Hunting Wolf: Black Mesa Wolves #3 (13 page)

“Beside,” Rielle continued, forcing a bright smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, “I have plenty of history reading I can catch up on while I'm at the den. Your mother's asked me to help her with a project in the library. Maybe you can fill me in sometime on some of your experiences as a Guardian. It will help round out my knowledge.”

She somehow looked like a sexy librarian when she said that, and Caleb's mind spun off in a few directions he definitely wasn't going to share with her.

At least, not just yet.

Then her words registered. He sat bolt upright and snapped his fingers. “Ha! I've got it. You'll love it. Well,” he amended, looking at her carefully, “I think you'll love it. It's not exactly a real date, but I think you'll like it.”

“Really?” She sounded a bit doubtful. Her teeth absentmindedly nibbled at her luscious upper lip. Caleb swallowed hard again.

“Yeah,” he forced out calmly. “No, really. I promise.”

Still looking uncertain but definitely intrigued, she nodded.

“Tomorrow night,” he said. “We'll leave at seven.”

Chapter 7

As the car wound up the mountain, passing blanketed slopes of pine trees and serrated peaks jagging up toward the sky as far as the eye could see, Rielle finally voiced the question she'd been burning to ask.

“Where on earth are we going?”

Otsana Bardou chuckled from the back seat. Her presence as the “chaperone” had surprised Rielle, not to mention made her uncomfortably aware of their last conversation. There was almost no way to mute the attraction between Rielle and Caleb when in the confines of a vehicle. As much as she tried to tamp down her attunement to his every move and word, the spark that flared between them was too strong to hide when they were this close to one another.

Thankfully, Otsana had not said a single word about it, nor had she even offered any knowing glances. If she had, Rielle was fairly certain she would have flung herself from the car to run back to the den in wolf form, mortified tail between her legs the whole way.

Of course, they'd have to chase after her to keep her safe, which would be awkward. Although the thought of Caleb chasing her...hunting her down with his dark blue eyes focused and gleaming with that stalking grace every predator possessed...then capturing her to kiss her again.... And then probably more.

“Silverton,” Otsana said, effectively breaking Rielle's seriously blush-inducing thoughts about Caleb coming for her with all the power of a male wolf wanting a female.

Perplexed, Rielle wondered what the tiny mountain town could possibly hold of interest to her. “Oh?” Her polite response sounded a little faint. The long evening light cast a gold glow on the mountains and seemed to create a filmy quality to the hot summer air. The effect was stunning.

“Wait till we get there, Ree. You're in for an awesome surprise.” Caleb's voice rumbled through the car and seemed to vibrate its way through Rielle's skin and into her very bones.

Unable to pry any more information from either of them, Rielle finally relaxed back against her seat and enjoyed the scenery that unfolded with greater drama around every wind in the road. She also tried very hard to not think too much about kissing Caleb. Sort of.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled up in front of an old Victorian house tucked away on one of Silverton's sparse streets. With its turrets, spires, and wraparound porch, painted in pastel blue with a mauve trim, the place resembled a fanciful Disneyland castle. An old mining town that had been partially shaped by the decisions made by the Black Mesa Pack over the years, Silverton's history had been part of Rielle's studies. She'd not spent much time here, though.

Caleb hopped out and zipped around the car to the passenger side. He first very courteously opened the door for his mother, who exited with a quick smile for him, although her eyes immediately went to the large house before them. Then he opened Rielle's door and extended his hand to her. Slightly surprised, she took it. That delicious tingle raced from him to her and back again. By the sudden darkening of his eyes and slight jump in his hand, he felt it, too.

Nervously licking her lips, Rielle decided making light of the moment would be best. “Well, this is very dashing of you. Thank you, kind sir.” She bobbed her head to him as she stepped out of the vehicle.

He huffed out a tiny breath of amusement. “I am trainable.”

Rielle giggled just a bit at the solemn expression on his face, even though he then belied it by winking at her.

The door to the house opened before they reached it. A man probably in his 70s, face creased by a lifetime's wrinkles, stepped out and gestured them in, smiling broadly. “Come in, come in. The tea's boiling, scones are out. There might even be a nip or ten of brandy for you, my fine fellow,” he said directly to Caleb.

