“I think you liked that,” he said with a smile in his voice.
She looked into his eyes. Although she loved the glow-in-the-dark bedspread and drapes, the lack of light meant she couldn’t admire how blue his eyes were. “It was all right.”
“Liar.” He lifted his forefinger, the same one he’d recently used to thrust her into a vortex of pleasure, and brushed it across her upper lip. He left a trail of dampness and the sweet scent of satisfaction. “There’s your proof.”
She breathed in the aroma of her arousal. “Careful, or I’ll beg y’all to do it again.”
“Even though it was only all right?”
“That’s better than nothing.” Then she laughed and cupped the back of his head to pull him down until their lips nearly touched. “It was fabulous. But if you want to change your mind and avail yourself of my body, I’d love that, too.”
“I won’t.” He ran his tongue over her lower lip. “But you’re not easy to resist, lass. I should probably send you back to your own room for whatever’s left of this night.”
“I’ll bet there’s not much left at all. It was already late when we went up to the roof.” She didn’t want to leave him. Every stolen moment seemed precious. “What if we took a dawn stroll on the beach? I think we could sneak back to the house before anyone noticed.”
“I’d like that.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re good company, Luna.”
“I like it when you say my name.”
He raised his head to gaze at her. “Why is that?”
“I mean, it’s different to be called lass, and I like that, too, because it reminds me of Geraldine. But using my actual name seems more personal, as if you’re with me, specifically, and not just any female Were.”
“I am with you specifically. I could never think of you as some generic female Were, if that’s what you’re saying.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that, considering the many lovers you’ve had. I could get lost in the crowd.” She kept her tone light, but as the words tumbled out, she realized they came from her heart. Even if he left and never came back to Le Floret, she wanted to know that he wouldn’t forget her.
He cradled her cheek in his hand. “In the first place, I haven’t had so many lovers as that, and in the second place, you would never get lost among them. I will remember you, Luna Reynaud, for as long as I have breath in my body.”
Her heart did a funny little flip. “You will?”
“You have my word as a MacDowell.” He leaned down to kiss her, but as their lips met, bagpipes began playing from somewhere in the bedroom. He muttered something against her mouth that once again sounded like a Scottish swearword, and levered himself off the bed.
“What is it?”
“My family. It’s morning there, and they didn’t stop to think I might be sleeping. But they also don’t call unless it’s an emergency.” He walked to the dresser and picked up his cell phone.
Luna didn’t want to eavesdrop, so she decided this might be a good time to grab her clothes and slip into the adjoining bathroom. The moment had been interrupted, but she would never forget what he’d told her. I will remember you as long as I have breath in my body.
Scots were known for being poetic souls, and she could see why. He’d dazzled her with that statement, and then he’d sworn on his family name, which made the declaration even more moving and romantic. Such things could turn a female Were’s head.
She dressed quickly, grateful that jeans and a sweatshirt was a forgiving ensemble that looked fine even after being wadded up and tossed on the floor. She could hear Colin’s voice through the bathroom door. Although she couldn’t make out what he was saying, she knew he was angry.
What a shame that his family had to call right now. She wasn’t sure he’d want to go for a walk on the beach, after all. And if they did go, the mood between them wouldn’t be so relaxed and happy, judging from the tone of his conversation.
Moments later, he rapped softly on the door. “It’s okay, Luna. You can come out.”
She opened the door. Colin was busy putting on his clothes, but his movements were jerky and his jaw was rigid with obvious displeasure. “I didn’t want to intrude on your conversation,” she said.
“That was kind of you.” He sat on the edge of the bed to put on his gym shoes. “Still want to take that walk on the beach?”
“If y’all do.”
“I might not be fit company, but some exercise sounds good. I considered shifting and going for a run, but I decided to save that for after dinner.” He tied the laces on his shoes and glanced up. “Would you like to do that with me?”
“I…yes.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. That would be good, just the two of us. I’m always shy about being around other wolves because I’m not sure I’ll do what’s right since I’ve never belonged to a pack.”
“We could talk about that. Maybe I can help.”
“Colin, that would be wonderful.”
“That’s decided, then.” He stood. “Are you sure you want to go with me now, though? I’ll probably rant about my brother Duncan.”
“I’ll be glad to listen.”
“Thanks.”
They slipped out of the house as quietly as possible and didn’t speak again until they’d reached the sand. Gray light tinged the horizon, making it just possible to distinguish between sky and sea. The waves slid onto the shore with a soft hiss, then pulled back, dragging small rocks and shells into the water.
Colin didn’t spare the scenery more than a glance before setting off for the far point of the small crescent beach. “It may take several trips across this stretch before I work out my frustration,” he said.
“I don’t mind.” She lengthened her stride to keep up with him.
“So here’s the problem.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his sweatshirt. “My brother, in spite of all my arguments to the contrary, continues to insist there’s nothing wrong with Weres and humans mating. In fact, he’d like to promote that ridiculous idea!”
“I see.” A tiny squiggle of dread invaded Luna’s contentment.
