Bite of the Moon: Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Boxed Set (45 page)

“Okay.” Deciding, for safety’s sake, he had better sleep in a pair of buttoned jeans, he tugged his T-shirt over his head. Bare chested, he opened the bathroom door and made a dash for the bed. The final steps were taken at a sprint.

At the last second, she glanced at him. “Wow. What a chest. You really keep yourself in great shape. I should probably go to the gym someday. Nah, maybe not.”

Throwing the covers aside, he leaped into the bed and drew the sheets over his head. “Good-night!”

She laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay on the couch with my book. I promise I won’t take my top off and parade around like you just did.”

A hearty laugh rumbled out of him. “What book did you choose?”

“A musty old Tom Clancy thriller. I’m pretty sure I read this one on a plane years ago. I don’t know how long it will hold my attention.”

He peered over the top of the sheet. “Isn’t it supposed to put you to sleep?”

“I’ve reread the dust jacket twice and forgotten it. So, yes, I’ll probably hit the snooze button immediately.”

“Sweet dreams.”

“Have fun counting sheep.”

For several minutes, he stared at the underside of the sheet, which hovered above his face like a tent. It got stuffy fast. The down comforter trapped in all his body heat. He wondered if Andi would be warm enough, or if he should get up now and put another log in the stove? He thought it better to stay put.

Beyond the partition, he heard her get up and walk around the living area. A book was set back on the shelf with a quiet scrape. Apparently, Tom Clancy and his Cold War plotlines couldn’t hold her interest after all. She moved a few books around before returning to the couch. The
swoosh
of the comforter being lifted and patted into place was followed by a deep sigh as she settled.

He wished to God he weren’t so tuned in to every tiny thing she did. His hypersensitive nose couldn’t ignore the enticing scent of her warm skin. He wanted her so badly it hurt. It took all his self-control to not toss the comforter aside and invite her to join him in bed. Shifting uncomfortably on the mattress, he adjusted his balls. His cock just wouldn’t take a hint and call it a day. If he survived with his personal ethics intact, this would be the longest night of his life.

Minutes dragged. Time passed. By some miracle brought on by genuine exhaustion, he drifted off.

He woke up to a soft hand brushing his cheek.

“Mac?” Andi whispered. “Are you awake?”

The mattress flexed. A warm body stretched out beside him. The tangy scent of female arousal teased his senses. His cock stirred as his eyes bolted open in alarm. “What?”

He grabbed his pillow from beneath his head and held it awkwardly in front of his erection. “Is something wrong?” Scrambling upright, he scooted away from her and leaned against the headboard.

The lights were out and the moon had set. Andi’s dark silhouette claimed half the bed. “I did something I shouldn’t have done. I scared myself, and now I can’t sleep. Can I stay next to you for a few minutes?”

“What did you do?” He hunched over the pillow.

“I started reading Stephen King’s
Cujo
. I know I shouldn’t have. It’s good. You can get sucked in fast. Before I knew it, I was wide-awake, listening for the sounds of a rabid animal creeping up behind me, and then it really did get crazy. I started hearing things outside the cabin. Snuffling noises. Digging. Tiny footsteps crunching leaves.” She shuddered. “I stopped reading and turned out the lights, but the noises got louder. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.”

A gentle laugh crossed his lips. “You were reading
Cujo
? Does this have anything to do with being bitten by the bear?”

“Oh, gosh, I didn’t even think of that.”

He hoped he sounded reassuring. “Andi, I’m pretty sure you won’t get rabies and everything is going to be okay. Those footsteps outside the cabin are a troop of raccoons that show up every now and then to ransack my greenhouse. A big mean one has developed a taste for tomatoes.”

A quiet laugh bubbled out of her. “I should have known it was something like that. I just couldn’t shake the creepy feeling something was wrong.”

“You should try to get some sleep.”

Rising onto her elbow, she brushed a lock of hair from her face. “Can I tell you something?”