Rielle looked on, a little taken aback, as the old man reached for Caleb's hand and pumped it vigorously, then pulled him in for a backslapping hug. A truly delighted smile lit up the crags and lines of the man's face, one mirrored by Caleb. The man's white hair, neatly combed in place, was as thick and luxuriant as someone less than half his age. When he reached out also to hug Otsana, Rielle drew in a quiet, startled breath. Most wolves didn't mingle that closely with humans, to know them well enough for a hug. This man must be quite familiar with both Bardous. Yet she had never seen him before.

Not that she necessarily would have, with the distance she usually kept between her and the den, she realized with a dart of guilt. Her wolf murmured at her, leaving Rielle with slightly disquieted.

The man's welcoming smile turned full force on Rielle. Despite her confusion at the situation as a whole, she found her responding in kind to his infectious delight.

“And you must be Rielle Amoux.” He flawlessly pronounced her name in the French way, although it was lightly accented from another language even Rielle's sensitive ear couldn't quite decipher. She found herself warming to him every second. Several members of the Black Mesa pack came from French roots originally, although few of them actually spoke the language these days. Well, except the Alpha and his mate, though they rarely used it. “Enchant
é
, mademoiselle.” He sketched a courteous bow and made a show of kissing her hand.

Giggling a bit, yet flattered by his obvious sincerity, she said, “Thank you. Ah, sorry, but I don't know who you are? They didn't tell me where we were going.” She looked back and forth between Otsana and Caleb, who each appeared very pleased to have her meeting this stranger.

He straightened up and, still holding her hand in his, said, “My name is Kurtis Tunstall. Please call me Kurt.” He gently urged her inside. “And I, my dear, live in what is basically a library. I understand you are an aficionado of books? I'm certain you will love my collection. I have some wonderful first editions, as well as an extensive array of tomes on southwest Colorado history. By the way,” he chattered on as he tucked her arm under his and escorted her into the rambling house, “that dress is divine on you. If Caleb doesn't remove his head from his posterior soon, I might be forced to woo you.”

Otsana gave a delicate snort, while Caleb muttered something about wringing a man's neck, his elder or not.

Kurt awarded Rielle such a radiant smile as he kept ushering her into the house, she couldn't help but keep smiling herself. Even though her ears were surely a flagrant red from his words. He was so suave and courteous, though, she couldn't help but instantly feel at ease with him.

“I...” she faintly began, unsure exactly how to respond. But he shook his head, giving her a hugely exaggerated wink.

“Caleb knows where the dining room is. Please pour a drink for us all, young man.” He nodded grandly in the presumed direction of the dining room. Caleb rolled his eyes, but he grinned at Rielle before heading that way. “You, my dear, are to see the library
toute de suite.
Otsana, I have acquired a new Blankenship title. And,” he dropped his voice to a dramatic whisper, “it's signed.”

“Oh, that will be a treat to see,” Otsana said with genuine pleasure.

Rielle, head still somewhat spinning at this strangest, most crowded date she'd ever been on—which would be about five total in her life, but who was counting—let herself be ferried along by Kurt as they sailed through the long, wood-floored entry hall, what looked like a drawing room complete with stately east-facing windows and a dark red settee, and then through a set of ornate wooden doors taller then Rielle's head by about five feet.

Kurt gently released her arm, opened the doors, and made a flourishing motion with his hand. “Welcome to one of the best libraries in Colorado.”

Rielle gasped as she stepped inside. The elegant two-story room was at least twenty-five by thirty feet. Floor-to-ceiling walnut bookshelves covered every single wall. No windows meant even more space for what had to be thousands upon thousands of books.

“This is amazing,” she murmured, walking to the center of the room to get a better look. The floor was covered in a plush earth-toned rug that stretched almost from wall to wall. The room's coolness, compared to the warmth outside, immediately told her the space was climate-controlled. Kurt Tunstall, it seemed, knew a thing or two about keeping rare books.

“Look around, Rielle.” Her gracious host gestured at everything. Scattered wing chairs, a long wooden table in the center of the room, and soft light invited much browsing and reading. “I need to show Otsana a particular title, but please feel free to examine anything in here. I know you understand how to properly handle books.”

