To Trust a Wolf Read online

  “Oooh, tough guy. Maybe it’s time you and I go another round.”

  “Considering the shape we were in after the last time we faced off, how about I stand you a round at Morgan’s instead? Bring Cade when he gets back from the grovel-fest.”

  Morgan’s was the local watering hole and very popular with the local werewolf packs. It also carried the distinction of being a free-zone, no disputes of any kind allowed. You parked your ego at the door or your ass got re-parked outside.

  “Oh yeah, he’ll need a drink by then,” Jace agreed. “In a couple hours then, Logan. You stand the first, I’ll stand the next.”

  “Deal.” Logan prepared to hang up.

  “And you didn’t even have to kick my ass,” Jace bantered. “Your skills are improving.”

  “Fuck off,” Logan growled, ending the call to Jace’s hoot of laughter.

  Ten minutes later he hung up on yet another alpha. “Posturing prick,” he muttered.

  Having to end the discussion with the threat of ripping Delancy a new one, instead of being able to tactfully coerce his agreement, left a bad taste in Logan’s mouth. Still, he thought with a satisfied smirk, Delancy had backed down quick enough. The job had some redeeming qualities.

  Being the equal and more of any alpha in strength, cunning and intelligence, Logan had no desire to lead a pack. His nature was too independent, his inclinations too solitary to deal with the everyday running of a pack. A fortunate thing, considering that when his father stepped down he would have had to fight his best friend for leadership of Iron Tower pack. It was anyone’s guess how a real contest between Logan and Jace would have ended.

  His alpha qualities were what made him perfect for Pack Liaison. He was their troubleshooter, a man with the right amount of diplomatic ability and pure raw physical strength to keep peace between the sometimes volatile packs. In days gone by, disputes between packs had been decided by bloody combat, and still were in some cases. But in these more modern times, with the world becoming smaller and keeping a low profile becoming harder, different, less noteworthy tactics were employed. After all, unexplained deaths and injuries caused by teeth and claws were hard to hide. And, even though they had a network of doctors who were either lupines themselves or trusted humans, word got around, drawing unwanted attention.

  Highly respected, sometimes feared, Logan did his job with cool confidence, averting bloodshed and overt hostilities. So why was the thought of telling one stubborn human woman that she was his mate causing him a twinge of unease?

  Chapter Two

  As the bell over the door rang, signaling the arrival of another customer, Bryn glanced around the side of the bookshelf she was stocking and quickly ducked back. Her heart gave a little jump and her stomach began to pitch and roll.

  Logan Sutherland, six-feet-four-inches of mouthwatering masculine perfection—every inch of it spelling trouble. He’d been a frequent visitor ever since the shop opened. For weeks she’d felt the unspoken weight of his interest until he’d finally declared himself by asking her out. When she’d politely claimed to be busy, keeping her panic under wraps had taken every bit of restraint she could muster.

  Truth was, and she hated to admit it even to herself, she found him intriguing. Since her divorce she’d dated, but her choices were limited to men who held little chance of touching her heart. Logan was nowhere near that category and despite the attraction she felt, fear held the upper hand.

  “Afternoon, Clare.” His smooth deep voice rolled over Bryn, causing shivers to race up her spine. “I’ve come to pick up the latest Clancy you’re holding for me.”

  “Sure thing, Logan.” Clare’s voice became muffled as she ducked under the counter to retrieve the book. “It’s right here.”

  The bookstore was pristine, as usual. Shelves marched down the center of the store and lined both the sides and back. All neat, orderly and prominently labeled by subject. The lounging nooks were cozy and inviting. A few late customers browsed in various locations around the store. “Bryn around?” Logan inquired politely.

  Mouthing a silent oath, Bryn’s fist went to her mouth and she bit down. Hard.

  Clare seemed to be trying to cover for her, but Bryn could tell she wasn’t able to lie with Logan’s clear, golden brown gaze fixed on her. “I…um.”

  Bryn wrinkled her nose in disgust at her friend’s sudden inability to form a coherent sentence. “I’m right here,” Bryn called out, coming to Clare’s rescue. Marching up to the counter, she gave Clare a hard look.

  Clare gave a helpless shrug. “I’ll just go and—ah—check on something.”

