Brooke headed farther down the beach, her bare feet sinking into the cool sand. After a late dinner she had thought she was ready to turn in, but after doing nothing but roll back and forth across the mattress, she'd pulled on a tank top and wrap-around skirt, grabbed her camera and sandals and went exploring.
Behind her the dying embers of a bonfire glowed against the blackness, the fire's occupants having retired for the night. In the opposite direction the lights from the resort's small marina pushed back the night. Halfway between the two she sat, gently setting her camera in her lap and her shoes next to her.
Burying her toes the way she loved to do whenever she went to the beach, Brooke let her head drop back to take in the sight of the thousands of stars glittering overhead. She almost felt guilty enjoying this small slice of paradise.
In the distance an animal howled.
She tensed despite the fact that she knew it was probably a couple of miles away. For the last hour she'd heard one mournful howl after another. She hadn't done her homework to know exactly what kind of wild dog would be on the island. It sounded like a wolf, but logic told her it had to be some member of the coyote family, something smaller, something that hopefully didn't come anywhere near the resort. That alone was enough to keep her from thinking about venturing too far into the jungle.
Drawn to the marina lights, she picked up her camera and took a few more shots. Through the zoomed in camera lens she watched someone walk down the dock, a large bag in their hands. Gear for the next day's tour? She clicked off a few more pictures, then went back to staring at the breathtaking sky.
The roar of a boat engine filled the air and Brooke wondered where it could be off to at this time of night. She watched it until the lights faded behind the far side of the island.
"Nice night."
Heart in her throat, Brooke sprang to her feet, one sandal dangling from her hand by the straps as she whipped around.
"Whoa.” Dash held his hands in the air. “I give up."
She heard the trace of amusement in his voice, but saw no smile on his face. Brooke lowered her weapon and let it drop harmlessly back to the sand.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that."
"I wasn't trying to."
Brooke snorted. “Just like you weren't contemplating soaking me earlier."
"That I can admit to."
She sat back down, pushing her toes back into the sand. “And rather shamelessly I'd like to point out."
Dash surprised her by sitting next to her. She angled her face to better study his profile without looking directly at him. The moonlight flattered his handsome face, his chiseled features more striking, as though someone had taken something cold and unforgiving and carved it into something beautiful.
He caught her staring at him.
Brooke glanced out at the water. “You're checking up on me, aren't you?"
He didn't answer her right away, but she could feel him watching her. “Just out taking a walk."
"You're a bad liar.” She managed to bring her gaze back to him.
A hot shiver rolled up her spine at the interest she caught in his gaze before he looked away. Just as well. She needed a mutual attraction as much as she needed the wild dogs to sniff her out for their next meal.
"Trouble sleeping?"
Brooke groaned. “Don't tell me Cole mentioned that, too."
He laughed, the rich throaty sound making it difficult not to watch him and hope he'd return her gaze. She wanted to know if that brief connection a second ago was a complete hallucination on her part.
Hell, not that it mattered one bit. She was here on vacation, a vacation he probably would have denied her if not for Cole. She hadn't even made up her mind if she liked the guy and here she was with her insides bunched up at the thought of kissing him.
Or she hadn't been thinking about kissing him until that last thought went through her mind, but now that the image was in her head, she had a hard time shaking it.
"Well, I should get back. Tuck myself in and all that."
"You didn't answer the question."
She frowned. “What question?"
"If you were having trouble sleeping."
"Oh. Not really.” She stood and brushed the sand off her, then bent to retrieve her sandals.
Dash beat her to it and held them out as he stood.
Brooke took them, but didn't slip them on. Instead, she headed back the way she'd come, trying to ignore how close Dash walked next to her. “You really don't need to walk me back."
A smile teased his lips. “Is that what you think I'm doing?"
"Aren't you?"
"No."
"Whatever you say, Pinocchio."
He laughed again. “I happen to live this way."
"I thought you stayed in the main building."
Dash nodded, his long legs covering almost twice the distance as hers. “I do for now. I'm building my own place at the edge of the resort."
"Want more privacy?"
"Something like that."
Brooke turned down the path that led past the pool. A few giggles and splashes told them someone was taking advantage of the cover of night. The low growl that echoed over the water however did surprise her.
Dash settled his hand under her elbow, both the contact and the brisker pace speeding up her heart.
"I don't suppose you've changed your mind about telling me why you wanted me to leave?"
He evaded answering her question by getting technical. “I thought we were starting over?"
"You're a slick one, aren't you?"
"Is there a compliment in there somewhere?"
"Only someone arrogant would think that."
"Slick and arrogant. I don't think a woman has ever spoken sweeter words to me."
This time she laughed, caught up in the lazy grin that transformed his mouth from indifferent to seductive.
"Here we go.” His hand fell away as they reached the end of the path and the hedge that shielded her cabin's door from the walkway.
"So should I be on guard for any rogue water cannons?"
"I think you're safe. For now.” His gaze dipped to her lips.
