“Hey.” She poked him in the ribs. “You’re not allowed to be possessive.” He had no right to lay a claim considering everything, but knowing he wanted to was gratifying.
“I know I shouldn’t feel that way,” he said softly. “But I can’t seem to help—Knox? Colin, here. Listen, we’ve decided to stay over. Could you meet us at the helipad around…” He glanced over at Luna and lifted his eyebrows.
“Noon.”
“Around noon,” Colin said. “You can? Thanks. See you then.” He disconnected the phone and tucked it inside his jacket. Then he settled back with what could only be described as a triumphant smile and recaptured Luna’s hand.
“I have no sexual interest in Knox,” she said. “I probably shouldn’t tell y’all that, because it’s sort of fun to watch the Laird of Glenbarra get jealous.”
“I’m not jealous.”
“Ha.”
“I’m not. I was, back when you were making eyes at Knox and he was showing off with his helicopter skills, but I’m—”
“He was not showing off. He knows I love orcas and when he spotted a pod of them he simply made sure I got a good view.”
“Because he wants your body.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do, lass. Male Weres know these things about other male Weres. Knox has noticed you. You’re beautiful, funny, and smart. Any male with half a brain would want you.”
Warmth spread through her. Other females might be used to hearing this kind of thing, but she’d spent a lifetime avoiding such conversations. She drank in his compliments. But that didn’t mean she had an interest in Knox.
She liked him as a friend, and she valued the way he’d tried to save Geraldine, but she’d never reacted to him the way she had to Colin. From the moment Colin had walked into the entryway of Whittier House, she’d been entranced by him. She knew he wasn’t a real possibility in the long run, but for the next few days, he was all hers.
And if he thought he had a rival in Knox Trevelyan, maybe she should keep her mouth shut and pretend that was the case. She didn’t know much about male-female relationships, but instinctively she understood the advantages of being desired by more than one eligible Were. With Knox potentially hovering in the background, Colin would try harder to please her. That could be good.
“Are you still up for a meeting with George Trevelyan?” Colin asked as they neared the business district.
“Yes.” She extracted her hand from his grip. “But I need to repair my lipstick. Someone kissed it all off.”
“Does it have a raspberry flavor, or is that just you?”
She glanced at him. “What if I said my mouth tastes naturally of raspberries?”
“I’d believe you. It’s not a stretch to think you’re delicious all over.”
She wiggled happily in her seat as she imagined him enjoying every inch of her in their shared hotel room. “I’m really starting to enjoy this whole sexual thing. I wish I’d learned about it sooner.” Opening her purse, she located her lipstick and a small mirror.
“Selfishly, I’m glad you didn’t.”
She paused in the act of putting on her lipstick as she debating telling him the absolute truth. But he had been the first to give her an orgasm, so maybe he deserved the truth. “I think holding off was a good thing for me. Y’all were the one I needed to learn from.”
“I’m flattered. But the way things are going, the student is liable to outpace the teacher.”
She shook her head. “There’s so much I don’t know, especially about…how it works when we shift.”
“I’m sure you can imagine.”
Her cheeks grew hot. In spite of all they’d shared, some subjects still made her feel shy. She was gaining confidence in human form, but as a Were, she felt inexperienced and tentative. “I can imagine, but I could be wrong.”
“Tomorrow night, after we test out the hot tub,” he murmured for her ears alone. “We’ll shift together and go for a run. Once we’re in the forest, I’ll…I’ll show you what happens between two Weres.”
Her heart pounded so loud she wondered if the chauffeur could hear it. “I’d like that.” She didn’t dare put on her lipstick now or she’d smear it all over her face because her hands were shaking.
“You will like it,” he said gently. “The other is good, but making love as Weres adds a whole other dimension. It is, of course, how Weres bond when they mate, but of course we won’t be doing that.”
“Of course not,” she said quickly. Still, she was curious about how a mating ritual was different from simply having Were sex. “I may never take part in that kind of bonding, but what happens, exactly?”
“I’ve never done it, either, obviously, but as teens we all learned what takes place, so we’d be ready. The actual sex is the same, but the two Weres circle each other beforehand while they pledge their eternal faithfulness.”
A lump lodged in her throat. “That sounds wonderful.” And she wanted such a bonding, but she could only think of one Were who would fill the bill. Maybe that was due to her lack of experience.
“When Weres are truly mates, perhaps even soul mates, it is wonderful, or so I’ve heard. Hey, you’d better fix your lipstick. We’re almost there.”
She’d been so wrapped up in the idea of mating Weres that she’d lost track of her original intention. Turning the base of the tube, she held the mirror in front of her mouth and outlined her top lip while doing her best to keep her hand steady.
“It’s the lipstick,” Colin said. “It smells like raspberries.”
“You found me out.” She moved to her bottom lip.
Colin put his head close to hers. “I think I could come just watching you do that.”
Hot desire shot through her veins, but she pretended to be unaffected by his comment. “Then y’all are easily stimulated.”
