Snakeskin Boots

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 2

Chapter 1 ―ISN‘T Edward dreamy?‖ I‘m starting to get a migraine from rolling my eyes so much. Maybe I should work on that. I know she‘s just yanking my chain. She‘s tired of the hype too. ―Or Jacob? Werewolves are so sexy!‖ Really? Think so? Know any? ‘Cause all the ones I know are assholes. Everybody wants the werewolf. ―Ooh, they‘re so protective and nurturing.‖ No—that‘s called ―possessive‖ and ―controlling.‖ They‘re jealous and territorial, and they think they‘re the gods‘ gift to shifters. They look down their snouts at the rest of us. Granted, I may be a bit bitter, but the wolves just make me want to shed a skin. No one ever says, ―Wereboas are so sexy.‖ I‘m not even poisonous, but they‘d still rather cuddle with a wolf, with his big eyes and teeth. ―Come on, Jeff. You‘re gay. You should love this.‖ I stare at her. Did she really just say that? ―Kim, do you have any idea how heteroist that sounds?‖ ―I‘m sorry. I just thought—‖ ―No, you didn‘t think at all. That‘s the problem.‖ At least she has the good sense to blush and look apologetic. She‘s usually not like that. And I‘m not just making excuses for her. Really. I know she‘s just kidding around—she thinks she‘s funny. ―I‘m really sorry, Jeff. I didn‘t mean it that way.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 3 ―I know you didn‘t, but the next guy might not. Try to curb that, will you?‖ ―Yeah, I know. My mouth has a mind of its own sometimes. I‘m going to do returns. Besides, eggplant‘s here.‖ She starts off, giving me a wink and sly grin. ―I know. I saw him.‖ I watch her walk off with a stack of books. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him again. He‘s facing the cookbooks, but his eyes are cut toward me. It looks like his eyebrows are knit together, like he‘s confused. How could she think I didn‘t notice him? I‘m tall—sixtwo—but he‘s even taller. He‘s got to be six-six at least. And he‘s everything I‘m not. Wavy, black hair, pale-blue eyes, built like a brick wall. I bet he‘s got muscles in places I don‘t even have places. Dark hair peeks out of the V-neck of his tight, lightweight, navy-blue sweater. Not in a ‘70s swinger way, though. On him, it looks rugged and masculine. And, damn. There‘s the eggplant he‘s got to be smuggling in those jeans. I would love to coil around that. Guys like that never go for guys like me. Hell, they hardly ever go for guys to begin with, let alone tall, rail-thin, monochromatic freaks like me. I‘m copper. Head to toe. Straight, copper hair, copper skin, copper eyes that sit a little too far apart from my flat, copper nose. I look very much like the boa I become when I shift. I‘m sure he‘s heard our conversation. He was smirking earlier. I can sense the warmth of his body from here. Yes, it‘s a snake thing. I can tell when someone‘s hot; they‘re just never hot for me.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 4 I watch him as he selects one of the Bobby Flay cookbooks to look at. Hey, if he‘s into redheads, maybe I do stand a chance. A customer rips me from my musing. ―Excuse me. Can you tell me where Twilight is?‖ Fucking really? You just passed a life-size cutout of Edward brooding and Bella sulking, to ask me where Twilight is? ―Just behind you, to the right,‖ I reply through my pasted-on smile. ―Thanks! Isn‘t Edward dreamy?‖ Eggplant laughs out loud at that one. ―Well, he‘s certainly a fan favorite.‖ Some days I really hate working in a bookstore, especially the customer-service counter. She makes her way back to the huge display she passed to get to me, and eggplant saunters up to my counter. Guess with that basket, he doesn‘t really have a choice. It‘s like adding a rudder to guide a kayak. And now I‘m staring at it. And now he‘s noticed me staring at it. Crap. ―Not a vampire fan, I take it?‖ he comments, those damn powder-blue eyes sparkling. Fucking sparkling. Can you believe that? ―It‘s not that at all, sir. How can I help you?‖ ―So you‘re just not into Edward? How about Team Jacob?‖ Does he look hopeful at that? ―No, I‘m an adult, thank you.‖ That earns me a look that goes straight to my dick. ―Yes. Yes, you are,‖ he says in a rumble from deep in his chest. Being a snake, I can feel the vibrations through the air, but I would love to feel that directly through my skin.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 5 Preferably through my back, with him pressed up against me. Naked. My cock throbs at that thought. ―Is there something I can do for you?‖ I ask, my voice a little lower than usual. Yeah, I know. It‘s cheesy, but the view is damn nice, and I‘m inclined to throw a little innuendo out. He‘ll either play, or not. ―So, Jeff.‖ His eyes linger on the nametag pinned to my chest. ―I was going to go get some coffee.‖ ―The coffee counter is upstairs, in the front-left corner of the store.‖ ―I know where it is. I‘m in here a lot.‖ Don‘t I know it? Last week, he was here in an exquisitely tailored suit, looking like a politician. I was restocking the shelves, and he seemed very interested in the Ramona and Beezus books near where I was. The Thursday before that, he looked like a lumberjack. The time I was in computer books, he seemed interested in learning a new language. Oh, yeah. I‘ve noticed he‘s in here a lot. ―I was planning on having company,‖ he says. Wow. Right between the eyes with that one. ―Well, I‘ll make sure your date knows where to find you when she arrives.‖ Smooth, huh. Almost sounds helpful. He chuckles. ―My date wouldn‘t be a woman.‖ Bonus! My jack-off catalog explodes. ―Well, if anyone asks, I‘ll make sure they know where to find you, Mister—?‖ ―Cannidy. Brad Cannidy. When do you take your break, Jeff?‖ ―Don‘t worry, Mr. Cannidy. I‘ll make sure Kim knows you‘re expecting someone when she covers for me.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 6 He chuckles. ―No, Jeff. You misunderstood. I want to know when you go on break, so I know when I can expect you to join me.‖ So this is what they mean by gaping. I‘ve read about it, but I‘ve never experienced it. I‘ve furrowed my brow; I‘ve cocked an eyebrow; I may have even gazed longingly, but I‘ve never gaped at anyone. Surely he can‘t be interested in me. Guys that look like that only go out with guys like me as a joke. That must be what this is. ―Is this a dare?‖ I ask suspiciously. His eyes follow my tongue as I lick my lips, tasting the air. Yes, it‘s another snake thing. He smells like desire. ―Excuse me?‖ He looks confused. ―I‘m not interested in helping you win your dogfight.‖ ―What‘s that supposed to mean?‖ Something flashes across his face. ―When you and your friends place a bet to see who has the ugliest date. It‘s rude and childish.‖ I take another taste of the air around him. He watches it again. That‘s when the scent hits me. He‘s a wolf. No wonder he looks like sex on sticks smuggling an eggplant. ―I‘m sorry. I have some more books to bring from the store room.‖ I make a hasty retreat to the stockroom, leaving him standing at the counter. I punch the intercom button. ―Kim, please return to the service desk.‖ And please don’t ask any questions. I hide out for a half hour, hoping he‘ll get the hint. Nope. Guess he ignored the memo. When I come back out, he‘s still at the desk, laughing it up with Kim. There are two coffee cups and a pastry bag on the counter.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 7 ―Did you get everything sorted out? I could have done that for you,‖ Kim says. Really? You could have hidden for me? ―Nah, I knew what I was looking for.‖ Brad grins and holds one of the cups out for me. ―Kim told me how you take it.‖ Traitor! my mind screams at Kim. Oh, you have no idea, eggplant, my libido Barry Whites. ―Thank you.‖ See, Momma taught me manners. I even use them sometimes. ―That was very kind of you.‖ ―I got you a cranberry-walnut scone too‖ ―Well, I think we should take these outside. Kim, do you mind?‖ ―Of course not!‖ Thanks a whole hell of a lot. I pick up the bag and head out to the bistro tables along the side of the store. I know he‘s following. I can feel his boot steps through the soles of my shoes. The extra padding helps, but I‘m still very sensitive to the vibrations. I take a seat in my favorite spot, stretching my legs out and turning my face up into the central Texas sun. ―Um, wouldn‘t you rather sit in the shade?‖ ―Nope.‖ He‘ll connect the dots later, once he figures out I‘m a snake. ―Okay.‖ He drags a chair closer to the shade of the building. I knew he would. Wolves aren‘t fond of direct sun. Guess it‘s the pelt. My fingers itch to run through it. I listen as he settles in. ―So what pack are you?‖ I ask without opening my eyes. He freezes, and an adrenaline spike sharpens his scent. ―What do you mean?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 8 Nice try. ―I know what you are. I know you‘re an alpha. I just don‘t know which pack you run with.‖ ―How?‖ ―Does it matter?‖ He narrows his eyes. ―It might.‖ The silence hangs in the air. I‘m not inclined to make it easy on him. If he‘d just be honest with me, I‘d give him a break. I‘ve been drawn to him since the first time I saw him. I give it a couple of minutes, sipping my coffee, not wanting to end this here after he‘s finally made a move. After a couple more minutes, I can‘t take it anymore. ―Well, this has been fun. Thanks for the coffee.‖ I toss the cup into the trash and walk back inside. It‘s chilly and dark in here after basking in the sunshine. It‘s already leeching the heat out of my skin. You knew it wasn’t going to happen, Jeff. Get over it, I tell myself, resigned to the next conversation I don‘t want to have. That doesn‘t stop a twinge of disappointment from hitting. I hadn‘t realized how much I wanted him to ask me for a date. ―So, what happened?‖ Kim is just too excited. She‘s looking out the window where Brad is still sitting. I guess he‘s still stewing about being found out, or he‘s realizing he made a mistake even talking to me in the first place. ―Nothing.‖ ―Come on, Jeff. I saw the way you two looked at each other. He wants you.‖ I shrug and glance outside where he‘s still stuck in his chair. ―Not enough, I guess. Look, I‘m going to go take care of the returns.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 9 ―Okay. Sorry, Jeff.‖ I give her what I hope passes for a smile and head off with my cart. I can‘t stop the sigh when I notice I‘m going to be spending more quality time with Edward, Bella, and the gang. I hope they finish with the movies soon. These reissues are killing me.

―DONNELLY,‖ Brad says to my back as I shelve the last of the books. I don‘t turn around, keeping my smile hidden. ―I‘m with the Donnelly pack. I manage our real estate investments.‖ He sighs and turns to leave. ―Brad.‖ I stop him. ―Yeah, Jeff?‖ ―Why did you want to buy me coffee?‖ ―Because I wanted to ask you out, and starting with coffee seemed safe. But since you know what I am, I guess I‘ll leave now.‖ ―Where did you want to go?‖ ―Excuse me?‖ ―You said you wanted to ask me out. Where to?‖ ―Dinner, maybe? Dancing? I don‘t know. Didn‘t get a chance to ask.‖ ―Pick me up here at seven?‖ ―Yeah. Okay.‖ He gives me that millionaire smile, complete with dimples. Fucking dimples. ―Am I dressed all right?‖ ―Yeah, Jeff. You‘re fine, just as you are.‖ His eyes are sparkling again. Damn, I‘m a sucker.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 10

Chapter 2 KIM is bubbling over with excitement by six forty-five. If I were any more cynical, I‘d say it‘s just because she doesn‘t have to give me a ride home. She‘s brushing the front of my shirt, again. Like I‘ve gotten crumbs on it from something I haven‘t eaten in the last five minutes. ―I‘m so happy for you.‖ ―Kim. It‘s one date. It‘s not like there‘s going to be a second one. He‘ll be polite, and he‘ll be ready to get rid of me in an hour.‖ ―I don‘t think so.‖ ―Well, I do.‖ She smoothes my hair down again, like it‘s gone out of control. If she keeps at it, it will, from static electricity. ―Enough. I don‘t need any more grooming.‖ You‘d think she was a cat. ―Just trying to help.‖ ―No, you‘re just trying to stick around to catch a glimpse of him when he picks me up. I‘m going to wait outside. I‘ll talk to you tomorrow.‖ ―I want every detail!‖ she calls out as I head to the front of the store. What‘s to tell? I‘m guessing it will go something like this: He picked me up, realized he made a terrible mistake, we ate in awkward silence, and he dropped me off after an hour.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 11 He drives up five minutes early, the engine of his big SUV rumbling everything around me. The vibrations make my skin tingle. ―Hi, Jeff. Hope I‘m not late.‖ ―No, I just wanted to get away from the mother hen.‖ ―Ah. Kim. She just wants to make sure you‘re all right.‖ ―She wants to meddle and butt into my life.‖ ―She cares about you.‖ ―She doesn‘t have a life of her own, so she wants to live mine.‖ ―So, where would you like to go?‖ Nice transition there, dude. ―How ‘bout the planetarium? I hear they‘re doing a special show on lunar cycles.‖ He shoots me a look. ―Are you joking?‖ ―No, why?‖ I turn on my innocent face. ―You do know what I am, right?‖ I nod. ―So, you think locking a werewolf in a room with a bunch of people and simulating a full moon is a good idea? You are a masochist.‖ He chuckles, shaking his head. ―Can‘t you control it? And that would be sadistic, not masochistic. I don‘t want the pain; I just want to enjoy the fallout.‖ I smile. ―How about wings and beer, then?‖ ―Deal. Maybe we‘ll do the planetarium next time,‖ he says, smiling. Those damn dimples are mocking me. I try not to dwell on the possibility of a ―next time.‖ We go to a small bar that happens to be around the block from where I live. We settle into a back booth for some small talk, and the waitress brings us a pitcher of beer.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 12 ―So, Brad, can I ask you a question?‖ Might as well get this over with. ―Sure. What‘s up?‖ ―Why did you want to ask me out?‖ There‘s got to be something he‘s after. ―I think you‘re hot, and I wanted to get to know you better.‖ I taste the air. He follows my tongue again. He‘s either sincere, or he‘s a really good actor. He can see the doubt in my face. ―I‘m serious,‖ he says. ―How could someone like you even look at someone like me?‖ ―The first time I saw you, I thought there must have been a spotlight shining on you. You were glowing.‖ ―That‘s because I‘m copper.‖ He smiles and shakes his head. ―No, that‘s not it. You had your eyes closed, and you were smirking, trying not to laugh at something. Then you opened your eyes and smiled. I was hooked. Of course, I didn‘t think I stood a chance. You were having so much fun with Kim, I thought you were a couple.‖ ―You thought Kim and I were a couple? Really?‖ ―You two work so well together, and you‘re always laughing.‖ ―She‘s my best friend. We‘ve been that way forever.‖ ―She‘s in love with you, you know.‖ Great. The object of my desire is not only stupid, but he‘s delusional, as well.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 13 ―You have no poker face, Jeff. Did you know that? What‘s that thought?‖ ―Nothing.‖ ―Come on. Spill it. You can‘t fool me.‖ ―Okay. I was thinking, ‗the object of my desire is not only stupid for thinking I‘m hot, but if he thinks Kim‘s in love with me, he‘s also delusional‘. Or something like that.‖ He barks out a laugh and takes a sip of his beer. ―So which should I address first? I think you‘re hot. Get over it. Don‘t roll your eyes at that. Accept the compliment.‖ Easy for you to say. Look in the mirror sometime. ―What could possibly be hot about me?‖ ―Besides the fact that you look like an angel?‖ ―That‘s laying it on a bit thick, don‘t you think?‖ ―Nope.‖ He‘s grinning again. With those damn dimples. ―You look like one of those golden statues. Except your eyes. They aren‘t gold. They look more like whiskey, and they match the highlights in your hair. And those freckles across your nose drive me nuts.‖ Whiskey? Gold? He must be on crack. ―There you go again. Fine, think I‘m crazy. If it keeps you here, think whatever you want. I‘ll go even further. I love watching you move. I can‘t wait to see you dance.‖ ―Who says I dance?‖ ―No one. I‘m just hoping. The way you move your body when you‘re walking, or reaching to shelve books, it just makes me want to watch you all night long. Doesn‘t have to be on a dance floor.‖ He winks and gives me one of the dimples. ―I‘m lanky and skinny.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 14 ―You‘re lean and sinuous.‖ I am decidedly uncomfortable with the way this conversation is going. ―Shall we order?‖ ―Nice change of topic there.‖ He winks at me. We place our orders, and I fumble trying to get another topic started. ―How long have you worked at the bookstore, Jeff?‖ Thank gods he came up with something. ―Five years. Since high school. Kim and I started the summer after graduation to get partying money, and we‘re still hanging out there. It‘s been fun. I‘m dreading getting a ‗real‘ job, but since I‘ve finished my degree, I guess I need to get cracking.‖ ―What‘s your degree in?‖ ―Journalism. I started out wanting to be the next Tom Brokaw, but now I‘d settle for a steady job almost anywhere.‖ ―None of the papers around here are hiring?‖ ―Not me, they aren‘t.‖ ―Have you thought of moving somewhere else?‖ Is he trying to run me out of town? ―Not that I want to get rid of you. I‘m glad you‘re still here.‖ ―I don‘t have the money to move anywhere, and moving without having a job lined up would be next to impossible.‖ ―How about an online outlet? You could be the next big blog, or work on one of the news sites.‖ ―I don‘t have the contacts, and celebrities rarely come here.‖ ―What‘s your specialty? Food? Electronics? Movies? Porn? There‘s all kinds of outlets. You could send your samples to any of them, and live anywhere.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 15 Now he‘s sounding like Kim. She‘s always pushing me to search harder. ―Ah. There‘s another look. Someone else is pushing you, and you don‘t like it.‖ ―Yeah, Kim.‖ I sigh. ―She‘s so busy trying to shape my life, she‘s avoiding hers. It makes it that much more difficult to avoid leaving the nest.‖ ―Why don‘t you want to leave?‖ ―I just feel like here‘s where I belong. Oh, look. Our food is coming.‖ Saved by the wings. ―Gotcha,‖ he says, picking up on my topic change. We dig in and start getting messy. Blessed silence, except for the smacking. He looks up at me and flashes another one of those sexy grins. ―So, I‘m the object of your desire, huh?‖ Damn. Busted. I choke on the gulp of beer I was drinking. I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. I had hoped he wouldn‘t pick up on that train of thought. ―Uh. Well.‖ Very articulate. Yeah, I‘m a catch. ―Wow.‖ ―What?‖ ―You are gorgeous when you blush.‖ Yeah, that helps calm me down. I can feel my hair burning. And he just keeps smiling. With those damn dimples. Those dimples are going to be my undoing. I can see it now. ―Well, I won‘t deny I‘m very attracted to your looks. Of course, I thought I had no chance, so you floated around the edges of my brain.‖ And in my wank bank. ―Why didn‘t you think you had a chance?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 16 ―First off, look at you, and then look at me.‖ ―We‘ve been through that already.‖ ―Yeah. So you said. Also, I thought you had kids.‖ Now it‘s his turn to sputter in his beer. ―Why would you think that?‖ ―I saw you in the children‘s books one day while I was stocking shelves.‖ ―I can‘t appreciate the literary stylings of Beverly Cleary? When Ramona is trying to get her dad to quit smoking, and he mocks her with, ‗Who‘s Nosmo King?‘ The heartbreak is palpable.‖ Well, he‘s got me there. ―Actually, I was stalking you.‖ And there. ―And then you figured out what I am. I thought I had lost my shot. With my pack‘s reputation, I was sure of it. But I had to come clean, so I told you.‖ ―But you‘re still lying.‖ ―What?‖ ―You don‘t manage investments.‖ He‘s watching me carefully now. ―No, the way you carry yourself, you manage something, all right, but I suspect it‘s managing to get people to behave a certain way with all the, shall we say, ‗physical persuasion‘, necessary.‖ He narrows his eyes. ―And yet, you‘re here.‖ ―What can I say? I‘m not terribly smart.‖ He‘s still looking at me like I‘m about to twist off. ―Don‘t say that,‖ he says softly.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 17 ―Why not? It‘s true. There are a lot of people who are smarter than me. I have to make up for it with my charm.‖ At least he grins at that. ―Besides. I‘m so bright, my dad calls me son.‖ He chuckles and rolls his eyes. ―You know what I am. You think you know what I do, and you know what they say about my pack. So now I have to ask. Why did you agree to go out with me?‖ ―I think you‘re hot, and I wanted to get to know you better.‖ I give his line back to him. ―Okay.‖ He smiles as he picks up his credit card, and we head out the door. ―Is anyone expecting you to be home?‖ ―You mean like a curfew?‖ I‘m a bit long of fang for that. ―Or do you plan to abduct me, and you want to know how long it will be before someone misses me?‖ He laughs as we head out of the parking lot. ―No, I was wondering if you needed to head home now, or do you want to go someplace else. Maybe a walk down at the lake?‖ Hmmm. Romantic, secluded area with the hottest guy I‘ve ever seen, who for some godsforsaken reason, claims to be interested in me. Let me think about it. Yeah. I‘m easy. ―I‘d like that.‖ Might as well milk this one shot I‘ll have at him for all I can. He‘s probably never going to want to talk to me again after tonight anyway. He gives me a sexy grin and settles back in his seat. He drops a hand to his lap and adjusts himself to make more room in his pants for that eggplant. And now I‘m terrified. I don‘t think I have enough lube with me for that. Hope he‘s not planning for the full boat tonight. That‘s going to take some prepping, and maybe even some homework, before that‘s going in.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 18 He drives out of town, down an old farm-to-market road and takes a dirt trail to a clearing next to the river. ―Come on,‖ he says after he parks. We walk to the riverbed and sit facing the water. ―I love it out here. So peaceful, and no one else around to bug us.‖ ―So now that you got me here, what do you plan to do with me?‖ ―Whatever you‘ll let me.‖ His eyes are almost black, his pupils are so big. He‘s watching my tongue as he leans in, putting one hand on the back of my neck. He kisses one corner of my mouth. I try to turn into his kiss, but he holds me steady and kisses the other corner. ―Whatever you‘ll let me do,‖ he whispers again. His lips brush against mine. Then he does it again. The third time he passes, I open my mouth and he pushes his tongue in. I taste the beer and wings, and something that must be him. He‘s melting me. I lay back on the cool grass, and he follows me, pinning me to the ground. He tilts his head and deepens the kiss. I can feel the eggplant ripening. The kiss gets rougher as we both get more excited. I‘m working on his shirt buttons, and he palms my cock through my pants. When I moan into his mouth, he finally comes up for air. He backs off a little and frames my head with those meaty forearms, running his hands over my face. He watches me as I turn my face to kiss his palm. ―What are you, Jeff?‖ he whispers, and I freeze. ―You‘re not fully human.‖ He puts his nose into the space between my neck and shoulder and takes a deep whiff, giving me goose bumps. ―You don‘t smell like them. I thought it was just from all the customers in the bookstore, but out here, I

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 19 know it‘s you.‖ He kisses me again, mapping my mouth with his tongue. ―You don‘t taste like a mammal, either. So, what are you?‖ ―Does it matter?‖ We dance around again. ―It might,‖ he says, his eyes narrowed. ―I‘ll show you.‖ I nudge him to get him to lie on his back. I nibble along his neck as I work the buttons on his shirt, exposing more of that soft pelt as I go. ―I like this.‖ I rub my face in the dark hair covering his chest. I lick one of his nipples, and he shivers and hisses. I suck it into my mouth as my hands begin working on opening his jeans. ―Button fly?‖ ―Zippers can get uncomfortable.‖ ―I‘ll bet they do for you, eggplant.‖ ―Huh?‖ he manages to grunt before groaning as I get the fly open and my hands on him. I move my mouth to the other nipple as I stroke him a few times. Now that it‘s been let out, his dick takes on epic proportions. ―You should have a warning label. Objects in pants may be larger than they appear.‖ ―Sorry.‖ ―For what? Being hung? You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for.‖ ―It scares some guys off, and—‖ ―Do I look afraid?‖ Is he really having doubts because he‘s doubly—make that triply—blessed? ―Are you surgically enhanced?‖ ―What? No!‖ ―Did you go to a witch to get a spell or potion to increase your size?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 20 ―No.‖ ―So, you‘re telling me you‘re sorry for something you had no control over. There‘s nothing to apologize for. You can apologize for your actions, your attitude, your behavior, but you should never apologize for the way you were made.‖ I go back to his nipples, punctuating my words with nips to the tightened buds and strokes to the cock in question. ―I happen to love the way you are put together.‖ I slither down his stomach, lingering on his belly button as I run my hand farther down, cupping his balls. They‘re huge and heavy, and make my mouth water. He‘s writhing and panting as I finally make my way to his crotch, and my breath feathers across the base of his cock. I run my tongue up his length and around the thick crown, licking under his fiveskin. Seriously, anything that big can‘t be considered a foreskin. Hell, it may even be a sixskin. He‘s bucking his hips and gasping as I take the head into my mouth. ―Gods, that feels good,‖ he says, propping himself up on his elbows to watch. I look into his eyes as I pull off him. ―You haven‘t seen anything yet.‖ He moans and lays back down when I flick my tongue into the slit. I keep stroking his shaft and teasing around the head, rolling his balls around in my other hand. He‘s thumping his fists against the ground, and it sounds like he‘s growling. I can tell he‘s getting close, so I quickly unhinge my jaw and swallow him whole, stopping only when my nose is buried in the patch of soft, curly hair at the base of his cock. He sits up, eyes wide. I squeeze my throat muscles, thanking the powers for my separate breathing tube to protect against suffocation. He howls and shoots down my throat, spasming

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 21 as he comes hard. Eggplant never tasted so good. He howls once more and settles into whimpers as he works to contain his breathing. ―Holy fuck, Jeff.‖ I admit I‘m a bit pleased with myself— not to mention really fucking horny—at the way he sounds right now. I take my cock out and start stroking myself. ―No one has ever. Ever. Been able to do that to me,‖ he pants out. ―Should have met a boa sooner.‖ ―Fuck,‖ he huffs out, flopping into the grass. All that blood rushing back into his big head has got to be disorienting. I shimmy back up his body and kiss him, the fur on his abdomen tickling my aching cock. ―If I had any control over my body, I‘d take care of that for you.‖ ―Just stay like that,‖ I whisper hoarsely as I hump his hip like a… well, like a wolf. He lifts his head a little and begins kissing me back, but letting me take control. He manages to get one arm around my hips, pushing his huge paw in my open waistband to cup my ass and run one long finger along the crack, teasing my entrance. His hand is so big, it nearly covers the entire thing, and it‘s so hot it feels like it‘s burning against my naturally cool skin. He‘s getting his wind back as I snap my hips against his. When he wraps his other fiery palm around my cock, it only takes a couple of strokes to set me off. ―Yessssss!‖ I hiss, painting his hand and my shirt. I collapse in a sticky mess, half on top of him. He chuckles and holds me tighter. I let my eyes drift shut as he gently kisses the top of my head.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 22 We settle back in the grass, looking up at the stars. Neither of us is in a hurry to do much of anything. I‘m sure we‘re quite a sight, laying there, shirts unbuttoned, spent cocks hanging out. The air tastes like sex. Consider this turf marked. Even the native animals would be hard-pressed to linger here. ―Why didn‘t you tell me you were a were? A wereboa, of all things?‖ ―Are you complaining?‖ ―Not one bit.‖ ―If I hadn‘t called you out on it, would you have told me you were a wolf?‖ ―Probably not. At least not on the first date,‖ he laughs softly. ―Besides, you wolves have such a superiority complex. You would have discounted me out of hand.‖ ―Hey, I‘m not like that.‖ I snort. ―Your pack is one of the worst. To be anything but a wolf, you might as well be fully human.‖ ―I promise not to talk bad about any other weres again.‖ ―Ever? You sure about that?‖ ―Never,‖ he says, looking me in the eye. ―‘Cause I have a cousin who‘s a scorpion.‖ ―Really?‖ he asks, disbelieving, looking for signs I‘m joking. ―Yeah. He has to be really careful about where he shifts.‖ ―I‘ll bet,‖ he chuckles. ―But you should see his abs.‖ Finally, the chill gets to me, and I shiver.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 23 ―I guess I‘d better get you home.‖ He sighs and starts to sit up, buttoning his shirt. We tuck ourselves back in our jeans, and he pulls me close, kissing me tenderly. He feels scary good. I should not even be thinking how addicted I could become to having his arms around me, given the chance. I breathe in his scent and sigh against his chest and kill the mood by yawning. ―Okay, snake. Let‘s get you home.‖ ―Okay, wolf. Let‘s go.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 24

