Untamed (10 page)

“I don’t know if they’re all the boogeymen that we’ve been afraid of all these years.” Layla peered at her brother through sympathetic eyes. She knew exactly how he felt. “William hasn’t given me any indication that he wants to hurt us, and I don’t know about you, but I want to learn more about them. Knowledge is power. Right?”

Raife nodded and sighed before looking away. “Right.”

“He did something else yesterday,” she began slowly. Layla didn’t want to overload her brother with too much at once, but she knew he needed to know about William’s other abilities. “Something that I didn’t know we could do.”

Raife’s body tensed, and the muscles in his jaw clenched. “What?”

“He materialized out of thin air in the passenger seat of my car,” she said with genuine awe. “He called it part of the visualization skills.” She shrugged and let out a loud sigh. “Whatever that means.”

“Really?” Raife’s eyebrows flew up. “You mean he just appeared?”

Layla nodded, and a smile spread over her face. “Yeah,” she said slowly. “I have to admit it was pretty cool.”

Raife murmured a sound of understanding and pushed himself away from sink. “I wonder what other surprises he’s got up his sleeve.”

Layla held her brother’s serious gaze and lifted one shoulder. “I have no idea.”

He cast a glance out the window. “Looks like Rosie’s been giving him the full tour of the farm. What’s next? A night on the town?”

Layla laughed as she rose from her seat at the table. “Actually, we’re supposed to go to see Tyler’s band play tonight at the Rustic Inn.”

“Really?” His eyebrows raised, and that dimpled grin cracked his face. “That’s perfect. I’m working tonight, so it’ll give me a chance to get to know good old William and keep an eye on him at the same time.” Before Layla could protest or say a word, Raife placed a kiss on the top of her head, grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl, and headed upstairs. “Something tells me you two need a chaperone.”

A chaperone? Great. That’s all she needed was to have Raife watching their every move tonight. How was she supposed to figure William out with Raife in the background?
And
to top it all off that Barbie-doll-from-hell was going to be there. “Wonderful,” Layla said with a growl of frustration.

Are
you
alright?
William’s smooth, seductive voice slipped gently into her mind. Relief washed over her, and to her surprise, she instantly felt more at ease
.
The connection with him was back with shocking intensity, and it energized her physically and mentally.
I’m sorry. I know you have asked me to stay out of your head, but I can tell you’re upset.

Layla smiled.
Well, you’re right on both counts. I did ask you to stay out of my head, and I am a bit upset.
Her smile faded.
Rosie
really
is
thinking
about
selling
the
farm
to
that
asshole
Frank
Clark.

I’m sorry, Layla. It seems clear that this place is very important to you.
His voice dipped low, to an almost contrite tone, and rolled through her in soothing waves.
And
I’m sorry if you feel that I have invaded your privacy by connecting with you, but I had to be certain you were alright.

It’s okay
…
I
guess
it’ll just take some getting used to
. She cleared her throat and fought the surprising flood of emotions. Life was changing at an alarming pace, and she hoped she’d be able to keep up.

Layla walked toward them from the house as he caught her scent on the wind. Her cinnamon spice was tempered by the enticing perfume of gardenias, and when mixed with the crisp fall air, it created a delicious, intoxicating fragrance. Memories of their shared dream had been flirting along the edges of his mind all morning, and seeing her now brought them to the forefront.

His brow furrowed as he recalled how abruptly she had severed their connection and thrown him out of her dream. The only thing that gave him hope was that she seemed receptive to him again this morning, and he sent a silent prayer that she would remain that way.

He drank in the sight of her as sunlight cast golden rays over that curly red hair, making it burn brightly like firelight. Her petite form was completely enveloped by an enormous sweatshirt, which on many women would look dowdy or dumpy—but not on Layla. On her it was intriguing and created a shroud of mystery that sparked the desire to discover every curve she hid underneath. His cock twitched in response. He’d never wanted anything or anyone so badly in his life.

“You know, boy,” Rosie whispered. “That girl doesn’t trust easily.”

William turned his attention to Rosie, and his face heated with embarrassment, because he’d almost forgotten she was standing there. Thank God she couldn’t read minds, or she’d likely want to slap him silly. He cleared his throat and clasped his hands behind his back in a pathetic effort to keep his raging hormones at bay.

Rosie’s gray eyes glared sternly up at him beneath salt-and-pepper eyebrows, and for a moment, he thought that maybe she
could
read his mind. He was about to assure her he meant no harm, but before he could get out a sound, she slapped one weathered hand over his mouth, while pointing at him with the other.

“Just shut up and listen.” William nodded his acceptance, but Rosie kept her hand over his mouth. “I mean it. You’re going to have to work your ass off to get her to trust you and open her heart to you. First of all, the thought of having some Amoveo man come and carry her away has been hanging over her head her whole life.” She sighed loudly and looked him up and down. “But it seems pretty clear to me that you aren’t of a mind to do that… are you?”

William shook his head slowly, but she didn’t remove her hand from his mouth.

