Chapter Three

Gem was so dainty as she plopped into his lap. Evan had to admit this was the most interesting meet-and-greet he’d had in his relatively short time as Alpha for the Takhini pack.

The scent of her desire rose around them, making him feel slightly dirty. Oh, he liked having a long, lean honey panting over him. Especially one like this, with her soft brown skin, huge dark eyes that had grown even bigger when she’d caught a whiff of something in the air. Only, while she was delightful to look at, all smooth hourglass curves with endless legs and an elegant neck—she wasn’t his type. Too delicate, too fine, and definitely not catching his notice in terms of being his mate.

Which is what he’d picked up from her stumbling question. Something made her think he might be the one, and while he had no interest in forever, he’d be happy to let her be the one to call it quits today. Shouldn’t take too long—once he didn’t make her motor run, she would no doubt stop their intimate contact.

Of course, if this was some southern custom of greeting the ruling Alpha with a tumble—hell, who was he to argue with tradition? It wasn’t as if he didn’t get all kinds of intriguing offers from the local wolf ladies, based solely on his position. Having a visitor to do the mattress mambo with would be far less complicated than his current dilemma of keeping the power-seekers in check.

She kissed him back. Innocent, chaste, lips closed and pressed to his.

Forget that. Even if they were mates, a simple kiss wouldn’t be enough to confirm or deny their connection. While the scent on the air told him she was turned on, her reaction wasn’t in response to his touch. He needed her to know for sure—as in no way in hell are you my mate for sure.

A little more thorough encounter was required.

He grasped the back of her neck as he angled her head to the side, teasing the seam of her lips with his tongue until she opened to him.

Hmm, much better. With a hesitant touch, all warm and soft, she explored his mouth, her hands rising to cup his face, and he smiled. The kiss grew more heated, teeth and lips getting involved as she twisted in his lap, her chest rubbing his.

Oh, nice. Maybe she wasn’t too delicate after all. Evan withdrew his right hand from her back, sliding up her torso to cup one perfect breast, and she gasped against his lips. He soothed her, even as his thumb brushed the tightening tip of her nipple. She had nice firm mounds that he was sure would look spectacular if he stripped her. He gave a brief moment to consider what colour her nipples were, but his curiosity was nothing more than a typical male reaction to a desirable female. Nothing earth shaking or undeniable.

As far as he was concerned, this was fun, but not a forever mate-need-want-gotta-have situation.

Gem planted a hand on his chest and pushed, her lips separating from his with a soft sigh. There was a crease between her eyes and confusion on her face. He froze his hand and smiled back at her.

The little throat clearing that followed was kinda cute. “I…don’t feel anything.”

Hell, hiding his smirk was going to kill him. “Nothing?”

Her mouth opened to a shocked O. “It’s not that I don’t find you attractive, and I was enjoying—” Her gaze dropped to where he still grasped her breast. Embarrassment poured from her far stronger than lust, and Evan relented and withdrew his hand without a word.

But when she would have squirmed away he held her for another moment, releasing a trace of his wolf power to calm her. She lifted her gaze to meet his, and he touched her cheek. “You’re a lovely wolf, but you’re not mine. Don’t worry, we’ll figure out what’s up. Please, though, allow me to offer the protection of my pack while you’re in the north.”

Her brown eyes were enormous as she stared back. Making her part of his responsibility wasn’t necessary, but the offer felt right, especially after groping her. She might have walked into his office looking as if she owned the world, but she was a long way from home. Whatever physical mischief was happening—she needed a little reassurance and his Alpha genes had kicked into high gear.

Evan expected her to retreat as quickly as possible, but she surprised him by leaning in and kissing his cheek. “Thank you. For the offer of protection, and for allowing me to…satisfy my curiosity. I’m not sure what’s wrong.”

He helped her rise, supporting her until she regained her feet. “Anything unusual happen on your flight? You come in contact with any other wolves between arriving and now who caught your interest?”

