Pursued by a Werewolf (Mystic Isle, Book 4) (20 page)

As beautiful and luxurious as the island was, she was tired of seeing the same people day in and day out. Working for Latham wasn’t a terrible chore, but at the same time, it wasn’t fulfilling. That wasn’t his fault.

The party was just getting started in the Tiki bar. All the tables were full. The sun cast a warm glow through the open French doors as it dipped toward the horizon. Cal was still busy behind the bar performing a special trick. Pouring nine martinis at once was something to see.

He
was something to see. How had she never noticed that before? He was handsome of course. But so much more than that, he was smooth and confident, friendly with a ready smile. More importantly, he actually saw her. Not as Latham’s assistant or a Mystic Isle employee, but as a woman.

He must have felt her gaze because as soon as he’d served the drinks he looked across the room, straight into her eyes. His smile was warm and intimate. The way he looked her over was like a slow, thorough caress and her body’s reaction was immediate.

And welcome.

So welcome. It was nice to know that her attraction to Thane hadn’t ruined her for all others. And with Cal, she felt a mutual interest. Attraction, sure, but also a common bond that was hard to put into words.

So she didn’t.

She pushed away from the wall and strode up to the last empty stool at the bar. It was time to pick up where they’d left off that morning.

“Can I get a white wine?” she asked as he strode over.

“Anything you want.”

The sparkle in his eyes as he smiled at her made her giddy. She grinned back.

He slid a glass across the counter, then reached beneath and pulled out a bottle. She recognized the cream and gold label.

“You spoil me.”

“You should always have your favorites.”

“So when does your shift end?” she asked when he'd finished pouring.

“Already did, but it's busy tonight so I was giving Ricardo a hand.” He put the bottle of wine back beneath the counter and tidied up a few things before fixing a whiskey sour for one of the waitresses.

“Any chance you want to cut out and go for a walk?” she asked, feeling bold.

He glanced around the room and then down the bar where the raven haired
werecougar
was topping a fruity drink with a miniature umbrella. “I'll meet you on the terrace in a minute,” he told her.

Rosanna picked up her glass and hopped off the stool. Cal watched the sexy swing of her hips as she strode out the open doors. The familiar tendril of lust he felt whenever he thought of her gripped him now.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Then he caught Ricardo’s eye. “I’m heading out.”

Ricardo nodded in acknowledgement and turned back to his customers.

Rosanna stood at the edge of the terrace with her back to him. Lust turned to excitement. After all the ups and downs of the last few weeks, it was nice to find someone he truly enjoyed spending time with. Someone he could laugh with, talk to, care for without rebuke.

He slid a hand around her waist and pulled her body back against his. Something she’d said earlier had been running through his head all day, the need to get off the island. To take a vacation and get away from the people they saw every day. To escape the loneliness and heartache. To run away and see what happened.

He ducked his head and brushed his lips against her neck. “What do you say we get out of here? I hear safaris are nice this time of year.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I thought you’d never ask.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

A phone call woke Avery from a sound and warm sleep. Hunter murmured against her temple and pulled her closer. She couldn’t remember a better night’s sleep or feeling more well rested than she did right now. If the phone would just stop ringing...

Valencia’s voice followed a soft knock at the door. “Hunter, your brother is on the phone.” The lovely French accent did little to soften the blow. The world was intruding on their cozy cocoon.

“You should get that,” she whispered, rolling away. But he didn’t let her leave.

Arms around her waist, he halted her progress and stared down at her. Sleepy was a sexy look on him. His eyes were calm and gentle. The intense, brooding line of his eyebrows softened and relaxed. The long, dark strands of his hair stuck out at funny angles.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I was giving you privacy.”

“We have no secrets between us anymore.”

That was true. She stared into his eyes, seeing that truth and loving it.

She licked her lips, overwhelmed by emotions and feelings and sensations. “You should…get…answer your brother.”

“Just as soon as I do this,” he whispered and kissed her softly. “Good morning, beautiful.”