  An amused smile tilted Logan’s beautifully chiseled lips. Bryn gave an inward sigh of appreciation.

  “I know why you’re here.” She decided to go on the offensive. “And the answer is no. I have appalling taste in men. If I say yes, it’ll just turn out to be a big disaster for both of us, so I’m going to save us both a lot of trouble and embarrassment.”

  Logan struggled to keep his pleasant smile from turning into a full-fledged grin. Lord, she’s adorable, he thought. Out loud he said, “Don’t you think that’s rather high-handed?”

  “Why?” Bryn asked defensively.

  “This decision affects both of us and I didn’t get a vote,” Logan replied, his tone mildly reproving.

  Bryn stood nonplussed for a moment. “But it’s my decision to make,” she pointed out reasonably. Hoping to discourage Logan, she began inventing. “Besides, I discovered I’m a closet lesbian.”

  A strangled snort of laughter came from several shelves back. Logan’s own amusement threatened to burst free. Keeping a strict rein on it, he uttered a bland, “Oh? Do you have a current lover?”

  “Yes.” Bryn cast about desperately for a name. “It’s Clare.”

  A muffled “Hey!” of protest issued from behind the shelves.

  “That must have come as something of a shock to Brian.”

  “He loves it,” Bryn invented with wild abandon. “We have threesomes.” Seeing Logan’s raised eyebrows and look of disbelief, she began to wind down. “It’s great. Really an eye-opening experience. You should…oh, hell. Where did I lose you?”

  Logan considered her solemnly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “If you’d have said, say, Susan Whitley was your lover, I might have believed you. But Clare just didn’t wash. I’m sure she’d agree with me.”

  “She does.” The crisp reply floated over the shelves.

  Trying to turn the conversation, Bryn exclaimed, “Susan Whitley’s a lesbian? I had no idea.” Seeing her conversational gambit go flat, Bryn sighed in defeat. Her eyes met Logan’s and her body began to tighten and burn with the intensity of the fire she saw kindled there. She bit her lip as an unshakable look of determination mingled with the flames.

  Logan held out his hand. “Come with me.”

  Taking a step back, Bryn shook her head and pointed at the clock on the wall. “We still have an hour ‘til closing.” The pitch and roll of her stomach took on tidal wave proportions.

  “I’m sure Clare wouldn’t mind finishing out the hour and closing by herself.” Logan indicated Clare’s presence at Bryn’s back.

  “I wouldn’t mind at all,” Clare agreed pleasantly.

  “Clare!” Bryn hissed.

  “I owed you for that lesbian threesome stuff,” Clare smirked, handing Bryn her purse.

  “Come on, Bryn.” Logan took Bryn’s limp hand and led her unresisting form out of the bookstore and down the street to the coffee shop.

  * * * * *

  Bryn slid across the vinyl seat of the booth Logan indicated. The smell of coffee and freshly baked apple pie permeated the air. She regarded him silently, resting her hands on the smooth tabletop as he took a place opposite her. A waitress immediately rushed over to take their order, all the while surreptitiously giving Logan the once-over.

  Humph, Bryn’s lips gave a disgruntled twitch. He probably gets this kind of thing all the time, she thought, waving away the pol
ite offer of service.

  Sending the waitress for coffee, Logan’s gaze settled on Bryn. “You’re frowning,” he observed.

  “What?”

  Her irritated reply caused a ripple of amusement to cross his features. He reached out and placed his forefinger between her brows. “Right here.”

  His unexpected touch, and the heat she felt from it, caused a shiver to slide down her spine.

  “Don’t.” Bryn began to draw back.

  With lightning speed Logan captured one of the hands she rested on the table. “Don’t be afraid, Bryn. I would never hurt you.”

  Bryn’s breath caught in her lungs as she was momentarily stunned by his words. How did he know she was afraid? Her stomach did another quivering roll. Fortunately the waitress returned with Logan’s coffee, giving her a chance to rally. She forced a casual smile and made her hand lie still in his. “What makes you think I’m afraid of you, Logan?”

  “Male intuition?” Logan quipped, before taking a sip of his coffee. He could hardly tell her the truth. Just as when he hunted prey, he could sense her unease, smell her fear.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of men having intuition,” Bryn answered somewhat caustically.