Chapter 3 WE

HEAD back toward town in what I think is called

companionable silence. The SUV rumbling under me, along with the heater blowing on me is making me sleepy. Or maybe it‘s just post-orgasm tiredness. Or the fact that the thoughts running around my head have exhausted me. My mind has been racing about what happened tonight. Thinking about where we go from here. Not that I‘m picking out curtains or towels or anything. Okay, maybe I indulged in a small case of the ―what ifs.‖ What would it be like to live with a wolf? Can I really picture grocery shopping with Brad? What the fuck am I thinking? I‘m presuming he‘s going to actually stop the car to let me out, and now I‘ve fast-tracked us into a relationship with a future. Who the fuck do I think I‘m kidding? I huff at my lunacy and shift in my seat. ―You‘re thinking awfully loud chuckles. ―Wanna talk about it?‖

over

there,‖

Brad

―Nah,‖ I sigh. No sense letting him know I‘ve already shackled him with a house. I turn to look at him. ―I had a good time tonight.‖ ―Just good? I must be losing my touch.‖ ―Well, that last part was pretty good.‖ ―Pretty good? I had a fantastic time.‖ He reaches over to pull my hand up to his lips. ―Do you work tomorrow?‖ My heart speeds up at the thought of going out with him again. ―No, I don‘t go back until Sunday afternoon.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 25 ―What time should I pick you up?‖ I can see his dimples in the glow of the dashboard. And is it the oncoming lights that‘s making those eyes sparkle? ―So, you‘ll still respect me in the morning? Or is it just that I‘m easy?‖ ―So you‘re saying I‘ll get a repeat? I‘m so there.‖ I cock an eyebrow at him. ―You think you deserve one?‖ ―I promise I‘ll be very good.‖ ―How ‘bout picking me up at eleven?‖ ―A matinee?‖ He wiggles his eyebrows at me. ―Down, boy. Maybe if you‘re a good puppy, we can discuss it.‖ He growls at that. ―Sounds like you have a plan. Should I be nervous or excited?‖ ―Depends on how well you behave,‖ I smirk. We‘ve pulled up to the house. ―How long do I have you for?‖ ―You think I‘m going to let you slip away?‖ ―You sure I don‘t have to worry about abduction?‖ ―After what you did at the lake?‖ He leers at me. ―It‘s a distinct possibility. I don‘t have anywhere to be until Monday morning, so you can have me all day, and night, if you want me. To have me, that is.‖ He‘s grinning at me, and damn, if those dimples don‘t make him the sexiest beast I‘ve seen in a while. I have to lean over and kiss him. He brings his huge paws up to my face, holding me just where he wants me while his tongue explores my mouth. I moan into it, and I am in serious danger of pulling off a repeat performance right here in front of the whole pit. I finally pull my senses back and come up for air. ―Pick me up at eleven, and dress comfortable.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 26 ―Okay. I‘ll see you later, Jeff.‖ I hop out and head toward the front door. I barely make it inside before my cell phone rings. I answer it without even looking at the caller ID. I know exactly who it is. ―I‘ll be there in five minutes.‖ ―Kim, does this have to happen tonight?‖ I stand no chance of fending her off, but I need to attempt to anyway. ―Funny. See you in five.‖ I sigh and head straight back to the kitchen to get some coffee. I‘m just putting hers on the table when she knocks on the back door. ―Come on in,‖ and under my breath I say, ―not like I can stop you.‖ ―So, how was he?‖ ―Why do you assume I slept with him?‖ She gives me a look that says, Silly boy—don’t ask stupid questions. ―Hm. You left the restaurant four hours ago, and you‘re just getting home.‖ ―We could have gone to a game. Friday night is football night.‖ ―Plus, he‘s drop-trou gorgeous.‖ ―‗Drop-trou’ gorgeous?‖ ―And you‘re you,‖ she finishes off like I haven‘t said a word. ―You really think I‘m that much of a slut?‖ Shut up. I have to at least try to defend my honor here. Of course, it doesn‘t help. She shoots me that look again, followed by the placating Aren’t you cute when you try so hard to prove me wrong look. ―Come on, admit it. He‘s hung like a baby boy, right?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 27 ―What? You‘ve seen that basket. We haven‘t been calling him ‗eggplant‘ for nothing.‖ She grins. ―Exactly. Eight pounds, nine ounces, twentytwo inches.‖ I stare at her. No way I‘m confirming or denying that. ―We had a lovely time down by the lake, and we‘re going out again tomorrow. That‘s all you‘re getting. Now, how did you spend your evening?‖ I know she wants more details, but I don‘t want to give them to her yet. For one thing, she‘s not a were, so I can‘t exactly share the whole story, can I? Also, I don‘t want to jinx anything. I already really like him. No way I want to taint tomorrow with bad juju. Mental note—light a black and white candle later. ―I had a wonderful evening discussing books with very knowledgeable, interesting customers.‖ ―So, the only people that came in were looking for the Twilight or Harry Potter series?‖ ―Yeah. Don‘t get me wrong. I love those books, but there are so many other great books people will never read because nobody has declared them ‗cool‘ or ‗popular‘.‖ ―Well, keep trying to convert them. You‘re bound to make a difference at some point. Now, go home, and go to bed. Maybe I‘ll give you some details Sunday.‖ ―But I‘m off on Sunday,‖ she pouts, turning her big, blue eyes up at me. I‘m not falling for them. ―Really? Guess they‘ll keep ‘til Monday.‖ I know she‘s going to spend her day off at my counter. Mental note—burn a brown candle Sunday morning. I finally get her out the door and start locking up. I head into the living room to turn off the lights.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 28 ―Why do you smell like wolf, Jeff?‖ I jump at my brother‘s voice. With Kim‘s call, I didn‘t notice him there earlier. ―What are you doing up, Eddy? I thought everyone had gone to bed.‖ ―Your date‘s car isn‘t exactly stealth. Besides, I heard Kim.‖ ―You should really ask her out. I know you like her.‖ Maybe if we keep dancing around this, he‘ll forget about my date with a wolf. ―She‘s your best friend. I can‘t do that.‖ ―You make it sound like I‘m asking you to have sex with her. Just go to dinner or something. You know you want to.‖ ―Dude, I can‘t go out with your best friend. That would just be too weird.‖ ―Well, give it some thought. I‘m going up to bed.‖ ―You never answered my question.‖ Shit. Thought he might drop it. ―What question?‖ Misdirection—it could work. ―Why do you smell like a wolf?‖ ―Oh. That question. Well, Brad‘s a wolf. ‘Night.‖ ―Hold it right there.‖ Fuck. He‘s determined to do this now. ―What?‖ He gets up off the couch, tongue flicking around. He‘s trying to figure out just how much wolf got on me, I guess. I can tell when he figures that out. ―Aw, Jeff. That‘s disgusting.‖ ―Hey, if you don‘t want to know, keep your tongue to yourself.‖ ―You go out, fuck a wolf, and then you bring him to the nest? How can you be so stupid?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 29 ―He‘s not going to come running in here and skin us while we‘re sleeping.‖ ―That‘s because he doesn‘t know what you are. Once he knows you‘re a snake, he‘ll turn tail, or worse.‖ ―Oh, he knows, and he asked me out tomorrow.‖ Shit! Who said that? ―He knows! You brought him here, and he knows!‖ Eddy‘s shouting at me. ―Thank fuck it‘s just a few of us here, not the whole pit. If Dad saw him—‖ ―Keep your voice down.‖ ―Jeff, you dumbfuck. You have no idea what they‘re capable of. You know we moved up here because of wolves.‖ ―We moved here because of a redneck pack near San Antonio fifteen years ago. The packs around Austin are different. We haven‘t had any problems here. Dad‘s even working with a couple of wolves to improve were relations.‖ ―You know that doesn‘t make a difference. Once a wolf, always a wolf.‖ ―Eddy, just trust me. It will be fine.‖ I hope. He doesn‘t look like he‘s inclined to give me the benefit of the doubt, but at least he lets me head upstairs. ―I want to meet him when he picks you up tomorrow. I may be your brother, but I‘m also a lieutenant, and I have to worry for the whole nest.‖ Maybe I‘d better light that brown candle tonight.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 30

Chapter 4 I‘M UP by seven on Saturday, after a mostly sleepless night. I kept dreaming about wolves. Wolves with incredible, powderblue eyes and dark, wavy hair. Wolves that have dimples and a great sense of humor and look at me like I‘m actually something special. Yeah. I woke up horny as hell. Several times. And took care of business. Didn‘t help much. Finally, I figured I might as well get up, before I make the sheets any stiffer than they already are. Maybe a run will clear my thoughts. Or a sunning. There‘s a nice big rock out back. I pull on my shorts and head downstairs, hoping I don‘t run into Eddy or Tucker on my way out. ―Hey, brat. Eddy told me about your date. What the fuck are you thinking?‖ No such luck. ―Morning, Tucker. How are you doing today?‖ ―Just fine. I‘m puzzled as to why you think it‘s a good idea to fuck around with the wolves, though.‖ ―He‘s just a guy, Tucker. I‘m not walking into the middle of a pack and saying ‗Here I am‘ or anything.‖ ―He‘s a wolf, dumbass. They‘re pack animals. For a college-educated boy, you are pretty stupid sometimes.‖ It‘s always such a pleasure talking to my brother‘s right-hand man. ―By the way, have you heard from Michael recently?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 31 ―What‘s Michael got to do with this? He took off four months ago.‖ ―Nothing, I guess. I just thought you two were pretty close.‖ ―We stopped being close a long time ago, Tucker. He‘s a bully.‖ ―At least he‘s a boa.‖ ―He‘s an anaconda! Aggressive, mean, hostile. I never felt safe around him.‖ I don‘t need to share all the details of our ―dates‖ with Tucker. Suffice it to say—Michael‘s a snake. As much as I hate that idiom, it suits him. ―And you think a wolf is going to be all warm and fuzzy?‖ ―Brad was last night.‖ I smirk at his look. Score one for me. ―Look, it‘s our job to keep the nest safe. Wolves are always dangerous, no matter how cute you think they are. They can‘t change their nature.‖ ―Can‘t the same be said about snakes?‖ I walk out before he can respond. Now I really need that run. I head over to the park to run around the trail, enjoying the cool morning air. There are so many things running around my brain right now, it‘s amazing they don‘t spill out my ears. What am I doing? I know my family isn‘t going to accept Brad easily. I barely do. I‘ve always been told about how bad wolves can be. No doubt, the rednecks we moved away from were awful. They thought they were above everyone, ‘specially other weres. They preferred humans to any other type of were. And the things they would do to weres they found…. I shudder when I remember seeing some of the carnage they left. I was a kid, but Dad couldn‘t shield

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 32 us from everything. They thrived on the pack mentality, gathering to hunt anything they could get their snouts on. They didn‘t have a bad apple—they had a bad bushel that was rotten to the core. But that was one pack. Once we moved here, Dad worked with the Council to bring the Duke pack to justice. Dad has always tried to instill a sense fairness and acceptance in us. It‘s not really fair to judge Brad on the actions of the Dukes, just like it‘s not reasonable to condemn the nest on Michael‘s behavior. Which leads me back to Brad and his association with the Donnellys. Eddy and Tucker are going to spit when they get wind of that little tidbit. Their pack took in a few of the omegas and their young from the Dukes. Of course, they spread them around to other packs, too, but the Donnellys seem to have gotten more than their share of troublemakers. And if Brad is what I think he is, that makes him one of the biggest badasses among a bunch of badasses. Is it the danger? Is that what I crave? First an angry anaconda, now a cutthroat canine? No. That can‘t be it. I was afraid every day for six months with Michael and afraid for another two after we broke up. Even though it was only one night, I felt completely safe with Brad. Not in a bodyguard kind of way. More of a ―yeah, he can rip my head off, but he would never do that‖ kind of way. Cherished. Yeah, I know, stupid, huh? I am fully aware that lust is the driving factor. I don‘t think of myself as attractive in any way, but I can see it in Brad‘s eyes. Maybe that‘s what I am responding to. It‘s nice to be wanted. And I keep reminding myself—no matter what you are, there is a

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 33 fetish out there for it. Maybe I fit his fetish. Hell, I can ride that! After putting in ten miles, I feel better, so I head back to the house. I can hear Kim‘s car on its way over to my place. A little something about Kim: she‘s short—just an inch over five feet—she has dark, reddish-brown hair and dark blue eyes, and she drives a VW Thing. If you can picture the car, you can picture her. Looks like I get to run the gauntlet this morning. Dad‘s truck is in the driveway, Kim‘s on her way, and Eddy and Tucker are in the living room when I get back. ―You‘re dating an enforcer for the Donnelly pack?‖ It‘s a question, but it sounds like a statement coming from Dad. We‘re dating now? Can we consider it dating? Is it too soon to consider it dating? ―Morning, Dad. How are you doing?‖ ―Don‘t get flippant with me, Boy. Did you know what he was?‖ ―I‘m dating‖—damn that word feels weird—―a man who happens to be a wolf.‖ Kim‘s knock saves me from the interrogation. ―I‘ll get that. It‘s Kim.‖ ―We‘re not through discussing this, Son.‖ Dad looks pissed. I knew he wouldn‘t like it, but I never thought he‘d react this badly. I squirm out of the room to go let Kim in. Maybe I can redirect the tension by pushing Eddy to make a move. ―I just thought I‘d come over to help you get ready. Lord knows you don‘t know how to dress yourself.‖ She stops short when she notices the looks on everyone‘s faces. ―I didn‘t mean to interrupt. Morning everyone.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 34 ―Hi, Kim. How‘ve you been?‖ Leave it to Dad to play diplomat. ―Just fine, Mr. Cordata. How have you been? I haven‘t seen you in a while. Jeff never brings me when he heads home.‖ ―We‘re doing great. And I keep telling you, call me Colin. Sera was just saying the other day that she hadn‘t seen you in so long. I guess you can blame her e-reader for that. She loves her e-books, but that doesn‘t help the bookstore, does it.‖ ―Well, she can always come in to see what‘s out and build up her wish list.‖ ―I‘ll make sure we come by soon.‖ ―Kim, why don‘t you hang out down here while I go take a shower? Eddy, can you get her a Coke?‖ Everything is a ‗Coke‘ in Texas—Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Sprite, doesn‘t matter—it‘s a Coke. Eddy looks like a deer in headlights, terrified of this tiny human. ―Uh. Sure. Coke, all right, or you want something else?‖ ―Whatcha got?‖ Kim gives Eddy a once-over, making him blush and Dad grin. Tucker doesn‘t look too happy about it, though. ―Uh.... I‘ll go check.‖ Yeah, we‘re an articulate bunch when we get around our crushes. Eddy begins to make a break for it. ―I‘ll come too,‖ Kim says huskily. Eddy burns brighter as he ducks his head and takes off for the kitchen. Dad and I chuckle, and Tucker glares as he clears the room.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 35 ―I‘m not done with you, Jeff.‖ Dad follows me upstairs. I never could get around him. ―Did you know what he was before you agreed to go out with him?‖ I turn on the shower while I get undressed. ―Yes, Dad. I knew he was a wolf, I knew he was with the Donnelly pack, and I suspected he was an enforcer.‖ ―Then what on the gods‘ green Earth were you thinking? Or is this a case of what you were thinking with?‖ This would be a whole lot easier to discuss if I weren‘t naked right now. Just thinking about Brad, and picturing those eyes, remembering the feel those hot hands on my ass. I turn around before Dad can notice just what‘s doing the thinking right now, and yelp when I jump in the hot shower. ―Dad, haven‘t you always told us to give people the benefit of the doubt?‖ ―People, Jeff. I never said anything about wolves. They‘re dangerous. You have no idea what they can do. And the Donnellys have their own problems. Carrying on with one of their enforcers is just asking for trouble. You‘re putting the whole nest at risk with this.‖ ―Why, Dad? Just because we‘re different weres?‖ At least this discussion has killed my erection. It‘s embarrassing to walk around naked and full-mast in front of your father. ―Jeff, there are members of his pack who won‘t approve of you two together. There are members of the nest that won‘t like it, either, for that matter. And, like it or not, our positions matter in this. His position matters. One day, you‘re going to have to take your place in the nest.‖ I step out of the shower and start getting dressed. ―We‘re not even ‗together‘ at this point. It‘s just a couple of guys

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 36 hanging out. What if we were just friends? Would the clans hate that too?‖ ―Probably,‖ he says sadly. ―There is enough animosity from the Dukes and Duke sympathizers in that pack to make trouble for him, and for us. I‘m sorry, Son. I know you need to move on from Michael, but this isn‘t a wise choice.‖ ―This has nothing to do with getting over Michael, Dad. I was over Michael even before he took off.‖ What is it with everyone mentioning Michael all of a sudden? That asshole‘s been gone four months. ―At least meet Brad. He might change your mind.‖ ―And you might start a war.‖ Great. It‘s been one date, and he‘s turned us into Romeo and Julio. Why does anything I do matter to anybody, anyway? How could someone so far down the food chain be such a pivotal character in this? It‘s too late anyway. I feel his car pulling up to the house. ―Guess that‘s him?‖ ―Yeah,‖ I sigh. ―Well, let‘s get this over with.‖ We get downstairs just as Tucker lets Brad in. There is no mistaking Tucker‘s posture and expression. Brad, thank gods, is not reacting to the obvious show. ―Welcome. You must be Mr. Cannidy. I‘m Colin Cordata, Jeff‘s dad.‖ That‘s my dad, the tactician. They shake hands, sizing each other up. ―Mr. Cordata, it‘s a pleasure to meet you. I‘ve heard a number of great things about you.‖ ―And a few not so great, I‘m guessing.‖ Dad winks and slaps Brad on the shoulder. ―Please call me Colin. Come in,

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 37 have a seat. Tucker, since you are up, why don‘t you get our guest something to drink? Mr. Cannidy, would you like some coffee, or a soda?‖ ―Ah, Brad, please, sir. And I would love some iced tea, if it‘s not too much trouble.‖ ―I‘ll get it!‖ ―Got it!‖ Kim and I speak up at the same time. Yeah, I‘m a coward. I admit it. I know I‘m throwing a wolf to the snakes. The question is who is going to strike first. ―Nonsense, Jeff. You come in here with your guest.‖ Dad steers me toward the living room with an arm around my shoulders. No doubt about just who the king snake is here. ―Kim and Tucker can handle the tea.‖ Sorry I mouth to Brad as we head toward the loveseat Tucker vacated. Dad takes a seat in the armchair next to the couch. Eddy is sitting on the couch opposite us. This is not going to be comfortable. ―Brad,‖ my Dad starts. My stomach is tied up in knots, and the adrenaline spiking in my blood is making me dizzy. ―I assume you know why there is a welcoming party here this morning.‖ ―Yes, sir. I can imagine how you must be feeling, knowing what I am, what I do, and who I do it for. I sat through my own inquisition this morning. It wasn‘t pretty.‖ He chuckles. How can he be so calm! I‘m popping scales over here, and he‘s cracking jokes with my dad. ―No, I expect it wasn‘t.‖ Dad chuckles too. How can they be like this? Can‘t they just throw down and get it over with? What is this? A NATO negotiation? ―I was in high school when you moved here. I remember the trials, and everything that came out about the Duke

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 38 clan. There are some in the Donnelly clan that still have bad feelings, especially Walker Duke, but I believe you did the right thing, and I‘m glad you did it. Please let me assure you, I had no idea what Jeff was, let alone that he is a part of your nest, before last night. I did not approach him with any ulterior motives.‖ He shoots me one of his sexy smiles. ―Well, no political motives, anyway,‖ he says, giving me a wink. Now he‘s flirting with me? In front of my dad? I‘m about to spontaneously shift! ―Well, that does give me some peace of mind. But you know there are factions in both our clans that will not take kindly to this. Maybe it‘s best for everyone if you call this off.‖ ―With all due respect, sir. I don‘t think I can do that. I like Jeff. I‘ve seen him at the bookstore, and now that I‘ve had some time alone with him, I want more. He‘s smart, funny, and charming as hell. He‘s a great guy.‖ I hear Tucker huff behind us at that. He and Kim come back into the living room, and Eddy rushes over to relieve Kim of her burden of two glasses. ―Let me help you with that.‖ The combination of Eddy flirting and Brad sharing our air has Tucker ready to explode. Everyone notices it, but Tucker isn‘t backing down. ―Can‘t you find a wolf to meet your needs? Why do you have to come trolling in our nest?‖ Kim is looking at Tucker like he‘s grown another head. Shit, he knows better than to say anything in front of her. What the fuck is he thinking? ―Tucker, that‘s enough.‖ Dad isn‘t going to let this stand.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 39 ―No, it‘s not. He‘s got no right to be here. And Jeff can just get the fuck over it already!‖ ―Enough!‖ I even surprise myself. ―Tucker, get the fuck out of here. Now!‖ He scoffs at me. ―You going to make me?‖ His tongue is in constant motion, and his pupils have narrowed and elongated. Brad notices and growls low in his chest. This cannot end well. ―Come on, Tucker. I think we‘re low on ice,‖ Eddy says, taking him by the arm to turn him away before Kim notices anything as I grab Brad‘s hand. I hate deceiving her, but we really try to keep a low profile. Dad and I share a look. ―There‘s plenty. I was jussst in there.‖ He‘s so agitated, he can‘t control the shift. Eddy‘s got to get him out of here quickly. Kim‘s looking at all of us, wondering just what kind of alternate universe she‘s stepped into. I hop up and wrap my arm around her shoulder. ―Hey, Kim? Would you mind giving us a little space here? I think we have a major family discussion that we need to hammer out.‖ She looks relieved that she doesn‘t have to figure it out right now. ―I‘ll walk you out.‖ Eddy steps away from Tucker, and all hell breaks loose. Tucker shifts before anyone can even blink, hissing and slithering toward us. Kim shrieks, and Brad growls and jumps up. At least he controls the wolf, a hair‘s breadth away from shifting. Dad and Eddy rush to try to grab Tucker to get him out of the room. He slips their grasp and strikes at us. I shove Kim out of the way and shift. We collide in a mess of coils, fighting for the upper hand, so to speak. His fury is out of line, and I am tired of taking his shit, just

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 40 because he supposedly outranks me. There is no way he‘s going to get away with attacking Kim on my watch. Or bully me in front of Brad. I manage to coil around him, and he‘s trying to snap at me. Our bodies are thrashing around the living room, and I am vaguely aware of shapes jumping out of our way. This room is not big enough to accommodate two ten-foot boas fighting. He keeps writhing around, trying to squirm out of my hold, but I just tighten my grip. I can feel his bones are close to the breaking point. I really don‘t want to hurt him, but he is so out of control, he won‘t stop. He whips his tail around at Kim, and flings his head around trying to strike at Brad, so I close my jaws, biting him just behind his head. His breathing is labored, and he finally relents, laying still in my hold. I hang on for another few minutes, not trusting him not to strike as soon as he‘s free. ―That‘s enough, Son. Let him go now,‖ Dad says softly as he steps up and strokes my head, putting the other hand on top of Tucker‘s head to hold him steady. I release my jaw and gasp for air as I slowly loosen my coils from Tucker‘s body. As I slither toward the stairs, I see Eddy holding Kim, and I‘m aware of Brad following me. I don‘t shift back until I get safely back in my room. ―Hey, baby. Are you all right?‖ Brad whispers, lying on the floor, curling up against my naked, panting form. He strokes my hair and pulls me to the furnace of his body. His hot paws are rubbing circles on my back, and a low growl rumbling from his chest vibrates against mine. ―It‘s okay, baby. It‘s over now.‖ I‘m shivering from the strain of the fight—every muscle aching. My jaw hurts from biting Tucker, and I can barely lift

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 41 my arms. I may even be crying, simply from the stress. So much has happened so quickly, I can barely remember it all. ―Everything‘s going to be all right. Don‘t worry about anything,‖ he says, gently rocking me back and forth. Easy for him to say. I may have just fucked up the entire management structure of the nest, my brother‘s friendship, and I shifted in front of my best friend who had no idea that weres were real. I‘d say that was a very full morning, and there is plenty to worry about. Not to mention the fact this was started because of a relationship situation that we may or may not be pursuing. I‘d say it‘s pretty fucking far from all right, right now. If I could stop the shaking and find my voice, I might tell him that.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 42

Chapter 5 ―DID you really just call me baby?‖ Yeah, I like to focus on the important things. ―That‘s such a cliché. I can‘t believe you called me that.‖ ―I thought it fit the situation, killer.‖ He chuckles. ―Fine, I owe you a better nickname. Now, are you okay? Did he hurt you?‖ ―No. I may have hurt him, though. It was pretty tense for a bit there.‖ ―Are you sure? Maybe we should take you to a doctor, just in case? You‘re shivering.‖ He‘s running those hands all over my body, checking for any injuries, but there‘s only one place that‘s swelling right now. ―I‘m fine, and in case you haven‘t noticed, I‘m naked. Once I get some clothes on I‘ll warm up.‖ ―You could be in shock. I think I‘ll go get your dad.‖ He‘s making moves like he‘s really going to get up. ―Wait. I think I‘ve pulled a muscle. Could you rub it for me?‖ I‘m so fucking shameless. I know I should be pulling myself together and getting back downstairs to face the fallout, but the adrenaline, and the huge, hairy man holding me are getting to me. I want to throw him down and ride him into Tuesday. ―Hmm. Let‘s see if I can find it,‖ he mumbles, pulling me onto his lap and kissing me while those hot palms roam. I

