Capítulo 8: Chapter 9

Jonah leaned against the headboard of the bed, pillows propped behind him, and watched as Dakota opened a bottle of wine, poured the amber liquid into two glasses and carried them to the bed. They were both still completely naked and her body was fluid motion. Graceful. Artless. If he were an artist he'd want to paint her.

Her skin was a golden color and he noticed there were no tan lines. Out here in the middle of nowhere she could sunbathe nude without fear of prying eyes. Her breasts were high and firm, tipped by dusky nipples still hard from the attention of his mouth. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, wispy bangs drifting across her forehead. Thick lashes framed eyes blacker than night and high cheekbones defined the exotic quality of her face.

Her long legs moved easily around the room, the rounded globes of her ass tempting him as she turned her back to him. His cock swelled and hardened just watching her.

A tiny frisson of guilt raced through him as he realized he had given himself to this woman as completely as he had to Jenna. Would she see it as a betrayal? No, Jenna was a person who believed in giving completely, holding nothing back. Inexplicably he'd felt her spirit encouraging him, urging him to do this. But he feared the guilt would always be there, a barrier to a new relationship, until the devil beast was finally captured and killed.

"Heavy thoughts?" Dakota was standing beside the bed.

Jonah wiped everything from his mind but her naked presence. Something was pulling them together and he wasn't about to throw it away. Somehow he'd deal with the inner turmoil of his conflicting emotions.

"Not too bad." He curved his lips into a smile. "Thinking about you."

"Here." She handed him the wine. "I don't usually drink this early in the day but today I'm making an exception. I thought it might be more appropriate than coffee."

Jonah grinned. "I think all things considered it's a good exception to make."

He shifted to make room for her next to him, holding the wine with one hand and looping his other arm across her shoulders. The press of her body against his was like a lit match to his skin. God, how could he want this woman so fiercely when he barely knew her and they'd just had off-the-charts sex?

Mate!

The word singed his brain. Forcibly he pushed it away. He was no longer in the market for a mate. Besides, he was sure if she saw him shift that would kill any relationship.

No! She believes in legends and the unusual. Don't write this off.

He took a healthy swallow of his wine, hoping to derail his thoughts. He had a mission and he couldn't lose sight of that, no matter how much he desired this woman or how fantastic the sex was.

"Would I sound too unsophisticated or cliché if I say I don't usually do this?" she asked.

Jonah had to stop himself from chuckling. He was pretty sure she didn't do this on a regular basis, considering her situation. And he was the one who practically attacked her. Shifters acted on their lust when it surged through him. He was just worried she'd think he made a regular habit of it.

"No worries." His fingers drew circles on her shoulder. "I felt the heat between us and so did you. It's all good." When she didn't say anything else, he asked, "So are you saying you don't have any...relationships with men?"

"I'm saying I learned long ago to keep my urges to myself and live alone."

Her voice was flat but he detected the undertone of pain. Someone had hurt her, badly. Or maybe several someones. A sense of protectiveness flared within him. Who would deliberately hurt an erotic flower like this? Who could be so cruel? But he could answer his own question. In his life, both personal and professional, he'd unfortunately seen all kinds of cruelty.

On impulse he reached for her hand and wound his fingers through hers, squeezing them gently. He was surprised when she gave him an answering compression.

She took a sip of her wine as if to distract them both from the conversation. "Tell me about the story you're writing."

Story? Oh, yeah. My cover.

"It's actually a series for National Crime Magazine. My boss is fascinated by the legend of the Chupacabra. There have been so many conflicting stories. Each time a body's discovered the interest flares up again. So I'm checking things out."

"That's all it is, you know. A legend. People have created this absurd story for publicity value. And to explain what they don't have answers for."

He raised an eyebrow. "You really think that?"

Dakota ran her fingertip around the rim of her glass. "This town's really been crazy since the hunters' bodies were found. Without any other resolution, it was natural for them to bring up the legend. But I don't believe in it."

"Are you sure you didn't hear anything that day?" It was hard for him to believe some sound hadn't carried out here.

"I told you I didn't think so."

"No shots fired?" he prompted. "There were two hunters. I'd think if one of them was attacked the other would have tried to shoot whoever or whatever was attacking them."

"I always hear shots from there. People come there to hunt." Dakota carefully set her wine glass down on the little table next to the bed and shifted so she could look at him. "I told you what I remember, Jonah. Are you saying you don't believe me?"

He could feel her withdrawing from him. He drained his own wine in two swift gulps-not the best way to drink wine, he reminded himself-and put the empty glass down beside him. Carefully he lifted her until she straddled him, his hands firm on her stiff, unyielding body.

"Dakota, listen to me." She put her hands on his chest and tried to push off but he held her in place. "No, don't try to turn away from me. Listen to what I have to say."

"Don't worry, Jonah. I'm used to skepticism. Or downright disbelief." Her face had tightened so it almost looked like a mask. "The good people of Eagle Pass dispense it in healthy doses."

"Damn it, Dakota." He bit back his frustration. "I never said I didn't believe you. I'm just asking you to jog your memory a little."

He leaned forward and touched the tip of his tongue to one deep rose nipple. She jerked in his hands. He waited for her to say something, but when she didn't he licked the other nipple, then nipped it gently with his teeth. Beneath his hands he could feel her body heat just from that barest touch, so he did it again.

Dakota moved her hands to his shoulders. When he looked up the look on her face had softened.

"I know we just met," he said in a quiet voice, "and you have no reason to trust me, but I'm asking you to try. We made a connection here, Dakota. I'm not the bad guy, I promise."

She sighed and touched her forehead to his. "I'll try, okay? But it's hard to break a lifetime habit. So. Maybe I can help a little bit after all. Do you want to look at the spot again? I don't know what you'll find after all this time."

He brushed his lips against her. "I'd like nothing better than to fuck you right this minute, but yes, I need to see that site. Can we walk there? Or take my SUV? It's got four wheel drive."

She laughed, a musical sound, and Jonah wondered how often she allowed herself to do that.

"I have a better way. Come on. Let's get dressed and I'll show you."

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