Panties, Calamities and Hungry Creatures (Grimstone Island)

by Rochelle Pearson

  So, a date.

  Yeah, I’m doomed.

  “Here.” Piper stumbled out of the closet’s madness and handed me a simple black spaghetti strap cocktail dress that swooped low in the front and back, its hem only making acquaintance with my mid-thigh.

  “Uh, I thought styles of The Slutty, The Trampy, and The Trashy were a no-go?” I waved the tiny garment. I freaking love the thing but the last time I accompanied Adrian to a sophisticated place, I’d worn a tight sports bra and spandex shorts. I’d stuck out worse than a broken, crusty thumb among manicured fingers bedazzled with rubies.

  “It’s super cute. Screw what others think.” She grinned.

  I shrugged and went to the bathroom to strip and put it on. Pip followed, carrying a flat iron that was big enough to flatten jumbo pancakes to straighten my hair. Lucas barged in—luckily I’d dressed—swinging a pair of stilettos.

  “Not the exact same as Rebecca clocked me with, but I think you’ll look hot in them regardless.” He waggled his dark blonde brows.

  I paired my thanks with an eye roll. Heels on, hair a smooth waterfall, and simple makeup done, I’d become the poster bitch of a person about to wine, dine and possibly get laid.

  And most likely lose her pair of barely there panties by the wine part.

  Note: I don’t have any immediate plans to work my way up the ladder of seduction with Adrian. Not that I’m completely opposed to doing other things (wink wink, nudge nudge)—I just wanted to know his middle name before we gloriously sinned.

  The prospect of wine and seafood was keeping my nerves at bay.

  Adrian Galzra is a mysterious creature. A bit worn from the business he conducts with his family—the small government of the Island. He has a controlled sense of dominance, quiet even. He watches every detail, I think to gauge what a person’s next move will be. For sure, he’s a wicked man.

  And he still hasn’t told me what he’s done with all those booty pictures...

  During our brief chat, once we’d finally come face to face, I really felt like I’d touched a part of him that he usually kept hidden behind the formal, so serious persona he displays. Glimpses of the man under the mask got my inner she-wolf licking her chops.

  I also got completely shit-faced and went head over heels onto his dick.

  I’m not re-playing that again.

  However, some of that earlier enthusiasm had since leaked away and by now, honestly, I was going a bit nuts.

  Using a pointy-nailed index finger, Piper poked the side of my cheek, pushing deep till it was absolutely mandatory to imagine her in a much-needed straight jacket.

  “How about a shot of Grey Goblin? I’m sure it’ll erase the freaked-out expression on your face.”

  Okay, maybe she wasn’t that crazy.

  In the kitchen we crowded around the marble island counter, clinked our mini glasses, toasting that I wouldn’t disturb the natural balance that was normalcy tonight.

  I kept my mouth shut while my friends snickered. I couldn’t commit to the toast.

  It would’ve been a lie.

  A knock sounded at the back deck door before it whooshed open and Gavin stepped in.

  “Gav! My man!” Lucas fist bumped him. Piper waved at the vampire. Gorgeous Vamp Man, tattooed with dark, eerie art from the neck down, raised his black brows, eyeing the burning fun juice on the counter and its already half empty state, which might have been my doing.

  Then his blood-red eyes took in my outfit. He growled. “Do I need to even ask who you are soon to meet?”

  I faked being shocked. Damn, that was quick. “What makes you think I’m meeting someone? What I’m wearing could be new, and I’m just breaking it in for a later occasion.”

  Gavin strode closer and pinched my side. In such close proximity, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by his tasty magic. “Impossible. I vividly remember nearly ripping the same dress in half. It fits you enticingly, like a second skin. And I very much remember those shoes.” He pointed to them. “They were wrapped around my waist during our last make-out session.”

  “I wouldn’t call it a session—”

  “That’s a negative, amiga,” Piper interrupted. “That afternoon in passing, I saw teeth and tongues clashing together like swords during a fencing match.”

  When she finished betraying me, Gavin gave a smug grin.

  “Oh, so what? You win! Want a damn cookie, now?” I did a killer eye roll.

  “Yes, please.” He stuck a hand out. I slapped it.

  “Adrian asked if he and I could have dinner together.” I poured another shot.

