Cook, Kris - Primal Desire [Texas Wolf Pack 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Luke realized that he had no idea what she looked like. She could’ve been hideous for the little he knew. Hoping that a good look at the woman might quell his growing thirst, Luke opened his front door quietly, even though the female, being human, would have no chance of hearing him. He lifted his chin and inhaled deeply. Another smell alerted his senses that approaching the woman in wolf form would be fruitless. She’d not come on foot or by car but on horseback. Even if Luke didn’t transition, the four-hoofed bag of glue would definitely alert the woman of his presence once he got within half a mile of her.

  The best idea would be to stay put, but with the woman’s scent filling up his lungs, he couldn’t. Instinct was kicking in full throttle inside him. All engines were firing.

  Luke shook his head, trying to use his will to calm the fire inside him. But it wasn’t working. His fangs extended. He was shifting. Ancestral, instinctual urges ripped him in pieces and prodded him to run to the woman producing the scent. He wasn’t sure if he could rein in his growing desires once he found her. His willpower was being tossed aside like child’s play by his more primitive nature to possess.

  Latching on to a thread of his logic, he pulled his pistol from his holster and fired several shots in the air. The intruder was near enough to hear the gunfire. Barely on the edge of sanity, Luke prayed she would jump on her horse and ride off so that her seductive odor would dissipate. If not, well…the lesson he would give her for coming onto his private property without an invitation might be harsh, if not deserved.

  Fuck!

  Chapter Two

  The sound of gunfire in the distance jerked Megan’s attention from her reading. Nightmare, Gran’s horse, must’ve heard the shots, too, as he nearly bucked her off his saddle.

  Megan pulled hard on his reins and was able to stay seated, but she nearly dropped Kate’s spell book in the process. She clutched the tome with her left hand and the reins with her right.

  The shots must be from hunters.

  But the families in the ranches that neighbored Gran’s land didn’t allow hunting on their properties.

  Though not expecting an answer, she asked aloud to the empty, cool air, “How far could I have ridden?”

  Megan looked around and didn’t recognize the locale, and she realized that she might actually be several miles from Gran’s. Though the horse was temperamental with most, with Megan, her sisters, and Gran, he acted like a kitten. Megan had ridden Nightmare so many times that she usually let him saunter where he liked, knowing he wouldn’t lead her under a low-hanging branch or into a stream. After learning that she might be a witch two days ago, Megan was more than willing to give him free rein since she wanted to read Kate’s spell book while riding.

  “Hello!” She hoped that whoever was hunting might hear her yell and stop shooting.

  The gunfire seemed to have come from her left, where the sun was setting. Gran’s house had to be to the east. “Okay, Nightmare, let’s get home before it’s too dark for me to see the trail.”

  She gently kicked the horse from her stirrups and made a clicking noise, but her ride didn’t budge. Instead, Nightmare began to snort and paw the ground with one of his front hooves.

  “Steady, boy. It’s okay. The hunter has to be at least a mile away.”

  But the more she talked, the more agitated the horse became. He began to buck, and she jerked on the reins. But there was no change in Nightmare. She gripped the leather tight with both hands, letting Kate’s book fall to the ground. If I survive this, I’ll come back for it.

  “Whoa!” Megan stayed in the saddle even though she couldn’t get back in control of Nightmare.

  Just as she spotted the shadow of a person at the edge of the clearing, Gran’s horse turned and made a mad dash in the opposite direction of the silhouette.

  The hunter? No time to worry about that now.

  At first, she thought Nightmare might gallop all the way back to Gran’s house with her on top of him. But that changed when she spotted the direction the horse was headed in. A low-hanging branch was dead ahead of them. She tugged on the reins once again, but no luck. Nightmare was in a full-tilt panic. Megan tried to jump from the horse and off the saddle to the ground, but in her own panic she’d wrapped the reins too tightly around her hands and couldn’t free herself of them.

