AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My inner wolf was frothing at the idea. He desperately wanted to chase her and dominate. We had never had fun running with another female wolf. Others had tried, but that was something I only wanted to do with my mated wolf. It was too private and intimate an act to engage with just anybody. But the idea of running withJane Doehad me reconsidering my firm stance on the subject. I was too tempted, too turned on by the idea, that I didn’t take a second to stop and think about it. I just wanted to do it. Immediately.
Her laughter bubbled out of her. “My running career ended when I resigned as team captain on my track team in high school.”
I leaned back and tilted my head as I studied her. What was she talking about? What wolf would give up running? Give up the chase? Give up the embrace of the moonlight on their fur?
It piqued my curiosity. “What school did you go to? Where are you from?”
Instantly, she stiffened. This time, I prepared myself for her reaction.
“Far away.” Her voice lowered to a near-whisper, and my heart lurched. I wanted to know everything about her.Far awaywasn’t going to do it, but it told me a few things she probably hadn’t intended to communicate.
Jane Doe was in trouble and worried about me finding out who she was. I’d never wanted to know somebody’s secrets so badly, let alone her name.
I warred with my wolf, who demanded we get her to tell us her story. He wanted to force her to submit to her alpha. I didn’t want that. That would make her skip town, never to be heard from again. We had to tread carefully with her. Given how close she was to being feral, shehadto be traumatized and scared; she might be hiding it physically, but scent never lies.
My every nerve ending buzzed with the need to do more, my protective instincts pounding inside me. I had no control over them; I wanted to ensure she was taken care of properly. She needed to be guarded, guided, cared for. I couldn’t stop the intensity. It overwhelmed me.
She wouldn’t accept my help, though. Despite the outward show of confidence, flirting, and letting her interest be known, skittishness and wariness were her go-to reflexes. I had no doubt she’d bolt at the first hint of a perceived threat, and she’d never ask for help.
The door to the tavern opened, followed by an unwelcome sight. I held in a groan and deflated in my seat. Being in the company of this newcomer, surrounded by her scent, by her, I’d forgotten myself. Forgotten I was avoiding Christie and Martin Greenthorne.
It seemed they’d found me. So much for hiding out. At least I hadn’t had a chance to give them a thought. Jane Doe’s company had been a more-than-welcome distraction.
Gearing up to apologize for what was headed our way, I also wanted to convince Jane Doe to stay. Then lightning struck, and I found myself with a solution unfolding before me.
I gazed at her. This was how I could get closer to her, build a foundation for the two of us. Fingers crossed, it would also help her with whatever she was running from.
I leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, “You see the stuffy, spoiled-looking couple who just walked in?”
Jane nodded as her eyes twinkled. She knew there was going to be some mischief, and she was ready for it.
“They’ve tormented me with bureaucratic nonsense all day. It’s been exhausting. Well, they might leave me alone if it looked like I was on a date. Would you play the part for me for a moment?”
She looked at me and then at the door.
“It would really help me out,” I added.
Her eyebrows lifted, and the corner of her mouth raised in a smirk.
“I’ll pay for all your drinks for the rest of the night if you do.”
She cocked her head and eyed me up and down once more. A melodic laugh escaped her, reeling me in. Did she know how damned intoxicating that sounded?
My cock twitched again, along with my heart. I loved that sound. I wanted to hear it again.
“Okay, Mayor Blackwood.” She rose from her side of the booth and sauntered over to slide in next to me, her body heat scorching my thigh. There was nothing more divine than that heat.
My inner wolf howled. I had to admit I was proud of my little idea as well.
Watching the annoying Greenthornes strut my way, I leaned toward her ear. “Jane Doe, would it be okay to put my arm around you for believability?”
And for my hands to stop itching at the idea of touching you?Visions of my hands roaming over her skin as she was laid out like a sacrifice on my sheets flashed in my mind.
She released a soft giggle and pressed her luscious curves into my side. “My name is Victoria, but call me Tori.” She looked up at me through long lashes. “Throw in mozzarella sticks and buffalo wings with those drinks, and you can get your hands on me.”
Holding back a laugh, then a groan, and willing my cock not to rise to the situation and salute, I wrapped my arm around her and smiled. Seeing her with spit and fire, seeing her lose some of her guardedness, only stirred my craving to know her better.
The Greenthornes were at our table before I could relish the heat of her pressed up against my side. I should have wanted to be proper and professional in my official mayoral role, but Tori’s scent was driving me mad. I wanted to lay her across the table and breathe her in, and my wolf was itching to sniff her out. He wanted to burrow into her neck and roll around with her. Her scent blended so well with our own that we wanted to drown in it.
