Possession of the Soul Read online

  Along the far wall lay an entertainment unit with a loveseat opposite. Two long sofas sat at right angles to the loveseat with a coffee table between them.

  “What makes you think you aren’t that special woman?” His tone teased her, and his hand traveled up her spine to settle on the middle of her back.

  Tabatha laughed and slapped at his chest when he pulled her closer to his body. “It can’t be me, because you’ve just met me.” She looked up into his heated gaze. “Why would you do all this for me?” A knot formed in her throat as his arms encircled her and squeezed.

  “You still haven’t answered my earlier question. Who is this man you mentioned?” Hoyt’s gaze penetrated hers, holding her still.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Tabatha saw Melody and Shane follow them into the room.

  Hoyt moved a strand of her hair behind her ear, tickling her. A quiver skated down her spine. He took a deep breath sending the fine hairs in her ear to moving. His chest rose under her hands, which clutched his shirt. She went to rub her ear against her shoulder, but bumped into Hoyt’s head. He had leaned down and to stroke her ear with his tongue. Being so close to him, Tabatha could’ve sworn her body temperature had started to soar, and her panties had grown damp with her sudden need to feel him inside her.

  His next move only heightened her arousal as his warm tongue licked around the base of her ear. A small moan slipped out of her. Tabatha held onto his shirt, not trusting her legs at that moment. Her knees shook, and her now-wet thong stuck to her nether lips.

  She closed her eyes and tried to answer his question, but nothing came out.

  Melody pulled Tabatha away from Hoyt, propelled her toward the dance floor, and yelled over her shoulder. “I think she needs a little break. I mean, she’s had one hell of a day. Kenneth was her boss. He fired her because she wouldn’t sleep with him. He did it after she’d worked all day.”

  “Thanks, Melody,” Tabatha said by her ear so she’d hear her over the music.

  Melody smiled and leaned into Tabitha. “I thought you were going to pass out right there in his arms. What’s wrong with you? You never cave into a man that fast.” She turned and waved to Shane.

  Tabatha started to move her body to the beat that surrounded her. Melody was right. No one had ever affected her so profoundly. Whenever Hoyt touched her, a sexual fire swept through her body.

  “I don’t know. But all he has to do is touch me and my body and mind go bonkers!” Tabatha smiled.

  Melody shrugged. “It could be what Shane describes as the mating call.”

  “I have to go to the police station tomorrow,” Tabby changed the subject before Melody could further pursue it. “They want me to look at the car and see if I recognize anything. Would you mind driving me, Mel? I don’t feel like taking the bus to the police station. I told the detective I would be there around 10:00 in the morning. That way we can sleep in a little.” Tabatha waited for Melody’s answer as she caught Hoyt’s gaze traveling up her body.

  “Sure, no problem. Now let’s enjoy this music and try to stay focused.” Melody laughed. “I know you love this song. We can relax and have some fun now that we’re not downstairs.”

  Tabatha could dance all night long if the music and the men were the right combination.

  The band played Going Under. Both Melody and Tabatha changed their pace to the new song as the beat sped up. The beads on her skirts chiming as her hips swayed and her feet beat out a counterpoint. The tempo of the drums and the lyrics flowed around the room, surrounding them. The women next to them growled and glared their hatred. But Tabatha didn’t care. The drums and sax downstairs stirred her blood, soothing every muscle in her body.

  She saw Hoyt out of the corner of her eye. He slowly stalked around the open floor by the window. His gaze caught her every movement. Tabatha heard his little growls as he bared his teeth. The other three men in the room had stopped what they were doing and watched her now, too. Shane had pulled Melody into his arms, holding her and letting her move against him, while Tabitha escaped into the music, knowing that once she started to move, nothing would stop her until it ended. It was as if some hidden force had taken control of her body, leaving nothing but the rhythm.

  Tabatha watched Hoyt. His body tensed, and the black leather pants he wore stretched over his hardened cock. She didn’t know what it was about Hoyt, but she felt as if he controlled her from afar. Her body moved for him and only him. Little drops of sweat rolled down her neck toward her breasts. Hoyt’s gaze followed the drops.

