Ruthless Read online

  “If you need any help out at the ranch, I’d be happy to stop in.”

  I paused in pouring a line of shots of tequila to look at him. Rand had said something similar, and I’d gotten a fuse fixed and my pussy licked.

  Was that some kind of line because while he was attractive, I had no interest in spreading my legs for him. “What kind of help?” I tucked the bottle back in the holder in front of me.

  “You know, if you have any leaks that need fixing or whatever. I’m pretty handy with a wrench.”

  “I’ll be taking care of her plumbing.” Rand’s deep voice rumbled across the bar. He loomed behind the tall cowboy, somehow making the man appear old and frail, which was ridiculous. Rand’s gaze bored into the back of the other guy’s head.

  The man stood from his bar stool and pivoted but seemed to reconsider a fight when he came chest to chest to Rand.

  “Oh. Well, I suppose you mean that literally, then,” the cowboy said, apparently recognizing Rand.

  Rand gave him a serious nod. “I do. Back off, Robertson.”

  “Or?”

  Oh shit. Next they were going to pull their dicks out and measure them. Good thing I was on the other side of the bar, so they didn’t pee on me to stake their claim.

  “She’s taken,” Rand practically snarled.

  “Rand,” I said, but both guys ignored me.

  “That so?”

  “That’s so. Back off while you can still walk.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was the words themselves, the look on Rand’s face or the tone that sounded more of a wolf growl than human voice that had the guy taking a step back.

  The cowboy pulled a card out of his pocket and slid it across the bar toward me. “If you do need help with anything else. Don’t hesitate to call.”

  I didn’t touch the card. Didn’t breathe.

  I wasn’t sure if I should be turned on or angry by Rand’s behavior. He was acting over the top, as if he’d staked his claim.

  We may have fooled around, but we weren’t a couple. I’d made it really clear what I wanted from him. Yes, I’d probably jump in the sack with him a few more times, but I wasn’t going to let him publicly stake his claim on me, and I definitely wasn’t going to lose my heart.

  The guy walked off, and Rand moved to stand directly across from me. He snatched up the business card and tore it into little pieces. “Darlin’.”

  “I’m taken?” I asked, setting my forearms on the bar. I had to look up at him, but our heads were closer. I didn’t need the entire bar to know my business although people nearby hadn’t missed the show.

  “Yeah.”

  Yeah? That was it? “You do not get to dictate who I talk to. I’m not sure what gave you that idea.”

  Rand opened his mouth then shut it again, his gaze wide and alert. Almost alarmed.

  I should’ve probably been satisfied to see how dismayed my words made him, but instead it knotted up my belly. Like I’d hurt his feelings and didn’t enjoy the guilt of it.

  But that didn’t make sense. Cocky cowboy electricians didn’t get their feelings hurt when the woman they just screwed flicked them down the path to the next woman.

  Did they? Er… did he? Had I hurt his feelings?

  “Rand, I told you—”

  It was Rand’s turn to lean forward. “Who licked your pussy, Red? Made you scream?”

  I darted my gaze around. “I’m working!” I hissed.

  “Yeah, me too. I’m doing my job to protect what’s mine.”

  I melted inside but rolled my eyes. “I’m not yours.”

  “Your ass still have my hand print on it?”

  I flushed.

  “That’s what I thought. Robertson’s not going to get a finger on you. Not any guy in this bar. Hell, in Montana.”

  “Possessive much?”

  Of course, at that moment, a large group of men bunched up at the bar, all giving me their orders, and I was busy for the next forty-five minutes straight. I managed to get Rand a soda, but we didn’t get a chance to talk further. His hand print wasn’t on my ass any longer, but I remembered how it had tingled.

  Ugh, but did we even need a talk? Wasn’t the whole point of casual sex that you didn’t have to examine it or belly button gaze over it afterward?

  The blonde cowgirl from early in my shift returned and pressed herself up against Rand. “Hey,” she purred. “I missed you Monday night.”

  My gaze jerked to Rand’s face.

