When Wolfe Calls Read online

  “You’re a wolf,” Vicki affirmed.

  “Because like all the other animals that are here, I need this land too,” Wolfe explained. “It borders where I run, and trust me if Maynard get his hands on the property it’s only a matter of time before everything else north of here is next on his list.”

  Vicki kneeled next to where he lay and looked at his wound. She was intimately aware of his nude body. Just touching his hard thigh made her hot all over. She pulled the antiseptic from the first aid kit and poured it liberally on a gauze pad to clean the wound. His muscled leg jumped when she placed it on the bullet hole.

  “I’m sorry does it hurt really badly?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Wolfe replied.

  She really wondered because as she cleaned and stitched his skin he never winced or made a sound of pain. More than once she looked up to see him watching what she was doing, and his deep green stare never wavered or showed any hint of distress. She taped a bandage over his leg, and she sat back on the carpet.

  “There I think those stitches will hold,” she said and began to clean up the remnants of her work.

  “You do pretty good work.”

  “You patch up enough raccoons and birds and stuff you get the knack of it.” She hesitated before she asked, “So were you bitten by a werewolf or something like that?”

  That question made him roar with laughter. “You watch way too much TV, sweetheart. No, I was born this way. Figured out I was something different when I woke up in the woods naked as a jaybird and not knowing how I got there. My dad raised me, and when I called him from the bushes he explained what I really was. My mom was human, and he hoped that when they had a kid it would be like her, but it ended up I was more like him than we both liked.”

  His words told her there were hurt feelings between father and son. She wanted to ask more but wouldn’t probe into his personal life. It wasn’t her place to ask.

  “So no full moon or eating people or anything like that?” she teased. She was slowly beginning to accept that this was real and the man who saved her life was a shifter.

  “No, I come out here and I run.” He gave a husky laugh. “When I’m a wolf, I can shake off everything that comes at me while I’m human and be free.”

  “It sounds beautiful,” she whispered, amazed at the level of emotion in his voice.

  “No one knows who I really am. It feels good to tell someone. My father saw it as a curse while I see it as a gift.”

  “So what are we going to do about those guys?” Vicki asked. “Can you shift back and go get help?”

  Wolfe shook his head. “No such luck I’m afraid. I heal fast, but it’s going to take a few days for the internal damage the bullet path made to heal. Until then I can’t shift.”

  “What do we do until then?” She heard the tremor of fear in her own voice.

  “I don’t think they will be back tonight or tomorrow. I sank my teeth in pretty good.” He gave her a wide grin. “But by the time they do, we’ll be ready for them.”

  “What about your car?” she asked hopefully. “They slashed my truck tires out back.”

  “When I say I run, honey, I don’t mean a little. My car is literally a few hundred miles away from here.” Wolfe called her over with the crook of his finger, and she went willingly into his arms. “I know you’re scared, but I won’t let anyone hurt you. They’ll have to kill me before I let them touch you.”

  “Thanks,” she whispered. Vicki was never so happy to see anyone in her life. With all her bravado she was scared out of her mind when those men showed up and she was in the refuge alone. It wasn’t just someone that showed up. It was Wolfe. Then Vicki was aware of his nakedness even more being pressed into his arms. He was rubbing her back comfortingly. If I slip my hand under that towel right between his legs, I could…whoa bad thought, bad thought!

  Vicki moved away quickly and smoothed out invisible wrinkles in the front of her Thundercats T-shirt. “I should find you some clothes. I think Lou and Mark left things here from their last rotation.”

  “Where are your people?” he asked while she went into a closet and began to rummage around. “I know there are at least six people who work here.”

  ‘You’ve never been here, how do you know that?” She turned to look at him. “The new rotation does not come in until next week. Since you saved us I was planning on moving out here permanently. We can actually start putting up more fencing and everything since we own the land now.”

  “I’ve sniffed around the compound a few times,” he admitted. “I’m glad that you can do all that. Just leave a door for the wolf that stops by.”

