Moonlight (8 page)

Chapter Eleven

Lana

I opened my eyes to find myself nuzzled against a gorgeous chiseled chest. Maybe I was still dreaming. Taking in a deep breath, I realized pretty fast it wasn’t a dream. It was Adam.

I shifted a little so I could see his face. His hair was mussed up and his face was pale. Even with his eyes closed, they were puffy and red. I knew I hadn’t dozed off until around four a.m. What time did he come back to my room?

Without waking him, I shimmied out from under his arm, holding my breath when he started to stir. Once he settled again, I got up and opened my laptop. While it booted up, I headed into the bathroom area and started up the coffeemaker by the sink. I hated coffee, but figured Adam might like it, and he’d probably need it after yesterday.

When I came back around the corner he was looking right at me. A squeak escaped me as I jumped back.

He smiled. “Jumpy much?”

“I thought you were still sleeping.”

“I was, but someone else got up.” He sat and stretched. “I’ve gotta get back to the barn anyway. We’ve got a broodmare coming out this morning to see Bruce.”

I raised a brow. “A broodmare? Okay, you lost me.”

He bent over to pull on his hiking boots. “I’m a horse trainer. Bruce is a stallion I train, and his stud fees pay for his training.”

“You really do ride horses for a living.” I didn’t know anyone could still make a living at horses unless they were racehorses. As far as I knew cowboys were long gone.

“Sure do.” He nodded. “I’m not independently wealthy, Lana. I’ve gotta work just like everyone else.” He laced up his boots.

“I guess I really don’t know very much about you.”

“I wish I could take you to the ranch.”

“I love horses. I used to wish for a pony when I was little.” My lips curved in a bittersweet smile. “Santa never did bring me one, though.”

He stood up, sniffed the air, and peered over at me with a cocked brow. “Did you make coffee?”

“Oh, yeah.” I glanced at the tiny coffeemaker. “It’s almost done if you want some before you go.”

“Nah, I don’t like coffee much.”

“Me neither,” I replied. He laughed.
What a great sound
. I couldn’t help but smile.

He walked over and pulled me into his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world, like we’d been together for years instead of days. I returned the embrace, enjoying the warmth of his body.

“I’m sorry about being so stubborn last night,” I said against his chest.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” He stepped back and met my eyes. “I found his trail last night, but I lost him downtown. Did you find anything?”

“I may have. I’m not sure yet.” I took his hand, trying to ignore the sparks that slid up my arm from the contact as I pulled him over to my laptop. “I found a news story about a man in Temecula who survived what he claims was a jaguar attack. ’Course there aren’t any jaguars in California, so no one believes him. I emailed him. We’ll see what happens. Beyond that, I couldn’t find any links between jaguars and business organizations, Nero or otherwise, but…” I hesitated, ratcheting up my courage to share a little more of myself with him, and hating how insecure it made me feel. “There’s something else.”

Adam sat down, resting his elbows on his knees. “What is it?”

“That tattoo I told you about? The one of the lion head… I’ve seen it before.”

He frowned leaning back in the chair. “What?”

“Yeah, it’s the same emblem that’s on the sweatshirt I was wrapped in when Texas social services took me in as a baby.”

“Holy shit.” He rocked back in the chair, crossing his arms over his chest while he mulled over the new information. I could almost see the cogs turning. Finally, he met my gaze again. “This is big. How come you didn’t say anything before?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Between learning I’m not who or what I thought I was, and constantly having to watch over my shoulder for trouble, I didn’t want to add this to the mix.”

I dropped my gaze to my laptop, feeling a wave of tears lurking. I willed them back, but Adam reached forward, catching my chin. When I met his eyes, I didn’t see the pity I expected. Only kindness reflected back at me.

“What is it? Your secret is safe with me.”

A huge lump of emotion filled my chest, pressing against my heart. I swiped a stray tear, rolling my eyes. “You’d think I’d be over all this by now, but the mental image of me being given up to the state in only a diaper and a big sweatshirt is like the ultimate reminder that no one wanted me.”

Adam pulled me into his arms, and I didn’t fight the comfort. Sitting on his knee, I breathed him in while he kissed my hair.

“We’re going to figure out what happened to them.” He pulled back enough to see my face. “I don’t know why you ended up where you did, but it is not because you didn’t deserve a family.” He bent closer to me, and I tipped my chin up, feeling his breath on my skin. His lips brushed mine so slow and tender that my breath caught in my throat. He rested his forehead against mine. “You deserve to be loved.”

