Chapter One
Red and silver neon lights blinked from the sign above Jamie’s head, identifying the Silver Spur Bar to the dark parking lot. The modest, wood-paneled structure wasn’t anything spectacular. It looked like any other bar in Big Bear, California, but for Jamie it was an escape from the empty living room awaiting him at home; an excuse to not sit on his beat-up leather couch, sipping on a beer and flipping through uninteresting late-night television.
He let out a sigh and opened the door of his green Frontier. He wished he could have stayed longer with his best friend—and Alpha—Killian, but the looks Cat had been shooting over made even small conversation uncomfortable. Going on three months after their mating ceremony, and they still struggled to keep their clothes on. Why they had even bothered to invite Jamie over for dinner was beyond him. It was probably a test to see if he could tell whether Cat had cooked or not. Oh, he could. His stomach still curdled at the thought of the watery mashed potatoes and overseasoned chicken she’d set on his plate.
After working a twelve-hour shift at the police station and then having dinner at Killian’s, he probably should have gone home. However, he couldn’t drag his mentally and physically exhausted body to the lonely existence awaiting him there. Instead, he pushed through the oak door boasting carvings of horses and trees. The scent of smoke-covered bodies and cheap booze bombarded his senses, and he welcomed the presence of his fellow bar buddies. Music cranked from the overhead system, thumping his insides with the tempo of good old country music. A kaleidoscope of lights flooded the dance floor with different colors bouncing off bodies as they attempted to keep the beat in their drunken state.
Big Bear hosted a ton of tourists every year, primarily during the summer and winter as they flocked to the lake and campsites surrounded by mountain scenery. The crowd inside was evidence that summer was in full swing.
He bypassed the dance floor with its writhing bodies, only interested in the dark U-shaped bar at the other side of the building. The bartender smiled at him, despite her energy-sapped eyes.
“Haven’t seen you in a while. Do you want your usual?” She’d already reached over to grab his drink, drawing his gaze to an arm covered in white tattoos, a sharp contrast to her ebony skin.
“Yeah, sounds good, Lucy,” Jamie shouted over the music, dropping down on a stool next to an older gentleman with a gray beard stretching to the middle of his chest. They nodded to each other in acknowledgment before resuming their I’m-alone curve over the edge of the bar.
Lucy popped the cap off his beer and slid it over to his waiting hands with practiced precision.
“That’s my girl,” he said, tilting the mouth of his beer toward her in thanks. Lucy laughed and tucked a couple of her long braids behind her ear before heading to the other end of the bar.
Peeling the label off the amber glass, Jamie twisted the stool to watch the dancers; the energy pulsing from the small dancing square built with the quickening music. Women danced with women, giggling and throwing their hair in wild circles. Couples danced together with intense rapture, caught up in the grinding of their hips. Then there were always the men on the side, prowling for the women who caught their eye. Much better than late-night television.
A wave of fresh air came from the entrance, and a scent hit him: Shifter. He leaned his body slightly to see who walked in the door. Maybe Finn or Brian—his packmates—had decided to stop by for a drink. But it wasn’t their scent, and it wasn’t a man standing there, but a woman, taking in her surroundings with pursed lips. She shrugged an oversize purse closer to her body. Lights danced across her as she sniffed deeply, her nose crinkling before her gaze darted toward Jamie. He gulped down some beer and nodded at her in acknowledgment. What was an unfamiliar shifter doing in Big Bear?
She strolled across the floor, her long legs traversing the space with confidence and her barely there shorts riding up with every step. Damn. The loose brown tank top she wore did nothing to hide the curves and generous breasts beneath. The fabric swayed with each step of her sandaled feet, and Jamie wanted nothing more than to see what was underneath. She walked right to him, and hell if he could blame her; he was the only person in the room who wasn’t heavily intoxicated, wearing a mile-long beard, or smelled like urine.
He knew the body language of a woman. Whether it was from his years as a cop or his love for the female specimen, he noticed a woman’s hidden hints. And this woman was no different, but she wasn’t hiding it either. As she slid onto the stool next to Jamie, her silver eyes glittered with challenge as she licked her red-painted lips. She pulled her wavy black hair over to one side, wafting vanilla into the air. Blood shot straight to his groin. God help him. He loved vanilla.
“Hey,” she said. Her voice had that natural rasp to it that always drove him wild. Jamie was suddenly glad he’d decided to skip the marathon of horrible shows.
He smiled, turning on his stool to fully face her. “Hi.”
She flicked her hand to Lucy, the movement causing a tiny ring on her forefinger to glint in the lights. Lucy leaned against the bar to hear over the loud music.
“I’ll have a whiskey sour,” the woman said. Lucy nodded and started to walk off before the woman continued, “And he’s paying.”
