Janna's Werewolf

Janna's Werewolf

By

Fawn Lowery

The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Janna's Werewolf Copyright © 2007 Fawn Lowery ISBN: 1-55410-753-9 Cover art and design by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.extasybooks.com

To Tina, thank you for suggesting I try writing a werewolf story! Thank you for the vote of confidence!

Chapter One

J

anna Marlow gave the cab door a push and rushed toward the entrance of Thomas Stadium. Tennis great, Rick Sawyer, was giving an exhibition match—an exhibition match that Doug Wilson was supposed to be covering for the Daily News. “Dammit! I don’t know anything about tennis,” she muttered. Since July she had reported society news for the newspaper—weddings, annual charity balls, fundraisers for little league—while waiting for Elmer McCoy, the managing editor, to come to his senses and see her potential as an investigative reporter. So far he seemed to be wearing blinders where she was concerned. But on the other hand, she supposed she shouldn’t be complaining. At least she had a job. Doug had spouted off to Elmer and gotten suspended. Word around the newsroom was that a replacement for Doug was being sought. But—in 1

Fawn Lowery the meantime, any reporter not covering a scheduled topic at the time of a sports event— drew the sports card. Unfortunately, Janna was the lucky winner today The stands were packed. She made her way to the press box on the upper tier. Dropping into the closest seat, she pulled her notepad and pen from her purse. Of all the sports events to cover—she had to end up with tennis. Just watching the game made her sweat. But then she glimpsed the man on the court. “Oh, honey.” She hadn’t realized she had spoken out loud until the heavy-set man sitting beside her chuckled. “I hear he isn’t married,” he remarked, raising one eyebrow at her. Embarrassed, Janna turned her head and busied herself with her notebook and pen. She had seen pictures of Rick Sawyer but the eight by ten glossies hardly did him justice. The guy was one gorgeous hunk to behold racing about his side of the tennis court. Her pulse began to race as her gaze washed over his impressive physique. He had blond hair that flew about his shoulders as he moved. He wore a white polo shirt and white shorts. The muscles of his legs flexed as he lunged to make a shot and Janna bit her bottom lip, willing the sudden battery of erotic thoughts that assailed her to subside. 2

Janna's Werewolf Damn that full moon. She was caught in its grip and nothing short of throwing herself in front of a train could break the Curse she was bound by. She sighed. Being a werewolf—especially in these times—was difficult, to say the least. It had been almost six months since she left the family pack. Things had gotten out of hand in Dover Run where the Connor wolves resided. The community was small, quaint, and suddenly invaded by a rogue werewolf who seemed to kill at will. The law enforcement of the small town was up in arms. And though the Connor pack was law abiding, they were under suspicion for more than one of the brutal murders. Janna had worked at The Journal, a mid-sized newspaper in a neighboring city, as a local news reporter. When her family pack fell under suspicion, she began poking around, trying to learn the identity of the rogue werewolf who had invaded Dover Run. There were seven brutal murders in seven weeks and Janna knew for certain nobody in the family pack was to blame. But her efforts to identify the real murderer soon proved futile. She received angry, threatening calls from an unknown source and on one occasion, a death threat. It was then she made the decision to distance herself from the family pack—just to keep suspicion at bay and for safety’s sake. She packed up and moved to Madison and acquired a job at the Daily News. 3

Fawn Lowery Suddenly the crowd rose to their feet amid a loud roar of applause—and the game was over. Rick Sawyer shook hands with his opponent, waved at the audience, and trotted off the field. What the hell? The stands began to empty. Janna glanced down at her notebook. It was blank. “Crap. I can’t go back to the office without a story,” she mumbled out loud. Glancing around, she spied the man who had sat beside her. He was heading in the opposite direction of the crowd. Surmising he might be headed to the locker room for a post game interview, she hurried to catch up with him. “What paper are you from?” she asked. “The Argosy.” He grinned at her. “And you’re Janna Marlow, aren’t you—from the Daily News? Don’t you write the society column?” “Yes,” she answered, smiling slightly at being recognized. “Did Elmer McCoy send you here to get the scoop on Sawyer’s love life?” “Not exactly,” she replied, hesitant to reveal much else. “Well, Sawyer isn’t too keen on women in the locker room, so if you want to see him, you better open a few of those buttons on your blouse.” Startled, Janna halted her feet. She had heard rumors about Rick Sawyer—sexy rumors having 4

Janna's Werewolf to do with his womanizing and numerous affairs. But was he a male chauvinist too? Or was the reporter from the Argosy just trying to scoop the story out from under her? She squared her shoulders and caught up to the reporter, now joined by two other reporters, both laden with cameras and microphones as they entered the hallway leading to the locker rooms. The stadium was home to Madison’s football and baseball teams, but when the Chamber of Commerce managed to book tennis great, Rick Sawyer, the field was transformed into a tennis court. “I’ve never played on such a shitty court!” Janna heard the comment seconds before the locker room door closed behind her. “I’m thinking about firing my agent for booking me here.” Rick Sawyer had stripped out of his shirt and was standing in the middle of the floor, his hands on his hips, his green gaze assaulting the small group of reporters. Janna inched to one side of the group, but not before Sawyer’s critical ogle landed on her. “Everybody out.” The stern look on his handsome face sent the group scurrying toward the door, but Janna didn’t budge. She couldn’t return to the office without some semblance of an interview with the tennis 5

Fawn Lowery player. He’s curt and unruly, she thought, but that description of his conduct wasn’t near enough to fill the column space allowed for sports. “Not you,” he said, walking toward Janna. “Tell me you’re from the welcoming committee…or better yet—the local whorehouse. I could use a good fucking.” His comment, though crude in words, made her blood pressure rise a degree. A slanted smile pulled at her lips. “So you’re having a bad day too,” she remarked, raising her notepad and clicking her ballpoint pen. “Can I quote you on that?” He laughed suddenly. “Just my luck. You’re not from the whorehouse after all. You’re a reporter?” “Today I’m covering sports.” She gave her head a shake. “It doesn’t make a whole hell of a lot of sense to me either. I hate sports. But if I want to keep my job…” She could feel the heat of his gaze on her face, then lowering to inspect the front of her blouse. No doubt he was trying to gauge the size of her breasts. Should she pull in a deep breath and hold it? Or just blurt out her bra size? “Are you busy for dinner?” “Dinner?” she repeated like a dolt. His question had caught her off guard. Her senses were busy trying to decide what kind of scent she 6

Janna's Werewolf was picking up from him. She breathed in the powerful aroma of male musk, mingled with a woodsy fragrance that immediately attacked her wolf instincts. Surely he wasn’t— He turned from her suddenly and strode toward the showers off the room. “Wait for me.” Janna stared after him. It was a battle of wills to keep from following him as her mind conjured up the most delicious pictures of him stripping out of his white tennis shorts and stepping under a pelting spray of hot water. In her mind she could see wet rivulets careening across his bronzed flesh, cascading down the length of his long legs— She gave in to a lustful shiver and turned around—lest she give in to her raging phonemes and join him in the shower. She felt moisture in her crotch. Cursing the fact that she was a werewolf and prone to the moon’s commanding powers every thirty days, she dropped into a folding chair near the locker room door and crossed her legs, willing the sexual cravings to leave her body. Maybe she was nuts for staying— but she had to have an interview of some sort to take back to the office. She tried to steady her nerves. Since returning to Madison, she had made it a point to avoid all males, except those she was forced to work with. Not only were her senses rocked to the point of no return by Rick Sawyer’s raw masculinity, but also 7

Fawn Lowery there was something else about the guy that she found hard to overlook. She hadn’t encountered too many male weres in her twenty-eight year lifespan, except for those in the family pack, and therefore she wasn’t as adapt in recognizing that particular scent that set them apart from the norm, but she was more than a little attracted to Rick Sawyer. Given the Moon Phase and the fact that she had an almost insatiable desire to have sex, she silently congratulated herself on being able to keep her hands off the guy. She glanced at her watch. He was taking as long as any woman to shower and dress. She had sat in the folding chair for almost fifteen minutes and her butt was beginning to hurt. “What’s your name?” Janna looked up as Rick returned to the room. The sight of him immediately assaulted her gaze. He was dressed in dark jeans and a white t-shirt and his blond hair was dry and grazing his shoulders in soft waves. And his inquisitive gaze was pinned on her face. For a second she couldn’t think. He crossed the room and paused at the door, then turned and smiled at her. Janna hopped out of the chair so quickly she almost knocked it over. Instantly she felt her cheeks flush. Get a grip, she silently cautioned. 8

Janna's Werewolf “Janna Marlow. My name is Janna Marlow.” “Nice to meet you, Janna,” he said, reaching out to shake her hand. “I’m—“ “Oh. I already know who you are.” She pulled her hand out of his as though he had burned it. And maybe he had—in some sense. Am I scenting male musk—or not? He laughed out loud. “Please don’t tell me my reputation precedes me—or that you’ve heard all about me.” “No.” She stepped through the door he opened for her and headed down the hallway. “I mean, I don’t know all about you.” She flashed him a quick smile. “But I’m hoping you’ll give me an interview for my column.” “You don’t look the sporty type—unless you do something erotic with those beautiful long legs of yours.” Janna’s breath caught in her throat. If you only knew! “Well, no,” she stammered. Should she bother explaining that she was writing the society column in hopes of impressing the boss so he’d give her a shot at investigative reporting? Or confess that she was a werewolf and considering jumping on him? “But I like sports cars.” His hand was on her arm suddenly, pulling her to a halt. In the next instant, he pulled her into his arms. 9

Fawn Lowery “You have a gorgeous mouth.” His lips met hers with a mind-jarring kiss that sent Janna’s already volatile senses somersaulting out of control. A soft moan came from her throat as she settled her beasts against his chest and kissed him back. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck, curling her fingers in the silky tresses at his nape. Arching her body, she leaned into his. When he pushed his tongue against her lips, she opened her mouth and bid him entry. His kisses were demanding, controlling, tantalizing. A wave of unadulterated lust washed over her nerve endings, knotting her stomach and bringing a release of female cream from her hot sex. Then she felt the unmistakable scrape of a sharp incisor rake across her lip. A resounding shout of joy bounded through her insides. “I think you want the same thing I do,” he murmured, briefly pulling his mouth from hers. Her eyes flickered open—to collide with the most incredible silver gaze aimed at her. This is my lucky day! “Oh, babe.” He suddenly pulled his mouth from hers and caught her around the waist with one arm. Rushing along the hallway, he hustled Janna out the door of the stadium and into his red 10

Janna's Werewolf Porsche parked in the lot. “I scented you the second you walked through the door, babe.” Things were happening too fast. Janna twisted in the bucket seat as Rick slid beneath the steering wheel, ready to voice her objection—but he flashed a white-toothed smile at her—completely dissolving her wish to call a halt to what was happening. Ten minutes later, Rick was helping her from his car and urging her through the automatic doors at the Madison Hotel. Janna’s heart was hammering at her ribs as she went with Rick to his room on the tenth floor. Am I really going through with this? “I don’t sleep around,” she began, her emotions battling with her Moon Phase. They were inside his hotel room and he was pulling her back into his arms before she could think straight. His mouth descended to hers and the erotic sensations began all over again. “I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you—and I don’t mean just because you’re in the Phase. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t whore around as much as the media reports.” His breath was hot on her face as he pulled his lips from hers and began opening the buttons on her blouse. “I—“ Janna grabbed at his hands, having second 11

Fawn Lowery thoughts and finally finding the courage to object. “I don’t have sex at the drop of a hat.” “You want an interview first?” He propped both hands on his hips and grinned at her. “Okay. Get your pad and pen. But take your clothes off first.” Janna laughed. “You’re serious?” “Yes. Very.” He combed one hand through his hair then massaged the back of his neck. “Hell, Janna. Do you have any idea how many women I could be laying right this very minute?” She locked gazes with him. “How many of them would be in their Moon Phase?” She eyed him, astounded at the mere fact that he was a werewolf. How in hell— He reached out to her, running his hands the length of her arms, and then raising them to her shoulders, finally he cupped her chin in one palm. “I can’t think of anything except coaxing you out of your clothes and diving between your long legs.” His mouth was suddenly on hers again, pressing roughly yet sensually. He forced his tongue between her lips and hungrily explored the inside of her mouth, raking his razor sharp incisors across her tender flesh and catching her tongue with their sharp points. “I know you’re on fire, baby. I understand about the Curse. It has a hold on me too.” He 12

Janna's Werewolf pulled back and stared down at her. “I guess we could help each other right now.” Janna could hardly speak because of the need for sex gripping her insides. Her heart thundered in her chest and thoughts of Changing and bolting from the room zinged through her mind. But then, so did coupling with Rick Sawyer. The hell with what would come later. She needed to have sex…and she needed it now! Janna’s senses reeled out of control. There was no way in hell she could fight the Moon Phase. Suddenly she gave in to the battery of lustful sensations ricocheting through her insides. Oh, hell. Why not? She had already creamed her panties and her nipples were taut little buds begging for attention. So what would be the harm of trading sex for an interview—as long as she didn’t make it a habit? He unbuttoned her blouse and pushed it off her shoulders, then unhooked her bra and let it fall away. He took the weight of her left breast in one palm and massaged her sensitive nipple with his thumb, all the while his mouth caressed hers. Janna’s senses were reeling. His hand felt good on her breast and when he released the zipper in her skirt, her knees almost buckled. She was really going to have sex with Rick Sawyer—gorgeous tennis champion Rick Sawyer—never mind the fact that she was on fire inside because of her 13

Fawn Lowery Moon Phase—this was Rick Sawyer, tennis great, with his hand on her tit! He pushed her pantyhose off her hips and down the length of her legs. Janna stepped out of them, steadying her body by placing one hand on his left shoulder. Suddenly the fact that she was stark naked assailed her. And he still had his clothes on! “You’re beautiful.” He skimmed his palms upward along her thighs, then her waist, pausing on her breasts. “Absolutely beautiful. And I’m so hard I’m almost in pain.” He jerked his t-shirt over his head suddenly, mussing his hair, then he shed his jeans so fast that Janna considered commenting on it— He led her to the bed, and turned to the nightstand. Janna’s gaze fell on the assortment of condoms lying on its top. She bit her bottom lip as she watched him rip a cellophane package open and roll on the rubber. How bizarre is this? Should she tell him that there was no need to take time to don a condom? Should she confess that she had decided at the age of sixteen—the day after her first Change—that she had gone to the doctor and gotten birth control pills—deciding never to bring children into the world because of who—what—she was? Her eyes roved over his muscular body. His 14

Janna's Werewolf legs were very developed and his waist and abdomen were ropy with taut muscles. And his cock— She pulled in a quick breath at the length of him. Keep your mouth shut and enjoy that lovely long stick of male cock! “I promise not to hurt you.” He gave her a little push backward. She flopped down on her back. Rick grasped her calves and positioned her legs across his shoulders. Anticipation welled up inside her as he pulled her body to the edge of the king size bed. He brought her hips upward as he stood up, levering Janna on her upper back. He entered her, easily and smoothly; he began to move, pumping his powerful hips as he worked his hard length inside her moist passage. He was long and hot and the heat of his body immediately mingled with her warmth, further assaulting her senses. She felt his length fill her passage and with each thrust of his powerful body, she grew closer to climax. He gazed down at her, pinning his inspecting gaze on her jiggling breasts as he pushed in and pulled back, then pushed in again and again. Janna was on fire. Already the sensations were beginning. She reached her own hand to her breasts. They needed to be touched, fondled, so 15

Fawn Lowery badly. She tweaked her hardened nipples, giving herself little shivers. When she raised her eyes and locked gazes with Rick, the abundance of smoldering lust in his eyes added to the erotic effects his fucking was giving her. Suddenly orgasm was upon her. She sucked in a quick breath and clutched the bedcovers with both hands. With an urgency born of need, she bucked her hips, signaling Rick she was on the verge of coming. The orgasm crashed through her, spilling along her limbs with such force that she cried out, “Oh my God! That feels wonderful!” She withered against the bed, lolling her head from side to side with the assaulting sensations racing through her body. Still Rick hammered her passage—lunging in hard and pushing her against the bed. He grasped her buttocks in either hand, holding her steady while he worked his cock inside her. “Baby, you are one good lay!” he rasped as he climaxed.

16

Janna's Werewolf

Chapter Two

“I

suppose you want that interview now.” A short laugh leapt from Janna’s throat. “I just traded a fuck for a newspaper column.” She turned to glance at him. He was even more gorgeous naked. He lay on his back, one arm folded beneath his head. His chest was magnificent—broad, muscled, and adorned with a spray of dark blond hair. “How long has it been for you?” There was no need to clarify the statement—he knew full well what she was referring to. Their eyes locked in a knowing gaze. He let out a long sigh and ran one hand through his hair. “What are the odds that you and I would meet?” he remarked, raising one eyebrow in speculation. He could be that rogue I left home to get away from. Hell! He could be the rogue murdering all those people! 17

Fawn Lowery He could have followed me! Get a grip! I’d be dead already if that was true! He reached out one hand and smoothed his palm along her bare arm. “Just a few months. I was bitten one night as I left the stadium after a match.” He shook his head, sending his blond hair across his shoulders. “At first I couldn’t believe it. I thought things like that only happened in the movies.” “Oh, they’re real alright,” Janna assured him, her lip curling up in derision. “How long has it been for you?” She sighed. She looked away from him, aiming her gaze on the window of the hotel room. The urge to run surged through her insides. “I was born into a pack,” she admitted, a little amazed that she was telling him such things. Usually she was tight lipped about her lineage and the Pack. “My mother was bitten by my father during his first Change.” She eyed him, noting his lack of surprise at her words. “I have three brothers. The family Pack lives in Connecticut. My father is an attorney and my mother is a stay-athome mom.” She smiled at the thought of describing her mother in such a way. In reality, her mother was the force behind the Pack. “I’m the oldest. I had my first Change when I was sixteen. I thought I was going to die.” “Yeah. It wasn’t exactly something I want 18

Janna's Werewolf again. But then it got easier.” She nodded her head. “It’s not like we have a choice in the matter, though on occasion I’ve considered throwing myself in front of a racing semi just to end it all.” He pulled her down on the bed suddenly and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s not as bad as all that.” “What planet are you from?” “Seriously,” he said, chuckling. “We have all this immense strength, we can hear a thousand times better than the average person, we can smell a cunt a mile away—“ “Oh, you make it sound so damn wonderful!” She pushed at his chest, breaking his hold on her body. She rolled to the edge of the bed and sat up. “Then there’s this damn Moon Phase—I’m compelled to find a man and fuck his brains out once a month or go completely insane.” “What’s wrong with that?” She couldn’t help but laugh at his comment. Shaking her head at the audacity of the situation, she stretched out on the bed beside him. If it was only in her power—she’d eliminate the moon altogether. “You’re a male chauvinist.” He shrugged one bare shoulder. “To repeat— what’s wrong with that?” “So what are you doing here in Madison— 19

Fawn Lowery besides giving a tennis exhibition?” “I just moved here. In fact, I bought a hundred acres of ground and I’m going to build a house on it. I’ve retired from tennis.” An arched brow rose. “You think you can hide on that much ground—run instead of giving into your instinctive desire to hunt.” Her words were more statement than question for him. “It’s hard to deny the urge, trust me. I’ve been trying to do just that since I was sixteen.” “Do I detect a little bit of cynicism?” “Yeah, I am a cynic, at heart.” She pulled in a steadying breath. Why was she bothering to tell him such things? “So what are you doing in Madison?” “My grandmother used to live here. When I was a kid, I used to visit her. It was the greatest time in my life. Of course, that was before I really understood what it meant to be a werewolf and have to go through the Change. My folks moved north once word got out that there were werewolves in the area. My mother thought it best to move into new territory and at that time, there were no known Packs in Connecticut. But just last year, a rogue invaded the area and went on a killing spree. I decided it was time I took leave— just in case I should happen to run into him.” She caught his inquisitive gaze. “I didn’t want to chance encountering him and having to fight him 20

Janna's Werewolf off during one of my stupid Moon Phases.” She shrugged her shoulders, leaving the rest of her words unspoken. He stared at her for a long moment, then leaned toward her and kissed her mouth. He cuddled her naked body in his warm arms. His palm skimmed along the rounded contours of her hip and thigh, making its way between her legs. She moaned and parted her thighs. His hand slid instantly into the warm recesses of her crotch. The urge was too great or else she was unwilling to reject the opportunity to have sex with him again. The burn inside her body was not to be ignored. White flames of desire licked along her nerve endings, driving her need to sate the lust filling her. He rolled atop her body. Pulling his mouth from hers, he planted hot little kisses along the hollow of her collarbone, skimming his touch over the crest of one breast. He sucked a taut nipple into his mouth. Janna pulled in a quivering breath and arched her body toward his hot mouth. A shiver of expectancy quaked through her. His lips were soft and moist against her hot flesh. Releasing her nipple, the wet tip of his tongue stroked her ever so slightly. He worked his way along her fevered body, sensually stroking and tasting her skin, sampling her most sensitive areas. 21

Fawn Lowery Her heart hammered against her rib cage. Passion rose in mountainous peaks inside her body. Rick’s tongue was rapidly approaching the place between her legs—she pulled in a quick breath, feeling his fingers push into her hairy crotch. She moaned and spread her legs, giving him full reign to her cunt. His mouth engulfed her tissues, warm and wet, and so very arousing. His tongue slid inside her sensitive lips, tickled her aroused clit and sent a multitude of sensations racing along her limbs. She grabbed at his head with both hands, compelled to hold his head against her crotch. She bucked her hips, rubbing her clit against his devouring mouth. “I’m climaxing! Oh God! I’m climaxing!” She yelped out loud and ground her crotch against his mouth, holding his head in a tight grasp. The bed squeaked with her bucking movements, her heels dug into the mattress, she arched her back and rolled her head back, savoring the orgasm as it streamed through her body. “My turn,” Rick whispered once she had stilled and was breathing in a raspy tone. He worked his way up her body, kissing the moist skin of her inner thighs and running his palms along her smooth contours. He pushed her thighs apart with one knee and sank his cock inside her, 22

Janna's Werewolf making her gasp with his big size. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her legs up to clasp about his thrusting hips. Releasing a long breath, she began to move with him, matching her rhythm to his thrusting lunges. “Maybe this…wolf stuff…isn’t all…bad,” she conceded, savoring their thrashing bodies as they pressed tightly together and moved as one.

23

Fawn Lowery

Chapter Three

“I

have to go. McCoy will be up in arms.” Janna rolled to her side and sat up on the bed. Combing her fingers through her hair, she looked about the room for her clothes. Where had Rick thrown them when he pulled them off her body? She remembered suddenly that she hadn’t gotten an interview from him. She turned to look at him, only to see him scribbling frantically on her notepad. Smiling, she went toward the bathroom for a quick shower before dressing. When Janna emerged from the bathroom she found Rick reclining on the bed, pillows pushed behind his head. On the bed beside him lay her notepad and pen. Locking gazes with him, she finished buttoning her blouse and reached for her notepad. He grabbed her wrist suddenly, pulling 24

Janna's Werewolf her down on the bed beside him. “I can’t stay,” she hurried to say, her emotions suddenly battling her decision to leave him. The flames of desire licked blazing hot along her senses. “I know,” he said, heaving a sigh. “You never gave me an answer about dinner.” She smiled at him. “I’m free.” “I’ll pick you up at seven.” “Make it six.” She felt her cheeks pink at her suggestion. “Why don’t I just go to work with you and we can go to the restaurant from there?” His broad smile was disarming. She waved her notebook at him. “I have to get this story typed up and turned in before the five o’clock deadline.” She pulled her hand free of his grasp and stood up. “You didn’t write anything that will result in my being promoted to sports reporter—did you?” He shrugged one bare shoulder and grinned at her. “I just reviewed the game.” He rolled to the edge of the bed and stood up. In the next instant, he was between her and the door of the room. “We’ve been dancing around our situation for fifteen minutes now, Janna. Let’s be honest, shall we?” “I don’t know what you mean.” “Baby, you’re in your Moon Phase. I know 25

Fawn Lowery how the urge to have sex is burning inside you—“ “Yeah, well…I said I’d have dinner with you— “ She grinned in spite of things. “We both know what we’ll be doing once we finish the meal.” She sighed and pushed her long hair off one shoulder. She narrowed her gaze on him as a sudden thought bloomed. “Are you asking me if I’m going to fuck some guy between the time I leave here and the time you pick me up for dinner? Do I look that damn desperate?” A surge of rage suddenly rose inside her. “I didn’t mean it like it sounded.” He caught her by both upper arms. “I was going to suggest that we go away for a few days—you know— some place where we could be secluded—“ “So we could stay in bed and fuck without the fear of being discovered?” “You make it sound so tawdry!” She laughed suddenly. “Frankly, Rick, I don’t think you could pack enough condoms to keep up—if we went away and spent the time in bed.” He laughed deep in his throat. An arched brow lifted. “We could help each other out here.” She heaved a long sigh and stepped back, breaking the hold he held on her upper arms. “You might think this wolf stuff is hot shit, but I think it’s a terrible blow to my life.” She turned and faced the window in the room. “Right now I 26

Janna's Werewolf could leap through that damn window and run down the street—Changed, of course—and never think twice about what we just did.” She turned to face him. “Does that make any sense to you?” He eyed her, his inspecting gaze traveling the length of her body and returning to her face. “I struggled to understand why this Curse happened to me in the beginning, but now I realize I have to accept the fact that I can Change into an animal, that I can choose to kill or try to stifle the urge. I can spend the time I’m in wolf form running like hell, trying to dispel the urges racing inside me, or I can give in to the inevitable and kill—perhaps an innocent person—or a squirrel. Have you ever tasted one of those things?” He wrinkled up his nose and stared at her. She chuckled. “I once chomped down on a rat. It was a vile thing.” She leaned down and picked up her purse from the floor. She scooped her notepad and pen off the bed and headed toward the door. “Point is, Janna, you’re who you are and there’s little you can do about it—at this stage in the game anyhow.” “I know that—but I don’t have to like it.” She tried to stifle the little voice in the back of her mind that screamed at her not to tell. “I’ll never bring children into the world, Rick. I’ll never marry. I’ll never be a lot of things because of who, 27

Fawn Lowery or what, I am.” “Honey.” He crossed the room so quickly she hadn’t time to evade his hands. He yanked her against his chest and wrapped both arms around her body. “We can work this out.” “There’s nothing to work out. I’ve made up my mind.” She pushed out of his embrace, though every fiber of her body objected to separating her body from his incredibly tempting naked physique. “I have to go.” Regret surged through her insides as she grasped the doorknob and yanked the door open. Wanton urges surged through her insides, but she chose to deny them, chose to leave handsome, virile, Rick Sawyer and his offer of unlimited sex. Damn that Moon Phase! **** The newsroom was noisy, as usual, when Janna entered the door and headed for her desk at the back of the room. Thank God the few people at their desks were either on the phone or glued to their computer screens. Not one person remarked about how late she was returning to work. She hurried down the aisle between the neat row of desks, notepad clutched in one hand, her mind trying to focus on the article she had to whip up and get turned in before the five o’clock deadline, 28

