by Lola Kidd
“Naw, that’s my buddy,” Chet told her.
“So you’re friends with a hippo. That’s really cute.” She smirked and locked eyes with him in the rearview mirror.
“That’s a shifter.”
She looked out her window and back to him. “No way.”
He nodded. “Yeah. How do you think we keep the animals under control?”
She went back through her camera log. “How many of the animals I shot were actually shifters?”
“Not many,” Chet said. “They’re out more in the morning and late at night.”
“That is so cool,” Lily said. “I wish I was a shifter. It seems so fun.”
“Are you a shifter?” Addison asked him.
“Of course. I thought Max and Shane told you guys about us.”
Addison shook her head. “They just said you all were friends. I knew they were shifters, but I wasn’t sure about you guys. What kind?”
“I’m a white rhino,” Chet said proudly.
“Isn’t that a huge animal?” Lily asked. She found a picture in her phone. “One of these, right?”
“Almost. My kind are found more in Asia than Africa. I’m a little bigger than that, too.”
His phone buzzed when they were in front of their bungalow. “It’s Finn. It’s our lucky day. Parker Travers will be the head chef at Wild Eats. Our dinner will start an hour later, since the last one ran over.”
Addison squealed and her eyes lit up. She was even more beautiful when she was smiling. “You’re kidding. I heard the rumors, but I didn’t believe that he’d actually come and cook here.”
“Who’s Parker Travers?” Lily asked.
“He’s a vegan chef,” Chet said.
“A cheetah shifter vegan chef,” Addison added. “He’s one of the best chefs in the world and very unusual.”
“A vegan cheetah?” Lily laughed. “Sounds a little try-hard.”
Chet shrugged. “No worse than a human going vegan. You guys are omnivores.”
“I’ll judge him by his food,” Lily said. “Anyone can get good press for being novel.”
“I need to run back to my place and change,” Chet said. “I assume you ladies will need some time to get ready.”
“We’re going to be late if we have to wait for you to get ready,” Addison said sweetly. “I don’t want to miss anything. Maybe you should sit this one out so you don’t ruin our evening again.”
Chet put the car back in park. “You need to stop trying so hard.”
Her eyebrows almost hit her hairline. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, doll. I know you love me.”
Addison laughed. “You’re delusional, and way too full of yourself.”
“I’m not. I know you love me, but you don’t want to play hard to get. You can stop.” Chet came around and opened her car door for her. “Mark my words, you’re going to marry me before the end of the year.”
He hadn’t known he was going to speak to her that way. It had just come to him as he spoke. He felt confident in his words, though. He was going to marry her. It didn’t matter that they had just met, or that she was standoffish. She was his mate. It was what his rhino was telling him and what he felt in his heart. She was the one he had been waiting for. The realization made him smile even more—which only seemed to piss her off again.
“Someone is in for a rude awakening,” she huffed as she got out of the jeep. “I do not love you, nor will I ever be marrying you.”
Lily grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the house. “We’ll see you when you get back, Chet.”
“Can’t wait,” he called after them.
He’d found his mate. He should have known in the club as soon as he saw her. At least he had come to his senses quickly, and he wouldn’t make that mistake again. He’d listen to his animal.
Now he had to figure out how to bring her around to his side. That little stunt had to make her more interested. She was afraid. That had to be the explanation.
He’d be a gentleman on the double date, and she’d see what a good guy he was. Not all women wanted to date a shifter, let alone one who worked at an island resort. It probably wasn’t a very prestigious job to a college girl. He had to show her that he was just a nice, hardworking guy who happened to also be a two-ton rhinoceros occasionally.
Chet sped the whole way home. He took a fast shower and threw on a pair of jeans, a button-down shirt, and a blazer. Perfect for the dinner show. He’d actually never been, even though it was very popular. Singing and food didn’t mix for him, but he was making an exception.
He went to pick up Max and Finn as soon as he was done.
“You got the jeep for the night?” Finn asked, sliding into the front seat.
Chet grinned. “I do now. I was supposed to drop it off after getting them to the show. I’m keeping it, though. The depot won’t mind.”
“No way we were all going to fit in a golf cart,” Finn said.
Max shook his head. “It would have sucked showing up for a first date in a golf cart.”
“Are we calling this a date?” Finn asked. He looked at Chet. “I mean, do they think this is a date?”
“I thought it was a date,” Chet said. He tried to remember if either of the women had used the d-word. “Shoot. I think they just said dinner. I mean, it’s basically a double date, though.”
“I don’t know,” Max said. “Human ladies don’t typically date two guys at the same time. I think we need to play this cool.”
“You two are into Lily, right?” Chet was looking at Max. He knew Finn was a good guy, but Max was a bit of a player. They’d only ever dated the same girl twice. Chet had never thought they were cut out for a triad. The twins were best friends, but the way they treated women didn’t always match up. A girl was bound to prefer one of them. He’d never understood how a triad worked, anyway, and was glad he didn’t have a twin or a brother. It was hard enough managing a two-person relationship.
“We really are into Lily,” Max confirmed. “I hope she’s into us, too.”