A thumb pointed at Jamie, and he laughed, both at her challenge and the wide-eyed glance Lucy shot his way.
“It’s fine, Lucy. Just get it for her.” He stared at the peculiar female in front of him. She tapped a long, teal-painted fingernail against the dark wood counter to the tempo, looking at the bottles lining the shelves behind the bar. “I think I deserve to at least know the name of the woman I am buying a drink for, don’t you?”
She tilted her head, a smile curving her lips. “Skylar.”
“Skylar.” He rolled the name over his tongue. Only a girl with the confidence she portrayed could get away with a name more traditionally masculine. “I’m Jamie.”
He held out a hand, which she took gently into her own. Smooth skin met his palm, and he wanted to rub his fingers across the tender flesh of her wrist—to find the erogenous zones most women didn’t even know they had. Skylar pulled her hand back leisurely, trailing her fingers along his palm as her gaze traveled the length of his body.
Lucy set a glass down in front of her, ending the moment. Skylar cleared her throat and took a sip of her drink, pursing her lips against the sour taste.
“So, Jamie, what is there to do in Big Bear?” She inflected his name saucily.
“Depends on what you’re into.”
Skylar shot him a sideways glance, eyes twinkling with mirth. “I’m into just about everything.”
Jamie’s throat closed as he choked on the sip of beer he’d just taken. The hidden message behind her words rattled him, sending his dick so many signals it wasn’t even funny. A song with an upbeat tempo started playing, saving Jamie from having to respond.
“Well then, I guess that means you’ll be into dancing with me?” He tilted his head toward the dance floor.
She eyed the floor and its flurry of bodies. As much of a flurry as it would ever get, anyway. Jamie’s stomach sank with the realization she might turn him down.
“Sure, cowboy. Why not?” Skylar downed her drink and slammed the glass on the bar before she stood from the stool. Jamie chugged the rest of his beer, set it down, and then followed her to the dance floor.
Her hips swayed side-to-side as she moved to the center of the dance floor. Jamie followed, entranced by the subtle movement as she familiarized herself with the beat of the song. It didn’t pass his notice that the men on the outskirts of the floor gravitated toward her. Or the way her eyes locked on to his with a come-hither stare. And he definitely noticed the way his pulse quickened at the promise of what could happen by the end of the night.
She moved to the music and closed her eyes, content to keep space between them. But he wasn’t. Jamie reached out a hand to grasp her hip, pulling her to him hip-to-hip, chest-to-chest. Her eyes shot open, silver pools burning with need and a subtle shade of loneliness. He leaned over, placing his lips to her ear.
“This is how I dance.” He ground into her, letting her feel that she wasn’t the only one who felt the desire. Even if it was only their shared loneliness and similar species, it was enough for them at that moment. To need. To feel.
She rubbed against him, stroking his hardening dick with the small movements of her shapely hips. Jamie shoved a leg between hers, pulling her closer for the ride. It only drove him wilder when she didn’t once remove her gaze from his. Just the look on her face was enough to have him take her home. And she knew it. A growl rumbled from his chest when her hands slid under his shirt to touch the bare skin of his back. He slid one hand from her hip to her lower back, successfully pulling her closer. She shivered and gasped beneath his fingertips as the closeness pushed his leg harder into her clit. God, he could probably make her orgasm right there. With the friction of their bodies and the chemistry between the two of them it was entirely possible. Until the DJ changed the song to something slow.
Why they were continuing the charade, Jamie wasn’t sure, but it still thrilled him. They both knew where they were going to end up, but teasing was all part of the fun. Pulses raised, cheeks flushed, erotic desire. What good was sex if there was no exciting foreplay beforehand? He moved his leg but kept her close, swaying their two bodies back and forth to the ballad. She brushed her nose against the spot just below his ear, her hot breath sending ripples of pleasure down his spine.
“I like this song,” Skylar whispered.
“Yeah? I think it’s a little overplayed.” It was too hard to focus on the lyrics with the way her ass felt in his hands. He stroked the top of her shorts with his thumbs, dipping them inside now and then just to hear her sharp inhalation.
“The lyrics are incredible.” She paused to lick her lips. The tip of her tongue brushed across his skin. His whole body pulsed, and he sucked in a sharp breath, squeezing her in response. “Don’t you think it sounds like us right now?”
“Hmm. I don’t know about that. I want to go home with you pretty bad, not just be alone with you.”
“You’re such a guy,” she said, laughing, and he caught the subtle twang of someone from the Northwest. She shifted to look up at him. Their lips were inches apart, and their breath mingled. Her parted lips practically begged him to lower his. And damn if he didn’t want to. “So, what are you waiting for, cowboy?”