Janna's Werewolf when she spied Elmer McCoy coming out of his office. He motioned one hand at Janna. Oh hell! Could he tell she was looking at him? Or could she possibly act like she hadn’t seen him gesture toward her? “Miss Marlow, I’d like to see you in my office.” She tossed her notepad onto her desk and went toward the editor of the newspaper, a firm set to her jaw. If he made one remark about her being late— Elmer McCoy was approaching sixty, with a paunch that bulged over his belt. He wore glasses that usually perched atop his balding head. He watched Janna make her way toward his office, a scowl across his pudgy face. “I don’t recall giving you the afternoon off,” he remarked, stepping inside his office. He rounded the large mahogany desk centered in the room and flopped into the leather desk chair flanking it. “I assume you got to see Sawyer.” “Yes sir, I did.” “And you have a story for the evening edition?” “Yes sir. I do.” He aimed a scrutinizing look at her. “You had a call today from out of state.” A sudden tremor of fright raced through 29

Fawn Lowery Janna’s body. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nibbled on it, holding her breath that Elmer McCoy wasn’t going to ask the next question—the question she had been afraid he’d ask since she began work at the paper. “So, you’re name isn’t Marlow after all.” He leveled his gaze on her. “After I spoke with the woman on the phone, I did a little checking into your background. Seems your grandmother, Mary Marlow, used to live here in Madison.” He pinned her with his gaze. “So, did you like the name Marlow better than Connor and just decide to lie to me so I’d give you a job?” Janna sucked in a quick breath. “My last name is of little consequence to you, Mr. McCoy. I could have chosen the name Smith for all you know.” She felt sweat pop out on her forehead. She had never been interrogated before and she couldn’t say she was enjoying it one little bit. Why hadn’t she taken Rick Sawyer up on his offer to leave town? A brief flash of memory rocked her senses. She could be in his arms right now if she hadn’t been so insistent on coming back to work and getting her story in before the deadline arrived. “I’ve taken the liberty of having your name changed in payroll.” He handed her a slip of paper from his desktop. “Your mother wants you to call her right away.” Janna took the paper he offered and glanced at 30

Janna's Werewolf it, recognizing the number scribbled on it. Curiosity welled up inside her. Why had her mother called her at work instead of ringing her cell phone? And why in hell had she seen fit to divulge her identity to Elmer McCoy? The telephone sitting on the corner of Elmer McCoy’s desk suddenly rang, making Janna jump in surprise. Elmer waved one hand at her, dismissing her, as he lifted the receiver. Without hesitation, Janna hurried out of the editor’s office. She would hurry and type her story up and then go home for the day. She’d wait until then to call her mother back. She hurried to her desk and flipped on her computer. Opening her notebook, she shuddered at how sloppy Rick Sawyer’s handwriting was. Damn! He should have paid better attention in school! A short giggle leapt from her throat as she began the tedious task of deciphering his handwriting. **** Janna let herself in the front door of the small rental house she called home and began stripping out of her clothes. To top everything off, she felt flushed and out of sorts. Her stomach felt queasy. She donned a robe and dialed her mother’s 31

Fawn Lowery number. The phone rang three times before she picked it up. “Mom, what’s wrong?” Janna heard her mother draw in a long breath. “Honey, we think he may have followed you.” Janna’s knees almost gave way beneath her body. She sank onto the couch, her fingers clamped so tightly around the telephone receiver that her knuckles pained. “How do you know?” “Your father has been doing a little investigating…and the killings have stopped— they stopped right after you left town, honey.” “That doesn’t necessarily mean the rogue followed me to Madison.” She bit her lip, thinking. “Maybe somebody killed the son-of-a-bitch. Maybe he attacked someone who was packing a gun. Maybe somebody shot him.” “Honey, you’re clutching at straws. I want you to come home. We want you to come back to the compound. You’ll be safe here. We can protect you.” Leave Madison? Quit her job and go home with her tail between her legs? “No, Mom. I won’t do that.” She tried to think of something that would make sense to her mother. She could hear the worry in her voice. “Janna, I know you’re in your Moon Phase—“ “Mom, please—“ 32

Janna's Werewolf “Honey, it’s just—“ “I know what you’re going to say. Don’t worry.” She combed her fingers through her hair, agitated that her mother thought she couldn’t take care of herself. “There’s no way in hell that a rogue were from Dover Run followed me to Madison. He doesn’t even know I exist, for Pete’s sake. Think about it. I’m not even using my real name.” “Your father thinks he’s someone you met before you left town.” “I’d know if I met a were, Mom, honest.” She rolled her eyes in exasperation. Sudden thoughts of Rick Sawyer popped into her head. God! They weren’t all like him. A shard of fright snaked up her spine. Most she had heard about were quite willing to be governed by the Curse—killing or maiming anyone they caught out while in their Change. She felt her throat choke up just thinking about being a werewolf. Suddenly she got off the phone with her mother, giving the excuse that she was expecting company and needed to shower and change. It wasn’t entirely a lie, she told herself, glancing at the clock on the living room wall. She contemplated what her mother had said while she showered. Madison was far enough away from Dover Run that she shouldn’t have to worry about somebody following her. Besides, she 33

Fawn Lowery reasoned, she had seen no evidence of any other werewolf—either at work or living in the vicinity. She stepped out of the shower, grabbed one towel for her wet hair, and wrapped another around her body. Heading for the bedroom, she tried to decide what to wear to dinner with Rick. Maybe she should just whip up something there, and they could eat in bed. The thought made her chuckle. The very idea of her body being so insistent on the fact that she have sex—as many times as possible—during the following days seemed absurd. But then on the other hand, the idea was to keep the species going. “Bullshit!” She dropped the towel at her feet and pulled on lace panties and a matching bra. Catching a glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror on one side of the room, she paused to take assessment of her body. She was tall for a girl, almost five feet ten inches, with soft alluring curves in all the right places. When she Changed, she was well over six feet. The thought sent a shiver racing up her spine. She had learned to suppress the memories surrounding the first time she Changed. It was gruesome, to say the least. It was a cold night, with barren trees in the park where her parents had taken her for the transformation. She remembered how reassuring they both were, how 34

Janna's Werewolf supportive they were of her feelings toward the event. Her father apologized over and over for having bitten her mother all those years earlier and thus causing all her offspring to be as their mother. A knock on the door suddenly brought her thinking back to the present. She hurried to pull on a loose fitting pair of white denim jeans and a cotton shirt. Stepping into a pair of red strappy sandals, she raced to the door. If that was Rick, he was early by half an hour. Cautious by nature, she peered through the peephole in the upper half of the door before opening up. A surge of awareness gripped her gut as she spied a tall dark haired man waiting on the other side of the door. Quietly, she took in his appearance as her breath caught up in her throat. He was well over six feet, with broad shoulders and a lean build. He was dressed in a business suit with a white shirt and navy striped tie. And his facial features were very appealing, strong chin, deep set eyes, light brown hair that grazed the collar of his shirt. Should she open the door? She tipped her nose in the air and sniffed, trying to scent the man waiting calmly on the small front porch. It was hard to tell, given the density of the wooden door. Quietly, she moved closer, poking her nose between the edge of the 35

Fawn Lowery door and its facing. She sniffed. Damn! She supposed she could poke her nose out the mail slot—maybe she could smell him then! She almost giggled. Was she becoming paranoid? She stared through the peephole at the man while he raised his hand and knocked again on her door. Holding very still, she decided not to open up. I’ll be on the safe side of caution. Mom would be proud of me. He appeared a little anxious, or so Janna thought by the way he paced about the porch for a few seconds. Then, finally deciding she wasn’t home, or wasn’t opening the door to a stranger, he poked one hand into his suit coat pocket and pulled out a white envelope. In the next instant, he bent down and slid the envelope through the mail slot in the lower half of the door. The sudden jolt of werewolf musk nearly knocked Janna off her feet! She reeled with the scent of the woodsy aroma; drawing it deep into her lungs to be certain she wasn’t imagining things. She slapped one hand over her mouth to keep from gasping aloud and alerting the were. Surely his ears were pricked to any noises beyond the door. She stood completely still, barely breathing, 36

Janna's Werewolf until she heard him leave the porch, get into his car and drive away. Then she allowed the tremor of fright to travel through her body. It brought tears to her eyes.

37

Fawn Lowery

Chapter Four

“I

f I could scent him—he scented me!” “Take it easy,” Rick soothed. Janna paced back and forth across the living room. Her nerves were on edge; she bit her lip in nervous anticipation. How in hell had she been discovered? And who was that man? Or rather, who was that werewolf? “What was in the envelope?” Shaking her head, Janna pointed to the envelope lying on the coffee table. She had been so distraught at having a strange werewolf on her front porch that she had completely forgotten to open the note. Rick picked up the envelope and ripped it open. He took a single sheet of paper from inside and handed it to Janna. “You read it,” she insisted, stuffing her hands into her jeans pockets. 38

Janna's Werewolf Rick’s anxious gaze scanned the page. “It’s from your dad.” “What?” Janna hurried to his side and took the sheet of paper. She hurried to read her father’s words, a new worry coming to mind. Momentarily, she found herself telling Rick about the conversation she had with her mother less than an hour ago. “They sent a were to guard me.” Rick’s eyes momentarily paled and for a split second Janna thought he was going to Change right before her eyes. He’s jealous. A lusty shiver zinged along her limbs. Handsome Rick already had ideas of his own where she was concerned, apparently. She let a slow smile of satisfaction pull her lips upward as she watched him try to hide his obvious annoyance at any new competition for her attentions. “You don’t need a bodyguard,” Rick stated. He crossed the room and placed his hands on Janna’s shoulders. “I know we just met—but I already have feelings for you, babe.” She placed one hand against his chest. A solid wall of muscle flexed beneath her palm. His warmth penetrated her skin and raced straight to her heart. Her breath caught in her throat. The nearness of him assaulted her senses. Suddenly 39

Fawn Lowery she felt immense heat rise inside her body. She wanted him—wanted him bad. She stepped closer to him, prompting him to enclose her in his warm embrace. She leaned into his chest, pressing her breasts against his muscular strength. She tipped her head and he responded by lowering his mouth to claim her lips. The heat of his mouth sent a shiver of longing through her insides. She parted her lips and felt his tongue slide along her gum, then tangled teasingly with her own tongue. Erotic thoughts filtered through her mind. She wished she had foregone the bra and panties, leaving her body uncluttered for their sex play. He growled deep in his throat and Janna felt his big body shudder as she poked her tongue into his mouth. She delved her fingers into the thick blond hair at his nape and made a fist, forcing his head at her command. She tasted his mouth, listening to his moans of surrender. He whisked her clothing off so quickly she barely had time to realize what he was doing. He pulled back only for a second while he stripped her blouse over her head without opening the buttons and then grabbed the waistband of her jeans in one hand while he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom. When he laid her on the bed, her jeans were yanked off in one quick movement. 40

Janna's Werewolf Damn! This guy doesn’t mess around! He was naked in the length of time it took Janna to scoot to the middle of the bed, then he was joining her, roughly turning her on her belly and pulling her up on her hands and knees. “I don’t like this position—“ “Don’t go there, babe.” He pulled her buttocks against his crotch and entered her, quickly, roughly, ramming his hard flesh inside her with one quick thrust. He began to move, slamming into her hot core with rapid lunges that sank to the hilt. Janna tried to steady her body on her hands and knees. He was like a wild man, lunging into her so brutally she wanted to scream out in pain. She sensed his rage at having another were coming around—especially since she was in her Moon Phase. She smiled in spite of the pain he was giving her. He kissed her back, licking her flesh with his wet tongue. He groped her breasts with one hand, squeezing her nipples until they hurt. She bit her lip to keep silent. And he hammered away at her delicate tissues. “You don’t need a fucking bodyguard!” His sentence came out in a whoosh of heated breath, wafting along her back as he thrust deeply. Janna didn’t respond, tried to match his lunges with her own movements. She was beginning to 41

Fawn Lowery get used to the depth of his penetration. He was big and long, thick to the point of filling her cavity completely when he lunged in. She tried to overlook the roughness, tried to understand his fear of a rival were finding her— coming to protect her. She felt it then—the onset of orgasm. It began in her belly and streamed along her legs, making her crotch tingle with those familiar sensations. She knotted her fists in the sheet and arched her back, pressing her buttocks into his crotch and opening herself up fully. “You don’t need a bodyguard!” “Shut up and pump!” The orgasm came full bloom inside her, spilling along her limbs and sending her senses racing out of control. She closed her eyes and savored the multitude of engulfing sensations spiraling through her body. Sweat blanketed her skin; her heart raced in her chest; her knees felt numb, but she couldn’t flop on her belly and enjoy the remainder of her orgasm—Rick was still slamming into her core with the force of a mad man— Suddenly he filled the room with a loud roar and rammed inside her so hard he knocked her on her face on the bed. A long arm quickly retrieved her limp body, pulling her back against his crotch while he resumed his sex play, reaping every last tingle of his climax while he refused to let her 42

Janna's Werewolf loose. **** I’m sorry I was so rough, babe.” Janna rolled to her side. Rising up on one elbow, she gazed down at him. “You seem to think you have competition,” she remarked, a smirk on her face. He turned his head to look at her. “Isn’t it a little early in the game to start thinking you own me?” He reached one hand to her breast; expertly he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve never owned a woman before.” He pinched her nipple, watching her expression. “It’s a totally new experience.” “You don’t own me.” She covered his hand with hers, stilling his fingers on her nipple. “No man will ever own me.” There was conviction in her voice. “You sound very sure of that fact.” “We’re just having sex for the hell of it, Rick. Don’t get any ideas that it means anything more.” She felt her gut tighten. A look of disappointment flashed across his face, almost making her regret having spoken. “Then I guess I’m one lucky son-of-a-bitch,” he remarked, levering himself off the bed. “I just 43

Fawn Lowery happened to find a bitch in heat who needs my services.” He strode into the bathroom and slammed the door. Janna rolled to her side and got up. Crossing the room, she took a satin robe from the closet and pulled it on. She was pulling the sash belt tight around her waist when Rick emerged from the restroom. He barely glanced in her direction as he began pulling on his clothes. A few minutes later, he was slamming the front door, leaving her to wonder if she would ever see him again. So, she wasn’t having dinner out. She shrugged her shoulders and headed to the kitchen. There was cold chicken in the fridge. She’d heat it up and call it supper. Suddenly she fought the urge to cry. “Well, he asked for it—being so damn smug and thinking I needed a master!” She put the chicken into the oven and went to the small wet bar in the end of the kitchen. She mixed a pitcher of martinis and gulped down the first one before the timer went off on the oven, signaling her dinner was warmed. Men could be such fucking jerks! She took her dinner out of the oven and carried it to the living room. Flipping on the TV, she settled on the couch. The evening news was just beginning. She forced her mind to listen to the reporter and push thoughts of the little dispute 44

Janna's Werewolf she had with Rick Sawyer aside, at least for now. “The Madison Police are on the scene of a gruesome murder in City Park,” the announcer said. Janna’s ears pricked up. She paused her fork in mid-air, a steaming bite of roast chicken just inches from her mouth. What had the reporter said about a murder? “Details are sketchy right now, but it appears some one or some thing attacked a man in the park this evening. An autopsy has been ordered and we’ll keep you posted about the results.” The TV picture then cut to a local celebration at the Elks Club. Janna set aside her plate and levered herself off the couch. Suppose what her mother told her, was true? Was she in danger? And what about that strange werewolf who had knocked on her door earlier? Why hadn’t her mother mentioned that her dad was sending a guard for her? She paced the room, her hands clasped behind her back. Damn! It was nerve wracking—being someone out of the norm and knowing what you were capable of. She was suddenly overcome with the urge to run—to run as hard and as fast as she could. She closed her eyes and willed her body to Change. The magic surged through her veins, 45

Fawn Lowery elongating her arms and legs, pulling her muscles with a raw contorting tug that stretched her body almost two feet beyond her normal height. Dense blond fur covered her form; powerful claws protruded from paw-like feet, and razor sharp teeth protruded from her muzzle. The Transformation complete, she bounded from the open window of the living room to leap into a full lope, heading into the small patch of woods lying behind the house. Always when the Change came over her, she headed to the woods to run, to release the tension gathered in her bones. She raced amid the stand of maples and fir; mindful of the release she needed, yet cautious of the need to run inside of cover. It was barely dusk; many of the neighbors on the street were still out in their yards playing with their children. She ran through the trees, racing as hard as her wolf body would allow. Finally, panting and feeling the strain in her muscles, she hid inside a grove of evergreens to catch her breath and return to human form. Breathing hard, she called the magic and waited. It arrived in a tingling assault on her body, spreading across her blond fur and enveloping her completely. Within seconds she stood up, her body once more in human form. She straightened her blouse and stepped from the cover of the grove. At least when she Changed from human to wolf, and then back again, she 46

Janna's Werewolf somehow regained her clothing. The transformation still puzzled her sometimes; still lacked explanation as far as she was concerned. She signed and headed toward her house. Surely she wasn’t the only werewolf who found discord with the ability to shape-shift.

47

Fawn Lowery

Chapter Five

T

he newsroom was a buzz over the recent murder in the city park. Janna listened to the comments as she slid into her desk chair. Her keen sense of hearing was the one thing she didn’t find fault with when she thought of her werewolf state. She had the ability to overhear the most secret conversations. Once she heard two colleagues planning a midnight rendezvous. She smiled at the memory. Both were married to different people at the time, but now she thought they were both divorced. She shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t one for office gossip—even when she could be privy to the truth about such things. She felt a bit on edge because of the events of the previous evening. She hadn’t heard from Rick since he had stormed out of her house last night, his jaw set in a tight clasp. Nor had she seen 48

Janna's Werewolf anything more of the strange werewolf that had appeared on her front porch. She hoped she never did either—but of course, that was wishful thinking on her part. Since her father had seen fit to send someone to protect her, she felt certain he would appear again—she only hoped it was sometime when Rick wasn’t around. She didn’t relish the thought of having another explosive episode like the one last night. She shivered at the reminder of the heated sex they had shared. He had been so rough—so brutal at times, ramming so hard into her body with his hard flesh, causing her such pain—but then giving her such a powerful orgasm too. A strange thought suddenly sprang up in her mind. Had Rick been mad enough to kill when he left her house last night? She shook her head, trying to dispel the thought. Rick wasn’t a murderer. He was a lover—and a damn good one at that. But he had been enraged when he left her. But he had good reason—or did he? He had no claim on her. He had no right to act so possessively. And above all, he had no right to be so rough with her. Her brow wrinkled. She really didn’t know Rick Sawyer—aside from the afternoon and part of the evening they 49

Fawn Lowery had spent together. She had seen him on TV, being interviewed after tennis matches, linked to famous women across the globe; the gossip columnists loved to talk about him. But he’s a werewolf. He was capable of killing—of maiming and tearing a body to shreds. He had the ability. She shuddered with the thought of picturing him in wolf form, furred and armed with razor sharp teeth and claws. And the immense strength his big body could manifest— “Janna, come into my office.” She jumped at the voice just over her right shoulder, spinning round; she almost bumped heads with Elmer McCoy. “You’re jumpy,” he commented in a dry tone. She forced a smile and rose from her chair. Following him down the center aisle of the room, she hoped he wasn’t going to interrogate her again. “Close the door,” he ordered, dropping into his desk chair. He propped his elbows on the desk and stared at Janna. “I hear you’ve done a bit of investigative reporting.” “Yes, sir.” She had hardly imagined he would make such a comment—and not sound derogatory when he voiced it. “You probably heard about the murder last 50

Janna's Werewolf night in the park.” “Yes, sir.” Anticipation welled up inside her. “Murders are rare here in Madison. The paper isn’t really equipped to investigate them properly. We usually rely on the police department to feed us bits and pieces of the details.” He stared across the desk at her, his brows drawn together. “Do you know anybody down at the police station?” “No, sir.” He opened a drawer on his desk and took out a business card. “Go down and talk to Tony Barton. He’s a lieutenant in homicide. Maybe he’ll let you poke around the crime scene a little.” She pulled in a quick breath. Should she pinch herself—just to be sure her ears weren’t deceiving her? She took the card with Tony Barton’s name on it, and rose to her feet. “I’ll get right on it, Mr. McCoy.” She hoped she didn’t sound too anxious. She was certain her face was lit up like a pumpkin at Halloween. Her legs couldn’t propel her fast enough, it seemed. She grabbed her purse and headed out the door of the newsroom, one thought on her mind. If she could manage to convince Lieutenant Barton that she needed to warn the public about a possible killer on the loose—maybe he’d let her have a peek at the crime scene. She hurried to her 51

Fawn Lowery car parked in the lot and slid beneath the steering wheel. Finally she was being given the opportunity she had hoped for since coming to Madison. Now, if she just didn’t blow it. She drove across town to the police station and parked across the street. Shutting off the motor, she stared out the side window at the impressive yellow brick building. It dominated the block with its towering three-story height and massive stone stairway entry. She felt a little nervous at the prospect of meeting Lieutenant Barton but she really needed to get a look at the crime scene, if possible. She felt certain she would be able to tell if the murder was werewolf related. A cold foreboding feeling gripped her insides as she opened the car door and grabbed her purse off the seat. What if it were true? What if the murder had been committed by a were? She forced her legs to mount the massive staircase leading up the front of the building and forged onward. Perhaps her own safety depended on what she could find out from the policeman. She found Lieutenant Barton at his desk, a phone pressed to one ear, a stream of curse words spewing from his mouth. “Who the fuck are you?” I’m the bitch who could rip your head off! Janna forced a small smile. “I’m Janna 52

Janna's Werewolf Marlow—from the Daily News. I’m here to talk to you about the murder in the park last night.” He ran his gaze the length of her, then motioned for her to sit. He slammed the telephone receiver down in its cradle and lurched back in his chair. He was a heavy man, with wrinkled clothes, and an unshaven face. His pale blue eyes were bloodshot, probably from lack of sleep because of last night’s murder. He picked up a Styrofoam cup from one corner of his desk and took a drink, then scowled and tossed the cup into the wastebasket beside his desk. “So, talk.” “I want to see the crime scene.” “So does half the people in Madison.” “But I may be able to help.” He chuckled out loud. “No. Really.” “Do you have a crystal ball, or ESP, or—“ “None of those.” Boy could I set you on your ear! “I might be able to offer some fresh insight into the killing.” She gave him her best smile. “It’s worth a try, isn’t it?” “You didn’t do it—did you?” Janna bristled. “Hell no. I am not a murderer.” “Then I don’t see that you could offer anything new about the case.” A vein the size of a lead 53

Fawn Lowery pencil stood out in his neck. “You reporters are all alike. You want to see the crime scene—then you pull out a damn camera and start taking pictures. A few hours later, the crime scene ends up in the local tabloids and evidence is compromised. No thank you! I can do without your help!” Janna rose from the chair, her temper raging. Get a grip! The urge to Change was difficult to suppress. Ripping off the lieutenant’s head would be so easy—so fucking easy! She leaned her palms on the edge of the policeman’s desk and glared at him. “I have no intention of compromising the case for you. I merely wish to get a close up look at the crime scene in an effort to make some assessments.” He stared back at her. “What did you say your name was?” “Marlow.” Miss Marlow to you! “And Elmer McCoy sent you over here?” “He did.” He combed one beefy hand through his thinning gray hair. “I’ve never seen any killing like this one.” Janna’s anger suddenly subsided. She lowered her body slowly in to the wooden chair in front of the policeman’s desk. “I’ve never seen a body ripped to shreds 54

Janna's Werewolf before. The coroner picked up pieces of the poor slob for almost an hour. They were everywhere, strewn across the grass like confetti.” “Male or female?” “Male. But we don’t have an ID yet. The body is in autopsy right now. Tests are being run.” Janna hesitated to ask about viewing the crime scene again, especially since Barton was actually giving her some details. She took quick notes on her pad, careful not to come across as authoritative. “It’s pretty gruesome. I don’t know whether to look for a human suspect, or an animal.” “I need to see that crime scene, Lieutenant.” He pushed out of his chair. “If you’ve got the stomach—“ Janna followed the officer across town in her car, all the while telling herself to keep her reactions at bay. Barton may be crass acting in some respects, but he was savvy in more ways than one, else he wouldn’t be sporting the moniker of Lieutenant. The City Park was closed to all visitors because of the murder. The playground was empty, looking forlorn without children on the swings or the slide. The single pavilion was cordoned off for the crime lab. Janna saw several white-coated men milling about the area. Since Madison didn’t have a crime lab of its own, a neighboring community 55

Fawn Lowery had sent over a crew—reaction to the news media, no doubt. The severity of the murder intensified inside Janna as she parked her car and followed the policeman across the grass. An area roughly the size of a tennis court was roped off in yellow caution tape. Silently, she rushed to keep up with Barton, her eyes pinned on the area where the murder took place. There was little breeze to carry the scent of blood or wolf stench left behind but the putrid aroma of death was easily identified as they drew nearer the spot where the body had been ripped apart. Barton paused at the edge of the cordoned area and turned to look at Janna. She immediately sensed his curiosity at her wanting to view the crime scene. “May I go beyond the tape?” He shook his head no. “I can’t risk you disturbing something of significance to the case. Sorry.” A lab technician was moving cautiously around the area, white boots on his feet and rubber gloves on his hands. Janna watched him with increasing curiosity. Periodically he paused and picked up something from the ground, depositing his finds in a plastic container. Janna studied the grassy area near where the technician was walking. If a werewolf had 56

Janna's Werewolf committed the murder—and she was almost certain one had because of the rending of the body—there would be sure signs of claw marks in the grass. Whenever a were attacked, he braced himself with his hind feet, almost certainly digging his long back claws into the ground. She had learned that much from investigating the crime scenes in Dover Run. The Lieutenant left her side suddenly, heading toward the pavilion after being summoned by one of the techs, and Janna ventured around the taped off area to catch the attention of the tech she had been observing. “Are there signs of struggle on the ground?” she asked, knowing full well the answer to her question. The tech looked in her direction and nodded his head. “There was definitely a struggle. But there’s something weird about it too.” Janna held her breath, knowing what he was about to reveal. “There’s really big paw prints all over the place but I haven’t found any tissue from a canine. I wonder if the guy was walking his dog and when he got attacked, the dog ran away.” “That’s not saying much for guard dogs,” Janna remarked, shrugging her shoulders. She turned and headed toward the pavilion, hoping to snoop amid the collected evidence a bit. 57

Fawn Lowery She spied Barton and deliberately turned her steps away, avoiding him if possible. The lab people were likely to be friendlier—if she could approach them on her own terms. A picnic table displayed numerous brown bags of evidence ready to be transported back to the lab for analysis. Janna surveyed the collection, then turned suddenly as a tech nearly blindsided her. “Excuse me!” “Could I help you carry some of those?” Janna offered, seeing the tech’s arms overloaded with bags of evidence. “Thank you.” The woman shifted half her load into Janna’s arms and led the way across the grass to a white van. The words CRIME LAB were printed in red across its side. “Are you from the coroners office? I thought we gave you guys all the body fragments we could find this morning.” “Yes, you did,” Janna hurried to say, a slight smile gracing her lips. “So have you been able to make an identification yet? I don’t envy you your job.” She shook her head and shivered. “I’ve never seen a body destroyed like that body was. It was horrible.” She paused and squinted her eyes at Janna. “One thing I can’t figure out though.” “What’s that?” Janna prompted. 58

Janna's Werewolf “Well, the body was torn to bits, and left on the grass—as if by wild animals. Why wasn’t it eaten?” She shrugged her shoulders. It was a were murder! Janna didn’t speculate on the tech’s suspicions. She gave the impression she thought the murder was an animal attack. And at the moment, Janna didn’t want to say anything to the contrary. She looked around to see Lieutenant Barton coming her way. Now was a good time to separate her self from the lab tech—just in case the policeman should reveal she was a reporter instead of someone from the coroners’ office, as the tech assumed.