A thousand butterflies broke free of their cage and clipped at a furious pace in her stomach.
"Night, Dash.” The breathy response didn't even sound like her.
Dark eyes locked on her. A muscle worked in his jaw before he stepped back with a slight nod. “Goodnight."
He turned and strode away, leaving Brooke to stare after him as an unexpected longing rose up inside her, sharp and sweet.
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Chapter Three
"Day two down?"
Dash tipped the bottle of beer back, let the cold amber liquid slide down his throat. He set it on the counter and nodded.
Wes, the main bartender for the resort's smallest bar, leaned forward, his palms flat on the varnished wood finish. “If she's gone two days and hasn't seen anything, then she probably won't."
Dash wished he shared his friend's confidence. Unfortunately it would only take one run in and then she'd really be asking questions. While most understood and abided by his rule of no shifting while on the resort grounds, things happened. Keeping track of Brooke's whereabouts helped minimize the risk she would see anything she shouldn't, but short of making it appear she was being followed around the resort, he could only trust that the rest of the week were as uneventful as the last two days.
He'd managed to let his anger at Cole for risking so much in sending Brooke here die down to just a simmer. Dash had built this resort up, spent the last five years sacrificing a personal life in order to see it off the ground and running, and the thought of his business and the secret of werewolves existence on the line....
Dash downed the last of the beer. There was nothing he could do at this point but keep one eye on Brooke, and the other on any potential guests that might get a kick out of freaking her out. He would really rather skip the part that
would inevitably come if she learned she was surrounded by people capable of shifting into wolves at will. Even Harley, who was a level headed person, hadn't expected to see Cole shift right in front of her to protect her. She had come to accept his brother and their secret with ease, once she got over her shock. But not everyone handled such knowledge well. Many a person went to the authorities, or worse the press. They were all just lucky few people were ever taken seriously beyond the ludicrous gossip rags that routinely published alien baby stories.
The door opened and a couple strolled inside, taking a corner table.
For the last fifteen minutes, he and Wes had been alone in bar. Most people looking for excitement at two in the morning either hung out at the nightclub bar where people danced until sunrise, or had discovered the club that catered to the more decadent side of an adults only resort.
Wes rubbed at the back of his neck. “So much for closing up shop for the night.” He headed off to see what the couple wanted to drink.
Dash snagged his bottle and walked around the counter to stash it with the other empty ones. “Why don't you head out and I'll close up when they get bored?"
Wes shook his head. “Man, I don't even know how you're still walking after tearing around the resort all day. If anyone should turn in, it's you."
Dash shook his head. “It'll give me an excuse to sleep in, and then Zoe might leave me alone for the morning."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. Besides you and Percy have the group you're taking out snorkeling in the morning."
"Shit. I almost forgot about that. Then I would've had to listen to Percy whine about me being late.” He sighed. “Okay, then. I'm out of here. I owe you, buddy.” He headed for the door, then paused long enough to relay the couple's order before vanishing out the door.
Dash got the drinks and delivered them to the table. He was halfway back to the counter when he spotted Brooke in the doorway.
She smiled, her earthy stride carrying her to the bar.
The teasing scent of vanilla that wafted off her skin reminded him of the fact that he had spent more time rolling around than sleeping last night. Every other time he closed his eyes to drift off, her face and the lithe body of hers was right there, waiting to torment him with one wicked dream after another.
Dressed in a pale yellow sundress, her soft brown hair pulled back in a loose ponytail on the top of her head, Brooke took a seat at the counter. She glanced down at her self quickly. “Something on my dress?"
Dash slid behind the counter, ignoring the tightening behind the zipper of his pants.
She propped her chin in her palm. “So you moonlight as a bartender too, huh?"
"There isn't a job on the island I haven't tackled at one point or another."
"Ah, a man of many talents then.” She glanced around the bar. “Quiet in here."
"It usually is at this time. So what brings you in here so late?” He thought about asking her if she had had trouble sleeping, but given how that conversation had gone last night, he left it alone.
"A drink of course."
He followed her gaze to the couple in the corner. The woman was now fully seated in the man's lap, their heads close together as they whispered. Dash grabbed a bottle from the top shelf of the shelves behind him and set a shot glass in front of her.
She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Have something in mind for me do you?"
He poured the shot and pushed it in front of her. “You look like a risk taker."
Brooke arched a brow and lifted the shot to her mouth. Her eyes—more blue than violet in the dimmed lights of the bar—met his as she tossed it back then set the shot glass on the counter face down.
He waited, then watched as her eyes widened and she clenched the edge of the countertop. In the next heartbeat, her expression softened and she closed her eyes on a dreamy sigh.
"Wow.” She opened her eyes and grinned at him. “What was that?"
"House specialty."
"That's all you're going to tell me? The damn thing burned like hell before I was ready to have an orgasm right here in front of you, and all you can tell me is ‘House Specialty'?"