  All she wanted to do was strip out of her clothes and tease him with her moves.

  Chapter Four

  Hoyt watched Tabatha’s eyes close while she moved her hands over the outline of her body. She then raised her arms above her head and swayed back and forth to the tempo of the drums. With his wolf’s hearing, Hoyt listened to the bead’s tinkle-like music. It seemed as if she, too, heard the music her beaded costume made, but that was ridiculous, Hoyt mused. There was no way this beautiful woman could hear such a minute sound above the pounding music, but still, the way her body swayed and gyrated hinted otherwise. And, Hoyt noticed, the music seemed to comfort her. He could tell she danced for herself, letting the tempo take her away from all her troubles. Her skin wore a flush from the erotic moves she performed. Hoyt watched a little bead of sweat drip down the side of her face to her neck. He wanted to follow that drop with his tongue as it disappeared into her cleavage. Hoyt didn’t know what was wrong with him. He was having a difficult time controlling his inner beast.

  He slid his body closer to hers and moved with her. Hoyt gradually moved his fingers over the sides of her body and caressed the curve of her hips, following the path her hands had previously gone. His thumbs brushed her large breasts as he raised his hands to twine with hers. Opening her eyes, she stared into his, her long, blonde hair swirling around her as she moved.

  Hoyt invaded her personal space. They danced in perfect rhythm as everyone watched. Tabatha’s breasts pushed against his chest when she moved, and his inner wolf whimpered to take her. Her nipples grew hard as rocks beneath the tight fabric of her top, and his mouth watered at the thought of sucking and biting her tender candies.

  When Ben had told him about her, Hoyt had been only 16 years old. He’d sneaked off to the Spinning’s house just to get a look at her. Ben’s description of his sister hadn’t done her half the justice she deserved. Even at that young age, Hoyt knew she was his. Every time he’d been with Ben, he would pump him for more information. He knew she loved old things, especially the Victorian Era, so he’d had the builders incorporate everything they could from that time period into the design.

  “Do you know what you do to me, dancing like this?” He leaned down to nibble at her neck. “No woman has ever come close to tempting my beast to take her, but when you walked in that door in this outfit, the animal in me demanded to take you right then and there.” Hoyt’s tongue left a wet path on her lips.

  With her senses spinning, she leaned away, her tongue darting out to taste the trail his tongue had left upon her mouth. The innocent action set his blood aflame.

  “I bet you’ve had plenty of women to compare me to.” She laughed, her head tilting back. “Seriously, Hoyt, we just met and you’re talking like we’ll be together forever.” She spun around and tried to move away from him, but he only brought her back to the warmth of his embrace.

  “Tonight will be like no other you’ve ever had, my little gypsy queen.” He wrapped his hand around her long hair and pulled her head back, his gaze holding hers. He lowered his head, taking her mouth with a deep kiss. She tasted of mint and beer. Her body fit against his as if designed for him.

  He knew she’d had a horrible day. All he wanted to do was wipe the memory of it from her mind so she’d have the best evening possible.

  ***

  Hoyt heard the sigh escape her as soon as the dance ended. Claps and whistles from the few in the room forced her to step back from Hoyt�
�s lips and roaming tongue and look around.

  Hoyt drew her against him one more time, refusing to let the moment end just yet. He nuzzled her neck, and whispered, “You’re beautiful.” Again, he inhaled her scent. A low moan escaped him. “You smell like roses.”

  Hoyt’s grip never lessened as he held her in place and licked her neck. Tabatha squirmed in his arms, but that didn’t stop him from sinking his teeth into her tender flesh and marking her.

  Hoyt almost burst out laughing when he heard her think, “Is he giving me a werewolf hickey?”

  “She does have a way with words, doesn’t she?” The voice laughed. “ Don’t worry so much, Hoyt. We’ll meet soon. Tabatha isn’t the only mate you’ll have.” Invisible hands stroked his cock.

  Tabatha tried to jerk back, but Hoyt wasn’t about to let her go. Something was going on, and he’d be damned if anyone touched her, or him, for that matter. She started to relax in his arms as he caressed her body. He scanned the room for anything out of the ordinary, but noticed nothing.