Having her so close racked his nerves. He clutched the pillow harder. “Sure.”

“It might sound a little nutty.” She groaned. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything? Oh, what the hell, I’ll just tell you. I keep feeling like I’m a bear—a real bear. I know what you’re thinking, just because I was bitten by a bear, now I’m being dramatic. But wait. If I close my eyes, I can see the world through a bear’s eyes. It’s sort of fun. I can easily imagine I’ve got this big, strong body and I’m moving around on four huge paws. It’s a good feeling. Like nothing can stop me.”

“Wow.” He had no idea what to say.

She touched the bandage on her throat. “It’s hard to put into words, but I feel like the bear chose me for something special. Does that sound crazy?”

“Not at all. You are something special.”

“Thank you, Mac.” She gazed at him with a wisp of expectation on her face.

He sensed she waited for an invitation to remain in his bed. She wanted him and God knew how much he desired her. He whiffed the warm notes of sexual arousal beneath the sharper scent of fearful excitement. It would be so easy to draw her against his chest, kiss her sweet mouth, nip her throat, and then shred the damn pajamas to pieces. But that sort of activity would lead straight to trouble’s door. In his current overwrought state, the touch of bare skin on skin would quickly escalate. Abandonment would lead to penetration. Penetration would lead to a full-blown claim bite. A claim bite would lead to:
You bastard! What the fuck have you done to me?
His hands trembled. “You better go back to the couch and cover up before you catch cold.”

“Now?” she squeaked. Disappointment flooded her face.

“Try to get a little sleep.” He glanced out the window. On the eastern ridge, the night sky had lightened to cobalt blue. “It will be morning soon.”

With a hand on her heart, she rose from the mattress, looking perplexed, if not downright peeved. Taking slogging steps, she returned to the couch and threw herself down with a soft
thud.

Now he felt like a prick. He’d left her hurt and confused, and she hadn’t misread anything. He liked her a lot. “Liked” wasn’t the word he was looking for. “Over the moon enthusiastic” was a better description. What was more, for once, his no-nonsense bear instincts cut past the chaotic jumble of human doubts and insecurities and just blurted the truth—his future lay with her. The bold assertion arrived in his heart as undeniable fact. He’d just been struck by the fabled cosmic yahoo. Others had alluded to how great it felt to find one’s fated mate, but hearing about it didn’t carry the same chilling thrill as feeling it seep into the marrow of his bones and knowing saucy Miss Andi Brunell could be his companion, lover, and the mother of his future children. Now all he needed to do was treat her fairly until his bite wore off and see if she felt the same.

He waited with keen ears trained toward the couch. She muttered something under her breath, and he knew she wasn’t sleeping any more than he was. Oh, well, it was for her own good—their own good. He already thought of them as a couple and wanted their first time and the decisive claim bite to be delivered in a sober state of mind with Andi’s full consent. Not something sneaky that lurked below the surface. Even though the current situation tortured him, he knew she’d be worth the wait.

With a string of restless motions, she made a lot of noise. She tossed and turned and punched the pillow.

A twinge of guilt needled him. He’d done this to her. The bite had heated her blood and made her receptive to all the fiery temptations he longed to share with her. He knew exactly what she wanted, but this wasn’t the time. “Andi?”

“Yes.” Her voice floated over the partition. “Am I making too much noise?”

He sat. “Do you want to talk?”

“I’m keeping you awake, aren’t I?” She sounded defeated. “You’ve been so kind, and I’ve been a weirdo. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’m sorry.”

Drawing his knees to his chest, he rocked. “Tonight opened my eyes.”

“Uh oh.” She sounded wary.

“In a good way. I’ve enjoyed your company. Do you… Would you consider visiting me again, maybe next month?”

“Are you sure you’d want me to?” Her voice rose with surprise.

“Very sure.”

“You’re a long day’s drive out of my zip code.”