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Chapter Six

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o,” Lieutenant Barton said, his gaze scrutinizing. “What kind of investigative instincts do you have about this gruesome murder?” Janna chose her words carefully. “Are there any packs of wild dogs in the area?” He shrugged his shoulders. “You think dogs did this?” “It’s a possibility. There are paw prints in the dirt; the body was ripped to shreds, yet apparently left uneaten.” “I see where you’re going with this,” he interrupted, waving one hand. “You think the public will suspect a wild dog attack—given the fact that the murder took place in an open area in the night time.” He leveled his assessing gaze on her. “Now tell me what you really think, Marlow.” Janna pulled in a long breath. 60

Janna's Werewolf “A werewolf attack.” Surprise wreathed the policeman’s face. Then he chuckled aloud. “That’s bullshit. Werewolves are a figment of the imagination. They don’t exist for real.” Janna expected the disbelieving reaction. And maybe it was for the best. If she sounded too convincing, he might be apt to investigate her. “I suppose now you’re going to remind me that it was a full moon last night as well.” “I think the public should be warned to stay inside at night—just in case there really is a pack of wild dogs roaming the neighborhood.” He studied her, a slight smile on his pudgy face. “And you expect me to make that announcement?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I could mention it in my column.” “The society column? That would go over big.” He laughed out loud. “My editor sent me to cover the murder, Lieutenant. He expects me to come back with some information and since you seem to be without suspect or suspects—“ “All right. We’ll go with the dog attack. But I don’t believe it for one fucking minute.” “Then show me something that proves otherwise.” He rubbed his chin with one beefy hand. “I’m 61

Fawn Lowery checking with the patrolmen on duty last night to see if anything related to this murder occurred— you know, any thing that looks suspicious.” “Did you find any evidence of a weapon?” “Not yet.” He glanced in the direction of the cordoned off area. “And at this point, I doubt we will.” Janna considered whether to say anything more about her suspicions that a werewolf perpetrated the murder merely because the officer didn’t believe her. “Can I have your permission to go speak with the coroner?” “That’s our next stop,” he informed her, taking her arm and turning her toward the parked cars. It was a short drive to the hospital. The coroner’s office was in one end of the building, off limits to hospital visitors by way of the rear parking lot. Janna followed Lieutenant Barton into the lot and parked beside him, then exited her car and walked with him inside. “Now if you feel the need to puke—“ “I have a strong stomach.” “All right. But you’ve been warned.” The putrid stench of death filled the outside corridor leading to the coroner’s office. Janna stifled the urge to cover her nose and mouth to keep the odor at bay. Having a wolf’s sensitive nose was just part of the Curse. Sometimes it 62

Janna's Werewolf jolted her system to the point of vomiting. “Have you put that puzzle together yet, Hank?” Janna followed the policeman through the double metal doors into a room that looked all aluminum and machines—except for the red pile of flesh heaped in the middle of an examining table and the ravaged remains of a corpse lying on another. A small man shrouded in white scrubs and gray rubber gloves looked up at them, a large pair of plastic goggles positioned over his eyes. “Hell Tony, this is the worse mess I’ve seen in thirty-five years as coroner.” The pile of flesh was heaped on the table like so much hamburger, dark red in color due to the exposure to the air and the time past since the shredding. Bits of grass and torn pieces of clothing were mixed in, giving the gruesome mixture an unrealistic appearance. The badly mangled body lying near by looked equally unbelievable. The rent remains of clothing, possibly the only visible identification that the person had been male, were embedded in the scant fragments of flesh still clinging to the bony skeleton. Janna looked away, feeling her stomach lurch. The aroma of werewolf musk hung in the air; putrid and deathly, forewarning of the creature she knew the police department should be on the trail of. But did she dare mention the fact to 63

Fawn Lowery Lieutenant Barton again? “Ms Marlow seems to think a werewolf attacked the guy, Hank.” There was a touch of humor in the Lieutenant’s voice. Janna pinned her gaze on him; watching him glance from the pile of human flesh to her, then back again. The coroner shook his head. “My guess, is that it was animal related, Tony. I don’t believe in werewolves, as a rule, but who’s to say it didn’t happen.” Surprise wreathed the Lieutenant’s face. “I don’t think I’ll make a public statement to that effect, doc. The citizens of Madison are scared enough as it is.” He turned to Janna. “Remember that when you write your column, Ms Marlow.” Janna nodded. “I think the people need to be warned for their own safety, Lieutenant.” “I agree,” the coroner voiced. “You can’t have a murder of this magnitude occur and not have people on edge. They need to be aware that something is on the loose and they need to take precautions. The park should be closed at dusk, and everybody off the streets by nine o’clock until this thing is found and destroyed.” “You sound pretty emphatic, doc.” “This was a brutal massacre. This poor man never had a chance against whatever attacked him.” He moved over to the adjacent table where 64

Janna's Werewolf the ravaged body lay. “There are multiple puncture wounds embedded in the flesh and those wounds were caused by piercing teeth— long, sharp canines that were forced in deep by powerful jaws. I’ve extracted bits of clothing pushed inside flesh, nearly to the bone. There are definite bite marks on the body, Tony. The public needs warning—and right away. Who knows when this savage thing might attack again?” “Savage thing?” Tony Barton questioned, a look of consternation across his face. Janna’s worse nightmare was about to be realized. “People might be less frightened if they were warned about a pack of dogs,” Janna suggested. “They could at least stay inside and be alert.” “And maybe we could catch this thing before it kills again.” Lieutenant Barton shrugged his shoulders. “Though I have no idea how to go about hunting something that I have no description of—aside from being dog related and having sharp teeth.” **** Janna returned to the newspaper office intent on typing up her article for the evening edition, but the second she entered the news room, she was assailed by the aroma of male were. Aware that 65

Fawn Lowery she had to keep her observations to herself, and obviously not raise her nose in the air while scenting, she scanned the large room for the object of her interest. He was seated in her desk chair, a nonchalant look about him, his heels piled atop her desk as though he waited for her in absolute leisure. The were my father sent to protect me. She debated whether to turn and flee the scene, or march onward and send him on his way. There was no way in hell that she wanted—or needed— another were in her midst—especially with her Moon Phase taking place and Rick Sawyer playing the role of ‘her great protector.’ She made a mental note to call her father and explain things from her point of view—though she doubted it would make any difference. He was headstrong and ruled with an iron fist. She watched the were, sensing his confidence as she walked toward him. Did he know what she looked like—surely her father had given him a picture—or did he intend to identify her by scent alone? He scented me. That question answered, Janna approached the desk. He didn’t move, remained at ease as she drew near, his hands clasp behind his head and his feet atop her desk. He was quite handsome and Janna’s senses 66

Janna's Werewolf immediately picked up the male musk he exuded—perhaps because of her being in her Moon Phase. The scent was intoxicating to the point of nearly being heady to inhale. He was hot for her—aware that she was easily aroused because of the Curse she was bound by. “My father shouldn’t have sent you.” He rose slowly to his feet, towering over her so that she had to tip her head back to look into his face. Her senses jolted as though she had been electrically shocked. Pale gray eyes stared down at her while a full sensuous mouth pulled up at one corner—mockingly, yet teasingly too. “He’s concerned for your safety.” His voice was deep toned, husky in a sexy way. His breath puffed hotly on Janna’s cheek as he spoke. His tall lean body hovered only inches from hers, beckoning to her senses and giving her cause to feel alarmed about being seduced. She took a step back, putting a bit of distance between them and hoping to abate the temptation that seemed to gush from every gorgeous pour of his body. “I can take care of myself.” “You’re knees are shaking right now.” Shit! “Look, it was a mistake for you to come here— so just go back and tell my father—“ “I can’t do that.” 67

Fawn Lowery His voice was so calm and seductive that Janna creamed her panties. “Once the danger is past, I’ll go.” He poked his hands into his slacks pockets. “But until that time—“ “We’re bosom buddies” Janna said propping her hands on her hips. “Well, I’m telling you right now, I don’t need protecting. I can take care of myself. And you should go find someone else to tend.” He chuckled softly. “I’d love to discipline you.” Janna sucked in a quick breath, his words assailing her. She glanced round the newsroom; suddenly aware of the curious gazes aimed their way. “That is not going to happen.” He shrugged very broad shoulders and flashed her a white-toothed grin. “It might.” “Take a hike. I have work to do,” she announced, rounding the corner of her desk and taking the chair he had recently risen from. “I have a column to write.” She refrained from saying that she was going to warn the public to be on the lookout for anything suspicious in their neighborhoods—steering clear of anything werewolf related—though every fiber in her body screamed otherwise. 68

Janna's Werewolf He merely moved to the front of her desk and pulled up a chair from a vacant desk. He fitted his lean body into the chair and pinned his assessing gaze on her face. “I’m here when ever you need me.” Which will be when hell freezes over! She began typing, aware of his hot gaze traveling over her face, lowering to her summer sweater and pausing on her breasts. What is it with men and tits? She felt her nipples pucker; her temperature rose a few degrees. She forced her attention to the article she needed to type, glancing at her notes. She couldn’t sugarcoat the tragedy in the park— but she couldn’t discount it either. People needed to be aware of their surroundings when they ventured outside. The hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up as a foreboding coldness snaked through her insides. She shifted her gaze to the were sitting before her desk; his pale gaze was directed toward Elmer McCoy’s office. She sensed his sudden alertness. Turning slowly so she didn’t draw the attentions of those working around her, she looked toward the office—and spied Rick Sawyer with Elmer McCoy visible through the glass in the office door. Curiosity welled up inside her. What’s Rick doing here? 69

Fawn Lowery “I know him,” she said quickly glancing at the were. “He’s one of the good ones.” Dark brows rose in question. “He has claim to you?” Janna’s cheeks pinked. “I wouldn’t say that—“ “Then what is your relationship with him?” “That’s none of your business.” He leaned forward in the chair, locking gazes with Janna. “But I’m making it my business. Now who is he and how do you know him?” “His name is Rick Sawyer. He’s a tennis player. I once did an article about him.” She bristled at having to explain herself to this…this… Incredibly handsome male! “You’re aware that he’s a werewolf?” Boy, am I! “Yes. I know he’s—“ she stilled her tongue, afraid that some one might overhear and ask questions of her. “I don’t need any trouble out of him.” “Meaning I should stifle his urges to fuck me— so you won’t have any competition?” He smiled slowly, and disarmingly. Janna felt her face flame. Why did I say such a stupid thing? “That would be nice, honey. Real nice.” Damn that Moon Phase! She snatched the telephone off the corner of the desk. “I’m calling my dad right now—so pack 70

Janna's Werewolf your bag and get ready to leave town.”

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Chapter Seven anna slammed the receiver down in its cradle. When had her father ever listened to her? Why had she thought it would be different this time? “Nick Austin.” Janna stared at the smooth-palmed hand he offered her. “I’m a private investigator, by profession. When I’m not working on a case, or guarding beautiful women, I like to ski, browse vintage book stores, and ride my chopper.” He cocked his head at her. “I’d like to take you for a ride sometime.” “You mean you’d like to ride me.” He winked one incredibly silver eye at her. “That too.” Janna turned her gaze back to the computer screen and hit the enter key, sending her article about the murder to the copy editor. Pushing

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Janna's Werewolf herself back in her chair, she rose and strode toward the break room. Nick was immediately on her heels. “Do you plan to follow me to the bathroom too?” “Only if it wouldn’t rouse suspicions. Do you think it would?” She released a long sigh and poured herself a cup of coffee from the recently brewed pot. Remembering her manners, she glanced at Nick and received a nod of approval. They took their cups of coffee and went to a small table in one corner of the room. There were things that needed straightened out between them—and it had nothing to do with hard cocks. She stifled a shiver at the thought. “You have to leave. You can’t continue to hang around my desk. I can’t work with you here.” “You’ll get used to me soon enough.” “I doubt that.” “I tend to grow on people.” “I don’t want you growing on me.” “You heard the lady.” Janna jumped at the intrusive voice. Spinning round, she spied Rick striding into the room. Nick Austin was on his feet, clearly expecting the worse. Janna sensed his muscles tensing, his stance rigid and poised, ready to spring at Rick without 73

Fawn Lowery further provocation. “Hold on, guys.” Janna jumped up, her hands spread toward both men. “There’s nothing to fight about.” She felt anger gather inside her body. “For Pete’s sake! I work here. Are you trying to get me fired?” Her words somewhat diffused the volatile situation. Rick stood to one side, aiming a menacing glare at Nick. And Nick didn’t take his eyes off Rick for fear he might be charged suddenly. “This is Nick Austin,” she said to Rick. “My father sent him to guard me.” Turning to Nick, she said, “Rick Sawyer.” The were’s didn’t shake hands, only stared at each other. Janna picked up her coffee cup and left the room, retuning to the newsroom. Let them figure it out! I don’t give a fuck! She returned to her desk and held her breath that the two didn’t go at each other’s throats right there—in broad daylight. Momentarily, Nick returned to the chair in front of her desk. “We agreed to share you,” he whispered and gave her a teasing wink. **** Janna’s living room seemed to shrink considerably 74

Janna's Werewolf with the two powerful alpha males sitting in it. Rick dominated the couch while Nick Austin sat in an armchair near the fireplace at the back of the room. Neither spoke, merely aimed warning gazes at the other. Janna entered the room, a tray with three cups of coffee sitting on it. She sat the tray on the coffee table and handed each were a cup, then took the last cup and sat down across the room from Rick. “The sooner the rogue is found—the sooner you can leave town,” she said, aiming her gaze at Nick Austin. “And the sooner you can stop playing the role of jealous lover,” she said to Rick. Rick’s face lit up in amusement at her words. “I guess that says it all,” he remarked, glaring at Nick. “I didn’t come here to cause trouble,” Nick said, taking a sip of his coffee. “But I’m not apt to run from it either.” “You’re not needed here. I can take care of Janna.” “Apparently her father isn’t aware of you and your capable abilities.” Rick was suddenly on his feet, coffee splashing onto the carpet. Nick bounded from his chair, meeting him in the middle of the room. Janna cringed. In the next seconds, Rick and Nick were transforming into wolf forms and 75

Fawn Lowery gnashing their teeth at each other. Suddenly Rick rushed Nick and aimed for his neck, intending to end his life there and then. Nick dodged and evaded Rick’s savage fangs just in the nick of time. Rick recovered and turned, hurling his big hairy body at Nick’s chest and knocking him to the floor. The coffee table splintered and crashed beneath the two powerful werewolves, sending polished wood flying across the room. Snarling and biting at each other, they rolled about the floor; fur flew in a haze of angry growls and muffled roars. Janna shrank into the far corner of the room, anxious to stay out of the foray and helpless to stop its progression. She held her breath and watched while each were bit and gnashed at the other, some bites landing on target and causing a loud yowl of protest. She spied numerous bloodstains on their thick coats as their vicious attacks continued and the furniture in the room was rapidly being destroyed as they grappled to be the better were. Short of having a gun and firing into the air, Janna didn’t know of a way to stop the battle. She felt helpless. One were seemed as determined as the other to gain the upper hand. She looked at the blood splattered coats—Rick’s dark blond and Nick’s coal black fur—and willed the fight to be over—only to see Rick gain the upper hand. He saw an opening and took full advantage of it, 76

Janna's Werewolf chomping down quickly on Nick’s tender neck. The were stilled immediately—afraid of the rending threat of the sharp incisors buried in his throat. Janna took advantage of the opportunity to rush from her place of safety to the furious weres locked in such vicious combat in the middle of the floor. “Stop it right now!” The pair seemed to pause, momentarily aware of their actions, though when a were was in wolf form, his anger was hard to abate once he fully allowed it to take control of him. She watched the pair, sensing their anger waning. Rick moved slowly, pulling his fangs from Nick’s throat and easing his big body upward, releasing Nick from the pinned position beneath him. Momentarily he stood and Changed into human form. Nick jumped to his feet, shook his black coat, and slunk off to the side of the room. Momentarily he too Changed form, healing the bite marks Rick had inflicted on him while he was in wolf form. The victor was clearly noted as Rick swaggered toward Janna. “Don’t expect me to declare a winner,” she spat. “You two destroyed my living room. Look at this mess.” The coffee table lay in splinters dispersed about the room; the carpet was shredded from 77

Fawn Lowery their claws; the couch was upended and leaning against the wall; a china table lamp was broken into several pieces. “Pay up! And don’t argue with me!” She poked out one hand, intending to collect money from them both for new furniture. Sheepishly, both weres delved into their pockets and handed over money to Janna. “Now, I want you both to leave! I’m going to bed—alone!” **** The shadowy form moved across the room, drawing closer and closer to the bed. Janna laid still, her blood burning, her emotions electrically charged. Anticipation gathered in her belly, her limbs ached for release. The figure eased forward, as though propelled by some magical force, silent and eerie. The room suddenly took on a misty quality, as though something filmy and gauzy had mysteriously draped itself over the glow of the moon. Another mystic form moved toward her from another portion of the room, gliding easily as though on ghost feet. She held her breath and watched it move with frightened eyes. The forms began to take shape before her eyes, soon resembling men—men she had invited into her bedroom. She felt a shiver of lust quake 78

Janna's Werewolf through her insides. She felt the urge to splay her legs, to toss aside the thin cover of sheet and light quilt; she wanted the attentions she sensed they were conveying to her—however magical or surreal. She heard her heart beating frantically in her ears, could feel the weight of the sheet heavy on her aroused breasts. Her nipples ached for want of touch. She slid her hand upward and pushed down the cover, exposing her gown covered breasts. The moonlight, though it appeared hazy from the filter across the moon, shown across the bed in eerie shades of gray and ebony. She felt her crotch moisten, felt the female juices ooze from her body and lay moist on her skin, just beyond her hair-roughened pussy lips. She smoothed one palm along her body, beginning just above her right breast, sliding gently along the crest of her mound, over her peaked nipple, and onto her flat stomach. She pulled in a sighing breath. The touch felt good, necessary in her Moon Phase. She felt as though her flesh begged to be fondled; needing the arousal that hands could bring and the release that she craved beyond reason. She was burning up with desire. She slid her hand lower on her body, the forms drew closer, taking on towering human forms, manly forms that reached out to her senses, promising, promising… 79

Fawn Lowery Her fingers found her bushy crotch, stroked her sensitive lips with teasing promise, felt the moisture gathered there. She closed her eyes and savored the touch. “I’ll give you fulfillment,” the dark form said in a whisper soft tone. He stood beside the bed, looking down at her as she caressed her crotch, stroked her pussy with her fingers, gazed up at him. “I can give you fulfillment beyond your wildest expectations.” She turned her head on the pillow. The other form had spoken to her, traversed to the edge of her bed, stood leaning over her, offering… She was aware then that he held something in his hands. Momentarily he reached toward her and took hold of her wrists. She felt the touch of silk, cool and soft as it coiled around her skin. She allowed her arms to be raised upward, pulled over her head and across her pillow. The other man joined in, smiling down at her as he secured her wrists to the head of the bed. She sighed and felt expectant. They threw aside the light covers from her body and with other silk scarves, secured her legs spread eagle at the foot of the bed, binding her ankles so she couldn’t move. She laid there, her gaze on the men as they paused, looking down at their handiwork. She 80

Janna's Werewolf sensed they were pleased that she was immobile and at their mercy. Suddenly one reached down and lifted her gown up over her burning crotch. She sighed as the coolness in the room touched her naked skin. He pulled the gown up to her breasts, then past, freeing her aching nipples. They peaked rosy red and tall, as though stretching for the hands that could bring them pleasures. “I want you both,” she whispered, her mouth dry and parched. She beckoned to the forms, knowing they were men she had somehow conjured up in her desperate need. She didn’t care; she needed the release they offered her. The bed dipped as they joined her, climbed in on either side of her body. They reached out big hands to touch her…She blinked her eyes, waiting…wanting to feel their hands on her, wanting them to take her, to ravish her body with their hands, their mouths, their bodies… The touch of silky hair suddenly caused her to gasp. A quick glance along her prone body revealed a blond head at her crotch… The feel of a stroking finger drew her eyes to her breasts…a long slim appendage careened along the arc of her flesh, aiming at her nipple…A smooth palm grazed her inner thigh, touching lightly and causing her to pull in a quick breath. The heat of his hand sent a shard of longing 81

Fawn Lowery careening through her insides. Her need to be touched was overwhelming. From both sides of the bed she became the object of attention. Hands stroked and caressed, tweaked and massaged. She felt her senses soar out of control. She closed her eyes and became one with the mesmerizing caresses. Her crotch was on fire; ready to welcome a hard cock between her legs. She felt him as he climbed onto her body, felt his weight and the touch of his naked chest to her bare breasts. A delicious shiver of desire zinged across her flesh. His long hot cock poked teasingly against her belly, promising of the thing to come. She arched her back and pulled against the silk restraints holding her wrists and ankles. Suddenly the moment she had been waiting for, arrived. Hot, pulsing, hammer hard and pushing into her body in one quick stabbing thrust! A scream tore from her throat! She bolted upright in bed— Her heart hammered in her breast as she jerked her head from side to side, searching for the men she had envisioned touching her—on the verge of seducing her! Or had she been begging them to make love to her? She flopped back against her pillow, her body flushed with heat, her heart racing. The room was 82

Janna's Werewolf still, moon lit in pale shimmers of ebony and silver. She was alone—though every fiber of her being argued otherwise. She raked her fingers through her hair, pushing the heavy mass off her pillow. She was loathe to admit that she had dreamed Rick and Nick were in her bedroom, and one of them—she couldn’t say which one—had pushed his hard cock inside her.

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Chapter Eight

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he spied the two cars parked outside her house as she went to the kitchen to make herself coffee. Rick was parked in the driveway and Nick was on the street. Both men were awake and starring at the house. “What a couple of dolts,” she muttered as she went toward the front door. She opened the door and waved to them, motioning them inside. Last night’s dream came to mind as she watched them get out of their cars and come toward the house. It had been so vivid—almost to the point of making her think she had conjured them into her bedroom— “I’m not promising either of you anything except coffee,” she informed them as they stepped up on the porch. They both looked amazingly alert—for such an early hour. It was barely five o’clock. The sun was 84

Janna's Werewolf just on the horizon, spearing the waning darkness with its stark yellow brightness. The two were cordial to each other, avoiding eye contact and choosing to stay on opposite sides of the small kitchen to drink their coffee. Janna chuckled and excused herself taking her coffee mug into the bedroom to get dressed, leaving them to help themselves to the remaining coffee in the pot. She hoped last night’s argument didn’t redevelopment—she barely had any furniture left. Both men were surveying the damage in the living room when she emerged from the bedroom, her purse in hand so she could leave for work. Neither commented on the splintered furniture and Janna left matters alone. She had taken their money and truly intended to spend it on a new coffee table and lamp, new drapes and a new throw rug to cover the ragged carpet. They were unusually quiet and Janna grew curious though she dared not voice her concern. Surely they had come to some compromise during the long hours of the night—some compromise that they would reveal—eventually. She slid beneath the steering wheel of her car and started the motor. Rick was parked behind her and she peeped at him in the rear view mirror, aware that his keen eyes were pinned on the back of her head. Who had thrust into her last night—he or Nick? She felt her senses shake with the memory. It 85

Fawn Lowery had been so vivid. But then, her dreams were more real than fantasy most nights—ever since she had her first Change. Things had taken on a dreamlike quality—even during the day. She gave her head a shake, dispelling the thoughts. Janna was aware that both men trailed her to work. She pulled into the parking lot and got out of her car, slamming the door in agitation. “Before you get all bent out of shape—“ Rick warned as he exited his car. "I have a right to be here. I own the damn paper.” Janna’s jaw dropped open. So he’s the new owner everyone has been wondering about. “Nice of you to finally make yourself known,” she remarked. “Actually, you’re the only employee to know, aside from Elmer McCoy. I have no intentions of running the paper—I merely bought it for investment purposes.” Janna met his gaze. There was more to it than that. His green eyes alluded to the fact. Nick Austin was suddenly in their midst and Janna let the matter drop, though she made a mental note to question him later about the matter. What better way to squelch any rumors—true or false—about werewolves in the area, than to own the only newspaper apt to print any revealing news? She gave Rick a knowing glance, then 86

Janna's Werewolf turned her gaze on Nick as he stopped beside her. “Please find something else to do, besides harass me all day.” “You’ll never know I’m around,” Nick promised, taking her arm and urging her toward the rear entrance of the building. Rick followed the pair, rushing ahead and opening the door for Janna as she approached the building. She could feel the tension between the two weres. It was so intense it was almost pliable and Janna hoped no other were was in the vicinity for he would surly pick up on the unsettled situation and feel it his duty to investigate—which would more than likely, lead him to her. She sighed and walked through the open door, both weres on her heels. Rick went to the main office and Nick took a seat at Janna’s desk. Janna tried to ignore him, though his scent made it difficult. Every time she glanced up, he was staring at her, those pale eyes of his sending her senses reeling. She felt her pulse increase speed, felt her insides heat up— The telephone sitting on the corner of her desk rang suddenly, making her jump. “The Coroner has managed to make an ID,” Lieutenant Barton said. Janna felt a nervous twinge race along her nerve endings as she reached for a pencil to take 87

Fawn Lowery notes. “A missing person’s report was filed on John Melton. Seems he went out for a walk two nights ago and didn’t come home. His wife called the station when she read about the murder in the park. She provided Hank with dental records and he was able to make a positive ID.” Janna wrote down the Melton address so she could talk to the widow. When she hung up the phone, she left her desk to report to Elmer McCoy and get permission to interview Mrs. Melton. As she walked the short distance to the Editor’s office, she was keenly aware that Nick Austin was hot on her heels. She paused at the door and turned to face him, a glaring look on her face. “Stop following me,” she gritted out. “I doubt if anything is going to happen to me here at work.” She shook her head, sending her blond hair cascading across her shoulders. “For Pete’s sake! Go have a cup of coffee and leave me alone!” Elmer McCoy was with Rick when she pushed through the door of his office. She pulled up short, intending to apologize, but Rick waved her inside instead. “It’s alright,” he said. “We were just going over a few things.” Janna didn’t know which man to speak to. Her gaze flitted from one to the other, until Rick finally realized her dilemma. 88

Janna's Werewolf “Elmer is still your Editor. You report to him, Janna.” He took a seat on the corner of the desk and watched her while she related the information about the victim in the park. “Go talk to the widow,” Elmer instructed. When Janna left the editor’s office, she noted that Nick wasn’t in the newsroom, or standing outside the door of the office waiting for her. She breathed a little sigh of relief, and hurried to gather her purse and notepad before he showed up and insisted on accompanying her. She rushed out to the parking lot and got in her car, holding her breath that she had successfully given Nick the slip. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the residential section of Madison in search of the Milton address. She didn’t relish the idea of interviewing Mrs. Milton. Whenever a death occurred—regardless of circumstances—a nosy reporter was at the bottom of the list of wanted guests. She mentally rehearsed what she would say as she drove to the Milton residence. The widow was an elderly woman with a cap of curly gray hair, a tear-stained face and stooped posture. She forced a smile for Janna and invited her inside. “I told John it was too late to be going out for a walk.” She shook her head. “But he wouldn’t 89

Fawn Lowery listen to me. Then I begged him to take his gun. He bought it just so he could feel secure when he walked late at night.” “Had he encountered trouble in the park before?” Janna asked. “No. He found it a very peaceful place.” “Did your husband have any enemies?” “You mean, someone who would want him dead?” Her voice shook and tears suddenly sprang to her eyes. “I don’t think so—but you never know. John was a criminal lawyer—retired. I suppose some of his clients might have felt that way about him—but the coroner said he had been mauled—as if by animals.” “Have you heard any talk about wild dogs in the area of the park?” She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes with a rumpled handkerchief. Janna offered her sympathies and left the Melton house, leaving Mrs. Melton with the assumption that her husband had been attacked by a pack of dogs. It would do little good for the woman to believe otherwise. In the event a werewolf was found, no one in the town was likely to believe it anyway. Janna started her car and backed out of the Melton driveway—only to spy Nick Austin sitting in a parked car across the street. He waved one hand at her and pulled in behind her car, prepared 90

Janna's Werewolf to follow her back to the office. Janna bristled, her anger getting the better of her. Shortly after leaving the neighborhood where the Milton residence was, she pulled over to the side of the road and shut off her car. Yanking the door open, she set her sights on Nick and marched stiff-legged toward his car as he pulled off the road and parked. “I want you out of this town before dark!” she yelled at him. She propped both hands on her hips and glared through the driver’s window at him. He smiled at her, a slow, seductive smile that she found she had to fight to keep from allowing it to melt her kneecaps. He opened the door and stepped out, catching her around the waist with one long arm and pinning her against the side of the car. “You’re one luscious fuck, do you know that?” Surprised, Janna pushed at his chest as he pressed her back against the car, her buttocks and shoulders meeting the unyielding steel with a sudden jolt. “I’d like nothing better than to spread your long legs and dive inside you.” His body was all muscle and brawn pressing so tightly against Janna that she found it nearly impossible to breathe. She leaned her head back, then to the side when she thought he was going to kiss her. His heat immediately penetrated her 91

Fawn Lowery navy blue business suit and the uncomfortable stance with which he forced her against the car, hiked her skirt up onto her thighs. He ground his hips into the hollow of hers, pressing his hard erection against her belly so that she was completely aware of him. Her breasts flattened against his muscled chest, her nipples growing hard despite the circumstance. “Let me go,” she ordered, her voice sounding less authoritative than she wanted. “Let me go.” “You feel good,” he said, raising his hands and running them along her hips and thighs. He pulled her skirt up around her waist, and pushed his knee between her thighs, opening her legs despite her efforts to fight him off. The urge to Change gathered in her mind. In an instant he could have his hands full of raging female werewolf— “I’m certain my father sent you here to rape me,” she said in an angry whisper. She pulled in a deep breath and called the Magic. In the blink of an eye she felt it rolling over her body, pulling at her muscles and stretching her bones. She let out a loud yowl and shoved him away so viciously that he staggered backward into the road, surprised at her sudden ability to Change so rapidly. She pounced on him, pinning him against the ground, her muzzle snarling and her sharp teeth gnashing in warning. She dug her long claw92

Janna's Werewolf like fingers into his chest, ripping his shirt and striping his chest. Another warning yowl and she bounded away, disappearing into the brush along the highway. She shook her muzzle, feeling her heart hammer in her werewolf chest. She called the Magic, throwing herself flat on the ground while it transformed her back into human form. If Nick decided to pursue her, there was little she could do now, except try and Change back into wolf and fight him—but she hoped he would take the warning she chose to give him and not make more out of the situation. Nick was sitting in his car when she emerged from the brush, her human form restored. She didn’t even glance in his direction as she strode to her car. She slid beneath the steering wheel and stared the motor. Damn! If I were a smoker—I’d have to light up!

