Moonstoned

MOONSTONED

…When Riviera got behind the wheel, the skin between her breasts tingled, and she looked down at the misty stone. Moonstone wasn’t expensive. Neither was silver, although the thick, heavy chain had a warm glow that only good quality and age could give it. As an antique, it might have some monetary value. As much as she wanted to keep it because Erich had given it to her, she had to return it. She couldn’t encourage him. She didn’t want him to think he could breeze into town whenever he wanted to find her waiting for him. Not this time. They’d played that game when she was too young and vulnerable to know better. Now, she was older and wiser. She wanted more and needed more and certainly deserved more, no matter how much she wished she could have it all with Erich. But having coffee with him wouldn’t hurt. She’d give back the necklace, and they’d part friends this time. Friends, as long as they never saw one another again. Nothing more. At the end of the week, Erich would move on as always. Another town, another race…and another woman. Riviera flinched. The thought was—and always had been—like a kick to her stomach. She started the car. If she had any sense at all, she’d head in the opposite direction…

ALSO BY LANI AAMES Gillian’s Island Valiant

Writing as Lanette Curington Starkissed

MOONSTONED BY LANI AAMES

AMBER QUILL PRESS, LLC http://www.amberquill.com

MOONSTONED AN AMBER QUILL PRESS BOOK This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. Amber Quill Press, LLC http://www.amberquill.com All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review. Copyright © 2004 by Lani Aames ISBN 1-59279-285-5 Cover Art © 2004 Trace Edward Zaber

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PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

MOONSTONED

PROLOGUE

A long time ago… The witch studied the naked man bound to the split face of a rectangular slab of rock. Iron spikes had been driven into the four corners, and thick leather straps held him fast. The man—long, lean, and hard with muscle—would not be able to escape, but the witch frowned. Unlike others before him, he didn’t struggle against his bonds or scream hollow threats until the spittle flew from his lips and ran down his chin. His member was half-erect instead of shriveled with terror…as if he might achieve full arousal if what stood before him interested him in any way. The man watched her as closely as she watched him, and unease rippled through her like water over pebbles in a stream. There were things in these mountains of which even she did not know, and for the first time in her long life she was afraid she might 1

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confront one of them this night. She tore her gaze away from his and glanced at the sky. A thick swirl of black clouds swathed the night. Earlier, she’d placed lighted torches around the sacrificial clearing, but now the storm closed in, distorting the flames. She brushed back long strands of silver hair the wind had whipped into her face and looked at the man again. Warm, golden light from the torches flickered over his taut tanned skin. He didn’t move or make a sound, and his golden brown eyes never left her. He didn’t seem disturbed by the storm, her presence, or the situation. Her frown turned into a smile. His courage and strength would enhance her powers more than any of the others. She pulled out a silver knife from a hidden pocket in her black robe and reached for the tie at her throat. She could feel the full moon, like quicksilver dancing in her veins, near its peak in the sky. The time was near. “I am sorry,” she said softly as she dropped her robe, revealing her naked body. Her knee-length silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, the ends fluttering in the blustery air. Although she was far older, her body was as beautiful as a woman in her prime. She ran her hands over her firm breasts, across her ribs, and down to the thick triangle of silver curls. She slipped the handle of the knife into her wet cunt, swirling it over her swollen nub, visually stimulating the man who watched her and building her own sexual energy. “You are a magnificent specimen.” Her arousal made her voice faint and breathless. “If I were younger, I would be foolish enough to keep you for myself.” She walked around the stone slab and stood at his side. Her free hand grasped his erection and rubbed up and down. His member grew long and rigid under her expert ministrations. She threw back her head and closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations that rippled through her 2

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body. Her hips undulated against the knife handle, and her hand pumped his erection with hard, quick strokes. Her breath came in shortened gasps, but as she neared her release, she pulled both hands free. She shuddered at the abrupt end to her self-pleasuring. “You have a beautiful cock. I’ll enjoy my ride tonight.” He remained silent. By now, the others had begun blubbering promises of everything they had or could do for her. She’d never been cruel enough to laugh at them, but none of them had anything she wanted or needed—except his life. Her limbs aquiver, she climbed the stone steps beside the altar and placed one foot on either side of him. She lowered herself slowly, until the tip of his cock touched her throbbing center. He was breathing heavily now, the only change she noticed. “You want to fuck me, don’t you?” She didn’t expect him to respond, and he didn’t disappoint her. With a deep moan, she thrust herself downward until she had taken him inside her completely. His hips jerked once, then he stilled. She flexed her inner muscles around him, enjoying the feel of a cock deep inside her. It had been exactly one year since she’d fucked a man, and it would be exactly one year before she’d do so again. A small price to pay considering what she gained in return: eternal youth and raw power. But she missed the loveliness of joining with a man, any man, often several times a day, as she had before she’d made the pact with her Master. She planted her knees on the slab and placed her palms on his broad chest, holding the knife between forefinger and thumb. The wind blew stronger, shrieking through the forest around them and causing the flames of the torches to twist and curl wildly. She moved her cunt up and down in a rhythm as old as time. She tossed her head and primal sounds escaped her parted lips. She loved fucking a man and wanted it to go on forever, but she felt the moon at the top of its journey across 3

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the sky. The time had come to release his energy. Just as she raised her arm as far as she could, ready to plunge the silver knife into his chest and carve out his still beating heart, the wind gusted and blew away the clouds, flooding the clearing with moonlight. He strained beneath her, his body contorting, and his cock twisted free of her. She tried to grab hold and put it inside her again, but his movements were too quick and frenzied. She readied the knife, to cut him enough to stop but not kill him when his body convulsed. His bowed body shot upward with enough force to toss her into the air. She landed with a crash on the hard-packed earth, the knife flying from her fingers into the shadows. “No!” she screeched and scrambled to her feet. If the ritual wasn’t performed at exactly the right time, everything she’d ever done would be for naught. She’d rip out his heart with her bare hands if she had to. She bounded across the clearing and leapt up onto the slab with unnatural speed and agility. He had begun to change into something else, and she stared down at the man in fascination. Thick, coarse hair sprouted from his skin and his face grew long and pointed. His limbs bent and reformed. One of his hands jerked loose from the leather strap and grabbed her by the throat before she could react. She looked into his glowing golden eyes and spoke one word, “Werwulf!” If only she had known he was a manwolf, she would have been more careful. His energy would have been incredible. With a vicious snarl, he lunged upright, his other limbs tearing free from his bonds. He raised her into the air and held her there as his fierce howl rose above the noise of the storm. She kicked her legs and clawed at his tightening fingers, but her efforts were useless against him. If she’d taken the time to retrieve the silver knife, she might have had a chance. She stopped fighting him and gathered her energy, facing death as she had everything in life, with fortitude and vengeance. In an ancient 4

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tongue, she uttered the curse that would haunt this werwulf unto the last generation of his line just before he bared his long, sharp teeth and ripped out her throat, sending her soul into the dark beyond.

5

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CHAPTER 1

Now… The silver chain flashed as the necklace swayed in the cool autumn breeze. Riviera Owens shaded her eyes against the glare of the late afternoon sun and started across the grassy median of the flea market grounds. Piles of junk, mostly old automotive and motorcycle parts, filled the booth. The lone necklace was the only piece of jewelry she could see. “Hey, Ria, where are you going? I need some help with these boxes.” Riviera stopped and glanced back at her friend and business partner, Lynn Porter. She looked at the necklace again, then called to Lynn, “I won’t be long.” She hurried toward the booth before Lynn could object. Both of them knew she lost all sense of time when rifling through trash and treasures where a minute could easily turn into an hour. She went 6

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straight to the necklace. The chain glowed like real silver, and the polished stone was misty grey. “Moonstone,” said a male voice she recognized instantly, even though it had been five years since she last heard it. Riviera’s heart fluttered unsteadily, and her breath caught and held. The necklace became a blur, and the man sitting in front of the booth doorway came sharply into focus. Erich Lambert. She hadn’t noticed him at all, not from across the midway or as she approached the booth. He was seated in a lawn chair, his long jeansclad legs propped up on a stack of boxes. An open book covered his lap. Riviera wanted to be that book. She blinked at him, wondering why she would think such a thing, and cleared her throat. “Erich.” He looked her over…slowly…from the top of her head to her waist, as much of her as he could see from where he sat. His gaze was like a warm, intimate caress and caused her skin to heat up. Self-consciously, she brushed back strands of dark hair that had come loose from her ponytail and tugged her jean jacket together, although it was suddenly too hot. Not even the brisk October air could cool her off. Erich smiled that wonderful smile she knew too well. It reached his eyes, adding sparkle to the golden brown. Stepping up to the wide wooden board that served as a counter, he leaned close to her. “Riviera, how are you?” He asked as if the last time he’d seen her had been mere weeks instead of years. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her trembling hands. “I’m fine. How are you, Erich?” “Good.” He plucked the chain from a hook beneath the edge of the awning and held it out toward her. “This is a moonstone. May I?” 7

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She nodded, unable to speak again. The necklace had called to her across the midway, but Erich held her attention now. A quick rush of air scattered dried leaves along the gravel walkway in front of the booths and ruffled a fall of golden brown hair across his forehead. She squelched the urge to brush it back. Erich slipped the chain over her head just as she brought her hands up to help. When they touched, a surge of raw energy shot between them and moved through Riviera. “Sorry. Static electricity,” Erich murmured and rubbed where he’d shocked her. Dry autumn weather could cause it, but it had been more that that. Much more. She jerked free, but his large hands lingered longer than necessary against her skin. She remembered how his tapered fingers had touched every inch of her body, driving her wild with passion. With patience and tenderness he’d coaxed her to peaks of pleasure beyond anything she’d ever imagined possible. Now, more than her hands quivered with something other than nerves. He pulled the ends of her ponytail free, the tips of his thumbs and fingers tracing the lines of her jaw and throat before letting them fall away. The stone dropped under the edge of her low-cut blouse, nestling warmly between her breasts. His eyes followed the trail of the moonstone. Riviera knew she should yank off the chain and throw it in his face or at least tell him where he could stick it. She did neither. Her nipples tightened to hard peaks and a thread of heat coiled in the pit of her belly. She was as attracted to Erich Lambert now as she’d been eight years ago when she first met him and five years ago when she last saw him. Neither time nor circumstance had lessened her desire for him. At all. She lifted the stone to examine it because she couldn’t bear to look into his golden brown eyes any longer. About an inch in diameter, the 8

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moonstone’s rough edges had been buffed smooth by time and handling. “How much?” she asked to break the silence and bring their attention back to the necklace instead of the current of emotion arcing between them. His brow creased as if he didn’t understand her question. “How much do you want for the necklace?” she clarified. “Oh.” With a shake of his head, he smiled. “Nothing. It’s yours.” “Oh, no. I can’t take it, Erich.” She started to remove it. “I don’t want anything from you.” Unoffended, he laughed. “I’ve been here all day waiting for someone to notice it. You’re the only one to even look at it, so it’s yours.” What an odd thing to say. An even odder thing to do. Maybe the motorcycle accident had damaged more than his hip. She shook her head and drew the stone up. He stopped her. No energy bolt this time, but her skin tingled anyway. Erich did that to her. Sometimes just by thinking about him. In the middle of the night, alone in bed, her flesh ached for him. How she wished she’d handled things differently, but it was too late now. Wasn’t it? “Buy me a cup of coffee and we’ll call it even.” Riviera opened her mouth to protest, but he just grinned and turned his back on her. He grabbed his book and a leather jacket hanging on the back of the chair. “Hey, Tommy,” Erich called out as he pulled on the jacket. Tommy Grogan, a thin man with hunched shoulders and shaggy, unkempt hair and beard, immediately appeared in the doorway of the small booth, almost as if he’d been waiting just inside the shadows. Riviera knew who he was, but wasn’t acquainted with him. “I’m heading out,” Erich continued. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.” Tommy grunted and touched his forehead in a one-fingered salute, 9

