Wolf Tracks (4 page)

Great. So much for forever, the guy couldn’t even stick around for long enough to finish giving her an orgasm.

She clicked on the TV and flicked through channels listlessly. Maggie was gone with her true love, sexing it up wherever their bridal suite was. Pam had the run of the house and all she could think about was how lonely it was going to be to crawl into bed tonight.

Gack
. Horny and morose, what an insipid combination. She was well on the way to hitting all the high notes for a pity party in under an hour.

The door to the kitchen creaked, moving an inch, and she sat up to stare at it. She hadn’t heard anyone come in, but what with all the fun she was having watching
The Price is Right
, there could have been a dozen people in the next room.

“Hello?”

The door shifted again, and this time a silver-grey muzzle appeared, poking through the crack. Pam frowned. She didn’t know Maggie and Erik had a dog. She knelt on the seat cushion and watched more carefully. The animal took a few cautious sniffs, its nostrils flaring.

“Hey, what you doing?” All the signs were there for her to read—classic nonaggressive behavior, curiosity more than anything. Pam smiled. “Come on, don’t be afraid.”

Even though the beast didn’t act hostile, once its full head popped through the doorway, Pam swore.

“Holy shit, no one told me they kept wolves as pets here. Good…wolfie. Stay.”

The silver-grey creature had made it into the room and obediently sat at her command. Pam blew out a slow breath of air. Thank God for well-trained animals. She came around the couch cautiously to examine the wolf. It seemed to be staring back just as intently, panting softly, its tongue lolling to one side. She held out a hand and allowed herself to be sniffed.

“So, I’ve got a buddy for tonight. You tired of dancing as well? Going to hang with me for a girl’s night out?”

The wolf snorted, a gust of air rushing past her hand. Pam touched the animal’s muzzle gently, brushing the coarse fur, rubbing its ears.

“There you go. It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” What a beautiful creature. She wasn’t sure what other lineage had been crossbred with the wolf, but the mix was stunning. Its fur was soft—softer than the German Shepherds she was used to working with. Pam unconsciously examined the beast like she would any of her partners. Whoever owned this animal took excellent care of it. She passed a hand along its belly and laughed when he jerked back.

“Oops, not a girl. Sorry about that. Still, I’d be glad for you to stick around if you don’t have any big plans for the night.”

She rose and the wolf stepped beside her heels. Very well trained, and to be honest, just the kind of company she needed after the strange ending to her evening. Pam curled up in the corner of the couch. The wolf laid its chin on her knee and stared at her with a completely lovelorn expression. She rubbed his head again. She loved how completely honest and simple an animal’s affection was. You could trust them to act according to normal patterns.

She missed her partner, but it had been time to let him retire.

“You like comedy or action movies better, wolfie? Come on, hop up. Maybe you’re not allowed on the couch usually, but tonight is a special deal.” She patted the seat beside her and suddenly there was a large furry rug draping itself over her legs. She scratched his neck, checking for a collar and a dog tag. “I don’t understand why the heck people don’t collar their pets. What am I going to call you?”

A long wet tongue smeared its way up the side of her cheek and she laughed out loud.

“Cool it, I don’t need a bath.” She grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and maneuvered him into a less accessible position. It might be a way of showing affection, but canine slobber wasn’t her favourite. She clicked the TV back on and tried to get into the show.

It was impossible. The edginess that had started earlier in the day still rode her hard. Damn TJ for getting her motor running then abandoning her. She tangled her fingers in the wolf’s fur and tried to relax. The lingering heat of the day and the rest of the day’s excitement finally got to her. Plus the warmth radiating from the wolf as he lay nestled alongside her. There was something comforting about having an animal around. She missed her partner. When she caught herself yawning for the third time in rapid succession she gave up, clicked off the screen and stretched lazily.

“Okay, wolfie. Time for you to head home.” She rose to push open the kitchen door only to see the animal’s rump disappear up the stairs. “Hey, where do you think you’re going?”

When she found him curled up on her bed, she laughed. “Bet you’re a bed hog. Fine, as long as you don’t snore, you can stay.”

