Beast Untamed: Beasts of Bodmin Moor, Book 3 (2 page)

Erin grabbed her coat from the rack and waited while the dog turned and circled into her bed at the end of the small hallway. She opened the front door. “Love you, baby. Be good.”

She closed the door behind her, feeling the little snick in her heart at leaving the love of her life. If it wasn’t for Willa, she didn’t know how she would have survived these past months. But then, if it wasn’t for Willa, she likely wouldn’t have had the courage to eventually make the break.

Since the evening was mild, Erin had decided to walk. The quaint cobbled street skirted the town center before joining the main road out toward Talia’s house, and she reckoned it would be an easy thirty minutes in her comfortable flat slip-ons. She dug into her functional cross-body bag and retrieved the paper with Talia’s address on it. Since she’d checked an online map, she knew her route. Thankfully, the roads were well lit and signposted, and she arrived at Talia’s without any deviation.

The house was beautiful, set on the edge of the moor but surrounded by trees and shrubbery, which Erin imagined would provide a stunning setting in the full bloom of summer. She wished she could still be around to see it.

Not allowing herself to dwell on negatives, Erin walked up the drive and made a promise to try and enjoy herself. An array of vehicles were parked off to the side of the house: an old truck, a couple of small saloon cars, and two SUVs, one of which looked in desperate need of a wash.

Nerves fluttered in her belly, but Erin breathed them away. She was going to enjoy herself tonight. She was going to be normal, make conversation, have fun.

But when the door swung open in response to her knock, those nerves came flooding back with a vengeance. The man towered in the doorway, his dark and brooding good looks like something in a magazine devoted to warrior gods of times long ago.

“You must be Erin,” he said, the hint of a smile softening almost harsh features. “Come on in.”

He stepped back, and Erin was about to enter when Talia came down the hallway. “Great. You’re early. We can have a drink before we get going. You’ve met Caleb?”

Erin looked up at the man. Handsome, and built. No wonder Talia always had a satisfied smile on her face.

No sooner had she accepted Caleb’s outstretched hand than Talia reached out and all but pulled Erin into the house. “Come and meet everyone.”

Everyone?

Erin’s knees went wobbly, her stomach pitching in a way that had her evening snack threatening to revolt. Maybe she wasn’t ready for this after all. It was too soon. She needed time to adjust, to work out exactly who she was going to be, before she thrust herself into life again.

Talia had other ideas and guided her into a room off the hall. Stepping across the threshold, she heard Naomi’s laughter. Her new friend had her arms wrapped around the neck of a formidable-looking man who in turn had his arms wrapped around her.

“Break that up, you two,” Talia instructed. “Save it for your wedding night.”

“That’s days away yet,” Naomi complained, smiling up at the man who was obviously Tynan. “He can’t keep his hands off me for that long.”

“My female speaks the truth,” Tynan said. “Anyway the mating has already—”

“Ahem…” Talia loudly cleared her throat, and the couple looked over. “We have company.”

Erin had the distinct impression she’d interrupted something, and not just a heated embrace between an engaged couple. But the smiles that headed her way, and the companionable way Talia slid an arm around her waist, made her think she’d imagined it. She must be so on edge lately that she was seeing spooks where none existed.

“Come and meet Tynan,” Naomi said, grabbing her away from Talia. “Ty, this is Erin. She hasn’t been in Bodmin very long, and she works at the tea shop, remember?”

A look passed between the couple, and again Erin felt as if she was missing something.

But then Tynan smiled and held out his hand. “Good to meet you, Erin. Hope you’re ready for a raucous evening.” He slipped an arm around Naomi’s shoulder, and the simple gesture was filled with possessive intent. “According to my woman, you’re all going to party enough to set the moor alight.”

“Well, I…”

“Don’t listen to him,” Naomi said. “Tynan, take her coat. We’re having a drink here while we wait for a couple of the other girls to arrive. What’s your pleasure?”

“Lime and soda if you have it.” She smiled when Tynan helped her out of her coat.

“Forget that.” Talia ushered her onto the sofa. “No soft drinks allowed tonight. Unless you’re allergic or sworn off alcohol on religious grounds. No? So, what’ll it be?”

“White wine would be good.”

While Caleb went across to the drinks cabinet, Talia sat next to her on the sofa. “Love your dress.”