“Because you want to settle down.” Finn rolled his eyes. “This is a vacation thing for them. Nobody’s looking to get serious when they’re on vacation.”
“I’m pretty sure Addison is my mate,” Chet said. “So I hope you’re wrong about that.”
“What?” Max punched Chet in the arm from the back seat. “Congratulations, man. That’s really great. She seemed like a really cool girl last night.”
“Good luck,” Finn said.
From the tone of his voice, Chet could tell he didn’t think there was a good chance of this date ending in a love match. He was surprised. Finn was normally very optimistic.
No matter. They were in front of the girls’ bungalow. Whatever was going to happen was out of his hands. Even if Finn didn’t think vacation romances were possible, Chet believed it would work out. Addison was fated for him, and nothing could mess that up.
Six
“This is a disaster,” Lily whispered as soon as the lights were out.
Addison agreed, but there was nothing they could do about it now. The first part of the dinner had gone great. She had learned a lot about Chet, Finn, and Max. All three actually seemed like okay enough men, but they weren’t people she would want to date. Contrary to Chet’s opinion, she was not in love with him. In lust, maybe. He was infuriating, but also very good-looking—the best-looking guy she’d seen while on vacation. But just because she wouldn’t be opposed to a fun vacation romp didn’t mean she loved him.
They’d even gotten some good pictures for the deal they’d made with Ward. All in all, it had been a very good day until the food started arriving. They started talking about school and Lily said that she didn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t get a college degree. It was laziness, she said. Addison had heard that particular opinion many times. It was naïve and very short-sighted, but it didn’t upset her. When Lily went on her little rant, Addison didn’t even look up from her bleu cheese an
d grape starter salad.
Finn was very offended. His mood had switched almost immediately. Then when the waitress was bringing out their soups, she spilled Chet’s all over his lap. It was scalding hot, and Addison had no idea how he could walk. He excused himself to the bathroom and when he came back the waitress dropped his bean burrito all over him. It was comical, but Chet stood up and swore at the poor girl.
It was out of frustration, of course, but Addison couldn’t believe the outburst. The whole restaurant got quiet and looked at them. It was so embarrassing. The show had started late, so they were going to be stuck sitting with the men until the wee hours of the morning. Then there was going to be the awkward drive home.
To add to the list of surprises that evening, the leads in the show were complaining of sore throats, so the understudies were performing—and the understudy for the lead actress was obviously sick too. It was an utter disappointment.
“I have to go to the ladies’ room,” she told Chet. Lily gave her an imploring look, but Addison shook her head. She didn’t need a bathroom buddy.
The ladies’ room was empty, as she expected. The show had just begun, so she figured she had a while before anyone bothered her.
She sat on the sink and kicked off her heels. Using her phone, she checked to see what buses were running after the show and was happy to see there was one back going to their resort. There was no need to ride back with Chet and the twins.
She could hear the opening number ending and figured she’d better get back to the table. When she opened the door, she ran smack into Chet’s solid chest.
“Oh!” She tottered on her heels, but Chet grabbed her before she could fall.
“Hey. You were taking a long time.”
“I had to use the bathroom.” Addison smoothed her curls back into place.
“Or you were utterly bored by this performance.” Chet shook his head. “You guys got screwed. This is a first for the restaurant, according to the hostess. The lead actors and their understudies are probably all drunk.”
“I thought you weren’t allowed to get drunk while you were working.”
“You aren’t, but this is a special occasion. It’s Parker’s first night. Unprofessional, but it isn’t like they have anything to worry about. None of them will get fired, and messing up one show won’t piss off their bosses. I’m really sorry.”
“It isn’t your fault.”
Chet looked at his watch. “I have an idea. Why don’t we get out of here? We can take a walk on the beach.”
“I can’t leave Lily. You’re our ride home, too, you know.”
“We’ll be back before the show is over. It’ll be a lot more fun on the beach than watching that woman attempt to sing for two hours.”
Judging by the opening warbles of the next song, Addison had to agree. She nodded. “Fine.”
Chet pointed to the door to her left. “We need to go out that way so Lily and the twins don’t see us.”
Addison followed him through the busy kitchen and outside. There, she breathed in the warm air.
Chet grabbed her hand. “This way. I know a hidden little spot on the beach.”
They walked about a quarter of a mile and went through some sparse trees. Then, Chet hung his blazer on a tree branch and started unbuttoning his shirt.
“What are you doing?” Addison asked, amused. “I think you got the wrong idea.”
“Want a ride?” He hung his shirt up on top of his blazer and kicked off his shoes.
Addison couldn’t help but stare at his rippling abs. He was bronze all over, and so muscular. Her eyes couldn’t help but follow the deep V down to the treasure below. She licked her bottom lip as he slid his jeans off his hips.
“Eyes up here.” He gave her a wicked smile. “Did you hear my question, or am I distracting you too much?”
Her face was hot. “One more time.”
“Want a ride? I haven’t shifted in ages, and it’s a beautiful night for a walk on the beach.”
He was standing in front of her in just his boxer-briefs. She knew shifters were very open with their bodies, but this was ridiculous. How was she supposed to follow the conversation when his bulge was right there? She could imagine slipping the briefs down and seeing exactly what he was working with, and she didn’t think he would stop her.
