Desert Blood (The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch Book 2) by Anna Lowe Read Free Book Online Page B

Heather’s eyes searched as if the high fence around her drab yard weren’t blocking the view. She imagined the coyotes, lined up along a scrubby ridgeline, muzzles pointed high. She loved that sound. It was one reason she didn’t need a TV or stereo out here: the desert was entertaining enough. The crickets were the newscasters, the lizards starred in action movies. Birds sung arias, and the coyotes—they played full symphonies. They were warming up now, voices honing in on the right key.
    “Funny,” Heather murmured, “Until I got to Arizona, I thought coyotes only howled at a full moon.”
    Cody snorted. “Common misconception. They howl anytime it feels right. When the night tells them to.”
    The idea went down her soul like a warm drink. Doing what felt right. Following the night. If only she could do the same. Standing this close to Cody felt right, and what the night was suggesting… Well, she hadn’t been this tempted in a long time.
    Heather waited for the warning voice to butt in and ruin everything, but there was only silence from that quarter. She spied on Cody from the periphery of her vision, watching him listen to the coyotes with closed eyes. His face twitched in response to each variation in the song, as if he were following a conversation. A smile, a nod, a tilt of the head. What was it about this guy?
    He was the picture of a man in his element, a man at home. What she wouldn’t give to have that feeling. She’d spent her childhood shuttling between homes and summer camps. The only place she ever felt she belonged was the hockey field. A delineated green rectangle. Lucky man, Cody. The place where he belonged was magical, almost mystical.
    Part of his aura suggested the place belonged to him. She’d felt that on the ranch, time and again. The man had that natural authority, that statement of right. But he was restless, too. What would it take to make him complete?
    She turned and set the strawberries aside, facing Cody, an inch away. Wishing desperately for him to start what they both wanted. He held back, though, letting her take the lead, even if the hitch in his breath gave the effort of it away. She loved him for it, but hated what it said about her. Did she really come off as so fragile?
    God, maybe she was. Being attacked in an alley on a dark Friday night will do that to a girl. For once, the memory made her bristle with fresh determination instead of cower. She had escaped that alley. Started a new life. Here. Now.
    Heather stepped forward and put a hand on Cody’s chest. Beneath the soft cotton of his shirt was solid steel that heated at her touch. Half-closing her eyes, she tilted her head and wished for his lips. Imagined them brushing over hers, soft and sweet. She saw his eyes drop to her lips and focus there as if he were counting her breaths, waiting for his chance. The way the girls did at school, studying the beat of a jump rope before leaping in. Waiting…waiting…
    The coyotes warbled on, high and hopeful, then low and lonely.
    She’d had enough of waiting and wishing. Enough of lonely. On the next breath, Heather reached for his lips with her own.

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    Heather put everything into that kiss—all her joy, her sorrow, her hope. She squeezed her whole body to his, savoring the sweet taste of strawberry on his lips. Arms banded with muscle circled her waist, and she wove her arms behind his neck. The man was a fireplace on a cold winter’s night, emanating warmth and security.
    A pause, a breath. He was waiting for her. God, she needed help with this. How to proceed?
    “Cody, help me,” she whispered, threading her fingers into his hair.
    His face took on that Huck Finn grin. “With what?”
    “You know what.”
    His lips moved to her ear. “Pretend I don’t.”
    She inhaled and tried to summon the old Heather from deep inside. “Cody, I want you.” Just that whisper stirred the need burning inside her.
    His lips teased her ear. ”You want me