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A round robin anthology
HOWL FOR ME
By
Marlee Eastman
Marie Morin
Sydney Somers
© copyright by Sydney Somers, Marie Morin, & Marlee Eastman, July 2008
Cover Art by Alex DeShanks, July 2008
ISBN 978-1-60394-209-6
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s
imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or
events is merely coincidence.
Part I
Sydney Somers
Chapter One
You couldn’t ask for a better day in paradise.
That was Dash Windsor’s last thought before his morning went all to hell. He should have known the peaceful silence wouldn’t last longer than it took to indulge in a few sips of his coffee. He’d hoped to get a bit more landscaping done before he was needed.
Behind him his new house was close to being finished. Once the painting was complete he could move from his suite in the resort’s main building to a more private spot on the edge of the resort. While he had a great view of the island’s coast line from his suite, here the view of the ocean stretched for miles with nothing between him and the water but a private sandy beach.
But this morning he obviously wasn’t going to get to enjoy following the little bit of work he had gotten in with a swim. Not with his cousin’s voice carrying over the soft island breeze. He’d heard her well before she rounded the corner and planted her hands on her hips, looking every bit pissed off.
Recognizing the take no prisoners glint in the same deep brown eyes their family shared, Dash curbed the urge to put the shovel propped against the tree trunk next to him between them.
Zoe narrowed her eyes. “You’re hiding.”
He drained the last of his coffee, refusing to meet Medusa’s gaze. “Obviously not well enough.”
“You know that today is the one day you can’t go sneaking off.”
“First, seeing as I own this place, I’m well aware things get hectic with people coming and going. And second, seeing as I own this place, I’m pretty sure I can sneak off anytime I feel like it.”
“Well now that I found you, it’s back to the pit, slave.”
“I knew I should have followed my gut and never hired family.”
Zoe took the coffee cup from him and handed him the shirt he’d stripped off almost an hour ago. “Hiring me was the best business decision you ever made.”
“I thought that was putting in the pool bar.”
She didn’t even bother to glare at him for that one. “We both know you get to come and go a whole lot more with me around.”
Dash snorted. “Yeah, look how well that’s turning out.”
“Any day but today.”
“Speaking of which, if you’re not down there driving this boat, who is?”
“Thea’s on it.”
Dash groaned. The last time anyone left the sports and event coordinator manning the desk, he had ended up having to compensate more than a dozen guest’s extracurricular activities.
Forced to follow Zoe when he’d rather finish up the backyard, he tried to will away the ache that settled at his brainstem. He sighed. “If Thea gets things messed up .....”
Zoe whipped around so fast he had a hard time avoiding a collision. “Not another word Dash. Or I’ll take the day off and you can look after everyone yourself.”
He started to ask if that was a threat or a promise, but the steely determination in her eyes gave him pause. Instead, he settled on, “You wouldn’t.”
She arched a brow.
Deciding the fastest way to get the day over so he could get back to finishing things up here would be to keep quiet, Dash lapsed into a comfortable silence on the walk back.
The comfortable silence lasted all of thirty seconds.
“We’ve got a problem.”
Thea was heading up the path towards them. The blonde was nearly six feet and built like an athlete who trained year round. He knew he’d been lucky to get her on board when the resort opened. Not only did she keep the guests that signed up for the various games occupied, but she looked good in a skimpy swim suit, which also kept the male guests happy.
Dash stopped. “If you’re here, who’s overseeing the main desk?”
“Wes.”
The was no point in containing his groan this time.
Thea held her arms out. “He came to tell me one of his bartenders had an incident with a guest last night.”
Perfect. Dash could feel his headache start to throb.
“Plus,” Thea continued, “My tour guide has the hang over from hell and I need someone else to run the route later today.”
“Wonderful. Any other bad news to spring, because I’d rather take it all in now.” The bartender and guest’s altercation was hopefully minor if no complaints had come through reception yet. The tour he could do himself if he had to. Letting all the guests see the layout of the island beyond the resort that was at their disposal was a job that had to be done. It was one thing to let them go roaming around but not without making sure everyone had an idea of the terrain. Instincts only go so far in a foreign area.
“Your painter fell from his ladder this morning and broke his leg.”
Zoe’s announcement sliced through Dash’s train of thought.