“Nothing on the flight. I got a ride here with the cabbie, David, and I didn’t react to him at all. Since then I’ve been in my room waiting—they told me you were busy.”

Oh hell. And who had he been busy with? The only other wolf who’d been in his office today for long enough to leave a scent signature was Shaun.

Evan kept his face blank as the possibilities smacked him up the side of the head. This was getting more and more interesting. Was the princess panting over Shaun? “I think…”

She had taken a seat across from him on the couch, and watched with keen interest. Knees together, ankles delicately crossed, back straight. Add a china cup and a fancy hat, and she could have been at home having tea with the Queen. How was she going to take the news that her potential mate was three-sheets-to-the-wind at the moment?

How bad was Shaun going to flip? The guy had been almost crying like a girl over the fact he was all alone, but what kind of a woman had he been imagining as a mate? Evan eyed Gem again, and his sense of humour poked him hard. Maybe he should send her to Shaun’s room. Instant contact was the simplest way to figure out if there was some mate-ish stuff in the cards for the mismatched couple.

His common sense battled back and hog-tied the hysterical images of Gem and Shaun meeting right now, and forced him to consider the good of the pack and his commitment as Alpha.

Damn, sometimes having to be a grown-up sucked.

Gem waited for him to finish speaking, curiosity and more in her expression.

Evan rose to his feet and held out his hand to her. “I think the answer will have to wait for a little while. Come. I’ll buy you a late supper, then in the morning I’ll take you to someone who should be able to answer your questions.”

She hesitated before nodding. “If you think that would be best.”

His timing wasn’t what she wanted to hear—Evan sensed her frustration. But waiting was all he was willing to provide tonight, and she was far too polite to make a fuss. Lovely thing about well-bred young ladies, that. He led her to the bar, and let the anticipation of the fun and games coming tomorrow entertain his imagination.

Lordy, but she ached. The scent that had been driving her mad dissipated once they left Evan’s office. The kick-start to her libido was more difficult to turn off. Tucked into the corner of the pub with the music pulsing in time with the beat raging between her thighs, she was hard-pressed to remain aloof.

“Wine?”

Gem dragged her attention back to Evan. Wine? Oh, that was a question. She nodded.

Evan spoke to one of his waitresses, turning back to raise a questioning brow. “Would you like bison? Or salmon?”

Her mind whirled too hard to concentrate. “Please—whatever you decide will be fine.”

He patted her hand, nodding as if he understood her dilemma. Her gaze returned to the room around them as he finished ordering. Everywhere she looked there was something to catch her interest and increase her arousal. At the table opposite them a couple kissed, long and slow, infinitely erotic as their tongues brushed together. An electric tingle struck deep inside as she spotted two wolves leaning against the wall, one covering the other as he nuzzled his partner’s neck. The dance floor was filled, body to body, all gyrating and pumping in a wild enthusiastic celebration of life.

It was terribly hot. Gem patted her napkin over her forehead and neckline. She drained her water glass, and still the heat rampaging through her system refused to cool.

She’d already decided this was one of the most unusual evenings she’d ever spent when the constant stream of, for lack of a better term, hussies parading past their table began. No less than a dozen women came over. Supposedly to welcome her, but it was clear enough after the second faked casual hello they were there to see if Gem was a challenge to their hopes to hitch up with the Alpha.

Even in her mind-fuddled state, she was shocked. Some women would go to any lengths for attention, but this kind of approach was far too blatant to be effective. Getting your way around the male of the species, human or wolf, took a little more finesse.

Evan appeared uncomfortable with the whole situation. When he managed to scatter the final of the convoy like the squawking crows they were, he tossed Gem a less-than-in-control grin.

“Sorry about that. Ignore them.”

“Do you get this much attention from women all the time?”

“Well…”

His bravado was back, his expression changing as she stared at him, and the kiss they’d shared returned in vivid detail. She flushed. “I mean, not that I don’t think you’re attractive. You are, very, but…”

The tension between them dissipated as they both laughed. Evan winked. “Why, thank you. But yeah, it’s part of the hardship of having a high-ranked position and no partner.”