“Good,” she continued. “Now, that girl has been through hell and back. Her Mama was bat-shit crazy, and after that woman died, she bounced around from place to place until she finally landed with me.” Rosie narrowed her gaze and dropped her voice to just above a whisper as tears rimmed her eyes. “Layla acts tough—but it’s just that—an act. That girl is still broken inside, but I think you might be just the person to help her mend.” She sniffled and finally removed her hand from his mouth. “You get me?”

“Yes,” William said quietly. “I believe I do.”

Rosie had confirmed his suspicions. He knew that there was much more to Layla than met the eye, and he was determined to discover it all, even if it would take him the rest of his life.

“Good,” Rosie said with a good firm smack to his cheek. William blinked with surprise, and simply nodded his understanding. Rosie winked at him and patted him on the arm as she walked away. “Don’t forget what I said,” she shouted over her shoulder.

“Forget what?” Layla asked breathlessly. She’d jogged the last several yards up the hill to meet them by the barn.

“Nothing,” Rosie said dismissively. William watched with genuine interest as Rosie quickly took charge of Layla the same way she’d taken charge of him. “Well, I see you finally woke up. Since I am not a lady of luxury,” she said with a teasing lilt to her voice, “I’ve gotta get some paperwork done. Why don’t you take William around the outskirts of the farm?” She gave a quick nod toward him without looking. “Y’know, show him all the places you kids loved to roam when you were growing up here.”

Layla looked from Rosie to William and back again. She crossed her arms and focused all of her attention on Rosie as nervous energy waves fluttered from her and buzzed over William in rapid-fire succession.

“Paperwork, huh? This wouldn’t have anything to do with Frank Clark and selling the farm would it?”

Rosie sighed loudly and shoved her hands into the pockets of her overalls. “No, it wouldn’t.”

“Really?” Layla eyed her suspiciously. “Well, would you mind telling me why you’re thinking about selling the farm to Frank Clark? The same man you have repeatedly referred to as
the
slimiest
bastard
around
,” she said, making air quotes with her fingers.

“Yes, actually.” She laughed. “I believe I would. However, more importantly, you’re being rude. You have a guest. Now, quit worrying about things that don’t need to be worried about. The farm isn’t going anywhere today.”

“But Rosie—”

“Bye.” Rosie walked away and waved without turning around. “You two have a nice walk. I’ll see you back here for dinner.” She looked at the darkening sky. “Better not be out too long. Looks like a storm is coming.”

“That woman is the most infuriating piece of work,” Layla muttered as she watched Rosie walk away and ignore her question. “Shit.”

William fully expected her to run after Rosie and force the conversation, but to his complete surprise, she turned and brushed past him toward the barn.

“I’m pissed, and a walk isn’t going to cut it.” Her green eyes glittered with determination. “Come on, counselor. We’re going for a ride.”

She’d saddled the horses with the ease of experience, and in no time they were on horseback and headed along a well-worn trail. William was riding a massive gelding with a chestnut coat named Mudpie, and Layla led the way on a brown and white-spotted mare she referred to as Freckles. The irony was not lost on him. They walked at a steady pace along the narrow path through the dense woods, and the horses seemed to know the path by heart.

Layla glanced over her shoulder at him, the reins comfortably held in one hand. “How you doin’ back there?”

William smirked. “Quite well. Mudpie is a good, strong horse. He reminds me of one of the horses we had when I was growing up. I enjoy a ride in the woods, but riding in the snow is my personal favorite. It’s invigorating.”

She hadn’t even asked him if he could ride a horse and had been visibly surprised when he put one foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over with ease. He liked that he wasn’t the only one getting a surprise or two.

“You had horses?” she asked as she ducked under a low hanging branch. “Where did you grow up?”

She wanted to know more about him. This was a good sign.

“On the outskirts of Nome, Alaska.” William watched for her reaction, but she kept her back to him. Her energy waves remained calm. So far, so good. “As you know, I am a gyrfalcon. My father is as well, and my mother is in the Wolf Clan—the Arctic Wolf Clan.” He shrugged. “We are partial to cold weather, and the remote area allows us to roam in our clan form. It’s quite liberating really. I am always fascinated by Amoveo who choose to reside in cities.” He furrowed his brow. “It seems to me it would be quite stifling to have to limit being in one’s clan form so often.”

She agreed absently. “I guess.”

William sharpened his focus. Something wasn’t right. Layla seemed detached, as if she had no idea what he was talking about. She must know that feeling of freedom to run in clan form. It was when they felt most alive—most connected to who they really were under the skin.

“Don’t you think so, Layla?” he asked. “You must love running through these woods in your cheetah form.” He looked around the woods, and recognition crept in. “This is the place you have been creating in the dream realm. I would imagine you shifted and indulged in these woods often.”

Layla said nothing, but her energy waves skittered subtly, and William’s senses went on high alert. Even her posture on the horse had gone from relaxed and easy to stiff and on high alert. She was wound as tightly as he’d ever seen her. She was clearly bothered by the mention of shifting. But why? Why would it bother her to—?

Realization washed over him as he put the pieces together.

Layla had never shifted before.

