Passionate Craving (2 page)

“Ignore Talon,” he said. “He likes to be a smart ass at times.”

“Okay,” she said. “Well, thanks again. I guess I’ll see you around
since I plan to be in Canyon Creek for the next four weeks.”

“Where are you staying?”

“I thought to look for a bed and breakfast in town.”

“There isn’t one.”

“Oh.”

Tori hadn’t thought to check first to see if there was when she’d
planned this trip. She’d just assumed there would be something available. Most
other towns had had at least one B & B. She had to admit Canyon Creek was
the smallest she’d been to. Now she’d have to find a place to stay.

She then remembered what Brad had said about Memphis and his family
allowing wild wolves to live on their property, and that Memphis had said they
didn’t trap them or go out of their way to hunt them. Part of her trip to
Canyon Creek was to study some of the wild gray wolves that lived in this part
of Montana.

“The closet hotel is in—”

Tori hurriedly cut Memphis off. “What about your land?”

He gave her a questioning look. “I don’t follow.”

“Would you and your family allow me to stay on your property? I can
buy everything I’d need for camping and sleep in a tent. I can use it as a base
to study the wolves in the area.”

“I can answer for all my family and say you can, but if you really
want to do that, you don’t need to sleep in a tent. You can stay in my cabin. I
can sleep somewhere else if you aren’t comfortable with me there.”

Tori shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I actually like
camping. I don’t want to put you out. A tent is fine.”

“If you insist, but I’m going to suggest you don’t camp too far out
in the bush. Bears do come onto our land from time to time. A tent isn’t much
protection against one. Plus, that way you can come to my cabin to use the
bathroom and eat your meals.”

“All right. If you can give me directions to your cabin, I’ll meet
you there in a few hours. I don’t suppose I’ll be able to buy the camping
equipment here in town?”

“Not really. You’re best to go to Helena to find the things you’ll
need. It’s about a half hour from here.”

“I know. I passed through the city on the way to Canyon Creek.” Tori
took out a notebook that she kept in her purse and a pen and handed them to
Memphis. “You can write the directions to your place in this.”

Once he did, he handed the items back. “I’ll see you in a few hours
then. I’ll inform the rest of my family so they won’t think you’re trespassing.”

Tori smiled. “Sounds good. See you later.”

She left Memphis and headed toward the general store where she’d
left her car. Tori resisted the urge to look back at him. The arrangements she’d
made with him were perfect. It would have her close to the wild wolves, and
gave her access to Memphis. She definitely wanted to get to know him better.
The entire time they’d spoken, she’d had to repeatedly stop herself from
wanting to get closer, to bury her nose against his chest and take a big sniff.
He’d smelled so damn good, and it had gotten even better the longer they’d
talked. His scent had made her wet, and had filled her mind with thoughts of
hot and sweaty sex that would last all night.

* * * *

After Tori walked away, Memphis waited until she was out of sight
before he followed. Talon was more than likely already at the pickup truck,
waiting. And he’d probably complain about Memphis’ scent.

As Memphis had talked with Tori, it’d become stronger. It was
nature’s way of assuring his mate would be more than willing to have him claim
her. It acted like an aphrodisiac, which the female meant for him wouldn’t be
able to resist. And Tori had reacted to it. The musky scent of her arousal had
filled his nose, making his cock even harder. The wolf side of him wanted to
drag her off somewhere out of sight and get a good taste of the juices that
he’d find between her legs.

He pulled his mind away from thoughts of his mate naked, willing and
in his arms once he reached his truck. As expected, Talon stood on the sidewalk
at the hood. He’d been leaning against it, but pushed away after he saw
Memphis.

Once Memphis drew even with his brother, Talon asked, “What
happened? Did you let your mate slip through your fingers?” He waved a hand in
front of his face. “Man, you reek now.”

Memphis ignored Talon’s last statement. “No. Did you get everything
we needed?”

“Yeah. I put the bags in the bed. So what about Tori?”

“Get in the truck and I’ll explain.”