She stripped off the sweats she’d changed into after abandoning the party before pulling on an oversized T-shirt. One hard shove moved him over enough she could crawl under the quilt. He didn’t do any of the usual canine things to settle down, just stuck his nose by her ear and licked her once before plopping on his belly close to her side. She chuckled and draped an arm over him.

Sometime during the night when she rolled over, he was gone. How poetic, she’d been dumped by another male. She sighed and slipped back into her dreams.

Chapter Four

Glorious blue sky greeted them for the first day of the tour. With the weather cooperating, Pam checked out the other hikers with a wary eye. This was the biggest concern she’d had with Maggie’s suggestion she take part in an organized expedition—you never knew who your companions would be, and at times too many people made for trouble.

Keil called for everyone’s attention before pointing at the stack of supplies piled on the picnic table.

“We’ve got light daypacks for everyone, already loaded with snacks and water bottles. Don’t try to race up the hill, take your time and enjoy the journey. There are a number of set places we’ll stop and have photo ops, but anytime you need to stop and take a stretch break, feel free. We’ve got enough guides you can all go at your own pace.”

Pam nodded in satisfaction. It appeared there were a few different fitness levels within the group, and while she wasn’t sure how fast she’d be hiking, it was nice to know Keil didn’t expect them to stick in one mass pack. She stared up at King’s Throne peak towering over her and adjusted the light pack to sit a little easier. Clear sky, soft fragrant breeze—should be an awesome day ahead. She turned and bumped into TJ.

“Hey there, ready for the hike?”

She pretended to be annoyed. “Are you planning on dogging my heels the entire week I’m with the excursion?”

He wrinkled his nose. “Umm, pretty much the plan, yeah. Or at least until you accept my apology. I didn’t mean to desert you the other night.”

Pam laughed softly. The guy was nothing if not persistent. “I know, you were called away momentarily and when you got back I was gone. It’s okay, I forgive you. Really.”

“Why are you acting like you’d enjoy seeing me…fall in the lake or something?”

Tempting thought.
Only because she bet he’d look great dripping wet, his clothes clinging to him. Maybe she could convince him it would be better to let them air dry and he would hike in the nude.

Yeah, right, with eight other people around?

He gestured down the path and she fell into step with him. “I was upset, but I’m done. It just wasn’t how I expected to spend the evening.”

She heard his quick intake of air. Yeah, his response was pretty much her response.

She’d given it a lot of thought over the past two days as she got ready for the trip—especially after finding out TJ was one of the guides. She could stay mad and pout, or turn it around and have some fun. Since this was her chance to get out and have a good time, she chose to give him a break. There was too much attraction between them to be upset for any length of time, and really, wasn’t it a waste of energy? She’d be gone in a couple of weeks and in the meantime he could show her some Northern Hospitality.

But making him squirm was still fun.

They walked easily along the wide section of trail. “Is this an old road?”

“Logging road. The trail narrows when we reach the Cottonwood Junction. Then it’s single file until we reach the meadow.”

They chatted about the Yukon Territory. TJ pointed out some of the more unusual plants at their feet. “The wildflowers are pretty much all gone by now, except the fireweed.”

“It’s pretty.”

“It’s a weed, but yes, a pretty one.”

Hours passed, and she fell into a rhythm, gazing out over the scenery and enjoying the chance for a physical challenge. A couple of the hikers in the group had fallen a fair ways behind, and soon there were only two others in the group with her and TJ.

“How long are you spending in the Yukon?” one of the men asked. She slid a little farther away from him. While he wouldn’t be a physical challenge to her, she didn’t feel like flirting with anyone. Anyone other than TJ, that is.

“Couple of weeks, right?” TJ stepped between them before gesturing to the right and directing their attention to a lookout point.

Pam hid her smile.

The panoramic views when they reached the top were staggeringly beautiful. Pam wandered aimlessly and clicked picture after picture. Tufts of clouds clinging to the mountaintops. A ribbon of glacier ice trailing off into the distance. The sun reflecting in a million dazzling light spots on the surface of Kathleen Lake.

