Untamed Hunger Read online

  It was Adrian who made the first move, seemingly unable to contain himself. A low, ugly growl ripped from his throat, as he dove at Gunner. His speed was incredible, but his attack was clumsy, rushed, and way off balance. He hit Gunner at a sharp angle, his body sliding alongside Gunner’s, almost deflected by the larger tiger’s mass.

  Gunner turned, clamping his jaws down on the back of Adrian’s neck with a terrible crunch.

  With a screech, Adrian threw his head back, jaws snapping the air over his shoulder.

  Gunner bore down, driving Adrian’s forelegs into the ground.

  Claire rose to her knees. It was all over; it had to be. She knew the power in a shifter’s jaws could snap the neck of any living thing, human or shifter. Adrian’s neck was thin, weak-looking. And Gunner was an immensely powerful tiger.

  But it wasn’t over.

  She watched in horror, as Adrian twisted beneath Gunner, kicking out with his back legs, hitting Gunner in the midsection.

  Gunner let go of Adrian, doubling over with a coughing grunt.

  Adrian scuttled away and Claire’s heart sank.

  Gunner was injured.

  Adrian knew it, and landed a sucker punch onto Gunner’s injured ribs. But, Adrian was also hurt and the punch seemed to take what was left, out of him. Claire watched blood well out of wounds on Adrian’s neck, darkening the orange fur, dripping onto the ground. He shook his head, whining low in his throat.

  Gunner straightened, turned, gained his feet, and charged. He hit Adrian in his flank, teeth sinking into Adrian’s soft underbelly.

  Adrian bellowed. His head flung back and he caught the edge of Gunner’s ear in his mouth. Claire winced, as teeth ripped through flesh, and blood poured down the side of Gunner’s head.

  But Gunner held on, twisting his head, driving forward with his back legs, pushing Adrian across the path, Adrian’s claws scrabbling in the dirt and leaves. Claire stared wide-eyed as Gunner slammed Adrian against the trunk of a tree. There was a sickening crack, and Adrian yelped in pain, thrashing violently in Gunner’s grip.

  There was a wild scramble of fur and legs, teeth and claws, and then Claire watched in fear, as Adrian wrenched himself free from Gunner’s jaws. His body writhed, and she realized he was shifting back to human form, his body wavering between the two. Blood ran from gashes in his side and neck, and where the patchy matted fur gave way to human skin, she saw bruises, deep and bloody. One front leg was held at an awkward angle, and Claire thought she saw the white ends of bone protruding from dirty fur. Nausea and revulsion washed through her, but she never took her eyes off Adrian.

  Adrian turned toward Claire, one hand now clenched in a fist. She cringed, as he advanced, his jaw full of cruel teeth snapping at her, the upper part of his face slipping into human form. For one heart-stopping instant she met his eyes, full of rage—and insanity.

  “Claire…I’m not done with you yet…”

  Her name, choked out in that horrible half-growl, half-human voice, chilled her to the bone.

  Then he was gone, disappearing into the forest.

  She watched, ears straining, picking up the dwindling sounds, as he moved away, followed by silence.

  “Claire?”

  She turned.

  Gunner was crouched on the path, the side of his head bloody. It also covered his arms and the side of his body. A deep purple bruise covered the lower side of his chest.

  “Gunner!” She knelt beside him, tentatively extending her hand, not sure where the blood ended and Gunner began. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m good. It’s worse than it looks. It’ll heal.” He looked up, eyes searching her face. “But we need to get out of here, get me some clothes, make sure you’re okay.” He glanced at her leg. “Can you walk? I can carry you…”

  “I’m okay, I can walk. But what about Adrian?”

  “I don’t think the asshole is coming back, at least for a while. He’s got deeper wounds to lick, than I do.”

  He stood, taking her hand as he scanned the forest. Then he pointed toward the ridgeline. “The cabin is just above us on the trail. It’s the closest place.”

  15

  “It’s okay. Come on in,” Gunner’s voice sounded from deep inside the cabin.

  Claire stepped through the ruined doorway. he was across the room, pulling on jeans he’d grabbed from his backpack.