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then melted back into the darkness. Erich placed a hand on the counter and leapt over it, landing on his feet beside her. When one of his legs gave way and he nearly went to his knees, he grunted, and his face screwed up in pain. She automatically reached out to help, but he ignored her hand and caught the post, pulling himself upright again. “Sometimes I forget,” he said with an apologetic smile. Watching him, she’d forgotten to remove the necklace. When he started down the gravel walkway, she fell into step beside him. His limp wasn’t pronounced, but she noticed he favored his right leg. “I heard about the accident,” she said quietly. “A couple of months after you left Silverton. They said it was really bad.” “It was,” he said, then changed the subject. “How about Charley’s for that coffee?” He zipped up his jacket and a flood of memories washed over her at the sound…especially the night she’d pinned him to the side of his motorcycle trailer and pulled the zipper down with her teeth. With a shake of her head, she pushed the images back into the darkest corner of her mind. “I’d forgotten the Rally was this week.” “Yeah?” He sounded like he didn’t quite believe her. “It started last night.” The bonfire to kick off the week-long round of parties and races had always been her favorite part aside from the racing itself. She’d missed attending at first, but after a couple of years, there was so much else going on in her life, she would almost forget when the Rally started. “I haven’t been to a Rally since…well,” she admitted, “since the last time we saw one another.” Erich was quiet for a few moments. “Neither have I. It took me a year to recover, but then I stayed away from Silverton because I didn’t want to spoil it for you.” Riviera shrugged, to give him the impression it didn’t matter. “You 10

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shouldn’t have. I outgrew it.” She’d wondered why she’d never seen him again. They hadn’t parted on the best of terms, and he’d been badly injured in the accident, but she’d thought that by the time he had healed and was back to racing he might have thought she was over their disagreement and intended for that Rally week to be like any other before. She’d stayed away, more hurt than he probably ever imagined. She had half-hoped, halfexpected him to look her up and had felt incredible disappointment and relief in equal proportions as well when he didn’t. If he hadn’t come to Silverton at all until now because of her, then he must have been aware of the depth of her heartache. She didn’t know whether to be grateful for his attempt at sensitivity or mad as hell. And why had he come back now? When Erich stopped, Riviera looked up to find they’d reached the parking area. “Here’s my ride.” The Sportster was a newer model than the one he’d had before and totaled in the accident. It sat in the first space by the gate. “You must have arrived early.” He shoved the book into a saddlebag and lifted his helmet from behind the seat. “At the crack of dawn. Tommy said people start coming in soon after, and he was right.” She watched him put on his helmet and fasten the strap. Then his gorgeous eyes looked down at her, and she wanted to melt into his arms. Somehow, she managed to remain upright in solid form. “My car’s near the other end.” “Hop on and I’ll give you a lift.” Riviera shook her head. She remembered how it felt to ride behind him, her arms wrapped around his body, the vibration of the motorcycle intensifying her physical awareness of him. “No. No thanks.” “All right. See you in a few.” She watched him mount. He winced briefly when he threw his leg 11

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over the machine. She walked around him and started toward her car. Behind her, the motorcycle roared to life, then settled into a low rumble. He passed her by with a wave, and she watched him until he was out of sight and the sound of the Harley nothing but a dying echo. When she got behind the wheel, the skin between her breasts tingled, and she looked down at the misty stone. Moonstone wasn’t expensive. Neither was silver, although the thick, heavy chain had a warm glow that only good quality and age could give it. As an antique, it might have some monetary value. As much as she wanted to keep it because Erich had given it to her, she had to return it. She couldn’t encourage him. She didn’t want him to think he could breeze into town whenever he wanted to find her waiting for him. Not this time. They’d played that game when she was too young and vulnerable to know better. Now, she was older and wiser. She wanted more and needed more and certainly deserved more, no matter how much she wished she could have it all with Erich. But having coffee with him wouldn’t hurt. She’d give back the necklace, and they’d part friends this time. Friends, as long as they never saw one another again. Nothing more. At the end of the week, Erich would move on as always. Another town, another race…and another woman. Riviera flinched. The thought was—and always had been—like a kick to her stomach. She started the car. If she had any sense at all, she’d head in the opposite direction.

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CHAPTER 2

Erich sat at a booth in the corner and waited, absently rubbing his hip. Riviera should have been right behind him, but as the minutes ticked by he realized she might not show up at all. Face it, Lambert. You’ve got some major groveling to do before this is over or you’re fucked. Consider yourself lucky if she ever lets you within ten feet of her again. When the front door opened and Riviera walked in, a deep sense of relief swept over him. Erich stood, a needle of pain shooting through the joint at his hip, as she walked toward him. That she’d come at all was a good sign. She still wore the necklace and that was even better. “Lynn is going to kill me,” she said as they sat and Erich motioned for the waitress. “I was supposed to help her load those boxes of china into her car.” “China?” “For a business we started a couple of years ago.” The waitress came, took their order, and left. 13

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“What kind of business?” Riviera laughed, her entire face lighting up. “We started out by picking up plain dishware at yard sales and flea markets. Lynn decorates them with pretty designs using a special paint that won’t wash or peel off when baked. We buy it in bulk wholesale now, but we still like to pick up old china at flea markets and yard sales. I learned how to paint simple designs, so I help with that, but Lynn’s the real artist. I do the baking, and my mother helps us, too, with packing and shipping.” “Did your mother ever get to the French Riviera?” Her eyes widened in surprise. “You remembered.” “How could I forget? You said she named you Riviera because she always wanted to go.” She shook her head. “Not yet. But I’m putting a little back when I can. I hope it’ll be possible for her to go in a couple of years.” “That’s a nice thing to do. Your business is successful then?” She laughed again. “Better than we ever dreamed. At first, we sold at flea markets and on consignment in craft and gift shops. Then last year I put some pieces up for auction on the internet, and the business boomed. Lynn’s fantasy designs—like fairies, elves, and mythical creatures—sell the best. After a year, I was able to quit my job and stay home w—” The waitress came up and set cups in front of them, but Riviera had stopped short just before the waitress reached them. The sparkle had left her eyes, and he had the feeling she’d been about to say something she didn’t think she should. “You were saying?” he prompted after the waitress left. Riviera stared down into her coffee while stirring in sugar. “Oh, just that it’s nice to be able to work at home. Of course, I put in more hours than I would at a regular 9-to-5 job, but there’s something to be said for being able to work in your pajamas. Or in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep.” 14

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He poured creamer into his cup. “Is that because of me?” She stopped stirring and looked up at him. Shaking her head, she grinned. “Don’t flatter yourself.” “I’m not. But the last time we saw one another, you were upset. I’d like to think you’d moved on with your life.” As soon as the words were out, he knew she would take them the wrong way. Sure enough, the grin vanished and was replaced by a stony glare. “I’m sorry, Riviera. That didn’t come out right.” “No, it didn’t. Because if you think I lay awake nights crying over you, you’re dead wrong.” She took a deep breath, and he could sense she was ready to bolt. “It didn’t take me very long to realize how lucky I was you left, even after I asked you to stay. As soon as I asked myself why I would want a man I had to beg to stay in the first place, I knew I didn’t want you.” She scooted out from behind the table. “Riviera, I didn’t mean—” He’d tried to jump to his feet right behind her, but his hip turned the wrong way. Pain flared down his thigh and slowed him down. “Look, Erich, this was a mistake. We should have just had a nice civil conversation at the flea market and left it at that. Good-bye.” She hurried across the room and out the door while he pushed himself to his feet and fumbled with his wallet, throwing money on the table. He couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t let her leave thinking he was an insufferable jerk. The sun had gone down while they were inside, and the night air had chilled. Erich limped out into the parking lot, but stopped when he saw her coming back. She was pulling the chain from around her neck. “I was bringing it back,” she said, the moonstone in her fist. “I didn’t pay for your coffee.” “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and held onto her so she wouldn’t run again. “I didn’t expect you to cry over me or hurt because of me. I wanted you to forget me 15

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because back then I wasn’t the man you needed or wanted. And for a year, I wasn’t much of a man at all.” She didn’t struggle to escape, and when he brought her closer, she let him. He caught a whiff of her scent. The mixture of her natural musk and the same perfume she’d worn all those years ago brought back the bittersweet memories. He stepped in even closer until he could feel her warm breath at the base of his throat. “I wish I’d had the right to want you to remember me.” “You had the right,” she said softly, and tears glistened in her eyes by the light through the café window. “And I never forgot. How could I forget?” “I never forgot you either.” Erich couldn’t keep from touching her any longer. His hands slid up over her shoulders and neck until his fingertips traced the lines of her face, her silken skin cooled by the night air. He hadn’t forgotten a single curve or arch. Touching her was like coming home. She trembled when he reached behind her and pulled her ponytail free. Her hair fell in thick, black waves around her neck and shoulders, and the sudden aroma of floral shampoo filled his nostrils. His testicles tightened and throbbed, and his cock strained painfully against his jeans. How he wanted her. More than he’d wanted her the first time he’d kissed her eight years ago, and as much as he’d wanted her five years ago when he’d taken her to his motel bed and made her his even though he knew it was the worst thing he could do to her. She tossed her hair back in one quick motion and looked up at him again. Her full lips parted provocatively, the pink tip of her tongue darting out to wet her bottom lip. He bent his head to taste her damp lip and fell into the essence of her all over again. Their lips crushed together, tongues dancing, breaths mingling. His arms surrounded her and he couldn’t remember why he’d ever let her leave them. How could he have ever looked into her tear16

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streaked face and said no? She had dropped the moonstone and slid her arms underneath his jacket and around his waist. Her soft breasts pressed against him. “Erich…” she murmured against his lips. He pulled away long enough to ask, “Do you want to stop?” She hesitated, then shook her head, her hair once again cascading over her shoulder, shadowing her face. “Not now. Not tonight.” Not ever, he wanted to add, but he was afraid he might frighten her away with the promise she’d wanted from him at one time but he’d been incapable of making. He kissed her again, the ache in his groin growing painfully strong. Tossing her on the hood of her car in a public parking lot wasn’t the best of ideas. He wanted her naked, in his bed, where he could explore every inch of her body. His memory didn’t need refreshing because he remembered all of her. He just wanted to experience her again. “I’m staying at the same motel. Come with me, Riviera.” She nodded. Without hesitation this time. He brushed the hair from her face and kissed her again. She tasted as sweet as the first time he’d kissed her, and he couldn’t get his fill of her. Not in a lifetime. How could he have been stupid enough to let her go? Riviera laid her hands over his. “The Clover Leaf Motel, right? That’s where you used to stay.” “Room 12, like last time.” “I’ll meet you there.” “Yes. Good.” Words failed him and he shut up before he could say something else that might be taken the wrong way. He covered her mouth with his once more, this time savoring the taste and feel of her. It would be only minutes, but it might as well be an eternity. A group of people emerged from Charley’s. Startled by the sudden chatter, they jerked apart. 17

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He caressed her cheek a final time. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” She turned and ran to her car. Anxious to get to the motel? Or running away from him? He waited as she started her car and pulled out of the lot. She turned in the direction of the motel. He exhaled, unaware he’d been holding his breath, and hurried to his bike.

