His Untamed Desire

Chapter 1

Daphne ignored the appreciative looks and whistles she received as she strode down Chartres Street. She still had a few more blocks to go until she reached the Full Moon Bar, right in the heart of the French Quarter. It was owned by Angus, her Alpha, and she hadn’t been there in years. She’d been back home in New Orleans for a month, but hadn’t had a chance to get out yet since she was still getting settled into her new program at school.

Tonight, she planned to let loose. Part of her hoped that Hector, the sexiest shifter she’d ever laid eyes on, was working tonight and saw her looking like she did. She’d changed a lot while away at Duke, grown more comfortable in her skin, and after the way he’d rejected her four years ago, she wanted him to drool over her. Petty? Yeah, probably. She just didn’t care. If she hadn’t been best friends with his sister, Leta, it would have been easier to ignore him back then. After crushing on him throughout high school, it was beyond time for her to move on.

At five foot nine Daphne was tall for a female, and she’d worn three-inch heeled boots to give herself even more height. Her boots laced up to her thighs and the black minidress she had on was skintight. Not her normal style, but she was going to make sure she had Hector’s attention.

Let’s see him ignore me now.

In order to avoid a very intoxicated couple yelling at each other on the sidewalk, she stepped down onto the cobblestone street and veered around them. The back of her neck prickled in awareness as she stepped back onto the sidewalk. Glancing around, she self-consciously tugged her cropped leather jacket together. As a lupine shifter there wasn’t much out there that she couldn’t defend herself against, but lately she’d felt as if someone or something was watching her. She didn’t have any proof, but she never ignored her innate animal ability to sense danger. It had never failed her.

Picking up her pace, Daphne hurried around the corner. Her shoulders relaxed a bit as she neared the Full Moon Bar. It was in full swing tonight. Music from a live band streamed out as a group of about ten shifters entered. A few seconds later, she did the same. Spicy food, alcohol, the press of different bodies—the scents accosted her at once. Since the majority of people who frequented it had oversensitive hearing, they normally kept the volume down. But with the live band, everything was rowdier tonight. She didn’t mind. Not since she was here to have a good time.

One of the security guys started to ask her for her ID but then blinked as he recognized her. Even though she’d been back a month she’d only seen her Alpha, her parents, and a few friends. She grinned at Saul, one of her packmates. He was only about a decade older than her. Big and broad-shouldered, just like most of the members of her pack, he had dirty-blond hair and near-black eyes. He stared at her, his mouth gaping for a long moment.

“Put your tongue back in,” she finally muttered. She didn’t look that different than before. She was really glad that even though they were part of the same pack, they weren’t even remotely related. It would have made the way he was checking her out gross.

“You look fucking hot!”

Her face flamed at his words, but she rolled her eyes. “Is this how you talk to the ladies? No wonder you’re still single.”

He just smiled and pulled her into a giant bear hug. Even with her added height, he pulled her off the ground. Laughing, she wrapped her arms around his neck. As she hugged him, she spotted Hector out of the corner of her eye, but it was clear he wasn’t working. He was sitting at a high-top table . . . with a very pretty woman.

Daphne’s canines and claws ached, ready to unsheathe and draw blood. Jeez. What was wrong with her? Refusing to fully look in Hector’s direction, she kept her focus on Saul as he put her down. “How’ve you been?”

He shrugged, eyeing her with frank, male interest. “Better now that you’re here.”

She let out a sigh. “Seriously? That’s all you have to say to me?”

He grinned in that boyish way that she knew had charmed the panties off a lot of ladies. “I’m just messing with you, though you do look good. I was glad to hear you were back from college. Why aren’t you living at the compound anymore?”

Because she’d changed a lot at school. Despite needing her pack for support, she’d also found that she craved a little bit more freedom after having been on her own for the last four years. Instead of telling him that, she told a partial truth. “I’m getting my master’s at Tulane, and I was worried it would be hard to study at the mansion.”

He nodded. “I hear that. I’ve actually been talking with some of the guys about getting a place here in the Quarter. Be easier when we want to bring ladies home, you know?”