  “I need to fix this…” He gestured toward the broken door. “There’s some plywood underneath the cabin. Wait here.” Before she could say anything, he was out the door.

  She turned toward the big window. From here, the trail they’d just climbed was visible as a faint line across the meadow. She watched it anxiously, expecting Adrian to appear, half-changed, covered in matted fur and blood, running toward the cabin. Gunner’s words that Adrian’s wounds were bad gave her cold comfort.

  She jumped at the noise behind her, an involuntary cry coming from her lips. Gunner was wrestling a large sheet of plywood into the cabin. He propped it over the doorway, blocking out the sunlight streaming in, and began hammering huge nails through the wood into the cabin walls.

  Gunner stepped back, admiring his handiwork. “There. That should slow down anyone…or anything…that wants to get in, at least for a few minutes.”

  Turning to Claire, he pantomimed twirling the hammer like an old West gunslinger before sliding it into an imaginary holster alongside his leg. Some of the tension in her body dissolved, and she laughed. It felt good.

  “We need to get you cleaned up, Gunner. You’re still bleeding.” She moved across the room, taking him by the arm. He dropped the hammer on the kitchen table, as she pulled him toward the bathroom, tugging on his hand.

  “It’s nothing. It’s already starting to heal.” He tugged back, protests continuing. “You’re bleeding worse than I am.”

  She stopped, and looked down at her bloody jeans. “Oh. I forgot about that. It doesn’t hurt anymore though.” Looking up, she smiled. “Like you say, it’s already starting to heal.”

  “Well, then…” He dug his heels in, mule-like, stopping their progress down the short hallway.

  “Yeah, but you’re still a mess.” She pulled harder, and he finally followed her down the hall, and into the bathroom, where he perched on the edge of the sink.

  “There’s stuff in there.” He nodded toward a cabinet in the corner of the room. “Pretty much everything you’ll need.”

  Claire opened the door, startled by the array of boxes stocking the shelves. She turned to Gunner with a grin.

  “Expecting Armageddon? Or a zombie attack?” She pulled a bottle of alcohol, and a package of gauze off one of the shelves, tearing open the wrapper with her teeth.

  “None of those. But my dad raised a boy.” He shrugged, watching as she poured alcohol on the gauze. “I climbed a lot of trees…and fell out of them.”

  “This is going to sting.” Claire took a step toward him, and started dabbing the gauze against the bite on his ear. Gunner made a face, as he pulled away, wincing.

  “Don’t be a baby, Gunner. You just fought off Adrian. You can handle a little rubbing alcohol.” Holding his face steady with one hand, she resumed cleaning the wounds.

  He smiled.

  She leaned forward, eyes traveling over his ear, and the side of his face. True to his shifter nature, his wound was already beginning to heal, the blood left behind mostly dry.

  “It’s already healing. Looks clean…”

  Claire was suddenly aware of the nearness of Gunner’s body, the heat of his skin, and the fact that her blouse still hung open. She raised her eyes, not surprised to find him looking at her. The breath caught in her throat, and she dropped the gauze in the sink.

  “Am I healed?” His voice was a low rumble, his lips turning up at one corner in a deliciously wicked smile…a smile that started a wave of equally delicious heat sliding through her limbs.

  “Yeah. But you’re still a mess.” She let her eyes drift from his face, over his chest,
then lower, and she found herself biting her lip. Bringing her eyes back to his, she matched his smile. The heat was winding through her now, a lazy snake of desire coiling in her belly.

  “So, what should we do about my…mess?” Gunner reached out, tracing a finger along her hairline. The simple gesture sent a shiver through her.

  “Well…” She looked over her shoulder. “There is a shower in here, you know. A big one, with lots of hot water.”

  “I’m all for good, clean fun.”

  He held her gaze for a moment. “You ready for this? You know, this time, once we start, I’m not going to stop.”

  There was something that held her back from what she knew was on Gunner’s mind, and hers. “What about Adrian? Will he come back, do you think?”

  Straightening his shoulders, Gunner drew a deep breath. “No, I don’t think we’ll see him again anytime soon. And I’m not saying that just to get you between the sheets.”

