Taking It Off for the Coyote Read online

  “What kind of thing is that?” Sydney reached for her own long neck bottle to take a pull of the cold brew.

  Cambrie’s lips twitched and she moved to take up the abandoned cue. “Men.”

  Sydney held Cambrie’s gaze. The other woman acted like she could read her mind and considered her a foregone conclusion. She was, and Sydney knew she was fighting a losing battle. They were going to end up in bed or against a wall or something. It was only a matter of time and place.

  She ran her fingers through her dark brown hair and Cambrie’s eyes followed the action, her stare almost proprietary. Sydney fought the shiver and almost hated Cambrie for having such an effect on her. But no one made her hunger and ache like this woman did.

  “Who I date isn’t your concern,” she said and the other woman shrugged, but there was heat and challenge in her copper depths. The coyote’s yip in her mind was a clear signal to the woman. She was tired of ignoring Cambrie.

  “Buy me a drink then?” She asked leaning her hip against the table’s metal frame.

  Sydney took another sip of beer. “What’s your poison?”

  Cambrie shrugged. “You could be,” she said. “But in the meantime, I’m just having ginger ale.”

  Sydney cocked a brow at her feeling the hunger for this woman increase threefold. “Then, let’s get you one.”

  “I’ve seen you checking me out tonight.”

  Sydney took another sip of her beer. “So?”

  “So, ask me to dance,” she murmured. “Before someone else does.”

  ****

  Sydney’s gaze darkened possessively before sliding slowly down her body lingering on the length of her legs. The look was a caress that made Cambrie feel branded.

  “I guess a spin won’t hurt,” Sydney murmured and set her beer down before bringing her warm brown eyes to rest on Cambrie’s again.

  Cambrie led the way to the spacious dance floor and eyes were drawn to Sydney just the way Cambrie’s were. The pale button-down she wore was open several buttons revealing a white t-shirt and silver encircling her neck.

  There was a sharp confidence in the way she moved that commanded attention. And the flair with which she wore her shirt sleeves rolled up nearly to her elbows showing off a few scars on her forearms bespoke of a woman so at ease with her sexuality it could make a less assured person cringe.

  A slow catchy tune poured through the speakers. It was a sultry country song about a couple reconnecting. The twang of the singer’s voice and the slow beat of the music drew Cambrie in.

  Sydney gave her a smile as she moved, lithe body picking up the beat quickly. Cambrie’s own hips began to move, reaching for the beat. A subtle abandon swept over her bending her to its will.

  Cambrie glided a hand slowly down her throat and down the side of one breast to her hip as she moved in time to the beat, letting it ignite the sensuality inside her as music always did. Her fingers toyed with the helm of her mid-thigh length dress and Sydney’s eyes strayed to it.

  So Cambrie inched it up just a little revealing the lacey top of her stocking.

  Her eyes met Sydney’s, held, and Cambrie moved closer to her so their bodies touched but only for a moment. She turned to execute deft movements of her hips and hands.

  Sydney’s body brushed hers from behind as a firm hand gripped her hip and soft lips brushed the back of her neck. She smiled as heat infiltrated her skin.

  Cambrie turned and moved in a smooth flowing movement of grace called the body roll. And Sydney tugged Cambrie into her. She slid the other hand over Cambrie’s hip down to her thigh before gliding it up to rest on her back.

  “I like your moves,” Cambrie said in a teasing tone as she braced her hand on Sydney’s shoulder.

  “Glad you approve,” she said before gliding her hand down the side of Cambrie’s firm breast.

  Sydney’s hand flattened as it continued down to Sydney’s flat stomach. Sydney stroked her through the fabric of her dress, her gaze intense and her intent clear.

  Seduction.

  Her blood was lava hot as it rushed through her veins, and her nipples hard tight points aching in the cups of her bra. Her panties were damp as her clit throbbed in anticipation. She hadn’t imagined this side of Sydney existed, but she was intrigued by it, eager for more.