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CHAPTER 3

Riviera left the motor running after she parked her car near Room 12. She’d called Lynn on her cell to let her know what was going on. “Ria, are you sure you want to do this?” Lynn had asked after Riviera had told her about Erich. No, she wasn’t sure, but she couldn’t seem to do anything but move toward Erich now that she’d found him again. “Tonight, that’s it. One more night with him to get him out of my system once and for all,” she’d told Lynn. Riviera almost believed it herself. Erich arrived and he parked next to her car. She took a deep breath and turned off the ignition. It was too late to turn back now. Inside, he closed the door and dropped his helmet to the floor. They stood there, looking at one another. She reached for him first and tugged down the zipper of his jacket, not yet comfortable enough to do it with her teeth again. Erich stood very still, only shrugging his broad shoulders to help when she pushed 19

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it off. When she ran her hands over the hard contours of his chest and the small hard peaks of his nipples, his breathing quickened. How well she remembered his body by touch surprised and frightened her. They’d only been together one week five years ago. Shouldn’t Erich be nothing more than a pleasant but vague memory by now? She knew it would be best to forget him, and that this interlude would only reinforce the imprint of him in her mind, but she couldn’t refuse any more than she could decline to breathe. The steady hammering of his heart vibrated through his skin as her fingertips followed the lines of his ribs and across the dip of his navel and then stopped at the waistband of his jeans. He sucked in a quick breath when she grabbed handfuls of his t-shirt. She yanked it free, raising it, her knuckles sliding over the light matting of hair that covered his chest. Once again he moved just enough for her to remove his shirt easily. It fell to the floor on top of his jacket. Leaning forward, she laid both palms flat on his chest and placed a kiss in the center. Five years ago she’d loved him with everything in her. Now, seeing him again, touching him again, the feelings filled her up the same as before. How would she ever be able to say good-bye this time? His hands on her shoulders startled her, and she looked up into his eyes, now molten gold with desire. His fingers slipped under the collar of her jacket and pushed it off. His touch was slow and deliberate, as if he wanted to relish every move he made. When he reached for the hem of her shirt, she raised her arms. He drew it off at his leisure, baring her skin inch by inch, examining her with darkening eyes. With her midriff exposed, he leaned down and kissed her there, zigzagging his lips and tongue across her ribcage, causing her flesh to quiver. Tucking his thumbs under her bra, he raked the pads of his thumbs over her nipples as he raised the cups and exposed the moonstone dangling between her breasts. She gasped when his tongue traced the undercurve of one breast, 20

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then the other, the tips of his thumbs gently massaging the hard peaks of her nipples. Desire burned deep inside, and her clit pulsed with a mixture of pleasure and pain. She wanted him inside of her right now, but she also knew this teasing and torment would make their joining all the sweeter. He bent his head and fastened his mouth around one nipple, his tongue moving in hard, fast swirls around the point as he suckled. One arm went around her, and she leaned back, her body flush with heat. He splayed the fingers of his other hand over her midriff, then slid them down behind the waistband of her jeans. When he touched the curls of her mound, her hips rose to meet him. Fingers slipped into her wetness, over her throbbing clit, then rubbed up and down until the undulation of her pelvis matched the rhythm. She shuddered hard. A few more strokes and her body would shatter, but he stopped short of making her come. He cupped her mound and squeezed gently, then pulled his hand free. Still feeling like a piece of fine crystal a second before annihilation, she straightened on unsteady legs, her knees refusing to support her. Erich held her up, stripping off her bra and shirt with one hand. He walked her backward until her calves bumped the edge of the bed. He laid her back across the king-sized bed, his eyes never leaving hers while he unfastened her jeans. She raised her hips so he could slide them and her panties off. His dark, hungry eyes swept over her naked body as he removed the rest of his clothing. Riviera watched him as he revealed his thick, rigid cock, bulging with veins. It jutted from his body at an angle, swaying as he moved. She remembered the first time she’d seen it—the first time she’d seen a cock up close and personal. She’d been a virgin at twenty—waiting for Erich—but she hadn’t been stupid. Still, she wondered how they would ever cram that thing inside her. Her body had surprised her, and they had managed it quite easily. The jagged white scar, from the top of his thigh to above his 21

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hipbone, made her gasp. He hadn’t wanted to talk about it earlier, so she didn’t say anything about it or try to touch it. She reached for his cock instead, but he brushed her hands aside. Kneeling between her legs, he spread her bent knees apart. His hands slid warmly down her inner thighs until he reached the damp curls between them. His thumb found her swollen nub, caressing it as he eased his fingers deep inside. Muted sounds escaped her throat, and her hips rose and fell as she rode his hand. Once again, he had her teetering on the edge when he pulled his hand free. Her entire body quivered and tingled, felt raw and exposed. Foreplay was nice, but it had been five years since they’d been together, and she’d been with no other man. Enough was enough. She bolted upright, close enough that their breaths mingled. She wrapped her hands around his cock, amazed at the amount of heat radiating from it. He inhaled sharply, and his hips thrust his cock farther into her grasp. “You’d better stop,” he said between gasps for air and deep thrusts, “or it’ll be over before we really get started.” She enjoyed the feel of hot silk gliding between her palms, but she didn’t want to miss out on the last night they’d ever have together. Reluctantly, she let him go, and when she lay down again, he moved with her, stretching his length over hers, his legs beside hers. He enfolded her in his arms, and his lips slanted over hers. She closed her eyes as his tongue delved deep, skimming and darting over hers. By the time they parted, she was breathless. “I missed you, Riviera,” he murmured between feathering kisses along her jaw and throat. “I missed your body beneath me, your breath in my ear, and your heart beating next to mine. I’m sorry we’ve been apart so long. We shouldn’t have.” No, she wanted to agree, we shouldn’t have been apart at all. She wanted to remind him whose fault it was, but she didn’t want to break the spell of their being together again, didn’t want his final memories of 22

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her to leave a bitter aftertaste. He kissed her again, sending their bodies into a roll to the center of the huge bed. The sheet caught between them and wrapped their bodies together. When they halted, Riviera was on top. She tossed her hair to one side and looked down at him. She let a finger trace the outline of his lips, remembering the kisses he’d placed all over her body in the past. She spread her legs wide and pushed up with her hands on his chest. His erection nestled against her butt. All she had to do was raise her hips and let his cock slide into her. She wiggled against it, and her hips pushed back of their own accord, until her soft folds aligned with its hard length. Riviera hesitated, not because she didn’t want to feel him inside her again, but because she didn’t want this night to ever end. And as soon as they finished finding their pleasure, it would be all over. Erich made the decision for her. Hands on her hips, he lifted her and moved his cock in line with her pussy. He didn’t slam her down as she expected. Instead, he eased her down, inch by incredible inch. He filled her up slowly, and when her clit touched down, she closed her eyes and threw back her head. Unhurried, they moved as one. Long, slow strokes built a tremendous heat between them, sensitizing her sweat-slicked skin. She tried not to allow her body to approach the edge again. She had dreamed of being with Erich again every night for the past five years. She didn’t want it to end. But Erich reached between them, and when his fingers found her clit, her back bent and her hips arched into his touch, seeking relief. Their tempo increased. With each thrust he made, noises escaped her throat, a short, sharp sound each time she bounced against him. Muscles tightened and nerves tensed. One more stroke, one more caress, and she exploded, pleasure spiraling through her and igniting every cell in her body. 23

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As she floated down through the haze, she felt Erich stiffen beneath her. He gripped her hips and drove his cock hard into her a few more times, then he found his release, straining into her, grinding his hips against her. She felt his cock pulse inside her, and he made a deep, guttural sound before his hands relaxed at her sides, his body going limp beneath her. He opened his eyes and smiled up at her. She leaned over him, slipping in the light film of sweat covering their skin. “It feels good to be with you again.” He eased to his side, careful of his bad hip, she guessed, and brought her with him. He straightened the sheet around them. She could pretend everything was perfect. In fact, it would be much too easy to fall for the lie, that their being together tonight had some greater meaning, that Erich would stay if she asked him again. Unshed tears burned the backs of her eyes. How easily she could fall for it if she let herself. That’s how badly she wanted it. But she steeled herself against it. Why should she set herself up for another broken heart? He snuggled his body next to hers, fitting his lean, muscular limbs around her curves. She rested her head against his chest and sighed. “It is good to be with you again,” she said, glad there was no telltale hitch in her voice. She couldn’t hear the tears in her words, so maybe he wouldn’t either. He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. “We have so much to talk about, Riviera, but I can’t keep my eyes open right now. We’ll talk later, okay?” “Okay,” she agreed, but she had no intention of dragging this out any longer than she already had. She’d had her one more time with Erich. He wasn’t out of her system, and he never would be. She knew that now. Somehow, she’d have to learn to live without him. “I mean it, Riviera.” His speech was slurring as he drifted into sleep. “I want us to talk. There’s a lot I have to tell you.” 24

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“It’s okay, Erich. Go to sleep.” “Mmmm…” She didn’t know if he’d been about to say something else because he didn’t try again. She placed her hand on his chest and he covered it with his own. Their bodies were more intertwined now than they had been during sex. She hoped she’d be able to extricate herself without waking him. She wasn’t the least bit sleepy. She concentrated on storing away the imprint of Erich’s body around hers. Recalling how their bodies fit together wouldn’t keep her warm on lonely nights, but it might prevent her from going mad with grief at the loss of what they could have had if only Erich had wanted it as badly as she. Tears escaped while she waited. She remained still until he was sound asleep and shifted position. He was the one to pull his limbs from hers. He grunted in his sleep, and she wondered if it was because of his injured hip. She waited until he settled again and his breathing evened. Then, as carefully as she could, she slipped from beneath the covers and stood. She looked down at him, but only briefly. If she lingered, she might change her mind. Quietly, she gathered her clothing, putting on just enough to not get arrested for indecent exposure. As she put on her shirt, her hand brushed the silver chain around her neck. For hours, she’d been trying to rid herself of the necklace, but every time she went to take it off, something stopped her. Usually Erich. He seemed almost desperate that she keep it. She grasped the stone, finding it hot to her touch. It must have absorbed the body heat she’d generated while making love to Erich. She yanked it off over her head. She wouldn’t keep it. Just as she’d told him, she wanted nothing from him. Not any more. She dropped it in a little heap on the empty pillow. Riviera bundled the rest of her clothes in her arms and carried her shoes. She opened the door and went through it without looking back. 25

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CHAPTER 4

A dull, niggling ache in his hip woke Erich just enough for him to find a more comfortable position. He rolled over, intending to wrap his limbs around Riviera and settle into sleep again, but all he encountered were cold sheets and pillow…and the moonstone pendant. He fell back, holding the chain aloft, letting the stone swing back and forth. She was gone without a word, but leaving the necklace behind spoke volumes. He glanced at the clock. Still early yet. He’d wait until after midnight when he’d attract the least amount of attention and return it to her. She needed time with the moonstone for it to work its magic, and he had to make sure she got it. *

*

*

Riviera lay awake in the darkness of her own bedroom wiping away the tears that fell hot and fast. She never should have gone to have coffee with Erich, and she sure as hell never should have gone to his motel room. She shouldn’t have given him the time of day because he’d 26

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walked out on her five years ago even after she begged him to stay. Well, she made sure she did the walking out this time, but she didn’t feel better about it. She felt worse than she had back then when he’d broken her heart. This time, making the conscious decision to leave, she broke her own heart all over again. The clock on the nightstand read a little after midnight. Riviera threw back the covers and sat up on the edge of the bed. She scrubbed her eyes dry. No more tears. There’d be no sleep tonight, either. Not when she craved being back in Erich’s arms. As she slid her feet into her slippers, the tinkling of breaking glass came from the other room. Then she heard a window being raised. The cottage, as she called it, that she’d bought and fixed up herself was old and everything either creaked or groaned. The phone was in the living room and her cell was in her purse…which she’d left on the kitchen counter. Heart pounding and palms sweating, she scurried across the room and picked up a three foot tall wooden carving of a cat. Wielding the slender statue like a baseball bat, she tip-toed to the door. Light from the porch streamed in the front windows, but shadows covered the side window. She squinted, but saw nothing move in the darkness. She kept the statue raised high and stepped to the left, to put herself between the window and the other bedroom door. The sour smell of body odor and unwashed hair hit her just before someone grabbed her from behind. Her assailant wrenched the cat from her hand and threw it across the room where it crashed into the wall. Riviera started to scream, but a greasy hand clamped over her mouth, stifling the sound. “Where is it?” a man’s voice grated next to her ear. He sounded familiar, but she was too terrified to try to remember where she’d heard the voice before. She shook her head. She had no idea what he was talking about. He tightened his hold on her. “I know you’ve got it. Now, give me 27

