Werewolves in London by Karilyn Bentley Page A

sacrifice never hurt anyone. Her core tingled as she remembered the electrical spark from his touch, the desire she fought while in his presence. Tom had the potential to shatter her philosophy and her heart. Fear colored her thoughts and made tonight’s impending change seem easy in comparison.
    ****
    Tom took a deep breath and held it, trying to get his bodily functions under control. Anger and arousal, what a combination. At least he’d learned one thing from the shapely brunette, and it wasn’t a lack of respect from his newest dog. His hand reached for his crotch, feeling the hard ridge of his arousal. Nice to know the thing still worked.
    He’d all but given up on his ability to function as a man since Anita’s passing four years ago. And not only did his dick suddenly come on line, but what was up with that electric tingle Vonda gave him when she grasped his hand? Last time he’d felt anything remotely like that was from his mother, and Mom sure hadn’t provoked what was going on in his pants.
    Maybe he should ask Vonda out. Provided he remembered what to do with a woman on a date. Okay, some parts he remembered quite clearly, which is why he hadn’t dated since Anita. How would he explain to the poor woman his lack of arousal? Really, honey, it’s not you, it’s me. Yeah, right. Thinking about how that conversation would go scared him away from the dating scene. Now that things seemed to be working again, he might just give it a try.
    Thinking about Vonda drove away the anger he felt over her assessment of Sam and the dog’s lack of respect for him. Everyone knew dogs thought of Tom as their natural leader. Sam was just crazy. Who cared what her assessment of the situation was, Tom would take the eye candy any way he could get it.
    Dark brown hair, shot with silver highlights, hung to her shoulders and framed an elfin face with amber eyes. She barely reached his shoulder and yet her body moved with the grace of an athlete. He’d love to strip off her clothes and see the play of muscles under her skin as her legs gripped his waist while he...
    Tom shook his head, clearing away most of the fantasy. Later tonight he’d marvel he actually managed a fantasy, but for now his ranch deserved his attention, not the woman.
    “Come, Sam.” Tom patted his leg.
    Tongue lolling from the side of his mouth, Sam’s ears perked up as he stared intently at Tom’s leg. The tongue slipped behind teeth as he stood and shook himself, trotting over to where Vonda’s car had been parked.
    No respect. Man, that burned.
    Tom sighed. As impossible as it seemed, Vonda had a point. “Come on, Layla. Let’s go make a round.”
    Layla rose from where she lay, her arthritic legs shaking as she stood. Her tail wagged like a pendulum as she limped to Tom, who slowed his pace so she walked beside him. At least she respected him.
    Sam sat in the driveway staring forlornly after the trail of dust from Vonda’s car. Tom felt the instant the dog’s attention turned to him as Tom and Layla walked toward Tom’s truck. Not one to be left behind, Sam yelped as he ran after them, pole vaulting over Layla so he could lead what he considered his pack to the truck.
    His pack, Tom’s left ass cheek. Sam had a dominance issue, and Tom had too soft of a heart where canines were concerned. Dogs loved him, recognizing a friendly leader when they saw one. Until Sam came into his life, Tom had great success training dogs.
    Sam was a breed unto himself and Tom had no idea what to do with him.
    If Tom told him to sit, he walked off, come happened only occasionally and down was more elusive than a willing steer at branding time. No wonder Tom’s friend Steve had a friend of a friend more than willing to get rid of Sam.
    Tom should get rid of him too, but every time he thought it, the damn dog would lick his hand, staring out of those eyes mismatched blue and brown, and Tom couldn’t do it. Sam stayed.
    Funny thing was, the dog seemed to like Vonda