Betting the Moon: Cannon Pack, Book 4 (8 page)

He almost laughed more at her surprise. And if he were truthful with himself, he’d have to admit he wasn’t so sure he could’ve broken free even in wolf form. He just hoped her magic would be as strong with Bascom.

Mari traced a finger down the middle of Tucker’s chest and wondered if anything could ever wipe the smile off her face. But didn’t she have reason to smile? After riding him on the chair, he’d thrown her into bed and taken her time and time again. Did all werewolves have such incredible stamina? Or had she just gotten lucky with Tucker? She snuggled under his arm and played with the chest hairs leading a path down to the curlier hairs around his shaft.

“I’ve been watching you for a while.”

She rested her chin on his chest and stared into the crystal blue eyes. “You have?”

His laugh warmed her from the outside all the way to her heart. “Get that look off your face. I don’t mean it in a stalkerish kind of way.”

She pretended to be more relieved than she felt. “I’m glad. For a minute there, I thought I’d have to call security.”

“Let’s not forget who tied, or stuck, or whatever you call it, my hands to the chair.” She poked him playfully in the stomach. “Ouch. Okay, tough girl. Knock it off.”

She made a fierce face and shook her fist at him. “Then you better remember who’s stronger.”

He chuckled, then gave her his own version of a poke—on the end of her nose. “I meant, I’ve been watching your career for a while.”

“Really? But why?”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re one of the best in the world.”

“Yeah, but I would’ve thought you’d follow one of the top male players. They have great records, too, you know.” Especially Bascom
. No, don’t go there.

“True, and I followed a few of them as well. Men like Phil Ivey and all-time greats like Doyle Brunson. But let’s face it. Given a choice between looking at photos of Brunson or you, which do you think I chose?”

“Wow, talk about a backhanded compliment. I beat out senior-citizen Brunson.”

“Barely.” He chuckled at her scowl. “Although his background’s not as interesting as yours.”

Now he’d really caught her interest. “Wait a sec. You read about my life outside of poker?”

“I sure did.” He grew thoughtful. “Now let me see if I remember this right. You grew up on a hippy commune in California—”

“It’s not a commune, it’s an ashram, and my mother was its spiritual leader.”

“What’s an ashram?” He played with her hair, winding it around one of his fingers.

“An ashram is a place where people go to grow spiritually. Ours was located in the hills between Los Angeles and Malibu. People came to worship, to do yoga, to do whatever it was they needed to do to find happiness and fulfillment.”

“Like I said, a commune.”

She tweaked his nipple, earning a loud yelp. “It’s not a commune.”

“Was your mother a witch, too? Or was your father a warlock?” Tucker frowned. “It’s surprising how little I know about witches.”

“You probably know as much about us as I know about werewolves. And more than I know about vampires.” Bascom’s evil eyes struck her, chilling her, and she moved closer, using Tucker’s warmth to shake off the image and the chill. “Neither one of my parents had any powers of any kind. But my grandmother was a very powerful witch. The magic sometimes skips a generation.”

“Too bad for your mom.”

Was it? Sometimes she thought her mother had gotten lucky. “What else did you find out about me?”

“I know you like to eat weird stuff like chicken pizza.”

“What’s so weird about chicken pizza?”

“Eck.” He faked a shudder. “Nothing I guess. I just can’t stand birds. Especially chickens.”

“So I guess you never raided a henhouse.”

He arched one haughty eyebrow. “Foxes raid henhouses. Not wolves, and definitely not werewolves.”

“Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’ll let it pass. This time.”

She giggled and snuggled closer.

“I also know you tend to bet aggressively when you’re short-stacked.”

“No, don’t. Let’s not talk about game play. Talk about the personal stuff.” She had to admit it. She was touched that he’d delved into her background and wanted to hear more.

“I know you like to give back. You do a lot of work with charities.”

She rose up on her elbow to study him. “You really did do some digging.”

He looked sheepish, almost as though he were a shy young boy with a crush on his teacher. “What can I say? I found you interesting. Besides, your background told me a lot about you. Obviously, you’re giving and generous. I mean, how many people give thirty percent of their income to charity?”

She bowed her head, unwilling to take the praise. “It’s a purely selfish move. I love helping people because it makes me feel good.”

“Bullshit. You’re a good person, so own it.” He tugged her around, placing her back against his chest and sliding his arm under her breasts. “I also know you live modestly and not in a mansion.”

“Why bother with a big house when I’m rarely home?”

“You also like to go hiking and camping, which, in my book, puts you way out in front of anyone else.”

“Okay, since you know so much about me, how about telling me something about yourself?”

“What’s to tell? I was born a werewolf and I grew up with the Cannon Pack in the Colorado Mountains.”

“Oh, come on. Like I said, I don’t know about werewolves, but I’m betting not many end up in a Las Vegas poker tournament.” She craned her neck to see him. “I’m right, aren’t I? If there were, I would’ve sensed they were special like I did with you. Or are there other supernatural beings I don’t know about? Ones I can’t sense. Worse things, maybe?” She felt his chuckle rumble into her back.

“Worse things? Meaning werewolves are bad enough? Dang. What a dig.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know. Vamps.” He kissed the top of her head. “Naw. Or at least I haven’t run into anything else yet. I think most supernaturals are like werewolves. We tend to stick close to home and either stay in the mountains or work in one of the pack’s businesses in the city.”

“Then how did you end up on the circuit?”

“I wanted to do the lone-wolf routine for a while, then start my own pack. But I didn’t count on catching the gambling bug. Anyway, I got lucky because my alpha, Daniel Cannon, staked me in getting started as a professional player.”