  Just as I’d thought, they looked good together. Fuck, I was jealous. And that made me the possessive one. How could I blame Rand his actions with the cowboy when I felt the same way?

  His gaze snapped to mine. Alarm rang on all his features again. “Karen,” he said as if the two syllables were distasteful to him. “Have you met Natalie Sheffield?”

  I liked the way he said it. Like he was calling out that he was here with me. Which of course, he wasn’t, since I was working, and he was sitting across the bar from me, trying to snatch away the cards of men who tried to pick me up.

  I stuck my hand out. “Nice to meet you.”

  She shook it in that cold fish way women sometimes had. Like they had no idea how to shake a hand. Which was weird since she had the rugged, outdoorsy look going.

  And then it hit me.

  Monday night. The full moon.

  She was one of them. Another wolf.

  “Go find another guy, doll,” Rand said to Karen. His gaze was locked on mine, as if looking her way wasn’t even worth the effort.

  She stood beside him, her boobs pressed against his upper arm. “Rand?”

  “Someone. Else.” His voice was a snarl. Her eyebrows went up, but she didn’t say more, only turned on a heel and left.

  I had no idea how long we stared at each other. Whether anyone was trying to get my attention for drinks.

  He dropped onto the bar stool. “Red, you think I’m the possessive one? That look on your face could kill.”

  I blinked then sighed. He was right. I wanted to throat punch Karen for looking at him. Had he enjoyed the feel of her pressed against him? I’d never have that much cleavage even wearing a push-up bra.

  “So, Red, am I possessive? You have no idea.”

  Oh, I was getting a pretty good idea. I just had to decide if I liked it or not. And if I did, what was I going to do about it?

  8

  RAND

  * * *

  Natalie worked hard. How she stood on her feet for hours with a fucking smile on her face when drunks practically slobbered over her, others argued about stupid shit like too much foam on their beer or guys like Pete Robertson, who wanted in her pants. I had no idea how much she made in tips by last call, but it wasn’t enough to put up with all the assholes. Cody either needed to pay her more, or she was going to have to consider another job. I was going to lose my shit if she kept working here. Without me as her own personal bouncer.

  I’d dropped onto the stool to get rid of Robertson and didn’t get up all night. Not once. I made sure no one touched her, smart mouthed or said a bad word. She might be as fiery as her hair, but she was innocent. Sweet. Light. I wouldn’t have one frown on her face.

  Natalie had come my way and refilled my soda but only rolled her eyes at me for my macho, staking-my-claim behavior. I grinned and winked back, which only made her roll her eyes some more. Fuck, she was a spitfire, and I loved that her sass was directed at me.

  “Is it like that every night?” I asked, walking her to her car. I had my hand on the small of her back, my wolf glad to be touching her again. The bar had been between us all night. A real pain in the ass for me although it did soothe my wolf that it made a barrier between her and everyone else.

  “Like what?”

  “Guys all over you?”

  She laughed, tucked her purse higher on her shoulder. “All over me? The only guy into me was the one whose business card you tore up. He wanted my business.”

  I knew Robertson. He was an okay guy. Ran the
feed store in town. Owned his own house. Never married. “He wanted your pussy.”

  She gasped, spun on her sneakers to face me. Only a few cars were left in the lot, and while it was well lit, there were pockets of darkness that made me glad she wasn’t walking alone. I had wolf hearing and eyesight and would know of any danger well before it got near us. She sure as fuck didn’t.

  “I can’t believe you just said that!”

  “Why?” I asked, leading her on towards her car.

  “He didn’t want my… my—”

  “Red, I’m a guy. We all want pussy. But yours is taken. Yours belongs to me.”

  Yeah, I was a possessive fucker. But after the number of guys who eyed my mate all night, my wolf wanted to claim her. Completely. My bite on her neck. My scent on her. In her. But even that wouldn’t satisfy me because most of those assholes were human. They wouldn’t even recognize my mark.

