"I'd appreciate it if you would double check."
The woman didn't so much as take another peek at the screen. “I apologize for the oversight. Paradise Moon will gladly reimburse you of any additional traveling expenses for the inconvenience."
Brooke glanced at her nametag. “Look Zoe, I'm sure my reservation has just been misplaced. And if you can't find it, could I please speak with Dash Windsor about it?"
The other woman's expression morphed from managerial indifference to curious. “You know Dash?"
"His brother made the reservation for me. He's expecting me."
Brooke could have said a blizzard was about to hit the tropical resort and couldn't have gotten a more surprised look in response.
"Dash knows you're coming?"
Satisfied to have finally gotten through to the woman, Brooke nodded enthusiastically. She might not have spoken with Cole's brother herself, but Cole had assured her he would make sure everything was worked out, and to mention Dash's name if she ran into any troubles. She hadn't actually figured there would be any trouble before she checked in.
"Cole and Harley talk about him all the time,” she added for good measure. “They come here a lot, I'm told."
Zoe nodded, a frown drawing her brows together. She tapped a few keys on the keyboard in front of her, the skeptical slant to her lips vanishing as Brooke guessed she saw that Cole had in fact booked the trip for her.
"All set then?"
If the woman said otherwise, Brooke wasn't moving an inch until she talked them into giving her a room. Any room. At this point she could stay in the garden shed and wouldn't have cared. Her fingers itched to take her new camera for a spin.
Being the middle of three daughters, Brooke learned pretty early that to be heard she had to make not only a convincing case, but one that left no room for argument. Years of practice gave her every confidence that one way or another she'd get her room, even if it meant pleading—or badgering as her father called it—with Cole's brother.
Another few strokes of the keys made Brooke aware of the fact that conversation in the room had come to standstill, as though everyone wanted to know the outcome of her predicament. She'd like to think it was because the other vacationers sympathized, but something told her that wasn't it.
"I think I've gotten this all worked out then.” Zoe's smile was nearly as bright as when Brooke had originally approached the counter. “Let me just get the key and I'll escort you to your cabin myself."
"I'm sure I can find my way."
"After holding you up here, it's the least I can do."
Too pleased that things hadn't fallen through, Brooke followed Zoe without argument. The redhead led her down one of the stone walkways that veered off from the main lobby. Once they were past two of the larger buildings that housed both suites and economy rooms as Cole had told her, they walked parallel to the massive swimming pool.
The bar nestled in the center beneath a canopied lounging area looked far too tempting. The humidity was already playing havoc with the wayward curls that fell out from her hair clip when she'd tried napping on the plane. Her camera would just have to wait. The second she got to her room, she was taking a swim.
Zoe waited patiently for her to take it all in, and Brooke was sure the smile that curved the other woman's lips wasn't just about her doing her job.
"Do you like working here?” Brooke fell into step with Zoe.
"Very much.” She led her down another narrow path, past twisted palm trees and hammocks made for two. “Here we are.” She circled a small hedge that shielded the cabin's front door from the pathway. She slid the key in the lock and opened the door.
Having seen some pictures from Cole and Harley's trips, Brooke wasn't surprised to see the king-sized poster bed, but the romantic feel of the room didn't come across from the photographs the way standing in it did. It felt like some lovers’ haven. Too bad she was alone.
Correction. Given how her last relationship had turned out, being alone was not a bad thing.
Brooke edged past Zoe and made a beeline right for the sliding glass door at the back of the cabin. She stepped out onto the beautifully finished deck, sliding her fingers along the etched design in the railing. Beyond the patio stones that marked the edge of a small grassy lawn, a small pool shimmered under the tropical sun.
"Perfect,” she said aloud and then turned to find Zoe hovering in the door. “Thank you."
"Seeing as Dash is my cousin and Cole pretty much family, you are more than welcome.” She disappeared back inside.
Brooke followed her.
"If you need anything at all, just dial Reception and ask for me. If I'm not there, someone can find me fairly easily."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The redhead hesitated at the door. “One more thing. Dash is pretty strict here about guests not wandering into the jungle. Only guided tours give people access to areas off the actual resort."
"No problem. I'm sure there is plenty close by to keep me occupied."
"Okay then. Enjoy your stay.” Zoe slipped out, leaving Brooke to stare at her surroundings.
She flopped back on the bed, staring at the white gauzy material that draped the top of the bed. She couldn't have asked for a place that could get any closer to keeping her mind off of James. Part of her hated that she had to go into hiding at all. She wanted to face the bastard that had taken a little too much pleasure in stalking her before he'd screwed up and given her every reason to get a restraining order against him.
But seeing as how well facing him had turned out the last time, coming here was the wisest decision until the police got a hold of him. She wouldn't be stupid about it. She might have taken a few self-defense classes, but James had been both quick and strong, a distinct advantage.
And now she was definitely done thinking about James.
Brooke stood and crossed to where she'd dumped her large suitcase by the door. The padded case next it holding her camera and laptop went ignored for now. Nothing was going to stop her from trying out that pool.