The permission in her eyes mixed with the words shot through his veins, fueling his need. Jamie stared at her, hesitating for a moment and lost in the rainbow of emotion swimming within the silver pools of her eyes, then grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door.
* * * *
Jamie struggled to focus on the road back to Wolf Creek with the sexy woman next to him occasionally glancing his way to lock eyes, and jiggling her leg with anxious excitement; at least he hoped that was why she jiggled it. When he pulled up into the short driveway in front of his cabin, he shot her a smirk before jumping out to open her door, only to find her already halfway out. She slid from her seat and eyed his home appreciatively.
The log cabin sat tucked behind towering pine trees, its small exterior homey and inviting. Rolled log beams accentuated the A-frame roof, and stone pillars surrounded the small front porch. The natural materials graced its surroundings with quiet elegance. Multicolored hostas surrounded the foundation of the home, a bright splash against the shaded location. His sister, Jessica, had said his home needed to look lived in and took it upon herself to plant them, and he didn’t have the heart to let them die. It was home.
“It’s nice. Very cozy.” She smiled and shrugged her purse higher on her shoulder.
“Yeah. I like it.”
Skylar hadn’t moved from her position next to the truck, so he grasped her hand and entwined his fingers with hers, tugging her toward his home. The screen door squeaked in the silence of the night, and his keys jangled as he tried to find the right one in the darkness.
Of all the times to forget to leave the porch light on, Jamie Lewis, he mentally chastised himself.
Finally finding the right key, he swung the door open and flipped the two switches by the door, illuminating the living room and entryway. He pulled her in and shut the door behind them as she took in the house. In the living room to the right, a single broken-in fabric couch sat in front of a flat-screen mounted above a grand stone fireplace. Shadows and yellow light glinted across dark granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. In the small dining room, a thick, oak table with six matching chairs filled most of the space beneath a circular chandelier with mock candles.
He pointed toward the kitchen. “Want a drink?”
Skylar turned back to him, the indecisiveness in her eyes almost making him take her back to the bar. But then her tongue flicked out to her upper lip; her fingers tugged at the hem of her tank top, ever so slowly bringing it higher. She shook her head and stepped closer to him until his back bumped into the front door. She pulled the material over her head and then pushed her body closer to Jamie’s, the brush of her breasts against his shirt sending electric desire shooting through his system. Licking his lips, he watched the shirt fall to the ground in a tantalizing heap.
“Do I look like I want another drink, cowboy?” she whispered, her husky voice full of desire.
Jamie dropped his mouth to her cherry-red lips, crashing into them, desperate for a taste of the siren in his entryway. His hands shot to her head, his fingers digging into her thick waves, bringing her closer.
She was fire—red-hot and dangerous to touch—but so tempting. And God, her taste. He’d only had one beer, yet the taste of her mouth had his head buzzing as though he’d had a twelve-pack. She sighed into him, opening her mouth for his tongue and pressing her body closer. Her shorts-clad hips dug into his throbbing dick at the same moment his tongue tangled with hers. She ground into him like she had on the dance floor, and he groaned at the rippling desire catapulting up his spine.
He picked her up, his fingers digging into her curvy ass. Her tongue flicked his, and her legs wrapped around his waist. She gave a throaty laugh and tugged at the ends of his hair. He yearned for more of the delicious taste flooding his mouth, one that was uniquely hers: whiskey sour mixed with something purely Skylar, like vanilla and spice. He wanted to see if the rest of her tasted the same.
He kicked his bedroom door open, thankful it had already been ajar from earlier that morning. He dropped her in the middle of his bed and watched as her body bounced from the impact. Large breasts shook beneath a black strapless bra, threatening to break over the cups. She unbuttoned her shorts and gazed up at him in invitation.
Jamie knelt on the mattress above her and pulled her shorts down to reveal black lace panties. He crawled up her body to kiss her lips before traveling down her neck, tasting every inch of her skin. He savored her flavor, every gasp that passed from her lips encouraging his journey down. He unclasped her bra at the same moment his lips met the rise of her breasts. His mind wanted to go slow, to relish the texture of her skin, the taste of her nipple as he closed his mouth on it, the way her nails scraped his scalp in pleasure. But his body begged to go faster. To push her to the brink and plunge into her welcome warmth.
Leaning on one elbow, Jamie moved the other hand down her stomach and into the front of her panties. Smooth, burning heat met his fingers, and he groaned at the feel of her slick need at his fingertips.
“Damn, sweetheart. You’re so wet.” He dipped one finger into her folds, tracing it up and down the silken lips. Skylar moaned, and her hands shot to his shoulders. She dug her nails in, and he wasn’t quite sure whether it was to push him away or pull him closer.
“Jamie…” she whispered, but he plunged a finger inside her and his name ended on a groan.