  “I’m not even on your world, Hoyt. Soon you’ll all understand. Just protect her as best as you can. Trust no one. The three of you must stay together.” With that last part, the voice faded out.

  Who the hell are you, and what are you talking about? Three of us? There aren’t three. Hoyt tried to relax while staying on high alert.

  “ Soooon,” the voice echoed.

  Hoyt grabbed Tabatha’s ass and rubbed his hard cock against her, showing her how much he needed her. The voice was right about one thing: He wouldn’t let Tabatha out of his sight again.

  A little whimper escaped her, exciting the beast in him even more. He devoured the sound in a deep kiss, his tongue demanding attention as he fought with hers. Her arms slowly encircled his neck, and she snuggled closer to him. Hoyt couldn’t believe the effect her kiss alone had on him. He raised his head and placed a kiss upon her nose. With his arm around her waist, he led her to one of the couches where Shane and Melody sat.

  Tabatha stopped so suddenly he lost his grip on her. Hoyt gazed down at her and followed her line of vision where two of his bodyguards sat.

  “They won’t hurt you. They’re just here to protect me.” He smiled and pulled her down with him onto the couch.

  A fresh beer waited for her. Greedily, she took a mouthful, but immediately spat it out. The smell of urine reached his sensitive nose. Her body tightened, and jerks from her stomach bounced his hand resting on her belly. His gaze snapped to the woman who had placed the beer there.

  ***

  Tabatha looked across at Melody and knew she would smell the urine, too. Slowly she turned her attention toward the one whom she suspected as the culprit: The barmaid who had followed them up from downstairs. She slammed down the tainted beer. Anger raced through Tabatha as she jumped at the same woman who had growled at her earlier.

  “You fucking bitch! I warned you!” Tabatha screamed as Hoyt held her back.

  “What the fuck? Tabatha, settle down. She’ll rip you apart!” Shane yelled. He reached out to grab her, but pulled back at hearing Hoyt’s growl.

  Shane raised his hands in surrender.

  Hoyt stood, pulling Tabatha against his side. He rubbed her stomach with one hand and grabbed the offending beer with the other. He smelled it and threw it across the room, barely missing the woman who had served it. His two men flanked him. He took Tabitha’s hand and stalked across the room. Grabbing the barmaid by the arm he moved to the door, going downstairs into the club.

  Tabatha glared at the girl as Hoyt pulled her along with him. She wanted to reach around Hoyt and attack, but he held her tight against his side, away from the bitch. His two men, Shane, and Melody followed behind them.

  He stepped through the door to the club with Tabatha, the barmaid still firmly in his grasp. It seemed as if everyone stopped what they were doing all at once as he shoved the girl into the crowd ahead of them. Hoyt released Tabatha, jumped onto the stage, and stopped the band.

  “That’s it. You will stop this now! Tabatha is mine.” He helped Tabatha up on the stage with him. “If anyone attacks her, I will deal with you myself! Is that understood?” He yelled, his gaze boring into the barmaid. Every pack member whimpered, trying to get close to him. He growled, and they scampered back.

  Hoyt turned to Tabatha. All she wanted to do was rid her mouth of the residual urine taste.

  “Let go, Hoyt,” she mumbled. He released her as she glared at him. “First, you don’t own me, and second, that bitch put piss in my beer. Even a human nose can smell it. You should have let me rip out her eyes!” Tabatha ignored everyone and stalked to the bathroom with her purse in hand. Entering the facilities, she searched her purse and found her travel kit with her toothbrush and toothpaste.

  Melody pushed open the bathroom door. “I’m so sorry, Tabby.” She hopped up to sit on the counter.

  “It’s not your fault. It’s that stupid bitch out there,” she said and started to brush her teeth.

  Two of the bathroom stall doors flew open as two women came out, ready to fight. The time had come to stand her ground, and Tabatha wasn’t going to be hassled again. She spat the toothpaste on the floor in front of the closest woman. Her gaze never left the chick that pushed up next to her and Melody. Tabatha’s stomach tightened, she meant to take a deep breath but a threatening growl emerged instead.