He blinked. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
She shrugged. “I was trying to ease you into the turmoil.”
“I’ve run this place for a few years now. I’m used to turmoil.” Which, unfortunately, was the truth. One didn’t own a resort that catered to such a specific clientele without having a number of hiccups beyond those any regular adults only resort might have.
So much for having his place painted by the end of tomorrow. He would have looked after that himself, too, but being booked to capacity for the last couple weeks hadn’t left him any spare time.
By the time the three of them got back to the main building it looked as though a mutiny was ready to break out. Dash didn’t know who looked more relieved to see him, his staff—more specifically Wes—or the guests.
He nodded to Thea. “Once I’m squared away here, I’ll see about the tour.”
She planted a kiss on his cheek. “See Zoe, he’s not always a heartless bastard.”
Dash didn’t bother to look at Zoe. He could feel her smiling.
Zoe returned to her station behind the main desk to oversee things without any comment. He knew one would be coming later, though.
Wes didn’t even bother to stop and exchange words. He just looked damn grateful to get out from behind the desk. With a quick wave and mouthing, “beer later,” he headed out the side door.
Dash thought about following him. Normally the bustle of the resort didn’t bother him. He embraced it, enjoyed welcoming guests to their small slice of paradise. But today he was thinking about his new place and the fishing pole set just inside the unfinished closet. His first reward when the place was done.
“Cole called.” Zoe handed him the jotted message. “He called three times yesterday. You didn’t call him back, did you?” She reminded him of a teacher chastising a student for running down the hall after being warned a dozen times already.
“I will.”
“He said it was important.”
“I’ll call.” He deliberately put an edge to his voice. Given the way the morning was going, he might as well make it clear he didn’t need her attitude, too.
With a trademark arch of one coppery brow, she turned back to the desk, her patient smile back in place.
Dash glanced at the note and tucked it into his pocket. He’d give Cole a call once things calmed down in here. A plane was due in less than an hour and more guests would be arriving. Cole was probably calling to confirm his and Harley’s reservation for next month.
After their first trip and Dash’s initial determination to keep Harley away from his resort, it was a joke to make sure there were no ‘glitches’ in the resort’s computer, an excuse Dash had tried to use to keep magazine reporter, Harley, from learning anything about the resort’s guests.
The sound of breaking glass echoed in the lobby.
Dash cringed. What else could possible go wrong today?
* * * *
The door clicked shut behind her.
She paused, cocked her head to listen. Her gut clenched, but nothing stirred. She closed her fingers around her keys. This was stupid. This was her home. She would not be scared away by some asshole with ‘possession’ issues. She wasn’t about to be told by anyone how to live, what jobs to take, when she could or couldn’t go out with her friends.
He was out of her life.
So then why did every nerve ending tell her not to move beyond the edge of the door?
She flicked on the hall light, flooding even the darkest corners of her house’s living room and hall with bright light.
He was gone. Out of her life.
Her life.
Determined, she set her bag by the floor and snatched up the mail that had been slipped through the slot in the door. The distraction gave her something to think about.
She took four steps down the hall and froze.
Something wasn’t right. Her heart thumped madly in her chest. No visible threat waited to pounce, but she needed to get out.
She turned around, reaching for the knob. Panic locked her chest with a freezing grip that squeezed the last trickle of air from her lungs. She hated it. Hated the bitter taste of fear that coated her mouth. But she didn’t stop moving, didn’t stop from gripping the door knob in her damp palm.
Her hand slipped. She tightened her grip.
A hand closed over hers.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the fear to abate. Slick and icy, it wrapped around her spine and dug in.
“Where are you rushing off to? You just got home.” The deep voice resonated in her mind as though he’d yelled it. “Brooke. You weren’t running from me, were you?”
She pressed her lips together. She needed to keep her head, needed to stay focused. She turned around, swallowing the unexpected cry of alarm before it could break past her lips.
He’d been drinking. The bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol on his breath told her as much. But that wasn’t what reached in and made her truly frightened.
The disgusted curl of his lip revealed one tooth that was abnormally pointed, sharp, deadly looking. Something she was sure she’d never seen before. The hand on her arm gripped her harder, nails biting into her skin.
She winced.
He grinned at her. The light dancing in his eyes reminded her of a dog’s at night. An eerie glow that made him more menacing looking.