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 43 hiss as he finds the muscle in one try. He growls low. Those delicious vibrations rumble through my chest. ―Yeah, that‘s the one,‖ I groan. ―Watching you fight was so fucking hot. I‘ve seen a lot of alphas go at it, but you are something incredible.‖ I hiss and curl down over his head as he licks one of my nipples. His voice is husky as he strokes my cock with one hand. The other has traveled down my back to cup my ass. One long finger traces along the seam and teases me again. ―Your body is amazing. So lithe, so strong. And the way you feel, squirming in my arms. So. Fucking. Hot.‖ I‘m panting for a whole other reason now, mostly because he‘s stealing my oxygen with his kisses and working me into a frenzy with those hands. He pulls out of the kiss and strokes my face with one hand, running his fingers along my mouth. I draw the middle finger in and suck on it, slicking it up. He pulls it out and reaches behind me again, slowly putting pressure on my hole while stroking my cock. His finger slips in, and I cry out. He pumps his finger in a few times, before he stops everything. I whimper at his teasing. ―Why‘d you stop?‖ I puff out. ―Uh, Jeff, I‘m not a doctor or anything, but I think you might have a swollen prostate.‖ The concern in his face and the care in his voice would be enough to undo me if I weren‘t so fucking horny. ―I‘m fine. Just keep that up.‖ I grab him around the shoulders and pull him back into a kiss and hump his hands to get the friction going again. ―Really. Just. Don‘t. Stop.‖ ―But—‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 44 ―Yes, butt. Stop talking, start moving those paws of yours.‖ I‘m guessing he decides the clinical exam can wait ‘til later because he picks the rhythm back up, working my cock and pumping his fingers into me. He swallows my moans with kisses while working me higher. I can feel his eggplant, but he doesn‘t seem to notice it the way I do. He‘s completely focused on me. He rubs inside me with a little more pressure, and I explode with a loud hiss. He‘s a bit concerned when both hands get wet and sticky, but he just holds me until my breath comes back. ―Thanks. I needed that,‖ I say, sagging against him. He wipes his hands on one of my T-shirts from the floor and wraps his arms around me. ―I suppose I should explain boa anatomy, huh?‖ ―I would appreciate a lesson at some point. Any other surprises I should know about?‖ ―Do you know anything about a snake‘s sex organs?‖ ―Not much, but I think I need to learn. Thorough, hands-on research works best for me. Show and Tell?‖ He leans forward and kisses me deeply. ―Well, male snakes have two penises—the hemipenes, if you want technical terms. When I‘m a snake, they‘re both recessed.‖ This is an awkward time for a science lesson, but after the concern Brad showed earlier, I think I need to ease his mind. ―When you‘re human you only have one.‖ He strokes that one a couple of times, working me back into half-mast. I groan and close my eyes as he kisses my collarbone. ―And the other?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 45 ―Is what you felt earlier. It grows a bit when I‘m excited, and it can come too. So, no, I do not have a prostate problem. I was just really, really, fucking horny.‖ ―I am going to love getting to know all about snakes.‖ He chuckles as he hugs me tight and kisses me again. A knock on my door reminds me that there is still the devil to pay. ―Hey, are you all right in there?‖ Eddy calls through the door. Smart man doesn‘t want to take a chance on anything he might see by poking his head in. ―Yeah. Just working out the post-fight shakes. We‘ll be right down,‖ I call back to him. ―Sorry. I guess we‘d better go face the music. Thanks for earlier. I hope I can return the favor later,‖ I tell Brad as I palm him through his jeans. Brad tilts my face up to his and looks into my eyes. Those damn powder-blue eyes. ―Hey, whatever happens, I‘m here. I‘m not going anywhere. Remember that.‖ I lean forward and kiss him lightly and let him help me stand up. My legs are still wobbly, and I‘m sticky and covered with scales after my shift. I yank on some sweats and pull on a clean T-shirt, and we head down to the living room where Eddy and Dad are talking to a pale Kim. Tucker is nowhere to be seen. I don‘t see my clothes anywhere. I guess they got pushed under the couch during the fight. ―Jeff!‖ Kim runs up to me and throws her arms around me. ―Thank God you‘re all right. I thought....‖ ―It‘s okay, MunchKim. I‘m fine. How are you?‖ I hug her close and kiss the top of her head and look at Dad and Eddy. They give me small smiles, and Eddy nods lightly. ―I bet you think you landed in Oz, don‘t you?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 46 ―It‘s a bit weird, that‘s for sure.‖ She pulls back and punches me in the arm. ―That‘s for lying to me all these years. How could you?‖ ―I‘m sorry, Kim, but we try to be careful. The fewer people that know about us, the safer we stay. I hope you can understand that.‖ ―That doesn‘t change the fact that you have deceived me for over ten years. That‘s a long time.‖ ―I know. I hated to do it, but please try to see our side of it.‖ ―I‘m still pissed, but I want to know more. So, everyone. Spill.‖ She looks pointedly at Dad. ―Kim, why don‘t we go get some lunch. You can ask me all the questions you like,‖ Eddy offers. ―You‘re not going to wipe my memory after you answer, are you? Make me forget everything that‘s happened here today?‖ We all chuckle. ―You read too much, MunchKim. It‘s the vampires that do that, not us weres.‖ I have to laugh at her shocked look. ―Teasing!‖ ―You shouldn‘t do that, you shit!‖ She shoves me back against Brad. ―All right, Eddy. I‘d love to go to lunch with you.‖ ―Great. Let me grab a clean shirt, and we‘ll go.‖ Eddy takes off like a bat out of the cave to change and finally take who I hope is still my best friend, out. ―Are we cool?‖ I ask hopefully. I‘d hate to lose the bond we have, but I understand her side completely.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 47 ―We will be.‖ She sighs and shrugs. ―I just need some time to wrap my head around everything I‘ve seen. Maybe Eddy can help with that.‖ ―Oh, I‘m sure he can,‖ I say with a leer. She blushes a little, and I have to rub my arm after she punches it again. She may be small, but she‘s mighty, and she has bony knuckles. ―Love you, brat.‖ I pull her into another hug and kiss the top of her head again. ―Love you, too, slim.‖ She‘s hugging me back. I take that as a good sign. ―Ready?‖ Eddy asks as he comes back in. I walk them to the door and pull Eddy back a moment as they head out. ―Take good care of her.‖ ―I will. I promise.‖ I‘m a little sad as I watch them walk off. Somehow, I feel like I‘ve just handed her off for good.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 48

Chapter 6 BRAD and Dad are back to their spots in the living room, as if this whole mess never happened. I cautiously take a seat next to Brad on the loveseat. My muscles are stiffening up a little, but I know I can‘t get out of this conversation. ―So what happens now? Does this count as an official challenge to Tucker‘s place?‖ I really don‘t want it, but there may be no way around the politics of what‘s happened. ―And where is he?‖ I really don‘t want him to come slithering back in here now. ―We called Deacon. He‘s taking him back to the nest to cool off.‖ Shit. That‘s not good. That means Tucker‘s in custody, and there will be a hearing. That also means I‘ve just become my brother‘s right hand. I‘ve forcibly taken a position I never wanted to begin with. ―Is that really necessary, Dad? I mean, things just got a little out of hand, that‘s all.‖ ―He shifted in front of a human, and then tried to attack a human and another were. If you hadn‘t stepped in, who knows what he would have done. He knows the rules.‖ ―Fuck. When‘s the hearing?‖ ―It‘s going to have to be fast. Probably no later than Wednesday.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 49 ―I‘m guessing you‘re going to need both Brad and Kim there as witnesses. Fucking Tucker. She shouldn‘t have had to learn like this.‖ ―Maybe not, but it‘s too late now. We have to face the Council and make this official.‖ ―I know. I guess any issues with a possible relationship we may be starting are moot now.‖ Brad shoots me a questioning look. ―I just entered politics.‖ ―Try to relax, and I‘ll let you know when it‘s arranged. Don‘t worry, Jeff. Eddy and I are on your side.‖ We all get up as Dad gets ready to leave. ―Brad, it was a pleasure to meet you. Sorry to drag you into this mess, but I‘m glad you‘re here for Jeff now. It won‘t be any easier going forward.‖ ―I was planning on taking Brad to meet Gracie. Should we wait until after the hearing?‖ ―Nah. This is a pretty clear-cut case. She and Al won‘t be necessary for the vote.‖ He stops when he gets to the door. ―You didn‘t do anything wrong. You reacted to protect Kim and Brad before Eddy or I could even sense what was happening. I‘m proud of you, Son.‖ We settle back on the couch after Dad leaves. ―I understand if you want to head home now. I‘m sure Dad can notify you about the hearing through official channels.‖ ―What are you talking about?‖ ―Look. We‘ve been out one time. One of the nest enforcers tried to attack you for it. You don‘t need to stick around if you don‘t want to. I understand this is too messy—‖ He shuts me up with a kiss. ―I told you earlier I wasn‘t going anywhere. What makes you think I‘m tucking tail because of this? Besides, you

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 50 saved my life. You‘re responsible for me now.‖ He grins, giving me those dimples. ―Funny. I think you could have taken care of yourself. No one would have blamed you.‖ ―Yeah, but that would have seriously fucked up all your dad‘s hard work. And, I don‘t want to fuck this up, either. So what does happen now? You mentioned entering politics earlier. What does that mean?‖ ―My dad is a nest leader, and Eddy‘s a lieutenant. Tucker was his right hand, an enforcer. This will be considered a challenge for the position.‖ ―Wait,‖ he says with a smile. ―That means you‘re an enforcer now? Fantastic.‖ ―No, it‘s not fantastic. Why would you think that?‖ ―You wanted to stay in the nest, right? You got it. And, since we‘re both enforcers, we‘ll catch a hell of a lot less flack for being together.‖ ―So we‘re together now? When did that happen?‖ ―When you told me to pick you up at the bookstore yesterday.‖ He smiles and leans forward, pinning me against the couch with his big chest. ―At least I thought so.‖ He‘s kissing me again, and any thought I had to give to that is gone. ―Do you want to take this upstairs?‖ That‘s where the lube is. See—I‘m a planner. ―Don‘t you have someplace you wanted to go?‖ ―Yeah. Upstairs. With you.‖ I reach around his neck and pull him down for another kiss. ―You mentioned someone named Gracie. Do you want to call her for lunch?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 51 ―Not really.‖ My stomach chooses that moment to prove me a liar. ―Ignore it. It‘ll pass,‖ I say trying to drag him into another kiss. ―We can pick this up after. I can‘t wait for another anatomy lesson. Now, do you want to change?‖ ―If you can‘t wait for another lesson, why go anywhere but upstairs?‖ Sounds logical to me. Why is this so difficult? ―Because we both need food. What I have in mind for you is going to take energy.‖ ―I need to rinse off these scales before we go anywhere.‖ I stand and pull off my shirt. ―Wanna join me in the shower?‖ I call out as I head up the stairs, hands on my waistband. It‘s a ploy, but I really would love to see him wet and naked. Got him. The growl echoes in the empty living room as he practically vaults the couch to catch up with me. I‘m laughing as he grabs me around the waist and starts nibbling on my neck. ―I thought you wanted to get something to eat.‖ ―Oh, I‘ll get something. Don‘t you worry,‖ he says around my earlobe. My knees are getting weak as his fingers work my nipples, pulling them into peaks, and his teeth work my neck. We stumble through my room to the bathroom. He pushes me into the wall and reaches around me to turn the water on to warm. ―Let me help with those," he says as he bends down to push my sweatpants to my ankles. He runs a hand down my spine to brush away the loose scales and follows the motion with his tongue. I shudder and arch my back to try to follow him. ―Patience, killer. I‘ll get to Abbott and Costello.‖ ―What?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 52 ―Abbott,‖ he says, reaching around to stroke my cock. ―And Costello,‖ teasing my hole. What the fuck? ―Did you actually name my cocks? After a comedy duo? Were you going for a mood-killer?‖ ―Yeah. I named them. I‘m claiming them, so I get to name them.‖ It rumbles from his chest through my back, causing Abbott to stand up straight. ―See, he likes it. Abbott: tall, strong, and in charge,‖ punctuating his words with firm strokes, ―and Costello: short, fat, and a bad boy,‖ gently pushing in a fingertip. He reaches around me again to test the water and then pushes me into the stall and stands, blocking the doorway. I turn around and watch him undress. He slowly peels off his shirt, unveiling yards of muscle and hair. I step forward to run my fingers through it, but he grabs my wrists and shakes his head at me. ―Not yet. Just stand there and let me watch.‖ Those eyes are eating me up as the water drips in rivulets down my chest and stomach. ―You are so perfect. All muscle, rippling under this golden skin. Gods, you‘re mouthwatering.‖ He pulls me toward him, holding my arms behind me, his grip still on my wrists, and licks one of my nipples. I bow my back and try to pull free to grab his head. He smiles against my chest and shakes his head again. ―Nope. Not yet.‖ He pushes me back into the spray and watches the water again while he reaches for the buttons on his jeans. He‘s not wearing anything underneath, and when he gets the buttons open, the eggplant pops out, begging to be harvested. My vision sharpens, and I can feel my pupils have narrowed to slits. I lick my lips in anticipation, and I would almost swear he‘s purring; the low growl is so constant. He

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 53 shoves his pants down and tries to step out of them at the same time. He stumbles toward me, and I catch him. I use my leverage to drag him into the shower with me. ―Hey!‖ he yells as his jeans and boots get wet. I clutch him tighter and kiss him deeply. ―Should have hurried. Now I‘ve got you,‖ I say as I reach down to stroke him. I am still amazed at how much bigger it can get. I‘ve never been a size queen, but damn if I‘m going to complain about this. He struggles in my grip, but I show just how strong a boa can be. He whimpers as I run my thumb over the head, pulling the fiveskin back. ―I‘ll give you thirty seconds to get naked and get in here, or I‘m dragging your ass back in.‖ He stumbles a little when I let go of him. ―One one-thousand. Two one-thousand. Three one-thousand. You‘re wasting time, eggplant.‖ He looks up and cocks an eyebrow at me. ―Eggplant?‖ ―Yeah. ‘Cause that‘s what it looks like you‘re smuggling in those jeans.‖ He stops working on his jeans and blushes a little. ―Still wasting time. Nineteen one-thousand. Twenty one-thousand. You must want me to drag you back in here. Twenty-three one-thousand.‖ He toes his boots off and drags his pants and socks off at the same time, while I keep counting. ―Twenty-eight onethousand. Twenty-nine one-thousand.‖ ―Thirty,‖ he whispers, stepping back into the shower and kissing me deeply. I wrap my arms around him as his hands roam down my chest. He pulls away from my mouth, and he works his way down my neck back to my nipples. I‘m writhing around, and arching my back to get more from him. He nips at one and sucks it into his mouth as he reaches down to gently tug on my balls. I drag my nails up his back

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 54 as he works me up higher and higher, licking a path down my abdomen as he settles on his knees. He takes the soap and begins lathering up my chest, drawing big circles around my nipples and down to Abbott. Hell, if he‘s going to name them, I might as well get used to it. He spins me around into the spray to rinse my chest and begins on my back. He gently rubs long stripes up and down my back, paying close attention to my ass. ―This is the most perfect ass I‘ve ever seen,‖ he says softly, rubbing the soap deep into my crack. I can feel Costello swelling inside me. He turns me to rinse the soap, stands, and turns me back to face the wall again. He licks my neck and takes my hands in his, joining our fingers as he puts both our hands against the wall. I can feel the eggplant rubbing against my ass. Holy hell, he needs to make a move soon. ―You‘re driving me crazy here, lobo.‖ My voice is so husky, I‘m amazed any words are coming out at all. His chuckle rumbles off the walls and through my skin. ―I‘m just getting you warmed up,‖ he whispers against my neck, biting me gently, dragging his tongue along my shoulder blade. I break out in goose bumps as my breath rasps in and out. He kisses and licks his way down my back as he lowers himself back down to his knees. He puts both of those giant hands on my ass and spreads my cheeks. The heat coming off them is amazing, burning against my skin. He nibbles down the crack to the crease on the underside. He places gentle kisses around my hole and proceeds to drive me out of my everlovin‘ mind as he begins laving it with that hot tongue. When he pushes it into my opening, I cry out. Abbott and Costello throb in tandem, with my racing heartbeat, and both are beginning to drool. He gently presses

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 55 his thumbs in to spread me open and sticks his long, canine tongue deep inside me, licking Costello‘s head. I scream as he keeps up the torture, lapping up the pre-cum dribbling freely now. If he doesn‘t stop soon— ―Brad! If. You. Don‘t. Stop! I‘m. Going. To.‖ I bite out the words, heaving with each lick he gives me. ―Do it, darlin‘. Give it to me,‖ he whispers into me, digging his tongue deeper with each word. He grabs my hips and practically brands them with those incredibly hot paws of his. ―Sssssshit! Yesssss!‖ I hiss as both cocks spasm and shoot. Brad laps up every drop as Costello shoots his load. He holds my hips steady and supports my weight as my knees buckle, and I crumple back against his chest and shoulders. I wind up sitting on his thighs while he cradles me to his chest. ―My, what a long tongue you have.‖ ―The better to eat you with, snake.‖ His deep voice vibrates every cell in my body, rumbling from deep in his chest through my back. Naked. Just like I fantasized about. Abbott begins waking up at the sensations. I turn in his arms to straddle him, running my hands down his arms to stroke my favorite vegetable. ―My. What a big cock you have.‖ My tongue follows my words into his mouth as I try to feel his tonsils. His growl reverberates off the shower walls, driving me nuts. ―The better to fuck you with.‖ He takes over the kiss, burrowing his fingers into my hair and humping against me. I reach down to take that magnificent cock in both hands and stroke. He responds by sucking my lower lip into his mouth and tugging on it with his teeth. I‘m humping back against the fur on his belly.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 56 ―Maybe we‘d better take this someplace comfortable.‖ Like my bed. Closer to the lube. Fast.

more

―You got it, darlin‘.‖ He lifts my ass with both hands as I wrap my legs around his waist. He stands with me coiled around him like I weigh nothing. I shut off the water before we step out of the stall. He walks us to my bed, dripping wet and shivering, his mouth never leaving mine. He gently lays me on my back and kneels back on his haunches. His eyes follow his hands as he maps the contours of my body. I slink around on top of the blankets enjoying his touch. He strokes Abbott while he works two fingers into my entrance using Costello‘s juices from earlier. He curves his long fingers and strokes along the internal cock. The pre-cum is flowing again. Gods, he‘s trying to kill me with orgasms. I‘m okay with that. ―Lube,‖ I pant out. ―Nightstand, bottom drawer.‖ ―Damn. Snakes are bossy.‖ He laughs as he reaches across me to get the tube. ―It‘s always the quiet ones, isn‘t it?‖ ―Keep this up, and we‘ll see how noisy I can get.‖ ―I thought snakes only hissed.‖ I don‘t exactly prove him wrong when he rubs Costello again. He squeezes lube on his hand and works another finger in, gently prepping me. I can‘t lay still under his ministrations, and I can see his dimples as he takes one of my nipples back into his mouth. When he works his pinky in, I skate along the sheets working on impaling myself on his hand. ―Now. I need you, Brad.‖ He looks up at me, those powder-blue eyes so caring. I nod at his unspoken question. He leans forward and places kisses on my forehead, cheeks, lips. His voice is so full of

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 57 emotion it cracks. ―If you need to stop at any time, just say so. I don‘t want to hurt you.‖ I lick my lips and nod, not trusting my own voice. ―Don‘t go anywhere.‖ Just where does he think I‘m going to go? He disappears into the bathroom and comes out with his jeans, still dripping from the ankles. He pulls a condom out of one of the back pockets. I briefly wonder if he has to special order them before he unwraps it and rolls it on, coating it with more lube. He positions the head at my entrance and leans over to kiss me gently. ―Ready?‖ ―More than ready,‖ my voice is barely audible. ―Do it, lobo. Take me.‖ He begins pressing into me, and I have to remember to breathe. It‘s been a while since I‘ve done this, and never with anyone near this size. He‘s barely gotten the head in, and the fullness is amazing. ―Fuck!‖ I shout as the burn begins to give way to pleasure as my ring loosens to let him pass. He freezes. ―It‘s okay, keep going. Just, slowly,‖ I pant out. He gradually works himself into me, kissing me and whispering in my ear. I can‘t make out all the words, but his tone is soothing. ―Jesus Christ…. Never like this…. Fuck…. Fucking never.‖ He‘s almost chanting once he‘s balls-deep, waiting for my body to relax. Costello is throbbing with my heartbeat next to his cock. I have never felt so full, and if he doesn‘t begin moving soon, my head will explode. ―Now, Brad. Fuck me. Fuck me now.‖ He roars and begins pumping his hips. Any coherent thoughts I might have had go down like the Titanic. My pupils have narrowed

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 58 to slits again, and I can‘t stop licking my lips. The friction on both my cocks is almost unbearable as he pistons into me, speeding up his rhythm as he edges closer to his own orgasm. I‘m hissing, and he‘s growling non-stop. He begins hammering in erratic thrusts just as I reach the edge and topple over, squeezing all my muscles and shooting from both cocks. He howls long and low, vibrating the windows, as he comes. He pumps into me a couple more times and whimpers before he shudders and collapses on his forearms above me. He kisses me as he regains his breath. ―Fuck, I ain‘t gonna be able to let you go now.‖ He gently maneuvers out of me, and the emptiness is almost overwhelming. I let out a soft sob. ―Shit, Jeff? Did I hurt you?‖ ―Only in the best possible way. I may not be able to walk again, but I‘m all right. I‘ll just shift to get anywhere.‖ He chuckles as he ties off the condom and drops it into the wastebasket next to the bed. It sits, cradled like an egg, on top of the pile of stiff tissues already in there. ―That was amazing. Intense. Spiritual.‖ He kisses me with each word. ―Indescribable.‖ He sighs and lies back down on the pillow, pulling me along with him. ―We may have a problem, though.‖ ―Yeah? Besides the clans? What‘s that?‖ I ask sleepily. ―Wolves mate for life.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 59

Chapter 7 I

AM wide-awake now, and Brad is snoring softly. Mate? For

life? Who said anything about mating? Shouldn‘t we be in love first? Maybe date for a while? Brad shifts in his sleep and holds me tighter. He shifts as in rolls over to his side, not becomes a wolf. He snores a little louder, and I wiggle out of his arms. I get up to use the rest room, and I take his jeans and socks down to the dryer, wincing as I bend over to pick them up off the floor. He‘ll need these later. I empty his pockets onto the dresser and find a couple more condoms. He‘ll need those later, too, if I have anything to say about it. I go back and gingerly sit on the edge of the bed, watching him sleep. I‘d be lying if I said I wasn‘t deeply in like with him. The sex is, well, spectacular might describe it. But mated? For life? I don‘t know that I‘m ready for that. And what about what Dad said? What will the nest say? What about his pack? How can we possibly be together when there‘s so much going on around us? Now with Tucker, how can I even consider mating? ―You coming back to bed, or is this your way of telling me to take a hike?‖ Brad‘s voice startles me. ―I just put your jeans in the dryer, so you‘re stuck here for a while.‖ ―Now who‘s abducting who?‖ I don‘t bother to correct his grammar. I just sigh and crawl back to the warmth of his

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 60 arms, where nothing else exists. He nuzzles my neck, and I settle back in for a nap.

I‘M

NERVOUS as we head into the clinic at the zoo. Not

because I‘m walking funny, even though I am. I‘m nervous because I‘m strolling in with a wolf on my arm. Or I‘m on his. Whatever. We‘re going in together. Gracie looks up as we enter her inner sanctum. She reminds me of a superhero, set up in a command center of sorts. ―Hey, sugar. You were supposed to come earlier.‖ Brad snorts, and I blush as I walk around the baby elephant Gracie‘s examining. ―I heard there was trouble at your pit.‖ ―Yeah. Tucker went nuts. There was a challenge, I suppose.‖ ―Well, Tucker‘s always been a hothead. I‘m surprised it hasn‘t happened sooner with that asshole. Now, give me a hug, honey. Although I can tell this fine hunk of—‖ she takes a big sniff in the air ―—wolf?‖ She shoots me a look, and I nod. ―This fine hunk of wolf has consoled you at least once already.‖ I blush deeper red as I step into her arms. ―Gracie, this is Brad.‖ ―Nice to meet you, sugar. Any friend of Jeff‘s is always welcome here.‖ ―Thanks. I‘ve never been here before. Most weres I know avoid this place.‖ ―Then you don‘t know the right weres, honey. Most of the staff are weres.‖ Brad looks shocked. ―It‘s true. A lot of the volunteers too. It may be small, but we have one of the best zoos around because of it. Who better to make sure the

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 61 animals are well cared for? Take little Olive here. She‘s got a cold and just needs a cuddle now. I‘m waiting for Al so I can shift and take her back to the herd.‖ ―Gracie‘s an elephant too. And her husband Al is a bear.‖ Making them the perfect couple to talk to about crosswere mating. Fuck! Who brought up mating again? It‘s just sex, isn‘t it? ―Well, if it isn‘t the new enforcer,‖ a booming voice calls out from the doorway. ―Ogre!‖ I yell and run to Al for a hug. He‘s been gone on Council business that I heard didn‘t go too well. ―Ogre?‖ Brad asks. ―Yeah. He seems to think I look like that guy.‖ ―Hey, you know I thought he was the sexiest thing in Revenge of the Nerds.‖ ―Only you would pick the big, hairy guy over the cleancut, all-American, golden boy.‖ Al laughs, looking at Brad. Of course, I blush to the roots of my hair as Brad gives me one of those wolf-in-sheep‘s-clothing grins. ―Ogre, this is Brad.‖ ―You can call me Al.‖ ―Okay, boys. I got to take this little girl back to her momma, if you don‘t mind. Al, you got me?‖ ―Yes, dear. Guys, we‘ll be right back. Need to make sure the coast is clear for her shift.‖ I watch Gracie lead Olive toward the open corral behind the clinic. ―They always shift in pairs here, just to make sure no one sees. With so many humans around, we need to be