93

Fawn Lowery

Chapter Nine

I

t was lunchtime by the time Janna sent her column to copy. She had managed to ignore Nick altogether since returning to the office. As odd as it seemed, he followed her back to work, and resumed his vigil at her desk as though nothing had taken place between them. She did catch him staring at her quite peculiarly a time or two, but she put that off to her having Changed into wolf form and getting rough with him. Surprisingly, he hadn’t mentioned one word about their little incident—nor did she think he would. Changing into wolf form right before his eyes had probably gotten her message across in no uncertain terms. She shook her head and chuckled. “What’s so funny?” She turned to see Rick approaching her desk. “Nothing,” she replied, sliding a warning 94

Janna's Werewolf glance at Nick. Should he open his mouth and tell Rick of their little skirmish—well, she hated to think of the consequences. Last night’s brawl in her living room suddenly came to mind. “Let me take you to lunch,” Rick said, taking hold of her left hand. He aimed a piercing gaze at Nick. “You can go spend the next hour licking your furry ass, for all I care.” Nick lunged out of his chair, ready to fight. “Stop it!” Janna bit out, jumping to her feet. She yanked her hand from Rick’s, ignoring the jolt of sexual want starting to assault her senses, and raked him with her gaze as well. “I’m not eating lunch today. I’m shopping for furniture to replace what you two tore up last night. And I’m going by myself.” She picked up her purse and marched away, leaving the pair to stare after her. What in the hell am I going to do with those two? She grimaced at the thought of being rid of Rick altogether. She actually didn’t want him gone from her sight, but Nick—well he was a different story altogether. She took out her cell phone and dialed her father’s office. Surely there was something he could do—short of chewing her out again for not wanting his help. “Nick Austin is a good man, honey. He’ll protect you.” Janna rolled her eyes in agitation. Should she spill the beans and rat out Nick Austin? 95

Fawn Lowery “You shouldn’t have sent a werewolf, Daddy.” “One of our kind is exactly what you need. He knows what you’re going through.” He’s trying to get in my pants! “Nick is big enough to take on any were and win. And he’s a professional on top of it.” “Daddy, there was a murder in the park two nights ago.” She was keenly aware of the silence on the other end of the phone. “The next day, Nick Austin showed up at my job.” And I’m not sure where Rick was when the murder was committed. She bit her tongue to keep from uttering the words. “I’m certain it was a werewolf kill.” “You’re not suspecting Nick—are you? I can vouch for him, honey. I’ve known him for years. He does investigative work for the firm.” She tried to quell her doubts about Nick Austin—and at the same time, tried to believe that Rick had gotten control of his anger right after leaving her house the night of the murder. She found it hard to do—on both counts. “Janna, I’m not pulling Nick off the job— unless you agree to come back to Dover Run so the family can protect you.” “No, Daddy. I’m staying in Madison.” She got off the phone and drove to the nearest furniture store. Shopping quickly, she chose a new chair in shades of mauve and aqua, a matching 96

Janna's Werewolf lamp and three new living room tables. A new scatter rug to cover the claw marks in the carpet completed her purchases. Having arranged delivery for later in the day, she left the store. She instinctually tipped her nose into the air and sniffed as she exited the store. Surely the two alpha males weren’t taking her advice to stop following her. Just as she suspected, she smelled the unmistakable musk of a were carried on the light breeze. She bristled, glared about the wide avenue in search of either male, and finding nothing to confirm her suspicions that they were nearby, felt a new wave of alarm travel through her insides. She hadn’t been around Rick, or Nick, for that matter, long enough to truly identify either of their scents with any accuracy. For all accounts, she could very well be scenting one of them and unable to identify the odor for sure. She told herself that everything was all right. Her father had done his best to reassure her that Nick Austin was a good man. But his actions earlier in the day disturbed her. Had he reacted to her Moon Phase? She recalled the effect her pheromones had on Rick the first time they met. A shiver of awareness raced through her with the vivid memory of his naked body pressed so tightly against hers. And the heated sex they had shared… 97

Fawn Lowery She drove through a fast food drive through for lunch and returned to the office. A message from Lieutenant Barton was on her desk when she returned. She picked up the telephone and dialed his number. “There’s been another murder, Marlow. Meet me at Spruce and Elm.” Janna suddenly lost her appetite. She tossed the bacon cheeseburger in the trashcan and grabbed her purse and notepad. Another murder in Madison—had the werewolf struck again? “This is only six blocks from the park,” she said to Lieutenant Barton. He shook his craggy head. “And less than twenty-four hours after the first murder.” “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” “The son-of-a-bitch might live in the vicinity.” They walked toward the cordoned off area. Several uniformed police were scouring the area inside the yellow warning tape for evidence. A crew from the coroner’s office was already on the site. Janna saw Hank Watson bent over the body. She accompanied Lieutenant Barton across the lawn to the medical examiner. The area was similar to that of the first murder, she noted, jotting a note on her pad. The crime scene was the front yard of an older home in Madison with a neatly manicured lawn and well tended shrubs. The victim was male, dressed in a 98

Janna's Werewolf navy blue jogging suit and tennis shoes. “I guess he couldn’t out run whatever attacked him,” Barton muttered aiming his gaze at the coroner. “You think he was out for a morning run?” Hank asked, glancing up from his inspection of the body. “That would account for his attire.” Janna surveyed the area, her eyes skimming over the crumpled body. It lay partly hidden in a hedge, the legs and feet sticking out as though someone—or something—had tried to conceal it. The jogging suit was blood-soaked and the grass in front of the hedge appeared bloody. “This murder is similar to the one in the park, but not as brutal,” she said to the coroner. Hank nodded his gray head. “It doesn’t seem as though the body is as mangled as John Melton’s was, though I’d say the murderer is one and the same. There are definite teeth marks on the torn flesh. Of course, I won’t know for sure until I get the body back to the office where I can fully examine it.” “Can you give a time of death, doc?” Lieutenant Barton asked. “I’d guess the wee hours of the morning,” Hank said. Lieutenant Barton rose and strode over to Janna. “Do you think the murderer was 99

Fawn Lowery interrupted—that’s why there aren’t bits of flesh thrown all around the area?” he said in a low tone. Janna was certain that when a human Changed into a werewolf and killed, he or she, had little thought to being seen or getting caught. It was only those that hated being bound by the Curse that worried over killing and being found out. “Perhaps the victim put up a good fight.” Lieutenant Barton shook his head. “Maybe there was only one killer this time.” The thought assailed Janna’s mind. Was there more than one werewolf committing murder in Madison? She decided not to speculate on the Lieutenant’s theory. She would write up the story as another mysterious murder in town and repeat her warning to be on the lookout for anything suspicious in the neighborhood. She only hoped that someone would come forward with a good lead and the police would apprehend the killer before too many others lost their lives. Back at the newspaper office, Janna typed up her story and got it off to copy, then headed home. The new furniture she had purchased was due to be delivered at five o’clock and she had to be there to unlock the door. As she drove the short distance to her rental house, she wondered what had happened to Nick. Surely she wasn’t sly enough to evade him all 100

Janna's Werewolf afternoon—but then why the hell should she give a shit? She had wanted him to disappear since he first made contact with her. It was curious though, she admitted, shaking her head. For two days and as many nights, she had been unable to get rid of him—now, suddenly, he was nowhere to be found. The new furniture arrived on time and Janna was busy placing the new items in the room when a knock sounded on her door. She hesitated to answer for fear that it might be Nick Austin. But the second knock and the sound of Rick calling her name from the other side of the door brought her rushing to let him in. “Hi,” she said, a wide smile spanning her face as she opened the door to him. He stepped inside and gave the door a push with one foot as he pulled her into his arms. “I’m glad you aren’t still mad at me,” he said, pressing his mouth to hers. Janna melted in his arms, arching her body into the solid wall of chest. She curled her arms around his neck and kissed him back, conveying her message that she was glad to see him. His hands pressed along her back, following the natural curve of her waist and buttocks. He let a low moan of desire sound from his throat as he clasped a fleshy curve in either hand and pressed her against his rising cock. 101

Fawn Lowery Janna felt her senses reel out of control. She had been fighting the need to have him all day— even the anger she had harbored over the fight he had with Nick last night had mysteriously disappeared. He pulled his mouth from hers suddenly. “I came over to get you. The construction crew is breaking ground for my new house today. I want you to be there.” A note of surprise, coupled with an intense feeling of delight, wafted through Janna’s insides. He wants me at the groundbreaking of his new house? The thought that perhaps she meant more to Rick than merely a sex partner sprang to mind. A quiver of hope raced through her. At first she had believed she only wanted sex from him—but after that disturbing dream last night—other thoughts had materialized in her mind. What if there could really be something between them? She paused in his arms, her head still bent for his kisses, her mind racing. What should she do? Should she let him believe she was interested in more than a casual sexual relationship? What about her vow never to marry because of who— what—she was? She pushed out of his arms suddenly. For a second she had almost forgotten the suspicions she had about him. Did she dare ask the questions 102

Janna's Werewolf she harbored? Throwing caution to the wind, she pulled in a deep breath and met his gaze. His green eyes held a curious look. “The police found another murder victim today,” she began. He poked his hands into his jeans pockets. “So?” He shrugged his broad shoulders. She combed one hand through her hair. “I have to ask, Rick—since I know you’re a werewolf—“ He strode toward her, a smile on his face. “Do you really think I’m a killer, Janna? Do you think I could shred another human being with my teeth and claws and then make love to you?” Well when you put it that way— “I’m sorry.” She felt remorse then for even thinking he might be involved. She tried to smile, but her face felt stiff and unnatural. “It’s just that I’m a little on edge because—“ Her words broke off. Should she tell him she had to fight Nick off earlier that day? “Where’s Nick?” she asked, an idea springing to mind. “He’s busy.” An arched brow lifted. “Get your purse. I want you to be there when the crew breaks ground.” She pushed thoughts of Nick and their little 103

Fawn Lowery skirmish aside and went with Rick to the ground he had recently purchased outside of Madison. The loud roar of heavy machinery could be heard as Rick turned his car off the main road and began traveling along the newly cut road through the woods. Towering oak and spindly pine fought for space on either side of the narrow lane. The fragrant aroma of summer in full bloom filled the air. Sunlight filtered through the tall canopy as the treetops met over the road, sending warm yellow streams of sunlight filtering down to gleam across the polished surface of the car. Janna pulled the refreshing fragrance deep into her lungs, savoring the sensation of needing to run it brought to her mind. But the notion to Change had to be pushed aside; there were numerous workmen in the area and too many eyes watching to chance being seen changing from human form into werewolf. They arrived at a large clearing and Rick parked the car near a tall stand of pine trees at one edge. A bulldozer had uprooted the trees in the area and pushed them into a huge pile at the back of the clearing. Several men were busy surveying the area and driving stakes into the ground, marking the layout of the new house. Rick wound one arm around Janna’s waist and led her toward the workers. A man in a hard hat 104

Janna's Werewolf and carrying a set of blueprints cut across the newly plowed ground to meet them. “We’re almost ready,” he said, grinning at Rick and Janna. “We have the foundation laid out and the men have almost got the forms unloaded from the truck. We’ll be starting shortly.” He poked out his right hand to Janna. “Glad to meet you, Mrs. Sawyer.” A ripple of surprise shot through Janna’s insides. She glanced at Rick, only to see him smile—but made no attempt to correct the man’s mistake. “I’m Janna Marlow,” she said, her cheeks flaming. She shook the man’s hand while he blushed and looked to Rick expectedly. The crew foreman gushed an apology and hurried over to where the other workers were driving stakes into the ground. “Now I wonder where he got that idea,” Janna quipped, a smile on her lips. Rick looked very smug all of a sudden and the mere fact that he was amused made her wonder what he was really thinking beneath that handsome exterior. The surrounding area was suddenly filled with the belching smoke of a giant backhoe as it stared up and chugged in the direction of the wooden stakes. In the next seconds it lowered its large metal bucket and began digging, lifting buckets full of earth from the designated area. 105

Fawn Lowery “The forms for the foundation will be set in place by this time tomorrow,” Rick yelled over the noise of the machine. “And before winter arrives, the house will be finished.” “Congratulations,” Janna shouted. I’m so glad you’re staying in the area. A measure of serenity settled inside her. She savored the feeling, hoping he was staying around not merely because he needed territory to run in when the Curse bore down on him, but because of her too. I could fall in love with this man.

106

Janna's Werewolf

Chapter Ten

“W

hat did you do to Nick?” “The less you know, the better.” Rick ran his hands up her arms, cupping her chin in one hand while he grazed her collarbone with the other. He traced her jaw with the edge of his thumb, then brought one fingertip to her lower lip. “You have a beautiful mouth.” He parted her lips with his fingertip and poked his finger inside to smooth along her lower teeth. Janna held still, her eyes locked with his, as he inched his finger along her gum. An erotic feeling began in her belly and spiraled out along her limbs. Once, she had envisioned having kinky sex with a man—but she had not tried to fulfill that notion. Now with Rick— “I want to make love to you,” he whispered, his finger finding her tongue and stroking it. “I 107

Fawn Lowery want you in bed, beneath me.” He pulled in a shuddering breath. “Actually, I’d like you to suck my dick—I’ve thought about you doing that all day, honey.” He pulled in another shuddering breath. “I had a wet dream about you last night.” Janna felt the fires of desire leap to the fore. “I woke up just as I spilled my load—“ He laughed slightly. “I’ve never had a wet dream before, Janna. But then, I’ve never met a woman that I thought I could fall in love with either.” Janna was glad his finger was still in her mouth while he unburdened his soul—she didn’t really know what to say to him. She had heard her brothers joke about having wet dreams—but she never really thought they did. Now, perhaps she had been wrong to disbelieve them. Maybe she should have asked questions instead of discounting their whispered comments. And then there was his comment about finding a woman to fall in love with—was he referring to her? Holy cow! He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in the thick fall of hair at her nape. He kissed her neck and held her tightly. “Let’s Change into wolf form and have sex, Janna—just to experience it.” She pushed him away, perhaps a bit harder and rougher than she should have. 108

Janna's Werewolf “Being a werewolf is not something to be experienced merely because you have the ability.” Anger tinged her voice and had it been earlier in the day, when Rick could have seen her features, he would have been able to see how disgusted his statement had made her feel. “But, honey, that’s just a little kink to make things interesting. Have you ever tried it?” “No.” “If you don’t like it, we can Change back in an instant.” “I don’t want to have sex when I’m Changed into wolf form, Rick. Don’t you understand? I don’t like being a werewolf.” She heaved a long sigh. “But haven’t you ever wondered about doing it when you’re in wolf form? Haven’t you ever wondered how it might feel?” A lusty shiver shook his big body. “Come on, baby. Let’s give it a try. We’re out here in a hundred acres—nobody will see us if we hump each other in the clearing.” He was serious, she realized, not just wondering out loud. She stared at his tall form. It was approaching midnight and they were standing just inside a pine grove lying adjacent to the beginning of his new house. The glow from the full moon illuminated the sky and cast eerie shadows amid the trees. The newly erected house forms took on the appearance of strange rock-like 109

Fawn Lowery statues rising up from the barren ground. She suddenly felt the urge to run—to tear herself from Rick’s possessive touch and race amid the trees in an effort to clear her mind. She was just about to suggest they do just that, when Rick tightened his embrace and kissed her. His mouth was hot and moist, pressing possessively against her lips and making her moan with the sensual assault that suddenly came to her insides. She pressed her breasts into the solid wall of his chest and thrust her belly against his abdomen. He had a hard-on, she realized, as he pressed himself against her flesh. He slid his hands across her back and clasped her buttocks, grinding his manhood against her while he held her steady. His hold was vise tight; she couldn’t move if she wanted to. Suddenly his mouth was rough on hers, pressing so hard that she thought she tasted blood on her tongue. He was rough to the point of making her cry out when he suddenly pushed her down on the ground. Her back met the unyielding surface with an audible thud and for a second she couldn’t get her breath. He ripped at her clothing, pulling off her blouse so quickly she was certain she heard the buttons pop off. She still wore the clothes she had worked in and Rick soon rid her of her skirt and pantyhose. Before she knew it, she was naked on 110

Janna's Werewolf the ground, the feel of grass and dried brush beneath her bare back. “Rick—“ she protested, pushing at his hands. Her objection calmed his actions. He sat back on his haunches, releasing her on the ground. “You make me wild with lust, Janna.” She raised up and looked at him, though unable to see his features because of the darkness. Lust in a man was a good thing—wasn’t it? She wondered then if she should have let him continue because she was certain he would take her to new sexual heights. And that was the purpose of having sex—wasn’t it? She combed one hand through her hair. She felt confused. She had never met a werewolf before that showed her such passion, such lust. Suddenly she gave his suggestion real consideration. “If I don’t like it—we can Change back immediately—right?” He fell on her suddenly, his mouth capturing her lips and pinning her against the ground with a forceful kiss. “I don’t want to be known as the werewolf girl who will hump any wolf anytime, Rick.” “Honey, I love you! Please don’t even consider that I would do anything to hurt you—ever!” He loves me? A feeling she had never experienced before 111

Fawn Lowery suddenly overtook her mind and body. She had found a man who had fallen in love with her. Halleluiah! She felt his body grow heavy upon her, felt the onset of a dense coat of fur as it started on his back—knew he had called on the Magic and was going through his Change. A tremor of fear shot through her. What if he was unable to control his wolf urges? What if it was a mistake to chance something so bizarre? She felt fur beneath her palms, felt his face Change from something with soft lips to a long pointed muzzle. The strong aroma of male musk engulfed her senses as he Changed fully to wolf. She gazed upward, recognizing the large, towering form hovering so near her body. Change, you fool! She pulled in a deep breath and called upon the Magic, hoping she was making the right decision. It cascaded over her body, forcing her to roll from beneath Rick while her body transformed. Her limbs stretched, her head pounded, her heart raced in her chest as the Magic thundered through her body. Her senses became keen, her nose tipped in the air. The call of the wild gripped her wolf body. She glimpsed Rick in the shadowy form of wolf standing close by, sensed his nervousness— She had a decision to make. 112

Janna's Werewolf She pricked her ears and listened intently. She could hear his rapid panting. His long clawed feet were braced wide apart, as though ready to pounce into battle. His head was low, as though gauging his enemy and giving fair warning. Suddenly she knew she had to run—run as fast as she could. Something terrible had taken place— the hastily conceived plan to fuck as wolves was out of the question. She loped off, springing long on her powerful hind legs. The forest was dense and she was forced to maneuver her wolf body erratically to avoid the trunks of trees. Her long claws tangled in the thick underbrush, slowing her pace and wearing on her energy level. Her wolf instincts told her she was racing against an invisible assailant. Rick had not followed her for whatever reason. She slowed her pace, panting as she took refuge behind a giant oak tree. Aiming her keen gaze in the direction she had just come, she scanned the area in search of anything that moved. The forest was still and silent. No movement caught her sharp eyesight. She lowered herself to the forest floor and breathed a ragged sigh. What am I doing? She wondered if she should find her way back to the building site and Rick. Why hadn’t he followed her? Why did I run in the first place? 113

Fawn Lowery She closed her eyes and called upon the Magic. Within seconds she was Changed back to human form and sitting in the grass beneath the giant oak tree, naked. She got to her feet and started picking her way back through the woods wondering what had happened to Rick or how in hell she was going to explain why she had run the way she did. She had no idea how far she had run, or if Rick would still be there when she found her way back. The dense growth scratched at her bare skin, scraping and making her wince. Being barefoot made it almost impossible to hurry; the underbrush harbored all sorts of animal burrows ready to turn an ankle, or make her sprawl head first on the ground. Finally she spied the clearing through the cover of trees and pulled up short. Tipping her nose in the air, she sniffed. He’s there. Feeling a bit of reassurance, she forged on, picking her way through the foliage until she found the pine grove where Rick had undressed her. She located her clothes and pulled them on. Momentarily she was able to step from the cover of trees into the clearing. She detected no sign of Rick either in the pine grove—or in his car parked near the edge of the woods. She walked toward the construction site, her eyes alert for movement. “Over here, babe.” 114

Janna's Werewolf She jerked her head toward the sound of Rick’s voice and saw him leaning against one of the large machines on the site. He levered himself away from it and came toward her as she aimed her steps in his direction. “What happened?” she asked. He laughed out loud. “I thought you got cold feet and ran away.” “I suppose I did,” she admitted, remembering the last thoughts she had before bolting. “I’m sorry I forced you into agreeing with such a crazy scheme, babe. It won’t happen again.” She went into his arms and hugged him close. “I thought you had trouble changing, Rick. You were panting so loudly you scared me.” “I was on fire for you! I could hardly stand still waiting for you to Change and then when you finally got around to it—you took off like a shot! I didn’t know whether to give chase or jack off!” She laughed at his words. “So, since you didn’t come after me—“ “Yeah. You’re right. And I feel better now too.” **** “Where’s your fucking boyfriend?” Janna jerked her head around at the angry voice. Nick Austin pulled up short at the side of her desk, his shirt and tie askew, his dress slacks 115

Fawn Lowery wrinkled. “What happened to you?” Janna asked, eyeing his disheveled state. Suddenly she remembered Rick’s answer when she asked him about Nick. Nick combed one hand through his dark hair. His brows were drawn together across the bridge of his nose. His strong jaw was set in a steely grip. “I spent the night in the office storeroom. You’re boyfriend tricked me. Where is he?” Janna shook her head. Thoughts of Nick spending the night trapped inside the basement shot through her mind. It couldn’t have been pleasant. The room was small and cramped, and unpleasant on a good day. She could only imagine a man of his height trying to camp out down there until one of the employees came for paper supplies. A grin threatened her lips. She raised one hand and covered her mouth, lest Nick see her reaction and think she was in on it. “I haven’t seen him this morning,” she replied. “Sorry.” He gave her an angry scowl and marched off, heading in the direction of Elmer McCoy’s office. Janna watched him open the door and enter the room, puzzlement entering her mind. What did Nick think Elmer could do about Rick locking him in the storeroom for the night? Or was she on the wrong track? She opened her purse and retrieved her cell 116

Janna's Werewolf phone. It was time she forced her father to end Nick Austin’s stay in Madison. She poked the button, turning the phone on and punched in his number. “Janna, thank God! I’ve been trying to call you.” “What’s wrong?” There was worry in his tone. She suddenly sat up very straight in her chair, expecting the worse. “I don’t want to alarm you, honey, but the police found Nick Austin’s body in his house this morning. He’s been dead for almost a week.” A cold shard of fear gripped her insides. She jerked her head toward Elmer McCoy’s office to see if the man she thought was Nick Austin was still inside. “Are you sure, Daddy? Are the police sure?” “Positive.” All sorts of thoughts raced through her mind. Who was this man posing as Nick Austin? “Janna, I don’t know—“ “I know, Daddy. Don’t worry. I’m safe, I promise. And now that I know the man here posing as Nick Austin isn’t who he says he is, I’ll be extra careful.” “Janna, I suspect he’s the were from Dover Run. Honey, I think you’re in real danger.” She was suddenly quite glad she was sitting down. Her knees felt like jelly. Her stomach 117

Fawn Lowery pitched as if she was going to be sick. She swallowed to ease the sudden dryness in her mouth. Where was Rick? She needed Rick. “I can handle it, Dad. Really. Don’t worry.” As the words left her mouth she saw the impostor come out of Elmer McCoy’s office. He looked right at her and headed across the room toward her. He doesn’t know that I know. She watched Nick make his way across the newsroom. He still looked disgruntled. Apparently Elmer McCoy hadn’t helped him with his problem. Janna tried to steady her nerves as he drew closer. The stench of wolf musk was almost overpowering; he was angry beyond compare. He wanted to make Rick pay—in a dear way. The thought jarred her reserve. What if he guessed she knew his secret? Weres were very sensitive to fear, able to sense it from some distance away. She quickly decided she should distance herself from him. In a panic, she rushed in the opposite direction, hurrying to make it to the bathroom before she threw up. Her heart was nearly beating out of her chest when she pushed through the door of the ladies’ restroom. She slumped against the heavy door, grateful for once that it weighed a ton and was difficult to get open as the full measure of fright hit her full force. 118

Janna's Werewolf He came to Madison to kill me!