She giggled as she melted into the mattress. It was night and they’d slept the day away. But he didn’t seem to care. And she liked that he wanted to wake up with a kiss.

He rolled the opposite direction and picked up the phone. A few heart beats later he sat up, swinging his legs over the side. Something was wrong.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “No. That’s all right.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sure. I’ll take care of it.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked once he’d hung up the phone.

“Our new beta is not ready to be beta.” He huffed out a sigh and then turned back to her. He looked contrite. “I have to go.”

Avery sat up, not bothering to hold on to the sheet. “Go?”

“Just until I get this fixed.” He cupped her cheek, his eyes imploring her to understand.

“Of course. You’re Pack beta. Go and take care of the pack.”

“I’d rather take care of you.”

“I’ll be here when you get back.” Giving Pearl yoga lessons. They probably wouldn’t return to France until after V’s new store opened and the wedding. Which meant she was stuck on Mystic Isle, teaching yoga.

She kissed his lips, clinging to his strength, soaking in his heat.

“You are the ultimate temptation,” he murmured against her throat.

He had that backwards.
He
was the ultimate temptation. He’d worked his way under her skin and into her heart.

“You should go,” she whispered, helpless against the feel of his lips against her skin. “Before I pull you back into this bed and detain you fo--further.”

Slowly, he pulled away. “You’re not making it any easier.”

“I know.” She pecked him on the lips and then
flashed
into the bathroom.

She was five minutes late to Pearl’s lesson and pleased to see her student already on the mat going through a series of positions.

“I told you you’d feel more toned in a week,” Avery said as Pearl did a perfect cobra pose.

“Hey!” Pearl smiled up at her, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure it was a worthy delay.”

Avery laid her purple mat next to Pearl’s. “You’re sure, are you?”

“Well, I may have seen Hunter in the lobby on my way here.”

“Feel like trying some new moves? I think you’re ready,” Avery said, changing the subject.

“I can’t believe I’ve been at this a week.”

Neither could Avery. So much had happened is such a short time span. Izzy and Shade’s wedding was set; they’d headed back to Germany. Ceara and Maxim had popped home with Hunter to check in with the pack. Valencia had joined in on a slumber party. Avery couldn't get over playing truth or dare with the raven haired vampiress. Pearl fit easily into their group, happy-go-lucky and somehow reserved.

Avery had a new plan of attack to bring the Princess completely out of her shell and find her a man, though she wasn’t sure if there were any men on the island worthy of her new friend. It was hard to find the perfect combination of caring, cunning, gentle, fierce and fine. She should know. She’d been looking for thirty years, even though she hadn’t been willing to admit it. Hunter made her admit a great many things she’d been lying to herself about.

“So, how are things with your man?” Pearl asked as they switched positions. Her curly hair was pulled back into a poofy pony tail and she watched Avery with unabashed curiosity.

That was a question for the ages. “Different, if you must know. He's all take charge and alpha dog.”

“You like it!” Pearl's voice held a hint of awe and surprise. Her wide smile showed off perfect white teeth.

It wasn't that Avery was ashamed of liking a more dominant personality. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. She was a fairly dominant personality in her own right and being with a take charge kind of man was refreshing. But when that man was Hunter...he was so much
more
.

“There's nothing wrong with it, Avery. If he's good to you and presses your buttons just right, what more could you want?”

To not have my heart broken again?

“And you could do far worse than Hunter Ciolek mooning over you,” Pearl continued.

“Mooning over me?” Avery asked with a grin.

“What do you think he's doing?”

“I just haven't heard that word in a long time.”

“Well, I'd get used to it if I were you. I see a lot of mooning in your future.”

“How do you know?” How could anyone know? “The future is never guaranteed.” She was living proof of that.

They shifted to
downward dog
and conversation ceased until they eased into a more forgiving position.

“You're preaching to the choir on that one. But I know because of the way he looks at you. Don't you see it?”