  “You think only women have that ability?” Logan asked. He examined the hand he held in his own. Her fingers were long and slender, the nails neat, short and unadorned. His other hand joined the first and he began to gently explore the contours of hers. He cupped one hand under hers while the fingers of his other slid sensuously over her palm.

  As the tips of Logan’s fingers glided over her palm, Bryn convulsively tightened her thighs. His easy caress felt like it connected right at her center. She felt the first stirring of need pinch her belly, causing moisture to form between her clenched thighs. Her nipples grew taut and an involuntary shiver slid the length of her spine. She gave a strangled gasp. “Stop that.”

  Logan looked up. His golden brown eyes captured gray eyes gone wide with apprehension and, yes, arousal. The rich, heady fragrance of her awakening passion inundated his senses. The hardened tips of her nipples pressed pertly against her light summer blouse and he almost groaned at the thought of suckling her. Her unwilling excitement caused a tingle in Logan’s groin. He fought to keep his already stiffening cock under control. “You’ll have dinner with me tomorrow.”

  Formed not as a question but a statement of fact, Bryn took exception. “No.” She pulled at her captured hand. Was it her imagination or the play of sunlight through the windows that made his eyes seem to glow?

  With a supreme effort of will, she held herself still as Logan tightened his hold on her hand and studied her intently. Well acquainted with her own reflection, she knew what he was seeing. Long, tawny blonde hair that hung almost to her waist, wide gray eyes, framed by slim, shaped eyebrows. Full lips, a straight nose and well-defined cheekbones. Classic features arranged on an oval face.

  A sudden unbidden image filled her mind. Her hair tossing wildly on his pillows while her eyes filled with heat and need. Her lips parting, swollen from his kisses, moans and pleas torn from her throat as his body moved over her, touching her, filling her. Their bodies melding and writhing with the torrid heat they’d created together.

  Bryn felt her cheeks heat under his regard, grateful that he couldn’t read the thoughts generated by her runaway imagination. Still, he must have sensed something. Bryn bit her lip at the speculative gleam in his eyes.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven,” he stated, his tone brooking no argument. Logan was not about to allow her to back away. Not this time. No more waiting, no more. His wolf demanded its mate.

  “Are you always so domineering?” she demanded, irritation overshadowing her unease.

  “Only when I see something I want,” he returned flatly.

  “You’re beginning to seriously annoy me, Logan.” Bryn felt like squirming under his intense regard but vowed not to give him the satisfaction of seeing her unnerved.

  A slow teasing smile curved his lips. “Good. If you’re annoyed you won’t have time to be afraid.”

  Lord above, the visions that skated through her mind at the hard, determined look of him! Her churning imagination again took control. Images of a half-naked Logan in pirate garb, ready to pillage her trembling body overwhelmed her. She certainly could feel her timbers shivering, she thought irreverently.

  Bryn felt a reluctant smile pull at her own lips. Her crazy pirate fantasy had loosened her taut nerves. “All right, just don’t expect too much.”

  “I’ll expect only as much as you want to give,” Logan assured, his expression innocent of nefarious intent. Of course, he intended to help her want to give quite a lot. Not just for his own pleasure, it was his duty as her future mate.

  She regarded him suspiciously. “Why do I get the feeling I shouldn’t find those words comforting? Am I missing something here?”

  “Are you this distrustful with everyone or just me?” Curiosity and some consternation prompted the question.

  Bryn considered, watching Logan as he waited patiently. Sitting here with him she had discovered how much she really did want to get to know him. She was tired of her solitary loneliness, and she felt drawn to him in a way she’d never felt with anyone before. Longing filled her heart. “I’m sorry, Logan.” She felt the slight sting of tears and turned her head to look out the window that fronted the coffee shop. “My ex-husband’s exploits pretty much depleted my stock of trust. It’s not you.” She felt resentment stir again at what her ex-husband had cost her. And anger at herself for how easily the tears of self-pity formed. She hated being afraid. Hated being unable to give her trust. This was the legacy bequeathed to her for being foolish enough to love him.