Last night in the dream realm she cut him off as soon as he mentioned shifting in the physical world, and now the mention of shifting pissed her off. He suspected she’d never been able to shift and didn’t want him to know, or at the very least, didn’t trust him enough to tell him.

He kept his focus on her as they approached an opening that led to a wider path in the woods and noted that her energy waves pulsed nervously. William heard the ripples of a stream flowing nearby and felt her energy in perfect time with the sounds of the water in the distance.

Her connections to this property were yet another aspect of her Amoveo heritage. She had imprinted on this place the same way he had imprinted on his home in Alaska. It was this psychic muscle memory that allowed them to use visualization for travel, among other things, but given the latest revelation, he suspected she didn’t realize the extent of the power she held.

Lost in his own thoughts, it took him a minute to realize Layla was staring at him over her shoulder. Her green eyes twinkled mischievously, and a challenging smile spread over her peaches-and-cream face. “Try to keep up, counselor.”

Before he could ask what she meant, Layla clucked loudly at Freckles, and the two took off at a gallop. William watched his mate ride away as her red hair flew wildly behind her, and laughter peppered the air. He reached out to her with his mind, and his body hummed the moment he connected his energy signature with hers.
No
problem, Firefly
.

“Yah,” William barked loudly, kicked, and urged his horse forward.

The gelding did as commanded and took off like a shot after Layla and her mare. He caught up to her quickly, and with the wider path, was able to gallop alongside her—but not for long. Layla threw him a wicked grin, kicked the mare, and shot out ahead of him again. William laughed and maneuvered his horse directly behind Layla’s, looking for the first opportunity to get next to her again.

The path narrowed, curved to the left, and the trees gave way to a rippling stream, which ran next to the path. The horse’s hooves thundered loudly through the quiet woods, and William felt his excitement rise.

There was nothing more exhilarating than the chase.

The path and stream curved to the right just as Layla cast a glance over her shoulder, looking for William. As a result she didn’t see the enormous oak tree that had fallen and blocked the path. What happened next happened in a split second.

William pulled back hard on the reins and barely kept Mudpie from running into Freckles. He watched in horror as Freckles came to a screeching halt, and Layla was thrown head over feet through the air, before landing with an audible grunt on the other side of the log. William’s heart pounded and dread swamped him as he lost sight of her.

He jumped off his horse, and with unnatural speed, scrambled over the enormous tree trunk. He landed on the ground next to Layla’s motionless form, squatted, and pushed the mass of curls off her face. Dirt smudged her fair skin, and blood trickled down from a cut on her left eyebrow. His heart hammered in his chest, and he linked his energy signature instantly with hers—scanning her life force, searching for other injuries she might have suffered. To his great relief, she seemed to be relatively unharmed, and he let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

He slipped his arms beneath her, and as he scooped her up with minimal effort, she mumbled something inaudible and grimaced in pain. William sat down as gingerly as possible and leaned back on the fallen tree trunk with Layla’s delicate form cradled safely against him. Her soft bottom nestled in his lap, and her spicy scent surrounded him. William kissed the top of her head as it rested against his shoulder, and she moaned softly in response.

“Layla,” he said in a shaky whisper. “Please wake up.”

He studied her face and sent out a silent prayer that she would awaken unscathed. He was furious with himself for being so reckless. It was not like him to be this careless and throw all caution to the wind, which only further proved that this woman had him completely off his game. In the middle of scolding himself, those big green eyes fluttered open and latched onto his.

“You know,” she breathed. “There are easier ways to get me on my back.” Her pink lips curved into a weak smile. She laughed softly but winced from the pain and tried to touch the cut on her eyebrow, but he took her delicate hand in his. Her warm fingers felt like silk as they tangled with his.

Holding her gaze, he pressed her hand to his chest and shook his head. “Don’t touch it,” he said gently as he inspected the injury. “We’ll clean it up back at the house.” William’s gaze slid over her lovely face, and his heart thundered in his chest. “I’m sure Rosie has something that will do, and you should heal quickly,” he whispered hoarsely.

It was pure torture to have her body against his and not claim her. Wrestling with his desire, he squeezed her hand tighter and stroked her arm with the other. Layla’s eyes widened. She squirmed in his lap, which only served to make every inch of him harder than a rock.

He’d never wanted anyone with such intensity, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep from throwing her on the ground and ravaging her like some kind of crazed animal. Struggling against the driving need to devour her, he held her tighter, and his heart skipped a beat as Layla’s fingers dug into his chest in response. Silence hung heavily between them, their energy signatures mingled in the air, and the rapid thrumming of their heartbeats tumbled in sync with one another.

Layla’s tongue darted out, moistening that sinful-looking mouth seductively. The instant William’s heated stare zeroed in on those luscious lips, his eyes tingled and shifted, causing every part of him to harden to the point of pain.

Memories of their kiss in the dream realm battered him as he let his gaze wander over the beautiful landscape of her face, wanting to commit every inch to memory. The tiny, upturned nose, the creamy skin with caramel freckles, and those glorious, high cheekbones that looked to be carved from the finest china.