Gem considered his dilemma. “What would they have done if we had turned out to be mates?”

He paused in the middle of lifting his glass to his mouth. “How good are you at arm-wrestling?”

She smiled. “Is that a northern euphemism for displays of power?”

Evan nodded.

Interesting. Back home they all knew their place. There was little movement up or down the ranks in the pack, and everything stayed very dignified and orderly. Getting asked to show how strong she was—that hadn’t happened in a long time.

She rested her fingers on the back of his hand. “Excuse me if I break any rules—this isn’t a common situation for me.”

His sexy grin flashed. “Trust me, darling, there’s not much you could do to surprise me.”

She shrugged. Wolf hierarchy games had never thrilled her. She opened the mystical part of herself and let a smidgen sneak out. Just a tiny bit, like she had back at the airport.

Well, that was the intention. Maybe she was more tired now, or the confusion of the strange scent had affected her ability to maintain control. This time her power didn’t sneak, it ripped through the pub like a low-level sonic boom. All faces whipped in their direction. A few wolves fell to their feet. Chairs tipped as bodies scrambled back, eyes wide with…fear?

Oops.

“I have no idea why—” Sheer embarrassment heated her face, again. It seemed she was going to spend her entire time in the Yukon either aroused or embarrassed. Or both.

Evan stared slack-jawed for a minute before breaking out into a deep, strong laugh that shook the room harder than her momentary loss of control. He rose to his feet, turning with his palms open, his confidence streaming out like a calming balm.

“Relax, it’s okay. Everything is fine.”

The pack members dipped their heads, then turned back to their activities, music resuming. The overall tone in the pub remained subdued for a few minutes, with an awful lot of questioning glances tossed their direction.

The receptionist from the front desk, Caroline, popped in the doorway and glared at Evan. She rolled her eyes before making her way to a table occupied by a human couple. Gem overheard her commenting to them about music systems and overload feedback.

Great. She’d made the Takhini pack have to do damage control around humans. She was toast. She was going to be sent home on the first plane south, without a chance to complete her research.

“I stand corrected. That was not what I expected.” Evan’s tone was light, but a tad more respectful than before. Maybe.

She struggled to apologize enough to make up for her blunder. “I’m so sorry. I had no intention of making a public display that loud.”

He shrugged. “I’ve always been told it was the quiet ones to watch for, and in your case, that’s true. You pack a pretty punch there, sweetheart. Not quite as powerful as me though…” Evan polished his fingernails against his shirt, before tossing her an outrageous wink.

Forgiven? That easily? “I’m not in trouble?”

He pushed her empty water glass away to make room for the arriving plates of food. “No. No trouble. And thank you—all the women who have been hounding us should give me a bit of a reprieve, at least until you’re out of town. They aren’t going to mess with you, darling. Just in case, you know.”

The rest of dinner passed in a blur. She didn’t taste a thing, couldn’t remember a word she said. When Gem finally closed the door on Evan’s grin she was more confused than the last time she’d been alone in her hotel room.

Only her years of training in etiquette had allowed her to sit and chat with the pulse of sexual desire firing through her veins. She turned and headed toward her suitcase, kicking off her shoes, stripping the confining sweater and skirt away. There were more than a few times she must have lost her concentration, if the amusement on Evan’s face was any indication.

She was getting very tired of people finding her entertaining.

The aching need swirling around her refused to diminish. It was as if a shimmering layer of an aphrodisiac lay over her skin, from her toes to the top of her head. Nothing had ever turned her on like she was now.

And, Lordy, the music. The pounding beat drove lust hard. She still heard it, and in a flash, there was nothing she wanted more than to have passion surround her. Push her farther down the road toward an urgent release. She clicked on the radio and fiddled with the knobs until she found a local station with a similar rhythm.