  Logan reached out, taking her chin in his hand, turning her back to face him. His golden brown eyes were filled with understanding, “It’s okay, baby. Before too long you’ll know without a doubt that you can trust me. I promise you, Bryn.”

  Hearing his gently spoken words, and the sincere conviction in them, brought a stirring of hope. “I hope so, Logan,” she murmured.

  Using words he hoped would lighten her mood, a teasing light filled his eyes as a smile quirked his lips. “It’ll happen, sweetheart. Trust me.”

  A crooked smile and then a small chuckle broke from her parted lips. “If you say so.” It would be so wonderful if he were speaking the truth. She hardly dared hope, and yet the lure of it was so beguiling she let herself imagine what a life shared with this man would be like.

  “No arguments?” Logan’s eyes widened in surprise. “On that note of progress, let me walk you to your car.”

  She pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose. “I’m not that bad, am I?” Bryn asked.

  Logan quirked an eyebrow at her.

  “Okay. I am,” she admitted.

  A shared and mutual grin united them.

  Bryn bit her lip as she felt the first shy, happy stirring of hope.

  They slid out of the booth and Bryn waited as he reached for his wallet to pay the tab. Taking her hand again, he led her out onto the sidewalk and back to the bookstore. Bryn smiled at the feel of her hand in his. She felt kind of like a kid again, holding hands with her boyfriend. Glancing at their reflection in the store windows they passed, she sobered. Logan was certainly no boy. Bryn herself was tall, five-foot-nine in her stocking feet. Logan’s size made her feel almost petite. Quite a novel feeling for her. Though not overweight, she’d always felt she needed to lose a few pounds. One disastrous date had likened her figure to Marilyn Monroe’s in Some Like It Hot, right before he’d tried to grab a handful of breast.

  Despite the grab, she liked the comparison. There was no doubt that Marilyn Monroe was hot. Some men liked their women with lush, full curves. Apparently Logan was one of them.

  She also liked Logan’s forceful, take-charge attitude. His confidence shone like a beacon, drawing her to him. And the way he so naturally—and at every opportunity—touched her, making her feel protected an
d desired. It was a feeling she found herself appreciating more and more.

  Logan’s eyes were drawn to the graceful movements of his mate. Thank god she didn’t strive to be one of those rail-thin boy clones so many women tried to emulate, he thought with gratitude. Certain key body parts, he noted, swayed and jiggled with a subtle motion that had his libido revving its engine. The image of mounting that voluptuous, curvy body and being cushioned by that oh-so sweet and generous flesh set his blood surging through his veins and pooling in his groin, creating a noticeable bulge in his jeans.

  Anticipation tightened his body, but he sobered as he remembered the bleak expression in her eyes and the shimmer of tears she had tried to hide. He had hidden the rage he’d felt at the man who should have taken care of her. He felt his insides pinch at the thought of her pain. He was determined to erase her fear and fill her with joy. His mate would be happy. He would accept nothing less.

  They passed the bookstore, which was already closed and locked up, walking through the short alleyway that lay between it and the card shop next door. Her car was parked in the small lot behind the stores. Heat shimmered off the blacktop, baked by the midafternoon sun.

  Bryn fished her keys out of her purse and unlocked the door. She turned to Logan to say goodbye, only to discover she’d lost his attention. Standing still and alert, his head slightly raised, Bryn could almost believe he was scenting the air.

  Not knowing how accurate her guess was, she watched him, unaware that Logan had scented an unfamiliar male lupine. In nature, when the male of a species felt his right to the female of his choice was threatened, he responded by demonstrating his ownership. Logan’s wolf made him very much a creature of instinct. Unaware of the effect the interloper was having on him, Bryn was also unaware that she was about to be claimed.

  She looked around, surveying the lot and surrounding buildings, seeing nothing. “Logan, what…?” she began, and found herself hauled into his arms.

  Caught off-guard, Bryn had no time to utter a protest as Logan’s lips sealed over hers. Her initial start of surprise quickly turned to pleasure and then to growing arousal. She melted into the heat of his embrace, feeling her center go liquid with need as his burgeoning erection pressed insistently against her stomach. The moisture which had formed earlier was joined by reinforcements that dampened her panties.