Her breathing accelerated with each stroke of his finger. Fuck, she was so sexy. Large breasts rising and falling with each ragged breath, lips parted, and eyes closed in pleasure. The way her hips rose with every thrust. He couldn’t help but watch as she got closer to the brink. Her legs tightened around his arm, and her back arched. The walls of her pussy clenched around his fingers, and damn if his dick didn’t harden in response. He was tempted. God, he was tempted just to let her go. Let her orgasm right there. But he wanted to be inside her when that happened. So he withdrew his fingers right when he knew she was there.
Skylar’s thick lashes shot open in surprise, a gasp of simultaneous pain and pleasure erupting from her mouth.
“Jamie, what the hell?”
“Hold on, sweetheart.” Jamie leaned down until his lips were next to her ear. “I want to be inside you when you come.” Before he pulled away, he bit on her earlobe, eliciting a shiver from her body.
He regretted getting up to get the condom, but it was his rule. Especially for bar pickups—shifter or no shifter. Pants removed and protection placed on his throbbing cock, he got back on the bed. She looked like the definition of erotic. Her black hair fanned out over his sheets, her curves welcoming him into her embrace. And the look in her eyes. Fuck. Desire, need, challenge. She made him want to give her the best night of her life. But at the moment, his dick was in charge.
Crouching above her, he leaned down to kiss her again, brushing across her plump, swollen lips with their erotic flavor. She wrapped her legs around him and sighed into his mouth.
“Don’t make me wait too much longer, cowboy.”
Jamie laughed, positioning himself at her entrance. The heat of her core beckoned him closer until he entered. Shit. Even with a condom on, it felt amazing. He groaned as every inch of his dick buried within her and her walls tugged at him to go deeper.
“Fuck,” Jamie gasped, licking his lips and trying not to come just from the sensation of her.
“Yeah. Fuck,” she whispered, but dug her fingers into his ass.
The way her thighs tightened around his waist, the way her fingers pulled him closer gave him the permission he needed. He withdrew to the tip of his cock and watched the anticipation light up in her eyes. When he slammed back in, he felt smug satisfaction in the way her eyelids fluttered closed and a groan of approval shot from her mouth. They pushed and pulled one another, each to the same tempo but trying desperately to bring each other to the final precipice. It was a challenge to see who would go first. Who would succumb to the fierce thrust of his cock into her core. Well, fuck if it would be Jamie.
He tilted his hips, and the pleasure rippled through both their bodies, intensified by the simple movement. Skylar tightened around him, a sign that she was close. His spine tingled, his legs shook, and his cock burned with the need to come. But he would make sure she went first. He brought a hand between them, brushing a thumb across her clit.
A groan burst from his chest at the feel of her orgasm. She stiffened beneath him and cried out in exultation. He pushed harder, faster, prolonging her ecstasy as he felt his balls tighten. Her legs shook around his hips, and he finally let go. His body exploded with his orgasm, and he thrust into her with each spurt of his cum. He leaned into her shoulder, their ragged breaths rocking their bodies. Or were they shaking from the pleasure each had just experienced?
When he softened within her and his legs felt a little more solid than the jelly they had been before, Jamie stood and walked to the bathroom. He knotted the condom, threw it in the trash, and looked in the mirror.
Jamie Lewis, your world just got rocked by a one-night stand.
Shaking his head with a little laugh, he ran a hand through his curls and walked back out of the bathroom. Skylar lay on her side facing the bathroom, nibbling her bottom lip. She didn’t seem to know what to do, and somehow Jamie found that cute. Despite her obvious ease in seduction, it became apparent that she didn’t make a habit of picking up one-nighters. Jamie leaned down to grab his boxers from the floor and smiled at her.
“Not getting shy on me now, are you?”
She shook her head. “Not in this lifetime. I don’t do shyness.”
“Mhmm.” He made a sound of doubt but couldn’t help the way his eyes raked over her beautiful form. He pointed out of the room, preventing himself from pouncing on her again. “Want that drink now?”
“Water, please.” She swallowed, her gaze trailing over his body. The lust in them made him regret the offer and want to dive back into bed.
“Sure. I’ll be right back.”
Jamie left the room and grabbed two water bottles from the refrigerator. After doubling back to make sure everything was locked, he returned. He sighed and fought the urge to groan in disappointment. She had fallen asleep, thick lashes still against her cheeks, hands beneath her face as she lay on her side. Her chest rose and fell slowly with each breath expelled from parted lips. Well, there went his plans for round two.
Jamie set the bottles on the nightstand and shut off the bathroom light before crawling into the bed with her. Maybe she’d leave in the morning. Sneak off like most one-nighters did.
Yet as he pulled the quilt over her, he couldn’t help trailing a finger down one thick black wave of hair, hoping he would get one more round before she disappeared.