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 62 careful not to attract too much attention. One extra animal suddenly appearing, or being caught mid-shift could cause a panic.‖ ―You come here often?‖ ―Yeah. I love Al and Gracie, and I volunteer in the snake house a lot too. I like helping out where I can.‖ ―They seem nice. How long have they been together?‖ ―They‘re great. They‘ve been a couple for eight years now.‖ ―Any trouble with the den or the herd?‖ His eyes flash as he looks at me. I can tell where he‘s going with this. It‘s the same place I‘ve been. ―None that I know of, but I‘ve never asked. I just assumed they got together, and that was it. I never really thought about it.‖ ―And now you can‘t stop thinking about it.‖ ―Yeah. This is so complicated. Why does it have to be so hard?‖ His mouth quirks up as I realize what I‘ve said. ―Difficult. Why does it have to be so difficult? You know what I meant.‖ ―Oh, I know, baby,‖ he murmurs. ―Stop that. Any more of your blood rushes south, Gracie‘s going to have to carry you out of here when you pass out. That thing takes what, six quarts?‖ ―And every one of them is for you.‖ He pulls me into a kiss. ―And that scares you.‖ I‘m saved from a heart-to-heart dissertation of our relationship by Al and Gracie returning. ―Is she all right?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 63 ―She‘ll be fine. Her momma‘s got her now. So, let‘s talk about you two.‖ ―Yeah, I can‘t wait to hear this,‖ Al adds. Fuck! It‘s like a comedy duo. Which reminds me of Abbott and Costello. Which reminds me of what Brad did with them earlier…. Brad‘s possessive growl brings me back to the room. ―What‘s to tell? We just started going out.‖ I try tapdancing, hoping I don‘t hurt Brad‘s feelings. ―But wolves mate for life,‖ Gracie helpfully points out. I must have blanched because Brad pipes up. ―And that terrifies him,‖ he says, smirking at me. ―Well, he has had problems with commitment. Even before Michael,‖ Al pitches in. ―And I don‘t think he‘s seen anyone since.‖ ―Well, he did go through a lot with him.‖ ―True, we did patch him up a few times when it went too far.‖ ―Do we need to be here for this conversation?‖ Let‘s try deflection. ―No! I want to hear this. Tell me more about this Michael. Is he a boa?‖ Brad‘s expression has gone stony, and those beautiful, powder-blue eyes have clouded over. ―Yeah, sugar, he‘s a boa. An anaconda, to be specific. He was gorgeous—not like you, though,‖ Gracie says with a wink, ―but he was mean as a snake, if you pardon the pun.‖ ―He and Jeff were together for what, a year?‖ ―Six months,‖ I correct Al miserably. I can tell Brad‘s pissed. It‘s a good thing Michael took off.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 64 ―As a couple. You had another six months jumping at your shadow, right?‖ Al levels a stare at me, determined to get this out. ―I wouldn‘t say that.‖ ―What would you say?‖ Brad nearly snarls. His eyes are narrowed, and his lips are peeled back. I‘m getting a bit nervous, so I start to back away from him a little. ―It‘s okay, Jeff. You didn‘t do anything wrong.‖ ―No, Gracie. It‘s not okay. You‘re right. I didn‘t do anything wrong, and I have nothing to be ashamed of. If you want to revisit my lowest points, go right ahead. I‘m going to the snake house.‖ ―Jeff, wait! I‘m sorry,‖ Brad starts. ―No, sugar. Let him go. He needs this.‖ I can‘t hear the rest of this conversation as I leave the clinic and head over to the reptile section. Callie‘s working the pit, and a new clutch has hatched. The baby boas are in a pit of their own with the food the zoo has provided. Callie and I watch them work on the pre-killed mice. Our hands twitch as we try to control our urges to help. ―Hey, how‘re they doing?‖ ―Not too bad. We almost lost one, but Gracie was able to force-feed him. The others learned to feed themselves and should be able to move on soon.‖ ―That‘s great.‖ ―Want to go in?‖ ―Not today. I‘ll just watch them for a while, if it‘s all right.‖ Otherwise, I‘d be tempted to go in and bask under the lights until closing.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 65 ―Of course it is.‖ I stand there watching the babies for a while. A mother comes in with her son sometime later. The kid runs straight to the glass and starts pounding. Control your rugrat! I think. ―Please don‘t bang on the glass. It bothers the snakes.‖ I notice Brad has made it down here and is standing in one of the darkened corners. ―How do you know? They like it—See? He‘s flicking his tongue at me.‖ Sniffing the air, trying to find a way to escape and take your scrawny ass out. ―Snakes are very sensitive to vibrations. When you pound on the glass, it vibrates through her whole body. She‘s about to lay eggs, and she thinks you are threatening her.‖ ―He likes me. See, he‘s following me.‖ ―She‘s looking for safety.‖ Good gods, woman. Get off your fucking phone and control the little fucker! ―Johnny, let‘s go look at the bears.‖ ―But I‘m not done looking.‖ Little Johnny runs to pound on the baby pit, right above the sign kindly asking not to touch the glass. Mommy goes back to her conversation and does absolutely nothing to stop her little angel from terrorizing the hatchlings. ―Excuse me, but do you see that sign?‖ Brad steps up to the hellion. ―Yeah.‖ The devil spawn hits the window again.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 66 ―Do you know what it says?‖ He nods and hits it again. ―Why do you think that sign is there?‖ ―The babies don‘t like it?‖ ―That‘s right. Why are you hitting it, then?‖ ―I‘m not hitting it,‖ Satan‘s child starts tapping the glass. ―Don‘t you think you should stop?‖ No acknowledgement, but he starts dragging his snot-covered finger all over it. ―Excuse me?‖ Mom finally pipes in. ―Ma‘am, he‘s disturbing the hatchlings, and it‘s not good for their development. I don‘t want to see any of these babies get sick,‖ he drawls sweetly. That voice must work wonders when he‘s trying to reason with anyone unlucky enough to be on his wrong side. ―Who do you think you are?‖ Mom starts to get nasty. Something about apples and trees comes to mind. Brad steps into the full light. ―Someone who is very interested in the health and continued well-being of boas,‖ he says, looking at me. ―If you wouldn‘t mind asking your son to obey the simple rule of not disturbing them, I‘d appreciate it.‖ He gives her a small smile. ―Of course. Johnny! That‘s enough. Come on.‖ She actually bats her eyes at Brad as he flashes her one of my millionaire smiles. ―Thank ya, kindly.‖ ―My name‘s Lola.‖ Of course, it is. ―Thank ya, kindly, Lola.‖ He even tips his imaginary hat at her as he gives away another one of my smiles, complete with dimples. I‘ve seen enough and walk out of the house,

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 67 heading back toward the clinic, now that I‘m thoroughly pissed off. A couple of wolves must have just passed, their scent is strong near the door. ―Jeff, please wait,‖ Brad calls out softly as he rushes to catch up with me. I notice Lola eye-fucking the shit out of him as her brat beats against the monkey cages. Good. Keep it up, and they‘ll fling their poo all over you. ―Did you have a nice chat with Al and Gracie?‖ ―I‘m sorry.‖ He tries to take my hand, but I pull away. Lola‘s giving me the stink-eye while her offspring continues riling up the monkeys. Brad follows my gaze. Lola adjusts her huge, fake boobs and licks her lips when Brad looks her way. I roll my eyes right as the monkeys give a dose of instant karma and commence to flinging. Shrieks fill the air as both Lola and poor little Johnny get covered in monkey shit. Brad‘s jaw drops, and I turn away to head toward the wolf den, not even trying to hide my laughter. ―They really do that.‖ Brad sounds amazed as he catches up to me. ―I thought that was an urban legend.‖ ―Nope. Couldn‘t have happened to a nicer visitor. Are you sure you don‘t want to help clean her up?‖ ―What?‖ ―Mate for life, huh? You were very cozy with Lola.‖ He searches my eyes for something before the edges of his mouth twitch up. ―You‘re jealous.‖ ―Fuck you.‖ I start to walk away, but he pulls me into his arms and backs me against a giant, fake rock. ―Right here? Love to.‖ He kisses me. ―No. Brad. Stop!‖ I struggle against his grip, but his big body pins me tighter. That‘s when all this talk about Michael

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 68 sets off a panic attack. I start fighting back in earnest, hissing uncontrollably. Brad realizes his mistake and backs off immediately, and Al is right there trying to calm me down. He gets me through one of the hidden passageways to the underground tunnels leading back to the clinic before I can shift in front of poor, delicate, monkey-shit-covered Lola. That thought sets me off, and I don‘t bother to stop the shift just inside the door of the clinic. I coil up on myself, forming as tight a ball as I can. Brad drops to his knees and tries to wrap his arms around me. ―Oh, Jesus. Oh, baby. I‘m so sorry. I should have known better. Oh, Jesus. Come back to me, baby.‖ He‘s rocking back and forth on his haunches, and his eyes are wild, like he‘s on the verge of his own panic attack. ―Oh, Jesus, baby.‖ He keeps chanting like it helps. I coil tighter and hiss at him. I‘m in full-blown panic, edging toward pissed as hell. Al senses this and takes him by the shoulders. I can make out Gracie behind them, setting up a makeshift altar. ―Hey, Brad? Let‘s go get some coffee before the concession stands close.‖ Al‘s voice is soft. ―What? Now? Are you shitting me?‖ Brad‘s gesturing around like a mad man, and I coil tighter again. ―Yes. Now. Come on. Gracie‘s got him. He‘ll be fine.‖ Al is an oasis of calm, sounding like a richly soothing purr. Brad‘s face is full of fear and misery. That does nothing for my state at the moment, and I see the devastation wash over his features. He believes he did this to me. That he‘s to blame. In a way, it is his fault, but he only triggered feelings I had buried. His shoulders slump, and his head drops, as he allows Al to help him up and lead him away.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 69 ―Gods, please forgive me.‖ I have no voice to reassure him right now, only hisses. I flick my tongue toward him. Gracie lights her big, black and white candle and then a smaller green one. She uses the flame from that one to light some hyssop incense and burn sage. I see tiny flashes as cinnamon flicks off the sage, sending tiny flares. She brings the sage over to me and smudges it on the ground in front of me as a way to clear out negative vibrations. She puts the sage bundle on a tray near the candles and comes back with a vial of eucalyptus oil. It‘s warm as she works it into my skin. She may be quirky, but she knows her shit. Slowly, I calm down enough to shift, and wind up a pile of sobbing, shaking, naked, human flesh, sprinkled with boa scales. ―It‘s okay, sugar. We got ya.‖ She takes me in her arms and rocks me gently. ―Just let it out. It‘s about time.‖ ―I‘m fine,‖ I hiccup. She chuckles. ―Sure you are, sugar. Now, drink this.‖ She hands me a cup of tea that‘s been brewing. ―What‘s in it?‖ ―The usual. Eye of newt, heart of toad. You know.‖ ―Gracie—‖ The last tea she gave me had galangal root and gave me hallucinations. ―It‘s just chamomile, passion flower, and valerian root. It‘ll calm your nerves. Eat this too.‖ She shoves a bar of dark chocolate at me. ―Thanks.‖ ―No need to thank me, sugar.‖ She kisses my forehead. I‘m still naked and shivering, but calm when Brad and Al return, each carrying two cups. ―Hey, Ogre. Thanks for getting me out of there.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 70 ―No problem, man. It‘s what I‘m here for.‖ He hands one cup to Gracie then puts his warmed hand on my shoulder. I lean in to his touch. ―You feelin‘ better?‖ ―Yeah.‖ I manage a weak grin over my cup as I finish my tea. Brad is staring at the floor and shuffling his feet. He looks like a chastised child. A huge, hot, hairy, adorable child. The fucker. I‘m a slobbery mess lying on the floor. ―Help me put these away.‖ Gracie holds a chest out to Al, and he takes the hint. They head off for one of the offices, leaving Brad and me alone. No one seems to have noticed I‘m still naked here. ―Hey.‖ My voice is hoarse and quiet. Brad looks up. ―Is one of those for me?‖ ―Uh. Yeah. Sorry.‖ He kneels in front of me, holding one out. ―Thanks.‖ I take it in trembling fingers. Brad notices and looks sick. ―I‘m so sorry.‖ His eyes are wet, and his voice is cracking. ―They told me what he did to you, and I almost did the same thing.‖ ―No. You didn‘t. I know you are nothing like him. It‘s too much shit buried under layers of sand. It just finally shook loose. Stellar fucking day for me.‖ I chuckle. ―Three Michael talks, two shiftings, and a challenge for a position.‖ I sing the list like it‘s my own fucked-up Christmas carol. ―But I did this to you. It‘s my fault you‘re sitting there naked in a pile of scales.‖ ―Welcome to dating a snake.‖ I wink at him. ―Okay. Your actions triggered it, all right? But it‘s my reaction. Not yours. It‘s up to me to control it. Not you.‖ I shiver, because, hello? Still naked here. Brad finally notices.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 71 ―Shit, you‘re naked.‖ He hops up to grab a blanket. ―Observant fucker, aren‘t you?‖ He helps me up and supports me while trying to brush the scales off my back and legs. Then he wraps the blanket around me. It‘s clean, but it still smells like elephant. He sits back down, cradling me in his lap and arms like a really big baby. He presses my face into his chest and rests his chin on the top of my head. It‘s so comforting, I almost coo. ―Is this all right?‖ he asks quietly, like he‘s afraid I‘ll say no. ―Coo.‖ I give in to the urge. He chuckles and rubs my back. ―I‘m so sorry, baby,‖ he whispers into my hair. ―You still owe me a better nickname.‖ He laughs and kisses the top of my head. ―You got it, snake.‖ I sigh and close my eyes, melting against him. This has been one fuck of a day.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 72

Chapter 8 WE

DIDN‘T leave the zoo until after midnight, walking out

with Al and Gracie. I left wearing only Brad‘s shirt because I shed some skin and scales all over the inside of my clothes. I was completely humiliated by my ―episode‖ and too fucking wracked to care about it. I was so out of it, I don‘t even remember getting home. All I know is I woke up alone and wrapped in Brad‘s scent, and, imagine this, humping a pillow. After taking care of that situation in the shower—holy fuck! That shower yesterday—I‘ll never be able to think about a shower in public again.... Kim‘s Thing was at the house this morning, but I didn‘t really process the implications of that information at the time, since I was running late for work. Now, standing at the information desk, I wonder what it means. Did she spend the night? With my brother? Am I happy about that possibility? Who gets custody of me if something happens? At least it‘s distracting me from thinking about Michael. Seriously? I have a bad feeling about that. Months of nothing and then three different conversations about him in one day. What is up with that shit? Now I‘m looking over my shoulder again. It‘s not like I think he‘s Beetlejuice—say his name three times and he appears—but there‘s something creepy about the way he‘s coming up all of a sudden. It could just be that I‘ve actually gone on my first date since he left. I did make sure to grab some of Gracie‘s Bad Luck mix of cumin and salt to sprinkle around, just in case.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 73 Speaking of, I reach in my pocket for another sprinkle. ―Hey‘a, stretch.‖ So much for warding away bad luck. Kim walks behind the counter to give me a hug. ―So? Why was your car at my house this morning? Details!‖ She blushes a little. ―It was late when Eddy and I got back, so he let me stay in his room.‖ She explains, quickly adding ―But he took the couch!‖ ―Sure, he did,‖ I smirk. And he may have, for all I noticed last night. ―He did,‖ she insists, rubbing my arms gently. ―You were asleep before you hit the stairs. He helped Brad get you to bed. Brad told us about what happened. You all right?‖ ―Humiliated, chagrined, mortified, but physically okay.‖ ―Sorry. I guess I don‘t know much about what goes on with shifting. Eddy gave me some background, but there‘s so much to learn.‖ ―So, Eddy‘s going to teach you all about us? Some hands-on tutorials?‖ ―Not like that!‖ She‘s blushing again, as I look skeptical. ―Okay—maybe a little like that.‖ Her smile is so sweet and full of hope, I can‘t give her too much shit about it. ―I told Brad he was wrong.‖ ―About what?‖ Her eyebrows are knitted together in confusion. ―He said you liked me.‖ No sense throwing love around. ―Looks like he picked the wrong brother.‖ She‘s blushing harder. ―I did,‖ she whispers. ―But I knew you didn‘t like me that way, and then I met Eddy. As

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 74 we got to know each other better, I guess I developed a little crush.‖ She‘s staring a hole in her Keds. ―Hey,‖ I say softly as I lift her chin with my fist. ―He‘s a very lucky man. So, are you going to be my new sister?‖ I try to break the tension. ―I don‘t know. Is Eddy going to get a new brother?‖ She volleys back. I‘m glad she‘s still able to play after everything yesterday. ―Kim, I‘ve known him for what, two days? And after last night, I‘d be surprised if he ever wanted to see me again.‖ ―I wouldn‘t be too sure about that,‖ she says, looking around me with a gleam in her eye. ―Excuse me, sir,‖ that voice that shoots straight to my groin says. I turn around and begin embarrassing myself. Brad‘s hair looks like it‘s still wet from his shower, which gets me thinking back to yesterday, which— ―Hey, Aaa-bbott!‖ he calls out playfully, dimples and all. Guess what I do. Blush. Kim laughs, even though she doesn‘t know the whole story. At least I hope to gods she doesn‘t. I lean forward to whisper in Brad‘s ear. ―You know, that means you‘re Costello, making you, what, the small prick in my ass?‖ ―Oh, it‘s anything but small, if you remember.‖ I roll my eyes. ―How do I keep getting myself into these positions?‖ I ask the ceiling. ―You are astonishingly limber,‖ Brad purrs. Yes, the wolf purred. I blush some more. ―Can I help you?‖ I am trying to work here.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 75 ―Yeah, I‘m looking for a book on the care and feeding of boas.‖ Eggplant is on the tip of my flicking tongue, as my eyes travel south. ―Would trouser snake make you a cannibal?‖ Kim whispers behind me. Brad laughs as I whirl around, wideeyed and turning purple. She doubles over laughing at my expense. ―Sorry,‖ she giggles out through her tears. ―Break time!‖ I head off toward the back stairs, leaving the new best buds to their amusement. ―Wait up, I‘ll buy you coffee,‖ Brad calls out and jogs to catch up with me. ―You can show me where Twilight is.‖ ―Very funny.‖ We grab our drinks and go outside. ―Now I understand the sunning.‖ ―Figured you‘d put it together.‖ ―Thanks for the vote of confidence,‖ he snorts. ―That‘s me. Mr. Supportive. Look, about last night. I‘m sorry about what happened at the zoo.‖ ―Hey, don‘t sweat it. We all have triggers. I‘m sorry it was me.‖ ―Don‘t be. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Just all the talk about Michael—‖ I toss another pinch of Gracie‘s mix ―—had me on edge. It‘s odd. I don‘t understand why everybody felt the need to talk about him yesterday.‖ ―I‘m sorry I pried, but I‘m not sorry for learning more about you.‖ ―I‘m surprised you haven‘t taken off.‖ ―Why?‖ he snorts. ―Just because you dated an asshole? Show me anybody who hasn‘t.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 76 ―I must have seemed like a basket case yesterday. Shifting twice, fighting Tucker, my dad warning you off. I‘m not worth all this trouble. You could have a million other people.‖ ―But they wouldn‘t be you.‖ He reaches over and turns my face toward him. ―Granted, it was an unorthodox second date, but I‘m not complaining. There were some pretty fantastic high points to go with the low points.‖ ―You didn‘t sign on for a full day of humoring or consoling me.‖ ―You asked me how long you had me for.‖ ―Gods, please don‘t bring up the ‗mate for life‘ thing again. I don‘t think I can handle that just yet. No offense.‖ ―None taken. I‘m a very patient wolf,‖ he says grinning at me. I‘m saved having to respond by Kim stopping by on her way out. ―I‘m heading out. I‘ll see you later.‖ ―Thanks, Kim. You spending the night again?‖ I ask with a wink. ―Depends on Eddy.‖ Brad stands up as a tall blond walks up to the table. ―Hey, Rand. How‘s it going?‖ ―I thought that was you. I didn‘t think you could read.‖ Rand says, looking at the three of us. ―Very funny. Rand, I want you to meet my, uh, friend, Jeff Cordata. Jeff, this is Rand Merritt.‖ Rand looks around, a little nervous. ―And this is Kim. She‘s a good friend of Jeff‘s.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 77 ―Hi, Rand. It‘s nice to meet you.‖ I find my manners, standing to shake his hand like a grown-up while Kim gives him the once-over from behind her sunglasses. ―Thanks. Cordata? Is your dad Colin Cordata?‖ ―Yeah, that‘s him.‖ Now I‘m a little nervous. If Rand is pack, he probably knows my family‘s history, which could lead to trouble. ―He‘s a good man. I‘ve been lucky enough to work with him on a few projects.‖ I breathe a little easier and take another look at Rand. He‘s tall, but not as broad as Brad. His blond hair is a little shaggy, brushing his collar. He‘s got dark green eyes that probably shine when he shifts. I sweep my eyes down his body, not lingering too long on his package. Brad is standing there, after all. My blood freezes when I get to his boots. I knock over a chair trying to get away. All three of them look at me like I‘ve sprouted another head. ―I have to go,‖ I whisper hoarsely, on the verge of hyperventilating, stumbling off blindly, running into a couple of wolves that were walking up. ―Excuse me.‖ ―Jeff, wait!‖ Kim excuses herself and runs to catch up. She guides me back through the parking lot. ―What‘s the matter?‖ ―I need to go home.‖ ―Okay, I‘ll take you. Just come on.‖ She leads me to the Thing, and I fall over into the seat. I may be so fired, but I don‘t give a fuck about that right now. I lean forward and put my head between my knees while she drives me home.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 78 Eddy opens the door, takes one look at me, and steps aside as I run past him to the bathroom. ―What the fuck happened?‖ I can hear them talking in the hallway over my vomiting. ―Brad had a friend show up while they were sitting outside. Jeff was fine, and then suddenly he was stumbling off.‖ Eddy bangs on the door. ―What the fuck is wrong with you?‖ My stomach empties itself of some bile as Kim fields this one. ―I‘m guessing it was his snakeskin boots. I suppose it‘s wrong for me to say they were beautiful, given what I know now.‖ ―Maybe just a touch,‖ Eddy chortles. ―But Jeff‘s seen snakeskin boots before, and it‘s never sent him dry heaving. Wonder what was so special about these.‖ ―I‘ve never seen black snakeskin before. They had, like, a shimmery stripe of figure eights or infinity signs running up them.‖ I open the door in time to see Eddy turn white and stagger against the wall. I meet his eyes and say it out loud. ―Michael.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 79

Chapter 9 ―HOLY fuck!‖ Eddy shouts. ―Yeah. Still think my reaction was out of line?‖ ―How the fuck?‖ ―What do you mean, ‗Michael‘?‖ Kim kicks in. ―What does that asshole have do to with Rand‘s boots?‖ ―Why don‘t we take this to the living room? Let‘s not jump to any conclusions.‖ Eddy is still trying to make sense of this. ―Let‘s just look at the facts and think about this logically.‖ ―Eddy, you had the same reaction just from hearing a description of them, from someone who never saw him when he was a snake. How is this jumping to conclusions?‖ I walk over to the bar and pour us all some scotch. ―Eddy? Jeff? What, exactly, are you saying? Are you saying Michael was a snake too? And that those boots were….‖ Kim is starting to look worried, and a little sick. ―How is it possible, Jeff? Think reasonably. We revert to human form, and he‘s only been gone four months.‖ Eddy talks over Kim‘s question. ―Guys?‖ Kim is starting to shake. ―It‘s all right, MunchKim.‖ I hug her, running my hands up and down her back, trying to soothe her. ―It will be all right.‖ ―How is it going to be all right? If you‘re saying what I think you are—‖ She starts trembling, and her knees are

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 80 buckling. I go to the floor with her, and I hear Brad‘s SUV pull up outside. ―Eddy, let Brad in. Don‘t tell him about Michael.‖ I help Kim to the bathroom, so she can add her contributions. I hold her hair back like she‘s the prom queen at the afterparty, gently rubbing circles on her back. ―It‘s going to be fine.‖ ―Jeff, I saw your reaction. I saw Eddy‘s reaction to the description. There is something going on that I don‘t understand.‖ ―We‘ll get to the bottom of this, Kim. Don‘t worry. Like Eddy said, we‘re probably just jumping to conclusions. It‘s just a pair of boots, right?‖ ―Really? ‘Cause the way you guys were talking, it sounded like you were saying those boots were Michael.‖ I blanch at the statement. ―That is what you‘re saying, isn‘t it? Oh God.‖ She heaves again. I hear Brad asking Eddy what‘s going on as they walk by. Eddy is covering, saying he doesn‘t know. He thinks it might be a bug we‘ve caught. ―But he was fine before Rand showed up. Something about Rand set him off.‖ ―Nah, that can‘t be it. Besides, they‘re both getting sick. Must be that bond they share, huh?‖ I love him, but Eddy can‘t tap dance for shit. ―Can I get you something to drink?‖ Kim finishes heaving, and I hand her a damp washcloth as she sits back on her heels. I put another one against the back of her neck. ―Feeling better?‖ ―This is too much, Jeff. I don‘t know how to take it. First I find out you‘re a snake, and now, what? Michael was one too?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 81 ―Yeah. He is an anaconda. That‘s why the black snakeskin freaked me out. And he had the figure eight pattern when he shifted. He liked to call himself ‗Crazy 8‘.‖ I shake my head, wondering just what in the hell I had been thinking to even start with him in the first place. ―No wonder those boots made you nuts. Just the thought of someone skinning anyone I know makes me sick.‖ ―I tell you what. Why don‘t you go lay down, and I‘ll send Eddy up to talk to you once we‘ve talked to Brad. Are you okay with that?‖ ―No. But any of the alternatives suck ass, so I‘ll go with it.‖ Leave it to her to evaluate all the options logically. ―Then let‘s get you upstairs.‖ I help her up and into the living room. ―Eddy, Kim‘s going to borrow your bed again, if you don‘t mind.‖ ―I can help her.‖ He starts to get up. ―No, I need you to call Dad and Deacon and get them over here.‖ Eddy just looks at me. ―Please, Eddy?‖ I figure he‘s waiting on the magic word. He shakes his head and walks off, taking out his cell phone on the way. ―Brad, I‘ll be right back down. Make yourself comfortable.‖ He looks a bit pale too. I‘m spitballin‘ here, but I think he feels bad about the boots. Wait ‘til he gets the whole story. I walk Kim up to Eddy‘s room and pick one of his dress shirts up off the floor. It‘s wrinkled, but it doesn‘t smell too bad. I figure something with his scent might comfort her, even if she can‘t smell it. I grab a pair of clean gym shorts from his dresser too. ―Want to change into something more comfortable?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 82 ―That was your plan all along, wasn‘t it? You‘re trying to seduce me. You‘ve just been waiting for an opening all this time.‖ ―You figured me out.‖ I pull her into a hug. ―We‘ll find out what‘s going on. It‘s just a coincidence, I‘m sure. They‘re probably fake skin anyway. Just dyed to look like that. I‘m probably overreacting because of all that shit yesterday.‖ ―That‘s true. We didn‘t get a close look at them. You‘re probably right.‖ Just who is piloting this boat in Egypt, I don‘t know, but at least she‘s calmer. ―Want a Coke? I think we have some Mountain Dew or Fresca.‖ Shut up. I like Fresca. ‘Specially mixed with gin. And maybe some pomegranate juice. ―I can go get one while you change.‖ ―Thanks, Jeff,‖ she says, kicking off her shoes as I start to leave. I can tell she‘s coming off the adrenaline and is going to crash soon. Brad and Eddy both look up at me when I get back downstairs. ―She‘s going to lie down for a while. Eddy, will you take a Fresca up to her?‖ Maybe not the best time to play matchmaker, but he needs some reassurances too. ―And knock before you barge in. She‘s borrowing some of your clothes,‖ I call after him as he heads up. ―Look, Jeff, I had no idea he even owned boots like that,‖ Brad starts trying to apologize. ―Do you know where he got them?‖ ―I can ask him. You want to boycott the store?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 83 No, I want to kill a fucker. ―Not just yet. I‘d like to get some information on them first. They were quite unique, though. Do you think he‘d let me borrow them for a while?‖ ―I think he‘s ready to get rid of them, after your reaction. Our pack took his family in when he was a kid, and since no one wears wolves, we‘ve never had to think about loved ones, or even acquaintances, showing up as tanned hide. He really likes your dad and doesn‘t want to bring up any hard feelings.‖ ―Over a pair of boots?‖ ―Well, your reaction was a bit extreme. And there‘s the fact that he‘s one of the Dukes we took in.‖ The plot thickens, I think bitterly. Dad and Deacon knock and call out as they walk in. ―We‘re in the living room,‖ I answer. ―Brad‘s here, and Eddy is upstairs with Kim. He‘ll be right back down.‖ ―Hey, Brad. How‘s it going? I‘d like you to meet Deacon Griffith. He‘s Jeff‘s cousin.‖ ―Nice to meet you.‖ Brad stands and offers his hand. Deacon takes it, looking directly into Brad‘s eyes for a minute. Finally, he nods. ―Same here. Call me Deke.‖ Deacon must have come directly from the garage. His coveralls are only half on, the sleeves tied around his narrow waist. He‘s got a stained wife-beater stretched tight over his massive chest, offsetting his rich, brown skin. He‘s not tall— only five-nine—but he looms large, looking like a bodybuilder. The deep ―V‖ of his build is evident, even in the coveralls.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 84 ―We still have some of your clothes here, if you‘d like to shower and change,‖ I say when he turns to me. Deke can read people pretty well. Dad and I count on his gut instincts. That slight nod means a lot. ―In your room?‖ ―Yep. Feel free.‖ We have a seat as Deke heads upstairs. ―I want to apologize to both of you on Rand‘s behalf.‖ My dad looks confused, so I try to explain it without saying too much. I trust Brad, but this is just too important to fuck up. ―Dad, Brad was at the store today, and we ran into Rand Merritt. He said he knows you.‖ ―Rand Merritt? He‘s a good kid. We‘ve brought him in to work on some contracts. Hard worker.‖ ―Well, he was wearing a pair of snakeskin boots.‖ ―Oh, is that all?‖ Dad looks over to Brad. ―We know they‘re out there. We organize where we can to stop it, but we can‘t get all of them.‖ Brad relaxes a little. ―By Jeff‘s reaction, I thought there‘d be more issue with it.‖ ―Well, with last night, and all the Michael talk, he must be on my mind.‖ ―Rand reminded you of Michael?‖ ―Part of him did.‖ I look at Dad and then down to his boots. ―Ah, his boots were black. No wonder,‖ Brad says. ―If I ever find that fucker, I‘d like to skin him alive.‖ ―I think someone beat you to it,‖ I mutter under my breath. The only reaction Dad has is a slight flaring of his nostrils. It‘s subtle, but I notice, and I know he‘s put the pieces together. I meet his gaze and give him a nod.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 85 ―What?‖ Brad asks. ―Nothing. Dad, I‘ve asked Brad if he can get the boots and find out where Rand got them. Maybe Deke can go with.‖ ―No offense, but he might make Rand nervous.‖ ―Deke can shift before you go in. Rand will never know he‘s there. Just make sure nothing happens to him when he‘s shifted.‖ ―Rand might tend to notice a ten-foot boa.‖ ―But will he notice an eight-inch scorpion?‖ ―He‘s the scorpion you talked about?‖ ―Yeah. Would you mind if he tagged along? We‘d really like to know where he got the boots. It‘ll help us set up a boycott.‖ Dad seems shocked I‘m able to play this game. ―No, not at all. I‘ll make sure he watches his step.‖ ―I‘ll go upstairs and see if Deke‘s got time to do this. Do you want to call Rand to see when a good time might be?‖ ―Okay. May I?‖ Brad points toward the dining room with his cell phone. ―Go right ahead.‖ ―Oh, Son,‖ Dad says when Brad‘s out of earshot. ―I‘m going to go debrief Deke.‖ I‘m sounding like an enforcer already. I turn back before heading out of the room. ―You know, I always knew that asshole would walk back into my life some day. I just never imagined it would be on someone else‘s feet.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 86