  “Done.” She came back with a pair of sweats and a Smurfs T-shirt. “Here you go. The T-shirt might be little tight.”

  “What is with you people and animated characters on your clothes?” he teased.

  Vicki laughed. “We do rotations out here, and the interns are usually stuck without the luxury of cable so one of our benefactors donated the flat screen you see there and her kids’ collection of cartoons and the video system. Her kids were like twenty-five or something. We all got hooked on them for some strange reason. Let’s blame it on living in solitude.”

  “So you’re going to live out here?” Wolfe asked.

  “This is my kind of freedom. The city stifles me, and when I’m in the refuge I feel safe.”

  “Safe in the woods, you’re a strange woman, Victoria Ballentyne.”

  “Five years ago when I was at college in DC, I got mugged and sexually assaulted,” she said quickly. She learned how to heal those old wounds and fears but still the dull throb of anxiety that came with the memory tried to break to the surface, and she pushed it back. “At least with these predators I know what to expect.”

  “God, Victoria, I’m so sorry,” Wolfe said.

  She turned away from the pity in his eyes not able to bear it. She said brightly, “I won’t be alone. We’ll have a bunkhouse so at least three people will be on sight at all times. And we’ll have cages for hurt animals that need rehabilitation. We’re going to build something good, trust me.”

  “I know you will.” He walked into the living room dressed in the clothes she gave him.

  Just then a shot rang out ,and the sound of shattering glass filled the air. Wolfe pulled her down to the ground quickly and spread his body on top of hers. He stopped moving. He was so still, and while she was gasping with fright, she wondered if he even took a breath. They lay there so still waiting for another shot to come through a window.

  “I think they were trying to let you know they have not gone far,” Wolfe murmured. He was talking about outside but his eyes were focused on her face and lips.

  “What should we do?”

  “Nothing, they aren’t going to dare come in here. They probably saw you let me inside. They think you have a wolf in here. They’ll try to come up with a new plan.”

  “Okay, so then why are we laying here?”

  “Because I’m going to kiss you.”

  “Oh.”

  He smiled as his head descended, and he took her lips. He nibbled her full bottom lip, and she closed her eyes in pleasure. Vicki gave a small moan of frustration while he teased her.

  “Do it if you’re going to kiss me. Do it now.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  His mouth settled over hers, and he drove his tongue deep into her mouth. She sunk her fingers in the hair at his neck and held on for dear life as he ravished her mouth and set her on fire. His hands were big and settled on the curve of her hip before he pulled her roughly against him. She could feel the outline of his cock against her torso. Vicki couldn’t help herself. She reached down and stoked him through the soft material of the sweats. He’s so big! The thought flashed through her mind as he swelled even more beneath her touch. She tried to think clearly through the pleasure haze. Is it wrong to want him buried inside me until I scream? She didn’t want to move. She wanted to be naked under him begging for more. His harsh groan reverberated through her before he pulled away and sat back. When she looked at him, his eyes had become those of a wolf again, and that excited her all the more.

  “I’m going to pull back before I end up fucking you on this floor,” Wolfe said.

  She wiped some tendrils of her hair from her face. “Yeah we should stop, um heightened situations of danger raising attraction and all that.”

  “I was attracted from the time I saw you in the red dress.”

  Vicki chose to ignore the comment because if she gave into what she was feeling they would be right back on the floor. Outside dusk had set in, and the sky had begun to darken. Rain started with a roll of thunder.

  “If you light the fireplace, I can go scrounge us up something to eat.”

  “That sounds great, I’m famished.” I’m going to go make sure this place is secure and we have no unwelcome visitors tonight,” Wolfe said.

  “Won’t they see you?” Vicki asked.

  “In my line of work I’ve learned not to be seen over the years.”

  “You never said what you did for a living, Wolfe,” Vicki said nonchalantly as he removed the brace she used to bar the door.

  He turned and grinned at her before he slipped out the door. “I’m the head of an elite group that goes where no one else can.”