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Chapter Eleven

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anna paced back and forth across the bathroom floor, her mind racing for a plan of action. Since she knew now that Nick Austin—the real Nick Austin—was dead back in Dover Run, she had to find a way to deal with the impostor—and stay alive. She weighed the consequences of going to Lieutenant Barton. If she told him she knew the real Nick Austin had been murdered and that there was a man there in Madison impersonating him, with intentions of killing her, he would probably be a little suspicious. She paced from the toilet stalls to the sink, and then back again, her face wreathed with worry. Barton hadn’t believed her theory of a werewolf committing the recent murders, so he was unlikely to believe there was a were passing himself off as her bodyguard. She tried to remember—had 120

Janna's Werewolf Barton ever seen Nick? No, she decided. Nick hadn’t trailed her when she met with the Lieutenant so if she wanted the officer to find out who he really was, he would need to see him. She combed her fingers through her hair. Damn! She was caught between a rock and a hard place. On the other hand, it really didn’t matter who the were was that was there to kill her—only that she foiled his plan. But how did she go about eluding him when all her wolf instincts told her he could sense her fear of him? She doubted she would be able to pretend otherwise in his presence. She was getting a headache. She massaged her temples with her fingertips. She needed a plan—a plan to stay alive. “Rick Sawyer.” Rick would help her. After all, last night, he had said he loved her. Did he mean it? Would he still feel the same way this morning? “Oh, men are so fickle.” She strode to the door of the bathroom, her mind made up to leave the safety of the room and return to her desk. She bit on her bottom lip. Did she dare think she could act as though she didn’t know that she was in danger? “Hell no.” She dashed the idea. There was no sense in 121

Fawn Lowery risking her life. She wasn’t capable of pretending all was well when it wasn’t. She needed to contact Rick. He had outsmarted Nick once and stood up to him when both men were Changed; he could beat him if it came to a showdown. She felt sure of it. Her stomach quivered in nervousness. She had to contact Rick, enlist his help, and tell him everything. But how should she go about it? Surely Nick was back in the newsroom by now— perhaps waiting for her at her desk. If she didn’t return soon, he’d become suspicious. “Fuck him!” She turned to the window in the far end of the room. It opened onto the alley running behind the building. She could climb out of it and walk to Rick’s hotel room. The hotel was only four blocks away. She walked over to the window for a closer inspection. It was smaller than any windows in the building and higher. She’d need something to stand on in order to climb through it. She heaved a long sigh. So far she’d been in the bathroom fifteen minutes and hadn’t come up with a good idea yet. “Dammit.” If it were closer to dusk, she’d just Change into wolf form and crash through the window. Never mind what anybody thought. She’d be long gone before anyone else even thought about checking 122

Janna's Werewolf for her in the bathroom. She realized suddenly she had left her purse at her desk. She neither had cell phone nor car keys. She grimaced and felt a headache come full bloom. Pulling in a deep breath, she realized she had to take charge of the situation—or just go back into the newsroom and face Nick Austin the impostor. Maybe he’d kill her right there—amid the desks and gawking reporters. It seemed anything but funny—but she was suddenly struck with the urge to laugh. What person in their right mind would believe she was a werewolf trying to escape being killed by another werewolf? She bolstered her courage and dragged the waste can over to the wall beneath the window. Stepping one foot up on its lid, she stretched to reach the window. She twisted the lock open and gave the lower sash a hefty shove, managing to raise it only a few inches. She knew she had to Change into wolf form if she was going to escape the room and go find Rick. She closed her eyes and called the Magic, waiting for the Change to morph her into full wolf form. She felt the heat rise within her body, felt the strange curling of her stomach muscles and eyed the transformation of her arms and hands into hairy appendages with ropy muscles and long claw-like fingers. 123

Fawn Lowery Within seconds the transformation was complete and she was raising the window with ease, throwing it open to accommodate her wolf body. She squeezed through and jumped to the ground below. Looking from side to side, she scanned the alleyway, finding it void of any people. Quick as a wink, she called the transforming Magic and returned to human form. She would be able to race through the back alleys and make her way to the Madison Hotel in shorter time if she stayed in wolf form—but if someone saw her, she would be hard pressed to explain. She hurried as fast as she could through the alley and onto the main sidewalk in front of the building housing the newspaper, turning her feet toward the upper portion of the city. She hoped Rick was still in his hotel room; it was almost ten o’clock in the morning. Janna hurried through the lobby to the hotel elevator and rode up to the tenth floor. She hadn’t been back to Rick’s hotel room since spending the afternoon with him on the day of his exhibition game. She hoped she could find the right room. Her only memory was that the door of the room was near the elevator—and that memory was glued to her mind because he had almost undressed her in the elevator and once the doors slid open, he merely whisked her around the 124

Janna's Werewolf corner into his room. She exited the elevator, her heart hammering in her chest. She hadn’t thought what she would do if Rick was gone. She didn’t have her cell phone or car. She went to the first door past the elevator and knocked, hoping her memory was on target. She knocked a second time and heard a muffled voice from within. “Rick. It’s Janna.” The door opened suddenly and Rick stood before her, a towel riding low on his hips and water cascading across his muscular chest. He swiped one hand across his face, clearing the water from his eyes. Oh my God! Janna stepped into the room, her senses suddenly alive with another kind of emotion. Of all the times to interrupt Rick it had to be when he was in the shower—naked and— “What’s up, babe? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Janna pulled up short on the far side of the room. Whirling around, she tried to steady her pulse. “What I’m about to tell you can’t go beyond this room.” A surprised look wreathed Rick’s face. He wiped at his face again, running his hand across 125

Fawn Lowery his wet hair. “Take it easy.” He crossed the room and grasp Janna by the upper arms. He pulled her against his chest, wetting her blouse. “What is it?” His tone was blunt, his fingers applying a steady amount of pressure to her upper arms as he suddenly pushed her to arms length. He pinned his gaze on her face. Janna began telling him about the phone call she had gotten from her father an hour ago, explaining all she knew about the man impersonating Nick Austin and his reason for being in Madison. “He’s here to kill me, Rick. He’s here to kill me because of the articles I wrote about the murders he committed in Dover Run. And the ironic thing about it is that I never really discovered his identity.” “He’s not going to kill you, honey. I won’t let him.” She felt the sudden strength that gathered inside Rick—sensed the anger building just beneath that handsome polished exterior. She relaxed a bit in his capable embrace, allowing her senses to calm with the thought that there was a way out of the mess that surrounded her. She smoothed one palm across his chest, conscious of the heat his skin emitted against her hand. There was a clean, soapy fragrance about him, a tangy 126

Janna's Werewolf shampoo scent clinging to his wet hair. “I want you,” she suddenly breathed, tipping her head to look into his face. He gave her a slanted smile. “Lucky for you, I’m only wearing a towel,” he remarked, pulling her tighter into his embrace. “And I can’t think of a better way to start my day than to have your sweet ass in my bed.” She smiled up at him and lowered her hand to the wet towel draped across his hips. She ran one fingertip along the upper edge of the towel, softly touching his skin with just the edge of her nail. “Remember what you told me last night?” she whispered, her eyes lowering to his waist. He shivered at her touch and stared down at her, watching her caress his flesh with one fingertip. “Remember when you said you wanted me to suck your dick?” “Oh, yeah, I remember.” He pulled in a long breath. “Just the thought of your hot mouth clasped around my cock almost makes me cum.” He reached for the buttons on the front of her blouse, his knuckles grazing her collarbone as he began to unbutton them. “You’re wearing way too many clothes, sweetheart.” Janna delved her fingertip inside the towel, tracing the warm skin beneath the thick terrycloth. He felt good to her touch, warm, masculine, 127

Fawn Lowery comforting to her senses. She loved his body. The admission nearly shook her senses to a whole new level. I must be falling for the guy. She poked more fingers of her hand inside the towel and then brought her other hand to the place where he had poked the end of the towel down to secure it around his hips. Releasing the tightness gathered there, she let the towel slide to the floor at his bare feet. He sighed audibly, bringing a smile to Janna’s face. She ran her palms down the length of his hips, onto his thighs and then around to his crotch. His erection was full, long, thick, leaving no room for wonder if he was aroused. She pulled back slightly, wanting to look at him in the daylight. And too, he needed room to maneuver her blouse off her shoulders. She pulled her arms free of the garment, her eyes remaining on his private parts. “You’re quite the man,” she murmured, stroking his long shaft with her fingers. He chuckled softly and unzipped her skirt. It fell in a soft heap at her ankles and she stepped out of it willingly. He pushed her pantyhose off her hips, grazing her skin with his fingers as he worked the tight nylon fabric down the length of her legs. She could feel his gaze on her legs, hot, lusty, 128

Janna's Werewolf wanting. She drew in an excited breath, knowing the fulfillment lying in store for her at his hands. She kicked off her shoes and allowed him to pull her hose off her toes. His palms deliberately brushed against her insteps, causing her to jump slightly. “My feet are ticklish, silly!” “Really? We’ll have to do something about that.” His voice held a promise and for an instant Janna wondered who this incredibly handsome man really was—or how she had managed to cross paths with him. Pushing aside the wonderings, she confessed that she was glad she had met him, glad she had been sent to cover the tennis match—regardless of her lack of knowledge on the sport. Had it not been for Elmer McCoy— “Rick!” He had gathered her stocking off her left foot and tossed it aside, but he hadn’t released her foot. Instead, his thumb was busily rubbing a tiny circle on the ball of her foot, sending a totally new battery of sensations traveling through her body. “I told you I’m ticklish!” She pulled her foot from his grasp and wrapped her arms around his bare waist. “It’s my turn to pleasure you.” She dropped to her knees suddenly, and wrapped one hand around his hard shaft. Glancing up at him, she stuck out her tongue and touched the round head, causing him to draw in a 129

Fawn Lowery sharp breath. “Oh, babe!” In the next instant he wound both hands in her hair, clenching his fists in the golden locks; he held her head at his crotch. I’m not the first to do this to him. With that thought in mind, she decided to give him the best blowjob he had ever had. She began to suck, drawing his hard flesh into her mouth as far as she could and still be able to breathe. She cupped his hairy balls in her other hand, gently stroking the orbs as they filled her palm. His audible gasp of pleasure echoed around their naked bodies. He braced his feet apart, the muscles in his powerful legs tensing and releasing as he began to move his hips against the hot force of Janna’s mouth. He flexed his clasped fists, pulling her face into the dark blond bush surrounding his massive cock. Janna caressed the hairy orbs in her palm, gently squeezed and released, circled their circumference with the ball of her thumb. She sucked his shaft to the back of her mouth and played along its hot length with the tip of her tongue. She was keenly aware of his growing arousal; he was jabbing himself inside her mouth with an increased vigor. Orgasm was growing close for him. She sucked him in deep, then pulled back 130

Janna's Werewolf slowly, almost spitting out the bulbous head of his cock, making him shiver and knot his fists in her hair. Then she pulled him back into her mouth, felt the warm shaft glide along her tongue and poke the back of her throat. She wrapped the fingers of her left hand around the base of his shaft and pulled her head back. His cock was engorged to the point of leaking seminal fluid. She tasted his juice on her tongue and felt the shivers of desire rage inside her body. She wanted him to cum in her mouth— to enjoy what she was giving to him. She felt safe in his presence and wanted to thank him for being there for her. He let out a loud bellow suddenly. “Baby, I’m coming!” His hands tightened in her hair, forcing her head forward against his abdomen as he began fiercely jabbing himself into her mouth. Janna steadied her body in front of him, bracing her knees a little further apart because of his lunging thrusts into her mouth. She moved her hand from his balls and trailed her fingers down the inside of his thigh. His muscles tensed at her touch, flexed and knotted. She raised her hand to his buttocks and felt the muscles grow taut, resembling warm steel beneath her palm. She drew in a long breath. His body was magnificent, muscular and well toned to the point 131

Fawn Lowery of resembling an Adonis. She shivered in utter lust. He clenched his fingers in her hair nearly causing her pain and suddenly released his load of semen, spurting the hot stream down the back of her throat as he ground his crotch against her mouth. The hot stream shot uninhibited down her throat as he jabbed furiously at her mouth. She barely had time to mentally ready herself before it began, a heated stream that seemed to continue and continue until she wondered if she could last through the assault of his climax. He was utterly wild with passion. His head lolled back on his shoulders, his knees were bent, his pelvis thrust forward, his hips hunched wildly at Janna’s mouth— Momentarily he slowed his movements against her mouth, became very tender toward her head. He unclasped his fists and caressed her hair, pulling back slightly as he gazed down at her. “That was the best blow job I ever had, babe!” Good! She raised one hand and caressed his buttocks. He relaxed his knotted muscles but his flesh still felt firm because of the well-toned muscles lying beneath his skin. Years of athletics had given him a magnificent body. Janna ran her hands across his lower back and ventured down either leg, feeling 132

Janna's Werewolf the warmth beneath the hair-roughened skin. He milked his cock, gently holding her head cradled in his palms. Janna swallowed his semen, even the last small spurts that drained. A white drop inched to her lower lip as he moved back and forth, feeling her hot mouth for a few seconds longer before completely pulling his cock out. He moaned softly as he slid along the inside of her mouth. She was burning with desire—the need for him inside her was almost unexplainable. But he was soft, limp and unable to satisfy her immediately. She stifled the shiver of lust that threatened her spine. She’d just have to make him hard again. The thought of more foreplay made her feel almost giddy. He released her head and dropped to his knees before her. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her with wild abandon. Pulling his mouth away, he rained tiny kisses across her cheeks, making her close her eyes as he brushed his lips across her eyelids. He worked his way across her cheeks to her mouth again and pressed his lips to hers. Suddenly he pulled his mouth away and gazed down at her. “Now, about those ticklish feet.”

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Chapter Twelve ick! No!” He wrestled her to the floor, his hands grabbing at her feet. “Stop! I’m ticklish!” “It’s been a while since I sucked toes—“ Janna halted her movements on the floor. Was he serious? His hands caught her calves and pulled her body across the floor, her bare butt sliding across the carpet, while she tried to grab hold of a nearby table to halt her self. He was stronger than she, and soon she was stretched out prone on the floor. He got to his knees and then stood up, pulling her to her feet. He hefted her into his arms and strode to the bed in the room. Giving her a quick peck on the left cheek, he gave her a quick toss into the middle of the bed. Janna yelped out loud and landed in the

“R

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Janna's Werewolf middle of the bed with Rick jumping on top of her. He caught her by both wrists and levered her arms up over her head. Pinning her wrists with one hand, he reached his other hand into the drawer on the nightstand near the bed. The length of red silk he extracted from the drawer caused Janna to giggle. “You’re not serious!” “Yeah. I’m going to tie you up and have my way with you.” He smiled a crooked grin at her as he secured her hands to the head of the bed. “You will cooperate, won’t you?” She giggled again and relaxed a bit. “I had a dream that you tied me up and—“ He raised an eyebrow at her, pausing his hands on her wrists while he waited for her to finish speaking. She let out a long breath. “But that was just a dream, Rick. I never envisioned you were into kinky stuff like bondage and—“ “Bondage is good, babe.” He gave her a wink. Janna had little choice in the matter. Her hands were tied to the head of the bed quite securely and before she could fully realize the extent of Rick’s intent, he had her ankles secured to either side of the bed as well. She laid there, spread eagle, at his mercy. She stared at him, curiosity filling her mind. He climbed on top of her, pressing his chest to 135

Fawn Lowery her bare breasts. He lowered his head and kissed her lips, licking at the pink softness with his tongue before pushing himself upward. He began to kiss her breasts, softly, and sensually. He pulled each of her nipples into his mouth and sucked on them thoughtfully, making her moan with arousal. Janna wiggled her buttocks against the bed. His tongue was hot and wet on her sensitive nipples and every time he sucked, she felt the pull of want in her crotch. Hot passion licked along her nerve endings, arousing and stimulating her need for him. He moved his mouth to her flat abdomen and poked his tongue into the small indention of her navel, making her shiver. He played across her flesh, tasting, kissing and licking. He worked his way down her body, leaving traces of wetness on her satiny skin as he progressed. Janna could hardly wait until he reached her crotch—she was on fire to feel his mouth on her sensitive tissues, to have him suck her clitoris into his hot mouth and tickle it with his tongue. She pulled in a long breath and closed her eyes, giving her senses over to the erotic play he was subjecting her to. She pulled against her restraints, aroused further by the knowledge that she could do nothing about what he was doing to her—had no control over how he touched her, or when and 136

Janna's Werewolf where. The feeling of being at his mercy was almost overpowering. She felt stimulated in a whole new way—a way that intrigued her to the point of total abandon. “Rick, take me now.” She pleaded, straining against her bonds. She arched her back and strained upward, needing his mouth to lower to her crotch. “Suck me, babe. I’m on fire.” He chuckled softly and raised his head to look at her. “Needing a little release, are you?” “Fuck me, please.” When he didn’t immediately obey her command, she opened her eyes and looked down at him. There was a teasing look wreathing his face as he paused for a moment, then he returned his mouth to her abdomen as though openly refusing her. He began to kiss her belly while his hands slid along the satiny skin of her inner thighs. “One thing about bondage, babe, you have nothing to say about what I do to you.” She stared down at him, watching his blond head as he skimmed his mouth along her thigh. “Do I have to beg to be fucked?” Her tone held an aroused tone that brought his head up. She smiled slightly and arched her back, pushing her crotch at his face. “Please, please fuck me, Rick. I want to feel your hard cock sliding inside me—I need to feel 137

Fawn Lowery your rock hard shaft lunging inside my sensitive passage—How’s that?” “Beautiful.” He moved suddenly, surprising her as he levered himself off the bed to stand beside her prone body. He turned his gaze to her bound ankles. A shiver of uncontrollable lust shook Janna’s body. No! He wasn’t actually thinking of touching her feet! “Don’t you dare!” she warned. He gave her a wink and ran his hand down his flat belly. Clasping his semi-rigid cock, he wagged it at her. “Sucking toes really makes me hard, babe.” Janna pulled in a quick breath and tried to pull her feet free of their ties, only to make the binding silk snugger around her ankles. A shiver of expectancy raced around inside her body. She stared at Rick with wide eyes as he totally ignored her warning. He crouched at the end of the bed, his eyes roving over her bound feet. He raised one hand and caressed her ankle with his fingertips, nearly sending her into orbit! “I can’t stand to have my feet touched!” He reached for one silk tie and pulled its end free, wrapping it around his hand so he could pull her foot to his mouth. He poked out his tongue 138

Janna's Werewolf and licked the delicate bones at her ankle while he stroked her instep with the ball of his thumb. Janna jerked her leg, trying to pull free of his grasp. He held her steady and licked the top of her foot, tracing his tongue along the slim incline to her red polished toenails. “Relax, babe.” His tongue was hot and wet and for the life of her, she couldn’t describe the sudden battery of emotions that streaked unabashedly through her insides. She held her breath and gazed down at him as he licked and massaged her foot, then drew in a sharp breath when he pulled her big toe into his mouth. He sucked on her toe, playing with the end of it with his tongue. He bit playfully on it, smiling slightly around the mouthful as he turned his gaze on her face. He moved his hand to the ball of her foot and slid his fingers between her remaining toes, pushing them apart so he could pull each one individually into his hot mouth. She watched him with growing interest. So far he hadn’t tickled her once—only made her have a battery of sensations she was unfamiliar with. She relaxed her leg, giving her foot over to him completely. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the newness of his play. He sucked each of her toes, tasting and licking 139

Fawn Lowery the small appendages. His hands were warm and gentle and caressed her from instep to heel, then back again. He gently massaged along her ankle and up to her calf. Returning his mouth to her toes, he pulled them all in his mouth at the same time. Janna strained against her bindings as the new sensations curled her belly. A wave of sensations blanketed her senses, spilling along her limbs with hot want. “Rick,” she whispered. She could see his cock standing up in his crotch—knew he was fully aroused. There was arousal on his features, sweat dotted on his forehead. She didn’t fully understand his arousal at sucking her toes—but the effect it was having on him was to her benefit. She smiled at the thought. “Rick, will you fuck me now?” Her breath was coming in short gasps. She had creamed between her legs. Her nipples were tight little clusters that ached with arousal. Her foot was wet from his mouth and her skin was tingling with awareness of his caressing. Suddenly, he turned his attention to her other foot. Releasing the binding tie, he brought it to his mouth. Moaning in his throat, he held both her feet to his mouth, lathing them with his tongue. He stroked her insteps, then her toes, pulling each 140

Janna's Werewolf big toe into his mouth and biting playfully on them. He sucked her pinkies in, nipping and sucking each in turn. He let out a long sigh and suddenly parted her legs, positioning one over each shoulder. He moved to his knees and clasped her buttocks in either hand. He lunged into her body, pushing inside quickly and yelling out loud with his entry. He began to move, thrusting deeply and pinning her body against the bed. Janna sucked in a quick breath. His size still caught her off guard. He was so big and now with the arousal he was experiencing from sucking her toes—he seemed enormous, steel hard and jabbing into her with the force of a machine out of control. He feels wonderful! She bucked her hips, arching her body into his hard lunges, taking his cock deep inside her passage. She savored the feel of his heat as his cock slid along the sensitive sides of her cave, stroking her to orgasm. It began for her, the tingling onset of orgasm. She sucked in a quick breath and moved her hips faster, arching her back and pushing against Rick’s shoulders with her thighs as the sensations spiraled through her body in hot waves of ecstasy. Rick bellowed his climax into the quiet of the room as it came upon him. He rammed inside her harder than before, pushing against her crotch and 141

Fawn Lowery squeezing her buttocks in his hands. He exploded inside her, then, just as quickly, collapsed on top of her, his breathing ragged. Janna felt the heat of his body meld with her own as he lay atop her, his heart hammering in rhythm with hers. She had the urge to wrap her arms around him and hold him tightly to her, never letting him go—but she was still tied to the head of the bed. He lay between her spread thighs, his cock inside her, his face nestled into the side of her neck. Momentarily she felt his lips move against her flesh as he kissed her softly. “Was it as good for you, as it was for me?” Janna giggled at his words. He raised his head and looked down into her face. “I like you tied up—maybe I’ll just keep you here, tied to the bed. That way, you’ll always be available when I get the urge to fuck.” He was teasing, but his words brought the reality of the moment back to Janna’s mind. She had come to him because she was scared of the man posing as Nick Austin. Suddenly the battery of erotic sensations waned from her body. She stared up into Rick’s face, worry showing in her eyes. “Don’t worry.” It was as if he had read her mind, she realized, when she saw the look of reassurance on his face. 142

Janna's Werewolf He sensed my fright. She lay still while Rick rolled off her and untied her hands. As he released the binding silk scarves from her wrists, he kissed the tender flesh lying beneath. Gently he stroked her arms and kissed her fingertips before turning her hands loose completely. “You made me forget why I came to you,” she said. He faked a shocked look. “You mean you didn’t come here to fuck?” She giggled and shook her head as she inched to the side of the bed and sat up. “I need a plan, Rick. I need a plan to deal with that rogue werewolf that’s here to kill me.” His hands were on her shoulders suddenly, moving her long hair aside and kneading her taut muscles. She relaxed against his stroking, savoring the massaging movements of his expert fingers. It was too early in the day for a headache—but she felt one coming on. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Janna. I promise. I’ll go back to the office with you.” “I can’t go back there.” She jerked out of his hands suddenly, jumping to her feet and whirling around to look at him. “He’ll sense my fright and know that I know he’s an impostor.” “I won’t leave your side.” She caressed the side of his head with one 143

Fawn Lowery palm. “I appreciate your offer to play bodyguard, Rick, honest I do. But that were is a murderer—a vicious murderer. He killed—mangled—almost a dozen people in Dover Run.” “Whoa.” Rick levered himself off the bed and paced across the room. Janna lowered herself to the bed and watched him, biting nervously on her bottom lip. “I should have told you earlier, Rick. I’m sorry.” He halted his pacing and came to her. “We’ll think of something, babe. I promise.” “If only I’d stayed in Dover Run and continued to investigate. Maybe I could have uncovered his real identity and he’d be in jail now.” A plan began to form in her head. “A werewolf in jail?” Rick pulled in a steadying breath. “We have to kill the son-of-abitch.”