Chapter 10 I‘M

SETTING out a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt for

Deacon as he comes out of the bathroom. The wide towel slung low on his lean hips makes his legs look like his tail when he shifts. The twelve-pack abs and wide shoulders really make him look like the scorpion he is. ―What‘s going on, Jeff? Something‘s up.‖ He pulls the sweatpants on under the towel, wincing as he bends down to pull up the right side. He‘s still got some pain from what happened to him in the desert. I don‘t know the whole story, but I do know that he lost a leg while he was shifted. The scar is still prominent on the lower-right side of those abs. ―I think something‘s happened to Michael.‖ ―What do you care? He‘s an asshole.‖ ―I agree, but that doesn‘t mean I want him dead. Deke, I met one of Brad‘s friends today. He was wearing boots that looked a whole heck of a lot like Michael‘s skin.‖ ―What? How?‖ ―No fucking clue. I‘ve asked Brad if he can get the boots and find out where Rand got them. I‘d like you to go with him. See what your magic gut can get. Maybe feel out Brad while you‘re at it.‖ ―You don‘t trust him?‖ I sigh. ―I don‘t know. I mean, I do trust him, but like you guys keep drilling into me—don‘t be stupid about it.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 87 ―It‘s a little late for you to be thinking with your big head, isn‘t it?‖ He‘s smirking. ―I can smell him all over this room. That shower practically reeked of dog.‖ ―Hey! He‘s a wolf, not a dog.‖ ―Semantics.‖ ―Don‘t be an ass, Deke.‖ ―No, that would be Jake.‖ ―Look, will you help, or not?‖ ―Of course I will. What do you think, I‘m going to leave you hanging?‖ ―Nah. I knew you wouldn‘t do that. Thanks.‖ I pat his shoulder and we head back downstairs. ―You sure you trust me alone with your wolf? He is really fucking hot.‖ My wolf? When did he become my wolf? ―Just keep your barb in your pants.‖ ―What about my claws?‖ He leers. I roll my eyes. ―Hey.‖ Brad walks up and puts his arm around my shoulders. ―Rand says we can come over any time to pick up the boots. I told him I was bringing your cousin, so you don‘t have to shift, Deacon.‖ ―That‘s a relief.‖ His injury must really be bugging him today. ―Well, no time like the present. Let me grab my shoes.‖ ―I guess we‘ll be back soon.‖ Brad kisses my temple, and they leave. Dad and I head to the dining room, where Eddy‘s already sitting. ―I called Gracie too. She, Al, Jake, and Marta are on their way. They should be here soon.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 88 Just then, our were menagerie rings the bell. Let‘s see, we have an elephant, a bear, a donkey, a raccoon, the snakes, a scorpion, with a wolf wild card. I can almost hear the carousel music. They all have a seat around the table, pulling in barstools from the kitchen. ―I suppose you‘ve all heard already.‖ Nods all around. ―Dad, what can you tell me about Rand Merritt?‖ ―He‘s a good kid. Works hard, follows all the directions you give him. Sometimes he‘s a little slow, methodical, but he gets the job done.‖ I think about that for a moment. ―Slow? Task slow or chess slow?‖ ―What do you mean by that?‖ ―When you give him a task, does he focus on the task and how to get that task done, or does he take a look at the entire project, evaluate that task, how it relates to other tasks, like he‘s setting up his chess board and then work on it?‖ ―He focuses on the tasks themselves, as far as I know. Why?‖ ―Because someone is behind this. Just wondering if it could be him. This is not a coincidence.‖ ―Jeff, are you sure you‘re not overreacting? It‘s just a pair of boots,‖ Al asks. ―Son, it‘s not possible. We revert when we‘re killed. If anyone killed him to get his skin, they‘d wind up with nothing but human flesh.‖ Dad tries to be the voice of reason.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 89 ―Gracie, do you know of any salves or chemicals that could stop the shift from happening? Can someone slip us a mickey or something that would keep us in shifted form after they kill us?‖ ―Shit, Jeff. What the fuck are you asking this shit for?‖ Eddy joins the conversation. ―No, sugar. I don‘t know of anything that can work on the body after it‘s been killed,‖ Gracie says. I was afraid of that. I really don‘t want to bring up my next thought, but we have to go there. ―What if, let‘s call him the ‗donor‘, wasn‘t dead when it was taken?‖ ―Jesus, Jeff! What the fuck are you saying?‖ Eddy knocks over his barstool hopping up. ―Hear me out. If someone really wants your skin, can they take it and preserve it before you die? Or, fuck,‖ I have to pause with this latest realization. ―What if he‘s not dead yet? What if he‘s been skinned, but kept alive to harvest more skin?‖ The table looks sick at the thought, but I have to get some answers. ―That,‖ Gracie‘s voice cracks a little. ―That might be possible,‖ she says quietly. ―Okay, then.‖ I slouch against the wall. ―We‘ve got to find out who did this before it happens again.‖ ―What makes you think it‘s going to happen again? Michael was an asshole. Maybe he just crossed the wrong person.‖ Eddy‘s still reaching for some reasonable explanation. ―Look, I have every reason to drop it. Gods know, I wished revenge on him many times while I was healing from the shit he did to me, but no one deserves to be skinned

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 90 alive. It‘s not about him anyway. This was a message to me, to all of us.‖ ―I think you may just be paranoid.‖ Jake speaks for the first time today. ―I don‘t think I am. Think about it. Someone dyed a pair of boots to look like my ex. A friend of the man I went on a date with was wearing them. This has got to be a message.‖ ―Do you really think that‘s the case?‖ ―I hope so, because the worst case is too awful to seriously consider, but it‘s too dangerous not to. Worst case, someone abducted Michael, got him to shift, skinned him alive, made a pair of boots out of him, and got a Duke to wear them to meet the Cordata that is dating a Donnelly enforcer.‖ ―Fuck.‖ Leave it to Eddy to be the loquacious one. ―What kind of message are they sending?‖ ―I don‘t know. Stay away, or else? Dad, is there something going on with the treaty that we don‘t know?‖ ―There‘s always people looking to stop progress or increase their power. But, Son, do you really think someone would go that far?‖ ―Someone did go that far. And they‘ve been planning it for a while. You can‘t make boots overnight. Dad, you said it yourself. I could be starting a war. My dates with Brad could have just provided the perfect opportunity to launch the first attack.‖ ―Maybe Brad is part of the first attack,‖ Jake says. ―It is an awful big coincidence.‖ ―Can we really rule Brad out?‖ Marta asks.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 91 ―Sugar, the way he was around Jeff last night, I don‘t think he would do anything to hurt any of us.‖ Everyone has already heard about my incident last night. ―Yeah, he was devastated when we went for coffee. I don‘t think he‘s involved in this,‖ Al adds his vote. ―I don‘t think he knows anything about it either. We do need to do what we can to ensure the safety of our clans. I don‘t think anyone should shift until we get to the bottom of this. And children shouldn‘t go anywhere unescorted.‖ ―Don‘t you think that‘s a little extreme?‖ Al asks. ―Do you want to become a rug, Ogre? Have someone steal Gracie‘s tusks? Turn Marta into one of those Davy Crockett caps they sell at the State History museum? I sure as fuck don‘t want to become a wallet. Look,‖ I say, sweeping a gaze around the table. ―You guys wanted me to take a position with the clans. I‘m fucking in now. No, I don‘t think it‘s extreme at all. Dad?‖ Dad has taken this in quietly. As the ranking member here, it‘s his call. I just hope I‘ve argued the point well enough. ―I think you‘re right, Son. The safety of our members and our children is number one. I‘ll send out the temporary order, and we‘ll bring it up at the hearing. I‘ll try to get it scheduled as soon as possible.‖ ―That reminds me. I want to talk to Tucker about this too.‖ ―You know that‘s not possible. You challenged his position, you can‘t talk to him until after the hearing,‖ says Jake, always the sergeant at arms. ―Can I question him after? He brought up Michael out of nowhere yesterday morning. Why would he do that? Maybe

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 92 he knows something or has heard something. It‘s just a bit fishy.‖ Eddy is getting antsy with talk about Tucker. ―Once the hearing‘s over, depending on the outcome, yes, you should be able to question him on any investigation.‖ ―Okay. Now, Gracie, do you know anything offhand that would be applicable here? Anything that could keep our skins intact?‖ Geez, I sound like a regular chairperson here. ―Not offhand. I‘ll do some research.‖ ―Thanks. I have the feeling we‘re going to need it.‖ ―Is there anything else we need to talk about?‖ Marta asks. ―I can‘t think of anything.‖ Isn‘t this enough for now? ―Nothing about possibly adding a wolf to the nest?‖ ―Not you too. We‘ve only known each other for a couple of days.‖ ―But you know, wolves mate for life. And a mating between two enforcers could go a long way to solidifying were relations.‖ What am I? Some sixteenth-century princess being married off as part of a treaty? ―Are you really suggesting a strategic coupling? Do I even have a say about it?‖ ―Jeff.‖ ―What!‖ ―I‘m joking.‖ ―Methinks he doth protest too much,‖ Gracie helpfully adds. ―I‘d like to see these boots as soon as I can. Maybe I can figure out what‘s been used on them.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 93 ―I don‘t know when Brad will be back with them. How ‘bout I call you in the morning? Or should we plan a meeting for tomorrow?‖ ―Let‘s plan on meeting here at two tomorrow.‖ Dad takes charge. ―I‘ll call in the no-shift order. Gracie, please research potions. Jake, Marta, don‘t talk about this with anyone. We don‘t know what we‘re dealing with yet.‖ Dad closes the meeting and walks away with his cell phone in his hand. I walk everyone out while Eddy heads into the living room. ―I hope you know what the fuck you‘re doing,‖ he says as I walk in. ―What do you mean?‖ ―You‘re stirring up a bunch of shit with nothing to back it up. What happens when you‘re wrong?‖ ―What happens if I‘m right? Look, Eddy. Best-case scenario, someone is playing a very sick joke. Who would do that? Why? And it‘s not just against me. It‘s on the whole nest. Making Michael into a set of accessories only targets us.‖ ―Jeff‘s right. Even if the boots are fake, it‘s still a message. The no-shift order is a good one. We need to protect our people,‖ Dad defends me. ―Now, why did you want to talk to Tucker about this? Do you really think he‘s wrapped up in it?‖ ―I don‘t know what to think, Dad. What I do know is that yesterday morning, he asked me if I had heard from Michael recently. Why would he ask that, just out of the blue?‖ ―Now hang on. No way Tucker did this shit.‖ ―Eddy, I know you feel like you need to defend him.‖ Dad steps in to referee.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 94 ―No, Dad, he can‘t just say whatever the fuck he wants because his feelings got hurt.‖ ―It‘s not because my feelings were hurt. You have to admit the timing is suspect. Then he went after Kim and Brad. You saw him, Eddy. Something is up with him.‖ ―Jesus, you are one paranoid bastard. I‘m going to bed.‖ ―Kim‘s still up there.‖ ―Fuck! I can‘t even have my own room now. I‘ll be in the guest room.‖ I watch him stomp up the stairs. I can‘t blame him for being upset. His best friend has been taken into custody, and his brother is throwing accusations around about him. I do understand his frustration and anger. Realistically, I don‘t think Tucker attacked Kim and Brad because he‘s tied up in this mess. Tucker may be a jerk, and he holds a grudge against the wolves, but he wouldn‘t hurt one of our own to make a point. ―Son, I‘m backing you on this, but we have to be ready in case it isn‘t what you think.‖ ―I know, Dad. I appreciate what you did tonight. Wait ‘til you see these boots. Then you can decide how far to take it. Maybe it is just my overactive imagination. There may be a reasonable explanation yet.‖ Reasonable. Sure. There has to be something besides the fact that someone thinks our nest makes snazzy accessories.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 95

Chapter 11 ―HERE they are.‖ Brad sets a box down on the coffee table. ―Rand said they were sent to him without any kind of note. He had them on today to break them in.‖ Deacon nods as he explains. Dad picks one of them up to get a closer look. ―You‘re right. It‘s his pattern. No doubt about what it‘s supposed to be. Someone‘s gone through a lot of trouble to set this up.‖ ―Whose pattern?‖ Brad asks, confused. Dad and I share a look, and Deacon gives a shrug. My skin crawls a bit as I pick the boots up and stand them on the table in front of him. ―Brad, I‘d like you to meet Michael.‖ ―What do you mean? Your Michael?‖ He scoots away from them against the back of the couch. ―How is that possible? Why? Who would do that?‖ ―We‘re looking into that. Do you know anyone who could do something like this?‖ ―I guess there‘s always someone unhappy with Council decisions, but this?‖ ―Why would someone use Rand to send the message? If you guys took him in, he‘s an omega, right? That shouldn‘t make him any threat to the power structure.‖ Brad shakes his head. ―Rand wouldn‘t have been a threat to the Dukes. They would have been a threat to him.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 96 He‘s a cougar, so they would have gone after him eventually.‖ ―So, we have a pair of boots made of, or made to look like, a Cordata nest member, delivered to a former Duke. Could you be the target, Dad? Maybe for payback?‖ That thought pisses me off something fierce. It sucked when I thought I was the target. But Dad? Fuck that. ―That‘s possible, Son. Politics get messy.‖ ―If it makes any difference, I don‘t think Rand would have done this, sir.‖ Brad says. ―He‘s grateful for all you did with the Dukes.‖ ―No, I don‘t think you or Rand are involved, Brad.‖ ―Deke, what do you think?‖ I ask his magic gut. ―I think they‘re on the level. Neither one of them seemed to understand the deal with these. To be honest with you, those things creep me the fuck out.‖ ―Thanks, Deke. We appreciate your help on this.‖ I stand up and clap him on the shoulder. Dad gets up too. ―No prob. Rand seemed like a nice guy. Too good to be involved in this crap.‖ ―I‘ll give you a ride home, Deke. ‘Night, Jeff, Brad,‖ Dad says on his way out the door. Guess they‘re taking my oh-sosubtle hint. ―Should I go too?‖ Brad asks hesitantly. ―Do you want to? ‘Cause I‘d like you to stay, if you want, that is.‖ Yeah, I‘m coy. ―I guess I‘ll stay, then. If it‘s all right with you.‖ I guess two can play that game. ―You mean like a sleepover? We can stay up all night talking about boys and braiding each other‘s hair?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 97 ―Well, I had something else in mind, but if that‘s your particular kink, that works too.‖ Brad winks at me. ―I may have to have a look at your menu before I decide.‖ ―I‘ll show you more than that.‖ He cocks an eyebrow and gives me a dimple. ―Listen, I hope you can understand today‘s freak out.‖ ―Hey, if someone showed up wearing one of my ex‘s hide as a jacket, I‘d probably freak out too. I can‘t blame you for that, especially after all the talk about him yesterday.‖ ―And whenever we have the hearing, I guess you have that freak out to look forward to, as well. I‘m a prize, huh?‖ ―I think you are.‖ He cups my cheek with one of those burning paws. ―Don‘t know what I did to win you, but I‘ll take it, and I‘ll do it again.‖ I put my arm around his neck and pull him to me for a kiss. ―Let‘s take this upstairs, shall we?‖ ―Happily. Just one question.‖ ―Yeah? What‘s that?‖ ―Who‘s on first?‖ I roll my eyes as we go upstairs. The door to the guest room is cracked open, and I look in as we head past it. Eddy must have gone to his room, after all. Kim will have some details to share tomorrow. I let him in my room and lock the door behind us. Eddy‘s been known to barge in to wake me up in the mornings, although he may be busy himself tomorrow. Brad turns and backs me into the door, attempting to kiss me breathless. I wrap my arms around his waist, running my fingers in the waistband of his jeans. He runs his hands up

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 98 my arms and to my neck, combing his fingers through my hair. The eggplant ripens against my hip, and Abbott is making a name for himself too. ―I‘m so glad you asked me to stay,‖ he whispers, breaking the kiss. ―I‘m glad you agreed.‖ I push him back a little to pull his shirt out of his pants and run my hands up through his pelt of chest hair, tugging gently on it. He lets out a low growl and spins us around to walk to the bed. I work his shirt up to his armpits, and we separate to pull it over his head. Then I get busy on his button fly. I can‘t wait to release that beast. He toes off his boots as I get the buttons open. He pushes me down on the bed and steps back to work his jeans and socks off. Now he‘s blissfully naked. In my room. Over my bed. I take in the amazing view, thanking whatever gods graced me with this gift. ―I think you‘re overdressed,‖ he says, lazily stroking that magnificent cock. ―I‘m admiring the view.‖ I chuckle as Kim‘s words come back to me. ―Something funny here?‖ he asks. ―No, I just remembered something Kim said about you.‖ ―Kim talked about me? Care to share while I get you naked?‖ ―Sounds like a fair trade,‖ I say as he leans over the end of the bed to pull off my shoes. He reaches up and starts palming my dick through my shorts. I moan as he rubs a little harder. ―She thinks you‘re hung like a baby boy. Literally.‖ I cradle my arms like I‘m holding a baby.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 99 He barks out a laugh. ―I think you‘re both being a little generous there.‖ ―It‘s the principle,‖ I say, reaching for my belt. He knocks my hands out of the way. ―I‘m on this, chief.‖ He unbuttons my shirt and pushes it over my shoulders, but stops when he gets to my elbows, holding it tight. ―I‘m on these too,‖ he says, leaning over to lick one of my nipples. I arch my back into him and stretch to the right to push more into his mouth. ―I love how responsive you are.‖ He licks a path between my pecs. Well, what I have that passes for pecs, anyway. ―Such smooth skin. I love how it feels under my tongue.‖ He drags a wet path down my two-pack, licking around my belly button and down to my waistband. Finally, he gets to my belt buckle. I‘m writhing around, grinding my erection against his chest. ―Hang on there, tiger. I‘ve got ya.‖ ―Well hurry up, cowboy.‖ ―Shh. It‘s my rodeo. I‘ll line up the events.‖ ―Okay. Now it‘s getting too thick. Enough talk.‖ ―Couldn‘t agree more,‖ he says, finally freeing me of my shorts and briefs. ―Hey, Abbott,‖ he says, before taking me to the root in one movement. ―Gugghh!‖ I eloquently respond. He bobs up and down for a few moments while I try to pump my hips under his iron grasp. ―Uh-uh. My turn.‖ He pulls off and wraps one of his hands around me, stroking me. He stares into my eyes as he sucks on two of his fingers. Once they‘re slicked up, he reaches down behind my balls to my entrance. Then he takes my cock back into his mouth and presses his fingers in, making me hiss and push back against him. He‘s

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 100 stroking inside and sucking me into Bolivia. Or oblivion. I can‘t really remember which right now. That tingling is running up my spine, and I‘m getting close. ―Brad,‖ I cough out. ―Brad!‖ ―Hmm?‖ he says around my cock. ―I‘m—‖ ―Uh-huh.‖ He nods. I take that as permission, so I don‘t hold back. ―Godsssss! Yessssss!‖ I cry as I spasm down his throat. He licks me clean and wraps his arms around my waist, kissing me just above my heart. ―I love it when you hiss for me. You‘re so in control of your snake reflexes. I love it when you let go for me.‖ I curl down to kiss the top of his head. He lifts his head and kisses me before settling over me on all fours. I lean my head back, and he nuzzles in my neck, nipping and kissing along my shoulder. He sucks a mark on my collarbone as he works his way back to the hollow of my neck. He‘s framing my head with those meaty forearms, and I turn my head to nibble on one of them. ―Hungry?‖ he rumbles from deep in his chest, vibrating against mine. It‘s like setting off a tuning fork in me. ―Yeah,‖ I whisper, pushing him to roll over on his back. I rub my face against his fur. I love the tickly feel of it as I slink down his body. I push my tongue under his foreskin, running it around the crown, and now it‘s his turn to writhe around on the bed. ―I‘ll take the eggplant,‖ I say after pulling my tongue back. And I do. All the way. He props up on his elbows to watch me unhinge and swallow his entire length. I stay on it,

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 101 using the breathing tube under my tongue to provide oxygen as I set up a rhythm, constricting my throat muscles, flowing up and down his rod. ―Oh, fuck,‖ he growls. He starts bucking his hips, and I feel his balls tighten under my hand. He bites his lips as he tries not to howl out loud, but it keens out of his chest with a deep growl that vibrates the whole bed when he comes. I pull back and bob on his still-hard shaft a few times, and he jerks as the sensitivity gets to him. ―Fuck, that‘s the sexiest thing I‘ve ever seen.‖ He pulls me up into his arms and kisses me deeply, tasting himself on my lips. ―That is definitely going in my highlight reel.‖ He kisses me again, running his hands along my back, while I feather my fingers through his chest hair to pinch one of his nipples. He hisses and puts one of his hands over mine, pulling back to kiss my temple, snuggling close and wrapping me up in his body. ―I could get used to this,‖ I say softly. He hums and pulls me a little closer. I reach down and pull the covers over us. Soon his breathing evens out, with a light-rumbling snore. The vibrations from his chest lull me to sleep too.

I

WAKE up with a semi and over six-and-half-feet of warm,

hairy man. I smile to myself and burrow deeper into his arms. ―You‘re finally awake,‖ he mumbles, nestling into my neck as he rolls over toward me. He‘s well on his way to blotting out the sun himself.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 102 ―Now that‘s a wake-up call. You know Kim is going to ask for all kinds of details about this tomorrow.‖ ―Well, then. I‘d better make sure you have something interesting to tell her,‖ he says, reaching down to stroke his monster and rolling us so we‘re on our sides facing each other. His long strokes run from the base of his cock over the head and across, all the way to the base of mine. He never stops kissing me, and I‘m reaching around his shoulders, trying to pull him closer so he can wrap those massive paws around both of us to jerk us off together. He resists my attempts and shakes his head. ―Trust me,‖ he says against my lips. I relax against him and let him take the reins. He pushes me back a little, and I watch him stroke himself, the foreskin pushing down to reveal that huge, mushroomed head and back up to completely cover it. I whimper and rub my cock against his. He just smiles and reaches out to take me by the base. He leans in to kiss me, his tongue thrusting into my mouth as he rubs his head against mine. I shudder at the touch. On his next upstroke, he pulls the sheath over his head and onto mine. He keeps stroking me, burying my head next to his. He wraps his hot paw over the skin and strokes both heads while he fucks my mouth with that tongue. Our cockheads slip and slide together, slick with pre-cum as his grip tightens, locking us together. I pull out of the kiss to look down. My cock seems to disappear into his. It‘s one of the hottest things I‘ve ever seen. The feeling is sublime, as our heads butt against each other in that tight sleeve of skin. I shiver and shake as he works us higher. He‘s grunting. His hips are pumping toward mine, and I‘m wriggling in his grasp, forgetting simple tasks like breathing as my eyes roll

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 103 up in my head. My tongue is flicking uncontrollably, and I‘m hissing non-stop riding this wave of ecstasy as he takes me into new territory. I cry out as I spill inside his foreskin and over his hand. He follows right behind me, and the air is filled with our mixed scent. Since I‘m too boneless to get up and grab a towel, I simply reach for the T-shirt I saw on the floor earlier to wipe us down. ―That would definitely qualify as something interesting. Too bad she‘ll never hear about it,‖ I tell him as I coil up and pull him over me like an electric blanket. ―I do my best, darlin‘,‖ he chuckles and spoons up to me. I think he falls back asleep, but I know I have, so I don‘t notice.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 104

Chapter 12 I

WAKE up to an empty bed that smells like Brad. Inhaling

deeply, I roll around in it for a minute before I open my eyes. Of course, he‘s standing there, dripping wet, a towel wrapped around his hips where my legs should be. He‘s grinning at me, those dimples sending my blood south in a hurry. ―Mornin‘. I hope you don‘t mind I used the shower.‖ ―I do mind, as a matter of fact.‖ I prop myself on my elbows and send a glare at him. The sheet pools low on my hips as I sit up a little in the bed. His eyes follow the sheet, his look going from confused to heated in seconds. ―Sorry. I didn‘t think it would be a big deal.‖ ―It‘s a very big deal.‖ ―I had to get up to go to work. Sorry, I guess I should have gone home to do it.‖ ―That wouldn‘t have solved the problem.‖ I stand up and walk over to him, naked and aroused. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss before telling him exactly what my issue is. ―See, you took a shower without me. That‘s the problem.‖ I rub against the big top that the towel has become. He puts his arms around me and cups my ass, lifting me up so my legs can coil around him where they belong. ―After what you did the other day, that shower can get awful lonely.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 105 ―I thought about waking you, but I really need to go to work. I‘ll be back here for the meeting at two, though. I‘d like to show you my place tonight, if you wouldn‘t mind.‖ He looks at me with a shy smile, those dimples just visible. ―You think I‘m that easy? I‘m going to just spend the night with you after four days?‖ I purr. ―Why not? You expected me to stay here after three. You can relax, I‘m easier than you.‖ He smiles against my lips as he brings me in for a kiss. ―I suppose I‘ll let you off the hook this time. Got time for breakfast, or at least coffee?‖ I uncoil myself and bend over to pull some sweats out of my dresser. A snarl behind me captures my attention. ―Thought you had to go to work.‖ ―I do, you tease.‖ After swatting my ass, he heads back into the bathroom. ―I‘d love some coffee, if you are making some.‖ ―Not a problem. I‘ll be downstairs, so I don‘t tempt you any further.‖ I leave him to finish dressing before I get tempted to climb Mount Eggplant and make him any later. I pop a pod in the single-cup coffee maker and have it ready to brew when he gets downstairs. ―So, you actually have an office you go to?‖ Mates should know this stuff, right? Who the fuck said ―mates‖? Damn! Where am I headed with this? ―Yeah. We meet Monday mornings to go over any issues from the weekend, any pending cases for the week. We investigate as well as clean up wolf involvement at crime scenes and detain wolves responsible for disturbances.‖ ―What‘s your role?‖ I guess I ought to understand what an Enforcer actually does, seeing as how I‘m supposed to be one now.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 106 ―I guess I‘d be the lead?‖ he says, almost asking me. It‘s like he‘s never had to explain it before. ―So you‘re like Chief of Police for the wolves?‖ ―I guess you could call it that. For my pack, anyway. Don‘t worry. I‘m not going to say anything about the boots. I‘m as much a target as you are right now.‖ ―Yeah. We need to understand what‘s going on before we get anyone else involved.‖ ―Thanks for the coffee, babe,‖ he says, kissing my forehead and heading toward the door. Is it me, or are we the picture of domestic bliss? I walk him to the door and give him a real goodbye kiss, and he leaves with a smile on his face. After groping me. I go back into the kitchen and grab a Pop-Tart to go with my coffee. Sometimes we shop like our parents are on vacation. I‘m still sitting in the kitchen when Kim comes down, wearing the rumpled dress shirt I gave her last night. She‘s blundering around bleary-eyed, grabbing a coffee cup and heading to the fridge for some half and half. ―Morning, chica,‖ I say, startling her into dropping the cup on the counter. ―Gracious, Jeff! You scared the tar outta me.‖ ―Little early to be stumbling around in my kitchen, isn‘t it?‖ I raise an eyebrow as I look at her over my coffee. She blushes and looks for a trap door in the floor. ―I didn‘t think you‘d be able to walk around, let alone be up yet, after everything I heard last night.‖ Now it‘s my turn to blush. But, I‘m determined to win this round. ―But it‘s my house. What are you still doing

