Seduced by a Shifter (20 page)

Other people started to show including Scott, Joe, and two police officers actually in uniform. One of them was Zan, who carried clothes in his hand. Willow felt the air thicken and tingle before she caught a glimpse of a naked male body.

Was that Dean? But Ben rounded on her, pushing her back to the ground with his large body so that all she saw was a big, furry, tanned head. He gave her another slow lick along her cheek and she reached out with both hands, grasping the thick fur on his neck. “And I love you, Ben. But we really need to talk about those wolf kisses.”

Ben had given her a week. One short week to figure it all out. Though family and friends had called throughout those seven days, Ben phoned her at least once every day to check in, to tease, to tantalize. And to drive her absolutely crazy. She missed him so much and each conversation only made it worse.

How was she to think about her future when all she thought of was Ben?

The first several days flew by as she was reunited with her adored father, who broke down into sobs of joy when he saw her very much alive and well. Updating each other on what had happened over those missing months filled the beginning of the week.

The fourth and fifth days were filled with the news that Valen and her men were immediately charged with kidnapping and attempted murder of Willow, and murder in the first degree of the elderly couple whose vacation home they’d “rented”. The defense had angled for mental incapacity as Valen appeared disoriented and had screamed uncontrollably at the wolf statue just inside the courthouse foyer. While the two men also in custody hadn’t screamed, they had peed their pants. The third man, the one who’d stayed behind at Tess’s wedding, was missing, and Willow didn’t care to know what happened to him. She did learn from Ben, however, that she would never have to worry about any of them again.

The night before she left Woodcliff she’d warned Ben she would keep no secrets from her father. So on the sixth day she told the first man she ever loved about the man who now held her heart. Ian’s reaction was disconcerting, to say the least. Instead of reaching out for the phone to contact the nearest psychiatrist, he appeared shocked—understandable—then laughed in utter delight—not so understandable.

Then it became Willow’s turn to listen to a story, this one about her great-grandfather, who disappeared into the magical mists and lush green valleys of Ireland after seducing an unwed woman. A woman whose child, Willow’s paternal grandmother, left her homeland to seek solace and anonymity from the veiled whispers and shaming looks.

A descendant of a faery? Yeah, right. There was no such thing.

Just as there was no such thing as a werewolf?

Whoa.

On the seventh day Willow paced her father’s apartment on tenterhooks, rubbing her palms over her long skirt. Her father, bless his wonderful heart, kept everything of hers he could possibly stuff in his own three-bedroom condo. Minus a few worn pieces of furniture she’d bought secondhand, it was all here. Clothes, books, awards, pictures, knickknacks, a bookcase, and even her bedroom set.

Ian Yancy was an incredible man.

The doorbell rang and Willow breathed deep, tugging the hem of her long-sleeved shirt before walking over to let another incredible man into her life.

“Hey.” Ben was all lazy, sexy male. A feast for her adoring eyes.

“Hey, yourself.” Her first inclination was to jump up and wrap herself around him like ivy. But she hesitated, trying to gauge his reaction at seeing her again. After all, he’d never told her he loved her back. It was the only piece holding her back.

A door cracked open across the hall and an elderly woman stuck her head through the narrow gap. “You okay, Willow, honey? I got the police on speed dial.” She waved the phone like a sword under her second chin.

“No, Mrs. Crenshaw. Everything’s just fine.” Several people in the building knew what happened to Willow, and they now took a special interest in her safety. Sometimes Willow got the feeling they were waiting with bated breath for something else to happen so they could get in on the action.

She shook it off. “This is Ben Anderson. He’s my...”

What, exactly?

“Her fiance.” Ben turned that charming smile at Mrs. Crenshaw, who proceeded to preen and pat the curls in her white hair.

“Oh. Such a handsome young man. Lucky girl.”

“I’m the lucky one.” Ben looked deep into Willow’s eyes. Without waiting for an invitation, he nudged her inside and closed the door against Mrs. Crenshaw’s prying gaze.

Willow walked backwards into the room, hyper-aware of Ben’s advance and the blatant hunger in his eyes. “Fiance, huh?” She couldn’t seem to catch her breath.

He tossed his jacket onto a chair, his lips curling into a lupine grin. “I didn’t think she’d understand the importance behind the words ‘my mate’.”

She bumped into the wall, effectively halting her retreat. “So you don’t want to marry me?”

“Oh, we’ll be getting married all right.” Ben came closer, pressing his heat all along her body. He laid his forearms against the wall on either side of her head. “I missed you, Will.”

Her tongue darted out to lick dry lips. “Yeah?”

His eyes flicked from her mouth back to her eyes, the dark depths of his pinned her in place, the feel of him surrounding her, melting her into a pool of goo. He was big and gorgeous, seductive and sweet—and all hers.

“Oh, yeah.” He brushed his lips on hers. “Open your mouth.”

“Wha-” His kiss was hot and sinful and deep. So deep. His arms didn’t move from the wall, but his wicked thigh wedged between hers, rubbing against the arousal between her legs.

She yanked her head away, her hands pushing against his shoulder to get air. “How? The mating heat’s gone.”

Another deep kiss. “Told you. The mating heat only ensures mates get together initially, then twice a year to continue the line. What you and I have is more than just chemistry, sweetheart.”

Chemistry that was damn near combustible. She wasn’t sure if the top of her head was still attached. “What more do we have, Ben?”

He nuzzled her temple. “Affection.”