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the fucking necklace.” The foul stench of his breath made her stomach heave. She shook her head until she was dizzy trying to indicate she didn’t have it. “I saw him give it to you. Where the fuck is it!” Tommy Grogan. She barely knew the man and didn’t know what he was capable of, but he sounded deranged. She wished she’d kept the damned necklace so she could give it to him. And she wished for Erich’s head on a platter for bringing danger into her home. She shook her head again and tried to say she didn’t have it. Nothing but garbled noises came from her closed throat. “Don’t scream,” he warned. She nodded once and took a deep breath when he released her. “I-I don’t h-have it,” she stammered. “I saw you wearing it,” he growled. “Don’t make me hurt you.” “I gave it back to him. I don’t have it!” With a snarl, Grogan shoved her to the floor. She slid into the back of the couch, bumping her head on the frame. Shaking, she curled up into a ball, hoping he’d believe her and go away. He paced back and forth a few times, his fists clenched at his sides. “Goddammit! All right. It’s never fucking easy, is it?” He looked up at the ceiling and shook his head. When he looked at her again, he gave a harsh, half-crazed laugh. “Okay, might as well see what else you got. Where’s your fucking purse?” “In—In the kitchen.” She cried out when he grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her to her feet. He pushed her into the small dining area, toward the kitchen. She stumbled, catching the back of a chair to regain her balance, then froze. From this angle, light filtered near the broken window and she saw movement there. Grogan saw it at the same time and his eyes widened. “What the f—” But he never finished. The huge dog leapt through the window and 28

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landed at Grogan’s feet, one of its hind legs crumpling as it touched the floor. The animal straightened almost immediately, growling deep in its throat. “You,” Grogan sneered, showing no fear, and took a step to the side. The dog bared its teeth and moved with him, limping slightly, but stopping Grogan cold. Riviera knew she should dart into the second bedroom while she had the chance, but her legs barely held her up. If she didn’t have the chair for support, she would have fallen flat on her face. What she thought at first was a large dog now looked more like a wolf as it moved into the light. “Get the fuck out of my way,” Grogan commanded the wolf. Riviera was on the verge of hysterical laughter, but she bit her lip. A wolf charged the man and instead of dissolving into a terrified lump, he ordered the animal away from him. Something wasn’t right, but she could make no more sense out of it than a wolf jumping through her window in the first place. Then something even odder happened. Grogan started speaking unintelligibly under his breath. As he mumbled, he stepped around the wolf toward the window. This time, the wolf didn’t follow, although it made sure to remain between her and Grogan at all times. With another crazy laugh, Grogan sprang out the window and was gone. The wolf ceased growling and trotted a bit off-balance to the window. The animal stared out after Grogan as if to ensure he wouldn’t lurk nearby. Somehow, Riviera found her legs again. With a last glance at the wolf, she eased into the kitchen. Snatching up her purse, she grabbed her cell and dialed 9-1-1. After explaining as best she could, she snapped the top of the cell shut. For some reason, she had told them a stray dog, not a wolf, had come to her rescue. The wolf would be gone by now, and the police wouldn’t believe her anyway. There hadn’t been wolves in this area in 29

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decades. She ran cold water and splashed it on her face. Just as she finished drying off, she heard a small voice that made the blood drain from her face. “Mommy, it’s a dog!” The wolf was still in the house, and her four-year-old son had come out of his bedroom. “Max, no!” she cried out and ran. Skidding to a stop in the dining area, her heart thundered in her chest. The wolf was only a few feet away from her son. His ears were upright and alert, but his snout was closed. The wolf didn’t seem threatening at all, yet he stared at Max as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. Careful not to startle either the wolf or the boy, she remained where she was and said softly, “No, Max. Come to Mommy. Please, baby, come to me.” The wolf looked from her son to her and back to Max again. “But it’s a dog.” Max held out his hand toward the animal standing taller than he. “It’s a strange dog, baby. It might not like to be touched. Come here,” she ordered desperately. “Now, Max.” The wolf took one slow step forward and tilted his head, then swiped his tongue over her son’s precious hand. Max grinned. “Look, Mommy. He’s a nice dog. Can we keep him?” “No, we can’t. Come here to me.” She walked forward a couple of steps. Suddenly, Max threw his arms around the wolf’s neck and hugged him. “He’s a good dog. Please, please let me keep him!” The wolf didn’t move except to nuzzle against Max’s neck. Holding her breath, Riviera calmly walked to her son and gently pulled his arms from around the wolf. She picked him up and quickly carried him into his bedroom, shutting the door behind them. 30

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“Stay in here. I’ll be right back, but promise me you’ll stay in bed.” “Okay, but can we keep the dog? He’s a nice dog and he didn’t hurt me. Can we keep him?” “We’ll talk about it later. Now, be quiet and stay here.” She stepped through the door and shut it firmly. When she turned around, the wolf was staring at her. “You have to go now. I called the police and they’ll be here any minute. I didn’t call them on you. I told them you’re a dog because they’d never believe you’re a wolf. I called them on Tommy Grogan for breaking in here and…” Riviera gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, God, what am I doing? I’m talking to a wolf like he understands me.” The animal moved closer to her, and the laughter died in her throat. She backed up against the door, her hand on the knob in case he looked like he might attack. He walked even closer, until his muzzle was near her hand. As he had done to Max, his head canted to one side and his velvety tongue licked across her wrist. Then he whirled around and bounded across the room, favoring one of his hind legs, and out the window. Riviera took a normal breath for the first time since she heard the window glass break. Not knowing what to make of the whole bizarre episode, she went into the bedroom to wait for the police and explain to her son why they couldn’t keep the “dog”.

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CHAPTER 5

By the time the police took her statement, gathered evidence, and boarded up her window, it was too close to dawn to worry about Tommy Grogan coming back. The officers knew him well and assured her he wouldn’t return. He never did. They didn’t know what to make of the dog either and said they’d ask around the neighborhood about him. It took a while for Max to calm down enough to go back to sleep. Riviera fell into bed, hoping to grab a couple of hours of sleep before her son woke up full of his usual boundless energy. But she couldn’t settle down. She tossed and turned, her mind racing as she went over the events of the past. Max was the joy of her life. Her son…and Erich’s. She’d spent every spare moment of that wild, wonderful week with Erich, much of it in his bed. They couldn’t get enough of one another once she decided she wanted him and he agreed because he desired her more than anything. Well, almost anything. 32

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He’d made no false promises, never led her on or said anything to make her think they were forever. Her own youth and foolishness had done that. She’d thought his feelings were as strong as hers. But at twenty, she’d been all wrapped up in the discovery of love and sex and how great they went together. It had never occurred to her that incredible sex could be had without falling in love. They had argued and he had left. Two months later she heard about his terrible accident only days before discovering she was pregnant. She would have tracked him down if she hadn’t found out about the baby. Torn between wanting to be by his side and helping with his recovery and respecting his wishes that he didn’t want to be tied down, she had to think of the child first and foremost. Her pregnancy hadn’t really surprised her. Although they’d used birth control diligently, she’d lost count of the times they’d made love during that week. Erich had even missed some of the motorcycle heats—the preliminary races—because they’d spent the day together creating their own kind of heat. She knew no birth control device was one hundred percent effective. Later, after they’d heard Erich was racing again, her mother and Lynn had encouraged her to find him and tell him, but she couldn’t. He’d made it crystal clear he wasn’t ready to settle down and he wanted his freedom more than he wanted her. Her heart had shattered, but fighting with Erich over his responsibility toward her and the baby wouldn’t have healed her wounds. They would have ended up hating one another, creating a hostile environment for their child. She could make a happy home for her baby without his father’s help. She never once regretted having Max. He made the pain bearable even though she was reminded of Erich every time she looked into his golden brown eyes, brushed back a stray lock of golden brown hair, or saw that wonderful smile. Now that Erich was here, she didn’t know whether to tell him or not. Her first instinct had been not to, but now that she’d spent time 33

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with him again, she had to reconsider. She had a week to decide, until the Rally was over and Erich was gone again. What would he say? What would he do? Would he demand to be part of Max’s life? Or would he leave and never be heard from again? Finally, too exhausted to think any more, she fell into a fitful sleep. Even in her dreams she couldn’t remain still. She was running through the woods beneath a silvery gibbous moon that rode high in the sky. The cool night air played sensuously across her bare skin. Dew-damp leaves from trees and bushes reached out to caress her heated skin and beaded nipples as she brushed past them. Her clit thrummed from the stimulation, and she felt the wetness between her thighs with each stride. She seemed to be two people at once—a Riviera who knew it was a dream but only partly knew what was happening, and a Dream-Riviera who knew exactly what she was doing. Occasionally, she looked over her shoulder to see if she was being followed, but she wasn’t frightened. Riviera felt freer and happier than she had in a long time. She ran along barely watching her step because Dream-Riviera knew the path well. The terrain sloped gently up and down. When she reached a high point, she stopped, holding a tree for support, to catch her breath while she watched the trail behind her. Over the sound of her heavy breathing, she heard a twig snap in the distance. Stifling a giggle, she took off again, racing down the slope. Glancing back, she caught a glimpse of movement, and her foot caught on an exposed root, sending her head over heels down the slope. Miraculously, it didn’t hurt at all. She knew it was because this was a dream, but even the Dream-Riviera didn’t seem surprised. She continued to roll until she tumbled out of the trees into a moonlit glade. The grass was lush and cool and felt good against her overheated skin. When she stopped, she stretched her arms over her head, her body bathed in moonlight and dew. Then she heard someone or something approach from the trees, and she raised her head to see who or what it 34

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was. A wolf trotted from the trees toward her. She recognized it as the same one that had saved them from the intruder, but Dream-Riviera just smiled and waited. The wolf slowed as he reached her. His muzzle touched the tips of her fingers, his cold, wet nose sending a shiver through her. Then his warm tongue licked across her palm and worked his way down her arms. She tilted her head to one side. Velvet strokes warmed her all over as he bathed her throat, then moved lower. His tongue curled around her breasts, each in turn, flicking the hard peaks of her nipples. She moaned and her body squirmed as the heat rose in her pussy and her hot dew soaked her inner thighs. Her hips pushed up and her legs parted, ready for mating. The part of her that knew it was a dream was shocked at what was happening to her, but Dream-Riviera knew that everything was as it should be. As the wolf’s tongue continued its trail of soft licks along her ribs and stomach, she gave herself over to the erotic thrill of the forbidden. With her acceptance, the two Rivieras melded into one and now she understood completely. His tongue traveled lower, tangling in her curls, delving between the sensitive folds of her pussy. She writhed against him and when he found her clit, her hands fisted around clumps of grass. Her back arched and she flung her head backward. He withdrew from her, leaving her on the edge of eternity. She raised her head to look at the wolf, but his body was contorting, changing from lupine to human. Coarse hair receded leaving behind bare skin, paws converted into hands and feet, legs lengthened and face shortened, his head now crowned by golden brown hair. Erich knelt between her spread thighs. She reached for him, and he climbed over her, kissing his way up her body. She trembled at the sweet touch of his lips and the nudge of 35

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his rigid cock. He gathered her into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he thrust inside of her. A few deep strokes and she spun over the edge, a moan ripping from her throat— Riviera’s eyes flew open as she cried out, one hand squeezing a fistful of quilt. The orgasm washed over her in hot waves, one after the other. Her hips undulated, rubbing her clit against the heel of her hand, and she felt her inner muscles pull at her fingers buried inside of her. When the last ripples subsided, she bolted upright, removing her hand from her pussy. Her skin was covered in sweat and her bedding was damp. Tears filled her eyes when she fully realized where she was and that she was alone. It had been a dream after all. Erich with her, making love with her, had felt so real, too real. Riviera fell back and closed her eyes. The rest of the dream was fading a little…something about the wolf…but Riviera was asleep again before she could completely remember.