“Thanks.” Erin tugged the skirt of the simple navy shift down to her knees. “Naomi said I had to wear something good.”

“I said something sexy.” Naomi plunked herself on Erin’s other side and eyed Erin’s dress. “I would have preferred more of a cleavage,” she said in a hushed tone that only the girls could hear. “But I’m not complaining.”

Grateful, Erin took the drink Caleb handed her and took a healthy swig. Conversation turned to logistics regarding transport for the evening, with Tynan and Caleb sitting side by side on the opposite sofa. Good Lord, Erin thought, taking several surreptitious sips of her wine. The room positively hummed with masculine appeal. She couldn’t remember ever seeing two more intimidating men in her life, or two more attractive and virile, but while they seemed tough and formidable, she didn’t feel especially uneasy in their company.

It was apparent from the looks and smiles the men each shared with Talia and Naomi that there was a whole bucketload of love in the room. In their men’s presence, the women seemed relaxed and completely at ease with themselves. Erin wondered how that must feel, considering her own experience had only ever been one of fear and intimidation.

The sound of the front door closing and heavy footsteps pounding down the hallway brought Erin from her reverie before she could take a painful trip down memory lane.

If she’d thought the testosterone levels couldn’t rise any higher, she hadn’t been prepared for the man who stepped into the room. Built like a tank, his shoulders filled the doorway, while the heavy scowl pushed the first real fluttering of fear into her since she’d arrived.

“If you expect me to drive that piece of garbage, you could have at least washed it first.”

The deep timbre of his voice and the edge of vitriol in his tone caused Erin to slink down a little in the seat, but since his attack was aimed at Tynan, she tried to steady her breathing. Her heart hammered anyway, her mind scanning back to a time when a similar attack was aimed at her.

“You want me to fill that junk trap with gas for you? Then you’d better make it worth my while by getting on that bed and spreading your legs for me. Now.”

Oh God. Oh God.

“Are you okay?”

Erin glanced up into Talia’s concerned gaze. “Yes, fine. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I’ll get a cloth.”

Erin looked down, surprised when she saw the damp patch on her dress. Bloody hell, her hand had shaken so much that she’d spilled her drink.

She looked up into the dark, steady gaze of the man who had just arrived. He eyed her with little interest, but her stomach jumped like a train.

“Here.” Talia mopped at Erin’s dress, then turned her glare on the man. “Why did you want to come in here and scare my guest, Nathan Quinn?”

“Didn’t know anyone else was here. Thought you females had left for the evening.”

“This is Erin,” Naomi said. “She’s just moved to the area.”

Another pointed exchange of looks, but Erin knew she was reading too much into everything right then. They must all think she was a bloody loony.

The man called Nathan turned his gaze to her and inclined his head.

She tried for a smile but wasn’t sure she made it. Her whole body was reacting as if to a threat, and she feared she was about to go into full panic mode.

“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” Naomi declared and stood. “I can hear the others arriving, which means we’ve got that serious partying to do. And you guys have some serious poker to play.”

She took Erin’s glass and handed it to Tynan, then kissed him full on the mouth. “That should keep you for a while. Enjoy your game.”

In response, Tynan put the glass down and hauled Naomi up against him. “That won’t keep me for five damn minutes. Come here.”

Erin felt she should turn away when the kiss morphed into the kind that required locked doors and darkened rooms.

“Don’t mind them,” Talia said drawing her into the hall where Caleb held out their coats. She turned to her husband. “You’re really sure you don’t mind driving us? We can get a cab if it’s easier, then you can drive to Truro with Ty and Nathan. That way you’ll get to enjoy a drink.”

“I said I’d take you. I don’t want you out of my sight any longer than necessary.”

The big man smiled down at her, his eyes gleaming. Talia rewarded him with a soft kiss, her palm resting lightly against his cheek.

While Caleb didn’t haul Talia against him to give her the same treatment Tynan was currently giving Naomi, Erin felt equally uncomfortable. The possessive look Caleb gave his wife made her feel like she should turn away from something intensely private and intimate.

Naomi came into the hall, flushed and pleased with herself. “Ready?”

Moments later, after brief introductions to the two women who had arrived, they were piling into Caleb’s SUV. From the backseat, Erin found herself glancing back to the house, hoping against hope she didn’t catch sight of Nathan again.

