Free Taming the Lone Wolf by Joan Johnston

you, too, Rose,” he said, his dark eyes focused on Tess.
    Tess knew what it meant for him to make such an admission. Knew it was only the beginning for them all. There would be no need for her and Rose to leave now. The future loomed before them, bright and shining.
    â€œAre you going to be my daddy?” Rose said.
    Tess looked to Stony for his answer, her heart in her eyes. Say yes, she willed him. We come together as a package. It won’t mean leftovers. I have plenty of love for both of you.
    He cleared his throat before he spoke, prolonging the moment, a wary wolf until the very end. Then hesurprised her, because she had really thought he was going to say yes.
    He said maybe.
    â€œWe’ll see, Rose,” Stony said. “We’ll have to see.”
    Tess was startled—almost alarmed—at how quickly Stony extricated himself from their cozy cuddle. “What’s the hurry?” she asked.
    â€œI’ve got to get going,” he said. “I have to be in Jackson by noon.”
    Since it was early morning and Jackson Hole only an hour’s drive away, his excuse didn’t make much sense. Maybe everything was moving too fast. Maybe he didn’t trust her not to give him leftover love. Or maybe he was being forced into a commitment he didn’t really want to make. Whatever it was, she felt the lone wolf retreating from her.
    â€œWhy don’t you go into the kitchen and get out the orange juice,” she said to Rose. “Then wait for me, and I’ll help you pour it into the glasses.”
    â€œOkay, Mama,” Rose said.
    Tess heard her trotting down the hall. “Can you drop me off in town before you leave?” she asked Stony. “I have some errands to run. I can get a ride back from Harry.”
    â€œWhy is Harry so willing to give you all these rides?” he said, stepping out of bed and yanking on a pair of jeans.
    â€œBecause he’s my friend,” she said. “Why else?” She got out of bed herself, because that was no place to argue with a man.
    â€œI don’t know,” he said, plainly irritated as he buttoned up his fly. “Why don’t you tell me?”
    â€œAre you trying to start an argument?” she asked, fisted hands perched on her hips. “Because if you are, I’ll be more than happy to give you one.”
    â€œAm I about to see that famous redheaded temper of yours?” he snarled. “I’ve been waiting four months for it to erupt. I knew it was only a matter of time.”
    He was purposely provoking her, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “I suppose you don’t have any foibles.”
    â€œMy foibles never bothered anybody when I lived alone.”
    â€œThat can easily be arranged again!” She shot the words back. She was heartsick, listening to herself. She didn’t want to leave him. She loved him. But he must want her to leave. Otherwise, he would never have started this argument. Unless there was something else.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Stony? What is it you aren’t telling me?”
    Tell her now! Dammit, tell her.
    He couldn’t. He was too scared. Happiness of a kind he had never imagined was in his grasp. He couldn’t take the chance of losing it.
    â€œDammit, what do you want from me?” he raged.
    â€œI want an answer!” she retorted, easily as infuriated as he was.
    He grabbed her arms and pulled her to him, capturing her mouth with his, his tongue thrusting possessively between her teeth. His palms cupped herbuttocks, and he dragged her up the front of him until his hard length was pressed against her. She wasn’t nearly close enough. He jerked her panties down, tore open the buttons of his jeans and shoved down his underwear until he was free.
    He lifted her legs around his hips and thrust inside her, deep and tight. He gripped her buttocks as he drove into her, hard and fast, reaching a climax only seconds later.
    He