Roaring Up the Wrong Tree Read Online Free PDF

scents of many bodies filled his nose. This was why he rarely went to places like this. It was hell on his senses.
    Men and women packed the space, some settled at seats while a few were on an impromptu dance floor toward the center. His feet almost stuck to the concrete as he wove his way through the room, occasionally sliding when he stepped in a puddle of who the hell knew what. The smash and tinkle of glass breaking cut through the music but no one seemed to care. Okay then.
    Left Bank looked to be about one step above a total dive and the only thing helping it cling to that dubious distinction stood behind the bar.
    The place was dim, the lights shining on the bartenders, and there stood the reason Left Bank couldn’t be considered a total loss. Her hair shined in the low light, bringing out the different shades of brown. Hints of red glistened and caught the glow. It also highlighted the curves of her body, tracing each rise and fall of her form. Including her deep cleavage exposed by the V of her shirt. It clung to her chest, outlining her breasts, seeming to offer them up to whoever would accept the invitation.
    It sure as hell wasn’t gonna be the guys drooling over her. And he wasn’t going to think about the fact that his bear was ready to destroy the next man who touched her.
    At all.
    Keen waded through the press of customers, ignoring the purrs and strokes from the women he bumped. Normally, his bear would take comfort and solace in the contact, but today it wanted to snarl at the females. Damn it, his world was whirling through the air and he wasn’t sure where he’d land.
    He pushed between two large males, shoving one and then the other aside. The one on his left, a bear whose name he couldn’t remember, bared his human-shaped teeth. At least the man managed to keep his animal at bay. Otherwise, he’d have to haul him off to face Van.
    Keen knew the laws; Van enforced them.
    And that thought brought him back to what sent him tearing out of the clan den earlier in the day.
    Keen knew the laws, but he no longer had the power to act. Not like he would have if he were still in the inner-circle. Which meant he could face Trista as a man free of obligation and that thought lifted him. If he found out she posed a threat to the clan or pack, he’d take her to Ty, but he doubted she was one to cause trouble. Ty would have heard about it by now if that was the case.
    The wolf on his right curled his lip and he revealed a very non-human fang. Obviously the guy didn’t know who he was fighting with.
    Leaning forward ever so slightly, and careful to keep his voice low, he spoke to the male. “You should think long and hard about your attitude.”
    The wolf’s nostrils flared, chest expanding as he drew in a breath. His eyes widened and he stepped back, putting more distance between him and Keen.
    Smart wolf.
    Trista continued to walk past him, smiling at one customer or another as she slid drinks over the smooth surface and pocketed tips. That’s when he noticed the rest of her. While her top was snug and new, her jeans were frayed, ragged, and loose. From the waist up, she looked like any other laughing bartender. But waist down told a different story. She didn’t have a lot of money and had probably been nursing those pants along for months if not longer. The seams were white and there were several patches where the cotton was so thin, he could see the creaminess of her skin.
    She had two jobs and lived in a dump like Lauren’s old apartment and she still had trouble with money.
    The bear didn’t think she should have problems ever again since they’d take care of her.
    He told his bear to fuck off. They were too screwed up to attach themselves to a woman. Females like Helena were one thing, but Trista seemed like she’d be a hell of a lot more.
    His animal was good with that.
    Raising his hand, he waved to get her attention. When her gaze finally landed on him, he didn’t miss the slight widening of