Wild Hearts by Rhea Regale

and all the legends that enriched this quaint little town.
    “There’s no connection to this place. You’ll have to find your white wolf somewhere else because I’m not her.”
    Shyla pressed to her feet and dropped the cloth in the basin. She had to put distance between Coal and herself. His intensity melted her. It whispered unrealistic promises to her. He backed those whispers in voice.
    The bed creaked behind her a moment before Coal’s arm slid around her waist and pulled her down beside him. She averted her gaze anywhere but down until he pinched her chin in a tender grip and held her head steady, their eyes meeting.
    “Normally I wouldn’t care if I sat naked or clothed in front of anyone. Rest assured, I’m covered for your sake.” He combed her hair behind her ear and offered a small grin. “Regardless what comes out of your mouth, remember I can hear your thoughts.”
    “You’re invading my privacy,” she said.
    “I’d be invading your privacy if I had to dig into your mind, but you constantly speak your thoughts without realizing it. Something that can be dangerous if you’re in the vicinity of a predator.” His hand dropped and covered hers, folding his strong fingers around her own. She leaned forward and rested her forehead on his solid shoulder with a sigh. He petted her back. “Don’t be afraid of us. Don’t discount us because we’re not your typical city boys. You’ll be cared for in the best ways.”
    He pressed a kiss to her hair.
    She closed her eyes, fatigue sweeping over her.
    “You need to lie back and stop moving your shoulder. Give it a chance to heal or I’ll put a stitch in it, and I can’t even sew a button onto a shirt.”
    “As long as you promise me you’ll go rest yourself and not worry about New York or whether Jacy and I plan to up and leave.”
    She nodded once, sitting back. Coal kissed her forehead then her mouth before sidling toward the center of the bed and lying back. Her blood stirred in her gut, teasing her crotch. She folded her arms, her fingers biting into her sweater. She wanted to curl up to Coal’s side and fall asleep. The full form of his solid body lured her with assurance. He would never let harm come to her.
    His gaze lifted to her and flickered, his acknowledgement of hearing her thoughts.
    “Jacy’ll be back any minute with clean clothes for you. Get some sleep, okay?” she asked.
    One corner of Coal’s mouth lifted before his eyes closed. The firelight cast shadows over his impeccable face, his long, dark lashes coming to rest over his cheeks.
    Shyla stared at him for a long moment, knowing damn well he would not go to sleep until she left. She couldn’t help herself. Staring at him reminded her of a fallen angel, some dark beauty who lived in solitude. She thought about climbing into the bed and curling around him, but stifled the idea. She needed a good night’s rest, and sleeping in the same bed as Coal Demmering would definitely not fill that order properly.
    But, the tantalizing images that plagued her mind as she left the room filled an entirely different order.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jacy dropped the pile of fresh clothes on the evidence of Coal’s desire. He snickered when his friend growled and cringed.
    “You bastard,” Coal said through gritting teeth.
    “Just making sure you’re incapacitated completely because I intend to take her first.” He nodded to Coal’s shoulder. “It’s a shame you have that wound. Wouldn’t it be fun to see just how far we could push her limits? Two of us with her? Guess it’ll have to wait until you’re better. In the meantime, I’ll let you imagine what I’ll be doing to her.”
    “Shut up,” Coal snapped.
    Jacy’s satisfaction only increased by the sound of his friend’s growing aggravation. For beginners, he knew Coal seldom held any emotion toward women, and as hard as he hid behind his cool exterior, Shyla had snagged an unsnaggable creature. Jacy fell long before Coal did, or so