After they were inside the cab and driving down the street, Memphis
told Talon about Tori’s plan to camp on their land to study the wolves.

“She suggested that all on her own?” Talon asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, that works out all the better for you.”

“It will. I’ve decided if she wants to study wolves then I’ll give
her a new species to learn about. One she’s never seen or heard of before.”

Talon chuckled. “That’s a new way to win over a mate. Let her fall
for you in wolf form first, then the man.”

Memphis hoped Tori would be too busy studying him to talk to others
about protecting the gray wolves. She’d end up making plenty of enemies rather
than friends if she didn’t back off. He was sure Brad wasn’t the only asshole in
Canyon Creek.

Chapter Two

After Tori arrived in Helena, she pulled her car over to the side of
the road and used her cell phone to look up a sporting goods store on the
Internet. It didn’t take her long to find one that wasn’t far from where she
was now. She merged back into traffic and drove to the address.

At the store, with the help of one of the employees, Tori quickly
found all she needed. She picked a two-man tent, an air mattress, sleeping bag
and a battery operated lantern. Even though they sold wood for campfires as
well, she passed on it. She figured Memphis should have some that he wouldn’t
mind letting her use since he obviously lived in the bush.

She loaded her car with her purchases and was on the road to Canyon
Creek minutes later. Tori looked forward to setting up her small camp. Lately,
she’d been working more and more out of the foundation’s offices. That wasn’t
exactly her favorite place to be, stuck inside behind a desk. Being able to go
out into the field and study wildlife in their habitat was a big part that had
led to her becoming a biologist. She’d asked to be given the opportunity to
come to this small community to get back to doing what she loved the
most—observing wild wolves in their environment.

Once she arrived in the town of Canyon Creek, Tori followed the
directions Memphis had written in her notebook. The area became more
mountainous and forested the farther she went. She turned onto the graveled
road that was the start of his family’s land. It was beautiful, remote and up
in the mountain. It’d be no hardship camping there.

Tori took the narrow path that would take her to Memphis’ cabin. She
cringed as she drove over a particularly rocky stretch. Her car wasn’t exactly
meant for off-road driving. She crested a small hill and arrived at his place.

She parked next to a 4x4 pickup that she assumed Memphis owned, then
shut off the engine. Tori climbed out of her sedan and looked around. The log
cabin was the central feature of the yard that had been cleared of trees. It
had a wide porch on the front with a swing off to one side. The only other
building was a large wooden shed that the vehicles were parked close to.

She looked in the direction of the cabin once more. The door opened
and Memphis stepped out onto the porch. Tori had to remember to breathe as he
walked down the three steps, then headed in her direction. She couldn’t tear
her gaze off him. Yes, camping there would be no hardship at all.

“I see you made it,” Memphis said with a smile once he came to stand
in front of her.

“Yeah. Your directions were easy to follow.”

“Good. Did you get everything you wanted?”

She nodded. “I’m all set. If you can point me toward a good spot to
set up camp, I’ll get started.”

“I can do better than that. I’ll take you there and help you get
your tent up.”

“Sure.”

Tori wasn’t about to pass on Memphis’ offer. She went to the trunk
of her car and opened it. He followed her and took out some of the items she’d
bought. After they had everything, she closed the trunk and then fell in to
step beside him as he walked away.

They were halfway to the cabin before Memphis changed direction and
headed for the trees that surrounded his yard. Tori had to walk behind him as
he went farther into the bush. They’d only gone a short distance before the
forest opened up into a small clearing. It was the perfect size for a tent and
a spot to have a campfire.

Tori walked to the center of the clearing and then put what she
carried onto the ground. “This is perfect,” she said as Memphis placed the
other items with the rest.

“I thought it would be.” He turned and pointed in the direction
they’d come. “It’s still close enough to the cabin as well.”

Tori looked where Memphis had indicated. She could barely make out
the log cabin through the thickness of the trees. Having use of it would make things
easier. She wouldn’t have to worry about keeping food off the ground to keep
out of reach of bears.