  Okay. Note to self: Find out where the hell that came from.

  Tabatha shook her head and concentrated on the closest woman. Confused by her lack of fear, the two bitches glanced at each other. But they weren’t the only ones. Tabatha knew she had some major problems she needed to figure out, including this growling phenomenon. Ignoring what just happened, the women refused to back down.

  The one in front of Tabatha pushed her back against the sink. “You should have never come here. You don’t belong with him!”

  Tabatha spat the remainder of the toothpaste on the floor. “I don’t think that’s up to you,” Every nerve in her body twitched. She pushed away from the sink and shoved the woman away from her.

  Tabatha turned slightly and noticed Melody nose to nose with the other chick. Turning her head briefly, Melody smiled her agreement, and they attacked simultaneously. Tabatha pivoted on her feet and swung one foot up. It made contact with the woman’s sternum. The whoosh of air from the bitches echoed around the bathroom even with the music in the background.

  Melody had turned at the same time, shoving her opponent with her elbow. Both females flew back across the small room, hitting the far wall.

  “Thanks, Ben,” Tabatha whispered to her dead brother, who had taught them both how to defend themselves when they were young.

  She still didn’t know where the extra strength had come from. She looked down at her hands and body and sensed something happening to her, but what? She swallowed hard, unease slithering across her skin.

  The other women’s’ stunned expressions would have been funny if Tabatha wasn’t so furious. She knew what they were thinking: How could two puny humans send them flying? Their heads had hit the wall, and blood was seeping from their wounds.

  Tabatha stood over them. All the frustration of the day boiled to the top of her anger.

  Another deep growl emerged from her as she spoke. “Listen, and listen well. I came here to have a nice, quiet night, but no—you stupid little wolves wouldn’t stop. Back off or you’ll really see what we can do! I don’t care what or who you are. No one threatens me!”

  A second later, the bathroom door burst open again. Hoyt and Shane ran in and stopped when they saw the two pack women on the floor. Hoyt looked at Tabatha, scanning her body for injuries. When he didn’t find any, his gaze turned hot, and his face darkened as a snarl slipped out of him.

  Rolling her eyes, Tabatha reached for her purse. “I’m out of here, Melody. I’ll use your phone to call a cab. See you at home.” She pushed her way through the club to the front door, ignoring everyone as she grabbed her coat, but Hoyt stopped h
er.

  “I don’t want you to leave. Please stay,” his voice lowered to a whisper. “You need protection. Someone wants you dead. Things will be different, I promise.”

  “Listen, I don’t want to come between you and your people.” Tabatha tried to put some distance between them. “It seems they don’t want us together.” She focused on the females who stood watching them.

  His gaze followed hers as she continued, “We’ve only just met, Hoyt. It’s no big deal. I’m sure you can find someone else.”

  She tried to skirt around him, but he growled and pushed her up against the wall.

  Hoyt bent, scooping one arm under her knees, the other curving around her waist. He straightened and pulled her body snugly against his, all the while keeping eye contact. The smell of his cologne penetrated her senses. Tabatha knew something was very wrong by the way her body responded to his.

  “You don’t understand. There can be no other woman for me. I only have one mate and that’s you.” He took a deep breath and nuzzled her ear. “You’re her, Tabatha, and I refuse to let you go—can’t let you go. I’m sorry. All I wanted to do was give you a nice, quiet, and romantic evening.” He tugged on her hair, tilting her head back so she had to stare up at his face.

  Hoyt’s eyes turned deep red. Tabatha swore little flames flashed in them.

  She turned her head, ignoring the plea in his eyes and voice. “I’m human. Anyway, how do I know you’re not the one who murdered my family? The police told me some kind of shifter killed them. It could have been you, for all I know.” She squirmed, but he wouldn’t release her.

  “I could never have hurt your family. You didn’t know this, but Ben was my best friend in high school. Ben used to talk about you all the time. I even came to your cabin a couple of times, but you were at your friend’s house.