She didn’t hesitate another minute and drove her knee into his groin.
He released her and staggered back, hitting the wall in a crouch.
She ran past him, heard her shirt tear when he grabbed it to hold onto her. Breathless, she skidded across the floor, snatching the cordless phone from the kitchen base before tearing through the doorway that would lead her to the back door.
She ran straight into him. To avoid his arms, she backtracked, collided with the table. She screamed. And screamed, her voice no longer paralyzed.
He backhanded her, and she hit the wall. The rug she was forever cursing when she vacuumed tripped her and she lost her grip on the phone as she went down. The side of her face connected with the dining room chair, but she didn’t care, barely registered the pain and the blood that trickled into her mouth as she raked her hands across the floor for leverage.
He rolled her over and planted his knees on her chest.
Tears blurred her eyes. Her throat constricted. Her lungs, too, compressed to drag in a large enough gulp of air.
He slapped his hand over her mouth, cutting off her scream. Someone had to have heard her. Someone had. Her neighbors were too close, someone heard. They had to have.
“It didn’t have to be like this, Brooke. You shouldn’t have run. I can’t control it when you run. The animal in me likes it too much.” He leaned over her, his eyes wild now, shifting, changing.
“You shouldn’t have run.”
Turbulence jolted Brooke awake, but not soon enough. The images from the nightmare were burned into the back of her eyes and, awake or asleep, she could see them all too clearly.
She shook her head. Not now. She wouldn’t let him inside her head. For far too long she’d let him get to her and, seeing as how she was at least ten thousand feet off the ground, Brooke was pretty certain he was far away from her.
Where he belonged.
“Can I get a bottle of water?”
The passing flight attendant stared at Brooke. Brooke stared back, wondering why the petite brunette was watching her like she had three heads instead of just one.
Not to mention the rest of the small group of passengers. Since she had stepped on board every glance made her feel like she had some kind of plague. Granted the resort she was headed for was adults only, but she figured more than a fair share of women probably went alone. There were far too many single women in the world to think otherwise.
Besides, Cole would have mentioned if it was a couples only resort.
Although, considering he’d been a bit tight lipped about it from the start, maybe he had known. In the beginning they’d been on the same side when Harley had suggested she get away for a while after her psycho ex had somehow escaped transport to another prison, a place she’d happily seen him off to with her testimony following their little altercation.
An altercation that left her with a nice little scar on the inside of her leg, a concussion, and too many bad memories to let herself dwell on them for long. The bastard had gotten what he deserved and she intended to enjoy every second of this trip just to prove she could.
Brooke was just glad she hadn’t dated Prince Charming for too long before she realized the man had initially disguised the fact that he was a few dozen bricks short of a full load. Of course that hadn’t spared her the nice welcome home gift of finding him inside her house after the restraining order had been sworn out.
Brooke realized the flight attendant was still staring at her.
“How about we skip the water and just go straight to something with alcohol?”
This seemed to snap the brunette out of her stupor. With a vague nod she turned and headed back up the isle. The couple seated across the aisle didn’t bother to hide the fact that they were staring at her.
Brooke leaned forward. “Should I ask her for three drinks?”
They exchanged looks but went back to talking to themselves instead of paying attention to her.
She could feel the eyes of more than a few other people in the vicinity watching her, even though many probably couldn’t see anything other than the top of her head. If not for the seatbelt light clicking on, she would have stood up to ask them what their problem was.
The flight attendant sailed past … without her drink.
Well if service at the resort was anything like this, Brooke had the feeling she should have stuck to her guns and refused to tuck tail and run down here in the first place. A resort in Antigua should have been the perfect place to lay low until the authorities tracked James down.
If they did.
Brooke didn’t want to think about the alternative. And Cole told her she wasn’t allowed to worry about it while she was down here. She was to leave it to him. She’d lost track of how many times he and Harley had assured her she just needed to relax and things would get worked out.
So relax she would. Not more bad nightmares or thinking about James.
Trouble couldn’t find her here.
* * * *
“We’re sorry, but there seems to be a problem with your reservation.”
Brooke pasted a wider smile on her face. “I think there’s been some mistake. I was told by the person who arranged this trip that my reservation was confirmed.”
The coppery redhead on the opposite side of the counter didn’t let the polite smile fall one inch. “It seems we’ve over-booked.”