“By you, apparently. This isn’t the first time I’ve watched someone put on lipstick, but it’s the first time it’s given me an erection. I can’t stop thinking about you kneeling in front of me, with your mouth on my—”
“Stop it, or we’ll both be in trouble.”
“I think we already are.”
She would agree with that. Although her inexperience meant she couldn’t judge whether the passion between them was off the charts, he’d admitted that the simple act of watching her apply lipstick was enough to set him off. That sounded like a strong attraction to her.
The limo eased to a stop at the curb. Luna glanced out and couldn’t understand why they were facing the same way they had when they’d left. “Why aren’t we across the street from the office building?”
“He took a different route so he could deposit us right here and we wouldn’t have to cross traffic.”
Luna blinked. “Now that’s what I call service.”
“Knox told me that George runs a tight ship. Guess he was right.”
“Wait. Did you call to see if he’s in?”
“No, but I will once we’re on the sidewalk.”
The chauffeur helped Luna out first, and she thanked him for driving them around as Colin climbed from the limo and pulled his cell phone from his jacket pocket.
Moments later he appeared at her elbow. “We’re all set with George.” Then he put some bills in the chauffeur’s hand. “I appreciate your fine service,” he said.
“You’re welcome.” The chauffeur’s eyes lit up at the sight of the money.
“And your discretion,” Colin added.
“Absolutely, sir. Will you be needing a limo any more during your stay in Seattle?”
Colin glanced at Luna. “If we decide to pay a visit to your grandparents tomorrow, then—”
“We’ll take a regular taxi,” Luna said. “I refuse to drive up to their house in a white stretch limo.”
“All right.” Colin turned back to the chauffeur. “Then I guess we won’t be needing you again. Thanks for everything.”
“Yes, sir.” With a smile, the chauffeur ret
urned to his limo.
Taking Luna’s hand, Colin started toward the imposing entrance to the building. “While I was talking to George, I asked him to book us a room at his favorite hotel in the city.”
“Why did y’all do that?”
“Because if I hadn’t, he’d take one look at you and wonder what I was waiting for. As I said, single Weres are expected to enjoy their sexuality.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing I suggested spending the night.”
“Yes.” He glanced down at her and his eyes glowed with blue fire. “It’s a very good thing.”
Chapter Fourteen
Colin had communicated with George Trevelyan several times through both email and phone conversations, but this was their first face-to-face meeting. After the glittering lobby, Colin had expected more of the same in George’s office, but the alpha Were surprised him.
The room had a rustic feel, as if they’d stepped into a lodge built by one of the Pacific Northwest tribes. An intricately carved totem pole stood in a corner to the right of George’s desk. Not surprisingly, it contained a stylized wolf’s head at the top. Other pieces of Native American art decorated the walls, and many of those depicted wolves as part of the design.
The wall to their left held no hanging art, but instead featured a mural with Mount Rainier in the background and a pack of wolves in the foreground. A casual visitor would call this a flight of fancy. Officially, no wolf packs lived west of the Cascade Mountains. Floor-to ceiling windows behind George’s desk offered a view of the distant peak depicted in the mural.
George himself looked like a rugged outdoorsman more than the CEO of Trevelyan Enterprises. Because it was a regular work day, Colin assumed that George always dressed casually. He wore jeans and a green flannel shirt open at the neck, as if he might head out for a hike at any minute. At fifty-something, he was fit, with only touches of gray in his dark hair. Colin hoped to look that good in twenty years.
George stood and came around the massive desk to greet them. He took Luna’s hand first and focused all his attention on her. “Luna Reynaud. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Colin was glad George was mated and nearly twice Luna’s age, because if he hadn’t been, Colin would have bristled at the warmth of George’s greeting. He seemed ready to eat Luna up with a spoon.
George continued to hold her hand as he piled on the charm. “My aunt Edwina married a Reynaud. You’re not related by any chance, are you?”
Colin sucked in a breath and cursed himself for not digging a little deeper. Worse yet, he was the idiot who’d pushed Luna into coming up here to meet George. Without realizing it, he’d thrown her into the deep end of the pool, and he had no idea if she would sink or swim.
Then, to his relief, she came up with a brilliant response. “I’m not really sure, but I’ve been meaning to check into that.” She sounded completely at ease.
“Please do.” George released her hand. “Edwina and Jacques haven’t had an easy time of it. Their only child, my cousin Byron, was killed in his early twenties many years ago. They’ve carried on bravely since then, but I’m sure they’d welcome more family connections.”
“Then I’ll definitely follow up.”
Colin noticed the faint tremor in her voice, but he’d come to know her well in the short time they’d been together. George probably wouldn’t hear it.
Next George held out his hand to Colin. “We meet at last, MacDowell! I’ve promised myself I’d come over there and play golf the way it was meant to be played, but I haven’t made it yet.”
“When you do, I’ll be happy to swing a club with you.”
“I’ll make it one day.” George shook a finger in warning. “But I’m a lousy golfer, so you may not want to admit you know me.” He swept a hand toward two cushy leather armchairs in front of his desk. “Sit down, please. I want to hear all about the plans for Whittier House.”