  I’d just have to stay with her all the time. I could hear Nash laughing at me, at how crazy possessive I’d become. In human terms, I was totally whipped.

  We stopped in front of her car which was in the back corner. My truck was a few empty spots over.

  “I do not belong to you,” she countered.

  Setting a hand on the hood of her car, I got in her space, breathed her in. There was the sweet smell I’d been craving, that had taunted me all night but subdued by the stale beer tang in the bar.

  “Not yet. Your pussy does.”

  She shook her head, rolled her eyes. Again. “You’re insane.”

  “For you.” I couldn’t resist a second longer. I lowered my head. Kissed her.

  She gasped and melted against her car. My tongue found hers, and we kissed like high schoolers, as if first base was all I was ever going to get. I was starved for her, the sweet taste of her mouth… and her pussy.

  I pulled away, and she looked up at me through her lashes. Yeah, she liked me. My kisses, how I made her feel. How I made her forget. She wouldn’t admit it. What independent woman wanted to admit they liked to hand over control? As a shifter, I needed it, especially when she gave it to me so sweetly.

  “I should get home, Rand.”

  I didn’t miss a beat. “I’m going with you. Or bringing you to my place.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I already told you I don’t want you staying there alone until we get the electrical sorted out. We never got those smoke alarms put up.” It was the truth. I wasn’t going to be able to sleep knowing her house could catch fire. Of course, the electrical hadn’t changed in decades, so I didn’t think it would make much difference now, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. Besides, I wanted her in my bed. Beside me. “And,” I stepped in closer. “After watching all those other men drooling over you tonight, I’m pretty much dying to mar—I mean, to stake my claim.”

  She rolled her eyes. Again.

  “You keep rolling your eyes at me, darlin’, and I’m going to spank your ass.” I leaned in close, played with one of her curls. “But then, that’s not really a punishment, is it?”

  “Rand,” she breathed.

  I inhaled, picked up her scent… and her arousal.

  “Stake your claim?” she asked, ignoring my threat, which we both knew was no threat at all. “You don’t have a claim, big guy.”

  I shoved down the sense of panic those words produced in me, prodding the overwhelming need to toss her over my shoulder and get her back to my place as fast as I could. Fates, I could hardly see straight from jealousy and possessiveness right now.

  “Well, I’m trying to make one, darlin’. You’ve been driving me insane all night.”

  “I was slinging drinks. You’re crazy.”

  “Crazy for you, crazy for not being able to touch you.” I leaned my forehead against hers. My dick was going to have a zipper imprint in it, and my balls had never been so blue. “I need to touch you. Say I can touch you.”

  Her mouth fell open, and she glanced around. “What? Here?”

  No one was around. I knew it. Heard it. Felt it. I didn’t have to look away. “Here. Now.”

  She sputtered. “You’re serious.”

  “I had to watch Robertson try to pick you up. I’m not sure if I’ll be buying anything at his feed store again.”

  “You’ll deny him business because he wanted—”

  “—my pussy,” I said, trying to hide the growl. She really was driving me crazy. “If he keeps his hands and thoughts to himself, maybe I’ll change my mind.”

  She stared then laughed. She was laughing at me. My possessiveness. My need for her.

  “You think this is funny, Red? This connection we have? I spent hours watching you tonight without being able to touch you. Fine. Just let me look. I won’t touch. Lift up that skirt and show me that pussy.”

  “You’re serious.”

  “Dead serious.” I stepped closer, my fingertips brushing her waist. I could lift her skirt myself, but I wanted her to do it for me. To offer herself up the way she had this afternoon.

  Prove she was mine.

  I watched her swallow, her pupils dilate. Only a shifter would be able to notice in this light.

  She looked around one more time, rolling her eyes and blushing, then lifted her jean skirt. Higher and higher until it was at her hips. Light colored panties with little strings on the sides covered her pussy. Taking a deep breath, I could smell that lush peach between her thighs. It was wet. It was swollen and ripe and ready for me.

  “Fuck, do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?”

  “Rand,” she whispered.

