Tropical Bartender Bear (Shifting Sands Resort Book 3)

by Zoe Chant

  “I wouldn’t be me without you,” Tex told her, stopping on the stairs to look her earnestly in the face. “Everything else is just trappings.”

  “I love you, Tex,” Laura told him solemnly. “I love all the parts that make you, even the big belt buckle and the beat up hat. I want you to sing me the saddest, countriest songs you know, because you love them and I love you.”

  Tex’s slow, earthy smile was as brilliant as the sun in the tropical sky. “I love you, Laurelangelina Lily.”

  “Fancy you remembering that whole name,” Laura said, clearly impressed.

  Tex moved closer. “I also remember that promise I made you about knocking your socks off when we were safe on land.”

  “I’m not wearing socks,” Laura told him suggestively.

  “I’ll improvise,” Tex promised.

  Epilogue

  Laura tossed her sandals to one side and settled into the nearest beach chair. Tex was restocking the little self-serve beach cabana and cleaning up the ravages of the party from the night before. The late afternoon beach was all theirs, empty lounge chairs and beach umbrellas invitingly lonely. The piece of the boat they’d been stranded on still lay at one end near the dock, a few crabs enjoying the rare afternoon shade beneath it.

  “Everything’s sorted,” Laura said with great relief.

  Tex closed the mini-fridge and walked over to pick up one of her feet to rub. “Did you talk to Tony?”

  Laura nodded, letting his clever fingers massage her toes. She’d been on the phone for nearly three hours with the operative of a mysterious government agency that represented shifter issues. It didn’t sound like hard work, but she’d spent most of it pacing nervously.

  “He’s got all the paperwork in motion for getting me declared not dead,” she said. “We’re going with the story that I was concussed and picked up by an illegal Central American fisher, and eventually left here at the resort. Fred has been transferred to American custody already. Our testimony might not have been enough, but he had rambled an insane confession before they even made the exchange with the Civil Guard. Tony says that it’s going to take a while to unravel the paperwork regarding the inheritance, but signs are good that the money will be ours free and clear.”

  “And the cartel?”

  “He took my testimony, and got the slow grinding gears of the American legal system working on that, as well. He thinks it’s a good idea that Jenny and I lay low here until they’ve gathered enough evidence, which is probably best for a while anyway.”

  “How is Jenny?” Tex asked, more seriously, switching feet.

  “Oo,” Laura said, as his fingers found the sorest spots. “She’s… better. Shifting is still really painful for her, and she hasn’t exactly sorted out how to deal with the otter in her head, but Gizelle says she can help her.”

  “I’m so glad you have her back,” Tex said, in his sincere drawl.

  “Me, too,” Laura agreed. She took her feet back and sat up, looking up towards the pool deck. “The resort seems so peaceful today,” she said wonderingly.

  “This is a lot more normal for us,” Tex assured her sitting beside her and putting an arm over her shoulders. “Last week was an anomaly, and while it looks like we’ve got more business than usual coming up, by comparison, it should be incredibly peaceful.”

  “I am going to love working here,” Laura said with a sigh, letting Tex nibble at her neck.

  “Scarlet would probably let you stay on credit,” Tex told her.

  Laura shook her head. “I don’t want to,” she said firmly. “Even if we’re millionaires or whatever, I think I’d rather be part of something like this than sit on my ass paying people to wait on me.”

  “It’s a fine ass,” Tex said admiringly.

  “Undeniably,” Laura teased back. “I hope you’ll have time to finally play that guitar you drag everywhere, now that it’s quieter.”

  It was leaning in the beach cabana now, and it didn’t take more than the suggestion for Tex to walk over and get it. He sat back down with it cradle in his hands, testing the tuning with a few bars of a Spanish love song.

  Laura leaned back and let him start playing a sad song about death that took a bizarre turn halfway through and turned into a plea to prop his corpse up by the jukebox if he died.

  Laura ended up in tears of laughter and clapped as he played the final lines. “All these years I thought I hated country music,” she said, “and didn’t realize what I was missing.”

  Then she sobered. “There is something terribly important I am still missing though.”

  Tex looked worried and his fingers, which had continued playing chords, stilled on the strings. “What is it? Anything you need, I’ll get it for you.”

  “I never found out who won the Mr. Shifter competition,” Laura told him with deadpan seriousness. “My life cannot be complete without this knowledge!”

  The lines around Tex’s eyes crinkled perfectly with his laugh. “Mr. India,” he told her, when his guffaws let him. “Mr. Brazil was the first runner up, and Mr. Ireland was the second runner up. Did you lose any bets?”

