Wolf Tales IV. Kate Douglas
Mason had given him, swallowed one each day and figured it was all some sort of joke, a sleight of hand so to speak. Then, after about a week, he’d noticed a difference in perception. An ability to smell things he’d not noticed before, an increase in his already overactive libido—and a desire for raw meat.
When the change had come, Tinker’d been ready for it. He’d had a more difficult time adjusting to the sense of family the pack offered than to the ability to change from man to wolf. Pack Dynamics. The company Ulrich founded as much as a cover for the few Chanku he’d been able to find as it was a venue for them to use and develop their skills as wolves—and as men.
He’d gained a wonderful code of honor from Ulrich, as well as a family and something powerful to believe in. Ulrich Mason had given Tinker the chance to believe in himself for the first time in his life.
Tinker glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror. He saw what he thought of as an average man, dark of skin with amber eyes, a ready smile. The same thing Lisa Quinn saw when she looked at him. No one would ever suspect the beast that lived within.
Only another of his species would know, could know, what Martin McClintock was capable of doing. Of becoming.
Tinker grinned, opened the door of the little car, and unfolded his big frame as he climbed out. Lisa Quinn was about to learn all about Martin McClintock. And, in the process, she just might learn one hell of a lot more about herself.
Lisa held the door open and followed Tinker inside. She really loved the way he walked, sort of a loose-limbed stroll, as if he owned the ground he stood upon and feared nothing. In some ways, he reminded her of the alpha males in any of the established wolf packs at the sanctuary.
Plus, he had the finest ass she’d ever seen on either man or woman. Tinker McClintock epitomized power, self-confidence, and sex, a potent aphrodisiac as far as Lisa was concerned.
She’d never been all that attracted to men, but something about this particular male left her breathless and much too aware of their isolation in her cabin, too aware of her instant and insistent sexual need for a total stranger.
Did he really know Baylor and Mary Ellen? Did it matter? Hell, she hardly knew her brother and sister. They’d grown up in a family that defined the term dysfunctional. The last time they’d seen each other was at their father’s sentencing for the murder of his wife.
He’d killed their mother when he caught her screwing the postman. Shot both his wife and her lover while Lisa watched, horrified, from an open doorway. She’d testified against the man who’d always denied his paternity of her, heard him threaten her life as he was led, shackled and cursing, from the courtroom.
There’d been little said among the three siblings. They’d all had the same mother, but only Baylor had looked remotely like their father.
Daughters of a whore. That’s what their father had called them. Maybe he was right. It didn’t matter now. Nothing really mattered. Nothing beyond the wolves. Beyond keeping them safe. At least the wolves were creatures Lisa almost understood.
She turned around and quietly shut the door, then leaned back against the frame with the doorknob clutched in her fingers at the small of her back. Tinker watched her from across the small room, his beautiful eyes wary, his smile hinting more of questions than answers. He was absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, with his close-cropped yet silky-looking black hair, long straight nose with just the slightest flare to his nostrils, and lips that looked full and firm and eminently kissable. Lisa raised her chin and took a deep breath. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, felt the trickle of sweat between her breasts.
Felt the moisture gathering between her legs, her body welcoming this man in a way her mind would never allow. His nostrils flared. Her breath caught. Did he scent her arousal? Did he know how little control she had over her libido? Thank goodness she’d taken the time to clean up in the restroom at the sanctuary, or he’d be smelling more than her arousal!
Lisa almost chuckled aloud. This was so typical of her luck. For the first time in her life she was standing within fucking distance of the sexiest man she’d ever seen, and their first meeting had been over roadkill.
Her glance fell to the front placket of his slacks. There was a noticeable bulge at his groin, a sizeable swelling along his left inner thigh that accelerated Lisa’s already racing heartbeat. Obviously, the whole dead animal thing hadn’t put him off a bit. She licked her lips and looked up, directly at his face, and realized she was concentrating on his mouth, on the full curve of his lips.
Neither of them had said a word, yet the room seemed full of conversation, a silent communion that was pure foreplay of the mind, totally without touch. There was no denying the fact the air was stuffed with pheromones. Lisa cleared her throat. Tinker wiped his palms along his thighs and grinned.
He took a step forward, halted, and shrugged his shoulders, then his smile grew even wider. “I have a suggestion, Ms. Quinn, that might help us with our discussion.”
Lisa nodded. Her mouth was too dry to speak.
“There’s an amazing amount of tension here in this little cabin of yours. It’s a powerful deterrent to having any kind of adult conversation. Why don’t you and I just spend some time taking care of that tension before we go any further.”
Lisa swallowed. The sound practically echoed in the small room. She blinked but couldn’t answer. Of course, she didn’t really know the question, did she? Finally Lisa managed to find her voice. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
Tinker laughed and spread his hands wide. “Well, I think we should both get naked, rub a little, touch a little, and fuck like bunnies. I imagine it’ll take care of whatever it is that’s making you so nervous.”
Lisa blinked. Fought down the giggles that threatened to burst out. Just like that? He wanted to have sex when they’d just met? He had to be kidding!
She took another look at the twinkle in his eyes, the sexy smile on his mouth…and then let her gaze slide lower. The bulge in his pants was even larger, more impressive than it had been just a moment before.
He wasn’t kidding. For all the silly talk, the man was deadly serious. Lisa tried to make some appropriate quip but couldn’t get the words out. The thought came unbidden—there probably wasn’t an appropriate quip to be made. Not to a suggestion like that!
Tinker reached out a hand. Lisa stared at it for what felt like forever. His hand was huge, the fingers long and slim, his palm much lighter than the back. His nails were neatly clipped, and she thought he had artist’s hands, the hands of a man who could create with a touch, hands capable of either strength or gentleness.
For all their artistic grace and beauty, in spite of or because of their obvious strength, she couldn’t allow herself to forget these were still the hands of a stranger.
Lisa glanced up and looked into Tinker’s eyes. Darkest amber with shining fire, there was no threat in them, no coercion. He stared back at her with patience and good humor, and a need every bit as strong as her own. She didn’t know him. Didn’t know anything about him, but looking into Tinker’s eyes, Lisa felt as if she looked into the mirror of her own soul.
She chose then to listen to her libido rather than her brain. To follow her woman’s instincts rather than any bit of common sense that might exist among her suddenly foggy thoughts. Lisa released her death grip on the doorknob, wiped her sweaty palm on her jeans, and, moving in slow motion, slipped her fingers into his. Tinker smiled and pulled her closer, a slow, steady tug on her hand. Lisa knew that if she didn’t want what he offered, he would turn her loose, no questions asked. Knew it as if he’d spoken the words aloud.
He pulled her into his embrace as if they’d been lovers forever. Pulled her close against his body until she felt the thick length of his erection pressing into her belly, smelled the clean, masculine scent of him, tasted the flavors of the man when his lips found hers.
She sighed against his mouth and parted for him, took his tongue into her mouth the same way she wanted the rest of him. She