Of Wolves and Men (8 page)

“You look as tired as I feel. I’m sorry about earlier. But that stupid Jack Russell is a pain in my ass.”

“Yeah. That’s Harley. But he don’t want nothin’ hurtin’ our ponies. You have to give him some credit.”

“I would never hurt an animal.”

“Then it wasn’t you that cut up that deer?”

“Hell no.”

“Do you know who it was?”

Roman appeared grim. He tilted his head to the bathroom. “Her.”

“Her.” Charlie had no idea who Roman meant.

“You see that…that face in the mirror?”

“If you can call it a face.” Charlie shivered.

“I think it’s a shaman. You know what a shaman is?”

“I’ve heard things. This area is Ute land.”

“Smart man.” Roman tapped Charlie’s head lightly. “I need you, my intelligent man.”

“I have no connection to that tribe, Roman. I know very little.”

“I’ll tell you something else.”

“I know you have a lot more to tell. I know.” Charlie stifled a yawn.

“All right. I’ll leave you with this to think about before I either turn into something stupid, or you fall asleep.”

“What?”

“I’m an ATF agent and there’s no gambling allowed in Utah. You think on that.”

“Come here. You ain’t no wolf yet.” Charlie cupped the back of Roman’s head and brought him to his lips. The more he touched the man, the more he liked it. “I am buyin’ lube and rubbers before our next sexual bout. You got that?” Charlie chewed on Roman’s jaw, nibbling his way to his neck. “I’m tryin’ not to be nervous about you not usin’ any last time.”

“Sorry, babe. I’m clean. I promise.” Roman sank into the mattress and moaned as Charlie began to play with him.

“Yeah. Any man can say that. And my ass is still smartin’ from that humpin’ you gave me.” He ran his hand down Roman’s chest to his abdomen.

“Sorry. I swear I didn’t mean to be that rough. I just…”

Charlie kissed Roman’s nipple. “Just…just turned into a wolf and mounted me like a bitch.”

“Oh, Christ,” Roman moaned and covered his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Charlie folded the blankets back and took a good look at Roman’s body. “Maybe you have

‘animal magnetism’ or somethin’, buddy, but I am very turned on by you. I mean, to the extreme.”

“Ditto.” Roman caressed Charlie’s hair.

“You always prefer men?” Charlie ran his hand lightly over Roman’s erection. It bobbed at the touch.

“Yes. Always.”

Charlie caressed Roman’s hot, soft balls, rolling them in his palm. “This is all new to me.”

“I know.” Roman smiled sweetly.

“I got turned on to man-love last October.” Charlie pumped Roman’s cock as he spoke, seeing his own thickening with excitement. “I had a flat tire on the highway and I was lucky enough for a pretty gay boy to stop and help.”

“He took one look at you and figured it was
his
lucky day.”

“I’m nothin’ special.” Charlie felt his cheeks blush.

“Wrong.” Roman thrust his hips into Charlie’s palm. “You are everything special. And the fact that you don’t know it makes you even more amazing.”

Charlie felt a lump in his throat. He cradled Roman’s neck and kissed him again, this time, cupping his jaw, opening his mouth wider and using his tongue more aggressively.

Roman responded, embracing Charlie and grinding their cocks together.

When Charlie heard him growl, he tried to part from the kiss. Roman held on tight. His heart pumping from the attraction and intimidation, Charlie prayed Roman would stay human for this sexual bout. In an abrupt movement, Roman spun them over on the bed so he was on top.

Charlie blinked and held his breath.

Roman began to lick his way down Charlie’s body. His whimpers turning more sensual, and unfortunately, more animalistic.

“Don’t chew my dick off.” Charlie was not kidding.

“Never.” Roman nuzzled his face all over Charlie’s body, as if exchanging scents with him. He began running long wet laps up Charlie’s cock.

Charlie was not a religious man, but he said a silent prayer to keep Roman a man, begging for him not to turn canine on him.

Roman forced Charlie’s legs apart strongly, rubbing his face between his thighs, over his balls and against his cock.

Chills and goose flesh coated Charlie’s skin from the pleasure. Roman grabbed Charlie by the knees and pushed his legs upwards, exposing his ass. “Did I do that?” Roman asked.

“Do what?” Charlie had no idea what Roman was going to do to him with his legs straddled, but whatever it was it was going to be good. “Forget it. Keep goin’.”

“I’m sorry I scratched you.”

“Shut up, wolf-man and keep sucking my cock before you change into somethin’ that can’t.”