My heart lurched at his words, and I settled my head against his chest. They were kind words, I reminded myself. That was all. I’d heard kind words before, and they usually came before someone walked out the door. And the kiss…that kiss. My lips still tingled, wanting more of his attention.

I wiped my eyes, collecting myself. Clearing my throat, I got up and sat on the bed, facing him again. I needed a little distance from him and all the emotions he stirred within me. Keeping the walls secure around my heart was my self-preservation, my only defense.

“So, I guess I better get started tracking down my records to see if they lead me any closer to my parents.” I rubbed my hands on my jeans and glanced over at him.

“You’re going back to the library?” I could see the tension building in his shoulders. “He’ll be watching for you.”

“I know.” I sat up straighter, welcoming the building frustration from his over-protective tendencies. Anything to escape his tenderness. “Believe it or not, I really did survive on my own before we met, Adam.” He shot me a cold look, but I went on. “I found a private investigator I have a connection to in Dallas. I’m going to call him and see if he can recommend anyone in San Antonio who does work inside the Children and Family Services Department over there. I can do it all from here in my room. No library.”

“All right.” He bent down to kiss me again, and without thinking, I kissed him right back. We both stared at each other, and my face flushed. Kissing men I hardly knew was miles out of my comfort zone, but with Adam it felt natural. Right.

He started to smile and my heart raced. I was definitely in trouble here. Adam had been kind to me and stood up for me more than once, but this was the same cocky man who sat in my booth at the diner and told me point blank that if he wanted to sweep me off my feet, I’d be swept. Once the chase was over and he had me, he’d be moving on. I knew this lesson well, and it was wise to remember it.

Adam whispered softly as he kissed me again, “I wish I could stay.”

He pulled me to my feet and into his arms as his tongue parted my lips. I moaned softly into his mouth, ignoring the voice in my head, the one I knew was right, and my fingers tightened in the back of his hair. Our lips brushed over and over, his teeth tugging gently at my lower lip. My body was on fire, aching for more. When he sat me back down on my feet, I was breathless. I wanted him anyway.

He stared at me with hungry, demanding eyes. “I’m not sorry about that.”

I started to smile. “No one said you should be.”

“Would you like to see the horses tonight? I could barbeque steaks.”

“I’d love to,” I started, “but what about…you know. The whole your-family-hates-jaguars-and-will-be-able-to-smell-me thing?”

“I’ll figure it out,” he growled sending shivers down my spine. His voice was like a dangerous promise. Part of me tried to reach for rational thought. I couldn’t get in too deep with Adam. He’d already explained about his Pack. They’d kill first and ask questions later. But he had done everything he could to keep me safe…

I stared into his eyes, my skin still hot and hungry for more time alone with him, even if it didn’t make sense. “I’d like that,” I whispered before I realized I was going to speak.

His lips curled into a sensual smile. “Me too. Stay inside. I’ll call you later today.”

He reached out to touch my cheek, his fingertips sliding along my skin as he tipped my chin up toward his mouth. This time my lips were already parted, anxious for his affection. When he drew back, my heart pounded.

“I’ll see you soon, Lana.”

He slipped out the door, and I engaged the deadbolt. When I stepped back, I shook my head. I was in so much trouble.

And it felt amazing.

Chapter Twelve

Adam

I jumped into the driver’s seat and fired up Chaney’s engine. I hadn’t gotten much sleep, but I didn’t give a shit. I felt better than I had in who knew how long. Just thinking about the way Lana’s body felt pressed against me when we kissed made me shift in my seat.

Maybe my instincts weren’t as far off as I worried they might be.

She was still a jaguar, but everything about her spoke to me. The way her large, almond eyes stared up at me with her full lips parted enough for me to catch the spicy scent of her mouth, and how her black hair felt like strands of silk sliding through my fingers made it impossible for me to think clearly. She was curvy and soft, and I wanted to explore every inch of her body and know every part of her soul.

I howled up into the hot wind as I raced toward the ranch. Had I ever felt more alive?

When I pulled into the barn, Luke was busy filling up water buckets. “Out with one of your ladies again?” He shot me a glare. “Nice of you to show up.”

Luke had turned twenty last month and still had a tough time hiding his wolf abilities and his temper. Until he could control them and pass himself off as a normal man, he needed to stay close to the Pack. My ranch was the natural choice, but it wasn’t always where Luke wanted to be.

“Sorry, Luke. I was tracking the jaguar who got Gabe.”