She turned her gaze back on Memphis. “I’ll pay you once you work out
a price for allowing me to stay on your property and eat your food.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“The foundation I work for will reimburse you. They would have paid
for any hotel I stayed at so it isn’t as if they’ll question it. Allowing me to
camp here will save them money, to be honest.”

Memphis shook his head with a grin. “Fine, I’ll take the money. I’ll
come up with a number for you. Do you always wear someone down until you get
your way?”

She gave him an apologetic look. “Most of the time.”

“I thought so. Let’s get this tent up for you.”

Tori nodded, then set to unzipping the bag the tent was in. After
she pulled everything out of it, she read through the instructions on how to
put it up. It seemed easy enough. That wasn’t the case, though, once she and
Memphis started working on it. Two people were definitely needed. Doing it alone
would have frustrated the hell out of her.

As they worked, Tori found she couldn’t ignore how good Memphis
smelled. The same as earlier, his scent had an effect on her body. Her nipples
grew taut under her t-shirt and a throbbing ache took up residence deep inside
her pussy. She did her best to keep her mind out of the gutter and on what she
was doing. She couldn’t jump him, not yet, no matter how aroused she became
while around him.

Once the tent was up and the rain cover in place, Tori took the air
mattress she’d bought out of its box. Luckily it had a built-in foot pump so
she wouldn’t have to bust a lung trying to fill it. She spread it on the ground
and quickly had it inflated.

Tori opened the tent and bent to put the air mattress inside. She went
down on her knees as she slid it in place. She didn’t have to look to know
Memphis had followed her in. His enticing scent filled the enclosed space. She
had to hold back a gasp as her body flooded with arousal.

“I brought your sleeping bag in for you,” Memphis said as he came to
kneel beside Tori.

She reached for it and their fingers touched. Tori lifted her gaze
to Memphis’ face. What she saw in his eyes had her almost melting into a gooey
puddle. Her heart beat at a faster rate, and her blood warmed, making her ache
to be filled. His delicious scent became stronger, almost causing her to moan
with pleasure. God, she wanted him. Right here. Right now. She could
practically feel his lips on hers.

Imaginings became reality as Memphis made a small sound that suspiciously
sounded like an animalistic growl and leaned down to take her mouth in a kiss
that started off slow but quickly turned into an erotic meeting of lips.

He shifted in her direction and wrapped her in his embrace. He
tugged her closer so their bodies met from chest to knee. Her taut nipples
brushed against him, and they tightened even more. The sensation of his hard
cock nestled against her lower belly pushed a moan out of her. From the feel of
it, there was nothing small about Memphis when it came to that part of him.

Tori eagerly opened her mouth for his tongue as Memphis pushed it
inside and then stroked it along hers. Another growl rumbled out of him, a
little louder than the last. Instead of finding it strange, it ramped up her
desire. Wetness leaked into her panties as he placed a hand on the small of her
back to keep her in place and ground his cock against her. She clung to his
shoulders and copied the move.

The air mattress suddenly seemed to meet her back. It took Tori a
few seconds to realize Memphis had lowered them both onto it. He lay on top her
with his hips wedged between her spread thighs. He thrust against her, making
her wish their clothes weren’t keeping them from skin-to-skin contact.

Tori became swept up in her arousal as she sank her fingers into his
longish black hair and wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles at
the small of his back. She couldn’t hold back her moans. He ground his erection
against her jean-clad pussy in just the right spot to make her pant.

“Memphis, are you in there?”

The woman’s voice had Memphis breaking contact with Tori’s lips and
growing still. “Shit,” he whispered. “That’s my mother.”

It took Tori a few seconds to break out of the spell of desire that
had taken her over. “What?” she asked just as quietly.

Memphis rolled off her. “My mom is out there. We’d better go talk to
her.”

She didn’t get the chance to tell him to give her time to get her
brain back to functioning order before he took her by the hand and propelled
her through the opening of the tent. Tori stumbled to her feet once she was
outside. Memphis came to stand beside her.