“I can do better than that.” Roman gave Charlie a wicked grin. He lowered himself on the bed and Charlie felt his rim being licked and tongue-fucked.

“
Oh
, babe. That’s good. That’s very good.” Charlie grabbed his own cock and pulled on it.

When Roman noticed, he nudged Charlie’s hand aside and took over.

Roman’s growling grew deeper and his mouth’s actions much more aggressive.

Charlie had tingling rushes in every direction, originating at his groin. The fisting grew rougher, faster. “Sweet Lord!” Charlie arched his back as the need to come became urgent.

As if he knew how close Charlie was, Roman released Charlie’s legs from their bent position and engulfed Charlie’s cock down to the base.

Charlie thrust his hips hard into Roman’s mouth, feeling his balls tighten and release their load.

Charlie clenched his teeth before he was the one to howl like a wolf. He came so hard he felt he was levitating off the bed.

He opened his eyes to look, seeing Roman’s expression of complete nirvana as he swallowed what Charlie had to give.

“Thank fuck you’re still human.” Charlie gasped to catch his breath.

Roman knelt upright, his cock thick and imposing. Charlie stared at it, then slowly made eye contact with Roman. His pupils were glowing, the way animal’s eyes did in headlights.

Roman gripped his own cock in two hands, fisting it, and threw back his head, spurting cream all over Charlie as Charlie watched in awe. The deep guttural moan of Roman’s began to change.

“Oh no.” Charlie started retreating. “I see it coming. Sweet Jesus!”

Roman appeared to be battling the transition with every fiber of his being. Every sinewy muscle in Roman’s body flexed and showed through his skin.

As a human, Roman was imposing. The first time Charlie had set eyes on him he could see how powerfully built Roman was. Big, strong and not a man he would ever want to battle with. But when Roman was a wolf, he was even more terrifying.

“Roman! Keep fightin’ it!” Charlie had no idea how to help him. He knew if Roman turned, he’d have to get him the hell out of the cabin.

His fists clenched, his eyes closed, Roman’s entire body went tense and hard. Then he snarled, showing his teeth.

“Oh crap!” Charlie stumbled off the bed. “Tell me what to do! Roman…I don’t know how to stop this.” Charlie used the wall to feel his way to the front door. He didn’t want to take his eyes off Roman but had no choice. He opened the door a crack so Roman could get out and they wouldn’t be trapped together while he was in that state.

Charlie crept back and peeked into the bedroom. A large black timber wolf was shaking off its coat like it had been in a river. “I cannot believe this. I seriously cannot believe this is happening.”

Charlie kicked the bedroom door backwards opening it wider, and held his breath.

The wolf gave him one last saddened look. The pain in his eyes tore Charlie’s heart and soul to shreds. “Door’s open.” Charlie didn’t want to move.

Roman’s ears perked up and he bolted outside.

Charlie closed the front door behind him, sliding down to sit on the floor and covering his face in his hands.

Chapter 7

The next morning, Charlie headed to the ranch house for his breakfast. He liked being the first one there to talk to Vernon about the day’s schedule. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee, bacon, and sausage filled his senses the moment he opened the door. Vernon was kneeling by the fireplace adding logs. When he heard him he asked, “How you feeling, Charlie?”

“Good. Ready for a day of hard work.”

At the sound of his voice, Suzie and Sherlane nearly

knocked each other over trying to get out of the kitchen to greet him. Both had on aprons, and Sherlane held a spatula in her hand.

“Charlie!” Suzie rushed towards him. “We made a western omelet that’s gonna knock

your socks off.”

“Come get it, Charlie.” Sherlane craned her finger.

“You girls act like I’m the only eligible bachelor in the area.” He laughed, taking off his hat while Suzie helped him with his coat. “I can do that, you silly girl.”

She hugged the jacket in her arms and sniffed it.

“Oh, don’t be doin’ that. That thing’s seen more dirt and sweat than you want to know. It needs a good dry cleanin’.”

“I don’t care.” Suzie squeezed his coat like it was a teddy bear.

In the heat from the roaring fireplace, Charlie rolled up his sleeves and spotted Connie busy at the stove. “Mornin’, Charlie. How’re you feeling?”

“Very good, Connie. Thanks for askin’.” He took the mug of coffee Sherlane handed him.

“Thank ya, darlin’.”

“Sit. I’ll fix you up a nice helping.”