“Not surprisingly, he’s become serious about a woman from Glasgow, which is why my mother called. She’s concerned that he might consider taking this woman as his mate. He’s hinted that he’s in love with her.”
Luna wished she could transport herself backward in time, to that cozy moment before the sound of bagpipes had intruded on their shared happiness. Knowing what she knew now, she would have slipped out of bed, stolen the phone, and dropped it in the toilet.
Colin didn’t seem to notice that she’d gone silent as he continued with his rant. “As I’m sure you’ll agree, Weres mating with humans is wrong on so many levels. I can’t speak for this country, but in Europe, humans used to hunt us. If they discovered we still exist, I believe they’d hunt us again!”
“Perhaps.” Her stomach churned as she realized what she would have to do.
“There’s no doubt in my mind. But aside from that, mating with humans means never knowing if the offspring will be human or Were, which is not smart. And even if the offspring turn out to be Were, the bloodline could still be diluted, giving you a Were without all the distinctive characteristics of our race. It’s a bad idea. But my pig-headed brother thinks—”
“Colin.” She stopped and waited for him to turn around. Her heart beat a rapid tattoo as she considered the risk, but she had to tell him. She wouldn’t build her new life on a lie.
He faced her. “What is it? Do you need to go back?”
“No. There’s something y’all need to know about me.”
“All right.” His voice became very quiet, as if he had already guessed that he wouldn’t want to hear what she had to say.
“My mother was human.”
Chapter Eleven
Colin required several long seconds to digest this information. During that time he tried to quiet the screaming voices in his
head that cried out in protest at the unfairness of it all. Luna was perfect. Perfect. Except, not really, not according to his exacting standards.
“I understand this probably changes everything,” she said. “You may not want a half-breed running the inn. But I am right for the job, and no one here knows about my mother. I’d planned to keep it that way, in case…in case someone else might feel the way y’all do.”
Colin scrubbed a hand over his face. Now everything she’d told him made sense. Her mother had run away because she didn’t want to be part of a werewolf pack. She wouldn’t have told Luna that she might inherit the ability to shift, because there was a fifty percent chance she wouldn’t. Then her mother had died before Luna reached puberty, and Luna had gone through her first shift with no support at all.
“That’s why you went through your first shift alone.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Yes, but that doesn’t matter, now.”
“It does.” He walked toward her, his heart aching for the young girl who hadn’t known what was happening to her. “Of course it does.” He took her by the shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”
When she lifted her face to his, a mask of indifference covered the open delight he was used to seeing there. “It’s not your problem.”
“And it shouldn’t have been yours, either.” He wanted her to tell him about that first shift, because he sensed she’d never been able to unburden herself to anyone. He was the only person in the world who knew she was a half-breed. No wonder she’d decided not to contact her grandparents.
“Look, the primary issue here is whether I still have a job running the inn. If I don’t, then maybe I can train Sybil to do it. Janet’s needed back in the kitchen, and Dulcie’s a little too focused on the male of the species, but I think Sybil might—”
“I don’t want Sybil.” He released her, because he realized she wouldn’t confide in him, not after the way he’d talked about humans mating with Weres. And he still believed it was a mistake. Luna was proof of the heartbreak it could bring.
“Then let me find someone else, do some interviewing. Just don’t throw out the idea of the inn because I’m not right for the job. Sybil, Dulcie, and Janet deserve a chance to stay on and make a go of this.”
“I gave you my word that you could run the inn.”
She swallowed. “That was before I told you I’m a half-breed.”
He looked into green eyes that had been full of joy not long ago, and now were as cold and hard as a piece of jade. “You’re still the same talented and capable Were who impressed me before. I have no doubt that you’ll do an excellent job. I want you to stay.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you.”
“No, I need to thank you. If you hadn’t come up with this alternative, I would have listed the property with that dullard Regis and lost any right to come back here. All those cherished memories would have been stripped away.”
She nodded. “I’m glad that didn’t happen.”
“And I would have missed spending last night with you.”
Her gaze snapped to his. “Under the circumstances, you should forget about that.”
“I’ve already given you my word that I’ll never forget.”
She stared at him, and gradually her mask slipped back into place. “I release you from that pledge, Colin. I’m sure my secret is safe, because it wouldn’t help business to reveal it. If y’all will excuse me, I have work to do.” Turning, she marched back toward the steps, her back straight and her head high.
At the steps, she glanced back at him. “I’ll print out the spreadsheet for those financial projections and leave it under your bedroom door.”
“Luna, don’t put this kind of distance between us. I was your friend before, and I want to keep that friendship. I care about you.” He cared more than he was willing to admit, even to himself. But he’d held his beliefs too long and too passionately to toss them aside. He hoped she understood that.
She stood gazing at the sand beneath her feet for several seconds. When her response finally came, it was so low that he had to strain to hear it over the sound of the waves.
She didn’t raise her head, didn’t look at him. “Is it the sex? Is that what y’all want?”
“Bloody hell! No, it’s not the sex!”