“God, you’re such a horndog.” She shook her head and nudged him with her hip. She might be twenty-three, but she felt light years more mature than Saul. “I see my friends. I’ll talk to you later.”

He grinned good-naturedly and resumed looking like a badass security guy as she walked toward the bar. Daphne could see Hector watching her intently, but she didn’t turn in his direction. Her entire body flared to life when she realized he was aware of her. Heat blossomed low in her belly and she wanted to curse him for having that affect on her. It took self-control she didn’t know she had, but she waved at the two human friends from one of her classes in the public health program without flicking him a single glance. Sydney and Annika smiled when they saw her.

Annika slid a full martini toward her as she reached their high-top table. “I ordered you one when I got your text saying you were on your way.”

“Thanks.” Taking off her fitted jacket she sat on the chair next to Sydney because it put her back to Hector. She could almost swear she felt his gaze on her, but wondered if that was her imagination.

“You know that hot bouncer?” Sydney asked, her dark eyes widening with interest.

“Um, yeah. But stay away from him. He’s likely only interested in a booty call. And FYI, he can probably hear you.”

Daphne held in a grin as she heard Saul curse. Her friends wouldn’t be able to hear him, and normally she tuned most conversations going on around her out. It was like background noise. It was how she was managing to filter out whatever Hector was talking about with the female at his table on the other side of the bar.

“Crap, I totally forget you guys can do that.” Sydney shook her head and took a sip of her drink.

Daphne did the same, but finished hers in a few swallows. She had a much higher metabolism and would have to drink four drinks to even feel any affect. Moments later, when Annika pulled her onto the dance floor, she found herself relaxing like she hadn’t been able to since she’d moved back to New Orleans. As she swayed to a familiar remake of a song from a decade ago, she was almost able to tune out Hector’s presence and the fact that she was pretty sure someone had been watching her for a month. It felt so good to just let go, to be free from responsibility for a little while. She’d killed herself taking a full load of classes every semester until she graduated with honors, and now she had two more years of school.

When the cover band started playing another familiar song, neither she nor her friends left the floor. She wasn’t worried about her stuff at the table. This was a shifter run and owned bar. No one would mess with anything. Not unless they wanted an ass-kicking.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but over a dozen songs later the band took a break so she headed back to the table. Within seconds the girls were surrounded by males. Some shifters, some humans, and even a few vampires. It was Friday night and everyone was out looking for a good time.

As Annika and Sydney headed back to the dance floor with partners, Daphne begged off and motioned to one of the servers walking around. The second after the woman took her order, she scented a very familiar male near her. That fresh scent that had always reminded her of the rainforest was something she could pick out anywhere.

“Too good to say hi to me?” Hector’s low voice wrapped around her as he sidled up to the table, looking sexy as hell. His coffee-colored hair was a little long on the sides, and he had that perfect bronze tan that he never had to work for. He pulled up one of the chairs and propped against it, not fully sitting, as if he wasn’t sure he planned to stay. Wearing dark jeans that encased long, very muscular legs and a black sweater with the sleeves pushed up to his forearms, he looked delicious.

Daphne tried not to notice the way his muscles flexed as he crossed his arms over his chest, watching her curiously. His green eyes were mesmerizing and seemed more vivid against his tanned skin. She smiled brightly, hoping she didn’t appear affected by him. “You looked busy and I didn’t want to intrude.”

His gaze narrowed on her lips, and for a moment, she could see a raw, hungry look in his eyes. He did it so quickly, but it made her stomach do annoying flips. He’d never looked at her like that before. “You think I’d ever be too busy for you?” The sincerity in his voice rolled over her like a soothing caress.

She swallowed hard and shrugged. “I figured you didn’t want your sister’s friend cramping your style.”

He frowned in confusion as his gaze strayed behind her to where he’d been sitting. She didn’t turn around because she didn’t want to see the pretty redhead he’d been sitting with. Just as quickly his expression cleared. “That’s Inez, my buddy Raul’s mate. I was just keeping her company until he got here. They just moved from Costa Rica, and she doesn’t know many people.”