Luna sat, but Colin chose to perch on the wide arm of the other chair. It was a Were thing. George had leaned a hip against the front edge of his desk in a very casual way.
But the stance was far from casual. If Colin sat down in the squashy chair, he would no longer be able to look George in the eye. He might be younger than George, and he might not command George’s great wealth, but his title equaled George’s. The Laird of Glenbarra would never put himself in an inferior position to another alpha.
Luna, of course, was oblivious to all this jockeying. She immediately began describing her vision for the inn, and Colin listened with pride. It was a terrific concept, so terrific that he almost wished he’d thought of it himself.
George looked impressed. “When I first talked to Colin, he seemed hell-bent on selling the place, but this is a far better idea. I can understand why he went for it.”
Colin thought there might be a double meaning there. George could see that Luna was a charmer, and he also knew, following the request for a hotel room, that Colin was sleeping with her. But Colin’s relationship with Luna didn’t take anything away from the brilliance of her business plan.
“Weres don’t have very many resorts strictly dedicated to them,” Colin said. “The island is perfect—isolated with woods to roam in, yet with all kinds of amenities for those seeking luxury. Luna and I just bought a hot tub for the premises, at her suggestion. We plan to have a well-stocked library, a complementary cocktail hour every evening, and croquet tournaments.”
He’d thrown that last bit in, and Luna looked somewhat startled to hear it. But she wanted to keep the croquet playing field, and tournaments sounded like a crowd pleaser.
“Sounds terrific. I’d like to buy in,” George asked.
Colin winced. He should have anticipated this, and he hadn’t. “That’s a great offer, and I’ll keep it in mind. But we’re going to go it alone, at least initially.” Now that Whittier House belonged to him, he wanted to keep it that way. It was his project, his and Luna’s.
But he couldn’t predict the future, and alienating someone like George was never good business. “But if I change my mind about that, you’ll be the first person I call.”
“Make sure I am. And I’d like to be on the guest list for the opening weekend, as well. I already told Suzanne what was happening out there, and she’s wild to finally get the chance to see the island and the castle Henry built for Geraldine. She thinks it’s a romantic story.”
“So do I,” Luna said. “In fact, I’d like to bill Whittier House as a romantic getaway, if Colin is willing to use that as a marketing hook.”
“Absolutely.” Colin turned to George. “As you can see, Luna has good instincts.”
“And a great Southern accent,” George added with a benevolent smile. “Where’s your family from, Luna?”
Once again, Colin held his breath, not having any idea how Luna would handle such questions. He knew they were loaded, but George might not. Or maybe he did.
George was nobody’s fool, and once he’d heard about the inn concept, he’d obviously thought of investment opportunities. Following that, he would have done a background check on both Colin and Luna. He would have run into some dead ends with Luna. Colin had done a similar search this morning and had netted very little.
“I grew up in New Orleans for the most part,” she said. “But my parents didn’t like to stay in one place, so we didn’t belong to one particular pack. I regret that, now.”
Colin admired how she told the truth, but it was only true when interpreted a certain way. Her parents literally hadn’t stayed in one place together. Her mother had moved to New Orleans, and her father had stayed in Seattle, in a matter of speaking. His ashes were scattered somewhere, and that was another thing Luna deserved to know about. A connection with her grandparents would be so rewarding if it worked out.
“A nomadic Were family.” George sounded intrigued. “Did you inherit that tendency?”
“For a time,” Luna said, “when I was younger. But once I took the job with Geraldine, I found my home. I have
no desire to live anywhere else.”
Colin had known she felt that way from the beginning, yet to hear her say it drove another nail in the coffin of his fantasy that somehow, someway, they could end up together in Scotland. The idea made no sense, yet he wasn’t sure how he’d live out the rest of his days without her.
“That’s good to hear,” George said. “I’m all in favor of having a Were destination resort here in the Seattle area. Those Colorado Weres have the only one so far, and they’re raking in the profits. That proves there’s a market for it. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help get this off the ground.” He pushed away from his desk.
Colin read that as a signal that the visit was over. Standing, he offered a hand to Luna. She accepted it, because the chair was extremely deep. Colin hated to think of how he would have lost status if he’d sat in the other one. He doubted George had expected him to.
“I appreciate your enthusiasm,” Luna said as she shook George’s hand. “It’s important to have friends in the community when you’re launching a new business.”
“I have a feeling you’ll be very successful.” George released her hand and glanced over at Colin. “The reservation’s made, by the way, and the room’s paid for, with my compliments.”
Colin frowned. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Just promise you’ll get me a tee time at St. Andrews when I show up there, and we’ll call it even.”
“I’ll do that.” Colin shook George’s hand, and the interview was over.
When they were in the elevator headed back down to the lobby, Luna sagged against the mirrored elevator wall. “That was challenging.”
Colin put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her close. “You were amazing.”
She glanced up at him, a gleam of suspicion in her eyes. “Did y’all know my grandmother was his aunt?”
“I didn’t, and I apologize for that. Please believe that if I’d known I would have warned you.”
Werewolf in Seattle Page 14