She lifted her gaze to his. “That’s good, because it won’t ever happen again.” Breaking eye contact, she turned and went up the steps.
He watched her until she was out of sight. He fought the urge to throw back his head and howl. He was already worried that someone might have heard his last shouted comment, which had, unfortunately, included the word sex. That comment, followed by a howl of despair wasn’t a bright idea right now.
Luna ate breakfast at her desk while she cleaned up the spreadsheet that compared similar inns in the area with Whittier House—number of rooms, room rate, and amenities. She’d used her hotel experience to project the costs of food and beverages per person and built that into the room rate. They’d have to serve three meals a day because nothing else was available without leaving the island.
She buried herself in the work she loved, the work that would give her a haven away from a world that wouldn’t welcome her if her heritage became known. Maybe other Weres didn’t share Colin’s prejudices, but she’d never had the courage to broach the subject for fear something she said would give her away.
She fussed with the spreadsheet for too long, but she wanted it to be beyond reproach. Besides, as long as she worked in her office with the door closed, she could avoid Colin. Sometime before noon she ventured out, the spreadsheet in a manila envelope with his name on it.
On the way up the stairs to the second floor, she had to pass Dulcie, who was polishing the wooden banisters on either side of the marble staircase.
“There you are!” Dulcie put down her cloth and bottle of lemon oil. “I’ve been dying to find out how everything went last night. Did huddling over those projections turn into anything exciting?”
Luna took a deep breath. “No.” She wasn’t a good liar, and she felt the heat rush to her cheeks.
“Aw, that’s okay, honey.” Dulcie patted her arm. “Don’t be embarrassed. I probably shouldn’t have asked, but you know we all want you to find a hunky Were who can give you some action. We, um, took bets on whether Colin would be the lucky one.”
“Bets?” Luna was scandalized.
Dulcie tugged at the hem of her rhinestone-studded shirt and had the good grace to look a little uncomfortable. “Well, we saw the way he looked at you, and after you left the kitchen last night, we finished off the wine, which led to a little friendly wager. Innocent fun.”
Despite being scandalized, Luna was intrigued. No one had ever paid enough attention to her activities to place a wager on the outcome. “How did you bet?”
“I put my money on you two doing the nasty last night. Janet thought it would take longer, and Sybil’s convinced you’re a virgin and nothing will happen because you won’t take that kind of chance with your new boss.”
“Hm.” Luna glanced away, not wanting Dulcie to read anything from her expression.
“You did it, didn’t you?”
“No.” She looked Dulcie straight in the eye and reminded herself of Colin’s rigid belief system. “Sybil’s right. I wouldn’t risk my future like that.”
Apparently she was convincing, because Dulcie sighed. “If you say so. I’ve already lost then, but Janet’s holding the money until Colin goes back to Scotland, because she and Sybil still have a bet.”
“How much money are we talking about?” She hoped it wasn’t a small fortune, but after a couple of glasses of wine, the Weres might have become reckless.
“Twenty bucks each. An amount we can afford to lose, which obviously I will. Damn. I thought Colin was more assertive than that.”
“Is somebody accusing me of not being assertive?”
Luna glanced up and wished she hadn’t stopped to talk with Dulcie. Now she
was trapped. Colin stood at the top of the stairs looking gorgeous as ever, the rat. No one should be that handsome. Despite what he’d said this morning, she still craved his body.
He’d obviously showered and changed clothes since this morning. He wore khaki slacks and a crisp white dress shirt open at the neck. Plus he smelled like heaven on earth, a combination of natural musk and a cologne that he’d probably brought from Scotland. She didn’t know what the scent of heather was like, but logically Colin would bring the aroma of Scotland with him.
She held out the manila envelope. “You saved me a trip. I was coming up to slip this under your door.”
He came down the steps with an easy stride that seemed to say he hadn’t a care in the world. But his blue eyes searched her expression, and lines of weariness bracketed his mouth.
“Thanks for putting this together.” He took the envelope. “Actually, I was coming to look for you. Yesterday we talked about taking a trip into Seattle to look for books, and I’ve arranged for the helicopter to pick us up. Can you be ready in the next hour?”
“Well, no.” She hadn’t expected him to take charge like this, and she scrambled for a reasonable excuse. “Janet and I need to start planning menus that are in line with my cost projections, and this afternoon is the best—”
“Janet can adjust,” Dulcie said. “You two go on. Have fun. You haven’t had a trip to Seattle in months, Luna. You deserve it.”
Surely she could get out of this tangled web. “It’s a nice thought, but considering all that has to be done in preparation for opening the inn, I can’t take the time. We need to see about advertising, and all the rooms will have to be evaluated in terms of linens, and I also think we should consider installing a hot tub.” She glanced at Colin, a plea in her eyes. “I couldn’t possibly get away.”
He ignored that plea. “Sure you can. We’ll price hot tubs while we’re in Seattle, maybe even buy one. I agree it’s a great idea. So is the library we talked about, and it needs books, unless you plan to empty Henry’s collection.”
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