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Chapter Thirteen anna’s knees were shaking when she walked into the newsroom. And just as she feared— Nick Austin—or whoever he was—met her gaze the second she entered the room. He was seated at her desk, as he had been the first time she laid eyes on him. She tried to swallow down the nervousness assaulting her senses. It was imperative that he not know she was on to him. A number of reporters were at their desks, typing, or talking on the phone. Surely he wouldn’t try anything with other people around. He wasn’t that stupid. Hell! He’s not stupid at all! He had managed in some way to assume the identity of a private investigator from Dover Run—a man that her father knew and had assured her was a competent professional. He had been in her house; he had tried to seduce her; he had lied

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Fawn Lowery and made her believe him. She tried to steady her pulse as she drew near him. His silver gaze was pinned on her face, accessing. She knew he could sense her unease; it was a trait of all werewolves. She cringed at the thought that he could know her most inner emotions. She clenched her fists, willing her heart to stop hammering so viciously against her ribs. She had to pull this off—had to convince Nick Austin that nothing had changed since he last saw her. How long had she been gone? Damn! Glancing at the clock hanging over the office door, she realized three hours had passed since she hid in the bathroom. It did no good to remember the heated sex she had shared with Rick for those hours—the fact that she was rapidly approaching a murderer was quickly taking precedence over the erotic episode with Rick. She tried to look Nick Austin in the eyes, then immediately realized that was the wrong thing to try. His gaze burned into hers, forcing her to turn away, to pretend she needed to watch where she was going, weaving her way amid the numerous desks in the room. Rick had returned to the newsroom with her— despite her warning to him that Nick was mad enough at him to tear his head off. Rick had 146

Janna's Werewolf merely shrugged, not admitting fear of Nick at all. His courage bolstered her reserve—somewhat. They had agreed that Rick would enter the building from the front offices, while she returned to the newsroom in the usual manner. She arrived at her desk and Nick rose from her chair where he had been seated. She decided to play the offensive role, instead of taking the defensive role she knew he would put her in if she wavered the slightest. She propped both hands on her hips and glared at him, hoping for all she was worth that her belligerent frontage outweighed the frightful side she was trying to cover up. “Why don’t you go find someone else to harass?” she snipped at him. He looked at her with a cunning leer that nearly burst her good intentions of trying to fool him. She looked away quickly, refusing to let him win. Damn him! She would fight him to the death! “Where have you been?” His voice was demanding, threatening. He stood as rigid as a statue, his jaw set in a tight clamp. Janna turned an indifferent face to him. “None of your damn business.” He grabbed her arm and for a second, she thought his grasp would surely break a bone. “Turn loose,” she ground out, her teeth 147

Fawn Lowery clamped tightly together. She jerked free, glancing about to see if others noticed his anger toward her. “It’s time you left.” She rubbed her arm and lowered her body into the desk chair he vacated. “People are beginning to ask about you.” “Fuck the people!” She was almost weak by the enormous amount of rage he was sending her way. Her keen perceptions were picking up threatening vibrations that sent her stomach churning. She tried to think of something to busy herself with; wondered where in the hell Rick was—she needed his strength right then. Get a grip! She breathed in deeply, steadying her senses. She had almost lost sight of her plan, but then the look on his face had sent her senses scurrying for cover. She had to be brave—she had to get a grip! “If I need you,” she informed him with a voice so calm it surprised the hell out of her, “I’ll give you a call.” He leaned on her desk, pushing his face almost against hers. His teeth gritted together in a threat. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to protect you. I told you from the beginning that I wouldn’t run from trouble and now your fucking boyfriend has pissed me off. I know you’ve been with him for the past three hours—I can smell his cum on you so don’t try and lie your way out of it—get 148

Janna's Werewolf your ass up—you’re coming with me.” He took hold of her arm and physically lifted her from her chair. She grimaced at the force of his strength—bracing her feet wide apart; she prepared to call his bluff. “Take your hands off her.” She glanced around, hearing Rick’s stern tone and felt a measure of relief travel through her insides. “I’ll rip your fucking head off right here—if that’s what you want.” Nick’s hand clenched, then unclenched, on her arm. She jerked free. Nick turned slowly in Rick’s direction, a snarl on his face. “Well, well, well.” “You said it, Austin. It’s time you took a hike.” Rick reached for Janna’s hand and pulled her toward him, then urged her in the direction of the office. She left without further words, leaving Rick to deal with Nick. It was then she realized they had managed to garner the attentions of everyone in the newsroom. All eyes were now pinned on the two men as they faced off across her desk. She headed toward Elmer McCoy’s office and realized he wasn’t in the room moments before she pushed through the door. Relieved, she entered the office and closed the door, leaning her back against its solid wood surface. 149

Fawn Lowery This is not going to be easy. She rushed across the room and picked up the telephone. Dialing Lieutenant Barton’s number, she chewed on a fingernail while she waited for him to answer. “Marlow, I’ve been leaving you messages all morning. Don’t you ever turn your damn cell phone on?” “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I’ve been rather busy.” That’s an understatement! “We have a name on the latest victim. I thought you’d want to know.” Janna reached for the notepad and pen lying on Elmer’s desk and hastily scribbled the man’s name and address. She’d be expected to interview members of his family to get a bit of background for an article. “Lieutenant, can you meet me? I need to ask a favor of you.” “Sure. Come down to the station.” He hung up abruptly. Though not a surprise to Janna, she couldn’t help but wish he’d agreed to meeting with her somewhere besides the police station. But then, maybe Nick wouldn’t be so apt to follow her once he saw where she was going. But did she dare go alone? She bit her lip, contemplating. Momentarily, she called the lieutenant back. “I have suspicions about a man named Nick 150

Janna's Werewolf Austin. Can you run a check on him for me?” “I suppose so. But why should I, Marlow? Unless this guy has something to do with these murders—you’re asking me to waste time.” “Lieutenant, he might be the man we’re looking for.” There was a pregnant pause on the line. “How much do you know about him?” Janna told him she thought he came from Dover Run and might be a private investigator. “I’ll get right on it.” Janna hung up the phone just as Rick came through the door. She rose and rushed into his arms, trembling. Rick caressed her back, whispering reassuring murmurings in her ear. “Trust me, baby. Everything will be all right. Did you call Lieutenant Barton?” “Yes. He’ll run the check on Nick.” She swallowed, easing her dry throat. “Once he does, he’ll find the real Nick Austin has been murdered and he’ll be easy to get on our side.” “Nick thinks I’m a jealous lover,” Rick said, smiling slightly at her. “He thinks I locked him in the storeroom so I could be alone with you last night. As far as he’s concerned, he’s right.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “He doesn’t know we’re on to him. He’s too pissed to see much else right now.” 151

Fawn Lowery Janna felt her cheeks pink. “He smelled your scent on me. He knows I was with you this morning.” He ran his palms up her arms. “Then he isn’t aware that you know he isn’t Nick Austin. The longer we can keep him in the dark, the sooner we can set a trap to catch him.” “I worry about him killing again, Rick. He’s vicious.” “It’s time you leveled with me, babe. Why did he follow you from Dover Run?” She pulled in a long steadying breath. “I was obviously too close to finding out who he was and exposing him.” “So he fooled your dad too?” She shook her head. “No. Nick Austin and Dad were working associates. The real Nick Austin did some investigative work for my dad’s law firm. The impostor must have found out that my dad was sending Austin to guard me. He must have stolen the letter my dad wrote to identify Austin, and then killed him.” “Then the impostor must have known the real Nick Austin otherwise he couldn’t have gotten close enough to learn of your father’s plans.” Janna’s brows pulled together in contemplation. “Then we need to find out who Nick Austin’s friends were.” Rick placed his palms on her shoulders. 152

Janna's Werewolf “Honey, he may be a friend of your father’s. He may have learned of his plans firsthand.” A tremor of fright raced along Janna’s limbs. She felt her knees give way. “I have to call my father—I have to call the compound. My family may be in danger.” **** Janna described the man posing as Nick Austin to her father then waited for him to try and think if he knew anyone resembling that description. “He’s not someone I know, Janna.” She let out a relieved sigh. “We think he may have killed the real Nick Austin and stolen his identity. But he had to know where he could find me, Daddy. He had to have some inside information about me.” She could feel the palatable silence on the phone line. “He’s sly, honey. Watch yourself.” She felt the need to be completely honest with her father. She began telling him about Rick and how he vowed to protect her. She finished by revealing that Rick was a werewolf. “And you’re not suspicious of him?” She sensed his worry because she could feel the concern in his voice. “No, Daddy. I trust him completely.” 153

Fawn Lowery She felt relieved at her admission. Even though she had only known Rick for a short time, she felt safe in his presence. And the sex— Oh God! The sex! She refrained from saying more to her father about Rick, leaving it that he would protect her and that she felt safe around him. She also withheld the plan to trap Nick Austin at his own game. She promised to be very careful, and got off the phone. She had to get back to being a reporter—before Elmer McCoy did any more snooping into her background. She told herself that Elmer had little authority over her—since Rick was owner of the newspaper, but she knew that Elmer had friends in high places and should he decide to talk about her, whether in an innocent comment or a professional aside, her reputation as a reporter could be on the line. She heaved a long sigh. Ever since she was a kid, she had wanted to report the news. Now, with the killings in Dover Run and in Madison, she was having doubts whether her lifelong ambition was worth risking her life for. I should buy a gun. The thought gave her gooseflesh along her spine. She was scared of guns in general. But since she knew there was a killer in her midst—one that was set on killing her—she was beginning to think about changing her mind. 154

Janna's Werewolf Rick had vowed to stay by her side—but could he really protect her day and night? Was Nick Austin the cunning murderer she suspected he was? Does a bear shit in the woods?

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Chapter Fourteen

“M

arlow, I’m at the coffee shop around the corner from the newspaper office. Got a minute?” Janna grabbed her purse and headed for the door of the newsroom. Nick Austin was leaning against the doorjamb at the entry of the room and pushed himself erect when she approached. Since the little skirmish with Rick earlier in the day, Nick had stopped hanging around her desk as if they were bosom buddies. He had spent the time since leaning against the wall in various spots in the room, sipping coffee, and chatting with some of the women reporters in the room. “I’m meeting with a cop—are you sure you want to follow me?” Nick gave her a scrutinizing look and fell into step beside her. “You seem to forget. Your father sent me here to keep you safe.” 156

Janna's Werewolf “I’m certain the policeman will keep his hands off me.” “You can’t be too sure these days.” Janna slid her gaze toward him. “That’s for sure.” She saw him clamp his jaw in response to her comment, but he didn’t turn back. He kept pace with her and she stepped up her pace in order to end her closeness to him. The coffee shop was two doors down the street, and it was broad daylight—still she didn’t trust Nick Austin as far as she could throw his ass. She pulled in a deep breath. Since she had learned who he really was she had thought numerous times of the incident between them when she transformed and knocked him to the ground. Just the thought of her doing such a dangerous thing made her stomach knot. When Nick Austin transformed into werewolf form, he was well over seven feet and hulking. He could have killed her easily that day—one slash from his powerful forepaw and her head would have been lying on the ground. She spied Lieutenant Barton through the window of the coffee shop. She pulled up short and pointed one hand toward him. “There’s the policeman I’m meeting,” she said to Nick. “Still want to tag along?” He released a large huff of air and poked his hands into his slacks pockets. 157

Fawn Lowery Janna left him on the sidewalk and entered the coffee shop. She hoped he stayed in plain sight— she intended pointing him out to Lieutenant Barton. “Coffee is on me,” Barton announced waving over a waitress. He turned a curious face to Janna as she settled in the chair across the table from him. “I have a feeling you already know about the murder of Nick Austin.” She stared at him, not admitting anything. Suddenly she glimpsed Nick Austin about to cross the street in front of the coffee shop and jumped on the opportunity to point him out to the policeman. “See that man right there? The tall man in the navy blue jacket—the dark haired guy getting ready to cross the street.” Lieutenant Barton followed her pointing hand with his gaze. “The tall skinny guy?” “Does he look familiar? Can you investigate him? Can you put a tail on him?” “Whoa. Slow down, Marlow. What’s your interest in him?” I can’t tell him everything. “He says his name is Nick Austin.” Lieutenant Barton shook his head and frowned. “You’re losing me, Marlow. What’s this guy got to do with the recent murders?” 158

Janna's Werewolf “Maybe nothing—maybe everything. I’m not sure right now. But I have my suspicions about him.” A bushy gray eyebrow lifted. “If you’ve got boyfriend trouble—“ “Good grief! I don’t have boyfriend troubles. Will you help me out here or not?” She rolled her eyes at the ceiling in annoyance. “You’re being pretty evasive, you know it? First you give me the name of a dead guy to check out, and now you want me to investigate a guy with the same name—only I can see he’s alive. Why don’t you level with me?” She pulled in a steadying breath and gulped the last swallow of coffee in her cup. “I think this guy is an impostor and a murderer.” “He doesn’t look like he has sharp teeth or claws.” He chuckled at her. You should see him when he transforms! You’d shit your pants! “Look, we agreed to go along with the pack of wild dogs theory for the time being—to keep the public from thinking the worse—“ “Are you telling me this guy is some sort of vicious animal?” She stared at him, silent. Barton locked gazes with her for a few seconds, then turned his eyes back on Nick Austin standing on the curb. He rubbed his chin with one 159

Fawn Lowery finger in a thoughtful gesture. “Why don’t you introduce me? I’ll see if I can get a good look at his face.” Relief traveled through Janna’s body. She grabbed her purse and rose from the chair. “I’ve already told him you’re a cop so don’t be surprised if he runs off when we approach him.” Janna exited the building and at once Nick walked over to her. She stalled, waiting for Lieutenant Barton to pay the check and come out of the café. She pretended to search for something in her purse, aware that Nick was growing anxious for her to get moving. “So why don’t you introduce me to your friend, Janna?” She turned, deliberately drawing Barton closer with one hand on his arm. She noted the sudden rigid stance on Nick’s part. Given the slightest hint that she had been stalling so the policeman could get a closer look at him, he would have bolted. “Nick Austin, this is Lieutenant Barton of the Madison Police Department. Nick is from Dover Run. He’s a private investigator.” “Nice to meet you,” Lieutenant Barton offered his hand to Nick. There was no hesitation on Austin’s part. He poked out his hand and shook the Lieutenant’s hand, smiling slightly. “So what’s your business in Madison, Mr. 160

Janna's Werewolf Austin?” Barton inquired. Nick straightened his shoulders and proceeded to lie to the policeman. “Just visiting the area. I might want to invest in some real estate here.” Lieutenant Barton nodded his head and turned his gaze on Janna. “I’ll walk back to the newspaper office with you. I have a little business with Elmer.” He took hold of Janna’s arm, aligning his steps with hers and walking ahead of Nick Austin. Janna silently thanked the policeman. She had planned to return to the newspaper office—but the thought that Nick might have other ideas suddenly popped in her mind with the Lieutenant’s offer to accompany her. She slid a wary glance at the officer. Had he had the notion that Nick might have other plans for her—since she had asked him to investigate him? I can’t leave anything to chance. When they returned to the newsroom, Janna went to her desk and began her article about the last murder victim. He was presumed out for a morning jog when he was attacked. He was Mark Gentry, a computer programmer, in his late thirties. He lived alone, and had no close relatives in the area. His body had been released to the funeral home for burial and services were scheduled for Friday. She hit the enter key and sent the story to copy. 161

Fawn Lowery He’s just one more victim on a growing list. She looked up to spy Nick staring at her from across the room. She looked away quickly, lest he decide to come over. His gaze was threatening and her senses took on a sudden alertness. She stifled a shiver of utter fright as she felt his gaze wafting over her body. No doubt he was sizing her up—perhaps figuring how to kill her. She doubted he would put the job off much longer. Had he been able to get her alone earlier, he may have gone through with his plan then. She thought again of the incident alongside the road. He had tried to force himself on her, making lewd comments about wanting to have sex with her. Had she remained safe thus far because he wanted to fuck her? She felt the niggling thoughts of a plan coming to mind—though she feared putting herself at too much risk to catch him. She doubted whether Rick would go along with such a scheme. He seemed adamant about protecting her. She glanced toward the office in search of him. She saw Lieutenant Barton and Elmer McCoy talking, but Rick was absent. Last she heard he had gone to the front office for a meeting. She tried to turn her thoughts to Rick and their budding relationship. He seemed sincere in his feelings for her. And she needed him because of her Moon Phase—the Curse that gripped her body 162

Janna's Werewolf at particular times of the month. She suddenly crossed her legs, willing her body not to react to her thoughts concerning sex. Nick Austin suddenly headed in her direction and she sat up straight in her desk chair, ready to spar verbally with him. She hoped he didn’t want her to leave with him—or any of the other thousand things she could think of that he might conjure up. As before, she fought an inner battle to get her emotions under control. The problem could intensify should he sense her fright of him. He strode to her desk and folded his tall body into the empty chair in front of it, aiming his silver gaze at her. Had circumstances been different—had she not been aware of whom—what—he was, she would have been attracted to him. He was quite handsome with his dark hair and silver eyes. And he was tall and well built—the ideal man any woman would like to meet and perhaps fall in love with. Maybe he thought she would have that reaction to him when he came to Madison. She felt a new shiver of emotions stir within her body. What if she had had that very reaction to him? Surely she would be dead by now. Surely he would have taken advantage of his ability to charm her. Or would he merely have taken advantage of her 163

Fawn Lowery Moon Phase and fucked the daylights out of her? She shook her head, dispelling the thoughts. At least she had not fallen under his spell—thanks to Rick Sawyer. Rick was her savior—in a way. She had met him only days before Nick arrived in Madison and thanks to her Moon Phase, she had needed him to service her. Service her? The words sounded so remote, so unlike her true feelings. She locked gazes with Nick as he sat in the chair and looked at her. Why hadn’t he said something? Why was he so silent? Surely he wasn’t aware of her thoughts. A shiver of surprise raced up her spine. Weren’t all werewolves capable of the same powers? Some were more astute than others, she supposed, since anyone could be bitten and thus empowered by the Curse. But were there those that had increased powers? She studied Nick Austin as his gaze bore into hers. “What do you want?” She spoke through gritted teeth. “You.” She was suddenly flooded with the notion that he really meant to have her. She shifted in her chair, his words unnerving her. So that was his hold off—the reason he hadn’t tried to murder her yet. He leaned forward in his chair and propped his elbows on the edge of her desk. He rested his 164

Janna's Werewolf chin on his clasped fist. “I have a penchant for little blond werewolves.” She stared at him, unable to defend herself verbally. “Only I want to take you in human form. I want to touch every silky inch of your body. I want to feel your plump breasts, pull your nipples into my mouth, run my tongue up and down your legs—“ “Shut up!” she hissed. He laughed jeeringly. “I want to part your fleshy pussy lips and tickle your clitoris with my tongue. I want to slide my fingers inside you and thrust you to orgasm while I watch the pleasure congeal on your face. I want—“ “Shut the hell up!” He inched closer to her across the desk. “I want to tie you up and have my way with you. I want to drive you insane with want—I want to make you beg me to stick my shaft inside you and ease your lust.” Janna lunged out of her chair, making it crash against the desk behind hers. Her heart hammered against her rib cage. Her face felt flushed. Sweat stood in tiny beads on her brow. “Or should I say, these are the things I intend to do to you.” 165

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Chapter Fifteen ick Austin had verbally raped her. Janna headed to the bathroom as fast as her legs would carry her. She needed to digest his words and erase any possibility that he might be successful in his threat against her. For the first time since he had made his presence known, she was totally terrified of him. He’s big enough to make his threat good. She worried over whether to tell Rick. And then after pacing the small bathroom several times and wringing her hands until her skin was red, she decided she couldn’t possibly tell Rick. There would be hell to pay. Then another thought suddenly assailed her— a thought so morbid and unsavory that she felt her stomach curl at the notion. She couldn’t bring herself to voice the idea, afraid it might become a reality and she’d have to go through with it.

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Janna's Werewolf But it just might work. Nick was hot for her. So hot that he put off killing her just so he could wait for the chance to seduce her. If it weren’t for Rick— She sucked in a quick breath. The two had fought over her already—in her living room, right before her eyes. Although at the time she really hadn’t fully understood what Nick’s keen interest in her was. She had blamed all sexual innuendos spoken by the two men on her Moon Phase. Now she was wondering if that was really the case. She turned and strode from the bathroom. At least it was time to go home and she was looking forward to it. She only hoped it wasn’t too dangerous for her to stay in her own house for the night. She bit on her bottom lip as she returned to the newsroom. A quick glance around the room and she let out a sigh of relief. Nick was absent. She gathered her purse and went in search of Rick. She needed to be with him after the ordeal with Nick Austin. She was keenly aware of her surroundings as she walked through the long wandering hallway to the front offices. Nick could be stationed anywhere along the corridor— lurking to overtake her and— Stop being scared of him! She needed to run, she realized, suddenly aware that she was forgetting she was a werewolf 167

Fawn Lowery with real capabilities of her own. She could sprout fangs and long claws—she could lash out and rip flesh with little effort. She could sink her fangs into an unsuspecting body. She felt like crying. She halted her feet and leaned against the wall, tears coming to her eyes. How had things gotten so out of hand? She knew the answer without thinking too hard. She imagined herself an investigative reporter. She went in search of a story. She found a rogue werewolf killing innocent people and sought to destroy him. She unzipped her purse and delved her hand inside in search of a tissue. Suddenly she heard footsteps behind her and whirled around, fright gathering anew inside her. She almost fell on the floor when she saw Rick coming toward her. “I thought I told you to stay at your desk until I came for you.” His tone sounded slightly irritated and concern pulled at his handsome features. “Sorry,” she muttered, forcing a smile. She couldn’t possibly tell him why she had come in search of him—the words Nick had said to her. Rick smiled then and snaked one arm around her waist. “I have a surprise for you. I think you’ll like it.” “I’m sure I will.” 168

Janna's Werewolf He gathered her against his side and turned toward the main door of the building. And Janna let her body relax a little, sensing that immeasurable strength she had come to associate with him. **** Rick pulled his car in behind Janna’s at her house and shut off the motor. Janna glimpsed his face in the rear view mirror. All the way home, she had wondered what his surprise was, now she was completely baffled at what it might be. She scanned the surrounding street before exiting the car. There was no sign of Nick Austin, but she refused to believe that he had found something else to amuse himself. She glanced in the mirror again, seeing Rick getting out of his car. He strode to the trunk and opened it. Curiosity welled up inside Janna. She grabbed her purse and the keys from the ignition and opened her door. She had always been leery of surprises—since transforming into a werewolf was surprise enough at sixteen years old. She saw his suitcase and smiled. For once, a surprise might be a good thing. She hurried her steps to him, stopping only when she was in his arms. She rose up on tiptoe and kissed him with renewed vigor. 169

Fawn Lowery “That’s a welcome home if I ever had one,” Rick exclaimed, pressing her body into his. She hurried to push out of his arms and grab his hand. The sooner she got him inside the house, the sooner it would be real. She stifled a shiver of excitement as she took the door key out of her purse. “Son-of-a-bitch!” She turned abruptly at Rick’s verbal remark and saw Nick pulling his car to the curb in front of her house. She felt her emotions flag. “Go inside,” Rick ordered. He set his suitcase on the front porch and headed toward Austin’s car. Janna fumbled with the door key, jabbing frantically at the lock trying to get the key inside. Of all the damn luck— She glanced over her shoulder at the two men. Rick was at the car and Austin was shutting off the motor. God! She hoped there wasn’t another fight between them. She bit her lip and made another attempt to unlock the door. Austin was out of the car—Rick was jabbing angrily at his chest with one finger. Any second now, one of the neighbors would call the police. Which might not be a bad idea. She reached inside her purse and retrieved her cell phone. Punching in Lieutenant Barton’s private number, she willed him to answer. 170

Janna's Werewolf “Yeah. Who’s this?” “Janna Marlow. I need you to come over to my house right now.” “Sorry, kid. I’m busy. What’s the problem?” Janna pulled in a long breath. Shit! She watched as Nick suddenly got back inside his car and Rick strode toward the house. She felt relief travel through her insides. “Lieutenant, I’m sorry. I dialed the wrong number,” she lied. “Marlow, you want to know what I’m busy with?” She hesitated, her eyes pinned on Rick as he joined her on the porch and Nick drove off down the street. “Marlow, I’m on the scene of another murder.” Oh God! “I’m behind the sports stadium. Hank thinks the victim is a woman. We’ve found a purse and a pair of high heels.” He let out a disgusted sigh. “There are pieces of the victim scattered all over the sidewalk.” **** Janna paced the distance of the living room and turned, heading back in the direction she had previously paced. 171

Fawn Lowery I have to tell Rick. “Every time Austin gets pissed—he kills— slaughters some poor innocent person.” Rick rose from the couch and caught her by one hand. “It isn’t your fault, Janna.” “He followed me here.” “Well, maybe that’s true—but you aren’t directly to blame for his killing rampage. He’s a were who can’t control his urges.” She combed her fingers through her hair. “I should go to the crime scene.” “Not tonight. You’re staying right here where I can keep an eye on you.” She met his gaze, identified the warmth in his eyes. She smiled tentatively. “Thank you for being here for me.” He tugged her into his arms and kissed the side of her head. “I can’t think of any place I’d rather be.” She forced the words from her mouth. “I have a plan to trap Austin.” She felt Rick tense, his muscles knot in expectation. “He came here to kill me. Why not give him the opportunity—or make him think he has the opportunity.” “You want to use yourself as bait? Janna— that’s crazy!” 172

Janna's Werewolf “It’s just crazy enough to work.” “Honey, when I said we’d think of a way to deal with Austin, I didn’t mean we would put you in danger.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Lieutenant Barton and I had a little talk today.” She gasped and tensed her muscles. “You didn’t tell him I’m a werewolf, did you?” “No.” He shook his head. “He’s getting all sorts of calls from citizens of Madison, asking questions. Seems the story about the pack of wild dogs is raising suspicions of a police cover up.” “That’s just one more reason to set a trap for Austin.” She pulled her hand from his grasp and went toward the kitchen. She didn’t often drink— liquor and werewolf tendencies didn’t mix—but under the circumstances, she needed something to calm her senses. She took a bottle of red wine from the cabinet and grabbed a couple of glasses. “If we put our heads together, I’m sure we can come up with a plan that will put Austin six feet under.” She returned to the living room and poured two glasses of wine. Taking a seat on the couch, she gulped her glass full without taking a breath. Rick shook his head. “You’re letting Austin get to you.” “That’s part of the problem—he’s trying to get to me. He wants to kill me, Rick.” She stared at him with wide eyes. “I have to get him before he 173

Fawn Lowery gets me. Don’t you see?” She felt her stomach rebel against the wine and suddenly bounded off the couch and raced to the bathroom. She made it just in time—loosing the liquor in the toilet. She wiped her mouth and silently cursed her desire to become an investigative reporter. That seemed to be where her problems started—thinking she could identify a murderer. “Are you all right?” She looked up to see Rick standing in the doorway of the bathroom, a look of concern on his handsome face. She forced a smile and shook her head, though her stomach still ached to high heaven. He crossed the room and turned the shower on. “You need to relax and I have just the means of bringing that about.” He tugged his t-shirt over his head and stepped out of his shoes. He unzipped his jeans and pushed them down the length of his thighs, his eyes on Janna perched on the toilet seat. Her eyes were bleary and her temples were beginning to pound. God! He’s gorgeous! She didn’t object when he knelt in front of her and began opening her blouse. She moved her arms and sat up a little straighter, giving him room to work. He removed her blouse and 174

Janna's Werewolf reached behind her to unfasten her bra, a slight smile on his face. Janna heaved a sigh and stood up when he rose and tugged her to her feet. He quickly released the zipper in her skirt and pushed it off her hips. He knelt before her again and ran his hands across her abdomen, lowering to her bikini panties. He leaned forward and kissed her belly, making her shiver and grab his head in her hands. “You’re right. You know how to make a girl relax.” He chuckled and pulled her panties down, slowly, deliberately, letting his hands skim along her legs with such subtlety that she felt a quiver of desire begin in her stomach and spiral along her limbs. Her senses suddenly came alive and she was ready to see what he had in store for her next. He tugged her into the shower, pushing her back against the wall of the shower and reaching for the bar of deodorant soap lying on the shelf. He lathered his hands and smiled at her as he encompassed her breasts in either palm. He stroked her flesh, rubbing slowly and seductively, working the lather into a froth that peaked around her taut nipples. He lowered his hands, stroking just beneath her mounds, sliding across her midriff and lowering to her abdomen. He poked one finger into the delicate pink shell of her navel and she 175

Fawn Lowery jumped in surprise. He kissed her lips then, pressing her head to the wall at her back. She felt the need to join in the play. She reached the soap and lathered her hands, then reached for his broad chest. Warm skin and muscles met her palms. She splayed her fingers and rubbed the lather across his male nipples, pausing to tweak the tiny points into tight nibs. His hands slid across her hips, and into her crotch. His fingers touched her sensitive clitoris, stroked it briefly and resumed his touching down the length of her legs to her knees. “Have you ever worn it bare?” An arched brow rose. “You want me to shave?” “Would you? I’d love to put my mouth on your pussy and suck smooth shaven lips.” He winked at her, a wicked enticing wink that sent her stomach pitching. Why aren’t I surprised? She reached for the razor on the shower shelf and hiked one foot up on the edge of the bathtub. Carefully, she raked the razor across the blond bush at her crotch. “Mmmm. Here. Let me.” She relinquished the razor and smiled as he dropped to his knees in front of her crotch. The hot spray from the shower cascaded across his head and splashed on his shoulders. He seemed 176

Janna's Werewolf undeterred as he placed his left hand atop her crotch and began stroking the razor across her skin, shaving the blond hair away in easy strokes. She felt very turned on, aroused to the point of wanting to touch him while he shaved her pussy. She thrust her pelvis forward, opening herself up for him as he shaved lower on her sensitive lips. He worked carefully, moving slowly and following each stroke of the razor with a fingertip to make sure he wasn’t leaving any stubble behind. His touch was driving her insane. His fingertips were so precise, being careful not to touch her clit as he maneuvered the razor across her bush and reduced it to nothing. She gazed down her body, watching his hands move on her, seeing the concentration on his face. He was finished much too quickly, she thought, seeing him lay the razor on the shower shelf. He remained on his knees before her crotch, her leg still bent and her foot on the edge of the tub. He ran one palm across her bare pussy, looking up at her as he raked a finger against her clitoris. She sucked in a quick breath and grabbed his hand. He began to move his finger on her clitoris, rubbing in a light circular motion. Janna spread her hand atop his, inching her 177