Her eyes started to close. “Affection?”

“I love you, Willow Yancy.”

Her eyes popped back open. “What?’

He reared back, his eyes confused. “I’ve told you I love you.”

“I—I—” Her stupid mouth wasn’t working right. “When?”

He looked at a loss for words. Then he rested his forehead on hers. “I’m sorry. I’ve told you so many times in my head that I thought I already told you out loud.”

She reached under his shirt to twist the little bit of flesh she could grab. “Maybe if you’d told me before I left, I wouldn’t have been so crazed this last week.”

Ben only reached down to take the hand abusing him and kiss each and every finger before holding it, palm open, over his cheek. “I love you so much that I could barely breathe when you were gone.”

Ohhhhhhhhh. Mush. She was so much mush.

“I want you home with me. In Woodcliff.”

“A job—”

He covered her mouth with his hand. “I don’t give a flying fig if you ever lift a finger. Just don’t ever leave me again.”

She mumbled under his hand, prompting him to lift it. “What?”

”Dean called and offered me a job. As manager of your ‘hunting lodge’. It certainly won’t be much but then Josh called—”

“Josh Renner? What the hell?” The amber she now knew signaled his wolf was close to the surface started to bleed into his eyes.

“If you’d stop interrupting me, I could tell you.”

Clearly unhappy, he clamped his mouth shut. Amused at him, she slipped her hands around his body to stroke his back under his shirt, knowing he needed the skin-to-skin contact. She needed it as well. “He called to tell me that one of their female physical ed teachers is pregnant. They’ll need a replacement within the next couple of months. Potentially permanently. She’s already hinting about not coming back.”

“I’m not sure I like the idea of you spending so much time away from me.”

She kissed the mulish set of his lips. “Just think of me as the extension of your eyes and ears for the pack, Ben.”

His eyes brimmed with emotion, strong hands skimming down to curve over her butt. “Not my eyes and ears, Willow. My heart. You’re my heart.”

As he claimed her lips for another toe-curling kiss, she realized that without all the ugliness that had come into her life, she would never have known this man. Was he her reward? Maybe. But to have this man in her life, she would go through the fires of hell again and again.

And if hell should ever rear its unwelcome head again, Willow knew without a doubt she would never be alone. Ben would always be at her side.

THE END

What This Wolf Wants by Jennifer Dellerman

What This Wolf Wants is sexy, fun and exciting with a wonderful sense of humor to sweeten the ride...If readers are looking for a paranormal romance book that will make time fly and their blood pressure rise in excitement, then What This Wolf Wants is the one to try.

--Whipped Cream Reviews 4.5 Books

The third book in the Woodcliff Shifter Series, What This Wolf Wants is sure to make you howl! Dr. Jacklyn Chavez knows all about the shifters of Woodcliff, CO- and she has a secret of her own. Animal attraction brings her and hot shifter Zan on a wild ride of lost relatives, family secrets, and wolves- oh my!

From best-selling author Jennifer Dellerman comes a passionate story of hot shifter love!

What This Wolf Wants is a sexy, exciting read that is enhanced by smart dialogue, strong characters and very hot, erotic encounters.

--Night Owl Erotica, 4.5 Stars- A Reviewer Top Pick

Shifting Positions by Jennifer Dellerman

“Shifting Positions is hot, fun, and full of excitement.”

--RomFan Reviews

Tess Gentry fled her home ten years ago to find a normal life- away from the shifters of Woodcliff, CO. Now she’s come back home and finds herself face to face with her destiny.

Don’t miss the first book in the Woodcliff Shifter Series!

Shifter’s Surrender by Jennifer Dellerman

Kaylie Gentry wants Dean Kinigos, Alpha of the Woodcliff Shifter Pack, but he keeps his distance, until an accidental touch sends sparks flying! Dean can no longer deny her...at least sexually. But can Kaylie win his heart too?

Find out in Shifter’s Surrender, book two of the Woodcliff Shifter Series!

The Wolfpact 1: Endangered Love by Jo Atkinson

The first time Milla Cavanaugh crosses paths with handsome country veterinarian John Draper, he isn’t entirely what she’d call human...

Get caught up with Milla and Draper as they lead a secret society of shape shifters to war against a mysterious and powerful enemy, all while battling the animal attraction that draws them together!

Pack of Lies by Vanessa Vaughn

“A riveting and totally unique look at werewolf mythology...beautifully written and unimaginably compelling, Pack Of Lies sets the hook from the first page and doesn’t let go.”

-- Kate Douglas, bestselling author of the Wolf Tales series

Things changed the moonlit night Jack was attacked by a werewolf- he feels powerful, more sexual, more impulsive, more wild in every way. But as the bite transforms him, it also binds he and his alpha wolf attacker together forever. The two share a powerful unbreakable link, no matter how forcefully they may each try to deny it.

“I definitely recommend Pack Of Lies to you! Romance, Wolves, Alpha Males...and a lot of action! What is not to love!”

--Bookish Life

“a sexually charged cut throat world full of danger lust and secrets.”

--Paranormal Haven

“reminds me of the Wolf Tales books written by Kate Douglas...emotionally charged and well written.”

--Night Owl Reviews

Song of the Beast by A. Erin Goldling

The moon is up! And the wolves are out- they live among us, both the benevolent members of the Community and the sinister rogues who are bent on wiping out the human race.

A final showdown is coming with the full moonrise...