Tori turned her gaze on the woman who stood a short distance away.
She
was Memphis’ mother? Tori didn’t think she looked old enough to have a son his
age. If she had to guess, she’d have thought the other woman was around hers,
which was twenty-seven. His mom had long, dark blonde hair that fell around her
shoulders, and a slim body that would rival a twenty-year-old’s.

*

Memphis gave his mom a look that he hoped conveyed how bad her
timing had been. In spite of it, she only smiled and came closer to stand in
front of him and Tori. There was no point in avoiding the inevitable. His mother
wasn’t going away until she met his mate.

“Tori,” he said, “this is my mom, Selina. Mom, this is Tori. She’s
going to be camping here for the next four weeks to study the wolves that roam
our property.”

“Is she now?” his mom asked with laughter in her eyes. She turned
her gaze on his mate. “It’s nice to meet you, Tori. I’m sure you’ll be seeing
wolves in no time.”

“I hope so,” Tori replied with a smile. “I also plan to go in to
town from time to time and try to convince people that the gray wolf needs to
be protected, not hunted.”

“I completely agree with you on that,” his mom said, “but a lot of people
in town won’t take to it.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve run across that problem.”

“I wish you luck.” His mom met Memphis’ gaze. “You’ll have to
introduce Tori to your father and the rest of your brothers.”

“I will.”

“Good. I’m cooking for the whole family tonight. We’re going to
barbeque some steaks. So I expect the two of you to come as well. Oh, and don’t
forget to tell Tori about the special wolves she’ll encounter while she’s here.
See you at dinner time.”

His mother gave them each a smile, then turned and walked out of the
clearing. Memphis knew that once she was out of sight, she’d take on her wolf
form. It was much easier to run through the trees as a wolf rather than as a
human. Plus, it was the fastest way to move between his family’s cabins.

Tori looked at Memphis. “What did your mom mean about special
wolves? I thought only the gray wolf lived in Montana.”

Memphis decided to use the opening his mother had created to give
the heads-up to Tori about what type of wolf she’d actually run across in the
not too distant future. After they parted for the evening, he planned to go
wolf and sleep next to the tent all night. She’d notice the difference in him
compared to the wild gray wolves. Wolf shifters were much larger. And while in
his animal form, he’d retain his human intelligence. He just wouldn’t be able
to communicate with her. She was bound to notice he was smarter since she was a
biologist.

“There are a small number of wolves who live on our land that are a
different species.”

“Seriously?” There was a look of excitement in Tori’s eyes. “That’s
amazing. Has anyone studied them before?”

“No. We’ve kept them a secret.”

“Then I’ll be the first biologist to learn about them. I could write
a paper and have it published.”

Tori would be doing more than learning about wolf shifters. She’d be
intimately acquainted with his kind—him in particular—before her four weeks in
Canyon Creek was over. She’d be his and would know everything about his world.
The only thing she wouldn’t be doing was publishing a paper for the world to
learn of their existence. There were two other packs nearby and a larger one in
Helena. Humans had no idea they walked among them, and they wanted to keep it
that way.

To get Tori off the topic of paper writing, Memphis put his arms
around her and tugged her close. He lowered his head and kissed her until she
clutched the front of his t-shirt. He released her lips and found her face
flushed and her eyes heavy with desire. He was so damn hard all he could think
of was sinking into her to ease the ache, but that would have to wait.

“Let’s finish setting up your camp, then I’ll take you to my
brothers’ cabins and introduce you. After we do that, it should be close enough
to dinner time to head to my parents’ place.” Memphis spoke in a low and husky
voice.

Tori nodded. “Okay.”

She sounded as if she were still under the influence of his scent.
It’d intensified as he’d kissed her. The thought of taking her back into the
tent and continuing where they’d ended when his mother had interrupted was more
than tempting. He doubted Tori would be against that idea, but if they did that
they’d be late for dinner. And knowing his mom, she’d come looking for them if
they were.