bed yet.”
“Mine it is.” He rose, lifting her. “Let’s go.”
“Wait.” Tiffy peeled out of his shirt. “Wolf is faster.”
boomark:Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Keric laughed when Tiffy tiptoed across the gravel in front of his cabin, yelping and squeaking with each step. “I could have carried you.”
“Now you tell me, just when I reach the door.” She thumped his arm.
“I admit it was an interesting spectacle watching you jiggle because of the gravel.” He grinned and let her inside. “If I didn’t have other plans, I’d make you walk around in circles for a while.”
Tiffy crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I do not jiggle.”
“You jiggle in a very seductive way.” He pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck where it met her shoulder. “God, you’re beautiful.”
She smiled and walked around the small living room. “Do you own this place?”
“No. It’s a rental cabin.” He loved how unashamed she was and guessed she’d become accustomed to being naked over the years. Growing up in a pack of Lycans she’d be used to nudity, just like he was. It had never done anything for him–until now.
“It’s pretty.” She brushed her hand across a blanket draped over the back of the sofa.
He’d risked that someone saw them as wolves, but he didn’t regret it for a second. Lucky they’d been in a secluded spot. If someone found his clothes in the middle of the woods, there might be questions. Shifting had taken care of his erection, but seeing her stroll through the small room, knowing why they’d come here... It made him want to throw her over his shoulder and carry her into the bedroom, before he embarrassed himself.
