Which was crazy. Since when was his wolf into that kind of thing?

  Ever since we met her, the beast said, as if that were many happy years ago and not just a minute or two.

  We didn’t just meet her now. We saw her ages ago, on the highway.

  On the highway, when she had passed in a blur?

  I knew, the beast insisted. I just knew.

  He didn’t dare ask what the beast knew.

  “Luke. Biblical name,” Carly said with a naughty grin.

  He laughed out loud. “Don’t read into it.”

  “So, Luke,” she said, teasing him all over again. “Wolf,” she added in a lusty undertone too low for human ears. “You ready to dance?”

  He considered for exactly two seconds before his resolve shattered. He shot to his feet, grabbed her hand, and pulled her close. So close, he wasn’t breathing air, but her scent.

  “Ready,” he murmured, letting her lead the way.

  Chapter Three

  “You from around here?” Carly shouted over the music as she led her handsome stranger to the dance floor.

  Yes, her stranger, at least for tonight.

  Only tonight? her wolf cried.

  Absolutely, positively, only for tonight, she shot back before the stupid beast got any bad ideas.

  But it was too late, because her wolf had been entertaining bad ideas for a while. What was this obsession with settling down with a mate?

  Every wolf needs a mate, the inner voice cried, so broken and lonely, Carly nearly caved in.

  A second later, she straightened her shoulders and dug in her heels. No way would she give in to her wolf’s silly desires. A woman who fell in love was far too likely to hand over her heart and her soul.

  Think of Mom, she told her wolf.

  You’re not her, the wolf whined back. You’re you. You’re strong.

  Yes, she was strong, but so had her mother been once upon a time. And Carly had no desire to turn out the same way.

  Her wolf licked its lips and tried a different tack. He’s gorgeous. Just give him a chance.

  That, she fully intended to. One chance for one night, but not a second more. Just like all the other men she’d picked up over the last few years. She’d allow herself one night of fun, of satisfying her body’s needs — and then forget about him. It was better that way.

  Not better, her wolf whined. Lonelier. And this man is different.

  That much, she had to agree with. There was something different about him. Something she couldn’t put her finger on. Sure, she’d picked up a hunk or two — or ten — in the past and made sure she got exactly what she wanted for exactly one night. But she’d never come on as strong, as fast, as pit-bull determined as just now. Why did she crave this man so much?

  He’s dangerous, her wolf hummed. Not in warning — in glee.

  But that didn’t explain it, either. She’d done bad boy types brimming with anger, ink, and attitude. She’d done broody road warriors. What was it with this guy?

  Mate, her wolf whispered. Mine.

  When Luke shook his head, the light cast shadows over high cheekbones, and she wondered if he’d read her mind. But no, he was just answering her question. Was he from around here?

  “Just passing through. How about you?”

  The man had a voice that made her toes curl. A body a sculptor would pay to shape. A face any woman would fall in love with. He was the perfect combination of rugged and handsome, like a cowboy from a cigarette ad crossed with a model for a fancy cologne. She sniffed deeply, and her inner wolf sighed.

  Mine.

  Just for tonight, she reminded her wolf. Then she shut it in its inner cage and let herself drink the man in.

  His short, dark hair stuck up a little at the front. His deep, dark tan was closer to a windburn, like a hardcore biker who’d spent most of his life on the road. Dozens of small scars hinted at a lot of midnight brawls, and the bigger ones — like the scar that zigzagged down his right arm — spoke of life-or-death shifter fights. His piercingly dark eyes carried a little bit of everything. Love. Hate. Betrayal. Burning anger. A sprinkle of hope.

  She looked a little deeper and found joy, hiding all the way in the back. A bridled kind of joy just waiting for its chance.

  And fear? Not a trace.

  She licked her lips. No self-respecting member of her family would approve of her messing with a transient, bad boy type. A man with big, bold tattoos who stood for everything they despised.

  Forbidden, in other words. The best kind.