“I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.” After getting a glimpse of the view on the way from the airport to the resort, and thinking about the new camera stashed in her bag, there was no way she was going home now. It might have taken her feet actually hitting the ground for it to sink in how much she needed a break, but that didn’t mean she was going to be gently rebuffed.
“I wish I could say that was the case, but I don’t have a room to offer you.”
“That’s okay since it wasn’t a room that I had booked.” Brooke turned her smile up another watt. “I have a cabin reserved.” The little gingerbread like pictures of the cottage with its own plunge pool had been the selling point for her to give into Cole and Harley.
Suddenly conscious of not only the people in the line behind her watching her curiously, but also some spread out around the lobby, Brooke leaned towards the desk. “Is there something on my face because ever since I got on the plane people have been staring at me?”
The redhead shook her head.
“I’d appreciate it if you would double check.”
The woman didn’t so much as take another peek at the screen. “I apologize for the oversight. Paradise Moon will gladly reimburse you of any additional traveling expenses for the inconvenience.”
Brooke glanced at her nametag. “Look Zoe, I’m sure my reservation has just been misplaced. And if you can’t find it, could I please speak with Dash Windsor about it?”
The other woman’s expression morphed from managerial indifference to curious. “You know Dash?”
“His brother made the reservation for me. He’s expecting me.”
Brooke could have said a blizzard was about to hit the tropical resort and couldn’t have gotten a more surprised look in response.
“Dash knows you’re coming?”
Satisfied to have finally gotten through to the woman, Brooke nodded enthusiastically. She might not have spoken with Cole’s brother herself, but Cole had assured her he would make sure everything was worked out, and to mention Dash’s name if she ran into any troubles. She hadn’t actually figured there would be any trouble before she checked in.
“Cole and Harley talk about him all the time,” she added for good measure. “They come here a lot, I’m told.”
Zoe nodded, a frown drawing her brows together. She tapped a few keys on the keyboard in front of her, the skeptical slant to her lips vanishing as Brooke guessed she saw that Cole had in fact booked the trip for her.
“All set then?”
If the woman said otherwise, Brooke wasn’t moving an inch until she talked them into giving her a room. Any room. At this point she could stay in the garden shed and wouldn’t have cared. Her fingers itched to take her new camera for a spin.
Being the middle of three daughters, Brooke learned pretty early that to be heard she had to make not only a convincing case, but one that left no room for argument. Years of practice gave her every confidence that one way or another she’d get her room, even if it meant pleading—or badgering as her father called it—with Cole’s brother.
Another few strokes of the keys made Brooke aware of the fact that conversation in the room had come to standstill, as though everyone wanted to know the outcome of her predicament. She’d like to think it was because the other vacationers sympathized, but something told her that wasn’t it.
“I think I’ve gotten this all worked out then.” Zoe’s smile was nearly as bright as when Brooke had originally approached the counter. “Let me just get the key and I’ll escort you to your cabin myself.”
“I’m sure I can find my way.”
“After holding you up here, it’s the least I can do.”
Too pleased that things hadn’t fallen through, Brooke followed Zoe without argument. The redhead led her down one of the stone walkways that veered off from the main lobby. Once they were past two of the larger buildings that housed both suites and economy rooms as Cole had told her, they walked parallel to the massive swimming pool.
The bar nestled in the center beneath a canopied lounging area looked far too tempting. The humidity was already playing havoc with the wayward curls that fell out from her hair clip when she’d tried napping on the plane. Her camera would just have to wait. The second she got to her room, she was taking a swim.
Zoe waited patiently for her to take it all in, and Brooke was sure the smile that curved the other woman’s lips wasn’t just about her doing her job.
“Do you like working here?” Brooke fell into step with Zoe.
“Very much.” She led her down another narrow path, past twisted palm trees and hammocks made for two. “Here we are.” She circled a small hedge that shielded the cabin’s front door from the pathway. She slid the key in the lock and opened the door.
Having seen some pictures from Cole and Harley’s trips, Brooke wasn’t surprised to see the king-sized poster bed, but the romantic feel of the room didn’t come across from the photographs the way standing in it did. It felt like some lovers’ haven. Too bad she was alone.
Correction. Given how her last relationship had turned out, being alone was not a bad thing.