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 107 here? I noticed Eddy didn‘t stay in the guest room very long. Details. Spill.‖ No way I‘m sharing what we actually did last night. ―Do you really want to hear about what my girl parts are doing? Or who they‘re doing?‖ ―Ew. No. Thanks. All right, don‘t spill. Leak. Things are serious with Eddy?‖ ―They might be,‖ she says, with a dreamy look. ―I‘m sorry if this bothers you, Jeff.‖ ―No, it doesn‘t bother me. I‘m really happy for you. You deserve it.‖ ―Thanks. Now, Red. Tell me about your big, bad wolf. He must be as amazing as we speculated. You guys have some stamina, I must say.‖ ―He‘s not what I thought he would be. I like him a lot, Kim.‖ ―So what‘s the problem? He‘s hot, he‘s way into you, you‘re into him….‖ ―It‘s not that simple, Kim. There are too many issues involved. There are too many politics around it.‖ ―If you like him, screw the politics. It‘ll work out.‖ ―It sounds great in theory, but there‘s so much more to it. Besides, we‘ve only known each other four days now.‖ ―How long does it take? Is there some dating calendar or guidebook that sets up the rules? He‘s been coming in the store for weeks.‖ ―I‘ve seen him for weeks, but I haven‘t been seeing him. You know? What do I really know about him?‖ ―So ask. What are you afraid of?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 108 ―I don‘t know. A few days ago, I hated the wolves. A lifetime of opinions doesn‘t get washed away overnight, no matter how fantastic the sex is.‖ ―I knew it would be fantastic. You two practically set off sparks around each other.‖ ―Kim, I‘m serious. Our nest has history with members of his pack. I know this is all new to you, so trust me. There are some issues we have to get through before we can think of anything further.‖ I try to get the conversation back on track. ―I know. I‘m just trying to help you relax a little.‖ She puts her arm around my shoulders, now that she can reach them. I feel Eddy moving around upstairs, and before long, he‘s downstairs. ―Hey, honey. I‘ve got to head out.‖ He stops short when he sees us both in the kitchen. ―Uh, Jeff. I didn‘t realize you were up yet.‖ ―I walked Brad out.‖ I get up and rinse my cup and hand him the Pop-Tart box. ―I‘ll see you guys later.‖ ―Jeff, wait. I‘m sorry about last night. I understand what you were saying. It‘s just hard to hear.‖ ―No problem, Eddy. I don‘t think Tucker is part of this, but I‘d like to know what had Michael on his mind. Is it just because I‘ve actually had a date now, or had he heard something?‖ ―Yeah, I get why you‘re asking,‖ he says before changing the subject. ―Want to go into the office with me?‖ ―Nah. I think I‘d better wait until I‘m official. Besides, I need to call Mark at the bookstore to see if I still have a job.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 109 After accepting my ass chewing with all the grace I can muster, I convince the boss not to fire me. Today, anyway. I also cleared the next couple of days on the basis of a family emergency. With the investigation, I‘m going to need them. Kim leaves to go get ready for her shift while I cancel the rest of my plans for tonight. I‘ve been working with a friend for a few years, helping him get through school. Now he‘s studying for the Police Academy entrance exam. He‘s going to pass with no problem, but he‘s still nervous because of his dyslexia, and he gets a little distracted when he‘s trying to work. Being a spider monkey with ADD tends to do that to a person. With no one home, I head out to the backyard. I walk to the back corner and stand on the big, limestone rock and have a look around. It‘s warming up, and the coast is clear, so I strip off my sweats and stretch out in the sun. I consider shifting, but I‘m still a bit worn out from Saturday‘s events. The sun-bleached rock spreads warmth through my body as I stretch out to completely soak it up. Sweat begins to bead across my chest, and my hair gets soaked with it as my mind tries to process everything that‘s happened so far. First there‘s my feelings for Brad. I‘d be lying if I didn‘t acknowledge some kind of pull. I don‘t know what it is. Sure, he‘s all kinds of hot, and the sex is almost worthy of a new religion. That is one altar I wouldn‘t mind kneeling at every day. Wait. Where was I? Oh yeah. There‘s more to it than the lust. Something deeper. He‘s kind and gentle. I know he‘s tough and dangerous, too, but not to me. Somehow, I know he‘d never hurt me. I feel safe with him. I don‘t think I‘ve ever felt so secure around anyone. Certainly not around

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 110 Michael. That‘s a given. I shudder at that thought, even in the harsh sunlight. I‘ve never felt as comfortable in my skin around anybody, even around Eddy or Tucker. And, I feel like I can have either of my skins on around Brad and still be comfortable. He just puts me in that frame of mind. He accepts me. Is it really that simple? He knows what I am, he‘s seen me at my worst, and he still accepts me. More than that. He seems to genuinely care. That‘s new for me. I‘m not exactly sure how to accept it. What happens when it falls apart? If Michael taught me anything, it‘s that nothing lasts. Speaking of Michael, who would want to send this brutal of a message? I can‘t think of anything I‘ve done that would warrant an attack like this. Brad only just asked me out. It‘s not like I‘ve been chasing him or anything. All I‘ve been doing is admiring the view. Maybe I am making more of it than it deserves. Maybe it‘s just that one asshole got caught up with the wrong were. If that‘s the case, why drag Rand into it? What would a cougar in the wolf pack have to do with a nest of snakes? Maybe it is a personal message. Rand works with my dad, so maybe someone just wanted us to know we don‘t have to worry about Michael showing up and fucking with us again. If I approach it from that direction, I can breathe easier. That would mean we‘re not all in danger of anything that awful happening to anyone else. A single act of vigilante justice, delivered to those who would be in a position to appreciate the end result, regardless of the methods used to reach it. I don‘t exactly trust that thought, but I hang on to it, accepting the peace. Denial can be a beautiful thing.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 111 My thoughts settle, and the sun helps relax my body, slowing my heartbeat, lowering my brain waves. I sun myself in torpor, not aware of anything around me but heat. I don‘t know how long I lay there baking before the loss of heat jerks me into awareness. I taste wolves in the air, but Brad‘s the only one standing there when I look up. ―Now that‘s a sight I‘d love to come home to every day.‖ Brad‘s deep voice caresses me from the shade he‘s cast over me. I shiver at the loss of the heat. ―Hey, you. I just came out here to think, to bask.‖ ―You look like you‘ve been basking for a while. You‘re turning pink. Did you use sunscreen at least?‖ ―I‘ll be fine.‖ ―But you‘re sunburned. You need something on that.‖ ―I‘d love to have you rub me down.‖ I reach up for his shirt to pull him down to me. ―I‘m serious. You should be more careful. You‘re naked. In the Texas sun. Without sunscreen. Have you heard about skin cancer?‖ ―Brad, I‘m a snake. Sunning is something we do. As for the burn? We have a remedy for it, so don‘t worry.‖ ―A remedy? Please enlighten me.‖ ―Simple. We shift and shed.‖ ―Shift and shed?‖ His eyebrows go up. ―Snakes shed for lots of reasons. I‘ll throw off the burn in a couple of days.‖ ―Hm. I might like to watch that.‖ He lowers down to all fours, straddling my body with his knees and elbows, reminding me of the wolf he is. ―I‘d like to see you shift sometime.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 112 ―Why? I just become some big, hairy beast.‖ ―News flash. You‘re always a big, hairy beast.‖ I hiss and squirm as he levers himself down for a kiss, rubbing his button-fly contained trouser snake—thanks a lot, Kim—against my naked, rapidly growing erection. ―And I love reducing you to a slinky. Supple. Sinuous. Sensuous. Sibilant. Sounding. Serpent.‖ He kisses me after each word. ―Snake charmer.‖ I run my hands up the nape of his neck and into his hair as I pull him down for a real kiss. He‘s still got my body bracketed by his, so I continue to squirm around in his grasp. He groans and pulls out of the kiss. ―It‘s after noon. I thought I‘d come see if you wanted some lunch before the meeting.‖ ―You got something to feed me?‖ I smile against his lips and grind my hips up against his. He pulls back a little to give me a sexy grin but shakes his head. ―Not right now, my little sun worshiper. You‘ve got a crowd coming over soon, and you need to get ready.‖ ―Aw. Why do you have to dog me?‖ ―Keep it up. You‘ll pay later.‖ He takes my hands and lifts me. I have no choice but to get my feet under me. ―Did you walk out here like that?‖ ―No, I had my sweats on.‖ We look around, but they‘re not where I left them. ―Guess some wind blew through while I was meditating. You‘ll have to cover me.‖ I stand behind him and rub against his tight, jean-clad ass. His low, rumbling growl rolls through my chest, making

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 113 me rub harder. I wrap my arms around him as he walks to the back door of the house. ―You. Shower. Dress. Now.‖ He spins me around in front of him and punctuates his words with spanks to my ass. His eyes darken when he realizes I‘m tilting my hips up to give him a better target. My eyes are hooded, and I‘m fully aroused now. A snarl is the only warning I get before he grabs a cheek after the last swat, and our mouths collide in a tangle of teeth, tongues, and heat. The kiss is rough, and we‘re both panting when he finally loosens his grip and breaks our lip lock. ―Later. Shower. Dress. Now.‖ He grinds my instructions out through clenched teeth and harsh breaths. ―Party pooper.‖ I prance off, bare-assed, through the house and up the stairs to hit the shower. A cold shower. I‘ve finished when I feel him come into my room, but he doesn‘t come into the bathroom, so I open the door while I comb my hair. Since I haven‘t bothered to towel off, I stand there, facing him, dripping and naked. His expression tells me he appreciates the view and offer, but we don‘t have time for it. How can he do that? Look horny and excited, and impatient and annoyed, all at the same time? I suppose I‘d better get dressed if he‘s not going to ravish me. I move around the bedroom to grab some boxers from the dresser, making sure I rub against Brad every chance I get. ―Oh. Excuse me.‖ I walk back across the room to my closet to grab a pair of jeans and a shirt. ―Oh, forgot socks.‖ I rub against him to go back to the dresser.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 114 He grabs my wrist and stops me, pulling me close to his body. He runs his other hand down my face and looks into my eyes. ―I know what you‘re trying to do. It‘s not going to work.‖ ―Really? What‘s that?‖ ―Jeff. Dressed. Now.‖ He lets go of me so I can get dressed. I retaliate by dropping my clothes on the bed and walking around to the footboard to move my shoes closer. Then I bend over it to reach for my boxers. Brad snarls as he closes the distance between us and puts one hand in the middle of my back, pinning me to the bed. He rubs his other hand around the curve of my ass. I cant my hips and rise up on my tiptoes to get more of that delicious caress. ―Yes,‖ I whisper, licking my lips and closing my eyes. ―I love this ass.‖ Brad strokes, and rubs, and gently admires it. ―Umm. That feels nice.‖ I rub my face along the comforter and wiggle it at him. Then I yelp when he rears back and slaps it hard. ―Hey!‖ ―I warned you about teasing. Now just accept the punishment.‖ He spanks me a few more times like I‘m a toddler. ―It warms up beautifully. Such a nice shade of pink. It‘s almost like your blush.‖ I can barely feel the warmth from his normally hot palms through the burn in my ass. The heat radiating from it makes me squirm. He runs his hand down my back, and soon, both hands are lightly massaging my ass, soothing the burn. The fingers of one of his hands stroke along my crease, teasing my entrance.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 115 He keeps petting me, running one hand up and down my back and ass in long strokes, the other never leaving the burn he‘s just created. That finger keeps teasing me, running over my hole and away and back again. Both cocks are throbbing, begging for release, dribbling pre-cum. Brad gently presses on my entrance with one of his fingers, using Costello‘s pre-cum to ease the way. He pumps one finger, then two, along my internal cock. He leans over my body, his jeans chafing the tender flesh he‘s just warmed, rubbing that eggplant against me. He runs his other hand up my side, along my ribs, and around to my chest. He stands up, pulling me with him, impaling me on those fingers and tweaking my nipples with the free hand. He nibbles his way up my back, along my shoulder, and up my neck, ending just behind my ear. I lean back against his massive chest and reach up to wrap my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his hair. ―You need to get dressed so we can go.‖ He‘s moving those fingers around inside me, stroking and pressing on that internal cock, and I‘m beyond caring that anyone is coming. Coming over, I mean. I‘m close to coming. I‘m standing there, completely naked, in his arms, while he‘s standing behind me, fully-dressed. I‘m imagining what we must look like, and that image is so erotic, I‘m panting. ―Uh-huh.‖ Words? What are words? Who can think about words at a time like this? He chuckles, the sound rumbling through me, pushing me even closer to the edge. Brad helpfully shoves me over it when he reaches down to my cock and begins pumping it to the rhythm his other hand has set thrusting in and out of me.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 116 ―Yessssss.‖ ―You‘re such a spoiled brat.‖ He mollifies the words by kissing the side of my neck and rubbing his face in my hair. I drop my head back against his shoulder. He grabs my boxers off the bed and wipes his hands off on them. Then he kisses the side of my neck and wraps both arms around me, pulling me close to his chest. ―Oops. Guess you need a clean pair now.‖ ―In a minute. First….‖ I rub my ass against his crotch, loving the way his cock feels, fighting the fabric of his jeans. ―It can wait.‖ He uses one hand to hold my hips flush against his crotch and runs the other up my chest to my neck. He starts whispering against my ear, ―I can‘t wait to have you in my house. Please come home with me tonight.‖ ―All right.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 117

Chapter 13 OUR menagerie is back around the dining table, and we‘ve added Kim, Brad, and Rand. The Michael boots make a twisted centerpiece on the table. ―Those are genuine. I‘m sorry, Jeff.‖ ―Don‘t worry about me, Gracie. I‘m more worried about how they came to be. Any ideas on that?‖ ―Well, they probably started the tanning process immediately. Cutting the skin and then adding the cyanide and sodium sulfates to begin the soaking process. It also smells like they‘ve done a combination of vegetable and mineral tanning, adding tannin and hemlock, and the chromium sulfate to tan the hide quicker. The poisons alone would have killed him, but they probably burned like a forest fire on the way to his blood supply. An awful way to die.‖ ―How long do you suppose the entire tanning process took? He‘s been gone four months. Would it have taken the entire time to make him into these?‖ I ask, pointing at the boots. ―I‘d guess it took no longer than a month to make the leathers used here. Maybe another two weeks to make the boots, if they worked on them the whole time. Conservatively, let‘s say no longer than two months.‖ Jake took some taxidermy classes just so he could understand the techniques used. He was concerned about the process disrespecting the dead. Even though they weren't shifters,

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 118 the animals still deserved to be treated well. He‘d have the best idea for how long something like this would take. I blanch at the estimate. That means it‘s possible that he was captive for two months before they started the process. They could have tortured him the whole time. ―So, now we need to figure out what this means. Could it be a specific and subtle message that we don‘t need to worry about one asshole anymore?‖ I look around the table, hopeful. The eyes that look back at me don‘t reassure me. ―Think about it. The boots were given to Rand. Why? Whoever sent them would have to know that he would eventually wear them around Dad. Doesn‘t that seem like a message going to him?‖ ―I guess anything‘s possible, Son.‖ ―Rand, why else would someone give the boots to you? Who would know what size to make them in the first place?‖ ―I don‘t know. I just got home from a job site one day, and the box was on my doorstep.‖ Deke is watching Rand the whole time, a funny look on his face. ―Okay. No one really believes it‘s a one-off message. I get it. So, has anyone else gone missing?‖ ―Sophie and Jarrod never returned from their trip six months ago.‖ Marta is quiet when she brings them up. We all thought they may have run off together and lived happily ever after. It could happen. ―What were they?‖ Brad looks pensive. ―She is a coral, and he is a king snake. They were beautiful when they shifted together. The colors playing off each other, so you couldn‘t tell who was poisonous and who wasn‘t anymore.‖ Marta smiles at the image of the two

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 119 oppositely striped snakes coiling around each other. Brad and Rand share a bleak look. ―Walker Duke had a striped belt at the last meeting. Red, yellow, black, alternating. I thought it was strange when I saw it—not all the way coral, not all the way king.‖ Rand shakes his head and looks down at the table. ―Fuck, Colin. I‘m sorry I didn‘t mention it before. I just didn‘t think.‖ ―It‘s all right, Rand. No one is blaming you for anything, and you couldn‘t have known who might be missing. Weres are like that. Coming and going.‖ Dad tries to reassure him. ―It makes me sick to think that someone is doing this to snakes.‖ ―Just because we have two instances of snakes doesn‘t mean it‘s going to stop there. We need to review our rosters, see who else is missing.‖ I can‘t shake the feeling that we are not the only targets here. Rand wouldn‘t have been brought into it if it was stopping with Dukes versus snakes. ―If Walker Duke is behind it, he‘s got some support. Not a lot, but some. He‘s also been lobbying for a position on the Council. He wants to challenge for our leadership, and he‘s been making a lot of noise lately.‖ Brad gives us details of Walker‘s activities. ―He‘s been harassing Hal Donnelly, picking fights, trying to create an excuse to remove him without an official challenge. He wants wolves at the top of the food chain, and no other weres matter.‖ ―Walker is Wade Duke‘s son,‖ Al adds. ―When the Dukes got sanctioned by the Council, his dad was put down. I‘m guessing he wants revenge in addition to wolf supremacy.‖ ―I would guess that‘s a safe bet.‖ ―How deep is his support, Brad?‖ I‘m starting to work some ideas out.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 120 ―He‘s got a few of the more crazy wolves on his side. Most of the rest of the pack think their ideas are outdated, and dangerous for us, and for society. If they had their way, every other were breed would be in hiding.‖ ―Well, they won‘t get their way. That‘s for damn sure.‖ If I have to lead a were uprising myself, I‘ll make sure of it. We do outnumber them, from sheer volume. ―We need to know just who is working with him, and how long he‘s been planning his little coup.‖ ―I‘ll find out,‖ Rand volunteers. ―I can‘t let you do that. It‘s too dangerous for you to be involved.‖ Deacon puts a hand on Rand‘s shoulder and rubs it a little. Rand leans into Deke‘s touch. ―I‘ll have to agree with Deke here. It‘s too dangerous for either of you to be in this, Rand. You guys are our link to the wolves. If he sniffs that either of you are spying on him, it could be ugly for you. I won‘t have it. We have numbers and stealth on our side–snakes, scorpions, birds, raccoons. We can blend in with smaller animals and watch without raising too many suspicions.‖ I hope. Doesn‘t seem to have worked out too well for Sophie, Jarrod, or Michael. ―You guys can‘t do this alone. You‘re going to need the wolves to back you up. Someone‘s going to have to stand up to them.‖ ―And you will. Through official channels, and through Council meetings. In the meantime, we need to know whom he‘s got in his corner. We need to fully understand who‘s involved and start planning what do about it,‖ Dad says. ―Rand and I will get you the information by tomorrow,‖ Brad says. Everyone stands and gets ready to leave.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 121 ―One more thing. The hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday night. Seven p.m. at the pit. Brad, Kim, you‘ll need to be there for the hearing, since you two are the ones Tucker tried to attack,‖ Dad says as Brad and I walk him to the door. ―Yes, sir. I‘ll be there.‖ ―And I‘ll make sure Kim will be there,‖ Eddy adds. ―Thanks, Son. I‘ll see you all on Wednesday.‖ Dad leaves, along with Al and Gracie, and Jake and Marta. ―Can I give you a ride home, Deacon?‖ Rand asks shyly. Something is definitely happening there. ―Yeah. Let me just grab my coveralls.‖ Deke changed when he got here. He heads off toward the bathroom, and Brad takes Rand aside. I can‘t hear their whispering, but Rand is blushing. Eddy notices my bag in the hallway near the door and shoots me a look, raising his eyebrows. ―I, uh. I‘m staying at Brad‘s tonight, so you have the house to yourself.‖ He just laughs at me, shakes his head, and walks off to the living room, his arm around Kim‘s shoulders. She turns around and gives me a thumbs-up. I manage not to set the house on fire with my blush.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 122

Chapter 14 WE

DRIVE north of town, passing the thick plumes of bats

billowing out from under an overpass like smoke pouring from the windows of a burning building. A few bats have broken off from the main packs, but otherwise, the black ribbons of flying mammals are intact. I may not like bats too much, but the sight is incredible. A few miles north of that, we take a county road to what I believe is termed ―BFE.‖ Brad lives out in the middle of nowhere. ―Do we need flares to direct our way back?‖ Brad chuckles. ―No, I just like to have my space. I have ten acres of woods out here.‖ ―Wow. What do you do with all that land?‖ ―Leave it natural. I like to know that I‘m not going to get picked off by a random hunter or run over by a car when I shift. The space lets me run safely. Also, no neighbors. No one to witness a shift.‖ ―That makes sense.‖ We drive up to a one-story house that looks rustic from the outside. Inside, however, it‘s fully modern, with heatefficient windows, central air and heat, and a gleaming kitchen full of granite and stainless steel, visible from the front door. We walk through the entry to the huge living room/kitchen area at the back of the house. The kitchen opens into a breakfast nook, with the living room off to the

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 123 left of that. It‘s open and comfortable. A huge flat-screen TV, complete sound system, and sectional leather couch takes up the room. The room looks put-together, but not matchy and polished. It‘s very different from our house, which is decorated in ―can you use this‖? ―Looks like a single wolf lives here.‖ ―Great. That‘s just what I was going for.‖ Brad heads off through the kitchen to a small hallway leading to a set of rooms. We pass a small guest room, a study, and an office. A hallway off to the right ends at the door to the master suite. The bedroom is dominated by what can only be a special-order bed, it‘s so huge. ―Interesting.‖ ―What‘s that?‖ ―It‘s not quite what I expected.‖ ―What did you expect?‖ ―I don‘t know. A huge four-poster bed, massive dressers, that kind of thing.‖ It‘s actually very simple, with a slatted headboard and footboard, and a simple chest and dresser with a mirror attached to the top of it line one wall. Brad drops my bag at the foot of the bed and takes me into his arms. ―More tie-off points this way. The better to restrain you with.‖ He starts nibbling my neck as I stiffen in his arms. He stops and pulls back to look at my face. ―Sorry. I didn‘t mean anything bad by that.‖ ―No, it‘s all right. I have to get over it.‖ ―Michael again?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 124 ―Yeah. He used to hold me down and—‖ I drop my head to his chest because I can‘t bear the rage burning in his eyes. ―Did he force you?‖ It sounds cracked and choked out through broken glass. ―Let‘s just say he didn‘t quite understand the meaning of ‗consensual‘. He would say I just liked it rough.‖ Brad shakes in fury, but he holds me gently. ―He‘s gone now. You don‘t have to worry about that ever again. I promise.‖ He rubs my back, making light circles. ―I promise,‖ he repeats, kissing the top of my head. ―I know he‘s gone. He has been for a while, even before all this. It‘s just hard to accept that sometimes.‖ ―I know, baby. I‘ll help you any way I can. I‘m here for you. And I‘ll never make you do anything you don‘t want. In fact, you can tie me up, if you want.‖ He grins against my lips as he kisses me. ―I might just take you up on that.‖ ―Now, are you hungry? You never got lunch this afternoon.‖ ―What do you have to eat?‖ ―Eggplant parmesan.‖ ―Smartass.‖ I have seriously fallen in like with him, hard. I bump his hip as I turn around to head back to the kitchen. Maybe love-light? ―I make a vicious grilled cheese sandwich. And I can work my way around enchiladas, tamales, and some serious hangover-killing menudo. But I thought man-food tonight. Steaks and baked potatoes on the grill.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 125 My stomach growls at the thought. ―I‘m in. What can I do?‖ ―Stand there and look pretty? Oh, you‘re already doing it. Thanks.‖ He leans forward and kisses my cheek. ―Glad to be of service.‖ ―I‘ve got the steaks seasoned, the potatoes halfway cooked, and the oven preheated. Now I just have to light the fire and get the meat on.‖ He heads out the back door to the brick pit behind the house. He throws a starter block in and lights it. Soon, the coals are red-hot. He puts the steaks on the grill, and their sizzling makes my mouth water. ―You‘ve got this down.‖ ―I like my meat.‖ He grins and pulls me into a kiss. He smells smoky from the firewood, citrusy from his soap, and underneath it all, all Brad. ―I love your meat.‖ I shove my tongue in his mouth and grind against his hips. He growls and grabs my ass. I moan into his mouth. ―Hold that thought.‖ He steps away and flips the steaks. ―Now, where were we?‖ He starts kissing me again, and I can‘t help but surrender to the sensations. Just as my moaning and rubbing gets ramped up, he pulls back again. ―Let me get these off.‖ He puts the steaks in a cast-iron frying pan and takes them inside to finish off in the oven. ―I have something else that was trying to get off.‖ I pout at him. ―Later, Q. I promise.‖ ―Q?‖ ―Yeah. Like Quetzalcoatl?‖ ―The feathered serpent? That‘s how you see me?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 126 ―You don‘t like Q? I guess I‘ll need to keep trying for a nickname that fits.‖ ―It was a nice try, chupacabra.‖ ―Chupacabra? Goatsucker? You are horny as one.‖ He chuckles and pinches my ass as he walks back to the oven. ―Chupacabra it is. Glad I‘ve settled something tonight.‖ ―I‘ll go all chupacabra on you later, bone crusher.‖ I shake my head and roll my eyes at him as he plates the steaks. He goes outside and takes the potatoes out of the fire and puts them on our plates. ―Inside or out?‖ Brad points at a table outside on the patio. ―Out.‖ Brad smiles. ―Of course. Snakes and heat.‖ ―Too much for all that fur?‖ ―Not at all. Grab a couple of beers and some butter for the ‘taters, would ya?‖ ―‘Taters? Goin‘ redneck on me?‖ ―Just bein‘ myself. Hope it‘s enough for you.‖ The look on his face hits me hard. He looks scared and hopeful. I am starting to lose the battle for keeping my heart. ―More than enough.‖ I set the beer and butter down and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss that tells him so. We sit down and demolish the food. ―Wow. You wolfed down that steak.‖ ―Second nature.‖ He winks at me. We take the dishes back inside and settle on the couch, where I proceed to climb on top of him like a horny teenager. He smells like smoke and woods, and he tastes like steak and beer.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 127 ―So now that you‘ve gotten me here, what do you intend to do with me?‖ I straddle his hips and pull his arms around my waist. ―The list is long and depraved.‖ He spreads his hands out on my back and leans forward to nibble on my Adam‘s apple. I groan and rock my hips into him. ―I can feel something long and depraved.‖ I grind my ass down on the organ in question. He growls and pushes under the hem of my shirt to tweak my nipples. I hiss and writhe on his lap. I lean forward and push my face into the open collar of his shirt, aiming for his collarbone as I reach between us to unbutton the offending fabric. Seriously. Why does he have so many clothes on? Finally, I get his shirt open and start kissing my way down his chest, nuzzling in the dark hair. My hands head south to his belt buckle and his button-fly jeans. Those at least cooperate and open easily. His fat cock pokes out, seeking the attention it was promised earlier today. ―Mmmm. I‘ll have eggplant for dessert,‖ I say to the nipple I‘ve been sucking. I put my feet on the floor and slither down between his spread thighs. I take the object of my obsession in both hands and slowly start stroking, running the foreskin up over the head and back down. I run my tongue over the head, lapping at the dribbling pre-cum leaking from the slit. He sighs and closes his eyes, groaning. I reach into his jeans to liberate his balls, gently rolling them in my hand. He shifts his hips and thrusts up a little. ―Why don‘t we take this somewhere more horizontal?‖ He looks at me, and I almost feel scorched by the desire pouring off him. ―I‘m comfortable.‖ Sassy fucker, aren‘t I?