  She closed her eyes tight and braced for the impact ahead. But instead, something from the left hit her in the side and knocked her off the horse. Her hands finally jerked free of the reins. She felt the form roll past her as she hit the ground with a thud. She rolled over the hard earth several times before coming to a stop. She took a deep breath and became aware of the aches and pains the fall had produced in her body. Opening her eyes, she looked for the man who had knocked her out of the saddle in the nick of time. She wanted to thank him for saving her.

  “Hello?” she asked, looking around.

  No one close…well, no human.

  At least a quarter mile away, Nightmare continued his flight up the hill. When she looked to the tree line to her left, she knew why he’d been so spooked.

  The black eyes and bared teeth of the lone wolf told her everything she needed to know. Had the beast been the one who knocked her off Nightmare? If so, the thing had to be rabid and was likely about to make mincemeat out of her.

  Then she remembered what Kate had said about Troy and Rance. They were shifters. Could this wolf actually be one of the members of the Loneekawa Tribe?

  She shifted her legs closer, preparing to stand or run, whichever she would need to do. “Hi. You wouldn’t happen to be a man in wolf clothing?” The beast didn’t move but continued glaring at her. Now, she felt stupid for asking.

  Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she realized Nightmare was long gone. She’d been foolish to take a ride without a pistol. Gran had taught her and her sisters to shoot early on. Being so remote demanded a certain way of living, and a gun was not a “nice-to-have” but a necessity. Megan had been away in the city for too long. She’d forgotten her upbringing.

  I need to think and fast. She spotted a tree that might serve as her escape. She doubted the wolf would be able to get up that tree. Running would be tough. She was wearing her boots. Plus, her ankle was killing her. Had she broken it in the fall? Turning back to the dark-eyed, wild animal, she made up her mind to go for it. The tree was her only chance. Once up it, she might get reception on her cell, though she doubted it.

  As fast as possible, she stood up. Pain shot up her leg, and her knees buckled. But she didn’t hit the ground. Instead, she felt fur under her. The wolf?

  Completely panicked, she began clawing at the beast behind her. Then she felt fingers wrap around her wrists.

  “That’s enough!” a male voice commanded.

  She turned her head, now resting on a human male’s chest, and watched the last shimmering change of the wolf becoming a man—in every way. He was completely naked. She looked down between his legs and saw his long, thick cock.

  “You’re a…werewolf?” She gulped.

  His eyes never left hers. “Obviously. But the correct term is ‘shifter.’”

  Something about this man—whether creature, werewolf, or shifter—was having an impact on her. She had the oddest urge to wrap her arms around his neck and cover him in kisses. Magic. Werewolves. It was too much to take in. She leaned away from him and winced as the pain in her leg exploded.

  He lifted her off the ground, making her feel light. The ache subsided a bit.

  “You are trespassing on my property.” His tone was filled with anger and made her tremble.

  “I’m sorry. I–I…well, I was distracted. Put me down, and I’ll be on my way.” Being held by this naked man had her heart beating faster and faster.

  “Your ride is long gone.” He looked up at the sky. “The sun is down, and it will be pitch-black without the moon tonight.”

  “No moon? I thought you guys needed a full moon to turn into…ah…wolves.”

  “You
thought wrong.” He began running the opposite way than Nightmare had gone. The trees seemed to blur beside them.

  “Do you know Mabel Bullion? She’s my grandmother. I’m Megan Bullion.”

  “I know Gran.”

  “Your name is…?”

  “You’re quite the chatty one, Megan.”

  “So I’ve been told. Your name, please?”

  “Luke.” He said it in a way that made it clear he didn’t like answering questions.

  Softening her tone, she asked, “Would you mind taking me to Gran’s house?”

  “Yes, I would mind,” he stated firmly.

  Though his naked body felt good to her, his demeanor was tough to take. He seemed like a man who didn’t care for company much. “I don’t understand.”

  “Your ankle is twisted or broken. It’s nightfall. I’m taking you to my house for the night.”

  “But…”

  “No more questions. Be quiet.”