Fawn Lowery finger atop his caressing finger. She closed her eyes and savored the delicious sensations as they began to race through her body. She wiggled her hips, pushing her crotch against the massaging fingers. “Mmmm. That feels good.” Suddenly he pulled his hand away and replaced it with his mouth. Growling deep in his throat, he sucked in her clitoris and tickled it with his tongue. His hands grasped her buttocks and held her flesh to his mouth. He sucked and lathed her sensitive, bare folds, wetting them with his hot spit and making Janna knot her fingers in his wet hair. She felt his finger slide inside her warm tunnel and begin to thrust around, causing her to open her mouth and pant with the barrage of new sensations racing through her insides. She felt the orgasm then, felt the first tingling sensations as they raced along her limbs, curling her belly and making her cry out. His mouth ate at her flesh, sucking her bare lips inside and nipping at them with his teeth. He pushed another finger inside her cave, thrusting wildly, as she went over the top. She lunged against his hand, clasping her hands into fists in his hair so she could hold his mouth to her crotch. He played at her crotch until the orgasm totally waned and she was on the verge of another, then 178

Janna's Werewolf he pulled his fingers out of her cave and stood up. His cock was rock hard, bobbing, ready. He pulled her against his chest and grasped her buttocks in either hand as he pressed her back against the shower wall. He entered her in one quick thrust, pinning her so she couldn’t move. Janna raised her legs and wound them around his waist. He was wet and slippery and hot. He was all muscle, thrusting into her passage with forceful lunges that filled her insides, slicking along her sensitive passageway and ushering up another orgasm in no time. She pressed her breasts to his hair-roughened chest and hung on, feeling the onset of climax gather in her belly. “I’m coming again, Rick! Oh God! I’m coming!” **** She listened to the gentle breathing beside her, wishing she could fall asleep. The arm lying across her stomach held her body against his side, pressing possessively. His right leg was bent at the knee and resting across her calves. She found it nearly impossible to move—but then she suspected he had that in mind when they finally went to bed—or when they were both spent from having sex. She smiled and stroked the hair-roughened 179

Fawn Lowery forearm lying across her stomach. Rick had definite ideas about sex. He knew what he liked and was eager to have her participate—or go along with. Either way, she had enjoyed his playing, and the final bouts of orgasm he wrought to her body. She turned her eyes out the only window in the room. She had not drawn the drapes as she had in the other rooms of the small house. The moonlight streamed in through the upper sash, bathing the bed in silvery brilliance. She felt the inevitable urge to run, to throw up the window and jump to the ground and then bound into the small patch of woods just behind the house. She lifted the arm holding her in the bed and slid her legs from beneath Rick’s, easing from the bed. She stole softly out of the room and padded into the living room. The neighborhood was quiet. The houses she could see from peeking through the living room window were dark. She turned her gaze up the wide avenue in search of cars—or Austin’s parked car. She let a shudder of dread race across her bare flesh. Nick Austin and his barrage of threats toward her was the reason she was finding it hard to fall asleep. She turned her gaze down the street, searching. Heaving a sigh, she let relief travel along her senses. She didn’t see his car parked 180

Janna's Werewolf anywhere along the street. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t out there. The thought shook her all over again. Yes, he was probably out there, concealed in the darkness, watching her house, hoping she would emerge for a midnight run—since darkness was the werewolf’s cover to roam. She thought of her conversation with Lieutenant Barton. Another victim had been discovered. Austin had set a pattern with his horrendous killings. Every time he got pissed at her—or Rick—he took his anger out on some unsuspecting person. And to further add proof to her theory—he was staying within a certain territory—as though he had laid claim to one vicinity. She combed her fingers through her hair. If he wasn’t stopped pretty soon—there was no telling where his murderous rampage would take him. Or how many other innocent victims would lose their lives merely because they were within his path of destruction. If only Rick would see her plan in a different light. It occurred to her then, Rick had her safety at heart and that was why he refused to listen to reason concerning her idea to trap Austin. She smiled, feeling the warmth his concern manifested inside her. I’m really falling in love with him—whether I want 181

Fawn Lowery to or not. She silently agreed that there was something about Rick that she had not found in other men she had known—not that there had been a lot of men in her life. He was probably the only professional man she had known—aside from her father and her brothers. And Rick was by far the most imaginative man sexually that she had ever encountered. She smiled at the thought of him shaving her pubic hair off. She skimmed her palm along her abdomen and lowered it. The smoothness beneath her fingers felt foreign…and sensual, she admitted, drawing in a slow breath. She felt aroused suddenly. She stroked her bare lips, inching her fingertip between the fleshy folds and caressing gently. She could make herself cum with little effort, she admitted, raising her other hand to her breast. She stood near the window, her hands stroking, caressing to the point of near orgasm when her eyes caught the slight glimpse of something moving beyond the glass. A tremor of fright zinged through her insides. She halted her play, and pinned her keen eyes on the object. Had Nick Austin proved her suspicions right? Was he laying in wait for her just outside her house?

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Chapter Sixteen anna drummed her nails on the desktop while she waited for Lieutenant Barton to pick up his phone. All night long she had worried whether Nick Austin was lurking somewhere outside her house and the sooner the police found out who he was, the sooner they could get him off the streets. “Marlow, I have an ID on the woman killed yesterday.” “Lieutenant, have you been able to find out anything about the man impersonating Nick Austin?” “I gave his description to our graphic artist. She hasn’t gotten back to me with a composite yet. But keep in mind; she has a full time job. She teaches sixth grade art at the middle school.” He sighed. “Someday Madison will be big enough to afford a real graphic artist and not have to rely on a volunteer school teacher.”

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Fawn Lowery Janna rolled her eyes in consternation. “Have you found out where he lives?” “Yeah. He has a room in the Madison Hotel.” A cold shiver of fear raced through Janna. Austin was in the same hotel as Rick—until Rick moved in with her yesterday. She bit her bottom lip. It almost made her sick to think that she felt safe in Rick’s room when a murderer might have been on the same floor—or in the next room. “I’m checking on him, Marlow. Do you want the name of the latest victim so you can get some background info for your column?” She grabbed a pencil and jotted down the name and address Lieutenant Barton gave her. She hung up the phone with a promise from Barton that he would call the minute he had more information on the man she knew as Nick Austin. She glanced at her watch and made plans to go interview the relatives of the slain woman. Her gaze fell on the empty chair sitting in front of her desk. Nick Austin hadn’t made an appearance that morning and she was finding it rather curious—given the fact that he had stuck to her like glue for the past few days. She heaved a sigh, relieved that she didn’t have to defend herself against his lewd remarks or meet his threatening silver gaze every time she looked up from her desk. She and Rick had plans for dinner and then 184

Janna's Werewolf they were going out to the building site to check on the progress of the work crew. She was looking forward to spending time with him and seeing his new house go up. She grabbed her purse and rose from her desk. They had driven to work separately, so that she could tend to business for the newspaper, despite Rick’s warning that she stay in his sight. She worried that Austin was out there somewhere, waiting for her to let her guard down. The thought that she should buy a gun surfaced again. She raked her fingers through her hair, pushing the mass over her shoulder. She still harbored the idea that she would transform and run like hell, should Austin corner her, but that idea had faults. She noted the address of Linda Martin, Austin’s latest victim, and got into her car. The address was very near the last victim, she noted. Yet if Austin was staying at the Madison Hotel, the fanciest place to stay in Madison, he was traveling across town to murder his victims. But then a murderer could be trying to throw the police off his trail by not killing close to home. She shook her head, dislodging the thoughts. The more she tried to figure his motive, the less she understood about him. She only hoped Lieutenant Barton could come up with some information on him. Perhaps she should try to get 185

Fawn Lowery his fingerprints— A sudden thought assailed her. She reached into her purse and grabbed her cell phone. Lieutenant Barton might think she was crazy—but there was surely a multitude of prints on her desk! Austin had been camped out there for almost a week. Surely there were prints on her chair, on the desktop, even the extra chair he dragged in front of her desk so he could stare at her. And if that wasn’t enough, he could check out the storeroom. Austin had spent the night locked in it, thanks to Rick and his cool determination to protect her. “I’ll send someone right over,” Lieutenant Barton said, a hopeful note in his tone. “And Marlow, watch yourself.” The policeman’s warning to be cautious pulled at her curiosity. She wondered what Rick had told him yesterday when they talked. Perhaps Rick had conveyed his suspicions of Austin and the policeman had believed him. She replaced her cell phone in her purse and started her car. Glancing around the parking lot of the newspaper office, she felt certain that Austin’s car wasn’t on the premises, therefore she felt safe in assuming he wouldn’t be following her. But then I can’t really be certain. She drove across town to Linda Martin’s address, keeping a close eye on the rear view mirror. Pulling into the driveway of a modest 186

Janna's Werewolf house at the end of Elm Street, she shut off the car and opened the door. A man about thirty, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt suddenly came out the front door of the house and walked toward her. She prepared to meet Linda Martin’s husband, Dan. “Are you from the police department?” he asked, a quiver in his voice. “No. I’m a reporter. I came to ask you a few questions about Linda.” He shook his head. “I’ve nothing to say. I’m scared that if I talk, the murderer might come after the rest of our family.” Puzzlement pulled Janna’s brows together. Lieutenant Barton had not given her any indication that the murder victims were connected. “Could we talk inside?” Janna asked, glancing around. Suddenly she sensed that someone—or some thing—perhaps Austin—was in the vicinity and keeping a steady eye on her. “I told you no. I can’t risk it. I have two sons that might be in danger. You better go.” He turned and headed back to the house. “Wait,” Janna called. She caught his arm with one hand. “What do you mean—your sons might be in danger?” “You need to leave.” His teeth were clamped together. “Mr. Martin, I’m not leaving until you explain 187

Fawn Lowery why you think your sons might be in danger. Are you aware of the way your wife died?” “That’s the very reason I’m scared that the murderer will come after the rest of our family.” “This murderer has been killing at random.” He glanced around, nervous. “No, it hasn’t!” “It?” She sensed his fear and for the first time since arriving at the house, she thought she knew why. “Listen, I’ve been reading about the murders— my wife was attacked by something last week— something that left teeth marks on her arm. I’m afraid her murder had something to do with that attack.” Janna’s jaw dropped open. Had Austin bitten someone and not killed them— merely infected him or her with the Curse? “Why would you think that?” He glanced around nervously. “Both my wife and I think it was a werewolf who bit her.” He stared at Janna. “Normally I don’t believe in such things, but—“ “Did you tell the police any of this?” He shook his head. “No. I didn’t think they would believe me.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know why I told you, lady, except to make you leave.” He turned abruptly and went toward his house, his steps rushed. Janna watched him enter the house and close 188

Janna's Werewolf the door. She glanced around her surroundings again and returned to her car. Well, she certainly couldn’t write much of an interview for the newspaper with what Dan Martin had just told her. Her phone rang suddenly, making her jump in surprise. Glancing at the dial, she was relieved to see it was Rick on the line. “Where are you?” She smiled at the sound of concern in his tone, and began to tell him her brief conversation with Dan Martin. “That settles it. I’m buying a fucking gun, Janna. There are more of us running around out there than I care to count. Are you coming back to the office?” She put his mind at ease and headed back toward the newspaper office, no story for the evening edition, but a healthy curiosity about the Martin family…and a creepy feeling about being followed. She kept a close eye on the traffic, on the lookout for Nick Austin’s car. He was somewhere close because she couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that he was watching her every move. Luckily she hadn’t relayed her fears to Rick. ****

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Fawn Lowery Janna sat in the passenger seat and stared at the side of Rick’s face as he drove out to the site of his new house. There was a rigid set to his jaw, a bit of a scowl forcing his brow low over his green eyes. She sensed his smoldering anger and knew it was due to Nick Austin and the threat to her safety— their safety. She turned her eyes out the side window. Ever since she had spoken with Dan Martin she had been fighting the keen feeling that Austin was somewhere close watching her and the feeling remained, haunting and cold, even after she and Rick left the newspaper office for the day. And she had always felt safe in his presence. She glanced at him again, liking what she saw. Even in his angry state, he was handsome. She felt a quiver of excitement curl her stomach. They arrived at the clearing and the scene unfolding was one of complete surprise. The walls were going up on Rick’s new house. Already the impressive structure was taking shape. The main entrance could be discerned with its wide gaping space where the double doors would open into a wide foyer. A large crane was in the process of raising a roof truss to set in place. A dozen or more carpenters swarmed about the area. The noise of nail guns and electric saws rent the stillness. Rick looked quite pleased with the progress. 190

Janna's Werewolf They exited the car and the crew foreman headed in their direction. Janna recognized him right away as the man Rick had met earlier. He pushed the yellow hard hat to the back of his head and greeted them with a wide grin. Rick began talking construction to the man and Janna turned her interest to the clearing where the new house was sitting. The woods were very dense; as she had noted previously when she had bounded through them in somewhat of a panic the night Rick wanted them to have sex while Changed. She had to smile at the thought. The thick woods would be an ideal place for him to run once the house was built and he was living in it. She pulled in a long breath, held it, and then expelled it. Thank God Rick wasn’t one of those werewolves who couldn’t control the urge to ravage when he Changed. She thought then of Nick Austin—or the man posing as Nick Austin. And the conversation she had with Dan Martin, the husband of the latest murder victim. She remembered then that Rick said he intended to buy a gun. She glanced in his direction. Had he bought a gun? she wondered. They stayed at the building site until it was dusk, then they drove back to Janna’s house. Rick was upbeat about the prospect of the house being ahead of schedule. Janna was happy for him. She made coffee and they looked over the plans Rick 191

Fawn Lowery had drawn up for his new house. “It will have five bedrooms, babe,” he said, smiling broadly at her. “I want a big family.” His words assailed her. She looked away, pretending to study the chips in the chocolate chip cookie she served with the coffee. He covered her hand with his. “Janna, I know we haven’t known each other for very long—“ “Rick, don’t.” “Babe.” “I don’t intend to ever be a mother.” She pulled her hand from his and left the table in the small kitchen. Taking her coffee, she went to the couch and sat down, curling one leg beneath her butt. Had she been too presumptuous in saying that to him? He hadn’t actually proposed marriage—or anything else for that matter. Rick came into the room and Janna caught his hand as he passed in front of her. She pulled him down beside her on the couch. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to burst your bubble. I’m sure you can have as many kids as you want. It’s your life.” “But I want to make a life with you, Janna. I want you to be the mother of my children.” His voice was soft, sincere. It pulled at her heart in a way she had never known. She felt tears 192

Janna's Werewolf sting the back of her eyes. He pulled her into his arms suddenly, almost making her spill her coffee. He quickly set the cup aside and took hold of her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “We can work this out.” She shook her head. “I know I haven’t been exposed to too much outside the family compound. It was safe and secure inside with five werewolves guarding me. But I saw how life for all of us was. We were always on guard against someone finding out about us.” He listened to her, watching her lips as she spoke. “We couldn’t be open with people because of who we were. We were forced to stick together, to protect each other at all costs.” She pulled in a steadying breath. “When I had my first Moon Phase—“ She paused, feeling her courage waver. Regardless of the sexual situations she had experienced with Rick she was suddenly embarrassed about telling him of her first sexual experience. He tipped her chin in the air suddenly and brushed his lips across hers, feather light and hinting of lust. “I got through my first Change and felt a burning desire to have sex with someone—right then, Rick. I wasn’t prepared for the consequences 193

Fawn Lowery of being a female werewolf when the Moon Phase was upon me. I remember running through the compound as fast as I could, my chest aching for want of breath, hoping I’d come upon a horny male who would throw me down on the ground and fuck me silly.” “Honey, maybe it’s that way for everybody the first time they Change.” One corner of her mouth pulled upward in a slight smile. “Really? Was it that way for you?” He chuckled. “Not exactly. I just went behind a tree and jacked off.” She laughed and pushed him down on the couch. Levering herself atop his body, she kissed him soundly. “You’re just what I need—a werewolf with a quirky sense of humor, Rick Sawyer.” “About those five bedrooms—“ “Shut up.” She pressed her crotch into his abdomen, wiggling her hips against him as she delved her hands beneath his t-shirt. The feel of smooth, warm skin beneath her palms made her moan deep in her throat. “Make me forget all about today, Rick.” She thrust her tongue into his mouth, slicking across his gum and inviting his to play. He didn’t disappoint her. He took immediate control of the kiss, sucking on her tongue and 194

Janna's Werewolf sending her senses soaring into outer space. He grasped her body and rolled her beneath him, propping her head on the arm of the couch and pushing her thighs open with one knee. “We’re going to practice making babies,” he whispered, releasing the snap on her jeans. “Because I have every intention of changing your mind about not having a family.”

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Chapter Seventeen anna pulled her car into the driveway of the Melton home and shut off the motor. She stared at the front of the house, wondering how crazy Mrs. Melton would think she was once she began asking questions about her husband. I have to get to the bottom of this. She grabbed her purse and notepad and exited the car, before she lost her nerve. As she approached the front door, her keen eyesight glimpsed the movement of the lace curtains at the front window. She sensed the widow was aware of her presence. Now, if she would just open the door and answer her questions. “I remember you. You’re the lady from the newspaper office.” Janna smiled at the woman. She looked weary, a bit disheveled in appearance, but friendly nonetheless.

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Janna's Werewolf “Janna Marlow, Mrs. Melton. Could I come in and ask you a couple of questions about your husband?” Mrs. Melton stared at her for a moment. She held a dishtowel and wiped her hands over and over, despite their dry appearance. Finally, she held open the door for Janna. “Can’t the dead rest in peace?” There was a trace of irritation in her tone, but Janna stepped inside the residence, a new determination fueling her actions. “I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Melton. But I think some background on your husband might be useful in helping to rid Madison of this killer.” She turned inspecting eyes on Janna as she led the way into the living room of the house. “The police told me John was killed by a pack of wild dogs.” The conviction in her voice made Janna raise an eyebrow in speculation. “Could I ask about your husband’s nightly routine—did he often go out for walks after dark?” Mrs. Melton sat down on the couch and motioned Janna to an overstuffed armchair at its corner. “Are you going to print this in your column?” Janna sensed there was something the woman wanted to tell—but was unsure about speaking 197

Fawn Lowery out. “I’m merely curious about your husband’s nightly routine.” “He started going for nightly walks about three weeks ago. Up until that time, he didn’t go out at night at all—unless we were together. We used to go to the movies every Friday night, but…“ Janna chose her words carefully. “Did anything unusual happen three weeks ago?” “Something attacked John in the parking garage when he left work one afternoon. There were several people in the garage at the time and he yelled for help. He thought that was why he survived—because others were around and came to see why he was making so much noise.” “Did he file a police report?” She shook her head no. “But then we read about the pack of wild dogs running loose in the neighborhood and thought one of them had attacked him.” “What, exactly, did your husband see?” “Well, if it was a dog, it was a big one.” “And after that incident, your husband started going out for walks at night?” She nodded her head. “He had a horrible bite mark on his arm. I begged him to go to the doctor, but—“ Janna sensed the woman wasn’t being 198

Janna's Werewolf completely honest with her—else John Melton had managed to hide his werewolf tendencies from her. After promising not to write anything further about John Melton, Janna left the Melton house and headed for Mark Gentry’s place of employment. Mr. Gentry was the second victim with no known relatives in the area. She drove across town to a furniture store and pulled into the parking lot. Mark Gentry had been out jogging when he was attacked and short of finding out his background from personnel, she didn’t have much else to go on. Lieutenant Barton had managed to find out Gentry’s address and went over his apartment with a fine-toothed comb, but turned up nothing that linked him with John Melton or Linda Martin. Janna hoped to learn of Gentry’s relatives and contact them in hopes that he had a similar experience like John Melton and Linda Martin. The person in charge of hiring for the furniture store was the owner, a small man with a friendly smile and a warm handshake. He welcomed Janna into his office and pulled Gentry’s file from a single cabinet in the room. Janna took a seat in the chair he offered and waited for him to display the personnel file for her to look over. “The police have already been here. They said Mark was killed by wild dogs.” He gave her a 199

Fawn Lowery curious look. “Is there more to his death than previously learned?” “I’m just looking for relatives of the victim.” Janna accepted the sheet of paper handed her and scanned it quickly before handing it back. “Mr. Gentry came to Madison from Hampton. That’s about thirty miles north of Madison.” “He transferred here from our Hampton location. We have two other stores, one in Compton Heights and the other in Wells Fargo.” Janna scribbled the name of Gentry’s sister on her notepad and thanked the owner for meeting with her. **** Mark Gentry’s sister gave an account of her brother’s last visit to her house—a month previous to his death. He had acted suspiciously, leaving the house after dark and returning hours later, only to sneak back inside and be close mouthed about where he’d been. Janna believed he’d been attacked as John Melton and Linda Martin had, though she hesitated to voice her suspicions to Gentry’s sister. When she hung up the phone after talking to the woman, she felt almost certain that each victim had been a werewolf, infected by— Whom? Nick Austin? 200

Janna's Werewolf Her brows drew together in puzzlement. Rick’s words suddenly came to mind. ‘There are more of us running around than I care to count.’ She felt cold fear suddenly grip her insides. She had thought Nick Austin was her only threat—but that was before she talked with any of the victim’s relatives. Her phone rang suddenly, giving her a start and adding to her unsettled feeling. “Marlow, I have some information on the guy impersonating Nick Austin.” Lieutenant Barton’s gruff tone filled her ear. She leaned back in her desk chair and tried to quell her shaking nerves. “His name is Lee Collins. He’s an ex-cop from Dover Run.” “Dover Run?” Janna’s breath caught in her throat. “Does that surprise you?” Janna’s keen hearing discerned the note of curiosity in the officer’s voice. Careful! “Just that Dover Run is a long way from Madison.” She held her breath that the policeman wouldn’t question her further. “Well, he must have had a reason for coming here. How do you know him?” Shit! She bit her bottom lip. “He’s been around the 201

Fawn Lowery newsroom a lot—that’s all.” “So how does he figure in the murders?” She drew in a long breath. She had a decision to make. Should she level with Barton—tell him what she knew about the man impersonating Nick Austin—perhaps open a can of worms for her parents—the entire compound? Or keep quiet and try and handle the matter herself? Could she set a trap for Austin by herself? “I’m going to bring him in for questioning. I’m curious as to why he’s impersonating a dead man.” Janna’s reserve quaked. “Lieutenant, you said that Lee Collins was an ex-cop—did something happen to make him leave the police force?” “I’ll ask him when I get him in here.” The phone line went suddenly dead as Barton broke the connection and Janna sat holding the telephone receiver to her ear as though in a trance. Would Lee Collins confess all when Barton interrogated him? Or would he transform and rip the policeman to shreds? The thought did little to settle her already fragile nerves. On the one hand, she couldn’t risk Lieutenant Barton finding out about her family in Dover Run—they would be exposed as werewolves and they all knew how dangerous that could be. The risk of being run out of town— or murdered because of whom they were would 202

Janna's Werewolf be too great. She chewed on a fingernail and considered her options. She had very few options. She could confide in the police and risk exposure to herself and her family, or she could lay a trap for Collins and catch him herself. I have to kill him. The idea made her stomach knot. For a second she thought she might wretch. The idea of taking a life was never an option for her—until now. She thought of Rick’s reaction when she tried to tell him she wanted to set a trap for Austin using her self as bait. He was adamant that it was a bad idea, too risky, and he would have no part of it. Did she dare confide in him again about the same matter? She would have to tell him about Nick being an ex-cop and Lieutenant Barton’s intentions of bringing him in for questioning. She would have to act quickly in order to shut Austin up before Barton brought him in. She searched the newsroom for signs of Austin. He hadn’t been seen since he showed up at her house night before last and Rick sent him on his way. She wondered what Rick had said to make him go away. At the time she was just glad to be rid of him but now her curiosity was peaked. She propped her chin on one fist and thought about broaching the subject with Rick again. He’d 203

Fawn Lowery be furious if he found out she was making plans to trap Austin all by herself. But he hadn’t voiced a plan of his own—and time was rapidly running out to keep her family safe in Dover Run. I have to act now. The fact that she had felt that Austin was somewhere watching her gave her an idea. Perhaps she could make him believe she was unaware of his presence and lure him some place where she could…could… What? Tear him to bits with your teeth? Are you nuts? He’s twice your size—ten times stronger when he’s transformed— “How in hell can I possibly pull this off alone?” She let out a long breath and slumped in her chair. Maybe it was impossible to be the bait and kill Nick Austin too. She raked her fingers through her hair. She needed Rick’s help. She would have to tell him everything and then hope he would see things her way. She thought then of how she would go about telling him. A smile broke across her face. “After sex, of course.” **** Janna slid the broiler pan into the oven and turned to the sink to scrub the potatoes she was planning 204

Janna's Werewolf to pop into the microwave. Just as soon as Rick’s belly was full of a home cooked meal, she would turn on her charms and get him into bed. Then, once he was properly sated sexually, she’d ask for him help. He won’t be able to resist my request. She hummed softly as she scrubbed the potatoes then hurried to pop them into the oven when she heard Rick come through the front door. He paused in the doorway to the kitchen and stared at her, his hot gaze making her turn to face him. A slanted grin pulled across his full lips. A gleam of lust lit his green eyes. “You’ve been wondering if I can cook—haven’t you?” He chuckled and came toward her. “I can truthfully say I’ve never once had that thought. It’s not your abilities in the kitchen that I particularly care about.” He winked at her and slid his arms around her waist, pulling her body back against the long, lean length of his. He nuzzled her neck with his lips, trailing moist little kisses up the arching incline of her neck. “We can eat out every night or hire a cook—my stomach isn’t the part of me that’s attracted to you, babe.” She giggled and tried to break free of his grasp. “Rick, I have to watch the steaks.” He tightened his arms around her waist and pulled her toward the small table in the room. “I 205

Fawn Lowery want you right now—right here on the table.” A giggling shriek left her throat as he began undressing her, pulling up her skirt and yanking down her panties. He pushed her butt against the edge of the table and then hoisted her atop it. He spread her legs and stepped between her knees, one hand holding her tightly while he unzipped his fly and let his erection spring free. “Rick—our dinner will burn!” He cut off her words with a kiss that sent shockwaves racing around inside her body, then he grasped her buttocks in either hand and held her against his crotch while he drove his cock inside her. He let out a loud groan and began thrusting, making the table squeak with his erratic movements. Janna was forced to forget about dinner in the oven. His lunging thrusts soon had her on the fringes of orgasm and she brought her legs up to wrap around his thrusting hips, giving him full reign to her body. She took his weight atop her beasts while his mouth pressed demandingly against hers. His tongue slicked along her teeth, tangling sensually with her own. His grasp on her buttocks increased to the point of bringing her pain when he drew near his time. Suddenly orgasm was upon them. Janna dug her fingernails into the rock hard muscles of his shoulders as the full effects of the climax exploded 206

Janna's Werewolf inside her body. She bucked her hips, lunging upward to feel every minute tingle as it streamed along her limbs and assaulted her senses. He came almost the instant she did, groaning loudly and clasping her tightly against his chest. “I love you.” His voice was louder than a whisper against her ear and Janna had no trouble understanding his words. He loved her. For a split second she hesitated committing herself to loving him. They barely knew each other. She felt tears gather behind her eyes. Could she live without this man?