The man made her feel uneasy and anxious. They’d barely shared a glance, but he’d looked at her like he knew something nobody else did. She shuddered at the thought, remembering Naomi had told her that Tynan was his business partner, and they were security consultants. That meant he would know how to access official files, documents, people’s history.

At Naomi’s instruction beside her, Erin clipped on her seat belt and vowed to keep a very low profile where Nathan Quinn was concerned.

Chapter Two

A little after eleven, Erin stood in the ladies’ room at the Truro hotel in which they’d ended up following an evening which turned out to be as Tynan had predicted. Raucous.

At first, Erin had tried to remain circumspect, but Naomi’s friends were so friendly and welcoming to her that she soon forgot her resolve and simply gave herself up to enjoying the fun.

As a result, she’d maybe drunk a little too much wine and was feeling decidedly tipsy. It was a good feeling. One she hadn’t felt for far too long. Tonight, she hadn’t needed her wits about her. Hadn’t needed to safeguard her words for fear they’d result in an altercation that would end badly.

“There you are.” Talia came breezing through the door, and for a moment, Erin wondered how someone as equally tipsy managed to look so fresh and full of energy after partying hard. “There’s a cab outside for you. When did you call a cab?”

Erin finished drying her hands. “About twenty minutes ago. I need to get back for Willa, and I didn’t want to spoil the party.”

“Well, I’ve canceled the cab. Somebody else took it anyway.” Talia looked in the mirror and fluffed her cap of blonde hair. “It’s time we all started back. Some of the girls have already gone. They said good night, by the way.”

“I don’t want to spoil—”

“For heaven’s sake, you’re not spoiling anything. It’s time to call it a night. I’m not drinking anymore, and neither is Naomi. Not that she’s had much, but then I suppose a doctor always considers herself on call. Or at least Naomi does.”

It was one of the things Erin admired so much about Naomi. Her patients were rarely far from her thoughts. She admired that dedication, almost envied it. Once she’d harbored thoughts of a career, but it hadn’t taken long for her to realize it wasn’t an option.

Minutes later, the remainder of their rapidly diminishing group gathered in the lobby of the hotel. It was a stunning place. Art deco in design, with wonderful chandeliers and plush furnishings. Apparently, it belonged to a friend, who also hosted the private poker night the men were attending that evening.

No sooner had she thought of the men than they appeared from a room at the rear of the lobby. Her gaze immediately clashed with Nathan’s and set her knees trembling again. The effects of the alcohol seemed to intensify the feeling, because her head positively swam and her legs were boneless and unsteady.

She curled her fingers around the strap of her bag, needing something to root herself. With effort, she managed to look away and slipped behind Naomi in the hope of avoiding the man completely.

No chance of that, since the three men came straight toward them. Tynan and Caleb headed straight for their women, which left Nathan alone and standing right in front of her. Damn it, she would have to speak to him.

Her sense of unease spiraled upward, until she was released from his unrelenting gaze when he looked over her shoulder. Almost imperceptibly, his eyes narrowed. About to turn around and see what had put the irritated look on his face, Erin heard the squeaky female voice that belonged to Caroline Longworth, one of their party that evening.

“Nathan. I didn’t know you were here.” Caroline almost purred his name, her hand slipping possessively through his arm. “Did you come especially to take me home?”

Anyone with a brain could see that was the last thing on Nathan’s mind right then, and Erin almost wanted to smile at his expression.

“Come on, Caroline.” Three women waved from the entrance. “Our cab’s here.”

“Don’t think I’ll be needing that, will I?” Caroline murmured, sidling up against Nathan. “You’ve got other plans for me, I’ll bet.”

Nathan drew his hand from his pocket so that Caroline no longer had a hold on his arm. He stepped back a full two paces, bringing him beside Erin. “Sorry. You’d best grab that cab with your friends. I’m here for someone else tonight.”

Caroline stared at him for a moment, her beautiful face dropping into a mask of disappointment; then her gaze slid to Erin and she forced a smile. “Well, you’re a dark horse.” She laughed, but with no real humor. “I wish I’d known. We could have spent the evening comparing notes about lover boy here.” She reached up and tapped his cheek. “Don’t go breaking little Erin’s heart now.”

Behind the smile, her eyes fired a few daggers Erin’s way before she waltzed over to her friends still waiting at the entrance.