  “I was wrong. I can’t not touch. Let me feel how wet you are. Let me make you feel good.”

  She was panting now, and I could feel the heat coming from her skin. I’d stop if she really wanted to. I’d push her but only a little bit. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her, especially with my need.

  “Yes.”

  That one word was all I needed. Gently, or as gently as I possibly could be, I tucked my fingers into the elastic at her hips and snapped it, careful not to abraid her skin.

  She gasped. I slid the rent panties from between her legs, tucking the damp cotton into my jeans pocket.

  “Rand,” she breathed. “What are you doing to me? We’re standing in a parking lot.”

  “No one sees you like this but me. Do you trust me with that?”

  She stared at me with lust filled eyes. Nodded.

  Fuck, yes. I cupped her at the same time I claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. She kissed me back, like she was as hungry to taste me as I was for her. I licked into her mouth, slanting my lips over hers, drinking her in.

  “You’re dripping for me.” Fuck, she was warm. I stroked her, smearing her wetness all around, ensuring I coated her hard little clit before I dipped two fingers inside as I dragged my mouth down the slender column of her neck.

  “This is just a preview, Red. A warm-up. I can’t fucking wait to get you in my bed.”

  “Your bed?” she panted. She went up on her toes as I curled my fingers inside her. When I found her g-spot, I rubbed it. Her hand went to my wrist as she rode my fingers. “You like that, darlin’?”

  “Yes,” she moaned against my mouth.

  “That’s it. That pussy knows what it needs, that I’ll give it the pleasure it’s been begging for. So greedy. Good girl. Come all over my hand.”

  She did. So fast, so beautifully. She cried out my name and let it carry on the wind. If anyone was around, they’d know it was me who made her come. It was me who she was letting finger fuck her in the parking lot.

  My dick was leaking pre-cum like a faucet. I wanted in her so bad, to feel the tight clench of her walls strangle it. Milk it of cum.

  “That’s it, Red. You gonna let me take care of all your needs?” Slipping my fingers free, I licked them clean as she leaned against her car to catch her breath. She didn’t even think about the fact that her skirt was up about her waist. I patted her pussy once, gently, then lowered her ski
rt back down.

  “Follow me back to my place. I’ll give you everything you need.”

  Her eyes were closed, and she was panting. I loved her like this. Pliant, sated. Mine.

  “That was just a warmup, Red. You’ll be in my bed, and you won’t be sleeping anytime soon.”

  That was a promise.

  9

  NATALIE

  * * *

  The only reason I went home with Rand was because we had unfinished business. He was coming on strong, and I didn’t mind it because, well, he’s so flipping hot. And ridiculously skilled with his fingers. And mouth. If I admitted it to myself, I liked the over the top attention.

  I wasn’t foolish enough to think this could go anywhere. I knew it couldn’t. I was human, and he was a shifter. Same as Uncle Adam with his high school sweetheart. It was a love that couldn’t be.

  Not that we were in love. I’d only met him again a day ago. I didn’t believe in love at first sight. Hell, I didn’t really even believe in love. It hadn’t worked for my parents—the love part. They didn’t even like each other, barely co-existing in what experts would call codependency of mutual dislike. I had no idea why they stayed together. I assumed they’d gotten together in the first place because they’d been hot and heavy for each other. I really didn’t want to know anything about that, but ever since I could remember, they were not in love or even in lust. They pretty much hated each other.

  But somehow, they made hate work for them. In a ridiculously dysfunctional way.

  That meant I was jaded and dysfunctional when it came to love. That also meant I definitely wasn’t falling in love with Rand. How could I when it was his wolf being all lusty and possessive?

  I did like the lusty part. He’d already given me three orgasms and hadn’t even been inside me yet. I sort of couldn’t wait to see how the rest of this went down because if he was that skilled with his fingers and mouth, then…

  Yeah. How could I deny myself more?

  I followed him to his place—a sweet little cabin just up the mountain from my place as the crow flew. Like he said, it was on Wolf Ranch land. We really were neighbors.