After a quick change into the daring electric blue bikini Harley had insisted she buy, Brooke made her way outside. The water was deliciously cool as she dragged her toes across the surface. She closed her eyes, let the sunshine warm her face and ease the remaining tension left from her nightmare from her chest.
She dove in.
Because of the freedom of gliding effortlessly through the water, she kicked her way down to the bottom of the pool. Smiling, she touched the scuffed facade, then kicked back to the surface.
She froze at the sight of the man standing just beyond the edge of the stairs leading down into the pool.
Tall, blonde and with deep brown eyes that were firmly fastened on Brooke, the man did not look happy to see her.
* * * *
Dash was seeing things. There really couldn't be any other explanation. The headache chipping away at the back of his skull was making him hallucinate. He might have even convinced himself of that until the woman emerged from the pool, bringing every inch of her barely covered body with her. He wouldn't have been able to keep his gaze from raking over her, so he didn't bother trying.
Her wet hair was slicked back from her face and the long brown strands that draped her shoulders dripped water down between her breasts. Her pierced navel caught his attention before he let his gaze drop farther, past the narrow blue triangle that would have been indecent on any stateside beach. When he reached the glossy painted toenails, he scrolled back up.
It wasn't until her lips parted in a wary smile, that Dash realized exactly how intently he had been staring at her. He saw half naked—hell completely naked—women around the resort on a regular basis, but it had been a while since he took more than a second to truly appreciate the sight.
She raised a brow. “I don't suppose you come with the room?"
He couldn't help himself. “And if I said yes?"
Her eyes, a curious shade of blue and violet—or maybe
it was just the suit that made them look like that—glittered with amusement. “I'd say I got more than I bargained for."
"The feeling is definitely mutual.” For a variety of reasons that began and ended with his brother. He had half expected that Zoe had been pulling his chain when he had passed her on the pathway a few minutes ago and she had said she'd put up a friend of Cole's in one of the cabins.
Now that he saw the woman with his own eyes, he couldn't decide what annoyed him more. The fact that his brother had sent someone here, a completely human someone, without giving him a heads up, or the fact that he was gawking at her like a teen checking out his first playboy pinup instead of having her halfway to the airport already.
"Could you hand me the towel there?"
Dash managed to drag his gaze away from her. He snagged the towel she'd left on the rail and held it out to her.
The soft sway of her hips as she closed the distance between them brought his attention to her midsection once more. This time he managed to let it linger for only a few seconds before he focused on her face.
Striking or not, no woman—no one period that wasn't one of them—could be allowed to stay and risk exposing a secret that the world was far better off not knowing.
"There might be a tip in it for you, if you can bring yourself to smile."
Dash couldn't decide if she was teasing or flirting with him. He offered his hand, determined to bring his professionalism to the forefront. “I'm Dash Windsor. I own the resort."
Her smile widened. “So you're Cole's brother. Nice to finally meet you.” She wrapped the towel around her waist.
He wished she had tucked it higher under her arms. Less distracting that way. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news...."
Her smile dimmed. “Don't tell me I have to give up the private pool?"
"Well, there was still a mix up, despite Zoe's shuffling to fit you in."
Lush lips parted in a silent ‘oh’ as though she'd expected this.
"I'm afraid I really can't let you stay on the resort."
"Why?"
"We're...."
"You're going to have to come up with something more believable than being double booked."
"I'm afraid you don't understand, Ms...."
"Brooke,” she provided. “Brooke Maisey."
"I know it's a very big inconvenience, Ms. Maisey."
"Call me Brooke. Have you talked to Cole?"
"Cole?"
"Yes, your brother.” She enunciated each word carefully as though he was slow on the uptake.
Dash crossed his arms. “I'm sure you are aware that Cole doesn't own or run the resort."
"All I know is that Cole made the arrangements and confirmed them."
"Sometimes these things happen."
"Well, since I overheard your staff talking about the resort not being booked to capacity as it has for the last couple weeks. I'm sure you can find another place for me if this one really is reserved for someone else."
She didn't believe him. He could tell it right down to the impish half grin that touched her lips.
Dash shook his head. “That's not possible."
Brooke crossed her arms in a militant stance that mirrored his. “Now you're just making me think you don't like me."
"It's nothing personal, Ms. Maisey."
"Brooke,” she repeated.
"I really hate to put you out...."
"Then don't."
"I wish it were that simple."
She cocked her head. “You do own this place, right? Or are you just the pool boy getting his kicks playing boss man?” The twinkle in her eyes said she was screwing with him.
Dash didn't know whether to laugh or toss her back in the pool. There was no way she was staying on his island. If he couldn't get her to leave on her own—using security being a last resort—that left only Cole to make her see her little trip wasn't happening.
"I'm going to straighten this out."
Her lips twitched. “Good luck with that."
He gave her a curt nod, not bothering to try to get another word in. His gut told him she wouldn't let him have the last word anyway.
As he reached the gate he'd used to enter the cabin's backyard, he could feel her eyes warming him straight through his shirt.