“What is it you think you see?” Avery definitely saw something… tenderness covering fierceness.

“The same thing you pretend to not see,” Pearl said, breaking position. She turned and looked at Avery. “I see a man totally into you. Completely and hopelessly, like in the movies.”

“This isn't a movie.”

“I couldn't agree more. This is so much better. Think about it Avery, you can have what every woman from twenty to two thousand wants. A man who adores you.”

Avery smiled, done teasing her friend. Hunter’s words had echoed through her mind until she believed. Believed in him, in them, in what Pearl was saying. “I’m not pretending anymore.”

Pearl paused, eying Avery. “What does that mean?”

She couldn’t form any words as she thought about Hunter’s declaration, about the heat in his eyes and the promise in his kiss. So she grinned at her friend.

“You’re in love. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Maybe,” she said coyly.

“No maybe. I knew there was a reason you were all glowy today. But you know, I thought you’d…”

“Had sex?” Avery filled in the blank.

“Yeah.”

“Let’s just say, Hunter and I have come to an understanding.” At least she thought they had.

“Love is a good look on you, Avery. I’m glad you stopped denying yourself.”

Avery felt a little melty again. Her heart was bursting. “Too bad he’s off island.”

“Oh, I know Hunter. He’ll be back on the double.”

“Okay, change of topic. I want to go dancing and you're coming with me.”

That pulled Pearl from her euphoric haze.

Avery was convinced that in order for Pearl to get her heart’s wish, she needed to mingle. Hanging out in the spa, having drinks with Latham and taking yoga lessons were not the ideal way to meet a man.

Avery assumed the next position and Pearl followed suit.

“I don't have anything to wear.”

As if that would excuse her, Avery thought with an inner snicker.

“The shops will have something so that's not an excuse. For a woman who spends so much time concerning herself with my love life, I think it's time we took a look at yours.”

“What love life?” Pearl muttered.

“So it's settled. You and I will join Valencia and Coco at Tango for drinks and dancing tonight.” Now that she’d had a full day to catch up on her sleep, she felt newly reenergized.

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Which means,” she said, getting back to her earlier train of thought, “we need to take you shopping to find a dress.”

Pearl opened her mouth and Avery shook her head. “No buts. Let's finish this out and hit the showers and then we'll go shopping.” Avery didn't even try to stop the excitement seeping into her voice. One thing she'd always loved was a good makeover.

And anything she could do to distract herself from Hunter’s absence was a good thing.

While Pearl was in the shower, Avery called for reinforcements. Ceara was back from Novgorod, minus the men, and Coco was always in for a little shopping.

“Trust me,” Ceara said as they waited outside the dressing room. “I stood in that very spot two solstice’s ago and let them give me a makeover. It will do wonders for your confidence.”

Avery ran her hand down the smooth silk fabric of a red one shoulder dress. Even though she’d brought plenty of dresses, unlike Pearl, she was tempted to try this one on. Red was her favorite color lately. Her practical side told her to wear one of the dresses in her closet at the cottage. But look where practical had gotten her. Three decades of fun and a nicely padded bank account, sure. But she had played it too safe.

She nibbled her lower lip as she trailed her index finger along the neckline.

“Okay. Don’t laugh.” Pearl’s voice drew Avery back to the dressing area.

Pearl opened the black louvered door and stepped out. A recessed fixture cast her in a pale spotlight, emphasizing her gorgeous curly blonde hair and lush curves.

“I feel like my hips are too big,” she said as Avery, Ceara and Coco strode over to her.

“Not a chance,
chérie
,” Coco said.

“No one will be looking at your hips,” Avery assured her. The little black dress emphasized her cleavage and hid her hips under ruched layers. The crystal buckle just beneath the bodice gave the right touch of bling.

“That’s the one,” Ceara agreed.

“You think so?” Pearl asked, turning to study her reflection in the three-piece mirror.

“Absolutely,” the three of them agreed unanimously.