Once she was out of sight, Nathan simply strolled away and headed in the direction of his friends. Naomi and Talia, who were talking to the remaining stragglers, seemed oblivious to what had just taken place.

Erin couldn’t believe it. He had simply brushed some poor woman off, insinuating that he and Erin were involved, and now he was strolling away as if nothing happened?

Heat pushed into her face and chest. Apart from anything else, he’d completely ruined her association with Caroline, who would now see Erin as competition. What was it with some men that they thought they could do what the hell they liked and there would be no consequences?

Before she could stop herself, she went after him. “Just a minute.”

He turned, almost indolently. “Don’t tell me you’re about to get your panties in a twist and start accusing me of ungentlemanly behavior.”

Since he said it almost with a sneer, Erin decided that was exactly what she was going to do. It didn’t matter that he scared the hell out of her, she had a duty to defend her own sex and any woman who came off badly at the hands of a jerk like him. “If you don’t have the guts to tell a woman to her face that you don’t want her, at least don’t involve me. Caroline doesn’t deserve it and neither do I.”

“You I wouldn’t know about, but believe me, Caroline deserves a whole lot more than what I just handed out.”

“Everyone should be treated with respect.” Her voice hitched. She hadn’t realized how angry she felt until then. “What could she have done that was so bad it warranted such a cruel rejection? And in front of me.”

He turned and faced her, his hands sliding into the pockets of his leather jacket. Bloody hell, but he was intimidating. Those shoulders seemed to go on forever, and the hard set of his jaw looked like it could cut stone. His eyes were a beautiful shade of green, deep and soulful, with tiny brown specks around the iris.

Erin dropped her gaze. Not an especially good idea, because now she was eye level with his chest. Beneath his jacket, his chest expanded, filling out a dark blue shirt excessively well.

“You want me to defend my actions? How about we just say that I don’t make promises to women, and in turn, I don’t expect them to make any to me.”

“Well, that’s just perfect for you. But you don’t get to involve me in your actions. I’ve just spent the evening with Caroline, and now she’ll think I’m involved with you and will no doubt hate me for it.”

Erin knew she couldn’t afford to make enemies and the whole
woman scorned
thing could likely open up a real can of worms. Above all, she needed to keep a low profile, blend in. She had to ensure she didn’t call attention to herself, and she certainly didn’t need the possibility of a feud with a woman who, up until then, she’d gotten along with perfectly fine.

“Well, I wouldn’t worry yourself unduly in that respect, sugar. Most people know me well enough to realize I move on pretty fast when it comes to women. Having your name linked with mine will be old news faster than the weather turns around these parts.”

Erin huffed out a breath before the arrogance of the man stole it completely. “That’s some ego you have there. I’m not surprised you move from woman to woman. I can’t think of any one of us in her right mind who’d stick around long enough to put up with the likes of you.”

His nostrils flared, and his green eyes narrowed. “Which just shows what you know, sugar. But then you’re new around here.”

Erin swallowed, holding her ground to look up at him. “Egoism and self-importance isn’t area specific.”

Before he could respond, Erin hitched her bag and sidestepped around him, heading for where Talia beckoned her over.

“Everything okay?”

“Fine.” Erin managed a smile. “Just a difference of opinion.”

Talia gave a catlike grin. “Nathan has a way about him. Don’t let him intimidate you.”

“He doesn’t.” Strangely, she realized it was true. Knowing what the man was truly like had taken the fear completely away. Now, she simply didn’t like him.

* * * * *

A little over forty minutes later, Caleb pulled up outside the front door of Erin’s little rented cottage. From the backseat, less crowded since Naomi had hitched a ride back with Tynan and Nathan, Erin said her good-byes. She was a little disconcerted when Caleb jumped out and walked her to the front door, and hoped that sometime soon she’d get used to simple courtesies again without searching for an ulterior motive.

But, while she hated to admit it, a big part of her was relieved to have company on the walk up to her cottage. The place might be small, but it had a long front path shaded with bushes and a hedge. When it was dark, she always felt a little nervous negotiating the short walk to her front door. Hopefully, that would change soon too.

At the door, she barely resisted asking Caleb to go inside and check things out for her, but then since she could hear Willa panting excitedly behind the door, she knew all was well.

“Thanks for the lift, Caleb.”