There was a mirror mounted over the dresser, and she caught a glimpse of herself. Her light pink bra and panty set shone like pale cotton candy against her dark skin. She pulsed her hips in time with the music, letting her hands drift above her head in imitation of one of the women on the dance floor.

Only that lucky lady had a man opposite her, someone to stare in admiration. A partner to caress her, draw their torsos close and grind their bodies together to let the heat between them escape. Gem had nothing but this frustrating sexual urge and no one to ride it with.

Like usual.

She cranked up the volume then slipped back into position before the mirror to resume her dance. Fine. If she was alone, that meant she could go for it. Swing her body to the beat and do whatever she wanted. And if Evan found her a solution in the morning for her troubles, that was wonderful, but in the meantime…

If she had to take matters into her own hands, she had a lot of experience with that as well.

The faint scent of laundry soap rose off the bedsheets, and Shaun nestled deeper in the covers to make himself a nest. Hmm, that almost, but not quite, feminine fragrance. Some of his happy thoughts faded.

Female? There was no female in his room. Sadness slammed into him like an earth slide.

He sniffed harder. Man, whatever they washed the linens in not only smelled good, it kinda…turned him on. A momentary confusion scrambled his brain—and the idea he might have had a wee bit too much to drink passed by, waving madly. He ignored the mental suggestion, stuck his tongue out at it, in fact.

He was a wolf, damn it. He could hold his liquor.

One mad grope gathered the covers into his arms, and he buried his face in them to breathe deeply. The interesting scent vanished, covered by the cloying after-burn of dusty dryer sheets.

Nope. Nada. He sat up, the crumpled bed linens forgotten as he found his feet. The fragrance wasn’t coming off the bed, the delicious aroma instead rolled along the covers, originating from somewhere else.

Shaun hauled himself off the mattress, the clock staring at him with red eyes complaining it was barely nine o’clock. He swung his head to peek out the window—pale light and not daylight bright. Okay, that meant evening, not morning, so he hadn’t snoozed the entire night away yet.

There had to be a source to that wonderful smell. He was tempted to shift to a wolf—his sniffer would be stronger in that form, but doors were a bugger to manipulate with paws. Instead he clung to the wall to help stop the slow roll of…well, himself…as he made his way back to the main door.

Evan was a twisted bastard. Shaun grinned. The moonshine began to fade from his system as his wolf metabolism kicked into gear, but the wicked aftertaste remained, and the pounding in his head let him know he was going to hurt like the blazes.

Yeah, his Alpha was a right asshole—which pleased Shaun like whoa. The dude was the first Alpha he’d been beholden to whom he really respected when it came down to it. Just because a wolf was powerful enough to be able to boss around the rest of a pack didn’t mean they had to lose their sense of humour like most of the tight-assed jerks who ran other territories.

Both hands slid onto a smooth surface, and Shaun halted. The connecting door to the next room was warm under his palms, a soft thump, thump, thump radiating from the opposite side. It took a little maneuvering to get the deadbolt undone, and he swung his door inward.

The second door, the one from the neighbouring room, remained closed, but the volume of the music and the amazing scent increased tenfold. Shaun soaked in the bouquet. Delicious and invigorating. Appetizing enough to chase away the brain-buster of a headache hovering nearby. One deep breath after another cleansed the fog from his brain and lit a direct path from his nostrils southward.

Whatever the hell was on the other side, he had to have a taste.

The music changed, slowing in pace. Shaun pressed his ear against the door and froze in surprise as the surface retreated from him. He glanced to the side and spotted a faint crack of light glowing back. Holy shit—the lock on the second door was open, and as the space widened, he was gob-smacked with more of the mouth-watering goodness.

Leaning on the doorframe, he pushed and let the door swing on silent hinges away from him. His eyes adjusted to the increasing light, focusing in a flash as a pair of shapely cocoa-brown hips barely covered by pale pink panties swished from side to side not ten feet from him.