“I know.” He sensed it would be best if Andi had a solid reason to return in a month’s time. Things would feel more natural. “What could I say that would convince you to drive a treacherous mountain road?”

“Say the word ‘pasta.’”

“I can speak to the owners of the Bluebell and make sure they’re primed to sell. As soon as the road is cleared, I’ll pay them a visit and grease those wheels.”

“That’s right. I have to come back and meet with them.”

“So is that a yes? You’ll visit again?” If she wouldn’t come to him, he’d have to contrive an excuse to drop in on her in West Los Angeles, though the bear in him wanted their courtship to proceed in the mountains.

“Mac?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask you an awkward question?”

He braced. “Go ahead.”

“You’re asking if I’d make a six-hour drive to visit you.” Her halting words were drenched in uncertainty. “Unless I’m wildly misreading the signals, I sense there’s chemistry between us.”

“There is.” Her understatement took his breath. “I think you’re amazing.”

“Right now, I’m not a day’s drive from you. I’m only a few yards away on your couch.” A touch of doubt crept into her voice. “Why haven’t you even tried to kiss me?”

His eyes closed as his heart leaped against his ribs. The bear inside snarled and berated him as a fool for being so cautious. But the man in him knew—the wrong word, a misstep, could send his dream woman fleeing. “This is stupid!”

“What?” She sounded shocked.

He flung the covers aside and jumped out of bed. In a flash, he strode around the partition, crossed the floor, and stopped in front of the couch, well aware that even in jeans the bulge in pants was obvious.

She stared at him, wide-eyed.

“Get up.” The words were as subtle as a fistful of gravel striking glass.

Andi froze.

He yanked the blanket aside and bent down to scoop her into his arms.

She squealed as he picked her up and lifted her to his chest. “What are you doing? Put me down!”

A moment of frenzy ran riot inside. He’d never felt this out of control with a woman. Andi whipped him up like a brush fire.

“Mac!” She squirmed in his arms.

He had not meant to scare her and was now afraid he had. He set her down next to the wall. The moment her feet reached the area rug, he pressed himself against her. Her lush curves and warm flesh made him harder. Taking hold of her wrists, he brought her arms above her head and pinned them there. With labored breath, he brushed his chest against her, feeling her soft breasts through the flannel and wishing his hands were free to rip the buttons away. Parting her thighs with his knee, he pressed against her. His cock rose so high, he thought the snaps on his fly might explode. “Does this feel like a man who doesn’t want to kiss you?”

Tilting her head, she gazed at him with languid eyes. “Do it.”

A burst of radio static broke the spell, followed by the sound of spinning helicopter blades thundering on the horizon.
Whop, whop, whop, whop.

Turning his head, he glanced out the window. The first golden ribbon of dawn had arrived and so had the Search and Rescue helicopter that looked like an acid yellow locust skimming the ridgeline.

The radio crackled. “Mac, pick up.” Warren’s voice boomed into the cabin. “I should have called a few minutes ago and given you some warning. We are having one hell of a morning. Lots of storm damage. Chopper-4 is on the way.”

Mac released his grip on Andi and reluctantly drew away. Parting from her was as difficult as separating two thick strips of Velcro. He walked toward the radio console and clicked the speaker on. “Sierra Portal station. We’re here.”

“Good, you’re awake. This is one of those gotta be in two places at once sort of days. Have Miss Brunell ready to go. We’re going to fly her straight to Sierra Memorial for evaluation, and head right back out to look for motorists stranded by mudslides.”

Andi’s dark eyes turned liquid. A complicated mix of emotions shone on her face. She reached for her boots, set near the iron stove.

“I’ll get your clothes from the dryer.” Mac walked into the mudroom and retrieved her things. He returned and handed her the jumbled bundle of fabric.

“I’d better get dressed.” With a somber expression, she entered the bathroom and shut the door.

With a deafening hum, the chopper landed on the concrete helipad uphill from the cabin, kicking a cyclone of debris into the air.