But Brooke wasn't working on any story. And unless she took some scandalous pictures of his resort and posted them to the internet or something without permission, she couldn't see Dash having an issue with her being a photographer.
Deciding she was wasting time wondering about it and getting nowhere, Brooke grabbed her wrap from her suitcase, slipped on her sandals and left her cabin. She was already halfway to the main pool before she remembered she had forgotten the camera.
Brooke turned back, taking another more private stone pathway that led back to her cabin. A short cut she hoped. She was staring so intently at the pathway, the childhood game of not stepping on the cracks teasing her memory, she didn't see the man in front of her until she walked straight into him.
She brought her head up and quickly retreated at the same time.
The black haired man just beyond arms reach, dressed in board shorts and a blue ribbed tank, smiled at her.
At first she was half flattered that her suit drew an appreciative glance. Then his eyes ... changed color?
The action—one she might very well have imagined—was brief, but the similarity to James struck like a cold ice pick to the chest.
Brooke scrambled back, almost tripping in the process.
The man's smile vanished, a look of concern instantly taking its place.
She didn't care. She wanted away from him, away from eyes that for a minute became like those of the man she was determined to put out of her mind.
Without a word, Brooke turned and put as much distance between her and the man on the path as possible. She didn't stop, didn't pay any attention to her surroundings until she found herself back at the main building, the air conditioned lobby chilling her further. The place was still clumped with groups of people both leaving and arriving.
She headed for the reception desk, relieved to see Zoe behind it. Brooke wasn't really sure why she'd come this way and hadn't returned to her room, but figured it had something to do with being reassured with the over-protective brother role Cole had filled in her life. With Cole not around, Dash was the closest thing she had.
She knew it was stupid to let some ridiculous play of the sunlight mess with her head, but felt the need to talk to someone she knew, even if it meant hearing another vague argument over why she had to leave.
"Is he in his office?"
Brooke was hoping that Zoe didn't know that she and Dash weren't all that familiar with one another. Most people found it hard to object when you made it look and sound like you had every right to be exactly where you were—even if that was edging behind the counter of a resort's reception desk.
She got the impression Zoe was trying not to laugh when she gave the go ahead with a tip of her head. Just as her hand closed over the handle, Brooke second guessed coming here, remembering too late her plan to avoid Dash altogether. But feeling Zoe's eyes on her, she knew she needed to carry through. With a little knock and a prayer she wasn't actually interrupting anything, she eased the door open.
* * * *
"What the hell were you thinking?” Dash contemplated banging the phone off the edge of his desk. The noise likely wouldn't bother Cole, but it would go along way to making him feel better.
"That you could do me this little favor."
Dash snorted. “Little favor? You've dumped a full human on my doorstep and you call that little? She has no idea about us, does she?"
"Nope."
He hadn't expected otherwise. “I don't think I need to point out that there are hundreds of resorts that would have been more suitable."
"She needs to be somewhere safe."
Dash snorted. “Which makes perfect sense why you chose to send her to an island full of werewolves."
Cole ignored his sarcasm. “No one will look for her there."
"Are you going to clarify at all why the Sandal's resort a couple islands over wasn't good enough?"
The lengthy pause on the other end of the phone gave Dash little comfort. He should have known he wasn't going to like whatever Cole's reasoning was. Mostly because his brother might have a good reason for sending Brooke to his resort in the first place. Which would mean he'd have to worry about feeling a little guilty when he put her on the next flight home.
Perfect.
Dash pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let's start this from the top then. Why did you send her here?"
"She's in trouble."
Now why didn't he find that hard to believe? Could be because the few minutes he'd spent with her, Brooke looked all too ready to go toe-to-toe with him about staying. If not for some half cocked faith in Cole to get this worked out for her, Dash had no doubt she'd be ready to dig her heels in all on her own.
"What did she do?"
A sound that fell somewhere between a laugh and a snort echoed in Dash's ear. “I see you two have hit it off."
"We've spent a grand total of five minutes in each others company.” And at least three of those had been spent in vain trying not to memorize the way her breasts so perfectly filled out her bikini top.
"She'll grow on you,” Cole warned good-naturedly.
Yeah, like a barnacle attaching itself to a whale. However, Dash kept that thought to himself. They were again off track. He had enough on his mind this morning without having to worry whether or not a guest was going to get the shock of her life if she wandered off somewhere. There had always been rules about no shifting directly on the resort, which was why the jungle was at guests’ disposal for just that purpose. He'd learned early that they didn't deal well with coming across too many of their kind at once in wolf form, which was inevitable on the grounds. They were more easily able to rely on their instincts to warn them of another's approach within the jungle.
Dash heard Cole cover the phone, but didn't catch what he said to Harley.
His brother cleared his throat. “Brooke was attacked by an ex-boyfriend a couple months ago."
Dash tensed. “How bad?"
"She was lucky. Her neighbor heard her scream. She came out of it with a concussion, a few stitches and a few nightmares."