  He looked at her expectantly, and she realized she hadn’t answered his question. Was she from around here?

  Sort of. Kind of. A long story she really didn’t have time to explain. I’m a member of two packs — Arroyo Hills in California, where I grew up with my loony mother, and Twin Moon Ranch, where my father and siblings live. It’s just up the road from here, and it’s paradise, only I never get to stay there long. I’m always in between.

  But that would be the wimpy side of her soul talking, so she quickly tucked the thoughts away.

  “Just visiting,” she said.

  Luke nodded, looking as relieved as she was. If he was just passing through, this would be easy. A fun night of dancing followed by more intimate moves once she got him somewhere private, and then in the morning, a quick thanks and good-bye. That was her modus operandi when it came to men. Easy come, easy go. Quick. Convenient. Fun.

  And never, ever anything deeper than that.

  Never? her wolf whimpered.

  She shook her head firmly. Thank goodness for her tough human side. It was her inner wolf who deluded itself with visions of the perfect man — or even worse, the perfect mate.

  It would be nice to have a mate, her wolf whimpered.

  Like that ass, Craig? she shot back.

  Her inner wolf all but bared its teeth. Never. That was not my idea.

  Carly took another gulp of beer, trying to purge the memory from her mind. Her home pack had actually welcomed Craig in and encouraged the idea of a mating to him.

  Just get to know him a little, her mother had urged.

  Like Carly needed more than one glance to see through the man with slicked-back hair and a cocky grin. Craig was arrogant. Selfish. Ambitious, too — dangerously so.

  Gonna find me a good pack to lead, you know, Craig had declared. And I need a good she-wolf at my side.

  More like a she-wolf at his beck and call, Carly figured. He’d barely even looked at her, addressing the Arroyo Hills alpha instead.

  He’s perfect for you, her mother had declared.

  Perfect? Carly could barely stand the overwhelming scent of Craig’s hair gel, let alone the rest of him.

  Luckily, her home pack was progressive enough not to force anything on her. But they sure as hell could pressure her. After three days of that, she’d hit the road, heading to her father’s side of the family at Twin Moon Ranch for a little reprieve.

  This man isn’t like Craig, her wolf murmured about Luke. This man is perfect.

  Carly considered. The perfect man was one she could wave good-bye to on her way out of town. And that made Luke Mr. Perfect, if only for tonight.

  Luke smiled one of those killer smiles, and though she melted inside, she made sure to shoot her best grin back. The one that said, I want you to know, Hot Stuff, that as much as you think you’re playing me, I’m playing you.

  I know, his eyes twinkled. Believe me, I know.

  “So, no hurry to get anywhere tonight?” he asked.

  She grinned. “No hurry.”

  Twin Moon Ranch was just up the road, but her family wasn’t expecting her at any particular time. And the second she stepped foot on the ranch, she could forget about this kind of fun. Her dad was the former alpha of that wolf pack, and her brother the current leader. That made fooling around with any male in the pack out of the question. It was just too complicated. So a night with Luke was exactly what she needed to tide her over until she could hit the road again.

  Definitely not in a hurry, her wolf murmured.

  Not with the dance floor just livening up. And certainly not after she’d spotted Hot Stuff eyeing her up and down. When she’d sniffed and caught the scent of wolf…

  Yum. Her inner beast practically purred as she led him closer to the band.

  The minute they hit the dance floor, he pulled her close, and hot damn, did that he-wolf have moves. Luke led her around the floor like she hadn’t been led — or allowed herself to be — in a long time, sweeping her in and out of his arms in glorious twists and turns. It was like dancing with sunshine, even though they were in a seedy bar at the stroke of midnight.

  “Promise me something,” she said the next time he pulled her into his chest.

  “What’s that?” He grinned, all bad boy again.

  “Promise that turning over a new leaf doesn’t mean you’re going to give up dancing.”

  His hearty laugh filled his tanned face with a new glow. “I guess I have plenty of other sins to give up first.”