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CHAPTER 6

“We need to talk.” Startled, Riviera’s heart jumped into her throat, and she looked up from where she knelt unpacking bottles of paint. Erich stood over her, his face a stiff mask and a good match to the emotionless tone of his voice. He’d moved quietly because she hadn’t heard him enter Lynn’s workshop. For some reason, his stealth reminded her of the strange, erotic dream she’d had the night before. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she set the last of the bottles on the bottom shelf with the others. Then she brushed off her hands and stood, facing him. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and shook her head. “We don’t have anything to say, Erich. Last night was the best way to say good-bye, don’t you think?” She didn’t wait for an answer. She picked up the empty box and started toward the back room, but Erich grabbed her arm, stopping her. His touch once again ignited a fire deep inside her. She tried to slip from his grip, to get away from the sensations he caused to flare 37

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through her, but he held firm and turned her around. “I didn’t come back to say good-bye. I didn’t come back to Silverton for a final one night stand, and I didn’t come back today to put an end to whatever you think we gave in to last night.” His expression hadn’t softened nor his tone changed. “We have to talk about all that, but right now, we have to talk about something else. I’ll—” “Ria, is everything all right?” Lynn called out. Riviera looked around and saw her friend standing in the doorway to the back room with her arms crossed and a frown on her face. Erich released her and Riviera sighed. To Lynn, it must have seemed like Erich was threatening her. He looked and sounded grim, but she didn’t feel intimidated at all. “Good to see you again, Lynn,” he said with a stiff nod, then to Riviera, “I’ll be waiting outside.” He turned on his heel and strode through the room and out the front door. “What was that all about?” Lynn asked as she walked up to Riviera. “I don’t know. He’s upset about something, but I don’t know what it could be.” “Last night? You said you left without a word while he was asleep.” Riviera grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, but he said it wasn’t about last night. I’ve got a strange feeling—” “Max?” The grin fell from her face, and she clenched the edge of the box until her knuckles turned white. “Oh, God, I hope not. I wanted to be the one to tell him if and when I decided he should know.” “Well, you know how I feel.” “If things had been different, I would have told him about Max. But there was the accident. And he had made it clear he wasn’t ready to settle down.” Riviera handed the box to Lynn. “I’ve done a great job of raising Max by myself.” 38

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“Of course you have, but this isn’t about you. It’s about Max having the right to know who his father is. And even Erich deserving to know he has a son so he can make his own choice.” Lynn repeated the same arguments she’d been spouting the past few years. “I understand why you didn’t tell him right after the accident when they didn’t know if he was going to survive, but he’s been alive and well for three years and you still haven’t told him. I’ve never understood that.” Riviera knew her friend was right, but she just shrugged. “The longer I waited, the more difficult it became. I don’t know if I’m ready to tell Erich yet, but if I don’t, Max and I will get along fine like we always have. I’m going outside to see what Erich wants.” Riviera hurried to the door, not waiting to hear what else Lynn might have to say. Erich sat astride his Sportster, an extra helmet in his hand. He held it out to her. “Hop on.” Riviera hesitated only a second. It would be exhilarating to ride behind Erich again—her arms wrapped around his body, the thrum of the motorcycle vibrating deep within her, and the illusion of leaving behind all her problems protecting her. She grabbed her jacket from the hook by the door and slipped into it. She took the helmet from him and strapped it on, then mounted behind Erich. When he’d made sure she was securely in place, her arms tight around him, he revved up the bike and took off. They rode out into the countryside, surrounded by the crisp autumn air rushing past. She hadn’t forgotten much about her time with Erich, but she had put out of her mind exactly how much she enjoyed riding with him. He was taking them to their place, a secluded spot beside the lake where they’d spent an entire day doing nothing but making love inside his sleeping bag… Everything brought back memories of making love with Erich. He dismounted first and helped her off. The harsh expression was gone from his eyes and face, but was replaced with something she 39

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couldn’t figure out. She didn’t say anything, waiting for him to reveal what he thought they needed to talk about. He paced away from her, favoring his right hip, and looked toward the lake. That’s how she’d found him that day when they arranged to meet. Lynn had dropped her off, and she’d run through the trees to find him staring out over the lake as if he could be anywhere else in the world, but he chose to be here. With her. Riviera supposed that was true. For that week, at least. “Were you ever going to tell me about our son?” Her stomach clenched and she closed her eyes, holding her breath. Her worst fear had come true. She should have known someone in this small town would make the decision for her. She had never known he hadn’t returned until this year, that there’d never been a chance for anyone to tell him before now. She thought she was safe because he hadn’t found out by now. She thought— Suddenly, his hands were on her shoulders shaking her. Her eyes flew open and her breath escaped in a rush. “Riviera, why didn’t you tell me?” He sounded hurt and upset more than angry. Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked them back, looking up at him. His forehead was creased and his dark golden brows knotted. “I didn’t know I was pregnant until after I’d learned about the accident. I couldn’t tell you then. From what we heard, you were more dead than alive. Later, when I found out you were racing again, I—I didn’t know how to tell you.” She bit her lip and pulled away from him, angry for being on the defensive. “The last time we were together you said you didn’t want to settle down in one place, didn’t want ties or commitments. You—” “That was five years ago. A lot can change in five years. Hell, a lot can change in a year.” He laid his hands on her shoulders again, and this time she didn’t pull away. “You should have told me. There’s something you need to know about me.” 40

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“All I needed to know you told me that last day we were together,” she said. “You couldn’t stay because you didn’t want to be stuck in one place. You loved the traveling and the excitement of racing. My God, Erich! Whatever made you think I’d want you to give up racing?” He frowned. “I thought it went with the package. You told me how it was just you and your mother. Your dad had died when you were a child, and your mother had no other family here. You said you couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I didn’t think you’d leave, and I didn’t want to stay.” Riviera bit her lip. He was right. She hadn’t wanted to go anywhere else, but she thought if he had asked, she would have gone with him. He’d never asked. “You’re right. I said I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else because I’d never been anywhere else. I would love to travel, but this will always be home.” “The truth, Riviera—” he began, then cut himself off. He took a deep breath and started again. “The truth is I wasn’t ready at the time. I wasn’t ready to make a commitment to anybody or anything. Except racing. It wouldn’t have mattered if you’d told me you were ready to pack your bags and leave this place behind forever. I would have found some other excuse. But it didn’t make what I felt for you—what I still feel for you—any less real.” “It just wasn’t enough,” she added sadly. He shook his head. “At that time in my life, nothing was enough! Not even racing. Why do you think I was speeding down that mountain when I had the accident? The thrill of racing wasn’t enough to satisfy me. But everything changed after I knocked at Death’s door and he almost answered.” “You were really that close to dying?” “He had his hand on the doorknob.” “Oh, Erich.” She couldn’t stop herself from putting her arms around him and holding him. 41

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“It’s all right,” he murmured and ran his hand over her hair. “No, it isn’t. I should have found you and told you about Max after I heard you had recovered and were racing again.” “No, I should have come back to you. But the longer I stayed away, the harder it became to even think of coming back.” She looked up at him. “That’s the same excuse I use.” He looked down at her, then bent his head and kissed her. His hand slipped inside her jacket and cupped her breast. His other hand brought her closer to him, and she felt the hard length of his cock press into her hip. She shifted position so that it was closer to the mark. The night before had done nothing but whetted their appetites for one another. The urgent need to become one again took over. Erich’s hand left her breast, and he grabbed her butt with both hands, lifting her off her feet and driving her into his erection. Swinging around, he backed her against the nearest tree. He pinned her there, his knee lodged between her thighs to hold her up. One-handed, he fumbled with the fastenings of her jeans, and she helped him. Then she undid his, freeing the thick length of his cock. With both hands, she rubbed from the bulging head to the broad base and back again. He groaned as if in pain, but his hips surged into her touch repeatedly. His eyes were closed, and she thought he was going to erupt in her hands. But he shook himself and looked at her. “I want to come inside you, Riviera,” he said, his voice low and husky. He let her go long enough to peel her jeans and panties down one leg, then he hauled her up against the tree again, spreading her legs wide. She was wet and ready, and his cock slid in with no resistance. He pounded her with short, hard thrusts, and she closed her eyes, bracing herself with her hands on his shoulders. Her perch too precarious, she didn’t try to move with him. She just let the intensity of 42

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his momentum build her pleasure. She could feel him nearing orgasm, his breaths shorter and choppier. Although her clit burned and throbbed, she didn’t think she was close enough. But on the last stroke, he crushed his hips into her and twisted. He grunted as he came and it was enough. The explosion surged through her, and she cried out, her fingers squeezing his shoulders.

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CHAPTER 7

With the last ripplings of pleasure fading away, Riviera leaned over and rested her head on Erich’s shoulder. His cock was still buried deep inside her, but it began to soften and withdraw on its own. Erich didn’t move except to put his other arm around her, his hand pressed against the back of her head. “His name is Max?” he asked, his voice a tender whisper. She nodded. “Maximillian Erich Lambert Owens.” He gave a quiet laugh. “Big name for such a little fellow.” The bark of the tree was beginning to dig into her backside. Strange, but she hadn’t felt the rough trunk while in the throes of passion. She wiggled a bit to relieve the discomfort. Erich, understanding what she was doing, pulled his cock free, and Riviera sighed. She didn’t want to separate their bodies. She didn’t want his cock to leave her at all. She felt as if a piece of her own body was missing when he wasn’t inside her, but she knew they couldn’t stay joined forever. 44

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He eased her away from the tree and let her slide to her feet. She talked while he helped her into her clothing. “I looked up your name in a baby book and found out it’s German. Do you realize there aren’t many German names that sound euphonious?” He looked up at her from where he was pulling up her panties and jeans. “Euphonious?” Riviera giggled. “That’s what the book said, to pick out a name that sounds euphonious. I liked the sound of Max. Erich, after you, of course. Lambert because if you ever came into his life and we decided that should be his last name, he’s already used to it.” “That makes sense.” Erich finished zipping up her jeans, then fastened his own. “I like the name Max, too.” He stepped in closer to her and kissed her. Riviera closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his mouth over hers, his tongue playing with hers. When he pulled away, his hands framed her face and he looked deeply into her eyes. She wondered what he saw there. Did he recognize how much she loved him? She licked her lips. “How did you find out about Max?” “I was there last night when Tommy Grogan broke in.” Riviera frowned. He spoke as if what he said made sense. “I tried to follow him, but I lost his scent,” Erich continued. “I couldn’t find him this morning either, but I’ll make sure the bastard doesn’t bother you again. When I saw Max, I put it together. He’s got the Lambert hair and eyes, but his nose and chin are yours.” She jerked away from him, anger filling her suddenly. “I didn’t see you there. Were you lurking outside in the bushes, spying on me?” His eyes widened in surprise at her irritation. “I wasn’t spying, Riviera. I came to return the necklace and found Grogan there.” “He wanted the necklace. What is it about that damned necklace?” Riviera didn’t wait for a response. She had too many questions that needed answers. “All I saw was a wolf. I told the police it was a dog 45