  “And you agreed.” Vamp Man wandered to the fridge and took out a packet of goat blood I keep in stock for him.

  “I did.”

  “You’re so weak when it comes to food.”

  “That is also true,” I nod.

  “Well, my business with him is complete. He’s not a bad guy, well, from a professional standpoint. We’ve never hung out on a social level,” Gavin divulged as he leaned against the counter.

  That business being selling his stunning paintings to Adrian to put around his home a while back. I wasn’t surprised by Vamp Man’s assessment. I’ve already pegged Adrian as an all work, no play dude. The pressing needs, the demands to make it far and successful under the Galzra name—anyone could see that a mile away—was essentially why I did what I did.

  He just looked so... bored.

  Some booty definitely cheered him right up.

  Gavin glanced away as he continued. “Do you plan on... becoming something real with him?”

  “Ha!” Lucas busted out a loud laugh. “Kokoa’s last real commitment involved a baby frog she kept in a plastic container a year ago.”

  “What happened to it?” Gavin grinned, as I waved for him to not ask. Too late.

  “We found it one morning with its little mouth stuffed with food pellets and eyes bulging.” Lucas sighed, sadly. “I believe it choked itself to death than rather be alive in Kokoa’s questionable care.”

  Piper gestured to the patio doors. “He’s buried out back. I stuck a paperclip in the ground to mark where his body is buried.”

  Gavin looked horrified.

  “I didn’t kill it!” I really didn’t. I gave the frog a sweet setup. I’d hooked him up with his little home and made sure there were enough air holes in the lid so the big-eyed bugger could breathe. I tried damn hard to love the squishy thing. Do you know how difficult it is to cuddle an amphibian the size of a dime?

  Super hard. Frogs suck at hugging.

  As Lucas glared holes into my face, I was beginning to remember the less than seventy-two hours froggie had lived in my room, and him enduring a lot of forced upon love—that I sure as hell had not received back. Others might view it as a bit much for such a small creature.

  “He and I had a... special bond.” I said.

  “Lies!” Lucas shouted.

  “Okay, so I may have been the contributing factor to a frog’s suicide,” I admitted, throwing my hands up. “We all have a questionable past, eesh.”

  I was done defending myself. I went to face Gavin, who suddenly grew impassive. Great. A stony vampire.

  My lust-ridden relationships with him and Jonathan were of the cliché and confusing sort—hey, I can’t help that my inner wolf wags her tail for both guys—but underneath there was a true ironclad friendship that borders on the possessive. Not surprising since they’re both such alpha men.

  And I was about to let in another.

  Yet, I’m single, and I can do what I want. But yes, the frog incident was a reminder I have no plans in the immediate future to settle down. Gavin, like Piper, Lucas and my other friends, just needed to get used to me befriending Adrian. I was in my prime.

  There’s plenty of Kokoa to go around.

  Wait. Stop. That sounded too whore-ish.

  Anyway, back to his question. “Hell, Gavin, I don’t intend to perform a flippin’ Blood Mate Ritual once we order the crab dip.”

 
; “Get the lobster dip, too!” Lucas interjected. I sent him a Hush up, boy look.

  “Does Galzra know that?” Gavin crossed his muscled, tattooed arms, appearing ready to throw down.

  “About the crab dip?”

  “Kokoa,” he growled.

  I sighed. “Adrian has already spent little time with me, and I’m damn spankin’ sure from those encounters he realizes I’m not one to put a ring on it.” Once I’d finished, Piper and Lucas immediately went into singing Beyoncé, screeching and doing the dance along with it. My poor eyeballs could only stand a few seconds before switching back to Gavin, who pulled me flush against his solid build. He always felt amazing to the touch and coated in cool minty magic.

  “Tell me again how you two came to meet,”

  I paused. “Uh, I never did tell you.”

  “Enlighten me.” He brushed a rogue hair strand behind my ear. Cold fingers lingered then guided my chin up. “Please.”

  Yeah, not happening. “Gavin, Gavin, Gavin. That information is classified.” And highly detrimental to my one ounce left of dignity. Of course, the vampire didn’t accept that answer.

  “I demand to know.” He ordered in his low, butt-clenching scary tone. Unfortunately, for him, it did nothing to the stubborn creature that resided in me.