  Claire managed a small smile. “I don’t think you’re that desperate to get me into bed, no. Why do you think he’s not coming back?”

  Gunner slid off the sink, his body close to hers. She drew a breath, and got hit with a wave of Gunner’s scent, a mix of sweat and blood and arousal. It was a primal and potent combination. Her body reacted, heart taking off at breakneck pace.

  “It’s a bit complicated, Claire. Can you just trust me that we’re safe?” He looked down at her, and in those blue depths she knew she’d found the answer.

  “Yeah. I can. I trust you, Gunner.”

  16

  He smiled then, and it took her by surprise. It wasn’t the slow, lazy, sensual smile she had expected. If she didn’t know better, she’d say it was a smile of relief.

  “So, Nurse Betty, about getting me cleaned up.”

  Before she could answer, he lowered his head, his lips finding hers. It was the only contact between them, but it was all-consuming. His lips moved over hers, gentle but insistent, hinting at where he wanted to take her, where he wanted her to take him.

  Claire rose up on her toes, seeking more from Gunner, wanting the kiss to be deeper. But Gunner kept her reaching, kept her on her toes, teasing her. His mouth curved against hers, and she knew he was smiling at her frustration. Well, then, she’d just take matters into her own hands.

  Reaching up, she threw her arms around Gunner’s neck, pulling him down to her level. He was right where she wanted him. His smile widened for a moment, then everything began spiraling upward. Gunner’s tongue flicked against her lips, and she parted them, meeting each thrust and parry from him with one or two of her own.

  His arms went around her, pulling her against his bare chest, sliding down her back. The warmth of his skin against hers was intoxicating. She slid against him, the friction of his body against her bra-covered breasts sending a shivering tingle through her, making her nipples draw up hard and tight.

  The heat in her belly grew, the snake uncoiling, filling every inch of her body with wanton lust. It all hit her hard and fast, an involuntary shiver jerking her body. Gunner pulled away, looking down at her in the dim light, eyes dark and heavy-lidded with passion.

  “I think we’re ready for that shower now.”

  She grinned up at him. “Yeah. More than ready.”

  Her hands had already popped the snap on his jeans, fingers eagerly tugging down the zipper. With just as much eagerness, Gunner reached behind her, undoing the clasp on her bra, taking both it and her shirt off in one move. They were both kicking out of their jeans at the same time, laughing as they bumped elbows and knees in the confined space.

  Gunner reached behind her, turning on the shower, holding his hand beneath the spray, until the temperature suited him.

  He stepped aside. “Ladies first.”

  Claire took his hand and stepped beneath the hot water. Gunner followed, pulling the shower door shut behind them.

  “Oh, this feels good.” Claire stood for a moment, eyes closed, letting the water stream through her hair. “I want to thank whoever installed this shower head.”

  “That would be me. I upgraded the cabin a few years ago. Now, if you don’t mind…” He took her by the shoulders, and gently moved her aside, standing beneath the spray. “Before all the hot water is gone. Like you said, I am a mess.”

  “I think I can help with that.” Claire took the bottle of shampoo, and poured a generous dollop in her hands.

  “Turn around, and I’ll wash your hair.”

  Gunner looked at her for a moment, a look of disbelief on his face. Then he shrugged, smiled, and obediently turned his back to her. Claire reached up, running her hands through his wet hair, working up a thick lather, working her fingers against his scalp. Gunner tipped his head back, and she thought she heard him moan just a little.

  Standing this close to him, their bodies slick with water, another wave of heat flashed through Claire. She let her hands slide down his shoulders, bubbles trailing over her fingers, as she explored the broad expanse of his back, traveling lower, finally moving down to cup his taut ass.

  Gunner dipped his head beneath the water, quickly rinsing the shampoo from his hair before turning around.

  “You’re having all the fun, Claire. I want to play, too.”

  He pulled her against him, his hands sliding down her back, mimicking the path her hands had taken, right down to his hands gripping her ass. He pulled her against him, and it was pretty damned obvious he was as aroused as she was. She slipped one hand down, cupping the length of him in her wet hand. Gunner closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, then let out a long sigh, as she caressed him slowly.