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that came to my rescue because they’d have never believed I saw a wolf. The wolf ran Grogan off, not you. If you were there, why didn’t you help us?” “I did. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He took a deep breath. “What?” Riviera was more confused than ever. “Is the wolf your pet?” He shook his head. “I was the wolf.” Great! She’d just made love to a raving lunatic. The father of her child and the man she was in love with. Thank goodness the problem wasn’t hereditary but the result of his accident. “Did that accident scramble your brains as well as your hip? You just said you were a wolf.” He smiled. Her son had a smile that looked exactly like this one on Erich. Still, she couldn’t let herself be fooled by the familiarity of it. “I know how crazy it sounds, Riviera, but I had shifted into a wolf before going to your house with the necklace.” She backed away from him as he continued talking. “I can tell you everything that happened after I got there. When I jumped through the broken window, Grogan was in the living room and you were holding on to the back of a dining chair. I threatened him until he backed off and left through the window. Then you took off into what I guess was the kitchen. While you were calling 9-1-1, I went back outside and got the necklace where I’d hidden it when I saw the broken window and realized Grogan was inside. I went into your bedroom and put the necklace under your pillow. Just as I returned to the living room ready to leave, Max came out of his room.” “He thought you were a dog,” she said without thinking. He sounded sane. His accurate description of what had happened mesmerized her until she backed into the tree he’d just held her against while making love to her. Touching something solid brought her to her senses, and she shook her head. “No. He thought the wolf was a dog. Erich, you can’t turn into a wolf.” 46

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“Yes, I can. It’s part of being a Lambert, along with the hair and eyes. When Max hits puberty, he’ll be able to shapeshift, too.” “You’re right about one thing. It sounds crazy. Did they give you a psych evaluation after your accident?” Erich laughed and unzipped his jacket. “I can prove it, Riviera. I’m taking off my clothes because I don’t have a change with me. Otherwise, I’d bust out of them like the Incredible Hulk.” “Right.” Riviera eased around the tree, putting it between her and Erich. He had dropped his jacket and was unbuttoning his shirt. What would he do when he didn’t change into a wolf? Or would he get down on all fours and howl because he imagined he had shapeshifted? “It’s okay. You don’t have to hide. Just give me another minute and you’ll see.” He was toeing off a boot when they heard a car screech to a halt on the other side of the trees. The motor was left running while a door opened, but Riviera didn’t hear it shut. Then Lynn broke through the trees at a run and stopped dead still when she saw Erich partially undressed. “What the hell are you two doing?” she asked between panting breaths. “Wait. I don’t even want to know.” “I’m glad you’re here, Lynn.” Riviera hurried from behind the tree, edging around Erich. “I need a ride back to the shop.” Lynn shook her head. “Ria, your mom called. She can’t find Max. He was outside playing and—” “What?” Riviera’s heart skipped a beat and her knees went weak. She grabbed Lynn’s arm for support. “What do you mean she can’t find Max?” “She’d forgotten to bring the phone outside with her. When she heard it ring, she stepped inside for less than a minute to get it. When she went back out, Max wasn’t there. She looked all around the back yard and in the house, even though there wasn’t any way he could have gotten past her. She got the neighbors on both sides looking, too, then 47

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she called the shop. I took a chance you would be here.” “Has she called the police?” Erich asked. He’d buttoned up his shirt again and was pulling on his jacket. “Not yet. She thought he might be hiding somewhere in the back yard or around the house just to tease her. She thought she’d wait until you got there. Maybe if he heard you calling he’d come out.” Not waiting for any more explanations or questions, Riviera took off at a run and heard Lynn and Erich behind her. Her heart felt as if it continued skipping beats and her stomach had tied into knots. Every mother’s worst fear was happening to her, but it didn’t seem real. Surely by the time she reached her mother’s house, Max would be waiting. “I’ll follow you,” Erich called out as she and Lynn climbed into the car. She didn’t look at him or she’d burst into tears. “He knows?” Lynn asked. She handed Riviera her cell phone and threw the gearshift into reverse. “Yeah, he knows.” Riviera’s voice quivered as she punched in her mother’s phone number. “But it turns out he’s a few cards shy of a full deck. There’s no way in hell he can be a father to Max.”

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CHAPTER 8

But Max wasn’t waiting for her when she reached the house she grew up in. Her mother was in tears and the neighbors were still searching every place in their yards that seemed a likely spot for a small boy to hide. After Riviera called the police, she and Lynn combed the house, looking under every bed, in every closet and cabinet, behind every curtain in the house. No sign of Max. Out of a window, Riviera caught sight of Erich in the back yard. He stood with both arms hanging at his side, his head tilted back, eyes closed. Slowly, he turned around in place, a few degrees at a time. She wondered what he was doing. She hadn’t seen any sign of his delusion before his declaration that he could turn into a wolf. Except for the moonstone necklace. The day before at the flea market, he’d said he waited all day for someone to notice the necklace, and because she was the only one to approach it, the necklace belonged to her. She remembered thinking it was a strange thing to do, but then she’d got caught up in being with Erich again and never gave it another 49

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thought. Maybe therapy would help, and then he could be a father to Max if he wanted. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Riviera talked to the police. They were different officers than the ones she’d seen the night before. Riviera’s mother tearfully explained what happened, adding nothing that Lynn hadn’t already told her. Then Riviera told them what had happened the night before. They took it all down, said they’d check on Tommy Grogan, got a description and recent picture of Max, and went out back to search the back yard one more time. One of the officers spoke to Erich for a few minutes, then joined his partner. They had told Riviera and her mother to stay in the house near the phone in case someone called. The kidnapper, Riviera guessed. Ransom, although neither she nor her mother had anything a kidnapper would want. They weren’t rich, didn’t have valuable antiques or jewelry. Why else would someone steal a little boy? Then the very worst reason hit her, and she fell to her knees screaming, “NO!” over and over again. Lynn hugged her and murmured soothing words until Riviera quieted and agreed to lie down for a while. She lay with her eyes closed, trying not to think what could be happening to her little boy. How frightened he must be. She had always promised to love and protect him and now… Her eyes flew open to find Erich sitting in a chair beside the sofa. He looked older and as haggard as she felt, and his gorgeous golden brown eyes were filled with pain. “I’m sorry, Riviera. I tried, but I can’t pick up a scent,” he said quietly. “Not even Max’s.” Oh, God, he was off on the wolf thing again. “I know you don’t believe me. I wish I’d had time to prove it to you.” “Go away, Erich. I don’t need your insanity.” She nearly choked on 50

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the words and had to clear her throat. “My world is insane enough right now.” Erich didn’t say anything more, but the silence was worse than his bizarre chatter. And she didn’t dare close her eyes again or the mental images of what might be happening to her son would send her over the brink, too. She sat up on the edge of the sofa. Erich straightened, poised as if ready to catch her should she fall. “I’m all right,” she said. “I need to be out there searching for Max. We both do. He could have just wandered away and got lost.” “I would have—” he stopped, as if considering whether he should continue or not. “Okay, just say it. You would have smelled his trail.” “Yes. If he had just wandered away or if it was an ordinary kidnapping, yes, I could have tracked him and the kidnapper by scent.” She brushed her hair back and looked at him. “I don’t believe you. I can’t believe you.” “I know. But tell me something. Last night, after all the excitement, did you have any strange dreams?” She nodded. “I dreamt you and I made love in the moonlight.” “Anything else?” “I don’t know. It started to fade as soon as I woke up.” She was not going to tell him what woke her up or what she was doing. Then a scene flashed in her mind’s eye. “I was running, I think. Then…Then the wolf that was in the house last night was there. He—” “What did he do?” She suddenly remembered exactly what the wolf had done to her in her dream, and she blushed. What he’d done seemed reasonable during the dream. Then she remembered it all. “He changed. He transformed into you.” Erich smiled, but its usual magnificence was weakened by worry and strain. “The moonstone sent you the dream, to show you and prepare you for what I am.” 51

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Riviera nodded again. If she’d remembered the dream while by the lake, she might have taken him more seriously and not thought of him as a nutcase. “We don’t know how far back our ability to shapeshift goes. Countless generations. Maybe since the beginning of time. Until the last few centuries, we had no control over our shapeshifting or what we did. We only shifted during the three days of the full moon, and we slaughtered anything that crossed our paths.” “If—If I believe this, then that will happen to Max?” “It’ll happen whether you believe it or not. If I’d never found out about Max, both of you would have been in for a big surprise when he turned twelve or thirteen.” “Erich, I don’t want to hear about how my baby will transform into a wolf and tear people apart.” “It might have happened that way. With no one to guide him, he might not have had the strength to control it. But now, I can be here with him and teach him what to do.” Riviera burst into laughter that quickly ended on a sob. “We don’t even know where he is or if we’ll ever get him back, and you’re sitting there talking about his future as a werewolf!” Erich moved from the chair to sit beside her on the sofa. He put an arm around her, and she leaned into him like he wasn’t a maniac. She wiped at her eyes, but tears continued to flow. “It’s not a bad thing to be, Riviera,” Erich said gently. “Not since we’ve learned how to control it. Max will learn how to shift whenever he wants to without a full moon, although he’ll have to shift during the three days of the full moon. He’ll retain his human consciousness, but he’ll also have the instincts and reflexes of a wolf. In human form, from now until he shifts for the first time, his senses of sight, hearing, and smell will heighten beyond normal human capabilities. I can’t imagine how my ancestors dealt with the savagery they experienced when they only partially changed into a wolfman, instead of a wolf. With the help 52

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of a witch, we learned how to shift into wolf form completely and tame the beast within.” “A witch?” Riviera scrubbed at her eyes. His story was getting wilder by the minute, but she didn’t have the strength to argue with him. Lynn appeared in the doorway to the kitchen with a cup in each hand. Riviera raised up from Erich’s shoulder. “Anything?” Lynn shook her head and handed them the cups. “I made coffee.” Riviera took hers, but coffee was the last thing she wanted. All she needed was Max in her arms again. If anything happened to him…if she never saw him again… Her stomach twisted painfully, and she set the cup on the coffee table. “The whole neighborhood is out looking.” Lynn tried to sound encouraging. “Every policeman in Silverton has a copy of Max’s photo and a description, and they’re on the lookout for him. They haven’t been able to find Tommy Grogan yet to question him. Your mom put the phone on the base, to keep it charged in case someone calls, but she won’t leave the kitchen. You know how she does when she gets worried and upset.” “There’ll be a ton of food before she admits she’s too tired,” Riviera said with a wan smile. “Yeah. I’m going back to help her,” Lynn said and started toward the kitchen. “And keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t overdo.” “You bet.” When Lynn was gone, Riviera sighed and leaned against Erich again. “We should be out looking for him.” “We will be. I think I know who has Max.” Riviera shot to her feet. “Who? And why haven’t you told the police?” “I did. And so did you. They can’t find him and they won’t find 53

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him.” She didn’t have to think long. “Tommy Grogan? Erich nodded and stood. “If you’re ready to accept what I am and what Max is because he’s my son, then we can look for Grogan. I don’t think we’ll find him until he wants to be found, but it’s better than sitting here doing nothing.” “Wouldn’t it be better to wait? If Grogan contacts us, we can tell the police and let them handle it.” “Grogan won’t want the police involved.” “Of course not, he’s the bad guy. But the police know how to handle these things. Don’t they?” she finished hopefully. “If what I think is happening, Grogan will know no matter how careful the police are and that will put Max in danger.” “Something weird is going on, right? He was able to mask his and Max’s scents, so you wouldn’t know who took Max.” “Or, more likely, so I couldn’t track them. Just by the fact that he was able to mask their scents, I know who took him.” Erich stopped and cocked his head to one side. “Does this mean you believe me?” “All I can say is I’m open to the possibilities. Or the impossibilities, in this case.” Riviera looked around until she found her jacket and grabbed it, making sure her cell phone was still in the pocket. “Let’s go.”

