Werewolf in Seattle: A Wild About You Novel (8 page)

“They also could shun me as the daughter of the one who caused his death.” And if they knew that their son had been involved with a human, they would know that Luna was a half-blood Were. She couldn’t risk that getting out.

“It’s true they might reject you.” His blue gaze remained steady. “As I said, it’s not my place to advise you on that. But if it were me, I’d want to know I had a granddaughter.”

“I can’t assume they’re as kindhearted and trustworthy as you.”

He smiled. “Was that a compliment?”

“Yes, Colin MacDowell, Laird of Glenbarra, it was.”

“I’m not sure I deserve it.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve been sitting here wanting to kiss you again.”

Heat flashed through her, the kind of moist, insistent heat that she now recognized as sexual longing. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Probably not, but I’m peshed enough not to care. You don’t have to worry that I’ll go beyond a simple kiss. The martinis and jet lag are catching up with me, and I doubt I could make a proper job of seducing you.”

Which was exactly what she wanted him to do. She’d never thought she’d take such a chance, but she trusted Colin as she hadn’t trusted any male before. She didn’t know why, but she wanted him in a way she hadn’t allowed herself to want anyone. Surrendering would be so easy.

If he was willing, and she thought he might be, he could teach her about Were sexuality. She could finally ask the questions that had simmered in her subconscious for years. Did Weres have sex in human form, wolf form, or both? Was there a mating ritual? Did wolves bite each other when they had sex? She knew nothing, and she hadn’t worked up the courage to ask anyone.

But expecting Colin to be her tutor had a big problem attached. She also wanted him to be her boss, and having sex with a prospective boss, no matter how much Janet had encouraged her to gain leverage that way, seemed unethical.

Colin set down his empty martini glass and stood. “I suppose you’re worried about being unprofessional.”

She glanced up at him. The setting sun surrounded him with a golden aura and cast his face in shadow, making him look mysterious and virile. Her heart raced in anticipation, even as she opened her mouth to refuse his request. “I really don’t—”

“One kiss.” He walked over and crouched in front of her, his arms balanced on his knees. “I promise that it will have no effect one way or the other on your proposal. That’s a separate matter, one I will give consideration to tomorrow, when I’ve had sleep and a chance to think about it.”

This close, she could see small golden flecks in the intense blue of his eyes. “Do I have your word on that?”

His voice grew endearingly solemn. “You have the word of a MacDowell.”

“Oh, well, then, if I have the word of a MacDowell, what could go wrong?”

“Nothing, lass.” Putting one hand on her knee, he cupped the back of her head with the other and leaned toward her. “It’s only a wee kiss, and the previous one could use some improvement, don’t you think?” His eyes drifted closed.

“I wouldn’t know. Counting yours, I’ve only had two in my entire life.”

His eyes snapped open and he nearly toppled over as he drew back.
“Two?”
He regained his balance.

“That’s all.”

He frowned. “Who was the other chap?”

“A stranger. He was staying at the hotel where I worked and caught me in the hallway. It was disgusting, and I got away from him as quick as I could.”

“Kneed him in the privates, then?” Colin sounded hopeful.

“No. I squirmed and fought until he let me go.”

“Pity. That sort could use a well-placed knee.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“Just so we’re clear, lass. I’m not that sort.” He leaned toward her again.

“Never thought you were.”

“You can close your eyes now.”

“Oh.” She’d been so fascinated by his mouth descending on hers that she hadn’t wanted to miss a thing. But she’d seen screen kisses and knew eyes were usually closed. Dutifully she closed hers.

“Better.” His breath touched her face.

She breathed in, relishing the heady scent of him—a combination of musk, martini, and an intoxicating aroma that she suspected was exclusive to Colin MacDowell, Laird of Glenbarra.

“When I kiss you, give me some resistance.”

“You want me to resist?” That made no sense.

“No, don’t resist
me
.” His lips brushed hers once, twice. “But when I apply pressure, you apply some, too.”

Her heart was pounding so fast with excitement that she wondered if she’d pass out. He wouldn’t get any resistance, then, so she’d have to remain conscious. She gulped for air.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Easy for you to say. You’ve done this thousands of times.”