  Laura shrugged. “I’m just tickled that Mr. Canada didn’t place. That was my only desire.”

  “Your only desire?” Tex said suggestively. He kissed her neck again, letting teeth brush her skin.

  “Well, maybe not my only desire,” Laura agreed with a breathless laugh.

  They made it back to Laura’s little cottage in the jungle with their clothing barely intact; Tex had gotten his shirt off, and Laura’s shorts were unbuttoned by the time the door was open. The remaining articles had been shed by the time they reached the bed.

  Tex lowered her onto the mattress as if she were weightless, then joined her there, his skin like hot velvet against hers.

  He paused, thick member at her entrance, but not pressing. “I’m yours,” he told her, voice low and rough with emotion.

  Wild with need and hunger, Laura pressed herself up and around him. “I’m yours,” she agreed.

  But Tex held back. “Do you mean it?” he asked.

  Laura stilled. “I mean it completely,” she said. “I’m yours.”

  Tex nuzzled her, then bit at the place where her shoulder met neck, drawing a line of blood against her dark skin with his teeth as he entered her.

  Her cry was more pleasure than pain, and she arched up to his strong thrust. “Oh, yes…”

  Tex claimed his mate with every stroke and touch, bound to the lush woman as he’d never imagined was possible. “I’m yours,” he told her, between ragged breaths.

  “I know,” she told him.

  Tex's Cocktail Recipes

  Shifter's Mate

  Ingredients:

  1 1/2 oz Light rum

  1/2 oz cas juice (aka sour guava.)

  1/2 oz Orange curaçao

  1/2 oz Orgeat syrup

  3/4 oz Dark rum (Centanario)

  Preparation:

  Shake first four items together in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass with fresh ice and float dark rum on top. Garnish with cubes of fruit and an umbrella, serve with a straw.

  Rise and Shine

  Ingredients:

  8 oz Iced coffee

  1/2 oz Orange curaçao

  Whipped Cream

  Preparation:

  Mix first two ingredients, serve in tall mug over ice with garnish of orange and whipped cream.

  The Hairy Martini

  Ingredients:

  1/2 oz dry vermouth

  3 oz gin

  1/2 oz kiwi syrup

  Preparation:

  Mix all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into glass (straight) or over ice (on the rocks). Garnish with a kiwi slice with the skin still on. Umbrella optional.

  Magnolia's Mango Mojito

  Ingredients:

  2 oz Light rum

  generous fistful of mint leaves

  4 oz mango juice

  1 teaspoon of superfine sugar

>   Preparation:

  Bruise the mint leaves in the rum, stir in sugar and mango juice until sugar is dissolved. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint and a wedge of lime.

  Graham's Ginger Snap

  Ingredients:

  1 1/2 oz vodka

  1 oz ginger liqueur

  1 oz fresh lemon juice

  1/4 teaspoon agave syrup

  1/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

  Pinch cinnamon

  Pinch cloves

  Pinch nutmeg

  Preparation:

  Shake all ingredients in a cocktail mixer. Serve over ice with a cinnamon stick.

  A Note from Zoe Chant

  Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list.

  Please consider reviewing Tropical Bartender Bear even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. I'd also love to know who you'd like to see more of next! You can email me at zoechantebooks@gmail.com with your favorite character.

  Page down to read a special sneak preview of Tropical Tiger Spy, book 1 of Shifting Sands Resort.

  The cover of Tropical Bartender Bear was designed by Ellen Million.

  More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant

  Tropical Tiger Spy. (Shifting Sands Resort # 1). A unique shifter in search of her past + a tiger shifter spy on an undercover mission + a shifters-only resort with secrets to hide = a dangerous and thrilling romantic adventure!

  Dancing Bearfoot. A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.

  Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A BBW witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!

  The Snow Leopard’s Mate. (Glacier Leopards #1) A curvy waitress longing for a better life + a lonely lumberjack snow leopard shifter + a wild night that will change their lives = one sweet and steamy romance!

  Private Eye Bear’s Mate. A curvy, independent radio DJ + a protective bear shifter detective + a scary stalker = one thrilling romance!

  Firefighter Dragon. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 1). A curvy archaeologist with the find of a lifetime + a firefighter dragon shifter battling his instincts + a priceless artifact coveted by a ruthless rival = one blazing hot adventure!

  Lion’s Hunt. (Rowland Lions # 1). A curvy woman who longs for adventure + a daring lion shifter on a dangerous mission + evil experiments in a secret lab = one action-packed romance!