“You’re welcome.” Since he waited, Erin pushed her key in the lock, and seconds later, Willa jumped on her, tail wagging and making those adorable little squeaking noises she made when she was terribly excited.

Before Erin could tell her to get down, she started backing away, her tail between her legs and ears pinned back. Her squeaks turned to pitiful cries, her lowered gaze centered on Caleb.

The reaction was a strange one. Even considering what had happened to her, Willa never seemed especially nervous of strangers. If anything, she had a tendency to be too trusting. She’d been fine when Talia had called in once, and had promptly enjoyed a game of
fetch the teddy
with her.

As Willa continued to whine, Erin felt the need to offer some sort of explanation to Caleb. “Sorry. She’s probably freaked out because I’ve been gone a long time.”

Caleb stuck his hand in his pockets, looking down at Willa. He made no attempt to persuade the dog to come to him, nor did he seem at all bothered or surprised by her reaction. Most likely he wasn’t a dog fan. “No problem. You go ahead inside now.”

Erin turned to wave at Talia, gave Caleb a smile, then slipped inside and locked the door. She turned to Willa. “What’s all that about, baby?”

Willa was trembling, her whole body reacting in a way Erin had never seen. Hunkering down, she pulled Willa into her arms and stuck her nose into the retriever’s fur. “You’re safe, poppet. We both are. Maybe it’ll take us both a while longer to realize that, eh?” She rubbed and coddled Willa, then got up and headed for the kitchen. “How about I let you out into the yard and then you can have a biscuit? I could do with one myself, if I’m honest. Maybe a biscuit will soak up all the wine I’ve had tonight.”

When Willa was settled with her biscuit, Erin poured herself a glass of water and stared out the kitchen window into the postage stamp of a yard. It was enclosed within six-foot-high fences and had a padlocked gate at the end. It had security lights that came on the moment she stepped out, or if anyone stepped in.

Erin took a breath, letting it out on a long resigned sigh. She was so lucky to be able to rent this place, even if it was only for a few more months. It would be time to move on then anyway. It wouldn’t pay to put down roots, and she’d basically come to terms with that reality. Kay, her friend and only trusted confidante, had tried to convince her that once her new identity documents came through, Erin would be able to settle wherever she wanted. Kay had even said that her aunt, whose holiday cottage Erin was currently renting, might be willing to extend the holiday let if she was interested.

Erin sipped her water. Somehow she didn’t think that was a possibility. Kay’s aunt was letting her rent for a few months as a favor to her niece, no questions asked. If Erin wanted to extend the rental it would mean forms to complete, for legal and taxation purposes. Even with a new identity, Erin didn’t think she’d ever feel totally safe. And there was always the chance Justin would discover her friendship with Kay, and from that trace Erin’s whereabouts to Bodmin.

She’d been careful to keep her continuing friendship with Kay a secret, remembering that Justin had forced her to give up her circle of friends, forbidding her to keep in touch with them. Erin feared Justin would pursue every possible lead in an attempt to find out where she was, and then exact revenge on her for daring to leave him. She couldn’t afford to take any risks. It was best she kept moving on. It would give her the best possible chance of staying off his radar.

She turned away from the window, checked the locks and, with a cuddle, settled Willa in her bed. Tomorrow she’d call Kay on the burner phone she’d purchased with cash the day she’d packed her bags and turned away from her old life. She knew everything was fine from Kay’s point of view, because they’d had an arrangement that if Erin needed to know about anything, Kay would give two rings and then hang up so that Erin could call her back. That way the call would be untraceable to Kay, and she could protect her friend, and ultimately herself.

With the thought that all was well, Erin switched off the downstairs lights and went upstairs. In bed she reached for her book. She lay there for several minutes, her unopened book on her chest, and thought over the evening. It had been good being part of a crowd again. She liked Talia and Naomi, and their women friends. All so lovely and welcoming, even the beautiful Caroline. She only hoped that stunt the Neanderthal had pulled wouldn’t jeopardize any future interactions between them.

Sugar, he’d called her.
Sugar
. Bloody cheek.

His image flashed through her mind. Okay, he was incredibly attractive, tall, intensely masculine and ruggedly handsome. The sort of man who would have women falling at his feet. The trouble was he knew it, and didn’t seem to care one iota if they couldn’t get up again.