"And what happened to the bastard who did it?"
"Prison. At least that's where he was until a couple weeks ago."
"Released?"
"Escaped,” Cole clarified. “I don't think Brooke was even worried until she started getting phone calls a few days ago where no one said anything on the other end."
"He's playing with her.” Anger on Brooke's behalf scraped his gut.
"So it seems. But that's not why Harley and I wanted to send her down there."
Dash pushed away from his desk and paced around the front of his desk. Why was it he just knew he wasn't going to like whatever was coming?
"When this guy James escaped, all the driver found in the back of the transport was a Huskie that bolted past him when he opened the door."
"As in a dog?” Dash asked hopefully, though he already knew where this was headed.
"As in wolf. I think he's one of us. I never met the guy so I can't say for sure, but it doesn't look good."
The muscles between Dash's shoulder blades chafed until a stiff kink formed. “So you figured the best place to stash her was the last place he'd look for her."
"Pretty much."
Wonderful. What was he supposed to do with her now? “And you're sure Brooke doesn't know?” It actually would have made things a whole lot simpler if she had.
"Pretty sure."
"You got anyone up there tracking him?"
"Yeah, but nothing yet. I just need you to keep her occupied until he's back in custody. And after his magic trick that someone somehow managed to keep out of the press, more than a few people will be looking for him. Just a few days, two weeks tops."
"Two weeks?” He might have sputtered if he hadn't been so pissed off. “I've got my hands full down here Cole. I don't have time to baby-sit your friend."
"She'll be fine."
"Like Harley was?” Dash snapped, remembering all
too easily the way his sister-in-law had come to the island looking for a story.
"Whose fault was it your staff was getting ready to mutiny?"
Dash drilled a hand through his hair and faced the long window that looked out over the resort. “The point is, you were there to keep Harley occupied. I've got a resort to run.” And a house to finish and fish to catch, and a dozen other things he needed to do instead of keeping track of Brooke Maisey.
"I'm sure she'll have no problem entertaining herself. Like you said, she is on a resort."
"And how do I explain the melody of howling she's going to hear as soon as the sun sets if not before then?” Things would be at a minimum until the full moon which was still a few nights away.
Cole paused. “Wolf preservation."
"In Antigua?” Dash damn near shouted it into the phone. “I'm sure she'll buy that,” he mocked, then closed his mouth before his frustration over being unable to avoid this kind of complication made him say something he'd eventually regret.
"Just keep her safe."
"I don't run a babysitting service, Cole."
"As a favor. Do this for me. Make sure she's okay."
It was the image of Cole standing there when they were younger wanting to know why Dash was taking off that gave him pause. Remembering the look on his younger brother's face when he told Cole he couldn't come, made Dash growl out a promise to make sure she stayed safe.
The unexpected knock at the door, brought him around. He almost didn't believe his eyes when Brooke stepped inside like she was stopping by for a lunch date.
"Speak of the devil,” he said into the phone.
The woman winked at him. “Nah, I'm not interested in your soul."
"Isn't that comforting."
"You annoyed about something?” she asked innocently.
"Let me talk to Brooke.” Cole's voice echoed in his ear.
"No."
"You're not?” Brooke looked relieved.
Dash sighed. “Not you. Him.” He moved behind his desk. “You owe me big, you do know that, right?” he said to Cole. Big didn't even come close to encompassing just how much Cole would be indebted for this one.
His brother laughed. “Put in on my tab."
Dash growled. “I'm gonna put something on your tab all right."
Brooke came around behind his desk. “Is that Cole?"
"What?” The woman was in his office less than thirty seconds and already she was way too comfortable in his space. His space. Not even Zoe dared to cross that threshold without making sure he was in a damn good mood first.
She held her hand out. “Can I talk to Cole?"
Dash hung up on his brother without saying another word and glared at her. “No. You can't."
She propped her hand on her hip. “You are annoyed."
He opened his mouth to tell her he had never said anything to the contrary, then figured why bother. She'd just twist it around on him.
To get her from behind his desk, he rounded the corner and headed for the door. As expected she followed.
He yanked open the door. “Thanks for stopping by."
Brooke crossed her arms, determination glittering in her pretty eyes.
Christ. It was obviously a better idea to talk to her without looking directly at her.
"Why don't we start over?” she suggested. “I have no idea why you don't like me, but I'm sure we can get along well enough to be nice to each other during my stay."
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her she was leaving in the next hour just to see the look on her face. He managed to bite back the urge. Barely.
"I'm guessing you and Cole got this straightened out?"
"Yeah."
"Any reason in particular you look less than thrilled to have me around?"
"None I feel like sharing right now."
She frowned, and for the first time since she had walked into the room he caught a glimpse of something in her expression, something ... off.
Brooke shifted under his scrutiny.
"Was there a reason you came looking for me?” Either she had complete confidence in Cole's negotiating skills and had come along merely to make sure Dash talked to him, or she'd stopped by for another reason altogether.