Charlie sat in his usual spot at the long table. Next to the head, leaving it open for Vernon, who came into the kitchen and washed his hands. “Butch suggested we put out some leg traps up by the west fence.”

Charlie felt as if he went ash white. “No. No, Vernon. Not a chance.”

Vernon sat beside him and Suzie brought him a cup of coffee while Sherlane placed plates piled high with food in front of them.

Charlie said, “Thank ya, hun,” and focused on Vernon. “First of all, them traps are indiscriminate killers. I hate them damn things. Poor critters gnaw off the own legs to get away.

I’m surprised at you, Vernon.”

“I’m at a loss, Charlie. What do you suggest?”

“One deer. That’s it so far.” Charlie ate a bite of the food, noticing both Suzie and Sherlane staring. He said, “Good, thanks.”

They said, “You’re welcome,” in harmony.

Charlie cleared his throat and couldn’t remember the girls being so enamored with him the last time they came home from college. “Anyway, boss, you let me handle things. Can you do that?”

“Butch says the fence is cut every day.” Vernon ate as he spoke.

“And you think an animal is cutting barbed wire?” Charlie laughed in a cough. “Butch is an idiot.”

“Am I?”

Both he and Vernon looked up as Butch, Goat, and JP entered the kitchen. The women got busy serving them coffee and breakfast.

Butch sat across from Charlie, setting his hat on his lap.

“No way am I lettin’ you put out leg traps. They ain’t ethical and there’s a big controversy around them. You want this ranch caught up between the huntin’ groups and the animal activists? Do we need that for our tourist business, boss?”

“They’re legal. Just as long as we check ‘em every two days.” Butch began eating hungrily.

“Vernon, you have to be kiddin’ me.” Charlie felt sick to his stomach. “Will you let me deal with it?”

“One more butchered animal, Charlie,” Vernon said holding up his finger. “And we put them out.”

Charlie grew furious and pushed his plate of food away. “You’ve all lost your reason. Hear me out.” He tried to calm down. “Doc McMurray tells you the damn deer was killed by a knife.

Right? A human with a knife.” He glared at Butch and then returned his stare to Vernon. “We got humans, not animals, cutting barbed wire. Are you all with me so far?” Charlie could see JP

and Goat eating, trying to pretend they weren’t part of the debate. “So you’re intendin’ on usin’

those miserable leg-hold traps to kill animals that got nothin’ to do with our human problem.

You gettin’ me, boss? No disrespect intended, sir, but I think Butch has got you all riled up over a human problem.”

“Charlie just don’t want to catch that wolf. Roman, he calls it.” Butch smirked.

“What?” Goat laughed uneasily.

Charlie rubbed his forehead and ran his hand through his hair. “Butch, one more comment, and you an’ me will take it outside.”

Butch pushed out his chair violently in challenge.

Charlie stood up, wanting to kick his ass.

“Sit!” Vernon pointed his fork at them.

He and Butch exchanged glares, each knowing once they got outside the fight was on. But they both sat down.

Suzie topped up everyone’s coffee cup. When she held the pot over Charlie’s cup, he stopped her. “No more for me. And you can take this. I lost my appetite.” He handed her the plate.

“You hardly touched it. Charlie, you have to eat.” Suzie caressed Charlie’s back.

Charlie again caught the jealousy in Butch’s eyes. He addressed Vernon again. “Boss, I will not allow leg traps. We got no coyote problem. Nothin’ is messin’ with our ponies. And if you don’t think your use of those things isn’t going to mess with your trail ridin’ business think again.”

Charlie shot Butch a look of fury. “He’s thinkin’ of himself, not you, not your ranch, your work.

Have you thought about the long haul of usin’ those things?” Charlie took a breath, trying to calm down. “I’ll paint you a pretty picture, boss,” he said sarcastically. “We got us a nice party of city folks all lookin’ for a pretty leisurely ride in the mountains.”

Vernon waved his hand for Suzie to not pour him more coffee, and focused on Charlie.

“Here we are, our nice little ridin’ trail expedition,” Charlie said, sneering, “Oh, lookie here.”

He pointed as if he were on the trail. “A poor baby deer with its leg in a steel trap. My, ain’t that a nice memory to bring back to the folks back home?” He snarled at Butch, wishing he were a wolf at the moment and he could scare the crap out of him.

It didn’t take Vernon more than a minute. “No traps, Butch.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Sherlane said, “They’re inhumane and Charlie’s right. Can you imagine some young child seeing that on our trail ride?” She shivered to show her point.