  Just hearing the word sin made her inner temperature shoot up another few degrees. And when he said give up, he held her closer, as if that were the last thing he wanted to do.

  Maybe he wasn’t really ready to give up all his sins.

  Maybe he shouldn’t even try.

  Maybe a girl like her was exactly what this man needed to hang on to all the good parts of being bad.

  “You know that line, right?” she asked. “The one about laughing with sinners instead of crying with saints.”

  The music slowed just then, and his face grew somber. “Done plenty of laughing,” he said, so quietly she almost missed the words. “And not always at the right thing.”

  Regret had its own signature scent, and it snuck into the space around him. A lot of regret, it seemed. It clouded his eyes and slowed his step.

  “Still beats crying,” she said. “Come on, Hot Stuff. That leaf’s not going anywhere before tomorrow.” She pulled him through the next couple of moves until he found his rhythm again.

  “I guess not,” he admitted, taking the lead once more.

  The band followed up with another fast song, and before long, all those bumps, touches, and grinds filled her mind with visions of what else she could do with this man and how good it would be. Then the band transitioned into one of those slow love songs made just for a woman in her mood. The kind that gave her a chance to sniff his neck up close, to let her hands trace the muscles of his back. Which meant a hell of a lot of tracing while she squeezed her chest and hips against his. He smelled like leather and fresh air and the open road. And Jesus, did he turn her on. Those dark, hungry eyes — Black eyes? Brown? — so focused on hers. The easy way their bodies pressed closer with each beat.

  His hands played over her ribs, but just when they got deliciously close to where she really wanted to feel them, he backed away.

  “Hey,” she protested, clamping her hands over his. She tugged them up until he was cupping the lower edge of her breasts. Not high enough to give the crowd a real show, but enough to make her intentions clear.

  “Don’t stop,” she whispered. And drat, it came out sounding much needier than she intended.

  “Wasn’t planning to,” he whispered, pulling her hips against his.

  “So what exactly were you planning?” she teased.

  He pursed his lips, but his eyes gave him away. They sparked and smoldered as they took her in. Yeah, Hot Stuff wanted her, all right.

  The music sped up again, and she made sure every step led them closer to the door.

  “Tired of dancing?” Now he was the tease.

  She let her hands slide far enough down the back of his jeans to answer. “Just ready to move this dance somewhere else. Somewhere private. Are you with me, bad boy?”

  His eyes had that feral wolf glow, and he nodded once. “I think they have rooms upstairs.”

  “I think I might not make it that far.”

  “Good,” he said, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. “Then I get to tease you a while, too.”

  Wait a minute. Teasing was her job.

  But he was already pulling her along. He detoured to the bar just long enough to pick up a key to a room, then led her out the door.

  “Perfect night for a—” he started.

  The second they stepped into the cool night air, she hustled him against the wall and covered his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss. A sloppy kiss, with her tongue and hands all over the place, caught up in a sudden craving for this man.

  Want him. Need him, her wolf cried.

  Her kiss was wild. Hungry. Starving, almost.

  Luke’s lips moved under hers just as eagerly — but tenderly, too. It was in the way he threaded his fingers through her hair. The way his thumbs stroked her cheeks. The way his lips slowed hers down to stretch out the moment.

  What bad boy had ever kissed her like this? A kiss that gave instead of taking. A kiss full of yearning and shattered dreams.

  He needs us, her wolf said. And we need him.

  She pushed those thoughts away and concentrated on the physical. Her body screamed for his touch, his heat. Outside. Inside.

  Deep, deep inside, her wolf hummed.

  A sentiment he must have read on her mind, because he growled.

  She ran a hand down the hard planes of his chest and stomach to the bulge in his jeans and palmed him until he did it again. A real, bone-deep growl.

  “Watch what you wish for, she-wolf.”

  “Is that a warning or a promise?”

  “Both.” He tipped her head to the side and started kissing her neck. Soft, hard, then soft again.

  “Luke,” she whispered, clawing at his shirt.