  She watched the door close. “Oh that’s all.”

  Vicki went to the kitchen and wondered who the hell Wolfe McCoy was.

  Chapter Three

  Vicki lit the fireplace and cleaned up the glass. While she did she saw a piece of plywood go up over the broken window, and it was quickly hammered in place by Wolfe. By the time she made thick sandwiches and found some hot chocolate to warm them up, he was slipping back in the door. Instead of just using the metal brace she had before, he pushed a big locker in front of the door. She stood there with her mouth agape as he moved the heavy metal box like it weighed nothing. It took three of her workers to get it in the door, and even then they had to take the door off to make it weigh less. He then pulled all the thick drapes in the room, and she knew it was a simple they can’t shoot what they can’t see. He was strong, and the scientist in her wanted to know everything about a shifter while the woman just wanted to melt under his touch.

  “I made you two of these. I didn’t know how much you ate.” She pointed to the thick sandwiches. He limped across the room, and she was instantly worried. “You didn’t rip those stitches out did you?”

  He winced and sat down. “Nope but I can feel my body healing, and it can be uncomfortable at times. Don’t worry I’m fine.”

  He took the plate from her and immediately bit into the sandwich. “It also makes me very hungry.”

  “Were you kidding about being the head of some secret organization?” she asked while she broke off a bit of her sandwich.”

  “I shifted in front of you why would I lie about that?” Wolfe replied. “This is not a time to be lying, sweetheart. I run a group of guys called Bad Boys Inc.”

  “Why that name?”

  “Because they have a bit of a past but are working through it.” Wolfe took another bite and chewed before speaking again. “They have a lot of good in them, and they had to find it. They are all special so to speak.”

  “Special like you?” Vicki nibbled on her own meal.

  “There are shifters like me. We actually have a lynx and a jaguar. We have a vamp and an invisible man, a descendant of Beowulf who is part demon, and a few others.”

  “Get the freak out. There are actually vampires?” she exclaimed.

  “Honey, you would be surprised what they are in this world.”

  He finished up the last bite of the sandwiches and downed the hot chocolate in a few gulps. She smiled when he yawned loudly and stretched like a satisfied animal.

  “I’ll get you some blankets,” Vicki said.

  “I plan to stay up in case we have any surprises. I don’t expect any. I left a few of my own but nevertheless, I’ll keep watch,” Wolfe said.

  She walked over with some blankets and lifted his big feet off the ground to the couch. He gave a small grunt when she moved his injured leg. Then she threw two blankets over his large frame.

  “You do what you need to. I don’t think you get argued with a lot. I’m going to grab an air mattress and sleep on the floor. We should stay close.”

  “Good idea. You’re getting the hang of this danger thing.” Wolfe leaned his head back against the arm of the couch. “I’ll close my eyes until you get comfortable.”

  She left to take a quick shower. She felt the grime of working outside and then being pinned down in her home. By the time she blew up the air mattress, grabbed her blankets off the bed and took it back to the living room, Wolfe was asleep and one of his hands had fallen to the floor. She looked down at him and felt a shudder run through her. He was unlike anything she ever expected. He saved her life and deserved some sleep. She picked up the dart gun and the one shotgun she had for protection, putting the box of shells close by. Vicki picked up a book and began to red by the light of the fire. She would watch over the injured wolf tonight.

  * * * *

  In her dream she was running, running fast down paved damp streets with an unknown figure chasing her. She heard a wolf’s howl brake through the night. Her bare feet hit the ground, making a wet slap with each step. She knew if she could find the wolf he would save her. He would protect her from this person. Where is he? She looked around panicked when the alley stopped and a wall blocked her path. She scanned frantically for a way to escape, but there was none. The ominous figure in her dream stood blocking the path, and then he had her against the wall. She struggled and he tore her nightgown. The wolf howled again, and she closed her eyes against hot breath in her face. Help me, help me, help me, help me! She screamed the words with her mind. She didn’t know she screamed them out loud until she felt herself being shaken awake.