  Megan snapped her jaw shut. Arguing with this man would get her nowhere fast. Besides, he was right about her ankle. The pain was making her woozy.

  She leaned into his chest, too tired and hurt to resist.

  Monster or man? Whichever, she prayed he would not harm her. He’d made sure she hadn’t hit the branch. That surely meant something. Feeling like Little Red Riding Hood, she wondered if this man might be the Big Bad Wolf.

  * * * *

  Holding the woman, Luke knew. She was his mate. He’d never had such a hunger for any woman in his entire life. Her aroma ignited his primal lust into a roaring fire. Her long, dark locks made his heart pound in his chest, and her full breasts made his mouth water. Her piercing blue eyes, surrounded by the longest lashes he’d ever seen, unhinged him.

  She was a tiny thing, so light in his arms. He pulled her in close as he continued to run down the path. Another whiff of her and every part of him was trapped. He would never let her go. Someone would come looking for her soon. That was unfortunate for them. What did he know about her? Not much. She was Mrs. Bullion’s granddaughter. He recalled seeing them after the car crash that his parents had died in.

  The painful memory took hold of him. Normally, he was able to keep it buried deep, but being with Megan had him off his game entirely.

  “Ouch!” She looked up at him with the most gorgeous eyes he’d ever seen in his life. “You’re squeezing me too tight, mister.”

  He loosened his grip on her as he came around the trees that hid his cabin from view to any who wandered onto his property.

  Megan sighed. “I think I remember you. Didn’t I meet you at Gran’s a couple of times? You were only a teenager then. I might’ve been ten or maybe eleven.”

  “Yes. After your mother moved you into your gran’s.”

  “Right. After the divorce. Luke…mmm…”

  He could almost hear gears grinding in her head, working to find the memory and bring it to the forefront of her consciousness. That wasn’t something he wanted to happen.

  “You live here?” she asked as he stepped up to the porch with her still in his arms.

  He nodded. Talking wasn’t something he cared for much.

  “You can put me down. I think I can walk.”

  She probably could, but he wasn’t ready to let her out of his arms. “No.”

  “You’re quite the one-syllable conversationalist, Luke.”

  He had the urge to grin but didn’t. “Yep.”

  “So, what do you have planned for me?”

  He didn’t quite know, but he wasn’t about to let her leave. How the hell would that work? The tribe was friendly with Gran, and they’d all come looking for Megan soon. No one would let him have her given his past and his current isolationist way of living. Didn’t matter. Megan was for him alone. No one would have her but him. He’d learn to tolerate her blabbering in time. And Megan? She would surrender to him and become his mate in due course.

  Luke opened his front door, carefully keeping hold of Megan. “First, you need a warm bath.”

  Chapter Three

  Megan looked into Luke’s yellow-brown eyes, her ankle throbbing with pain. “A bath sounds divine. I’m surprised you’d have a tub out here. You look more like a guy who likes showers.”

  She scanned the space of the one-room cabin as they entered through the front door. It was neat and sparse. The word that it brought to mind was utilitarian. There was one chair, and it was made of dark wood. Beside it were a table and a small television. There was a rustic rock fireplace with a black pot sitting on its mantel. There was no flame in the hearth, but she did spot a few embers. There was a comfy-looking bed in one corner. In the other corner were rifles, knives, chains, bows and arrows, and all sorts of other hunting gear. She couldn’t imagine this was his only home. Likely it was a getaway space, his man cave. Was he escaping some wife out here?

  Before thinking, she blurted, “You married or have a girlfriend?”

  He grinned. “Now, that’s a good question, sweetheart.”

  She gulped. “Why?”

  “Lets me know you’re interested.”

  She felt the heat hit her cheeks like wildfire. “Not true. I’m just inquisitive.”

  “Right. After I bathe you, I’ll get you something to eat.”

  Megan felt her heart pound against her ribs. “Wait a second, buddy. I can bathe myself.”

  “Not happening. If you fell in my tub, you’re the type that would sue me for sure, and I don’t carry insurance on this place.”