He smiled winningly at her, then bustled Otsana to the far end of the room, chattering away to her the entire time. Head still whirling a bit, she walked around and just stared for long minutes. Books of every size and shape graced the shelves, some behind glass, some open to the room. Vellum-bound, glinting gold, deep blue, vibrant green, and some bound in material Rielle's nose told her might have come from creatures more exotic than cows, the books displayed beautifully in the library. Clearly, Kurt Tunstall had some money. With the heart-thumping sensation of being allowed into an all-you-can-eat candy store, she let herself be charmed by the vast collection.

Moments later, as she let the murmur of Kurt and Otsana's voices lull into background noise, engrossed in the titles of the books on the shelves, she didn't hear the door shush open. She did, however, sense the presence of the wolf who made her spine tingle. Her wolf rise close to the surface, a feeling that was happening more often in the past week. Caleb's woodsy, deliciously toe-curling scent came to her in an intoxicating whiff, which she inhaled deeply before turning to look at him.

Balancing a glass-filled tray on both hands, he very carefully headed for the table, intent on not spilling a drop. She couldn't help but smile at the concentration on his gorgeous face, even as she held her breath for a fearful moment, almost waiting for him to take a misstep and tumble tray and drinks to the floor. She felt a sudden swell of pride as she watched the large, fierce wolf, better suited to noisy battle, clutching a delicate silver tray in his large hands as he maneuvered his imposing frame into this place of learning and quiet contemplation.

Caleb reached the table, set down the tray and looked at Rielle. A smile both triumphant and relieved washed over his face. Then he caught her expression. His smile slowly faded, to make way for a look of deep intent as he searched her eyes, his own suddenly dark and hungry. She felt the bolt of his sudden desire leap over to her, and it sparked tightness in her nipples, a shiver down her spine, and an abrupt rush of clenching need right between her legs.

He drew breath as if to speak, but their host's voice interrupted anything he might have been about to say, much to Rielle's regret.

“Ah! Tea and brandy is served, I see.” Kurt's voice carried across the room from the far end. He and Otsana began making their way back to the table, although they carried on a quieter conversation between themselves about the book they'd just perused.

Caleb's lips turned up in another quick smile, this one a tiny bit rueful. “I know this is the weirdest date you've probably ever been on,” he said. Rielle began to protest, but he waved it off. “Sorry. But still—isn't this amazing? I knew you would like seeing this place. And Kurt's really cool, too.”

His tone was so hopeful Rielle almost stumbled over her words in a rush to thank him. As she spoke, she gave herself the chance to admire him even more. His muscles gently flexed beneath his shirt, the top buttons of which were undone just enough for her to see the start of his very—manly chest. She pictured the hard abs beneath the shirt, tapering down to his waist, and his long, strong legs.

Mouth suddenly dry and head spinning just a bit, Rielle busied herself setting the drinks onto the table. But when she glanced up at him, Caleb's mouth was drawn up into what could only be called a very wicked, knowing grin. He'd caught her checking him out. And he'd definitely liked it.

During their very civilized tea time, Rielle learned more about Silverton's history, Kurt's incredible library, and the worlds of knowledge at her fingertips anytime she wanted to visit.

“Anytime!” Kurt waved expansively around, fired up by his own enthusiasm for his collection. “These books, my dear, are here to be enjoyed by those who know precisely how to do that. In fact,” and he turned to Caleb, who sat across from Rielle, taking hearty pulls of brandy, “this gentleman here knows a fair amount about some of these titles.”

Otsana smiled and said, “I'm not sure how many people ever refer to Caleb as a gentleman. Although he is certainly capable of being just that when he puts his mind to it.” She directed a pointed look at her son, who shifted in his seat with a suddenly abashed expression. Even so, he sent Rielle a wink.

Caleb's foot had gradually crept across the floor beneath the table until it touched hers. Despite the shoes between their actual feet, she felt a clear spark zip up her legs just from that casual contact. Praying she could keep at least halfway shielding her physical reaction to him from Otsana, Rielle replied as smoothly as she could.