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 128 ―Well, I bet we can do better, especially for what I have in mind for you.‖ He stands, and I can‘t help but suck his entire length down my throat. His loud growl is rewarding, and sexy as hell. I bob my head a few times, gripping his hips for leverage. He bends down to pull me up and envelops me in those massive arms and kisses me silly. Sillier. His tongue slides into my mouth, making me melt into his chest, and against his exposed cock. His hot paws travel down my spine and cup my ass, grinding me against him. I can‘t tell which of us is moaning now, but it‘s making me crazier. I wrap my arms around his neck and lift one leg up to wrap around his hip, rubbing my fly against his erection, making him whimper a little. He lifts my other leg around his waist and begins walking to the bedroom, never breaking the kiss. We make it to the hallway when he spins and pins me to the wall, thrusting hard and kissing me so deeply I almost spontaneously come in my pants. I turn my head to the side to gulp down some air. ―Christ, Brad,‖ I pant out. ―Fuck me.‖ He chuckles, the sound vibrating all the way down to my groin. ―That‘s the plan, crush.‖ ―Just hurry, chupacabra.‖ ―Sucking something sounds good too.‖ He proceeds to suck my tongue into his mouth, doing his damnedest to melt every bone in my body. I groan, whimper, and whine. Very sophisticated of me, I know. I don‘t care. I just want more of this. I hump against him, using the wall to get more force behind it. He moans and pulls me off the wall and finally finishes our trek. He gently sets me down on the massive mattress, pulling off my shirt as he pushes me down against the

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 129 sheets. Then my shorts, boxers, shoes, and socks seem to magically disappear. I‘m too busy staring at Brad to notice what he‘s doing. With his shirt and pants hanging open, the immense, furry chest and colossal cock exposed, is making me squirm on the bed. He steps back and admires his handiwork. His cock bobs and dribbles a little more. I meet his eyes and maneuver my way around to put my head in the middle of his pillows, reaching up to grab a hold of the slats right above me, stretching out my body as long as I can. His eyes darken, and his nostrils flare. A low rumbling coming from his chest vibrates through my whole body. He licks his lips, and I notice his teeth have grown a little longer. ―Gods, you look good there.‖ He nearly rips his shirt in two while he toes his boots off before shucking his jeans. He‘s naked, at long last, and I can‘t get enough of him. I lick my lips, too, and rotate my hips, twisting around to lie on one side, hands never leaving the headboard. He‘s on the bed in seconds, straddling my legs and running his hands along my ribcage. I shudder when he follows his caress with his tongue. ―I love seeing you stretched out like this. Sexy. Lithe. Graceful lines. All mine,‖ he whispers reverently, rocking his hips back and forth. He slides down my legs, licking along the line of my hip to my groin, finally taking my leaking cock into his mouth. I arch my back, stretching out farther. He groans and runs his hands back up my side. He pulls off my cock with a pop and leaves my legs. ―Roll over. Please.‖ It‘s husky, and quiet, and I can‘t wait to comply with his request. I keep holding the headboard, crossing my wrists, and pulling my knees under me, tilting my ass up in the air. He whimpers, and it drives me crazy

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 130 horny. I‘ve done this to him. Me. My train of thought is derailed when I feel the wet swipe of his tongue along my crack, lapping at my hole. Now I‘m whimpering, groaning, and squeaking. Yes. I squeaked. And I can‘t get enough. I push my hips back, trying to impale myself on that torture device. He snarls and nips at the muscles, and I start trembling. He keeps licking and pushing his tongue in, and my balls start pulling up tight. ―Oh, no. Not yet.‖ He pulls back and wraps his hand tight around the base of my cock. ―Just breathe, baby.‖ He runs his other hand along my spine, helping soothe my nerves. Finally I shudder as the immediate need passes. ―That‘s it. That‘s good.‖ And he goes right back to attempting to drive me up the wall again. I start trembling immediately. ―If you don‘t fuck me soon, I‘m leaving without you,‖ I whine. He chuckles against my hole, setting off a round of tremors. At last he pulls back and kneads my ass with both hands, his thumbs massaging my entrance. ―Sorry, baby. You just make me so crazy, stretched out like that.‖ He kisses my shoulder blades as he leans over me to reach into the nightstand for lube and a condom. I shiver at the thought of what‘s about to happen. He rubs his face against the middle of my back and gives it a soft kiss. ―Thank you for trusting me,‖ he‘s murmuring against my spine. ―Thank you.‖ ―Uh.‖ Again, such an expansive vocabulary I have. He chuckles as I hear the top of the lube pop open. His fingers slide against my opening, and I relax into the touch. He gently pushes two fingers into me, stroking my internal cock. My back muscles spasm at the sensations. ―More.‖ There. A word. Go me.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 131 He eases a third finger in and begins setting a rhythm designed to steal my breath. I‘d tell him to do it already, but I don‘t have any words. I grunt and buck my hips, still not letting go of the headboard. ―Okay, baby. I know.‖ I watch over my shoulder as he sits back on his haunches, stroking his cock a few times before he gloves up, rubbing some of the lube around it. I scoot my knees up so I can sit a little higher and get a better view. He grabs the base of his cock and rubs the head over my relaxed hole. ―Ready?‖ I nod enthusiastically. ―Tell me if we need to stop.‖ I nod, but there‘s no way I am stopping this. I lick my lips, and he watches closely. He starts pushing in slowly, half-inch by half-inch. He groans as I open up to him. I look over my shoulder, my hands still crossed, hanging on to the headboard. I meet his eyes and lick my lips one more time, and his nostrils flare again. I slam my hips back against his, hissing with the pain and pleasure of it. He howls and digs his hands into my hips. I can feel his claws starting to emerge. He‘s holding still, waiting for me to set a pace, but his animal is coming out. ―Yesssss!‖ I move forward and slam back again. He howls, and the claws dig a little deeper as they become more prominent. ―Let him out, lobo.‖ He howls again, and we start a frantic pace, with him taking over, slamming into me, those delectable balls slapping against mine, stinging a little. This is animal rutting, and I am loving every drawn-out second of it. Brutal, savage, and pure need. I will feel this for a few days, but I wouldn‘t have it any other way. My internal cock is dribbling pre-cum in a steady stream, making it even slicker.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 132 His claws lightly score my chest as he leans over and wraps one arm around me. I snarl as he sits back, pulling me onto his lap, pounding harder. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck, making sure I stretch out as far as I can. He growls and bites my shoulder. I hiss as I arch down onto him. He reaches around to stroke Abbott with the same pounding tempo he‘s already started. He‘s nibbling and licking my back as he‘s doing it, and I won‘t be able to hold out much longer. I start bucking against his chest, and his rhythm starts to falter. ―Come on, baby. Give it to me,‖ he says with a snarl. My muscles seize as I come with a growling hiss. He roars as he fills that huge condom. He holds me through a set of spasms, shuddering himself. ―That‘s it, baby. That‘s it.‖ He strokes my chest and kisses my temple, nuzzling into my hair. I melt into him, his chest hair tickling my back. ―Ungh.‖ I have no bones, let alone any words. I let him guide me down as he carefully slips out of me. I let out a soft cry at the loss. He licks the bites he gave me and strokes my hair before he gets up to grab a washcloth and lose the latex. He comes back, and I feel him take me in his arms. I‘m drowsy and on the edge of passing out, but I hear him whisper against the back of my neck, ―I love you.‖ I don‘t even flinch.

WE‘RE sitting on the couch watching a movie and eating kettle corn. I wince as I settle in closer to Brad. I‘ve been marked, and I‘m going to be feeling that for a few days, at least. And I love every bit of it.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 133 ―I like your place. Clean. Our house would make Oscar Madison look like a neat freak most of the time.‖ ―I was hoping you‘d be comfortable here. I‘d like you to be around a lot more often.‖ ―This isn‘t going to be another one of your ‗mate for life‘ moments, is it?‖ ―I know it bothers you.‖ ―It freaks me out. We‘ve just met. How can you keep talking about it?‖ ―I‘ll admit I‘ve had more time to come to terms with it.‖ Huh? ―What‘s that ‘sposed to mean?‖ ―Look. I could give you the standard ‗a wolf knows his mate‘ speech. And we do. You got snake things. This is a wolf thing. But there‘s more to it than that. I know the kind of person you are. I know the man you are. That‘s who I want next to me.‖ ―Now you‘re just blowing smoke. How could you possibly know anything about me? It‘s only been a few days.‖ This is really stressing me out. ―Listen. I told you about the first time I saw you. I was smitten.‖ ―‗Smitten‘? Who the fuck says ‗smitten‘?‖ Yeah, I like to keep things on point. ―Hey. My explanation. My words. Deal with it.‖ He pulls me into his arms, his hands rubbing along my spine, and gives me a small smile. ―Okay. So, you were smitten. That doesn‘t tell you anything about me except that I like to laugh.‖ ―Well, I came in looking for a map and some city guides for a trip I was going to take. Your counter was there next to

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 134 the travel books, and I was attracted to your looks. Then I came back. Then I did it again. I‘ve been in the store a lot.‖ ―So you were stalking me?‖ Am I flattered? Or terrified? ―It sounds creepy when you say it that way.‖ He gives me half a grin, one of those damn dimples coming out to play. ―I‘ve seen the way you are with people. Even when you are irritated, or angry, or bothered, you never take it out on the people themselves. You are kind and gentle to every person you meet. You laugh, you smile, you make everyone at ease.‖ He reaches up gently, cradles my head. He studies my face, and I can see everything in his heart in his expression. My eyes start to burn as tears begin to fight their way to the surface. ―You are very easy to love, Jeff Cordata. I just want to make sure you know that this isn‘t one of those instant twuwuv-at-first-bang bullshit things going on with me. I‘ve seen who you are. Who you really are. And you are what I want.‖ I recoil a little at his words, but he‘s melting me with them. Seriously. He leans forward and places a chaste kiss on my lips and pulls me against his chest as he leans back against the arm of the couch. ―And I know what you do after hours. I know what you‘re doing with Aaron.‖ My blood starts to turn cold. ―I know what you‘re doing with Rojelio and Hector. And I know what you‘re doing with Zane and Andy.‖ I start to pull away from him. ―Look, it‘s not what you think. Nothing is going on with those guys.‖ ―Jeff. It‘s okay.‖ My look must say that I don‘t believe him. ―Speaking of, isn‘t tonight Aaron‘s night? Do you need to go?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 135 ―Really. I‘m not doing anything with them.‖ ―But you are doing something with them.‖ My fear really starts to kick in now. ―No,‖ I whisper, because my voice won‘t work for anything more. ―Jeff. It‘s all right. I think it‘s terrific.‖ ―But Michael—‖ ―He hurt you because of what you‘re doing?‖ I nod, my cheeks burning. ―He said he knew what I was doing with them too.‖ ―Well, he obviously didn‘t. I do.‖ He puts his hands back onto the sides of my head, not letting me go, and forcing me to look into his eyes. Those damn powder-blue eyes that make me want to believe everything will be all right. ―Gods damn, that fucker and his jumping to conclusions. I wish I could kill him myself right now. Listen. Aaron‘s dyslexia was holding him back. You‘ve taught him how to learn. Rojelio and Hector need to learn English in order to get ahead. And Zane and Andy are products of schools that passed them through school without teaching them anything. You are a one-man literacy campaign. That is something special. That makes you something special, and I couldn‘t be more proud to stand next to you through it, if you‘ll let me.‖ He kisses my eyelids, and then my forehead, and wraps his arms around me. I let out the breath I didn‘t realize I was holding. ―Now, do you need to go meet Aaron?‖ ―No, I called him earlier today. We‘re meeting tomorrow afternoon.‖ ―Good. I don‘t mind sharing your spirit, but tonight, I‘m glad to have you all to myself. You‘re the last thing I think of

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 136 when I go to bed at night and the first thing I think of when I wake up.‖ He holds on to me and settles us down on the couch. He pulls my back to his chest to spoon up against me, and I flinch as his claw marks remind me of their presence. He reads my mind and gently strokes my hip, kissing my temple. ―I want to make a habit of doing it with you in my arms.‖ Am I just as crazy as him if I admit that actually sounds like a good idea to me?

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 137

Chapter 15 ―ARE you fucking shitting me? Did you really have to do that? What the fuck!‖ I‘m screaming. ―Jeez. Calm down, crush. It‘s no big deal.‖ Brad‘s not nearly as rattled as I am. ―No big deal? Look at that asshole!‖ I turn my attention back to the inattentive motorist puttering ahead of us. ―Oh, now you‘re slowing down? What the fuck? There was no one behind us, but you just had to put your slow ass out in front of us? Now you‘re going twenty?‖ I can‘t help it. Stupid drivers piss me the hell off. One car length. That‘s what this asshole gained. Plenty of room behind us, but that one car length makes a huge fucking difference. ―Now you‘re turning! You‘re coming to a stop to fucking make a right turn? Execute your fucking turn! Oh, my gods! Fucking figures. Hey! Get off the fucking phone and drive, asshole!‖ ―Road rage, much, killer?‖ ―That‘s not road rage. I‘m not flipping him off. I‘m not leaning out the window yelling. I‘m not encouraging you to run his dumb ass down. I‘m just venting because he‘s being stupid. I look at it as more ‗road agitation‘. Look at this guy! Hey, you! Take your hand off your dick and drive! Jeez! The whole city must have taken their stupid pills this morning. What the fuck!‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 138 Brad chuckles and shakes his head. ―Someday, that may get you into trouble, you know.‖ ―Well, they shouldn‘t be so stupid now, should they? I swear there should be an IQ requirement for driving. Some people shouldn‘t be allowed behind the wheel. Oh, come on, you stupid asshole! The gas pedal is on the right, jackass!‖ I study his profile as Brad drives. The corners of his eyes are crinkled behind his dark sunglasses, and his dimples are mocking me as he smiles. ―What?‖ ―What, what?‖ ―Guess you didn‘t know everything about me, huh?‖ He laughs and grabs my hand, bringing it up to kiss the knuckles. ―Not getting rid of me that easy, baby. I meant what I said last night.‖ I sigh and lean back into the seat, smiling. And will someone please tell me what that warmth in my chest is? And if you say love, I‘ll shift and strike at you. It‘s too soon. Isn‘t it? We pull up in front of Eddy‘s house. Weird. Why didn‘t I think of it as my house, or our house? Why did my brain think, ―I don‘t really belong here anymore?‖ Don‘t say it. ―I‘m going to go get Rand, and we‘ll sniff around Walker‘s dealings. We‘ll talk to Hal too. See if we can find out what he‘s planning to do.‖ ―Just be careful. If he, or anyone working with him, finds out you‘re snooping for snakes, he‘ll probably come after both of you.‖ ―Aw, you do care.‖ ―Of course I do, you stupid fucker.‖ Remember what will happen to you if you say love? I mean it.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 139 ―I know, baby.‖ He reaches across the seats and pulls me toward him for a kiss. ―We‘ll be careful. And I‘ll be back this evening to take you to dinner, all right?‖ ―Okay.‖ I hop out of the SUV and head up to the front door. He watches until I‘m inside, and I hear his pipes rumble as he pulls away from the curb. I lean against the inside of the front door. ―Holy crap. What am I going to do?‖

AFTER dumping my bag in my room, I head outside to the big rock. I‘ve got so many things running through my mind, I need to center myself and work it out. I strip out of my jeans and T-shirt and stretch out in the mid-morning sun. The limestone is warm against my back, and the sunlight seeps into my skin as I close my eyes and let my mind run free. So far, we have confirmed that Michael has been skinned, and we suspect Sophie and Jarrod have been, as well. We need to get a better handle on the were population around here. We know all our regulars, but there are so many that pass through here that we never hear from again. From time to time there are hunting accidents, and unfortunately, some do end up as road kill, but I wonder how many have wound up as part of Walker‘s sick experiments. How many weren‘t careful about their shifts and have wound up in some cage somewhere? The sun is comforting as I run through possibilities. Some sort of database would be a logical first step. We need something that identifies name, species, and any clan affiliations. Drifters are often outside any clans, but if we knew where they came from, maybe we could help them either find their way back in, or help them make a place in

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 140 ours. I wonder how feasible it is to create an ID-card system. Surely we could create some system that would ease identification. A were-library card, or a club-membership card of some sort. Something to identify them to us as part of a club, but not out us to the public. Once I go inside, I‘ll start a database of our core members. When we address the Michael-skin boots with the Council, I can propose the database as a way to help keep our kind safe. I hate to imagine what Sophie and Jarrod, then Michael, went through on their way to becoming fashionable accessories. Along with a database, we should look into an outreach program. How can we help weres that need it? There‘s got to be some sort of notification or bulletin board for shifters out there already. I can‘t have been the first to think of it. Would a forum have saved Sophie and Jarrod? Would it protect any others passing through our community? The only thing it probably would have done was notify us that they were missing earlier. The secrecy factor is the biggest concern with something like that. No matter what firewalls or privacy settings put in place, someone will be able to get to the information if they try hard enough. Where there‘s a way, there‘s a way around it. Okay. It‘s a stupid idea. I just needed to work my way around it. We still need some sort of notification system for issues. A BOLO system of sorts. Speaking of being on the lookout, have you seen my heart? I think a big, bad wolf stole it. The sun relaxes my body, and my brain follows it. Brad‘s words from last night keep replaying in my mind.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 141 I’ve seen who you are. You are what I want. I love you. Why am I fighting what I‘m feeling? Why can‘t I admit it, even to myself? Why am I afraid to tell him? How can I feel so much, so fast? I‘ve never felt like this for anyone before, certainly not for Michael. And I‘ve never felt so loved by anyone. Never felt cherished before, even when he‘s not around. How can it happen so quickly? It doesn‘t happen that way, does it? If you can fall in love this quickly, doesn‘t it stand to reason you can fall out of love just as quickly? That‘s the thought that scares me. If I give in—if I admit it, if I tell him, what if it was all a mistake on his part? What if he falls out of love just as quickly? Where will I be if that happens? I guess that‘s what love is. Feeling happy, and warm, and protected, and terrified all at once, and still admitting it to someone. ―Here‘s my heart, please don‘t stomp on it.‖ Another thought stops me cold. Is that what I‘ve been doing to Brad? He‘s told me that he loves me. He‘s been there for me, and I haven‘t allowed him in. Am I stomping on his heart? Damn. I‘m an asshole. Decision made. I love him. I love my big, bad wolf. I smile and lick my lips. I admit it, and I‘m going to tell him tonight, when he comes over for dinner. I‘m almost giddy, now that I‘ve given in to it. Tonight‘s the night.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 142 I settle in and lick my lips again, picking up a wolf scent. No—make that two wolves, and neither is Brad. The sun disappears, and I open my eyes to two silhouettes. ―Who are you?‖ I start to sit up, but one of them puts a hand on my chest to pin me down. Both of them look down the length of my body before looking back at my face. I have a second to register that I‘m naked, and I don‘t know these two wolves, before a cloth is pressed into my face and blackness settles in. ―Nighty-night, snake boy.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 143

Chapter 16 I

WAKE up on a foul-smelling cot in a gray, concrete, cinder

block room. I‘m still naked, and my body is stiff when I stretch. At least that‘s all I feel. I don‘t feel the soreness I would if they had, shall we say, ―violated‖ me. I breathe a sigh of relief over that, but I still don‘t know what‘s happening, or what‘s going to happen. I sit up on the cot to have a look around at my accommodations, and my brain pounds against my skull as my vision swims. I lean my forearms against my knees and take a few deep breaths until the nausea passes. My head is still pounding, but I can at least sit up to see where I am. What I can see doesn‘t help much. There‘s a small window near the ceiling of one wall, and a steel door set into the opposite. The light at the window is soft, and it looks like it‘s almost dusk. That means I‘ve been out for hours. Ugly, cracked, dirty tiles cover the floor, and a metal table with straps attached to its sides is bolted down on the opposite side of the room. I shudder when I think of all the ways they could hurt me once they secure me to it. Fluorescent lights flicker and hum overhead, casting a greenish tint around. My first thought is for Brad. What‘s he going to think when he comes over and I‘m not there? Will he think I took off? I know I‘ve been pushing his feelings away, but damn it, I finally decided something. And now, I‘m stuck in a dingy, stinking room. There appears to be dried blood running

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 144 down the sides of the table and in the cracks of the tile around it. I wonder if this is where Michael was taken. I look up and notice there‘s a camera and a small speaker near the ceiling to the left of the door. A small red light tells me someone is watching me. I can‘t hear anything outside, and I don‘t feel any footsteps anywhere near this room. My guess is that they‘re either waiting to see how I react, or they‘re playing solitaire and not paying attention to the video. The question is: what do I want to show them? Panic or calm? I can do either, but one I don‘t have to fake. Thankfully another wave of nausea hits, and I can‘t sit up any more, so I don‘t have to decide yet. A nap sounds good.

A

LOUD clanging wakes me up, and when I open my eyes,

the window is dark, and the two wolves are back, leaning against the wall. Walker Duke is standing next to the door, and sitting in a chair near the head of the cot is the very undead Wade Duke. Or not dead. Fuck, he may be a zombie for all I can reason out right now. ―Good evening, Jeff. I hope the headache isn‘t too bad.‖ Okay. Zombies don‘t talk, do they? Guess he‘s just not dead, not undead. And panic wins the race. I scramble up the cot and try to flatten myself into the wall. It‘s not cooperating with me, and I can feel the scales beginning to surface. The gold and bronze patterns are visible as my shift begins. The wolves come off the wall and grab me, dragging me to the table. Walker runs the straps along my chest and legs, and I know this is trouble.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 145 ―Good job, Jeff. Just let the shift happen.‖ Wade drags a long knife along my left calf where my legs are beginning to merge. I scream and try to writhe away from him. He makes another cut, and another, and another until he peels off a piece of skin, about four inches long and two inches wide off my leg. My throat is raw from the screaming, and the pain is incredible. I can feel blood oozing down my leg onto the hard surface of the table as Wade shows me his prize. Walker hands him a squeeze bottle, and I can smell the chemicals as he squirts it onto the skin he‘s holding. Which used to be on me. Some of it spills onto the wound, and I shriek as it burns. He smiles, and he is one scary motherfucker. ―You‘re going to make some great boots. I can‘t wait to wear you to a Council meeting.‖ It would be so easy to shift to heal that, but there‘s some reason I don‘t. Some important reason. I just can‘t let it happen. I fight it and hiss at Wade as he takes another chunk of skin, this one from my left hip. ―Why isn‘t he shifting, Dad? Shouldn‘t he have done it by now?‖ Walker‘s looking at me as he tightens a strap around my chest, preventing me from squirming away from Wade‘s knife. ―Don‘t worry. He will. He‘s just being stubborn.‖ Wade moves around me and looms over my face as he looks into my eyes while he talks. ―See, Brad will find him. We left enough of a trail even a tainted wolf like him can find us. Then, when we start to cut on Brad, Jeff will shift to save him. Won‘t you, boy?‖ He drags the knife along my cheek, cutting me from my right eye down to my chin. He drags a second line, about an inch away from the first when I hear barking outside. He looks up at the camera, and yells.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 146 ―What the fuck‘s going on?‖ ―There‘s some kid outside. He‘s saying his dog got out back. He wants to go grab it,‖ a disembodied voice calls over the speaker. ―His name‘s Rommy, and he‘s a Rottweiler!‖ I hear a muffled voice in the background say. That must be Jules. They have been neighbors for a while, but they recently became a couple. I guess Rommy followed the scent they left for Brad to find me. Suppose that‘s his way of telling me the cavalry is coming. But no one will be riding in on a white horse. Although the image of a bunch of different animals riding on the back of a donkey flashes through my mind. Jake wouldn‘t appreciate that one bit. Wade slaps my face as he gets up, and the blood makes a squishing sound. ―Wait here now, boy. We‘ll be right back.‖ I‘m strapped to the fucking table, and I can feel blood running down my neck and hip. Where the fuck would I go? Besides? I‘m still naked. Couldn‘t they have grabbed my clothes? It all becomes a moot point when they put another rag over my mouth, and the world goes dark.

WHEN I wake up, it‘s still dark, but the overhead lights are off. It feels like there‘s another chunk of skin missing on my right arm, and the blood on my neck is sticky. I wonder how long I‘ve been out. And I think I heard Jules earlier. Where are they? Why am I still strapped to this table? Shouldn‘t they have been here already? I wonder if this means they aren‘t coming. If that was a message to let me know they‘ve given up on me.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 147 I whimper and try to look around, but they ran a strap across my forehead. If I shifted, I‘d be free of the straps, and I‘d be able to move around the room. But I can see the slight red-glow cast from the video camera in the corner. They want me to shift, and they‘re watching for it. If I do shift, I‘m boots. Or a wallet. Or a belt. Some godsdamn accessory. I can‘t let that happen. There‘s a slight movement in the dark, and a figure comes toward me, blocking the view of the camera. I stifle another whimper, as a hand runs up my thigh to my cock. A hot hand wraps around it, pumping a few times. The other hand punches me in the face, and I can feel the swelling start around my left eye. He grabs me by the chin and drags my face back to look at him. The strap digs into my forehead, chafing and rubbing a cut across it. ―I wonder what it is about you that would make one of our best enforcers want you so bad. What it is that would make him turn on his own kind.‖ Walker is leaning in close, whispering in my ear. He grips my dick and yanks hard. I cry out, and tears begin running down my face. He licks them away. ―Mmmm. Your fear tastes good. Maybe I should fuck you before Daddy cuts you to pieces. Maybe then I‘d understand.‖ He drags his tongue down the cut on my cheek and bites me, ripping a piece of skin off my jaw. I scream and consider shifting, just to get away from his hands, but I don‘t dwell on it too long. The nausea comes back, and I pass out. Again.