“For having turned professional a little over a year ago, you’re doing really well.”

“Ah, so I’m not the only one who’s done a little Googling.”

“Okay, I admit it. I’ve been tracking your progress, too. At least now I understand why I haven’t found much about your past or your personal life.” She had, in fact, been fascinated with his fast rise in the rankings. “So your pack’s okay with your profession? Especially since it puts you in the limelight?”

“They’re used to me doing whatever the hell I want.”

She waited, sensing there was more.

“Actually, I’m the white wolf in my pack, which is like being the black sheep among humans.”

“What does that mean? When you change, do you change into a white wolf?”

“You got it.”

She rolled over to face him. “Really? Isn’t that rare?” She studied him as though she could see the wolf beneath the human skin. “I’ve never seen a white wolf.” She watched, ready to see his reaction. “But I’d like to.”

Tucker flipped her on her back, then pulled her hands above head, snaring her wrists in his large hands. Her heart pounded, and her breathing quickened. Amber flaked his eyes, and the tiniest bit of fang slipped over his lower lip.

“Darlin’, be careful. You might just get your wish.”

“I know what I’m asking.” Then realization struck, alarm stiffening her body. “At least, I think I do. You wouldn’t hurt me, would you?”

His expression softened. “I could never hurt you. As a wolf or as a man.”

The way he said it brought a lump to Mari’s throat. She knew she could trust him to keep her safe. Not just from him, but from everything. She sat up, pulling the sheet over her body. “Then do it. Let me see Tucker the white wolf.”

He studied her, obviously trying to decide whether to do as she asked or not. “I don’t know if this is a good idea. I wouldn’t want to scare you off.”

“You won’t. I’ll stay calm.”

“The Change isn’t easy, you know. Bones break and reform, and the noise can be unsettling to humans. In fact, the whole thing can be pretty gruesome to watch. You might want to close your eyes until it’s over.”

“Not a chance. I want to see.” She clamped her mouth closed, catching the
who I’m getting involved with
from slipping out. As far as she knew, their involvement would be over once the tournament was finished.

He tilted his head, his expression serious and thoughtful, and she waited for him to decide. At last, he flung off the covers and strode to the other side of the room. His enticing buttocks flexed as he kept his back to her, then swung his arms as though warming up for a run. The muscles in his broad back flexed with each swing.

Damn, but he was hot.

All of a sudden, he stopped. Had he changed his mind? She stared at him and was about to ask what had happened. She opened her mouth, ready to question him, then blinked once. Then twice. Was her eyesight getting bad? Why did he look fuzzy?

Then it hit her. The distinct outline of his body was dissolving, growing hazy. He was shifting.

Crack!

The sound startled her and she clamped a hand to her mouth. Was that a bone breaking?

Tucker’s arms twisted, turning toward the front of his body. His butt, so enticing before, became narrower, then lengthened at the end. More cracking sounds made her grit her teeth against the agonizing sounds, but she wouldn’t look away.

Without warning, he dropped to the floor, still with his back to her. She yanked the sheet and held it under her chin like a protective shield and watched, mesmerized as his legs broke in half then reformed.

Oh, my God.

She pulled the sheet higher, just under her eyes, like she was watching a horror movie she couldn’t turn off. A film spread over his body, turning tanned skin to white.

Fur. He’s growing fur.

Spellbound more than any hex could ever do, she couldn’t take her gaze from him. Her gut clenched as she balled the sheet in her hands and waited, unable to look away. She gasped as a long, white tail broke through his skin. His body shook, then slowly, he turned to face her.

His face contorted, growing longer and narrower. His mouth, no longer human, spread wider until jaws formed and fierce white teeth showed as he drew back his lips in a snarl. Ears sprouted from human ears, and the last resemblance to a human’s head was gone.

The white wolf, bigger than any she’d ever seen, padded toward her, then stopped. He tilted his head to side, reminding her of how he’d done so earlier.

“Tucker?” It was silly to ask, but she had to anyway.

He bobbed his head once, then one more time, and took another step closer. She held her breath and waited. Would he attack her?

They stood staring at each other for a minute or more before she found the strength to move. Dropping the sheet, she scooted toward the end of the bed on her hands and knees. He gave a low growl, one that sounded more tentative than angry.

“Tucker?”

Amber eyes regarded her as though waiting for her to go on.

“Tucker. You’re frickin’ amazing.”

The grin sliding over the wolf’s face was unmistakable.

“Are you ready?” Tucker, dressed in a crisp white shirt and jeans that hugged his body in all the right places, closed the door behind him and strode into Mari’s hotel room. She tingled just looking at him, but once she started remembering him stuck to the chair, his wild eyes scouring her body, the tingle transformed into a full-blown bolt of electricity. If only they had time… She’d love to do more than imagine the possibilities.

“I am.” Mari shoved her lustful thoughts away and tried to appear more confident than she felt. Tucker’s expectant look had her averting her face from his, and she checked her lipstick in the mirror, then fluffed her hair.

Fake it until you make it.

Was the phrase one of Tommy’s? Or one she’d heard somewhere else?

“Have you got a spell ready? You know exactly what you’re going to do?” He shifted back and forth on his feet and dug his hands into his pockets.

Okay, maybe he wasn’t as confident as she’d thought he was. This was so not good. “Uh-huh.” A whisper was all she could get out.

“Well, do you?”

She was nervous enough without having him badger her. “I said I did.” She cringed, hating the strident tone of her voice and covered by tugging at the form-fitting skirt and blouse she’d thrown on. The blouse revealed an ample amount of her cleavage, maybe too much, and for the hundredth time, she considered changing. But time had run out.