Daphne hated the relief that punched through her. She didn’t care who Hector spent his time with. Yeah, sure, she told herself. “Oh.” Great response, she chided herself.

“Leta told me you dropped by her place last week.” His voice was so calming and open.

He might be insanely attractive, but he also went out of his way to make people feel at ease. It was one of the things she’d always adored about him. Even when she’d been younger he’d never made her feel bad when she and Leta had wanted to hang out with him, though she was pretty sure they’d gotten on his nerves.

Daphne nodded and marginally relaxed. Talking about Leta was a safe subject. “Yeah. I can’t believe she’s pregnant. She looks so adorable with her little bump. Are you excited to be an uncle?”

Hector smiled, a real one, and it took her breath away. Normally he only gave little half-smiles where one corner of his lip curved up. If he kept this up she’d be in a puddle of mush at his feet. “Yeah. She’s gone a little crazy.”

“Oh, I got to see the proof of that. It’s good that some things never change.” Daphne’s friend had already bought the crib, painted the room a sage green, childproofed the toilets and cabinets—and she wasn’t even three months along. Shifter pregnancies only lasted seven months, but it was still early to be worrying about that stuff. Leta had always been a little high strung, which had seemed so at odds with her chosen profession as an artist.

“I agree,” he said softly, and she was under the impression he wasn’t talking about his sister at all. He raked her with a gaze that sent chills skittering over her body and had her nipples tightening against her bra cups. He was clearly aware of her, probably seeing her as a woman for the first time. Which is what she’d wanted, But she didn’t know what to do with the feelings bubbling up inside her. Before she could think of a response, he held out a hand. “Want to dance?”

The music had picked up as the band had started playing again. Yes, no, yes, no. The answers warred in her mind. Dancing with him would be a mistake, but—Hector slid his hand into hers, lightly linking their fingers together. He had a few calluses she’d never noticed before and the intimate way he was holding her hand made her decision.

She was definitely dancing with him. Letting him pull her onto the crowded dance floor, she didn’t bother trying to keep her distance. She let her body press up against his lean, muscular one as they both moved in tune to the music. Daphne had never seen him dance before, and for some reason she was surprised by how well he did. He had a natural rhythm and the most primal part of her wondered if that would translate to the bedroom.

Even though he’d lived in New Orleans for almost a decade she’d never heard any chatter that he slept around. She knew he’d had lovers because she’d seen him out with a female once many years ago—and they’d clearly been more than friends—but he didn’t have a reputation as a man-whore. Hector kept things under wraps. He was a jaguar shifter and not part of any pride. He’d made his home here with Leta years ago, and taking care of her had always been his priority. Daphne was glad she’d never heard about him being a player because the thought of him hooking up with a bunch of women would carve her up inside.

Worried he’d read something in her expression, she turned her back to him and pressed into his body. She hadn’t planned to, but it was instinctual. Her inner wolf wanted him wrapped around her in every way possible. He was tall, well over six feet, and lean in the way that most feline shifters were. All sleek muscles and hard lines. Feeling that against her body had her about to combust. He purred as his big hands settled on her hips and tugged her even closer to him. The feel of his erection against her lower back surprised her. He wasn’t even trying to hide it. She’d seen the flicker of desire in his eyes when he’d approached her at the table, but to actually feel the proof was almost surreal. She was overheated and a little dizzy.

How the hell had she ever thought she could get this shifter out of her system? Being so close to him was short-circuiting her ability to think straight. When the song ended, she stepped away from him and turned. Even though another song started, she pointed toward her table where Sydney was now sitting. “I should get back to my friend, but it was good seeing you, Hector. I’ll talk to you later.”

She felt guilty at his dejected expression, but she turned away and weaved through the growing throng of people toward her friend. She’d wanted him to notice her, but she hadn’t expected such a blatant reaction from him. It had pushed her completely off-balance. If she kept dancing with him, she wouldn’t want to stop. And that had disaster written all over it. She wasn’t a freaking masochist. Hector might want her physically, but she knew that he wouldn’t want anything long-term. He’d made that clear four years ago.