  “Victoria, come on, sweetheart, wake up. It’s a dream that’s all.” Wolfe’s calming voice brought her back to reality. Instead of being shaken now he held her close, and she felt secure.

  She pulled away and pushed her tousled hair from her face. “Thanks.”

  “Do you have bad dreams often?” he asked.

  He was sitting on the floor with his broad bare shoulders. Sometime in the night he had taken off the ridiculous Smurf T-shirt. In her opinion he looked way better without it.

  “Not much anymore. I guess the situation we’re in brought some old demons back,” she replied.

  “I can understand those demons.” Wolfe smiled and cupped her cheek. “Did they ever find your attacker?”

  Vicki shook her head. “No, he’s out there somewhere. He got away with it, and that’s what bothers me most of all. I would have stared him down in court and put his ass a jail. But I didn’t let that take my life. I worked past the fear.”

  “I like your strength.” His green eyes were kind and a small smile was on his lips. “I’m very happy to know you, Victoria Ballentyne.”

  “Can I tell you something about the dream?” Vicki’s voice was quiet.

  “You can tell me anything.”

  “It was different this time. I heard a wolf howling. I knew it was you, and you were searching for me. That made me feel protected even though the assailant got me again. I knew you’d find me and save me.”

  “I would give up my life to save you.”

  He said it with so much certainty that Vicki knew it was true. She reached to pull him closer. “Kiss me, Wolfe. This time don’t stop.”

  “Victoria, I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

  This time it was her who cupped his face. Her eyes met his. “I’m giving myself to you, so dot let this opportunity pass.”

  Wolfe grinned wickedly, and she felt his fingers sink into her hair. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Passion exploded between them when their lips met. She heard the rubber of the air mattress moan when he pulled her off it and sat her on his lap. Their tongues danced from one mouth to the other, and he cupped her breasts through the thin material of her night shirt. She moaned at his hot touch. His whole body felt hotter than an average human’s, and he chased the chill away while holding her against his skin. Wolfe gripped the edges of her thin shirt and pulled it up over her head. Her nipples hardened against the soft mat of hair on his chest. Vicki loved the delicious friction so much that she rubbed against him like a cat.

  “You feel so good doing that,” Wolfe whispered.

  Wolfe undressed her with no haste and kissed exposed skin as he went along. He trailed kisses down her torso until he reached the top of her pajama bottoms. He pulled them down slowly, and she felt his hot breath against her pussy, through the material of her cotton panties. Vicki shuddered in anticipation. He teased her by nibbling at her mound through the barrier that kept it away from his lips. Her breath caught in her throat and her hips shift restlessly. Vicki felt her need rising. She wanted the torture to end and to have his mouth on her pussy.

  “Please,” she whispered lifting her hips in invitation.

  Wolfe stripped the panties from her body in one smooth motion and lifted her to his mouth. My God! Her mind screamed and she cried out at the sensation. The feeling of his hot mouth and tongue on the moist folds of her pussy was her undoing. Vicki moaned as his tongue penetrated her, sounding primal even to her own ears. His face pressed in between her thighs, his tongue roamed hungrily inside her. Vicki went over the edge under the onslaught of his mouth, and she ground herself against his face.

  “Please, baby, now!” she moaned. Her body arched, and their eyes were still locked. She came hard while his tongue licked at her cream. He groaned his pleasure at how her body responded to him. When he placed her down, his breath was just as labored when he looked at her.

  Wolfe stood and took off the sweatpants, and his cock sprung free from its confines. He was larger than she remembered. Vicki dropped to her knees and took the engorged shaft in her hands. She stroked him, and his head went back in pleasure. Without hesitation she took it into her mouth and ran her tongue along the head of his cock. Wolfe groaned and began to slowly pump in and out of her mouth while her tongue worked at his shaft. He pulled away suddenly, and the look on his face was blatant desire. He got back to his knees and took her lips in a hungry kiss.

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