He chuckled. “Hardly.” He nibbled at her lower lip. “You have such a wonderful mouth.”

“Thank you kindly.”

“No, I must thank you for indulging me. Here comes the kiss.”

She held her breath. “Ready.”

“Don’t hold your breath. You’ll faint.”

“This is more complicated than I realized.” She let out her breath. “It looks so easy in the movies.”

“It is easy, once you get the hang of it. Just relax, and
when I make contact, give me something back.” His mouth settled over hers.

At first she froze, unable to think, unable to respond at all.

His warm lips moved gently against hers. Tentatively she matched his movements.

“Yes,” he murmured against her mouth. “Like that.”

Made bolder by his praise, she put more energy into making contact. And then, as if ancient wisdom had finally bubbled up within her, she knew what to do. Grasping his head in both hands, she angled her head and took full possession of his mouth.

His low moan of delight told her that she’d figured out this kissing business. His fingers tightened against her scalp and his breathing quickened. She’d succeeded in exciting him, and triumph bloomed in her heart.

Then, when she was congratulating herself on the success of this kiss, he lifted his head just enough to end it.

Her pride plummeted. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Nay. You’re doing everything right. But if you would open your mouth a wee bit… ”

“You want to put your tongue in my—”

“Desperately.”

“Okay.” When he resumed kissing her, she slackened her jaw. Surely this would be gross, but she would endure it because Colin wanted to… Oh, my. Oh,
my
.

Now the moan belonged to her as she gave herself up to the decadent sensation of Colin’s tongue stroking the inside of her mouth. Innocent though she was, she understood that this was what sex with him would be like, and she wanted it. The wanting came in a tidal wave that swept aside every thought except one.

Wrenching her mouth from his, she cupped his face, gripping him tightly as her gaze bored into his. “Have sex with me, Colin. Right now.”

“That’s not wise.”

“I don’t care what’s wise! I want to know what it’s—”

“Not now.” He gasped for breath. “Not yet.” As his breathing steadied, he massaged her back in a slow, easy motion.

“But I want to!” She’d lost all shame. He’d reduced her to raw, primitive need.

“Give yourself time, lass. If it is to happen between us, I want to be rested. You deserve more than I’m prepared to give you tonight.”

She threw back her head and groaned in frustration. “You
had
to go and kiss me!”

“Yes.” He drew her head forward until she was forced to look at him. “I couldn’t let you think that what happened down by the water was a true kiss. I wanted you to know what a real kiss is all about.”

“And as a result, I’m hot and frustrated. Happy now?”

“Aye. We all need to go through these stages, and you have some catching up to do.” He brushed his mouth over hers one last time and stood. “It’s getting dark. And I need to go to bed before I collapse.”

She drew a long, trembling breath. “Right.” She’d conveniently forgotten that he must be exhausted. But that was partly his fault. He’d started it by wanting to kiss her again.

He held out his hand to help her up. “Let’s go back. We both could use a breather.”

“I guess so.” But she knew what would happen once her rational brain took over. She’d chicken out. If he gave her a chance to think things over, as he was determined to do, she’d never go through with it.

If they’d had sex tonight, she could have blamed her behavior on the charged atmosphere of the occasion. By tomorrow, she’d remember all the reasons why having sex with him was a really bad idea, beginning with the
most important one—their potential business relationship.

Tonight could have been her initiation into the wonders of carnal knowledge by someone who seemed to know his way around the subject. Apparently he thought postponing the event would make it better. She wasn’t going to tell him now, but postponing it meant that it wasn’t going to happen at all.

Colin’s exhaustion was real enough, but that wasn’t his only reason for calling a halt. He had some decisions to make regarding Luna, including the business matter of her inn project, and the personal matter of wanting her with the heat of a thousand suns. Decisions on both questions should be made only after due consideration and not on the spur of the moment.

This lusty attraction had scrambled his wits, which wasn’t a common problem for him. He would like to blame it on jet lag, but he feared it had to do with the beautiful Were herself. After he staggered to bed, and just before he fell into a dreamless sleep, he vowed to avoid being alone with her again until he’d sorted out his feelings.