  “And I demand a lifetime supply of bacon and squirtable cheese. Do you want to keep going?” I smiled. Gavin struggled for a bit. His eye twitched. Mumbled incoherent babble. Nostrils flaring.

  “I want you back before ten,” he finally relented. His crimson irises darkened. Mesmerizing.

  I nipped the shortened space between us, baring my fangs. “You’re no fun.”

  “I can be.” He dove for my neck, peppering it with kisses and baby bites that made me squeal. We relaxed and turned to witness Piper chest bump Lucas, making him stumble.

  “No! You’re doing the choreography all wrong! It’s head down, left foot step, right foot step,” She demonstrated.

  Lucas huffed in frustration. “Did you forget that I was born with a tail fin and can’t properly dance with two fucking legs!”

  “That sounds like a personal problem!” she yelled back.

  “Joke’s on you! Because I already know it is!”

  Oh, this happens on the regular, folks.

  “Hi, everyone! We’re entering!” a singsong voice called from the foyer, followed by its owner and companion. Heidi, smelling richly of cherry blossom and blackberry magic, twirled in sight, waist-length purple hair billowing, then struck a pose.

  “Fierce,” I applauded.

  “Thank you,” the witch giggled. That companion of hers—a tall, lean but still muscular blonde man, was Onyx, her boyfriend. He waved to our small group. He’s a panther shifter and Heidi’s familiar.

  Piper explained while I would be off schmoozing with Adrian—cue eye roll—they’d be engaging in a horror movie marathon.

  Thank Gods, I wouldn’t be attending. I have no problem causing horrific shit in my daily life, but watching an even dumber blonde get hacked to pieces because she can’t quit tripping on her own two feet? That’s a big no no for me.

  Get pumped. Adrian should be arriving soon. Right. I discreetly wiped my clammy palms.

  T minus fifteen minutes. At eight o’clock he’d come to whisk us to great food.

  A great time.

  Hell, I had so much confidence, I wouldn’t even follow that up with a sarcastic quip of indifference. Nope. I was going to kick ass and be so smooth tonight, I’d show Mr. Dragon that this she-wolf is a date night beast.

  Okay, that was compleeeeetely buttered, battered, and deep fried in sarcasm.

  Luckily, my clutch had room for bottles of antacids and courage pills.

  Chapter Five

  As the guys moved to the living room with beers in hand, Gavin sipping a brew that contained yak blood, us girls stayed in the kitchen. “You look nice, Kokoa,” Heidi complimented while helping Piper arrange popcorn bowls.

  “Thanks!”

  Piper scooted close, her lime eyes sparkling, glanced at the men, then beckoned Heidi in a huddle.

  “Yasmin is coming,” she whispered.

  I burst out laughing. “Not my problem.” The fae deserved a sad head shake.

  “She’s our friend. What was I supposed to do? Not invite her to movie night?”

  We looked at Lucas, who was in deep conversation with Onyx. He hadn’t overheard his crush was soon to arrive as well.

  “I can spell him comatose,” Heidi suggested, twirling her maroon wand like a baton.

  Piper patted her head. “We’ll save that for later.”

  A knock sounded on the front door.

  Silence. Everyone turned to me. A heavy presence clouded with roasted honey and campfire scents wafted into the large open room.

  Behind the door stood a dragon.

  “WOOO-WHOOO!” a familiar female said, hitting the door again. “WE’RE HERE FOR MOVIE NIGHT, BITCHES! WE COME IN PEACE! AND WITH BOOZE!”

  Not Adrian.

  “Door’s open!” I called and in strutted his twin sister, Arianna. Gorgeous, from her voluminous red head hair down to her painted toes in peekaboo sandals. The twins were only alike in high-styled looks. Other than that, she’s his complete opposite. Yin and Yang. All serious Adrian has a loud, party animal for a sister who sometimes ends up passed out in dragon form on top of a building. I love that girl.

  We met a while back at the club, way before my interactions with Adrian. It’s hard not to be drawn in by a dragon. I’m happy I did though. She’s become yet another truly cherished member of our ragtag team of monster misfits.

  Oh, and she was cool when I told her about me and her brother. Even better, I got her doubled over laughing when I explained the pictures.