―JEFF! Jeff!‖ I hear a familiar voice bellowing at me, but I don‘t know what I‘ve done wrong. My leg hurts. So does my

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 148 hip and my arm. And my dick hurts. Like someone tried to pull it off. Then I remember Walker‘s hands on it. I tremble under the straps. The cuts along my face sting as the tears come again, and my left eye is swollen, making it hard to open my eyes. It doesn‘t matter much when I do pry them open. There‘s just fog all around me. Light fog, so I guess it‘s daytime again. Brad‘s voice shouts from the hallway. ―You? No. You‘re supposed to be dead!‖ ―Ah, it‘s about time, Bradley. We expected you last night. Welcome,‖ Wade calls out to him. ―Why don‘t you come in, and have a seat?‖ I hear heavy footsteps and scuffling as the two wolves drag Brad into view. I wince at the growl that reverberates around the concrete room and pulsates through my skin. Walker punches my face again. Brad struggles against the men holding him. His eyes are glowing, and his teeth are lengthening. I can see his snout is starting to emerge. ―Brad! Don‘t! That‘s what he wants!‖ I shout at him. At least I tried to. What came out were a couple of hisses and grunts. Fur sprouts all over his face, and his shirt rips as he hunches his shoulders and bends down. His shoulder blades move down his back as he throws his head back and howls. He drops to the floor, landing on giant paws, howling again. His ripped pants have dropped off non-existent hips, and his long, furry tail is lowered. The fur along his spine is standing up. He lowers his head and snarls at Walker. He looks magnificent. He‘s a giant silver and black wolf with those pale-blue eyes. I can‘t really tell from here, but it looks like he‘s four feet tall. My heart stutters a little. This is my big, bad wolf. He throws his head back and howls again and turns on one of his captors, ripping his throat out before he

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 149 can even react. I hear the crackle of electricity, then Brad‘s roar. I can smell burnt hair. The crackle repeats, and Brad howls again. ―Heel, boy!‖ Walker‘s laugh makes my skin crawl. He turns to hit me again, but a chicken runs across the room and trips him. In the chaos, Brad attacks the other wolf restraining him before Walker can recover and zap him again. Wade comes toward me with the knife, holding it over his head, like he‘s going to stab me in the chest, but I shift and slither out of the straps before he can cut me again. He follows me, swiping out wildly, but I whip my tail and take out his legs. When he‘s down, I coil around him. He attempts to shift, but I squeeze tighter, crushing his bones as they shift into new positions. Walker has shifted, but his wolf isn‘t even close to Brad‘s size. They circle each other with low, constant growls rumbling from their throats. Walker snaps his jaws at Brad and lunges toward him. Brad snaps back and jumps out of Walker‘s way. He recovers quickly and advances on Brad again. Brad jumps and grabs Walker‘s front leg in his jaws, snapping the bone. Walker howls and bites Brad‘s neck, drawing blood. I constrict my muscles in reaction, and Wade kicks against my grip and wheezes out a moan. His breath is getting labored. Walker lets go of Brad to get to me, but Brad throws his weight at him and knocks him to the ground, pinning him with his big paws and grabbing him by the throat with his jaws to hold him down. A rock comes flying through the room, shattering the glass in the small window, and I look up to see a raccoon and a spider monkey sitting in the frame. Marta and Aaron jump down from the window and follow Thompson out of the

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 150 door, all three reverting to human form as they head down the corridor. A metal door clunks open somewhere down the hallway. I feel footsteps and hear people talking, coming down the corridor toward us. I recognize my father, but I don‘t know the other voice. Brad‘s ears perk up, and he turns his head a little toward the doorway. Walker whines in his grip as Brad drags him around the table closer to me. When they clear the opening, I see Dad, along with Eddy, Al, and Gracie. Al‘s got a duffle bag with him. Aaron is pulling on a T-shirt behind them, and Marta‘s finishing the buttons on a blouse. Thompson must still be up front after shifting from his chicken form. Rand is with them, but I don‘t recognize the other men walking with them. I flick my tongue out to taste the air, but there‘s so much blood, I can‘t get a good scent on them. They rush over to us. ―Jeff, thank gods you‘re alive!‖ Dad kneels down on the floor and puts a hand on my head. The look Wade gives him is pure hatred. He wiggles in my coils, but I‘m holding him tight. He can barely breathe, let alone move anywhere. Al sets the bag down, and Gracie begins getting the sage and other herbs out to burn. Eddy, Aaron, and Al work on moving the bodies of Wade‘s goons out of the room. Rand and the others subdue Walker, and Brad lets go. Once freed, Walker shifts back to human form. One of his arms is dangling where Brad broke it, and there‘s a lot of blood running from puncture wounds in his neck. He‘s got some bruising along his ribcage where Brad tackled him. ―Let go of him!‖ Walker yells and advances toward me, but the other wolves hold him tight. Brad puts himself between us and snarls, curling his lip up over his canines.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 151 The stranger with my dad speaks up. ―Wade and Walker Duke, you are both under arrest for murder. You will be taken into custody, and you will be tried in front of the Council.‖ He looks at my dad. ―It‘s okay, Son. You can let go now.‖ Dad has one hand on Wade‘s shoulder. Brad growls as I start to loosen my coils. Wade takes a deep breath and works his arm free. He grabs the knife from the floor and tries to reach for my father. I tighten my grip, and the knife slices through my body. There is a sickening popping sound as I feel his bones give way, and the knife clatters to the ground, landing in a puddle of my blood. Everyone in the room freezes, but I keep squeezing until his body stops jerking. ―Daddy!‖ Walker screams and lunges for me, shifting as he closes the gap. He tries to bite me, but all he manages to get is a mouthful of his father. Brad roars and locks his jaws around Walker‘s throat, crushing the bones in his neck. Walker twitches a couple of times before dropping to the floor. Brad doesn‘t let go until Walker shifts back to human form, and then he rips the windpipe out, panting and staring at the body. The other two wolves take Walker‘s body away, and Dad leads the stranger out of the way. Brad drops his prize and turns back to me. He whines and begins licking the fresh injury. I release the body and slither away. Brad moves with me, continuing to try to tend to my wound. Wade‘s body is crushed, with deep spiraling grooves along it. Gracie rushes over with a towel. ―Let me work here, okay, sugar?‖ She leans in and puts pressure on the gash, and Brad steps back. I stretch the top half of my body out straight, and Brad moves up to my head.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 152 He licks my face again. I can‘t see what Gracie‘s doing, but it hurts like hell. I hiss and squirm, but Marta and Al have a good grip on me. Brad shakes his big, wolf head and comes over to stand behind me. He licks the wounds along my body. Then he licks my snout. He nuzzles my head and scoots in close behind me, looking at my Dad and the other man. Dad reaches out to rub Brad‘s ears, and I tilt my head back against Brad‘s furry neck. I hiss, since I can‘t chuckle, when I picture what we must look like. A snake snuggled up against a huge, black and silver wolf. I look back at my dad, and he‘s smiling and shaking his head at me. I guess he can read my mind, or he knows my ability to focus on the really important things. I look up at the camera in the corner. Deacon‘s voice drifts down into the room. ―That‘s one for the Christmas cards.‖ The human forms in the room laugh at that. Gracie and Marta have set up some candles, and the scent of sage and cinnamon is strong in the air. ―Brad, why don‘t you come with me?‖ The new man is talking to him, but Brad shakes his head and whines a little. ―It‘s all right. He‘s in good hands, and you can‘t help much this way.‖ Rand drops a bag onto the cot. Brad gives me one more lick and pads over to the other side of the room to join them. He keeps his eyes on me as he shifts to his human form. I look at him and hiss. He stands tall, giving everyone in the room that fan-fucking-tastic view, but I know he doesn‘t see anyone else. He‘s staring at my eyes. He‘s got a couple of puncture wounds along his collarbone, but they‘re closed up. He‘s also got two sets of burn marks on his

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 153 ribcage. But the concern for me on his face is so moving, I almost shift back to grab him. ―No, sugar. Don‘t shift yet. I need you calm, and just like this to get this cut cleaned up, all right, honey?‖ I hiss and bounce my head and tail, never taking my eyes off Brad. He smiles a little, and one of those damn dimples appears. His eyes crinkle in the corners, and I almost pop both snake boners, but Gracie does something that stings like a bitch. I hiss and squirm again. Brad finally turns around, and I get a view of that incredible ass as he bends over to pull out a pair of jeans from the bag. He bends deeper, and the eggplant dangles, hanging long past the enticing balls. I make some clicking sounds and have to look away. I turn and see Aaron staring, and turning pink at the sight. When he sees I‘ve caught him looking, he turns beet red and stumbles out of the room. I turn back, and Brad is standing up, tucking himself into the jeans and buttoning the fly. I close my eyes and try not to think about him going commando. He pulls a V-neck T-shirt on and comes back over to me. ―Hey, crush. Hang in there, baby. Gods, I thought I lost you.‖ I lift my head, and he scoots under me. I set my head back down on his massive thigh. I really want to bury my face in his groin. The important stuff, you know? He lays one hand just behind my head and looks up at Gracie. She nods at him. ―He should be fine. This isn‘t too deep now, but it may need stitches after he shifts back. I think he can do that without a problem, but we‘ll take a look at it. Jeff, sugar? Do you think you can do that?‖ I flick my tongue out and take a deep breath and begin the process. I take it slowly because,

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 154 fuck that hurts. The missing patches that had crusted over open up with the stretching and begin oozing blood. The last cut is just under my ribs on the left side. It‘s showing some meat and dripping up a storm, and the facial cuts split and begin bleeding. ―Fuck!‖ Brad yells and rips his shirt over his head and presses it into my cheek. I was on my left side, and I wince and roll over, showing the large patches of missing skin. ―Oh, fuck, baby. What the fuck did he do?‖ Marta grabs a package of gauze pads out of Gracie‘s bag and begins pressing them into my leg and my side. Rand helps out by putting some on my arm and wrapping a bandage around it. ―Shit. I‘m bleeding on your jeans.‖ I try to pull away from Brad, but he holds me tight. ―Fuck the jeans, baby. Let Gracie look at you.‖ She‘s pulling the shirt away and looks at the gashes running the length of my face. I can tell by the look in her eyes it‘s not good. ―I‘ll glue these shut, but they‘re going to scar. I‘m sorry, sugar.‖ My heart breaks, and I do pull away this time. If Brad was out of my league before, he‘s out of my solar system now. I look up at him with tears in my eyes. ―What‘s the matter, baby? What can I do? Gracie, do you have any painkillers? Do you need something?‖ I just shake my head and push away from him. ―Crush? Baby? What‘s wrong?‖ ―Nothing.‖ Everything. I just accepted loving him, and now it‘s going to be over. I can‘t face him. Not with this face, anymore. ―Do you think you can stand, sugar? Al can carry you if needed. I want to get you back to the clinic to get these

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 155 taken care of, and that side is going to need stitches. We‘ll need to clean up these others.‖ Shit. I forgot about the huge, missing patches of skin. So before I was a monochromatic freak. Now, I‘ll be a scarred, ugly, monochromatic freak. Brad‘s surely going to high-tail it outta here as soon as he can. ―Brad, will you come with us?‖ The stranger takes him by the elbow and tries to lead him out of the room. He jerks his arm away and comes back over to help me stand. He wraps his left arm around my waist. ―You should go,‖ I whisper, because the tears in my eyes and lump in my throat won‘t let me do anything else. I keep my head down and turn toward Gracie. ―Fuck that.‖ He wraps his arm tighter around my waist and then bends over to drape my knees over the other, lifting me up. ―Someone get a fucking blanket, please?‖ Aaron is still blushing bright pink as he runs up to drape a blanket over me, tucking it in as best he can. ―Thanks, kid.‖ Brad presses kisses to my head and whispers to me, ―Just relax, baby. I‘ve got you, and I‘m not going anywhere. You‘re not getting rid of me. Do you hear me?‖ The damn dam finally bursts, and I sob into his chest, leaving a trail of tears, blood, and snot in the fur. He lifts me up higher and holds me tighter. He carries me out of the room, but I have no idea where he‘s taking me. We don‘t walk far, that much I know. I‘m still crying when I feel him kick a door shut. He sits down and holds me tight, rubbing his huge, warm hand up and down my back. He keeps kissing my forehead and my head and whispering to me. ―I‘m not going anywhere, baby. I meant it when I said I love you. I know you heard me when I said it the other night.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 156 I was so fucking scared I wouldn‘t get the chance to say it again. So fucking scared, baby.‖ He keeps rubbing circles as I keep snotting up his chest with sobs. He gently rocks us back and forth. ―I love you so much. I need to be with you. I need to be by your side. I just need you, baby.‖ I hiccup and look up at him. He takes a corner of the blanket and wipes my face with it. He holds my head gently with both hands and stares at my face. He kisses the bruises around my left eye and along the cuts on the right side before kissing my lips. He pulls back and looks into my eyes. ―I love you, Jeff Cordata.‖ I hiccup again and lower my eyes. ―But look at me. And with stitches, it‘s going to get even worse. How could you want this? I‘m going to be covered in scars.‖ I motion at my body the best I can wrapped up in is arms. ―I don‘t care about that. Don‘t you get it?‖ He lifts my head up, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are shiny, and I notice the streaks running down his face. I can‘t believe I didn‘t notice he had been crying too. ―This doesn‘t define you. Who you are is in here.‖ He puts a hand on my head. ―And in here.‖ He moves the hand to my chest, covering my heart. ―That‘s where the man I fell in love with lives.‖ He gives me a little smile and bends down to kiss my forehead and then bends farther to kiss the spot on my chest. I make the moment absolutely perfect by breaking out in fresh sobs, complete with more snot and more blood from the cuts. He laughs and holds me tight. ―Let‘s go get you patched up.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 157

Chapter 17 THE ride to the clinic doesn‘t take very long. The Duke den must have been close by. I‘ve stopped the blubbering, but I‘ve got a death grip on Brad. I‘m sitting in his lap in the back of Al‘s big van. Gracie‘s riding shotgun, Dad, Aaron, and the stranger are on the seat in front of us, and Rand is on the seat next to us. The wolf enforcers took the bodies away. Eddy‘s driving Thompson, Marta, and Deacon back to town. He and Deke will meet up with the wolves to formalize the complaints against the Dukes. I‘m still naked, but we‘ve got the blanket wrapped around me. Brad still doesn‘t have a shirt on, so I bury my face in his fur and flick my tongue out. I don‘t think I‘ll ever get tired of his scent. I sigh deeply and close my eyes. ―Yeah, crush. Just rest now.‖ Brad kisses my temple and rubs my back. ―Just rest, baby.‖ The van stops at the gates near the trail heading down to the clinic, and Gracie turns around to look at us. ―Now you just wait here, and we‘ll go get a gurney so you don‘t have to walk down there, sugar.‖ ―I‘ve got him.‖ Brad‘s voice washes through me, soothing me. I try to snuggle closer, but the truth is, any closer, and I‘ll be behind him. Dad nods, and Al comes around to hold me while Brad climbs out. Then I‘m back in Brad‘s arms. Where I belong.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 158 In the clinic, Brad sets me down on the table while Gracie, Al, and Aaron wash up. They pull out a bunch of supplies and set them down near me. Brad stands close to me and grabs my hand, urging me to lay down on my back with the other. Dad puts a stool next to the table so Brad can sit down. He pulls up a second one beside Brad. He reaches around my wolf and smoothes the hair off my forehead, exposing the strap rash there. Dad‘s eyes are bright, and his face is so sad, it hurts me to see him like this. ―I‘m so sorry about this, Son. It‘s my fault he went after you. If it weren‘t for me, everyone would have been safer.‖ I reach up to catch his hand. ―No, Dad. It‘s not your fault. He was a crazy, power-hungry bastard all along. He was killing weres before, and he kept killing weres here. You did the right thing by stopping that deranged den.‖ The stranger steps up then. ―I‘m sorry too. If we had done our jobs properly, Wade would have been put down, and Walker would have never had the power he had. I‘m sorry it took us so long to pull our heads out of our asses and see it. Colin, I‘m sorry you had to lose people to these monsters.‖ ―Excuse me, but who the fuck are you?‖ Did that sound rude? Do I care? Brad exhales, and it sounds like a cross between a snort and a huff. A snorff. He chuckles. ―Sorry, we haven‘t been introduced yet. I‘m Hal Donnelly.‖ ―Can you tell me how the fuck Wade managed to turn up alive and well, and continuing his shit, fifteen years after the original Council decision?‖ I have to ask.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 159 ―We went through with the procedure, and he was pronounced dead by the Council doctor. The nearest we can figure is that the doctor was either working with Wade and his followers, or he was coerced into making a false statement. He died shortly after that, so we can‘t go back and question him. Either way, it would be a logical assumption that Wade killed him to keep him from talking. And everyone thought Walker‘s age should play into his sentencing. He was a juvenile at the time. Everyone thought that with Wade gone, a light sentence would be all that was needed to scare him straight.‖ ―It might have been, if someone had bothered to confirm the doctor‘s call.‖ I can‘t help but point out the obvious. ―You should look at changing the procedure or something. Two independent doctors or witnesses to verify the sentence has been completed.‖ I snorff at myself for that one. Sounds like a fucking grammar lesson, doesn‘t it? Hal looks down at the floor. ―I‘m sorry for what happened to you. And the others.‖ ―Well, Michael was an asshole, but Sophie and Jarrod didn‘t deserve this.‖ ―You‘re right. We will do everything we can to make restitution for the loss.‖ I snort. I guess I‘m not being very respectful, but that was a bullshit politician answer if I ever heard one. Brad laughs, loudly. I look up at him. He leans down to kiss me. ―Hey, Dad? What happened with Tucker? Is he still in custody?‖ ―No, we released him last night. When we found out you were missing, he volunteered to help. He may have had a

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 160 lapse in judgment, but he‘s still a hell of a tracker. He‘s back at the house now.‖ ―What about his position?‖ ―He‘s been relieved of it, and we‘ll pull something together next week to confirm you.‖ I roll my eyes at that. ―If you must.‖ Brad chuckles and strokes my forehead. ―Just relax, baby, and let Gracie take care of you.‖ ―Son, I‘m going to go let everyone know you‘re all right.‖ Dad looks at me. I can see the exhaustion in his face. He looks over at Brad. ―And that you‘re in good hands.‖ He pats Brad on the back before leaving with Hal. ―Just don‘t knock me out. I‘ve had enough of that shit for a while.‖ I soon regret my words as she and Aaron get to work on the exposed patches. They blot away the fresh blood and pour antiseptic all over them, but she leaves the bandages off for now. Then she gets to work on my face. She presses on the area around my eye, and I wince and try to pull away ‘cause that shit? Hurts. Like a bitch. She tsks me and shakes her head. ―Just bruising here. I don‘t feel any broken bones, but we‘ll take an x-ray as soon as we finish with the cuts.‖ Aaron wipes down the cuts and puts some of that stinging shit on the bite Walker put on my jaw. Then Gracie seals up my face. ―Hey, Aaron?‖ ―Yes, sir?‖ He looks at me, eyes wide. I smile and wink at him. Gracie wipes down my side and gets her staple gun ready.

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 161 ―Isn‘t my boyfriend hot?‖ He blushes and looks away. ―Come on, look at him, all buff without his shirt.‖ ―Jeff, stop it.‖ Brad puts a hand on Aaron‘s shoulder. ―He‘s just fucking around, kid. Don‘t pay attention to him.‖ ―What‘d I do? You are hot. And I saw him checking you out when you were naked.‖ Aaron‘s blush goes all the way to his ears. ―Fuck!‖ I exclaim as Gracie clicks the first staple into place on my side. ―Enough, now, sugar. Can‘t you see you‘re embarrassing him? Now stop it, or I‘ll use this staple gun on your face, too, and you‘ll have zippers running down your cheek.‖ Aaron starts to walk away, but I catch him by the arm. ―Hey, Aaron.‖ He looks up at me, still blushing bright. ―I‘m sorry. I‘m just trying to lighten the mood a little.‖ He puts his hand over mine. ―It‘s okay, Jeff. And you‘re right. I did check him out.‖ His blush gets hotter. ―And he is really hot.‖ He ducks his head and takes off with the dirty gauze. ―Hey! Hands off the man I love, got it?‖ I call out. Brad looks down at me with wide eyes. ―What‘d I do now?‖ ―You don‘t have to say that,‖ he says quietly. ―I don‘t expect you to feel that way yet. I know it‘s going to take you time, if you ever do.‖ I look up at him. There are a few stray silver hairs in the black beard that‘s covering his face. I wonder how long it‘s been since he shaved. It looks really good on him. I think I might like that. I shake my head to clear that thought out. Brad smiles, and the dimples are hidden by the scruff on his face. I don‘t know if I like that. I reach out to cup his cheek. He leans into it. I notice a few more lines on his face too. There are a couple of grooves in his forehead, and more

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 162 silver hairs sprouting from the temples. They look sexy on him, but were they there the other day? I don‘t think so. I grab his hand tight and look up into those gorgeous, pale-blue eyes. Eyes that have held me captive since the first time I saw them. ―I‘m not just saying it. I love you. I‘m terrified of it, terrified of everything that could go wrong.‖ I pull his hand up to my face and kiss his palm and take a fortifying breath before continuing. I look up into those eyes again. ―But I‘m saying it anyway. I love you, Brad Cannidy.‖ I kiss his palm again. ―Here‘s my heart. Please don‘t stomp on it.‖ ―Not a chance, crush.‖ I close my eyes as he squeezes my hand tight and kisses my forehead, while Gracie and Aaron continue torturing me. ―Sorry ‘bout the staples, sugar, but this is a zoo. They tend to work better on the thick hides around here,‖ Gracie says, examining her handiwork. Ten staples just above my hipbone. Added to the super-glued face, and all I need is duct tape to cover the skinned places. Aaron notices me looking at the patch missing from my leg. He looks up at me with wide, innocent eyes. ―Coach would say to rub some dirt on it.‖ Brad laughs and ruffles his hair, making him blush again. I‘d say our little monkey has a crush on my big, bad wolf. He helps me into a pair of cut-off sweatpants, riding low on my hips so they don‘t rub on the staples or the bandages anywhere. I have stripes across my chest and legs from the straps that were holding me down. ―Thanks, Aaron.‖ I try to grip his shoulder, but I‘m fading fast. Brad wraps an arm around me to help me stay up. I get him to look at me. ―For everything.‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 163 He smiles. ―I‘d do anything for you, Jeff.‖ And his look is so innocent, there really isn‘t any way to turn his comments into anything perverse. I give him a tired smile, which may actually be a grimace, given all the pain I‘m in and then turn back to Brad. ―Where‘d these shorts come from?‖ ―We found them in the control room at the den. They are yours, right? They were next to another set of your clothes.‖ ―They‘re the ones that were missing when you came over the other day. That means they were at the house before. They must have watched me on Monday too.‖ My stomach flips thinking that someone had been in the yard that day. I attempt to shake it off, but I‘m just shaking. Brad pulls me into a hug. ―It‘s all right. They‘re gone now, and we‘ll mop up the rest of them.‖ ―I hate to break this up, but,‖ Gracie steps up with a large needle. ―I need to give you some antibiotics. Sit back down here.‖ ―Holy crap, do you have any normal-size ones?‖ That fucking thing is huge! She chuckles at me again. ―I told you. This is a zoo. This is the smallest size we have. Now just sit down, and quit being a baby.‖ ―I think I‘ll sit down too.‖ Brad‘s staring at the needle and looking a little green. ―Lobo? You all right? Not afraid of you?‖ He looks at me, and he‘s a little That‘s all the answer I need. ―Hey, Ogre? for coffee? Looks like he can use some.‖

a little needle, are woozy on his feet. Can you take Brad I smile at him. He

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 164 looks grateful as Al leads him out of the clinic down toward their little apartment. Gracie laughs. ―That man really needs you, sugar. He‘s been going crazy the past couple of days. He was so worried about you; he just about made himself sick. Running himself all over the place. Not sleeping. Not even eating. He‘s been threatening to run off to get you alone, growling at anyone who tried to stop him. The rest of us have been going nuts trying to keep him from going off half-cocked.‖ ―I hate that he did all that over me. I‘m not worth going that crazy over.‖ She chuckles as she picks up a vial to draw some medicine into the needle. ―Child, that man is so in love with you, that if the Goddess herself stood in the way of help for you, he would tear her to pieces. Do you know what they mean when they say wolves mate for life?‖ ―It means they don‘t take another partner as long as the one they have is with them.‖ ―No, sugar. It means that for the rest of his life, no matter what, he is going to carry you in his heart, whether you‘re next to him or not.‖ ―What do you mean?‖ I‘m a bit stunned by that. She puts the needle down and stares at me like I‘m an idiot. ―You can‘t be that dense, child. You are his mate. That‘s it. There are no others for him. There will never be any others for him. It doesn‘t matter if, Goddess forbid, you are taken from him, or if you decide to move on to someone else. There is no moving on to someone else for him. Haven‘t you felt it? His heart belongs to you. It has since the first moment he caught your scent. Or are you just too darn stubborn to accept it?‖

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 165 ―I had no idea.‖ Fuck. Every time I think I can‘t get any more stupid, I reach amazing new heights. I‘ve been fighting and denying my own feelings, and I never considered that he didn‘t even have a choice. I am such a fucking asshole. ―Well, now you do. The question is, what do you intend to do about it?‖ She picks her needle back up and jabs it into my hip. At least it‘s not the one with the missing skin. Al and Brad come back in just as she throws out the syringe. They‘ve brought some sandwiches with them. My stomach growls loud enough to be heard across the room. It‘s only then I realize that I haven‘t eaten in a couple of days. Brad walks up and hands me a huge BLT. I demolish it in no time. He offers me the second one, but I decline. ―I‘m good now.‖ After he finishes, I wrap my arms around him and nuzzle against his furry pecs. He smells like bacon. And Brad. They should bottle it. They‘d make a killing. Bracon. Experience the mouthwatering new fragrance. Then I drag his face down to mine, pulling him in for a deep kiss. I can‘t wait to get out of here. ―I love you,‖ I whisper against his sexy, new beard. He leans back to look at my face, tracing the super-glued lines. He trails soft kisses over them, and over my chin before going back to my lips. ―I love you too.‖ ―Take me home, lobo.‖ ―You got it, babe. Your house or mine?‖ ―Ours.‖ He smiles and kisses me again, squeezing me tight enough that I wonder just who the boa is here. He takes my

Snakeskin Boots | Xara X. Xanakas 166 hand and begins walking out. I stop short, pulling him back toward me. He looks at me, concern etched over his face. ―What‘s wrong, baby?‖ ―I‘m gonna need something from you, though.‖ ―Name it. Anything. You got it.‖ I smile at him. ―You still owe me a better nickname.‖

About the Author

In high school, XARA X. XANAKAS shunned typing class assignments in favor of writing cliffhangers that would drive her friends nuts. She‘s been toying with writing ever since. More than twenty years later, she has finally found her inspiration. A wide cast of characters, including a menagerie of shapeshifters, keeps pressuring her to write their stories, telling her about themselves at some of the most inopportune times. Her fine arts degree has been absolutely no help in the IT job she uses to pay the bills. She lives in Texas with her biggest fan and two cats. Visit Xara at http://xaraxanakas.blogspot.com/.

Also from Xara X. Xanakas

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Copyright

Snakeskin Boots ©Copyright Xara X. Xanakas, 2011 Published by Dreamspinner Press 382 NE 191st Street #88329 Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Cover Art by Catt Ford This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the Publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 382 NE 191st Street #88329, Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ Released in the United States of America October 2011 eBook Edition eBook ISBN: 978-1-61372-117-9