Her gaze darted away a little too quickly.
"Something wrong?” He'd almost think she was suddenly intimidated by him.
"Nothing. Just an over active imagination."
On an island full of wolf shifters? Yeah, active imagination.
She turned away from him and crossed to the window. “I'm guessing Cole told you why I'm hiding out here."
"He mentioned a few details."
She glanced over her shoulder, her chin up. “I'm not crazy about the idea of having to give up my life until James is found, but I figure this is a much better place to lay low than my grandmother's condo in a Florida senior's complex."
The image of her lounging by the senior's community pool in her bikini almost brought a smile to his lips.
She faced him once more “So, how about we start over?” She held out her hand. “Brooke Maisey."
He hesitated, thinking how much smoother the next week would go without her underfoot, but he was resigned to his fate now. Cole had made sure of that.
Dash took her hand, the warmth of it burning into his palm. He held her gaze, surprised by the way her violet colored eyes flared at his touch. He ran his gaze down her face to her lips and held there just long enough for his gut to knot.
"Dash Windsor.” The reintroduction felt odd, but then somehow he figured the rest of her stay would be far from typical.
Zoe chose that moment to poke her head inside the office, her attention immediately zeroing in on their joined hands.
Brooke pulled away, but not before he gave into the urge to gently tighten the hold.
"We've got a problem."
What else was new? Dash closed his eyes. If he had to hear those four little words one more time today. He opened his eyes to find Zoe frowning at him. “What?” he snapped.
"Is this where I remind you of my earlier comment? You know, the one where you work and I occupy myself elsewhere?"
She wasn't really expecting a response, so Dash just stared at her.
"Kelsey pulled another one of her vanishing acts."
Of all the days to bloody well take off.... He should have let Kelsey go ages ago, but she was fantastic with the guests and effortlessly smoothed over even the most irate complaint. That was the only reason he put up with her at all. Given that this was the second time in three months she had taken off, he might need to reevaluate just how much her skills were worth.
"Toby around, or did he take off with her?"
"Haven't seen him. Been too busy to follow up. Just wanted to let you know.” Zoe glanced at Brooke, a small smile on her lips as she shut the door.
Dash glanced at his watch. He had less than an hour to get things squared away so he could look after the tour for those new to the island.
Brooke stared at him. “Busy day ahead of you I bet."
"That's the understatement of the year.” He opened the door and sailed straight past the reception, aware of Brooke right on his heels. At this rate he wouldn't have to worry about keeping tabs on her with her playing his shadow.
He blinked at the bright sunshine, but didn't bother to go back to his office for sunglasses. He'd snag another pair from the gift shop later.
"So this place must keep you pretty busy."
"Uh-huh."
It didn't matter that he lengthened his strides. She kept up. “How long have you owned the place?"
"Five years.” Where was Thea? Maybe he could introduce Brooke to her, let the event coordinator give her an active schedule for the rest of the week.
"Where does a resort owner go on his holidays anyway?"
"The artic,” he snapped with a little more edge than he had planned on.
Brooke halted and jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “You know, I'll
be back at my pool if you need anything."
"Sorry.” The apology was out before it crossed his mind that she was in fact his biggest aggravation at the moment. Still, it bothered him to think he had hurt her feelings when it wasn't her fault some jackass was stalking her.
The soft smile Brooke shot him nailed Dash right in the gut.
Maybe that was why he didn't really pay attention to the three young guys who barreled around the corner, each sporting a water cannon.
And he was just lucky enough to get caught between two of them when they opened fire. He took a direct drenching hit to his chest before they all froze.
Brooke was the first one to react. She burst out laughing.
It could have been his lack of coffee, the fact that keeping an eye on her for the next few days was going to be a pain in the ass he didn't need, or it could have been because for the one second when she smiled at him, he liked it entirely too much.
Either way, the result was the same.
He snatched the closest water cannon and aimed it right at her.
On a squeal, Brooke pivoted and ran in the opposite direction.
Dash debated on going after her with it, then passed it back to the owner. He thanked them, though he was certain they couldn't figure out why. At least now he'd have a little time to himself before he'd need to check up on her.
He sighed and headed for the gift shop. It was going to be a very long week.
* * * *
Brooke breathed in the island's exotic air. The cool night breeze stirred the palm tree leaves above her and a brilliant three-quarter silver moon hung above the water, casting a shimmering reflection that bobbed on the waves rolling towards the shore.
She couldn't resist lifting her camera and holding it as steady as she could, clicking off numerous frames. Hopefully one would perfectly capture the impressive sight. She'd given up thinking about the obscene amount of money she'd dropped to buy the top-of-the-line digital camera. Things were changing in the photography world, and she didn't plan on being one of the ones who clung to developing prints in dark rooms as though that were the only way to truly appreciate the print. While she was fond of her own darkroom, the lure of the digital camera she had had her eye on for months had finally worn her down and she didn't regret it one bit.
Howl For Me Page 3