Series: Cowboy Wolf #1-2
Publication date: September 30th, 2020
Synopsis:
GAVIN:
HIS MATE HAS RETURNED TO HIM, THIS TIME HE ISN'T LETTING HER GO.
Disclosure -- A shorter version of this title was previously published in the Cowboys for a Cause anthology under the title, Trusting Her Cowboy.
Gavin McCullough knows his family obligations prevents him from accepting a human mate, but one look into Aislyn Lankford's golden eyes and he can't resist making her his. An accident six months later leaves him no option but to return to the McCullough ranch and take up his duties to both his family and pack before he's had a chance to tell Aislyn the truth about his heritage.
When Aislyn is framed for a crime she didn't commit, her only hope is to seek help from the man who shattered her heart. Would putting her trust in Gavin again be her salvation or another mistake? She risks everything to take a chance on a man with secrets, but when those are revealed, the true test of the depth of their feelings begins.
Once Gavin sees the fear in Aislyn's eyes, there is no turning his back on her again. Family and duty be damned; his mate has returned to him and this time he isn't letting her go.
Author's note: This contemporary romantic suspense contains adult themes such as power exchange and sexual scenes. Please do not purchase if those offend you.
CODY:
HE GAVE UP ON HAVING HER ONCE, HE WOULDN'T DO IT A SECOND TIME.
Cody McCullough is devastated to discover the one woman meant to complete him in every way is in a relationship with his best friend. He manages to keep his disappointment and lust in check until Doug invites him to join them in a scene, but after feeling Olivia's soft skin and her quivering responses to his touch, he walks away before he does something unforgiveable.
Olivia Harris flees her beloved home town following the sudden death of her first Dom and hurtful rejection of his best friend. It's not long before she realizes time and distance hasn't impacted her longing for Cody McCullough and she makes plans to return home. Before leaving, her involvement with an underground rescue network lures her into breaking the law to aid in getting a baby out of harm's way.
When Cody discovers Olivia's return, nothing will keep him from claiming his mate this time. His determination to make her his in every way intensifies when he learns why two investigator's show up in town and are responsible for the fear in her eyes.
When Cody and Olivia finally reveal their secrets, will it be in time to keep Olivia from going to prison or for Cody to convince her to give both his wolf and himself a chance?
Author's note: This contemporary romantic suspense contains adult themes such as power exchange and sexual scenes. Please do not purchase if these offend you.
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Excerpts
GAVIN EXCERPT
Aislyn didn't know what drew her to the window before she crawled into bed, but she padded across the room, pulled the curtain aside and peered out. She could barely make out Gavin's shape before he entered the woods and disappeared into the night. Curious and worried, she ventured onto the front porch and stood watch, holding her breath for what seemed like hours, waiting for him to return. When he did, she held it for an altogether different reason.
He approached the house breathing heavily, as if he had been running, his shirt, flapping open to reveal his sweaty, thick chest, his jeans zipped but left unsnapped, baring enough skin to draw her eyes down the narrowing line of dark hair until it disappeared inside his pants. She grew warm recalling where that sexy trail of hair led. Gavin never paused in his stride, coming straight up the steps and walking right by her to sink down on one of the cushioned chairs. Sighing, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes, his face and neck shining with perspiration under the dim light, his black hair clinging damply to his nape, his wide, bare chest lifting with each labored breath. She should run away from the temptation to trail her lips and tongue over all that glistening skin. Should, but didn't.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, his deep grumble washing through her with a slow heated roll.
"Waiting to ask you the same thing." He shrugged but she forced herself to hold her ground. "That's not much of an answer."
Opening his eyes, he glared at her and she realized her mistake before he pointed it out. "Now you know how it feels. Why did you come here if it wasn't to ask for my help? I don't believe you're just in need of a place to stay for a few days. Is some guy giving you a hard time?"
If only he knew how celibate she'd stayed these many months, he wouldn't go there. "God, no, not like you're inferring."
His body vibrated with an impatient wildness that, God help her, appealed to her as much as his calm dominance once had. She ached to get to know this rougher side of him even as she shied away from trusting him enough to risk bringing trouble to him and his ranch. She hadn't thought that far ahead when she'd taken off, her only intention to go to the one person who had offered her safety by making her his top priority for six whole months.