  “He needs someone who’s hot and also a mega wacko, like you,” she had said.

  I took the compliment with great pride.

  “Brought chips and salsa too,” said another woman’s voice. I noticed Lucas stand straighter and do a breath check. She stepped into the kitchen. Bright hazel eyes, cocoa skin, and thick dark curls—that was Yasmin in all her exotic, feline glory. The tigress placed the contents on the island counter. “Chips are the party mix kind. I know Heidi here is bipolar when it comes to what type to eat.” Yas grinned at the witch.

  “I can’t help that I was born this way.” Heidi sorrowfully, admitted.

  “There’s nothing wrong about being chipolar, babe!” Onyx said with a laugh. The corny shifter received a swift middle finger from his girl.

  “I like chips!” Lucas shouted. His face bloomed red before he quickly turned away to examine the DVD case.

  “He’s gonna have to chill out tonight,” Yasmin stated.

  “Plan A is to go right into shooting magic up his ass and make him fall asleep,” Piper assured her.

  “Here ya go, my beauties.” Ari passed us liquid filled plastic cups, smelling of bleach and cherries. “This’ll put some hair on your tits.”

  The contents in Piper and Yasmin’s cups instantly disappeared. I gave forfeited mine. I’d already stop tipping back shots too. Staying coherent was my Plan A... and Plan B, and C, and D, and E. If I could help it, I preferred to not fudge up another night.

  Aw, but you’ve done it so many times before.

  * * *

  The minutes ticked on by. I tried expelling easy breaths, but they kept coming out choppy. A few times I had to dash into the bathroom to dab away sweat using toilet paper.

  When I emerged after the tenth trip, I halted.

  Adrian stood at the end of the hall near everyone, an amused expression on his beautifully god-sculpted face, and hands in his trouser pockets. Patiently waiting.

  Fuck, was it eight already?

  He’s undeniably youthful. Ari too, despite their two hundred and twenty-six age. For supernaturals, just chop off the hundreds part and there ya go. Gavin is one hundred and twenty-five, essentially twenty-five. You get it. But sometimes, their speech o
r the looks in their eyes reminds us of how long they’ve lived. Don’t officially take my word for it—clearly it doesn’t work when the person is a number ending in zeros. But I digress.

  My traveling gaze first touched his polished shoes, then wandered back up. I felt heat enter my cheeks. I met his heavy-lidded gaze as he locked onto me. I hadn’t sensed him arrive. Well, apparently that occurs when it comes to powerful dragons masking their presence. The perfect mechanism against prey. In this case, I thought that was me.

  “Oh, hey, you’re here.” I slowly approached.

  Gavin and Onyx closed in on either side of me. Their protective stance obvious.

  Lucas too. Chest puffed out, he stood to the right of Adrian, though the dragon didn’t seem affected by the attempts of intimidation.

  The girls watched from the kitchen.

  “Eight o’clock.” He smiled, stretching a hand. The air trembled around it in heat waves. I was close to touching it when suddenly Piper popped in, took it instead, and shook it vigorously.

  “Hi, I’m Piper Elwood. Official ass kicker to those who fuck with my best friends,” she announced.

  And it begins. I groaned.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m well acquainted with your brother, Keeland.” Adrian said coolly.

  “Mmhmm.” My friend smiled, if that’s what one calls baring all your teeth, showing off razor-sharp pointy canines.

  I went ahead and introduced everyone else. He nodded to Gavin, and shook hands with Onyx, Yasmin and Heidi. Ari was still drinking at the counter and simply blew her twin a kiss.

  “Father asked where you’d been this morning.” Adrian smirked at her. “You missed an important gathering you should have attended.”

  Arianna snorted. “Honestly, I don’t even remember where I was this morning.”

  Heidi rolled her eyes. “I found her on the roof of my apartment complex again. Out cold.”

  “Ah,” Adrian sighed, slight worry briefly passing his features before fading.

  Lucas stepped forward and slung an arm around my shoulder.

  “Um, and this is Lucas Shelborn.” I gestured and frowned up at him. What was he doing? Like Gavin, he hadn’t dropped the big brother role. Really, I had enough of those, I didn’t need any more male ridiculousness.