“Merci, Avery.”
CHAPTER TEN
The next evening after her regular class, Pearl showed up for another lesson, smile in place.
“Two sessions in one day. You must really like yoga.”
Pearl tugged at the hem of the loose fitting t-shirt with the Mystic Isle logo across the chest until it hid her curves.
“Hi Avery. How’s your mister?”
Avery worried her lower lip. “Technically, he’s not my mister.” And I have no idea where he is anyway. She hadn’t heard a peep from him since their awkward renegotiation discussion last night that had ended with a kiss on the cheek and zero answers. Certainly not a fulfilled desire.
“But you want him to be,” Pearl said, retrieving her yoga mat. She seemed to scrutinize Avery as she turned back to spread out her mat in the center of the floor.
Pearl couldn’t be further off base. Avery didn’t want him-want him, the forever kind of wanting. She did, however, desire his body and the exquisite orgasms he could provide.
“It’s complicated.” Avery tightened her ponytail and stepped onto her mat. “Let’s get started.”
“So what’s complicated?” Pearl asked as they did the forward bend. “Doesn’t he like you?”
Avery’d never given private lessons before. The level of personal conversation was new, but Pearl was so charming, she found herself opening up. “Yeah... We’re friends.” And despite her attempt to spice up their friendship, it looked like that was all they were going to be.
“Story of my life,” Pearl said dryly. “You think you’ve got it rough, try adding a title and five lethal brothers. It’s a miracle I even get to the friends stage. Forget friends with benefits,” she said, her golden eyebrows waggling up and down.
Avery laughed and they switched positions; she gave a few pointers.
“We’re not exactly friends with benefits either.” Somehow Hunter made that kind of relationship sound crass and cheap.
“But you want to be. You need to find a way. I can’t believe any man could resist you.”
Pearl’s smile was infectious, causing Avery to giggle.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I,” Avery said. “Downward dog.”
Pearl grumbled but got into position.
“A few decades of yoga and I’ll be as hot as you and then maybe I can find a gorgeous man who isn’t full of himself to light my fire.”
Avery laughed so hard she almost fell over.
“Newsflash, princess. You’re already gorgeous. And hilarious. Any man who doesn’t see that isn’t worth your time.”
Pearl knelt on her mat and Avery did the same. “You think so?”
“Absolutely. Your hair is gorgeous. Your smile, radiant. And I happen to know a lot of men who love curves. Not stick figures like me.”
“You look hot in a bikini, I bet.”
Avery studied her student. “And you’d look killer in a little black dress.”
“Thank you for that.”
“It’s true. And it’s not going to get you out of plank. Let’s go.”
The other woman protested good-naturedly. Avery realized that Pearl was one of those rare, bubbly people who was an eternal optimist despite what life threw at her. Always in a good mood, no matter what, even when life was handing her lemons. Or, crappy men, as the case may be.
That’d been Avery, thirty years ago. Right before her world had shattered. And now…now she saw that same loneliness in Pearl’s eyes. The same longing for a real relationship, if only they could get past their own personal hurdles.
She closed her eyes as the tears rushed forward. She missed her old bubbly self. Happy, radiant, ready to conquer the world.
“Are you okay?”
She heard Pearl’s voice but it sounded far away.
“Avery?”
“Yeah?” She took a deep breath and focused on the oak floor, blinking the tears away. The scent of floor polish mingled with that of the rubber mats. “Sorry.”
They went through half a dozen poses, Avery giving pointers, but otherwise not speaking.
“Want to talk about it?” Pearl asked. “Not that I have a lot of experience with relationships, but I’m a good listener.”
“I don’t know what good it’d do.” Her friendship with Hunter was confusing. They weren’t exactly buddies but they were on friendly terms. But she didn’t have any male friends whom she’d slept with so the protocol was all messed up. And after last night…she simply didn’t know where she stood with him.
“What’s he like?”
“Tall, dark and gorgeous.”
Pearl laughed. “Of course. Werewolf?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re the yummiest, aren’t they?” Pearl put a hand down to steady herself and Avery noted she wasn’t struggling with the poses as much as she had been earlier. That meant her muscles were warmed up and engaged.
“You said it.”
“So he likes you and you like him. What’s holding you back?”
They switched poses and Avery tried to figure out how to answer that question. She didn’t make excuses for who she was, but Pearl was a client, not a coven mate.
“We want different things, I guess.”
“Ahh.” She nodded slowly. “I know how that goes.”
There it was again. That hint of sadness that seemed so out of character for the bubbly princess.
“But as my great grandmother says, if it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”
“My grandmother used to say ‘you’ve made your bed. Now you’ve gotta lay in it.’”
“She sounds like a wise woman.”
“That she was. You’re doing great today,” she said as they rested in the modified corpse pose.
“Thanks. I think I’m getting the hang of it.”
“I told you you would,” Avery said with a smile. “So enough about me. What about you? Has an island stud caught your eye?”
The dimple in Pearl’s cheek made an appearance. “Not yet. But I hold out hope.”
Freshly showered, Hunter made a beeline to the elevator. Cell phone in hand he called his brother and arranged a get together in half an hour at the Skyline bar on the roof of the main hotel.