Some of the tension went out of Gavin's broad shoulders as he said, "Then, why?"
Because she couldn't come up with a suitable answer, she blurted the first thing that popped into her head. "Because I missed you."
Gavin tensed again and slowly lifted his head, opening his eyes again to level one of those intent, probing gazes she remembered so well, the look that always caused her buttocks to clench and her pussy to spasm. She might not know this cowboy as well as she had the Dom, but her body seemed to crave both sides of this man, responding the same now as if months hadn't elapsed since they'd seen each other.
"Did you, now?" he murmured, his silky tone setting off alarm bells as he snatched her hand and yanked her over his lap. Her thin sleep shorts were no barrier to the heat of his hand resting on her butt. "I've missed you too, little one. Remember what I used to do when you weren't forthcoming with me about your needs?"
I couldn't forget if I tried. Aislyn managed to swallow past the sudden lump in her throat as she gripped his calf for balance. "Yes, sir," she whispered, the title slipping out as easily as he'd landed her in this position. God, how she'd missed his control. He pushed her shorts and panties down, exposing her butt to the cool night air and his possession. This is what she'd been hoping for when she first arrived, for him to exert that authoritative dominance, swoop in and take her over. Now she didn't have to think or worry. The only thing on the agenda was ceding to his demands, and the pleasure she'd always reaped from them.
CODY EXCERPT
Enough.
Cody waited until the guys rode out of sight before rounding on Olivia with a determination born of frustration to address the strain she couldn't hide from him. His heightened senses weren't nearly as magnified as his wolf's, but enough for him to notice the slight ripple that went through her body at the mention of the sheriff and the quick flash of alarm that had shone in her eyes. He couldn't demand answers or even that she talk to him, but he could start now to make up for failing to ensure her well-being and the time lost it had cost both of them.
He scanned the nearest trees, found one that would work, and snatched her hand. "Come over here," he ordered with a tug.
"Why?" she asked with a telltale breathless catch that pushed all his buttons.
Stopping at the tree just inside a worn path, he reached up and pulled down the sturdy, thick branch that had caught his eyes. "Because this is where I want you." Lifting the hand he held, he wrapped her fingers around the limb. "Grab hold with both hands and don't let go. Understood?" He nudged his hat back and drilled her with a stern look meant to convey his willingness to take over for her.
Olivia never took her eyes off his as a myriad of emotions flitted across her face--wariness, then a hint of lust, and finally, relief. Nodding, she grapsed the lowered branch with her other hand, the move twisting her sideways to him. As soon as he released his stronger hold, the tree limb sprung upward, stretching her arms, her strength not enough to hold it down for long.
"Very good, sweetheart," he murmured close to her ear when she stayed in position. Reaching for the hem of her top, he pushed it up and trailed one hand over her soft abdomen, enjoying the contraction of her smooth muscles. "I don't like your unwillingness to talk to me but understand your reluctance, given our limited relationship. But,"--he flicked open the front clasp of her bra, and she sucked in a deep breath that lifted her breasts--"we start rectifying that here and now." Circling a nipple, he teased the pink bud until she twisted her torso to entire a closer touch, a signal he'd been aiming for.
"There you go. That's what I want, Olivia, you talking to me, using whatever means you're comfortable with. Body language can work in place of verbal, sometimes even better." Grasping her nipple between thumb and forefinger, he toyed with the rigid bud, pulling, squeezing and plucking until she let her breath out with a whoosh.
"I don't... I'm a private person," she finally managed, arching into his hand.
"You can keep your secrets," he said, loosening her jeans with his other hand, his mouth still at her ear. "For now." A frown appeared between her eyes, a small sign of annoyance at his high-handed comment but didn't faze him. He liked her independence. It was the childhood aloneness and burdensome responsibility that lay behind it he didn't care for and intended to change by being here for her, in whatever capacity she needed.
"Cody... oh, God." She moaned as he pinched her nipple to cut off her protest.
"Trust me to know what you need, what you want even better than you. Can you do that?"
"Honestly, I don't know." She shook her head, sending the thick fall of her auburn hair swinging across her upper shoulders.
"I can work with that." Cody hadn't expected even that much concession this soon.