She twirled a curl around her finger. They were completely alone. No one would disturb them, and they had lots of time.
“Sure.” She snapped out of her trance. She did want to see him shift, though. She’d only watched videos of shifting on the internet. Here was a chance to see it up close and personal.
He turned around and slipped down his boxers, and Addison groaned inwardly at his sudden shyness. She still got a very good view of his toned buns, which looked nice enough to take a bite out of. Not that she would…probably.
With his back to her, he began to change. His skin thickened and he fell forward onto his hands and knees.
His shoulders widen impossibly and his skin deepened in color. It was breathtaking. When the shift was finished, there was a giant rhinoceros standing on the sand in front of her. Even knowing it had moments earlier been Chet, her heart still raced. It was a giant animal, at least fifteen feet long and taller than her, at least six feet high at its shoulders.
The giant rhino shook its head and turned to face her. He dropped down to sit and waited for her.
Addison stepped forward with trepidation. She’d seen similar animals earlier in the day, but she’d been safely inside a car and this was very different. She didn’t feel threatened by Chet, but her instincts screamed at her to run away as fast as she could.
She touched the skin around his broad, flat lips. It was firm and leathery. Then her hands swept over his two horns. She would have to ask him what they were for. Did he use them to dig in the dirt, or were they only for fighting? The smaller one in back had to be for decoration.
His giant gray eyes watched her as she explored his face, and she realized she was wasting time. They only had so long until the show ended, and Lily was already going to be mad enough.
Addison put her purse under Chet’s blazer on the tree and then climbed atop his back. He stood up and started walking slowly down the beach. She realized quickly that she needed to lie down on top of him. Without a saddle, it was hard to stay on his back upright, and her dress made it difficult to straddle him.
He picked up speed to a trot once she was secure on his back. Her curls whipped in the light wind, and she grabbed on tighter and giggled. She was riding a rhino down the beach—a giant, two-ton rhino shifter. And she was having a great time.
The beach was fairly empty. She only spotted a few couples in the shadows as they went. She couldn’t blame them. Nights like this begged for some outside lovemaking.
She had no idea how far they had traveled when he stopped at some dunes and sat down again. Addison slid off his back and looked out at the ocean. By the time she turned back around, a very naked Chet was starting a fire.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“Near Safari Town. Me and the guys come drinking out here all the time.” He pointed to an alcove where there was a stack of beer cans. “Nobody else comes down here. We can sit for a while and still get back in time if I run. Cool?”
She nodded. “Cool.”
He got a blanket from their secret stash and spread it out for her. She sat down near the fire while he stayed standing.
He stretched. “Feels good to get down on four legs again. It’s been way too long since I shifted.”
“You don’t do it every day?”
“No way. I forget about it all the time. It’s only when I start getting restless that I remember that I gotta let the beast free.”
He sat down next to her on the blanket. She tried to keep her eyes trained on the fire, but it was no use. She was surprised to find him staring at her intently. She brushed her neck. “What?”
“Does a man need an excuse to look at a beautiful
woman?”
She blushed. “Stop.”
“I know. Sorry. I’m sure you get sick of hearing it.”
Addison laughed. She didn’t want to sound like she was fishing for compliments, but she didn’t. Not often enough, anyway. Maybe she was hanging around the wrong men. “I’m sure you do too.”
He shrugged. “I get ladies on the tour every day. Most of them aren’t afraid to tell me how hot I am. I sure don’t get sick of hearing it.”
“Of course you don’t. Do you ever tire of talking about how great you are?”
“I am that great. Why should I pretend I’m not?” He ran a finger down her arm. “I’m sure you’re looking in the mirror every chance you get.”
She laughed. “Not exactly.”
“Well, you should be. They couldn’t drag me away from a reflective surface if I had your face.” He put his hand on her cheek. “Maybe you’ve just gotten used to seeing yourself all the time. Make no mistake, everyone you meet is lucky to be able to gaze upon your lovely smile and those kind eyes.”
His words were so corny. So ridiculous. She wanted to laugh and shoo him away, but it was so sweet, probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said about her… which was why she let him lean in and kiss her. It was a slow and gentle kiss, but his free hand wandered down to her chest. He squeezed her breast through her clothes.
Addison moaned and leaned in to him, but Chet leaned back. He ran his hand up her thigh to the hem of her dress, then pressed back on her shoulder gently until she was lying on her back on the blanket. Addison’s heart was pounding and she thought her lungs would explode as he raised the hem of her dress slowly.
Her cheeks flushed with both lust and embarrassment. She never let a man she barely knew see her this way, but she didn’t want him to stop as his breath trailed up between her legs.
Chet pulled her thong down her legs slowly and pulled her feet out of them one at a time. Then he put his hands under her knees and pulled her legs even further apart. Once she was spread before him, he moved until his mouth was pressed against her opening.
He spread her lips with one hand and licked around her opening, and Addison shivered and bucked. Her ass lifted off the ground as Chet’s tongue danced around her clit. She cried out like she’d been hit with a bolt of electricity, and he chuckled and held her down. He licked at her until she was pressing her face into his mouth.