"And bring your swim trunks next time,” she called out.
He could have left it there, but he didn't.
Dash glanced over his shoulder. “I prefer to swim naked."
He grinned as he let himself outside the gate, but by the time he reached the main lobby his annoyance that Cole had purposely sent someone here who clearly was not capable of shifting to wolf form had simmered to a festering boil.
"Get Cole on the phone,” he growled, and stalked past Zoe into his office.
A human woman on an island full of werewolves just wasn't going to work.
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Chapter Two
"This isn't going to work.” Brooke flopped on the bed, not caring she was still wet from her brief swim. Following the full minute it had taken to recover from Dash's parting remark about swimming naked—and didn't that just leave her with an unforgettable image—she had darted inside and snapped up the phone to call Harley.
Her friend had thankfully answered on the second ring, cursing Cole under her breath almost at the same time she said hello.
"What's not going to work?"
Brooke sighed. “He wants to get rid of me."
"Who?"
"Your brother-in-law."
"Oh."
That one word reinforced Brooke's suspicion that Dash had an ulterior motive for trying to get rid of her. She just couldn't figure out what it was. His assistant had had much the same attitude right after meeting her. It was like grade school again and the principal from her new school had already taken a good long look at her previous record and wasn't thrilled to have her running loose in their school.
"Is there something I don't know?"
"Like what?” Harley's response came a little too quickly.
"Everyone was staring at me on the plane and when I checked in too. It was really weird."
"Were you wearing your, ‘I do all my own stunts’ T-shirt?"
Brooke rolled her eyes. “No. I just got a strange vibe from people. You'd think they'd never seen a woman traveling to a resort alone or something."
"Cole will get it straightened out."
"I'm not holding my breath. Dash didn't seem to care that Cole had booked the trip for me. I'm telling you he wants me out of here.” She paused. “Is he gay?"
Harley snorted. “No."
Brooke found herself smiling. “Good. It would be a waste. He's gorgeous, though he strikes me as a bit on the arrogant side."
"He has his moments. How was the trip?” Harley asked casually.
"Aside from the staring people, fine."
"No nightmares?"
"Gee Mom, why don't you just come right out and ask me?"
Harley laughed. “Okay, did you have any more nightmares?"
"Just one and it was minor.” And she planned to do very little sleeping while she was here to keep it that way.
"I still think it wouldn't have hurt to talk to someone about them."
"They're less frequent now anyway. Besides unless the island has a shrink on its payroll, I think I'll have to go without.” Which was fine by her. Talking about her nightmare—which tended to take a strange twist when James turned into a wild dog complete with snapping jaws and dripping saliva—wouldn't earn her anything but a lesson in Inkblot 101 or Free Association. She had paid enough attention in her university psych classes to know she was probably better off not knowing what Freud might have thought it meant by James changing into an animal in her dreams.
"Hold on a second."
Brooke heard Harley press her hand over the phone, muffling the exchange of voices she heard in the background. Brooke took the few minutes to watch the fan overhead circle around and around until sh
e felt nauseous trying to follow the blade.
She closed her eyes. That only made the sensation worse, so she sat up.
"Cole's calling him now. Apparently they kept missing each other,” Harley said.
That didn't tell Brooke why Dash wouldn't want her around. As far as Brooke knew, Cole and Dash were on pretty good terms despite being estranged for years. She couldn't imagine Dash refusing her just because she was a friend of Cole's. So what other reason could he have?
It would be pointless to pose the question to Harley again. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on told Brooke her closest friend knew more than she was letting on. But like the subject of James, Brooke wasn't dwelling on it. The way she saw it, she was staying, and if Dash was determined to get her off the island then she'd just have to avoid him for as long as possible. If he couldn't find her, he couldn't make her leave. Such a plan wouldn't last long, but if it bought her a few more hours or a night here, it was better than nothing.
"I'll call you if he carts me off to the airport."
"Dash wouldn't do that."
He had looked ready to before he strode out of her backyard. “I hope you're right. Well, I'm going to grab my camera and go exploring."
"Just be sure to stay away from the jungle."
Okay, that was the second time in less than an hour she'd been given the same warning. If that didn't make a person curious.... “So are we talking Bigfoot sightings or UFO's? Or better yet, sexy men dressed in loin cloths that steal women away for days on end?"
"Let's just say, steering clear will keep you on Dash's good side."
Brooke couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not. For the first few seconds he'd stared at her when she came out of the pool, the heat that filled those bedroom eyes of his had burned her up more than the hot sun did. Considering she had planned on taking a long breather before thinking about men again, that was saying something.
"I'll let you know how things go."
"Take care and stay out of trouble."
"Sure thing, Mom.” Brooke laughed, and after promising to call again soon, she hung up.
She felt marginally better knowing Cole would speak to Dash. She just wasn't convinced it would do any good. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't wrap her brain around why anyone wouldn't want her here. She knew from the vague stories Cole and Harley had mentioned about their first trip that Dash hadn't been thrilled to have a journalist on his resort.
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