Fortunately, he had limited time to be tempted by that deadly combination of innocence and passionate response that had nearly undone him at twilight on Happy Hour Beach. He slept until nearly noon. He barely had time to shower, dress in a cotton long-sleeved shirt and slacks, and grab a quick snack before the real estate agent, Regis Trevelyan, arrived by motor launch. Colin spent the afternoon showing Regis, a graying Were with
a slight paunch, around the estate. Late in the afternoon, Colin invited him to stay for dinner.

He asked Luna to join them, and she agreed, but he noticed the rigid set of her jaw every time she looked at Regis. Maybe she thought that Colin had invited him to dinner because they’d signed a contract to list the property. The opposite was true. He’d invited Regis to dinner because the poor chap wouldn’t get the business, after all, and Colin wanted to offer him dinner as a small consolation.

The dining room had never looked better, and Colin gave Luna and her hard-working staff credit for that. Beeswax tapers cast a mellow glow over the dark paneled walls, and flowers graced the center of the table and the sideboards, as well. Luna had pinned her hair up in that sexy, mysterious way known only to women, and had worn a simple ivory dress that outlined her body so deliciously that she was driving him slowly insane.

But that was his personal problem. Even with that distraction to deal with, he could see that she was an excellent hostess. In her hands, Whittier House would flourish as an inn for Weres. He still had to mull over the particulars, but he was increasingly inclined to consider her plan. He’d never really wanted to sell Geraldine’s house, anyway.

“Amazing job on the salmon,” Regis said as Sybil cleared the dinner plates.

“Thank you. I’ll tell the chef.” Sybil beamed at him and continued to gather the empty dishes. She wore a white blouse and navy slacks, which might have been her attempt at a uniform.

Colin liked the comfortable informality of the staff’s clothing, which hadn’t changed since the summers he’d spent here years ago. But if Luna intended to
set the tone
as she’d put it, the staff might have to wear something
more formal. “The salmon was great, Sybil,” he said. “Please thank Janet for producing it on short notice.”

Sybil nodded. “I will.” She glanced over at Regis. “In case you’re wondering, tonight’s meal was a special request of the laird.”

Regis chuckled. “Knocks me out, these fancy foreign titles.” He turned to Colin. “What does a laird do, anyway?”

“It’s not that much different from being the pack alpha,” Colin said. “We’re the guardians of a certain area and those who live within its boundaries. In my case, I combine both roles, as my father did before me.”

Regis drank the last of his wine, an excellent white from the Whittier House cellars. “And the last thing you need is another responsibility on the far side of the world, right?”

“I thought so, and that’s why I scheduled this appointment with you.”

“And I’m honored that you did.” Regis was practically licking his chops. The commission on the sale of Le Floret and the castle on it would bring him a year’s worth of income.

“But Luna has presented me with a most intriguing proposition.” Colin glanced at her and savored the surprise and pleasure in her green eyes. “She’s suggested turning Whittier House into an exclusive Were resort. I’m seriously considering the possibility.”

Regis looked as if he’d bit into a lemon. “Risky business, the hospitality industry. Fortunes have been lost trying to gauge the tastes of the fickle public.”

“But this is a specialty area,” Luna said. “Not many places cater specifically to Weres. Whittier House is already set up for that, including the need for open spaces, specially designed exits and entrances, and the most important aspect of all: seclusion.”

Regis gazed at her with new respect. “You have a point, and Weres do tend to have money to spend on luxury accommodations. I know of one large hotel that caters to Weres. It’s near Denver, in Estes Park.”

“I’ve heard of that one,” Colin said. “A large Were conference is scheduled there, but I’ve forgotten when.”

“Sometime in the next six to eight months, I think,” Regis said. “But back to your venture. Do you really want the headache of operating a business from your estate in Glenbarra? Why not just sell and be rid of the responsibility?”

Luna clutched her napkin and leaned forward. Candlelight danced in her glossy dark hair. “Or postpone that decision until the market for such properties is more lucrative. And in the meantime, create a guaranteed revenue stream.”