  Sydney rocked their bodies and then dipped Cambrie, one hand on her hip and the other caressed down Cambrie’s arm to lace their fingers together. Sydney brought her back up slowly with a thigh pushed between Cambrie’s and a hand gliding down to cup Cambrie’s ass. Her clit pressed into the firmness of Sydney’s jean clad leg and Cambrie’s juices eased from her, dampening her panties.

  Her skin flushed and Sydney dipped her head and brushed her lips over Cambrie’s throat. Cambrie was suddenly too hot, she had on too many clothes, and her breaths came out in shallow puffs.

  “You’re getting wet, Cam,” she murmured. The words were just audible over the music.

  “I think that’s your fault,” Cambrie said breathlessly.

  “I think you’re just saying that to get in my pants.” Laughter filled her eyes, warming them as she withdrew her thigh to the fading strands of the song.

  Before she could answer the song melded into a faster beat that fueled the heat in her blood and the hunger rampaging through her.

  Sydney released her, taking a step back.

  For a moment, Cambrie was flustered. The sudden loss of heat and solid feminine muscle was confusing. A hint of anger washed over her, and she quickly pulled herself together. Damn coward was such a tease. Cambrie stalked to the bar deciding to get a drink hoping it cooled her inflamed skin.

  Chapter Two

  Sydney picked up the anger even through the cigarette smoke, sweat, and scent of cheap alcohol.

  She followed Cambrie to the bar, but the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She glanced around sensing eyes following her every move. Too many people at the bar and in the crowded single-story brick building made it hard for her to know if that was about the dance of lesbians in a straight bar, or if there was something more personal at work.

  Her instincts warned her trouble was afoot, but she couldn’t just leave Cambrie not after that dance. Her own pussy was wet, her nipples tight and aching for contact. She’d throw her up against a hotel wall and fuck her brains out if Cambrie didn’t work at the club. She had to let her down easy and stay the hell away from her.

  “So, I was thinking you and your friend could come back to my place, and we could have some real fun.” The man was six-foot-two with a beard and blue eyes that were filled with lust.

  Sydney was barely able to keep the coyote’s snarl from slipping past her lips as the words drifted to her.

  “Oh please,” Cambrie muttered, irritation clear in her tone.

  “I’ve got what you girls need,” he said reaching out to run his knuckles along Cambrie’s arm. “You won’t walk straight for days, baby.”

  “As if,” Cambrie answered in clear disgust.

  “You think you’re too good for me, little bitch,” he snapped and reached out to grab her hair.

  The snarl did escape her this time as the animal surged forward grabbing his hand before he could get a grip on Cambrie’s tresses, held in place with decorative chop sticks .

  She jerked his wrist back and drove her fist into his stomach. “Hands off, asshole,” she snapped.

  He bristled at her and swung. She winced as his fist caught her on the shoulder. She blocked his next punch and backhanded him. He stumbled back and growled before charging forward.

  She prepared for her next move as a chant of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” broke out around her. The jerk had the scent of a damned jackal. They were scrappy sons of bitches but with a little liquor in them, they couldn’t fight worth shit. They only had one good punch in them.

  She moved aside and drew back delivering a sharp blow to his side, and he let out a howl of pain as he hit the floor. He rolled over and the cocking of a gun had his eyes goin
g wide.

  “Take it outside boys,” a male bartender ordered tightly. The jackal got up, fire in his eyes. “I’ll bust a cap in your ass, man.”

  Sydney watched his friends haul him to his feet. “Let’s get out of here, Cam,” she ordered, grabbing her arm. She still felt uneasy and it had nothing to do with the jackal.

  ****

  Cambrie allowed Sydney to lead her from the noisy building out into blessed fresh air and she took a deep breath to drive the smoke from her nose. Untamed energy washed over her making her tense. With effort, she didn’t stop or jerk free, but her gaze ranged around the lot a she sought out the danger.

  Had Patty found her?

  She had come here because she’d known Patty wouldn’t. Patty wasn’t fond of cold weather and the east seemed to hold bad memories for her.