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Chapter Eighteen anna stared at Rick across the crystal edge of her wine glass. Dinner had burned, the house had filled with thick black smoke, the oven was probably ruined. She listened as Rick gave his order to the waiter, smiling slightly. “I want my steak rare.” He gave Janna a wink. “Lots of butter on my baked potato.” “I’ll have the same,” she murmured and handed the menu to the waiter. Rick reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “How long do you suppose it will take for the smoke to clear out of the house?” His voice was low pitched, teasing. A slanted smile graced his face. “You know how much those steaks set me back?” He chucked and squeezed her hand. “And the stove may be ruined.” She rolled her

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Janna's Werewolf eyes at him and shook her head. “You’ll be moving soon anyway.” She felt the jolt his words brought to her body. “You can design your own kitchen, babe. The interior designer is at your disposal. Pick the layout, decide on the appliances, where and what type of countertops you want—“ “Rick,” she interrupted. “I love you, Janna. I want you to marry me.” She pulled her hand free of his and looked warily around the restaurant. It was virtually empty, since it was a weeknight and well past the normal dinner hour. Still, she didn’t want anyone overhearing their conversation. “I know. You’re not ready to give me your answer.” He smiled slightly. “I can wait. But, seriously, I could use your help with the kitchen— since I saw you trying to cook once.” She giggled out loud in spite of herself. She raised one hand and covered her mouth, glancing around. She saw him then—Nick Austin—standing outside the window of the restaurant. She sucked in a quick breath, drawing Rick’s attention. “What is it?” She picked up her wine glass and took a hefty gulp, wrenching her gaze away from the sight of the werewolf at the window. Had he followed 209

Fawn Lowery them? Or merely stumbled across their location when he strolled down the sidewalk? “Nick Austin is at the front window.” Rick jerked his head in the direction of the wide span of windows opening onto the Main Street of Madison. “He’s not there now.” Janna jerked her head round, peering toward the window where she had seen Austin looking at her. He was gone, vanished as if by magic. “Maybe he wasn’t there after all.” She felt silly suddenly, startling Rick and interrupting their dinner out. “Maybe I just thought I saw him.” Stop lying! She bit her bottom lip. “No. He was there. I saw him. He was looking right at me.” She pulled in a steadying breath. “Rick, I have a plan to trap him and I want you to help me.” He stared across the table at her, his gaze steady, his expression somber. Janna opened her mouth and began telling him all she had learned that day, the latest from Lieutenant Barton, what had come from her conversations with two of the victim’s families, what she had learned about Mark Gentry, and her fear for her family in Dover Run. “I threatened to kill him if I ever saw him again, Janna. I suppose that’s why he hasn’t been around for the past two days.” 210

Janna's Werewolf “I’ve felt his presence, Rick. I think he’s been following me.” He bristled, clamping his teeth tightly together. A muscle twitched in his lower jaw. “He’d be easy to catch, Rick. All we’d have to do—“ “I won’t let you put yourself in danger, Janna. I already told you that much.” “But I’m the one he wants. I’m the one he’s come to Madison to kill.” “Are you sure? What about those other poor bastards? Was he just practicing on them for when he finally gets you alone?” He combed one hand through his hair and let out a long sigh. “Your strength can never compare with his, honey. He’d rip your head off in an instant. One swing at you with those sharp claws—“ He stared across the table at her, his eyes imploring. “I’ll be careful, I promise.” He shook his head. “At least listen to what I have in mind.” “We’ve been through this once—or was it twice?” She felt anger gather in her gut. “Then what’s your idea for trapping him?” He shrugged his shoulders. “The next time I see him, I’m going to shoot him.” He sounded so nonchalant she gasped and 211

Fawn Lowery covered her mouth with one hand. “And go to jail for the rest of your life? That’s not such a fucking good plan, Rick.” Their food arrived then, and none too soon for Janna. She didn’t know about Rick, but she needed a break from their conversation. Things were moving way too fast. She had all intention of trapping Austin whereas Rick only wanted to shoot him dead, no questions asked. They ate in silence. Janna barely tasted the food, her mind on how she was going to convince Rick to help her instead of worrying about him murdering Austin and going to jail. She felt very alone suddenly. She put down her fork and knife and stared across the table at Rick. “I’d hate to lose you.” Her tone was sincere, her voice quivering slightly with emotion. “Nothing is going to happen to me, and I’m sure as hell not going to let anything happen to you.” She felt her heart swell with love for him. She couldn’t deny it any longer. She smiled across the table at him, her hand clasped warmly in his. “Let’s talk about this later.” She nodded her approval and turned her attention back to her food. One way or another, she told herself, Austin would be dealt with. **** 212

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Rick’s fingers slid inside her body, pulled back, slid inside again. Janna eased her hips up, pressing her crotch against the palm of his hand. He was so good with his fingers—and his other delicious parts. She felt the ball of his thumb as it pressed atop her clitoris, began to rub in circular motions while his fingers pumped into her hot passageway. “Why are you…making me come…with your fingers when I hold a hard cock in my…hand?” Her voice was breathy, barely leaving her lips before she sucked in a deep breath and let herself enjoy the fruits of his labors. He levered himself up on one elbow and stared down into her face, watching as she had the orgasm he brought to her with his caressing fingers. “Do you always close your eyes when you climax?” “I don’t know,” she replied, her hips lunging against his hand. He kissed her cheek. “And breathe through your mouth?” “What is this—twenty questions?” She opened her eyes and stared up at him. “I’m just observing you. You close your eyes and breathe through your mouth. Your breasts jiggle temptingly. Your belly contracts. You spread 213

Fawn Lowery your legs wider.” “Are you writing a book?” The orgasm took complete control of her body, making her arch her back and grab his hand with both of hers pressing his palm harder against her crotch. She rolled her head on the pillow, panting though her mouth in order to fill her lungs with much needed oxygen. The sensations rolled along her senses, spinning through her limbs with lightening speed. “Damn! You’re good…with your…fingers.” “Mmmm.” He pulled his hand away and rolled atop her body. “I’m even better with my cock.” He lunged inside her, pinning her with his long length. He began to move, coaxing her to move her hips as he ground his crotch against her sensitive clitoris. “You’re making me come again!” She hadn’t fully recovered from the first orgasm when the second was upon her. She yelped out loud and let the sensations stream through her insides. “I don’t give…a shit…if you are…taking notes, Rick. That…feels wonderful.” He laughed and kissed her mouth, pumping into her with a thrusting force that made the bed shake. Momentarily he shot his wad and collapsed on top of her. “I want to spend the rest of my life right here— 214

Janna's Werewolf fucking you.” She raked one hand along his back, scratching him with her nails. For the life of her, she couldn’t think of any place she would rather be. A wide grin spanned her face. She felt a wave of contentment wash over her insides. **** Rick was slumbering peacefully beside her. She eased from the bed and tiptoed out of the room. Just a few minutes ago she had stifled a wave of alarm that shook her awake. The uncanny sensation that Nick Austin had suddenly arrived at her house stole through her insides. She ran her hands along her bare arms, trying to ward off the chill of fear she was experiencing. Perhaps she should have awakened Rick—but then he was sleeping so soundly she hated to disturb him. She peered out the living room window, her keen gaze slowly traveling over the yard and the house across the street, searching for movement. The glow of the full moon lit the outside, making it easy to inspect each and every tree and shrub in her yard and those of the neighbors. She cast her gaze up the avenue, then down, on the alert for the gleam of headlights. Since learning that Austin was really Lee Collins and a former cop, she reminded herself 215

Fawn Lowery that he not only possessed the wit and cunning of a werewolf, but the trained professionalism of a policeman. He knew how to tail and keep someone under surveillance without being detected. She stifled a yawn, covering her mouth with one hand. For the past two nights, she had failed to sleep, spending several hours peering out the window in search of Nick Austin. The lack of sleep was beginning to take its toll on her body. She rubbed the back of her neck with one hand, trying to relax her taut muscles. She left the window in the living room after deciding Austin wasn’t in the front of the house— to the best of her knowledge. She walked into the kitchen, situated in the back of the rental house and inched aside the cotton curtain concealing the glass on the backdoor. She looked toward the small stand of trees lining the back yard, her eyes alert for movement. It was harder to see out the back as compared to scanning the front yard. The trees were tall and bushy and cast shadows across the grass. She noticed then there was a bit of a breeze; the treetops were swaying slightly, making it even harder to detect motion. She felt weary with it all. She felt the onset of a headache at the back of her eyes. She grimaced and massaged her neck again. If only Austin would throw himself in front of a semi and end it 216

Janna's Werewolf all—she would be so happy. She chuckled to herself. If wishes were horses— She felt a tingle of awareness grip her nerves suddenly. She listened with her acute hearing, straining her senses to prove her suspicions wrong. Had she heard something, a noise, foreign to the swishing noise the treetops were making as the wind wafted through them? Or had she imagined it all? She inched the curtain further to the side, giving her eyesight a wider range of motion. Cautiously she peered at the stand of trees, her gaze moving only minutely as she held her breath. The feeling of intense awareness of danger gripped her gut. He’s here!

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he felt her teeth clatter together in fright. Her knees felt like rubber. Her breath caught up in her throat. She strained her ears, calling on that acute hearing her werewolf heritage had given her. Her keen werewolf vision darted into the darkness amid the stand of trees lining the back yard and stretching beyond the neighbor’s property. Common ground, it was called, a narrow expanse of woods left by the builder of the subdivision to separate the two phases of the housing project. It was a good place to run, small, yet concealing. And now Nick Austin, a.k.a. Lee Collins a.k.a. rampaging werewolf, had chosen to lurk and watch her house. She gritted her teeth. She knew her strength was nothing compared to his—he was bigger, stronger, even before transformation. And since he killed when he Changed, he had grown in strength and ability just from exercising the power 218

Janna's Werewolf the Curse granted to him. She combed a hand through her hair. He needs to be stopped. She bit on her bottom lip, trying to decide whether to wake Rick or go after Austin alone. The choice could mean life or death for her. Or it could mean she might outwit him—in some manner. She let out a pent up breath, her eyes pinned to one particular spot amid the tree line. She had noticed movement in that area—or at least she thought she noticed movement—she was so rattled emotionally that she couldn’t be sure. She turned abruptly. Standing there thinking about it wasn’t getting the job done. She tiptoed back toward the bedroom, pausing at the door to listen for Rick’s easy breathing. Satisfied that he was still sleeping soundly, she crossed the room to the closet and inched the door open. She pulled jeans and a shirt off the hangar and found her tennis shoes on the floor of the closet. Being careful not to make a sound, she hurried out of the room. She dressed quickly and began searching for the gun Rick said he had bought. She sure as hell hoped it wasn’t in the bedroom. She didn’t want to risk waking him and having to fend off any questions he would have. She could almost be certain he’d refuse to let her venture outside the house—the only part of her plan so far that didn’t 219

Fawn Lowery bring her nerves tightening up to the extent that she felt she would puke. She remembered then that he had a briefcase when he came home. He had been spending a few hours each day with the editors of the newspaper, trying to learn their schedules and the types of stories they wanted to print. She suspected, though he hadn’t confirmed, that he would squelch each and every story involving werewolf activity in the vicinity. She found his briefcase and held her breath while she flipped the latches, releasing the top of the leather case. She skimmed her hands over the contents, and stifled a shiver when her fingers touched the cold hard steel of a gun. She gingerly lifted the weapon and tried its grip in her right hand. Well, she had managed to find it, but could she use it if the need arrived? She decided she’d leave through the front door, since it was quieter than the back door, and since she sensed that Austin was lurking in the trees lining the backyard, she didn’t want to take a chance on him seeing her emerge from the house. She mentally cautioned herself that he was smarter and wiser to the ways of stalking than she, she inched the door back on its hinges. A squeak as loud as a sonic boom suddenly pierced the quiet of the house! Son-of-a-bitch! 220

Janna's Werewolf She froze, listening for signs that Rick had been awakened. Finally, after it seemed an hour had passed and she heard nothing from him, she decided the noise hadn’t penetrated his deep sleep. She slipped through the doorway and stepped onto the porch, the gun clutched in her hand, her heart beating in her throat. If she could slip up on Austin, she’d shoot first—and forget about asking questions. She made her way across the front yard, taking cover in the hedge lining the picket fence separating her yard from the next-door neighbor’s. She crouched for a moment, gathering her courage and flexing her hold on the gun handle. She realized then that it was weighty. I hope to hell it’s loaded. She stifled a shiver of foreboding and began to move, crouched low and keeping to the bushes. She began working her way to the back of the property, her eyes on the line of trees where she thought Austin waited. She paused and tipped her nose in the air. The unmistakable musk of a werewolf came to her nostrils, reinforcing her sense that he was indeed in the trees directly in front of her. She pulled the scent into her lungs, hating the aroma and the memories it carried. He’s probably scented me by now! She knew he had. 221

Fawn Lowery It was inevitable. The urge to transform suddenly came over her. She would have more power, more agility, if she Changed into wolf form—and she needed every advantage she could summon. But could she use the gun when she was Changed? Could her clawlike hands grip the butt and pull the trigger? She felt her hopes flag. She couldn’t take the risk of transforming and not being able to shoot Austin. Shooting the bastard is why I’m out here. She moved forward a bit, keeping low, her senses alert, her eyes pinned on the spot amid the trees where she thought he waited. The foreboding feeling she harbored grew in intensity. It was a vivid reminder that she was out there alone, with no one to depend on but herself. The tree line was about fifty feet directly in front of her, and the cover of the hedge she had inched along, was at an end. The back yard gave way to a smooth expanse of grass leading right up to the towering oaks and pine trees. It was a pretty sight in the daylight, but the darkness gave it an eerie appearance. Cold shivers of dread raced along her spine as she pulled in a steadying breath and prepared to run across the opening into the concealment of the trees. If he’s out there—he’ll make himself known the second I stand up to run. 222

Janna's Werewolf She gathered her courage, gripping the butt of the gun in a tight clench as she stood. In the next second, she sprang forward and raced as fast as she could toward the stand of trees. She never saw the figure that sprang at her from behind—only felt the powerful grasp on the back of her shirt when it brought her crashing to the ground. The breath was knocked from her lungs; she landed hard, pounding against the unyielding ground on her stomach. A loud whish of breath burst from her mouth and sudden pain streaked through her bones. She managed to hang on to the gun as she hit the ground and every fiber in her body knew she had to react immediately. She brought her legs up, raising her body to a position to flee, but the grasp on her shirt held her fast. She pushed with her feet, trying to lever her body to the front, only to feel the pressure increase. In the blink of an eye, she was propelled forward, her feet off the ground and flung into the dense stand of trees. She landed on her feet and hands and set off running, with the threatening force quick on her heels. Another moment and she would have broken through the narrow line of trees but once more she was overtaken and thrown to the ground. “You can’t escape me, bitch!” She landed on her back, and he was on top of 223

Fawn Lowery her in an instant, pinning her with his weight. She scrambled beneath him, her butt and shoulders shuffling around in the underbrush at the base of a tall pine tree. She felt the piercing sting of pine needles as they dug into her back and buttocks. She wrenched her body from side to side, her heart pounding in her chest, as Austin grasped her arms and pinned them above her head. She opened her mouth to scream and felt the sting of his hand as it landed across her face. She tasted her own blood on her tongue and realized too late it had come from her nose and mouth. She tried to gather her senses; tried to reason her predicament but the fright manifested within her body was too overpowering. She was pinned beneath the werewolf and at his mercy. The odor of him was overpowering. Anger, lust, the stench of male musk, all rolled into the heated rage that filtered down from his large body as he bore down on her. He’ll rape me first! The thought pierced her brain, spun round in her head. Maybe it will buy me some time. The hand across her face almost shut off her breathing. She struggled to gasp a breath, wrenching her head from side to side and fighting the urge to give up. His weight was enormous—so heavy on her ribs and abdomen that she felt 224

Janna's Werewolf crushed to some extent. She struggled to stay conscious. He laughed at her, a low, menacing growl deep in his throat. The sound seemed to penetrate her very being, perhaps a warning of her final moments of life. She tried to jerk her arms free, realized she had lost the gun she intended to use on him. She blinked her eyes up at him, tried to make out his form through the murky darkness. He hovered just above her body, his very presence terrifying to behold. Suddenly he pulled the hand covering her mouth away, slowly, as though silently threatening her. She gasped in great gulps of needed air; filling her lungs and feeling her body revive from its near starvation of oxygen. Her chest heaved and her lungs ached. Her body quivered with fright, shaking so violently that she expected Austin to comment on it as she lay there in her pinned state, her werewolf eyes trying to discern his male features through the shadowed moonlight. His hand moved off her mouth and nose so that she could gulp in air, but he didn’t entirely pull it from her body. He pressed against her throat with his hand, curling his fingers just beneath her chin and forcing her head back, pressing her scalp into the ground. He held her hands with one of his, stretched above her head, 225

Fawn Lowery while he applied pressure to her throat with the other. “You bastard!” Her voice was a raspy croak. He increased the pressure on her throat. “So you intend to choke me—is that it?” She felt his hand move off her throat and travel down her body, groping her left breast. “I intend to do all sorts of things to you.” His tone was low, husky, threatening. “I’m going to rip off your clothes and fuck you in every orifice you have, then I’m going to throw parts of you into every treetop around here.” “You’re a fucking murderer, Lee Collins! You give the rest of us werewolves a bad name!” The sudden mention of his real name halted his hand on her breast. He grabbed her by the throat, clenching his fingers and digging his nails into her flesh. “What else do you know—not that it really matters at this stage of the game.” I can buy some time! She tried to think—what could she say that would give her time to try and escape? “I know the three people you killed were werewolves.” His weight shifted atop her body, giving her a brief respite. She stole the opportunity to shift her hips and bend her knees slightly. If she could manage to distract him, maybe she could surprise 226

Janna's Werewolf him and slip loose. “What happened to you that made you leave the police force?” “You’ve written your last newspaper column, Janna Connor.” The fact that he knew her real name only slightly surprised her and besides, it was well past the time for surprises. She was in real danger and needed to clear her head if she stood any chance of surviving his attack. “Since you intend to kill me anyway, why don’t you just level with me? Why don’t you tell me what’s behind your murdering rampage?” He grasped her blouse in a clenched fist and ripped it from her body. Janna screamed as loud as she could before he hit her across the face with the back of his hand. The stinging blow brought tears to her eyes. “I set out to kill every fucking werewolf I could catch. You know, it’s pretty easy when you become one of them. You have that intense ability to hear things others can’t and you have uncanny senses that pick up on peoples’ feelings, their fears and emotions.” She sensed he was growing angrier by the second. He closed one hand around her right breast, pinching her nipple between his thumb and forefinger until she whimpered in pain. “You’re the murdering rogue that went on a 227

Fawn Lowery rampage in Dover Run.” “No. I killed that motherfucker!” She strained her eyes to see his face; he grew angrier at every sentence he spoke. “I was living a peaceful life—and I know you can’t believe it now, but I was content with being a cop and keeping the peace. Then, one night as I drove home, I happened to see an accident and pulled over to investigate. Just as I was getting out of the car, something jumped me from behind. I was knocked to the ground and savagely attacked. I managed to get my gun out of my shoulder holster and by sheer luck, managed to kill the attacker.” Janna sucked in a quick breath as his hand moved to the waistband of her jeans. He clutched a fistful and gave a yank, levering her body off the ground and wrenching her back before the fabric gave way in his hand. She let out a painful yelp and tried to free her hands from his grasp above her head. She struggled while he held her down until her strength flagged. “The first time the moon Changed, I went through hell. My body Changed into a werewolf and my life has been hell ever since. I figured the thing that attacked me was the rogue werewolf who had come from out west and had been killing at random. I made up my mind that I would hunt down every werewolf I could find and destroy it.” 228

Janna's Werewolf “Even the innocent ones that never meant you any harm?” “Even the little reporter that fled Dover Run because I was getting too close!” He snarled suddenly and Janna knew he was enraged—and going to transform before too long. She was living on borrowed time. Change, you wimp! Change and fight the son-of-abitch! She tried to summon the Magic, tried to concentrate while he tore at her clothes with a viciousness that she had never known. She pulled in deep breaths of air, filled her lungs and ordered the transformation to come upon her body. He snarled and rose upward, his body transforming above her. Suddenly she felt the pull on her muscles— knew the familiar tug on her body and for the first time in her entire life, welcomed the transformation as it came upon her. She felt new energy, felt her fears lessen and her strength gather. She lunged upward suddenly, springing up on her hind legs and flailing her newly transformed hands with their sharp claws. She charged at the big shadowy form looming out of the darkness with her powerful jaws gaping open, her razor sharp teeth bare. He morphed out, slamming a clawed paw against Janna’s chest and pressing her down, 229

Fawn Lowery pinning her against the ground. A muffled growl rent the silence surrounding them and for an instant Janna knew someone or some thing had joined them in the darkness. An inkling of hope sprang renewed. The sound of rustling underbrush came to her ears just as she glimpsed a dark form off to her left. A vicious snarl and the dark form sprang atop Austin’s transformed body, knocking him from his leveraged position atop Janna. Now freed, she sprang up on all fours, her teeth gnashing as the shadowy form fought with Nick Austin in his transformed state. They snarled and thrashed about in the underbrush, slamming their wolf bodies into tree trunks and rolling beneath the low hanging boughs of tall pine trees. Janna stood nearby, her eyes trying to see through the darkness to discern the two shapes. I really hope that’s Rick fighting with Austin! The thought that perhaps Austin had other werewolf allies she didn’t know about assailed her brain. The notion made her remember the gun she had brought from the house. She began a frantic search amid the underbrush for signs of it. She pressed her nose to the ground, sniffing frantically while the pair of werewolves tried to kill each other.

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Janna's Werewolf

Chapter Twenty

T

he shot rang out just as Janna located the gun amid the dense underbrush. She jerked around, spying a tall form standing upright at the edge of the woods. A new surge of fright gathered in her chest as she realized the foray between Austin and the other werewolf was at an end. Oh God! Please don’t let Rick be dead! She felt the pit of her stomach drop to her wolf knees. Her mouth went suddenly dry. She fought the urge to rush forward and see who had been shot afraid that she too might take a bullet from the tall form starting to move toward the tree line. She saw one of the hulking forms moving in the darkness, heard the underbrush rustle; saw the glare of a flashlight beam shining across the forest floor. She hurried to transform, to Change from her werewolf state to that of human so she could 231

Fawn Lowery make herself known. She pulled in a deep breath and waited for the Magic to come, steadying her pulse so that the form with the gun didn’t see her and take aim. The Magic rolled over her fur-covered body, transforming and changing, until she was once again human, her clothing tattered and hanging on her body in shreds. She crouched low, trying to discern who the moving form was beneath the tree. “Janna?” Rick’s voice came to her ears. Her heart jumped in her chest. She sprang forward, running through the underbrush with renewed energy toward the sound of his voice. She realized then that he was the survivor of the fight with Austin. She didn’t stop running until she was safely in his arms, pressing her body against his. Rick hugged her then pushed her forward, past the still form on the ground and into the clearing. “Are you all right, Marlow?” She recognized the gruff voice of Lieutenant Barton. He had shot Austin. He had saved Rick and probably, her as well. She tightened her arm around Rick’s waist, uncertain whether to divulge the truth to Barton or not. “You’re one hell of a shot, Tony.” Janna glanced at Rick. “It helped to have a flashlight. What in hell 232

Janna's Werewolf was that thing?” Janna felt uneasy suddenly. The Lieutenant was about to ask all the wrong questions. She gathered the remnants of her torn blouse across her breasts, suddenly conscious of her naked state, and took off toward the house. Austin was dead, Rick was safe and she could stop looking over her shoulder. That was all that mattered. At least for the moment. The thought jarred her. Yes. There would probably be others—werewolves that couldn’t control their urges to kill. Tears came to her eyes. If Lieutenant Barton believed his eyes when he fired that shot, he would forever be suspicious of her and Rick. She hated the notion of living her life under that veil of suspicion—that veil that was impossible to lift under any circumstance. She shivered with the knowledge that she could do nothing about who she was—what she was. She was forever a werewolf, until a bullet brought her down, or some other werewolf— perhaps twice her size—tore her to bits in a savage rage. Her thoughts were interrupted with the sound of the men’s voices coming from the front of the house. She walked to the window and saw Rick coming to the door and Lieutenant Barton walking down the street. The sudden wail of a siren broke the silence and momentarily an ambulance pulled 233

Fawn Lowery to the side of the avenue. She turned to the front door as Rick pushed it open. In a second she was in his arms, tears flowing like a river from her eyes. She buried her face in his shoulder and let it all come pouring out. He rubbed her back with his hands, soothing her with soft words at her ear. She couldn’t seem to stop crying, couldn’t get control of her emotions. Finally, Rick pushed her to arms length and gave her a little shake, quelling her sobs. “Austin is dead. It’s all over. You can relax.” “Easy for you to say.” She sniffed back tears. “I should have listened to you. I never should have tried to trap him on my own. I’m sorry.” He pulled her back into his arms and hugged her tightly. “I wasn’t far away.” She pushed out of his arms. “Weren’t you sleeping?” “With these wolf ears? I heard you get up, I heard you come back to the bedroom for clothes— I knew what you were up to. And I also knew that Lieutenant Barton had Lee Collins and the house under surveillance—which was no easy matter since Collins was an ex-cop and could spot a stake out a mile away.” She grinned sheepishly. “And in the event another werewolf comes to town hell-bent on killing innocent people—I think 234

Janna's Werewolf you should let the police handle the matter.” He smiled down at her. “Lieutenant Barton isn’t a complete believer in werewolves, but he’s well on the way.” “You told him?” He shook his head. “Luckily, I had time to Change before he came into the woods. But he saw Austin’s big furry body Change back to human form right before his eyes.” “Oh God!” “Don’t worry. He has no idea about you or I. He’s still trying to believe his eyes. By tomorrow he’ll think he was imagining things.” He sounded so confident that she relaxed a little. She snuggled against his chest, willing her body to let go of the remnants of fright she harbored. She closed her eyes and breathed in Rick’s scent, filling her lungs with the familiar fragrance. “I love you.” She whispered the words hugging him close. “And I love you, babe.” She felt relief travel through her insides. It was good to finally admit her feelings for him out loud. She smiled at the serenity that suddenly flooded her senses. And the barrage of sexual arousal that suddenly overtook her body. She tipped her head for his kiss. 235

Fawn Lowery “I know you’re not ready to marry me, but will you move in with me when the house is finished?” “Yes.” He squeezed her in his arms. “And when you get ready to be my wife, will you let me know?” She thought about all the self-doubts she harbored and vowed to find solutions for each and every one of them, to rid her mind of thoughts that being a werewolf was the equivalent of having no life at all. And with Rick’s help, she knew she would be successful. “You’ll be the first to know.” Her heart swelled with love as she snuggled deeper into the safety of his capable arms.

The End

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About the Author

I

began writing freelance almost twenty years ago and eventually my short stories became longer. The characters seemed to take over and draw their stories out. I first submitted a novella length story to Extasy Books in 2003 and it was accepted. That was Captive Heart, the historical romance now on the site. I have eight titles with Extasy Books. New ideas come to mind every day and some of them find their way on the computer screen. When I’m not writing, I enjoy traveling with my husband Dave.