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CHAPTER 9

Before Riviera got into Lynn’s car, Erich swung her around and into his arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for anything like this to happen, but I’m the cause of this.” She felt safe in Erich’s arms even if he was cracked. “That necklace. If we give him the necklace, will he let Max go?” Erich drew in a deep breath before speaking. “We can’t let him have the moonstone, Riviera. It’s the only way we have of saving ourselves. Someday, Max may need that necklace.” She jerked free of his embrace. “There is no way in hell I won’t trade that necklace for my son!” “I swear I’ll protect Max with my life, but I can’t let the stone fall into the wrong hands.” Erich opened the passenger door for her. “Get in. I’ll tell you all about it on the way to your place.” “My place?” “To get the necklace. I left it under your pillow last night, 55

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remember?” Riviera bit her lip. “So you said.” “Please, Riviera. I’ll explain everything.” She wasn’t happy about how he seemed to think the necklace was more important than their son, but she got in. Erich slid in behind the wheel, started the car, and headed toward her house. “You’re right. My family is of German origin, from the region around the Harz Mountains. A long time ago, maybe as long as a thousand years ago, but no one’s really sure, a powerful dark witch captured one of my ancestors. On a night of the full moon, she meant to sacrifice him to gain incredible power, but she didn’t know her captive was a werewolf. She wasn’t prepared for him to make the shift from man to wolfman or how strong he would be. He broke free from his bonds and ripped her throat out.” Riviera closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn’t believe she had left the fate of her son in the hands of a delusional lunatic. Ha! Lunatic was right. Lunacy was brought on by the influence of a full moon. She didn’t say anything, and Erich continued with his so-called explanation. “Before he killed her, she cursed him and every generation to come after him. If a Lambert doesn’t find his moonmate—what we call a lifemate—by the time of the last full moon before his thirtieth birthday, when he shapeshifts during that last full moon, he’ll stay in wolf form forever.” “Erich, you’ve got to know how crazy this all sounds.” “I know, but it’s the truth.” “Where does the moonstone necklace come into it?” Erich slowed and stopped at a traffic light. “The lineage almost died out a couple of hundred years ago. A Lambert werewolf can’t just marry anyone before he turns thirty. It has to be someone he’s compatible with, someone he loves and who loves and accepts him completely. It’s more difficult to find someone like that than you’d 56

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think. Hell, even normal people have trouble finding someone like that. But at least it’s not like finding a soul mate, so there are more than one or two possibilities. There may be dozens or hundreds of possible moonmates, especially in the last century with the increased population of the world. It’s just a matter of finding them. When the family realized that more and more were falling victim to the curse and staying in wolf form, one of the family members sought out a witch with extraordinary powers.” The light turned green and Erich sped through the intersection. “Another witch?” “This one was a good witch. She’s the one who taught us how to control our shifting. He told her the problem, and after a month and a day, she gave him the moonstone necklace. She had enchanted it so that all he had to do was set the necklace in a public place and it would draw a moonmate and no other to him. As soon as the family started using the charm, none of them remained in wolf form any more.” Riviera thought over all he had told her. It was insane, but he obviously believed it. “Then why does Tommy Grogan want the necklace?” “I don’t know for sure. Dammit, Tommy is the best mechanic I’ve ever worked with, and I always had him work on my bikes when I came to Silverton. I considered him a friend until now, and I didn’t think twice about asking him if I could hang the necklace at his booth. Of course, I didn’t tell him why. But last night, he was speaking in a language I couldn’t understand and I thought it best to let him go before he could finish the curse or spell or whatever it was. I wish now I’d killed the son of a bitch, but I’ve always been warned it’s hard to turn away from the bloodlust once it’s been experienced. I swear, Riviera, if I had any idea he’d kidnap Max, I’d have killed him on the spot.” Erich pulled into her driveway and shut off the ignition. He climbed out of the car, but she hesitated. What would Erich do with the necklace once they retrieved it? 57

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It didn’t matter that she thought Erich was suffering from some kind of brain damage. Grogan had specifically asked about the necklace when he attacked her. The two officers from the night before had said he was nothing more than a petty thief. He must have thought the necklace had some worth because of the way Erich had displayed it at the flea market. When he overheard Erich give it to her for the price of a cup of coffee, Grogan must have been enraged that Erich would just hand over what he thought was a valuable piece of jewelry and decided to take it for himself. It sounded flimsy, but it was the only sane explanation she could come up with. The alternative was Erich’s insane version. When Erich opened her door, she got out. She walked ahead of him into the house. She’d get the necklace from beneath her pillow and not let it out of her hands until Grogan contacted them. She’d gladly exchange it for Max, and then Erich could do what he wanted, even kill Grogan to get the moonstone back. She didn’t care what happened as long as she had Max. Inside, she ran into her bedroom and jerked the pillow off her bed. The moonstone necklace lay in a tangled heap. How had she missed it under her pillow early that morning when she grabbed a few hours sleep after getting Max settled in? She picked it up and slipped it over her head. Once again, her skin tingled as the stone nestled between her breasts. Scenes from the dream flashed through her mind. Running along the path through the trees…tumbling into the middle of the glade…the wolf’s velvety tongue caressing her body and awakening her desires…and just before mounting her, the wolf had transformed. It was Erich plunging his hot, hard cock into her. Heat rose in her face and between her thighs, her clit throbbing unbearably. She brushed her hands over the aching peaks of her nipples. How could she think of sex at a time like this when she didn’t have any idea where her son was or what was happening to him? 58

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The moonstone. The stone called her to Erich as his moonmate…if everything Erich said was true. She forced a hand away from her breast and yanked the chain over her head. Almost immediately, her passion receded. It didn’t completely disappear because she always experienced desire for Erich on some level. But her mind cleared enough to focus on the task at hand.

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CHAPTER 10

When Riviera walked out of the bedroom, she found Erich looking at the pictures of Max, from birth to the present, scattered around the room and hanging on the walls. She shouldn’t have kept father and son apart. She didn’t have any excuse except the same old tired ones she’d been telling herself the past three years. She had truly been afraid Erich wouldn’t want to have anything to do with either of them. She should have known her fears were unfounded. Erich was a better man than that. He hadn’t been ready to settle down, but with Max a reality, she should have known he would accept the responsibility. Maybe that was the crux of her problem. She hadn’t wanted him to come to her out of responsibility, but because he wanted her and wanted to fall in love with her. And now…he’d come because if he didn’t find a moonmate by the next full moon, he’d turn into a wolf for the rest of his life. Not because he felt anything special for her. Riviera felt her heart breaking yet again. She’d only been seventeen 60

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when she first saw Erich Lambert by the light of the bonfire. They’d spent the evening together, talking and learning about one another, and by the time he kissed her good night, she had fallen in love with him. He didn’t touch her except to kiss her that first year. She was underage and Erich was a gentleman. The next year and the year after was the same, although they spent a lot of time together during the week he was in town. Each year she had fallen more and more in love. Even though she was of age and eager to make love to him, he knew they wanted different things out of life. By the fourth year, she was determined to have him. She seduced him, but he was an easy catch. When it ended with her begging him not to go, she could see that his heart was splintering as well. Still, he told her no and left that night. She’d always thought that if he’d stayed one more night, he’d have stayed with her forever. Then the accident and Max. And now this. She opened her mouth to ask him where they should start looking when his cell started ringing. He whipped it out, then looked at her. “It might be Grogan.” She nodded. He flipped the top and put it to his ear. “Lambert.” Riviera clutched the necklace in her fist as she watched Erich. He listened, his face growing harder, his eyes narrowing. “Yes, I have it…No, I’ll bring it…If you hurt Max, I’ll—” He closed the phone. “He hung up.” “Where’s Max?” “Grogan has him at the flea market.” Erich shook his head. “Doesn’t make sense he’d take Max there with so many people around.” “No, Mr. Timmons closes the flea market on Sunday for religious reasons. He doesn’t believe in working on Sunday.” Riviera walked to the door and opened it, but Erich remained where he was. She looked back at him. “Let’s go get Max.” 61

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“He said for you to come alone and bring the moonstone. Riviera, I can’t—” “I told you!” she cried out before he could finish. “I’m trading this necklace for my son.” “Our son,” he corrected. Then raked his hand through his hair. “All right. I don’t see any other way.” Instead of joining her at the door, he removed his jacket then started unbuttoning his shirt. She stared at him, bewildered by his actions. “What are you doing?” He continued undressing. “Grogan has some kind of supernatural psychic ability. He was able to mask their scents when he took Max, and he sensed when we had the necklace. The timing of his call was too perfect. But last night when I was a wolf, he didn’t know I was there. He knew me, knew what I was and who I was after he saw me, but he was surprised when I came through the window. You take the stone with you in Lynn’s car. I’ll be there, waiting on you. If at any time you get Max, run like hell.” He stood, completely naked, holding his clothes in a bundle. He grinned. “Take these with you, too, so I’ll have something to wear when I shift back.” She took a few steps, then she ran to him and threw her arms around him. Their lips met in a hungry kiss, taking both their breaths away. When he finally pulled away, he inhaled deeply. “Be careful,” she whispered, gasping for air. “You, too.” He said nothing else for a moment, then, “I love you, Riviera. I always have.” Her heart soared. She’d told him many times five years ago, but he’d never said the words once. “Oh, Erich, I love you, too.” Erich kissed her quickly. “Keep him talking as long as you can. I’ll be there before you, but the more distracted he is, the better my chances of taking him down.” “I’ll try,” she said and stepped away from him. “But I’ll give him 62

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the necklace if I have to. I won’t jeopardize Max’s safety.” “Of course not. I don’t want you to.” Erich handed her his clothes. “I expect it to all be over before that happens.” She nodded. “You believe, don’t you?” She nodded again. “Yes, I do.” “Good.” He took a couple of deep, measured breaths. “It’ll look more painful than it is.” Riviera backed across the room and watched. Erich closed his eyes. For a few moments, nothing happened, but then every muscle in his body started straining as if trying to leap out of his skin. His head reared back and his spine arched. His arms flung outward and his knees buckled. Then…long hair sprouted from every pore while his jaws elongated and his limbs shortened. Hands shrank into paws and ears rose to the top of what was now a lupine head. The transformation had taken only seconds. He was on all fours, padding toward her, a large bushy tail waving behind him. Golden brown eyes looked up at her. She reached out and touched the side of his muzzle. “Erich.” He nuzzled her hand, then turned around and was through the door in a flash. Outside, Riviera saw no sign of the wolf. She tossed Erich’s clothes in the back seat of Lynn’s car and jumped in behind the wheel. Traffic and lights were with her as she drove through Silverton, and she took it as a sign that everything would be all right. She’d trade the necklace for Max. Erich would bring down Grogan before he had a chance to destroy or uncharm the moonstone. Erich and Max would have an instant rapport, and Erich would want to stay in Silverton and be a father to Max. Okay, she’d settle for two out of three right now. With Max safe, he and Erich would get to know one another, and Erich could be any kind of father he wanted to be. 63

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The sun was low on the horizon when she pulled into the empty parking area. In less than an hour, the sun would be down and plunge them into twilight. With luck, Max would be safe in her arms long before then. She got out of the car. The flea market was enclosed in a tall chain-link fence with a gate at each end. The gate at the other end was always padlocked, but the entrance from the parking area was locked only when the flea market was closed. She saw that the chain that usually held the two sides of the gate together had been cut. She pushed one side and it swung open on creaky hinges. She stepped through and stood, listening for any sounds. The eerie silence and stillness sent shivers racing up and down her spine, and her teeth clattered together. She clamped her mouth shut, and her fist tightened around the necklace. She wasn’t doing Max any good just standing here letting the place creep her out. Riviera forced one foot in front of the other and walked at a steady pace up the midway. Her eyes darted from one side to the other. She saw no movement. No Grogan with her little boy. No wolf. Erich had said he’d be here before her, but could he have gotten inside without Grogan seeing him? When she reached about midway between the two gates, she stopped and turned around in a circle, holding the necklace by the chain, the stone clearly visible. “I-I have the moonstone,” she shouted unsteadily. She cleared her throat. “Where’s Max?” “Mommy!” Max called out. “Mom—” She screamed when he was cut off abruptly. “Don’t hurt him. You can have the necklace. Don’t hurt my son!” “I ain’t hurt him,” Tommy Grogan said before he appeared from the dark doorway of one of the booths to her left. He carried Max under one arm, his filthy hand clamped over Max’s mouth. Max squirmed and pulled at his fingers, but Grogan held him effortlessly like a big rag 64