“All night?” He shook his head as he kinked the hose and jammed it into the next water bucket. “Yeah, right. You could’ve called.”

I knew I had a well-deserved reputation for being a player, but Luke’s sour attitude was uncalled for. “Look, believe whatever you want, Luke, but keep it to yourself, okay? I don’t want to hear it.”

“No shock there. I’m just supposed to believe whatever bullshit you’re shoveling.” He grumbled under his breath. “I’m not a kid anymore.”

“You sure as hell are acting like one.” I walked over and snagged the hose from him. “I pay you to be here so I can take care of other things when I need to, like jaguars who attack our Pack. Can the attitude.”

His brow furrowed, and he clenched his jaw. Then without a word he stormed off to the tack room. I watched him go while I topped off the last water bucket. He’d be all right. Once Luke cooled off, I figured I could find out what was really going on with him. Luke was like an onion in a lot of ways. You had to go through a lot of layers to find out what was really inside.

As I turned off the water, a horse trailer pulled down the drive. The barn broke into chaos with some of the horses pacing in their stalls, while others neighed and pawed at their doors, flipping their heads in anticipation of the visitor. I walked down the barn aisle and greeted the owners with a handshake. After they got Sabrina settled into a stall, I gave them the boarding contract to fill out and sign. The mare was a well-muscled blood bay with dark dappled color on her hindquarters. She was a west coast western pleasure champion, and her owners were hoping that crossing her with Bruce would give them a black colt or filly.

I figured a healthy foal would be good enough.

With paperwork in hand, I watched the empty trailer pull out and walked over to Bruce’s stall. I gave his neck a good scratch, chuckling as the stallion’s upper lip stretched out and quivered. I shook my head. “What a life. Did you see the way that mare was flirting with you? You’re a lucky horse, Bruce.”

Luke finally resurfaced as I saddled up the three-year-old filly at the end of the barn.

“Sorry, Adam.”

“It’s okay,” I said, meaning it. “We’re all a little tense after what happened to Gabe.”

“That’s probably it.” He shrugged. “I’m glad you didn’t find that guy who did it.”

“What?” I stopped walking, my brow furrowed. “Why?”

“Gabe was by himself, and now Gabe’s dead. I didn’t want that to happen to you too.”

I closed my eyes for a second as the puzzle pieces came together in my mind, then I looked over at Luke. “So when I wasn’t here this morning you thought…” He thought I was dead. I felt like a big asshole. “I’m sorry, Luke. I should’ve called you.”

He shrugged it off. “No big deal. But you shouldn’t go looking for this guy alone.”

“Now that the new moon is over he won’t be so dangerous.” I saw the frustration in Luke’s eyes and put my hands up a little. “I won’t go look for him alone, okay?”

“Good.” Luke smiled. I felt bad for lying to him, but at least it brought him some peace of mind.

On to the barn full of horses that needed to be worked.
Time to focus
. Luke already had Bubbles all saddled up, so I led her out to the ring. Like Bruce, she had a registered name, Seaswept Ladyhawke, but she also blew bubbles in her water bucket so her nickname stuck. In the center of the ring I tightened the cinch a little more and flipped the reins up over her head. She’d only been ridden a few times, but she was a good-hearted mare. I was still careful with her, but so far she’d been pretty eager to learn.

With my left boot in the stirrup, I stroked her neck. “Ready, Bub?”

She seemed steady, so I grabbed the front and back of the saddle and pulled myself up, swinging my right leg over to the other side. I slid my foot into the stirrup and adjusted the reins. With a little click of my tongue, Bubbles stepped forward and we worked as a team practicing turns and moving her through her gaits.

I smiled, stroking her mane as we loped along the rail of the ring. Riding horses brought me peace like nothing else. Having an animal nature myself, we shared an unspoken communication. The horses trusted me and usually tried everything I asked of them. Rarely did any of them give me any trouble.

Not like Lana. I smirked. She definitely excelled at trouble. It seemed to follow her around like a puppy.

I rode Bubbles back to the barn and slid down from the saddle. Luke grabbed the reins and walked her back toward the crossties to pull the saddle off and cool her out. Once I found a chair in a shady spot, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Lana’s number.

No answer. Frowning, I left a voicemail. She was probably just in the shower, I told myself. But rationalizations or not, my animal instincts were on alert. I needed to hear her voice and know she was safe. But before I could race over to her hotel to check on her, Aren pulled up.

And he didn’t look happy.