  “I guess you do want to play.”

  He opened his eyes, his sultry gaze meeting hers. “Since the first crappy cup of coffee I ordered.”

  She breathed out a laugh. “Really now? Were you ever going to make a move? Or were you just going to keep ordering the diner’s crappy coffee every day?”

  Gunner’s eyes slid down to her hand, watching for a moment. “Were you ever going to make a move? Or just keep pretending to write ‘coffee’ on that little notepad of yours?”

  She gave him a squeeze, a little harder than he might have been expected. He let out a deep grunt, hips jerking forward.

  “Careful with the equipment, Claire, or no one’s going to be having any fun.”

  “Come on. You’re tougher than that.”

  “I have a soft side, you know.”

  Claire giggled. “Obviously not today.”

  “You have that effect on me.”

  Gunner’s hand rested on her hip, and he slowly slid it north, over her waist, until he was cupping her breast, thumb slowly rubbing over her nipple.

  “I’ve wanted this…wanted you…since the first time I saw you.” He raised his eyes to hers. “But I…you just took my breath away, Claire. And all my words.”

  He leaned forward, mouth finding hers again, his other hand circling her waist, pulling her against his wet body. Her hand, and what it held, was sandwiched between them, momentarily stilled.

  The shower was filling with steam, as the water beat down on Gunner’s shoulders. Claire was enveloped in a warmth like nothing she’d ever felt before, and it was not entirely due to the water.

  The kiss deepened, Gunner’s hands working their magic, as they moved over her body. Over the pounding of the water, she could hear herself making little moans and gasps against Gunner’s mouth. She thought she could stay here forever, locked in this embrace with this man.

  Except she wanted more, and everything about Gunner, from the restless movement of his hands on her body, the deep moans she could almost feel—the activity in her hand— clearly told her he wanted more as well.

  When he finally broke their kiss, Claire met it with a mixture of anticipation, and frustration.

  “Am I still a mess, or do I pass inspection?” She opened her eyes, the world a little blurry and unstable, and looked up at him. Gunner’s eyes were that beautiful blue between sky and ocean. And ever
ything became clear.

  “I think we’re just going to get all messy again, so as far as I’m concerned, you’re good to go. We should save the hot water.”

  He was turning off the water before she’d even finished her sentence. When he turned back, he was smiling.

  “After you.” He reached over her head, swinging open the shower door. Claire stepped out, Gunner right behind her. She hesitated, half-turning, smiling up at him, words on her lips. But he set his hands on her hips, and pushed her out of the bathroom, and down the short hall.

  “Bed, woman. Now.” He slapped a hand across her ass none too gently, and she let out a surprised shriek.

  He was right behind her, as she sprinted across the cabin, laughing over her shoulder. She was almost to the bed when he caught her, grabbing her around the waist, tossing her onto the bed. She landed on her side, rolling onto her back, as Gunner climbed on the bed, finally coming to rest on his hands and knees over her. They were both breathing hard, Claire laughing, Gunner’s face wearing an almost evil smile, a smile that ignited something complete new inside Claire.

  “Gunner…” The word came out in a breathless rush.

  “Yeah. I know.” The smile faded, replaced with a look so wild and primal. Her body went from hot to cold, a shiver of excitement—excitement was far too tame a word to describe what she felt—running through her.

  His hands were on the inside of her knees, pulling her legs apart. But she was already shifting beneath him, sliding down, rolling her hips up to accept him. She was ready, ready for some kind of animal sex, and ready for Gunner.

  Gunner hesitated, just for a heartbeat’s worth of time.

  “Don’t stop…not now.” Claire reached up, pulling him down, her mouth seeking his as he sank between her legs, his hips flexing forward as he took her.

  “Oh God…Gunner.” The rush was intense, and she arched sharply against Gunner, hands plastered against his chest, eyes squeezed tightly shut. Something that felt pretty damn close to an orgasm gripped her, and she flung her arms wide, grabbing the sheets, her body shuddering beneath Gunner.