  He backed her against the wall and spread her legs with his. Nipping and licking and promising her the night of her life. He groaned her name in his mind.

  Carly. Carly. Carly…

  Wait. She was just imagining that, right?

  “Upstairs, bad boy,” she said, grabbing him by the collar. She led him to the second floor, where they kissed and groped their way to the third room down. By the time he slammed the door closed and pinned her against it, she was panting.

  “Gotta get this off,” she breathed, yanking his shirt over his head.

  “This, too,” he said, smoothing his hands up her body until her shirt fluttered away.

  The more layers she helped him out of, the more ink she revealed. The man had tattoos everywhere. Tribal swirls on his shoulders, jagged lightning strikes down his arms. They accentuated all that muscle, that bulk.

  Within seconds, most of her clothes were strewn around the room, and her panties were down around her ankles. She kicked them off and fumbled with his jeans.

  “Bye-bye, boxers,” she murmured, wondering what pattern she might uncover next.

  Shouldn’t go this fast, a corner of her mind said. Shouldn’t feel so drunk with desire.

  It shouldn’t feel like her first time either, but it did. The sparks shooting through her veins, the anticipation. Hunger mixed with a tiny bit of fear — the kind of fear that went with handing over trust. Of being pushed past the edge of what she could control.

  Her wolf howled deliriously, and she tried to leash it in. But then Luke dropped to his knees in front of her, spread her legs, and looked up.

  Oh, yes, both sides of her soul moaned at the same time.

  Luke didn’t utter a word, but his eyes glowed. And shit, not just with arousal, but with that possessive, my-woman look her brothers gave their mates.

  The scary thing was, she was pretty sure her eyes were glowing the same way.

  When he slid his thumbs down her center line, tipped forward to spread her wider, and began to feast, every note of caution fled her mind. Words caught in her throat as he ravaged her body in the most delicious way. With his tongue. His fingers. His searingly hot breath. She clutched at the door, his hair, then his shoulders as he pushed her closer and closer toward a shattering orgasm.

  Come for me, his voice sounded in her mind. Coaxing, not commanding. Begging, almost.

  She tipped her head against the door, moaning as her muscles clenched tighter. She was definitely hearing things. Only packmates could hear each other’s thoughts.

  Packmates and destined mates, her wolf said.

  Not going there, she moaned, trying to hang on to her last scrap of control. So not going there.

  Mates, her wolf sang.

  She wanted to protest, but she couldn’t. Not with a tornado of need whipping through her soul.

  Come for me, Luke murmured, swirling his tongue against her clit while his fingers tickled her inside.

  She cried out as the orgasm shook through her. The room was dark, but her vision filled with light. Her ears filled with the sound of her own moans.

  “Yes…yes…” she cried.

  Was this really happening? She’d never let a man take full charge of her body before. She’d always kept her defenses firmly up. What was wrong with her?

  She shuddered, succumbing to the rushing wave of need. Not sure which way was up or down. No longer caring as long as that exquisite pleasure never ebbed.

  “Yes…”

  She rode the high for another full minute then went limp against the wall, panting hard.

  Amazing, she swore she heard Luke humming in her mind. He scrubbed his stubbly chin against her thigh, marking her as his.

  His fingers tightened around her hips, anchoring her until her senses snapped back into place. Well, only half her senses — the ones controlled by her wolf.

  Need this man, it cried. Need my mate.

  Before she knew it, she was hauling him over to the bed and straddling him. Lowering her body over his thick, hard shaft one agonizingly perfect inch at a time. She groaned, relishing the inner stretch, the heat. Then she started rocking. Faster and faster still until they were both bucking wildly.

  “Luke…”

  His name slipped far too easily from her tongue. Her heart beat far too quickly for a woman who ought to be guarding her soul, and her pulse skipped too erratically for a person pretending to be in control.

  “Turn,” he murmured, all low and growly.

  She rolled, letting him take the top without so much as a sassy comment.