  But Patty had been so bent on getting her back she’d braved the Chicago cold which chapped her skin so badly it cracked without meticulous care.

  The laughter that danced around the parking lot clenched her fingers even as she struggled to get her breathing under control. Her hands shook as she thought of what Patty would have done to her if she got her hands on her.

  “Where are you parked?” Sydney asked tightly.

  “Over there.” She pointed and tucked her hands out of sight hoping Sydney didn’t notice her fear. She knew she wasn’t normal.

  Cambrie had grown up around coyote shifters, so she knew how their energy felt. Sydney’s and their boss Sam’s was different—it was stronger with a dark edge. When it washed over her, it was a caress—Sydney’s energy was. She was drawn to her like a negative charge to a positive one and she had tried not to be.

  “Are you all right?” Sydney asked.

  She nodded, shaken.

  “I didn’t hear a word you said.” There was irritation in her voice and ire in her stare.

  “Yes,” she snapped and dug her keys from the pocket of her dress. Get it under control, she ordered herself. She’s sensing your fear.

  Living with Patty she’d learned how to hide her feelings so that not even her body chemistry changed.

  “I shouldn’t have gone off like that,” Sydney said as Cambrie pulled to a stop at her car.

  Cambrie smiled then and looked up at her. “It was kind of sexy seeing you go all macho like you gave a damn.”

  Sydney grunted. “You really need to stop trying to start whatever it is you’re trying to start. I don’t date the dancers.”

  Cambrie frowned. “Why? We’re beneath you?” she asked coldly. A chill raced through her and her power flared in her belly. Putting a hand on it, Cambrie tamped it down.

  “What if I’m so focused on you, keeping hands off you, that I screw up, Cambrie, and some other girl gets hurt?” The words were soft.

  “It’s a dance club not a wrestling match,” she muttered. “Just tell me the truth. You think you’re too good to be touched by me let alone to have me in your bed. You should have just said that instead of dancing with me like you wanted me, but I don’t suppose you have much control over a hormonal reaction.”

  “It’s not like that, baby,” she murmured. “I would get so damn jealous watching other women touch you, look at you.”

  “Look at me? Naked?”

  “Yes.”

  “Get over it,” she snapped. “I take off my clothes for a living not spread my legs.”

  Sydney cocked a brow at her.

  “Okay, yeah, but I don’t have sex with them, Sydney.” She touched her arm. “I want you as crazy as that sounds.”

  “How long, Cambrie? Until some other woman gets you hot?”

  “I’m not looking down the road to forever, and I didn’t know you were,” she replied. She didn’t even know if she was going to stay in Snowbury longer than another few months especially if her senses were right and that hyena was Patty’s.

  “See that’s where the problem starts,” Sydney replied. “It’ll only get worse when I walk in on you and some other woman at the club.”

  She blew out a harsh breath. “I’ve never cheated on a lover, but I’m not going to stand here and argue that point with you. We can talk about it at the club tomorrow.” Cambrie turned and unlocked her door.

  “There won’t be any need,” Sydney said quietly. “We can’t get involved even for a few minutes.”

  “God, I hope you’d last longer than that,” she said coldly. “But it’s a good thing you’re laying down the law like the macho butch you are.” She pulled open her car door. “Thanks for the dance, and thanks for setting me straight.” Cambrie climbed into her car and slammed the door shut before jamming the key into the ignition and starting it up.

  Damn she’d been so stupid. She hit the steering wheel and backed out giving Sydney one last look. She looked lonely standing there and Cambrie’s heart ached as she drove away.

  ****

  Sydney turned, body stiff as anger chilled her to the bone. The animal was pacing inside her mind in a fury wanting her to go after Cambrie. If it had been safer—no the danger was gone. She’d felt it the moment the hyena retreated though she still felt as if she was being watched.

  She blew out a harsh breath and headed to her car. Sorrento probably had someone on her so he could gather information about her. That’s what they were doing, checking him and the four members of his organization out that were visible.