"Afraid so.” He replaced the bottle, trying to banish from his mind the image of her having that orgasm. But in his head, it wasn't the alcohol that gave it to her.
"Whoa there, fella. Bring that back here."
He laughed. “Trust me, that is not a good idea."
"I'm a big girl, Dash. I can hold my liquor."
"It's potent stuff,” he warned, but grabbed the bottle down again. He righted her glass and poured another shot. “Don't say I didn't warn you."
She picked it up, but didn't drink it right away. “So you're speaking from experience then. Drank too much and spent the night worshiping the throne?"
He snorted. “Not quite."
A daredevil smile tugged at her lips. “Prove it then."
"I'm working."
She shrugged. “I would have drunk you under the table in college."
"Is that so?” Unable to resist the challenge, he grabbed another shot glass, topped it up, and brought it to his lips. “Bottoms up.” Even before the liquid ignited his throat, his stomach clenched at the hot look she threw him before slamming her shot back. “Satisfied?"
"Almost.” She pushed her glass towards him.
This time he meant it when he told her to forget it. He knew what he was getting into by indulging in this stuff. She didn't.
Brooke shrugged. “If you want to be a pussy, that's fine with me. I can always head on over to After Hours. I hear they make some interesting drinks over there."
He was equal parts turned on and annoyed at the thought of her amusing herself at a place that was known for getting very sexual even on the most tame of evenings. Given the full moon was only three nights away, things were getting farther and farther from tame.
"Let me get you something else then."
She shook her head. “I'll take full responsibility for any repercussions."
A feminine laugh drew their attention to the couple. The heated kiss they exchanged didn't concern him, but the low growl he could hear rumbling from the man's throat did.
Brooke frowned.
Dash slapped her glass on the counter, bringing her focus back to him. He poured another shot and handed it to her. “There you go."
She paused, and he could tell she wanted to look back at the couple. “And yours?"
He topped one up for himself and clinked their glasses together. This time when the drink first scorched his throat, then spun his senses in a lust driven burst, all he could think about was leaning across the counter and sinking straight into her lush mouth.
Brooke closed her eyes and licked her bottom lip, and he felt the innocent gesture all the way to the tip of his aching cock. It was definitely closing time. Five more minutes with her and he'd be tempted to do something very stupid.
There were a hundred reasons not to go there with Brooke. The three most important being: one, Cole would likely hurt him if he thought Dash had taken advantage of Brooke's situation and seduced her. Two, sleeping with her, here of all places, brought her that much closer to learning everything he wanted to keep her from discovering. And three the only non-shifting women Dash screwed were women who knew exactly what he was. Only they had any hope of understanding the battle that waged inside him when he battled with his animal nature for control.
Brooke stood up and moved toward the small dance floor, her hips swaying with every lazy beat of music that drifted from the overhead speakers. She crooked her finger at him.
Dash didn't budge. Not on her life was he taking one more step in her direction.
Another low growl came from the corner table and he glanced over long enough to see the telltale glow of eyes. He had no worry they were going to shift right there. They were too busy enjoying each other if the slow inching up the woman's dress was any indication. That didn't mean they couldn't give Brooke a few things to wonder a
bout in the meantime.
He joined Brooke on the dance floor, keeping himself between her and the couple he damn well hoped had caught his warning look.
Brooke tugged her bottom lip into her mouth as she raised her arms over her head. He knew the shots would hit hard, but had woven through her blood faster than he had expected. A becoming flush had worked up her throat and dusted her cheeks. She closed her eyes, and he let his gaze drop to the tempting swell of her breasts that made him want to tug her dress down just a bit more.
The music changed, the faster beat slowing down as Unchained Melody drifted from the speakers.
Brooke moved into his arms before he could think to put more distance between them. Her body fit snuggly against his, her breasts pressed against his chest. He breathed deeply, inviting the sweet scent of her to invade his mind. He settled his hands at her hips—the safest place for them as far as he could figure.
She tipped her face back. “You were right."
"About what?"
"That stuff is potent."
He grinned. “Maybe next time you'll listen to me."
"Or not."
Dash didn't take his eyes off her when he heard the couple exit the bar. No doubt the couple wanted to be alone to finish what they'd started in the corner. Based on the sounds and scent of arousal that clung to the air, they wouldn't get back to their room before they'd be tearing each other's clothes off.
"Dash?"
He closed his eyes when she eased closer. “Mmmm?” Why couldn't he make himself let go of her?
"You're a good dancer."
Holding her close wasn't really dancing, but given how good she felt exactly where she was, he wasn't about to argue.
She slid her hands from his shoulders down to his chest, her fingers gripping his shirt.
The woman was killing him. He opened his eyes to find her watching him, her lips parted, inviting. Dash dragged his hands from her hips and up her side. His thumbs came to rest just beneath her breasts.
The slow heat that filled her eyes coaxed his mouth that much closer to hers. He could feel her racing pulse, hear each expectant breath that whispered over her tempting lips, see that she wanted to kiss him.
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