Every time she glanced up she found TJ’s gaze fixed on her.

“Don’t you have anyone else you need to take care of?”

He shook his head slowly. “I set up the picnic already, and everyone else is eating. I had to make sure you didn’t stroll too close to the edge of the mountain or anything.”

Oh dear, it was hot up here, under the blazing heat of his stare.

“If there’s a picnic, I guess I should go join them.”

“I kept some out for us. We can eat here. Alone.”

Pam concentrated hard.
Okey dokey.

They sat together, TJ pointing in various directions and naming the local mountaintops visible from their vantage point. Pam nibbled on her sandwich, all the while trying to think of a good excuse to bring up the aborted kiss from the other night. As in, maybe they should find a way and means to try it again.

She’d never been so attracted to a man and so tongue-tied. There didn’t seem to be any appropriate openings, and she wasn’t about to simply jump him.

Well, not yet.

“So, I was thinking.” TJ passed her a juice box, condensation beading its surface.

“Dangerous thing to do.”

He grinned. “I’d like to make it up to you, I mean, leaving you in the lurch the other day. I kinda hoped you would forgive me enough to accept a little peace offering.”

Hmmm, bribery totally worked. “Like extra chocolate bars? Dark? I’d be willing to forgive just about anything for chocolate.”

His laugh rolled over her as he grabbed his daypack.

“That’s not the surprise, but I think I can still help you out.” He dug out a Ziploc bag and reached in for an extra-large foil-wrapped bar. “Oops, it’s too warm today to be hauling chocolate. Sorry.”

He pulled one out. Chocolate oozed from the edges and ran down his fingers.
Hello opportunity
. She grabbed his hand.

“No problem, I like it this way.”

She brought his hand to her mouth and sucked one digit in, licking the warm melted gooeyness clean before moving to the next one. His breathing sped up and her pussy grew wet. Okay, she was over being mad and there had better be private rooms available wherever they were staying tonight.

By the time she removed all traces of chocolate, she could barely breathe. He leaned toward her, his dark eyes fixing her in place as their lips touched.

Bells rang. Cool, they weren’t even kissing and she heard bells.

TJ pulled away with a sigh and her hopes faded. It was a real bell and it was moving closer. “There’s the signal to round everyone up and start the journey down the hill.” He stared at her lips. “Remember where we were…”

Oh boy.

Pam gathered her wits as best she could and scrambled to her feet. He aimed her in the right direction, and she shook her head as she hit the trail. Okay, he was fine enough looking, but she must have some kind of altitude fever. She watched him out of the corner of her eye until he caught her.

Focus on the trail. There will be plenty of time to flirt later if I don’t trip and break my neck.

Half an hour later he caught up with her, tugging gently on her hand to get her attention.

“You interested in a little aerial sightseeing? My treat.”

“You serious? When?”

TJ grinned and pulled her against him, hiding her from the others as they disappeared around the corner. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “In about an hour. I’ve arranged for a chopper to pick us up back in the meadow where we stopped for our first snack break this morning.”

His warm breath caressed her neck and a shiver raced over her skin. Holy hell, the man made her horny without even trying.

“So is this like a private event or are we taking any of the others along as well?” She tilted her head to indicate the guy who had tried to hit on her earlier.

“Very private. There’s room for you and me and the pilot. So, you have to do a couple things. Number one.” He kissed her neck and slipped his hand into her hair to nestle her a little closer.

“Number one?” Lordy, was that her voice? That throaty, sexy, fuck-me-in-the-meadow voice?

“Hmm, you can’t tell anyone we’re going.” He nibbled on her earlobe and she moaned.
Oh yeah.

“I can do that. I’m real good at keeping secrets.”

“I bet you are. The second thing…” He stroked a hand down her back until he cupped her butt and she was ready to crawl up his body.

“Second…thing. Damn it, TJ, you keep touching me and I won’t remember a word you’ve said.”

“All you need to remember is when the chopper lands, crouch low and come to the door quickly. We want to get away without upsetting the other customers too much, okay?”

“Are you going to get in trouble for this?”