  Bear Cop. (Enforcer Bears # 1). A BBW baker with a troubled past + a protective bear shifter cop with a secret of his own + an accident that leaves them stranded in the wilderness = one untamed romance!

  Rescued by the Jaguar. A curvy Mexican billionaire whose money can't buy her love + a powerfully masculine American jaguar shifter firefighter + a world trying to tear these fated mates apart = one fiery romance!

  Healing Her Wolf. A curious vet + a wounded werewolf + some tender loving care = one sexy, sizzling story!

  Bear Down. BBW biologist + bear shifter pilot + huddling for warmth in the wilderness = one blazing-hot story!

  And many more!

  Zoe on Audio

  Dancing Bearfoot – Audiobook - A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.

  Kodiak Moment – Audiobook - Workaholic wildlife photographer + loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.

  Hero Bear - Audiobook - A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!

  If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books!

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  Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.

  The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.

  Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life. A novelette.

  Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.

  The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together. A novelette.

  Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.

  Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents # 1), by Lauren Esker. A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them? A full-length novel.

  Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter. A novelette.

  Special Sneak Preview

  Tropical Tiger Spy

  Amber Allen leaned out the open window of the shuttle and drew in a breath of the fragrant jungle air. She could identify most of the plants by sight, but their scents couldn't be conveyed in textbooks.

  "Mr. Big owns the whole island," Jimmy, the scruffy man who had met her at the airport, shouted over the sound of the engine and crashing waves. "About a quarter of it was developed for the resort in the eighties, and his estate takes up another quarter of it. If you're lucky, you might get a tour."

  He gave Amber a sleazy smile over his shoulder, suggesting that he personally could get her such a treat. "The rest is left natural jungle, except the airstrip you came in on."

  Amber wanted to ask if the island owner's name was really Mr. Big, but loathed the idea of encouraging Jimmy to keep talking. She had already made the mistake of mentioning her love of plants in a conversational way, and Jimmy had taken it as if she had batted her eyelashes and asked him to tell her everything.

  He made another hairpin turn, around a switchback with a steep cliff on one side, barely shrouded in trailing greenery, and a rocky plunge to the ocean on the other. The road was scarcely wide enough for the rusty van, and had potholes large enough to swallow a bus.

  "Scarlet took over the resort about three years back," Jimmy continued, as if Amber weren't studiously ignoring him to concentrate on staying in her seat. "She cleaned up the old cottages right nice, and made it a shifters-only haven. We get animal folk from all over now, got a British boar couple, and a chinchilla from Singapore. There's a Siberian tiger, but I'd guess he's from the East Coast by his accent, not Siberia. Russian name, though."

  Amber flinched despite herself, and looked up in alarm. She wasn't sure she could get used to the idea of a place where she could speak freely about being a shifter.

  "You didn't say what kind of shifter you were," Jimmy said invitingly, meeting her eyes in the mirror.

  "A cat," Amber said vaguely, glad when he had to break their
eye contact to navigate the narrow, bumpy road.

  "Here kitty, kitty," Jimmy laughed, and Amber forced a smile, though she found it nothing but creepy. "How'd you hear about us?"

  "I found out about it from my roommate," Amber said reluctantly, clinging to her armrest and her bag as the shuttle whipped around another blind corner. None of the seatbelts worked, and she was beginning to wish that she had resisted her roommate Alice's suggestion that a tropical vacation was just what she needed a little more strenuously. At least she should have insisted on something more traditional when her friend had encouraged this rather peculiar destination.

  "That's usually how it is," Jimmy said sagely. "Can't exactly take an ad out in an airline magazine, you know, but sometimes a guest will suggest someone else to contact." Amber found the idea unsettling, but didn't comment further.

  Miraculously, the road straightened, widened, and then opened out into a gorgeous verdant lawn, with lush landscaping peppered with low walls of dark volcanic rock and brilliantly flowering bushes. A tasteful sign announced, "Shifting Sands Island Resort." Below, it emphasized, "Private Property. Residents Only. No trespassing. No hunting."

  "Here we go!" Jimmy pulled up to a wall that Amber realized after a moment was actually a building, with a green tile roof masked in thick greenery.

  There was no actual door into the building, just an open arch that went down a few steps into a little covered porch, which in turn opened into a charming little courtyard with a fountain and pots of plants everywhere. Amber couldn't stop herself from carefully touching spiky blossoms and stroking the green pitchers. There were orchids and hydrangeas and passion flowers. She paused at a brilliant red flower and frowned at its colorful leaves.