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doll. “Had to be sure you came alone.” Riviera held out the necklace toward him. “Take it! Take it and give me Max.” Grogan uncovered Max’s mouth to reach for the necklace. Max’s legs churned the air and he screamed, “Mommy! Mommy, help me!” But Riviera snatched the necklace out of Grogan’s grasp. “Put him down and you can have it.” Grogan grinned. Instead of reaching for the necklace again, his stained fingers fisted in a hank of her hair. Riviera gasped and jerked back, but he held fast. “In another life, I was a hell of a lot prettier than you,” he sneered. He was so close his foul breath washed over her. “Had my choice of any man I wanted and I wanted them all. Had most of them, too, until I decided I wanted immortality instead. Thanks to a werewolf, that didn’t work out.” Riviera kept the necklace out of his reach, but he was pulling her closer. She tried to resist, but her scalp began to burn and tears of pain sprang into her eyes. “Put Max down and I’ll give you the necklace,” she ground out from behind clenched teeth. “Destiny has a shitty sense of humor, too.” Grogan continued with his rambling nonsense. “Put me in this body, but made me still love men. Then fucked with my memory of what I’d been before. I didn’t know until I saw Lambert with the moonstone. Then I knew why I was here and what I had to do. And I found out I still have a few powers of my own.” Suddenly, he released her hair, and she fell back several steps. She blinked the tears away. Erich had said to keep him talking. He was doing plenty of that on his own, but she asked, “Like masking your scent so Erich wouldn’t know where you’d taken Max?” “He figgered that out, did he?” Grogan laughed without humor. “Here, take the kid.” He tossed Max at her, his small body sailing through the air. Riviera 65

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screamed and held out her arms. Somehow, she was never sure how, she caught him without hurting or dropping him. With Grogan bearing down on her, she flung the necklace as far as she could, wrapped her arms around her son, and ran like hell. “Shit!” She heard Grogan scream behind her. Praying Erich was nearby and would be able to get the necklace away from Grogan before he could neutralize its power, she glanced back to see if he’d made himself known. She stumbled and stopped to gain her balance, then stood watching. While Grogan was scrambling to reach the necklace in the grass, the wolf had leapt from atop one of the booths. Legs stretched out as far as they would go, he soared through the air an impossibly long distance. Landing on Grogan’s back, the wolf knocked him to the ground. Riviera could hear the feral growl over the sound of her squalling son. “Hush, baby. We’re safe now,” she crooned and hugged him closer. “Daddy saved us.”

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EPILOGUE

Two weeks later… Erich watched as his new bride kissed their sleeping son. Max was an amazing kid, and Erich didn’t think that just because the boy was his son. He grinned. Riviera brushed back a lock of hair from Max’s forehead, then tucked the quilt in closer. Max had no lingering effects from the ordeal of being kidnapped by Tommy Grogan. He didn’t have nightmares and didn’t cling to Riviera. Erich suspected his Lambert heritage had something to do with his ability to take strange occurrences in stride. It was a good thing because strange things were always happening to Lamberts. Erich was grateful he hadn’t had to kill Grogan, although he would have cheerfully ripped out his throat if needed. Pinned to the ground by an enraged wolf, Grogan hadn’t given him any trouble at all. Erich had shifted back to human form and retrieved the necklace. Riviera had brought him his clothes from the car, then they’d called the police. 67

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Grogan was taken into custody, but that night he’d managed to hang himself in his cell. In light of what he’d overheard him tell Riviera, the witch who had cursed his ancestor had reincarnated as Tommy Grogan to try to destroy the charm that helped them overcome the curse. Erich had an uneasy feeling the witch would return, one way or another. The moonstone necklace was safely back with his grandparents awaiting the next Lambert werewolf without a moonmate approaching thirty years old. Then there was Riviera. He’d had to convince her that he loved her, that it wasn’t just the curse that had brought him back. He’d stayed away from her because he knew he’d hurt her deeply, and he was too much of a coward to face her. He’d spent nearly a year hanging that moonstone in every public venue he could think of, but no one ever even glanced at it. With his birthday only weeks away—October 31, appropriately enough—he returned to Silverton. He knew Riviera would be the one drawn to the moonstone. Of course, he’d known all along she was the one. He’d tasted it in the first kiss they’d ever shared. He’d seen it in her eyes every time she’d looked at him. He’d felt it each time their bodies joined in the heat of their desire. He’d just been too damned stubborn to give in to it. He’d loved traveling and racing and thought a wife would get in the way. Five years until he turned thirty had seemed like such a long time back then. He thought he’d have plenty of time. Then the accident. As a werewolf, he thought himself invincible and was forever taking chances. He’d been speeding in the Ozarks, lost control, and the Sportster went crashing down the side of the mountain. If he’d been a full-blooded human, he’d have died instantly. When a simple cut on his finger would quickly heal in a matter of hours, his broken body had taken a year to recover. The bum hip, crushed into a bloody pulp, would be with him the rest of his life. He’d lain there for three days before his family found him. The 68

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Lamberts had long ago put together a network of contacts in Europe, including doctors, who knew what they were and would keep their secret. He’d stayed in Europe a whole year, more vegetable than human the first few months, until he was as well as he’d ever be. A close brush with death put everything into perspective. He’d told Riviera the whole story, and all he saw in her eyes was relief that people were in place in case anything ever happened to Max. And when he asked her to marry him, she’d said yes. No questions, no demands. A simple yes that made him the happiest werewolf in the world. Racing had long ago lost its luster for him. His heart hadn’t been in it since the accident. He still enjoyed riding, but he didn’t need the thrill of cheating death anymore. Once was enough. If Riviera could say yes to his marriage proposal without any qualms, the least he could do was make her home his. He could set up a shop and build custom bikes anywhere. He sighed. A werewolf living in a town called Silverton was irony at its finest. Riviera joined him and he closed the door behind them. She put her arms around him and kissed him. “Max is getting used to having you around. It won’t be long until he won’t even remember when you weren’t here.” “I’m already used to him. I don’t know what I’d do without him now.” He kissed her, working his lips against hers softly, and felt her body respond. “Or you.” Riviera’s hands moved lower and slipped into the waistband of his jeans. His cock was already rock hard and straining to escape into her warm wetness, but he didn’t know if there was time. He could feel the moon rising higher in the sky, could feel the change coming on. He covered her hands with his own. “Have you forgotten what tonight is?” She shook her head. 69

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“It’s almost time.” “I know.” She shook off his hands and unsnapped his jeans. Then she pulled on the zipper. “This is not a good idea, Riviera. You don’t want a horny wolf running around in the woods.” She laughed. “Who says you have to run through the woods?” Erich laughed, too. “You don’t want a horny wolf cooped up in this house either.” She had pushed his jeans and underwear aside until his cock popped free, bobbing up and down. She caught it and wrapped her hand around it. His laugh turned to a groan as he leaned against the wall. But then her eyes narrowed and she released him. “You weren’t planning to go out and find a she-wolf, were you?” she asked, crossing her arms in front of her. He groaned again, this time in frustration. Fighting both urges, sexual and lycanthropic, at the same time wasn’t easy. “You said there haven’t been wolves in this area in decades.” She frowned. “I have no idea how far a werewolf can travel in one night. Just so you know, Erich Lambert, I won’t tolerate you messing with another female—human or wolf.” A muscle spasmed in his arm. “I don’t fuck wolves, woman, but if you don’t finish what you started, you might be fucked by a wolf.” Her forehead creased and her chin jutted out. “You wouldn’t dare.” “Don’t tempt me.” It was becoming more difficult to concentrate on the use of words. More muscles spasmed. His pores itched and his nail beds burned. He fought it, but the throbbing tightness in his balls took more of his energy than he could spare. “I won’t be ravished by a wolf, Erich. Even knowing it’s you, I don’t think I want the experience. The dream I had, when the necklace was under my pillow, where you transformed from a wolf and made love to me…well, I didn’t tell you everything that happened.” His vision had grown blurry, but he could see her unfold her arms and 70

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reach for his cock. He didn’t know how long he could hold on. “As the wolf, you ran your tongue all over my body, from my breasts to between my thighs.” His mind had already begun the shift from man to wolf, and the mental image enticed him. His body followed, his bones turning to rubber in preparation of the transformation. When her fingers enclosed his cock, his restraint fractured. She seemed oblivious to his turmoil as her fingers played with his cock and balls. She began to walk backward, leading him by the cock so that he had no choice but to follow if he wanted her to continue massaging him. She stopped in front of their bedroom door and opened it, stepping inside. “I admit,” she murmured, as if embarrassed by the confession, “your velvet soft tongue felt wonderful.” The full moon had risen over the treetops and silver moonlight poured through the windows, washing over him as he walked farther into the room. She shut the door behind him. “I knew it was you, but I couldn’t get past that you were a—Erich?” Everything came into sharper focus, especially her eyes which had widened in surprise. Her hand dropped away from his cock. “What are you doing?” He felt hair sprout from his pores, muscles contort, nails and teeth lengthen, bones bend and re-shape. He heard cloth tear as his body became too different for the clothes he wore. He wasn’t a wolf, yet he was no longer a man. He had only partly shifted into a wolfman. He was all instinct and sensation, and his only thought was to relieve the pressure in his balls and fuck the female in front of him. Riviera, he forced himself to remember, the woman he loved, his wife. With a growl, he ripped away the tattered remains of his clothing. “Oh, Erich.” She didn’t smell of fear, but he caught the rich, musky odor of her arousal. 71

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The female was ready to be fucked. He advanced and she retreated. “Erich? Can you hear me?” The words barely penetrated the part of his brain that recognized such things. “Ye-ess.” He forced the sound through an anthropomorphic mouth not quite suited to human speech. “Erich?” Another growl rumbled in his chest, and he pounced. She turned and scrambled onto the bed. He took it as a sign that the female wanted to be fucked as much as he wanted to fuck her. He reared back and bayed at his good fortune. “Shhh,” she whispered. “You’ll wake up Max.” And then the part of his mind that retained coherency knew she had goaded him to this point on purpose. He watched as she tried to get away from him, but he still couldn’t smell fear in the aroma her body exuded. Excitement, curiosity, arousal, but no fear. He leapt after her, his long nails catching in the material covering her body. By the time he bared all of her skin, the torn cloth no longer resembled its original design. She sprawled in front of him, on her belly, and he hauled her up by her thighs, dragging her into position. Her hands fisted in the bedcovers, trying to escape him, but his grip on her thighs remained firm, and he drove hard into her hot, wet pussy. A keening howl rose in his throat. She had told him to be quiet, but as he pounded her flesh, his cock growing harder, his balls ready to explode, he could no more control the sounds he made than he could control his natural instinct to fuck. The part of him that remained Erich, wondered if he was going too far…even though he knew he didn’t have the strength to stop because the beast in him had taken over. Then he realized she was responding. She moaned each time he thrust into her. Her hips caught his rhythm 72

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and rocked with his. When he felt her muscles tighten around his cock and her body shudder, he slammed into her one more time, spurting hotly into her. He threw back his head and howled his release. He wanted to fuck her again. Now. She swept her hair out of her eyes as she turned her head to look back at him. Her body glowed softly with a sheen of sweat and moonlight. Her smile was provocative. His cock, still buried deep inside her, started to stiffen again, and he felt the aching pressure begin to build in his balls. “It’s going to be a fun three nights,” she said softly. The wolfman agreed.

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LANETTE CURINGTON / LANI AAMES Lanette Curington was born and raised in west Tennessee. She resides there with her husband, two daughters, and eight cats. Starkissed was an Eppie 2001 finalist and PEARL nominee. She is also the author of At the Stroke of Midnight and—writing as Lani Aames—Desperate Hearts, Gillian’s Island, Moonstoned, Valiant, and many other manuscripts, both completed and in progress. She is also presently working on her next novel, Immortal Conquest, a mythological romance.

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