As he stepped off the elevator he almost ran into Shade and Izzy. They were so crazy in love; Hunter was jealous as hell of Shade’s right to touch Izzy any time he wanted. Not that he wanted to touch Izzy. But he wanted the right to touch Avery at any point throughout the day or night.
And the way Izzy looked at the demon could have started a forest fire.
He took a deep, calming breath, wanting that too. Patience, wolf.
“Hey, you guys want to meet me at the Skyline bar in twenty minutes? Maxim and Ceara will be there. I’m going to see if Avery’s in.”
The other two shared a look. They’d had plans. Of the sexy variety, if Hunter had to wage a guess. But then Izzy gave a delicate little shrug.
“Sure. We will join you.”
“Excellent.” Hunter gave Shade a friendly slap on the back as he stepped aside. No doubt they were going to get frisky in the elevator on the way up to the bar. Demons. Gotta love ‘em. They were almost as sexual as wolves. Almost.
Fuck. He needed to stop thinking about sex. His shorts weren’t going to be any good at hiding a hard on.
He strode through the halls, eager for another casual group date with Avery. Did she realize she was being courted? He hoped not. Otherwise she’d probably turn him down flat.
If only he could hold off her advances long enough; which was far easier said than done. He’d almost caved last night. Of course Avery would decide that they should renegotiate the terms of their relationship while he was trying to play it cool.
He heard her voice as he approached the yoga room and felt a jolt of happiness spread through him. Pausing, he leaned against the wall just outside the doorway. Sure, eavesdropping was rude and he’d probably pay for it by hearing something he didn’t want to but he was de
sperate. He needed any advantage he could get to win his woman. Hard headed, gorgeous woman.
“I’m telling you. Next guy I see, I’m just going to walk right up to him and plant a kiss right on his smacker. Then we’ll go from there. I’ve gotta get him out of my mind before he drives me crazy.”
Hunter couldn’t believe his ears. That was Avery’s voice. She sounded horny and desperate. As horny and desperate as he felt.
“Good luck with that,” Pearl said a few seconds later.
“You don’t think it will work?”
“After everything you’ve told me about Mr. Complicated, no. Not really. But we’ve already established I know nothing about the male of the species, especially concerning matters of the heart.”
Hunter frowned. What did Pearl mean by that? And who was Mr. Complicated?
Didn’t matter. He wasn’t leaving anything to chance. Certainly not another man sweeping into that room, straight into…Avery’s arms.
Oh, that’s evil.
Perfectly evil, his wolf agreed. Smirking, he shoved away from the wall and strode into the room.
“Hello ladies.”
Avery’s gaze swerved to his and the surprised expression on her beautiful face was priceless. Was she putting two and two together? After all, she’d just said she was going to kiss the next man she saw. And she was looking right at him. He felt Pearl’s gaze but didn’t dare take his eyes off Avery, didn’t want to give her a chance to back out.
“Hi Hunter,” Pearl said. “Good to see you.”
Avery glanced back and forth between him and Pearl as if trying to make the connection. Not giving her any time to jump to false conclusions, he said “I’m meeting everyone at Skyline in a few minutes, you up for it? You’re welcome to join us Pearl.”
“Oh, I’d love too, but I’m all messy,” Pearl said.
He spared her a glance. “You look lovely, as always.”
“I think I’ll go take a quick shower.” She turned to Avery. “May I be excused, teacher?” Her grin was wide, mischievous and infectious. She was purposely leaving them alone together. Thank the gods for small favors.
And good friends.
Avery laughed. “Yeah. See you in a bit.”
Pearl stared at Avery for a long moment.
“What?” Avery asked.
Pearl shrugged. “Just wanted to see if you were serious…about what you said before.”
Avery’s jaw dropped a little. Smirking, Pearl gathered her bag and headed for the door.
Would Avery act on her earlier declaration to kiss the first man she saw? Was she really ready for more as she claimed to be and would that ruin his carefully made plans?
He decided to let her play this one out as she saw fit.
One thing he’d learned: patience was the ultimate virtue. If he waited just a little longer he could have everything he wanted. He just hoped he could hold her on the precipice of desire long enough for her to cave. For him to get her to admit her feelings. To draw out her history so they could put those ghosts behind them and move on.
But patience was not in his wolf’s DNA. Whereas other pups had learned to lay low and watch for dinner, he’d bounded across the fields, scaring potential meals away.
No. His human side had to win this silent battle. He had to win Avery. Otherwise… No. He wasn’t going there.
He would win her.
“I should change,” she said, looking uncertain. At least she hadn’t said no to his invitation.
“You look gorgeous. Perfect actually. I like this slightly flushed thing you’ve got going on.” He waved his hand in her direction and kept a tight leash on his inner beast. She looked good enough to eat.
“That’s a really nice way of saying I’m sweaty.”
He snagged one of the hand towels from the rack on the wall and started toward her. “You’ve always looked your best when you’re sweating,” he murmured as he handed her the towel.