  She was about to blast him with a tirade of why he was wrong, but when she saw his sexy mouth curl up, she knew he was only teasing her. Luke was unhinging her, and she couldn’t help but let him.

  Luke walked over to the back door of the cabin. Another covered porch. On it was a claw-footed tub.

  “Alfresco?”

  “No one here but us animals to see you, Megan.”

  “Why haven’t you built some walls around the tub? You look like a guy who could be pretty handy if you wanted to be.” Her nerves kept her talking. She was afraid to let any moment pass without conversation. If she did, her mind might spin out of control, realizing what she’d actually gotten herself into. What did she really know about Luke? Not much. She remembered that his parents had died in some kind of crash, but that was about it. Soon after, he’d dropped off the map. That was about all she knew. Not enough to trust him with a bath. Oh, God!

  “Don’t need a bathroom. This works just fine for me. It’ll work fine for you, Megan.”

  How he was able to keep her in his arms and get the water running, she didn’t know. The guy was strong. Fast, too. Probably had a little to do with him being a shifter. If he did let her down, she wouldn’t have a chance to escape, even if she wasn’t injured. With her ankle’s pain and swelling, there was no hope. Still, she needed a second to get her bearings.

  “Luke, do you have a toilet?”

  He nodded. “Do you need to go, or are you trying to avoid the bath?”

  Crap. The guy sees right through me. “I need to go,” she lied.

  “I’ll take you to the outhouse.” He turned the water off and carried her down the steps to a path. It curved and ended at a little wooden building. “Here we are.”

  Luke opened the door. Like his cabin, it was pristine though rugged.

  “Thank you. This I can do on my own.”

  “Quite the spitfire. I don’t want you putting too much weight on your ankle. If you do, you might really injure yourself. Understand?” He actually sounded concerned.

  “Yes.” Megan decided to soften her tone. He’d carried her at least a mile to his home, while he was naked to boot. He could’ve left her to fend for herself, but he hadn’t. Still, she sensed something dark inside him, something dangerous. “May I have some privacy, Luke?”

  He looked at her and nodded. Then he lowered her down on the outhouse’s seat. Without a word, he unbuttoned her Levi’s, causing her to tremble violently. His fingers curled around the top and he pulled t
hem down to the middle of her thighs. She touched her skimpy panties, the Victoria’s Secret pink ones, and wished she’d chosen differently this morning. The white ones would’ve been less provocative. When she looked at Luke staring at her panties like they were some kind of present for him to unwrap, her cheeks burned.

  “I can handle it from here, cowboy.”

  His gaze didn’t falter from her underwear, and he still didn’t speak.

  “Luke, I said I can handle it now. Thank you.”

  He blinked then looked up at her, fixing his stare on her eyes. She looked down at his cock, still exposed for her to view, and realized how hard and erect it was. Massive. Megan’s heart pounded in her chest, and her pussy began to dampen. Sparks seemed to dance on her skin, warming her up. She felt the increasing wetness on the fabric of her underwear. Oh no.

  “Please,” she begged, hearing the shake in her voice.

  “I’ll be back.” Then Luke left her, shutting the door behind him.

  She listened for him to walk away but heard nothing. The guy was stealthy. Was he walking back to his cabin or just standing outside, waiting for her? She didn’t know. With his wolf-shifting powers, he might be able to run to his home and back without her ever hearing a thing.

  Well, I might have witch powers that could stand up to his shifter stuff. Oh, God! Kate’s book.

  In all the confusion of Nightmare going off, she’d let it slip from her hands, deciding to hold tight to the reins. When Luke had knocked her off the saddle and carried her back to his cabin, she’d forgotten about it completely. He’d made it clear that she wasn’t leaving tonight. Well, she wasn’t about to leave the book until morning. It was her sister’s spell book. Megan would insist he take her to get it. But then she’d have to explain what it was. She wasn’t up for that, especially not with Luke. With him, she didn’t want to give him any advantage. Kate hadn’t said if the book was to be kept secret, but it surely was implied.