  They knew there were more. He couldn’t be planning a takeover with such a nonexistent force. The four moving about town were obviously his eyes and ears. The only female member of the team had even been to the club a few times.

  Sydney tilted her head up and took in the air. No familiar scents carried on the wind, so she headed to her car. She did a quick check before climbing in. Sorrento hadn’t shown any signs of using explosives, but she didn’t want to take any chances.

  Chapter Three

  Staring out into the dark evening with trees rising up tall and menacing shadows, she didn’t see the beauty of her home. Patty’s baby blue eyes saw nothing but snow, blood, and her mother’s face as she was taken down by a silver-gray coyote. The lean body was tense, coat spattered with blood in patches where damage had been inflicted.

  She should have been dead since the hyena she was killing was older and stronger. The hyena’s jaws were more powerful, capable of crushing a mere human’s bones with a single bite and doing the same to a coyote. The claws were sharp and the slashes of them brutal.

  The woman lying on the ground not far away, naked with an arrow tattoo on her forearm, was bleeding to death with one of her legs broken in three places and her hand crushed from the same coyote’s attack. All Patty could do was stare in agony as the hyena made a fatal error when she lunged for the coyote who’d backed off.

  She pushed herself into a sitting position as she saw the result unfold. The coyote leaped forward, canines locking into the hyena’s throat, and claws locked in the hyena’s sides. The coyote shook her prey viciously, snapping the neck and jerking the last vestiges of life from its enemy.

  The coyote dropped its victim and the hyena transformed back into a woman, a broken leader with an arrow on her arm. The tattoo was bloody and the skin broken on the top part of the arrow, but the onlooker knew it was her mother, the once unbeatable warrior.

  The soft sound of rustling covers jerked her from her reverie. She cast a look over her shoulder to see her lover had changed position, exposing her naked breasts. The animal’s hunger reawakened but she turned away.

  Patty rubbed the tiny arrow on the side of her pinky. She’d never forgotten the loss, the heart-freezing defeat that had changed her forever. Clenching her shaking hand at her side, she closed her eyes. Her child had been taken from her that day too as her lover, barely pregnant, had died what had turned out to be a meaningless death.

  But that’s why she was here in the small town where it would snow and possibly before she left. She needed closure Patty wanted those who’d desolated her life dead, even if she had to die killing them.


  Chapter Four

  The next morning, Cambrie glanced at the waitress who’d brought her tea and gave her a smile. “Thank you.”

  The older woman nodded and scurried away as a spoon clinked in the cup of Cambrie’s companion. Cambrie glanced across the square table in the quiet neat little diner to her older cousin. Skye was nearly forty but didn’t look a day over twenty-five. Her brown eyes held warmth, but her face signs of strain.

  “So, why’d you ask to meet?” It was just after ten which meant she’d had to get up before her normal rising time.

  “I’m sorry about getting you up so early, honey.” Skye reached across the table to cover her hand. “I really needed to talk to you about something.” She withdrew her hand and picked up her own mug of tea to take a sip.

  “It’s really okay,” Cambrie assured her. She’d get a nap later.

  “You probably don’t remember how much time you spent in the den before you had to leave.”

  “I remember the white oak trees and how the leaves turned red and stayed that way most of the winter.” Cambrie smiled recalling her treks around the land with her younger relatives and friends. Swimming and hiking had been her favorite things to do. “And I remember the den.”

  Skye smiled. “Did your grandmother tell you about our heritage? Our coyote blood?”

  She nodded. “She told me the legends of the shadow coyotes and how our family migrated here to Connecticut to settle this land and join with the Gray Tail pack.” The shadow breeds were special, but mainly they were Indian born shifters.

  “Good. It’s important that you know.” Skye nodded. “Did she tell you everything? About you?”

  Her.

  Cambrie shrugged. She’d been told about her heritage all her life first in stories that seemed like a fairy tale and then in no uncertain terms. She knew her power came from her Indian roots. She had animal medicine inside her. She had been born with the ability to produce a pure-blooded shifter child even though she couldn’t shift.

  “Yes.”