The truth was, she wasn’t sweaty, but he couldn’t resist getting closer to her. Or reminding her about their time together, getting sweaty, finding the ultimate pleasure in each other. While she stood there with the towel in her hands, obviously trying to figure out what to make of him…and hopefully thinking about her proposal last night, he gathered her yoga mat and packed it away in the slender drawstring bag.
“Ready?” he asked, dropping her sandals in front of her. The sound of them smacking against the oak floor galvanized her into action. Sliding her feet into them, she took out the elastic band holding her ponytail and finger combed her hair until it rained down her back.
“Yeah.”
He slid his hand against the naked flesh of her lower back. He didn’t miss the way she leaned, ever so slightly, into his touch.
“Hunter…”
He braced himself for another blow. Damn he loved her. Loved looking down into her beautiful deep blue eyes. Loved watching her mouth curve up or down, tremble with desire, say his name.
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
Her expression softened and her spine relaxed.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but—” She raised up on her tip toes, cupped his cheek with her hand and pressed her lips against his.
Shock and pleasure engulfed him. He had just enough presence of mind to hold himself in check. Though he kissed her back, he made no move to pull her closer. Denying himself the pleasure would be worth it later, he promised his wolf.
She pulled back and stared up at him, her lips parted the slightest bit.
Did she feel it? The connection? The electricity? The magnetism pulling them back together.
“How am I supposed to take that?” he asked softly, trying to sound as casual as possible when every tendon in his body was tight as a guitar string.
“I—” She licked her lips and shook her head as if trying to clear it. “A friend kissing a friend.”
“Look at you, you little rule breaker,” he teased, reminding her of her one night only rule. This latest negotiation was a one-eighty from a year and a half ago when he’d bargained for more than one night. He’d go with it. Maybe not put it into so many words, but if a more physical relationship would keep her attention, then that’s a risk he had to take.
Right now, he needed to get them moving, before she could reason with herself. Before she could talk herself out of going up to the bar with him. He ushered her forward, hand at her back, the other carrying her yoga bag.
“For the record,” he murmured once they were ensconced in the elevator, “I’m available any time you want to break the rules.”
To his surprise, she laughed softly. The sweet sound washed over him like aloe on a sunburn.
“Why doesn’t that surprise me, Hunter Ciolek?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
“You’ve been breaking the rules since the moment we met.”
He shrugged.
“I have a theory…”
When he didn’t expound she asked “which is?”
“The things we want most in life… The things that are the most important to us, they’re worth breaking the rules for. Other than that, I’m an angel.”
She snickered. “Where’s your halo?”
“Right here,” he said pointing above his head. He tipped his head down. “Do you need a closer look?”
She laughed again. “You’re incorrigible.”
“You used to like that about me.”
“I still do,” she said as the elevator doors opened. She strode forward onto the tile floor and then pushed the glass door open. Warm air enveloped them as they crossed the rooftop deck.
Things were in full swing. To the left, two bartenders did tricks as they poured drinks behind a packed bar. Lounge chairs bordered the deck to his right, taking advantage of the breathtaking views. Straight ahead, a dozen or so tables were mixed with privacy offering potted palms.
Maxim waved a hand to get Hunter’s attention. He slipped his hand against Avery’s back again and directed her
toward his brother. The hair on the back of his neck stood up, telling him they were being watched. He was used to the sensation and had learned to heed the warnings.
As he glanced around, he noticed a few guys watching Avery. He couldn’t blame them. She was mouthwatering in low slung yoga pants that made her ass look like two perfectly ripe cantaloupes. Her lean torso was bare save for the white sports-bra that showed off her lovely light brown skin to perfection.
“Bonjour, all,” Avery said as they approached the table.
Their friends greeted them with smiles and waves. They’d pushed two square tables together and Avery took the chair across from Izzy.
“So I’ve heard that they’ve got a new kind of chicken wings,” he told Maxim and Shade as he helped Avery into her chair. She murmured her thanks and struck up a conversation with Izzy.
A feeling of rightness washed over him. This was how it was supposed to be. Them, together. Hanging out with friends and family. Casual. Friendly. Perfection. Together.
“Oh yeah?” His brother tossed down his menu.
“Something about a new type of sauce. Whattya say, Shade? Up for it?”
“You only live once,” Shade said and they all laughed.
A waitress came over and Hunter ordered two platters of wings. “House cocktail?” he asked Avery.
She nodded. He ordered her drink and a beer for himself.
“How long are you going to be here?” Avery asked Izzy.
“A few more days.”
“We’ve decided to have the wedding here,” Shade added. Avery and Ceara murmured their excitement.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a tall, lithe brunette approaching their table. Her chin length hair was tamed to perfection, almost chiseled. The slight smile curving her brilliant red lipstick had the power to drive a man wild, he was sure. But then, a woman like Valencia Fabelle was bound to have a variety of bring-a-man-to-his-knees tricks up her sleeve.
“Hey V. Can you join us?” Avery said, noticing her coven mate.
“I can. Ceara told me you were getting together.”
Hunter stood and helped her into the chair across from his. She was elegant to a fault and smelled rich and powerful, even a touch mysterious. But she did nothing for him.
Pursued by a Werewolf (Mystic Isle, Book 4) Page 9