Brooke edged past Zoe and made a beeline right for the sliding glass door at the back of the cabin. She stepped out onto the beautifully finished deck, sliding her fingers along the etched design in the railing. Beyond the patio stones that marked the edge of a small grassy lawn, a small pool shimmered under the tropical sun.
“Perfect,” she said aloud and then turned to find Zoe hovering in the door. “Thank you.”
“Seeing as Dash is my cousin and Cole pretty much family, you are more than welcome.” She disappeared back inside.
Brooke followed her.
“If you need anything at all, just dial Reception and ask for me. If I’m not there, someone can find me fairly easily.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The redhead hesitated at the door. “One more thing. Dash is pretty strict here about guests not wandering into the jungle. Only guided tours give people access to areas off the actual resort.”
“No problem. I’m sure there is plenty close by to keep me occupied.”
“Okay then. Enjoy your stay.” Zoe slipped out, leaving Brooke to stare at her surroundings.
She flopped back on the bed, staring at the white gauzy material that draped the top of the bed. She couldn’t have asked for a place that could get any closer to keeping her mind off of James. Part of her hated that she had to go into hiding at all. She wanted to face the bastard that had taken a little too much pleasure in stalking her before he’d screwed up and given her every reason to get a restraining order against him.
But seeing as how well facing him had turned out the last time, coming here was the wisest decision until the police got a hold of him. She wouldn’t be stupid about it. She might have taken a few self-defense classes, but James had been both quick and strong, a distinct advantage.
And now she was definitely done thinking about James.
Brooke stood and crossed to where she’d dumped her large suitcase by the door. The padded case next it holding her camera and laptop went ignored for now. Nothing was going to stop her from trying out that pool.
After a quick change into the daring electric blue bikini Harley had insisted she buy, Brooke made her way outside. The water was deliciously cool as she dragged her toes across the surface. She closed her eyes, let the sunshine warm her face and ease the remaining tension left from her nightmare from her chest.
She dove in.
Because of the freedom of gliding effortlessly through the water, she kicked her way down to the bottom of the pool. Smiling, she touched the scuffed facade , then kicked back to the surface.
She froze at the sight of the man standing just beyond the edge of the stairs leading down into the pool.
Tall, blonde and with deep brown eyes that were firmly fastened on Brooke, the man did not look happy to see her.
* * * *
Dash was seeing things. There really couldn’t be any other explanation. The headache chipping away at the back of his skull was making him hallucinate. He might have even convinced himself of that until the woman emerged from the pool, bringing every inch of her barely covered body with her. He wouldn’t have been able to keep his gaze from raking over her, so he didn’t bother trying.
Her wet hair was slicked back from her face and the long brown strands that draped her shoulders dripped water down between her breasts. Her pierced navel caught his attention before he let his gaze drop farther, past the narrow blue triangle that would have been indecent on any stateside beach. When he reached the glossy painted toenails, he scrolled back up.
It wasn’t until her lips parted in a wary smile, that Dash realized exactly how intently he had been staring at her. He saw half naked—hell completely naked—women around the resort on a regular basis, but it had been a while since he took more than a second to truly appreciate the sight.
She raised a brow. “I don’t suppose you come with the room?”
He couldn’t help himself. “And if I said yes?”
Her eyes, a curious shade of blue and violet—or maybe it was just the suit that made them look like that—glittered with amusement. “I’d say I got more than I bargained for.”
“The feeling is definitely mutual.” For a variety of reasons that began and ended with his brother. He had half expected that Zoe had been pulling his chain when he had passed her on the pathway a few minutes ago and she had said she’d put up a friend of Cole’s in one of the cabins.
Now that he saw the woman with his own eyes, he couldn’t decide what annoyed him more. The fact that his brother had sent someone here, a completely human someone, without giving him a heads up, or the fact that he was gawking at her like a teen checking out his first playboy pinup instead of having her halfway to the airport already.
“Could you hand me the towel there?”
Dash managed to drag his gaze away from her. He snagged the towel she’d left on the rail and held it out to her.
The soft sway of her hips as she closed the distance between them brought his attention to her midsection once more. This time he managed to let it linger for only a few seconds before he focused on her face.
Striking or not, no woman—no one period that wasn’t one of them—could be allowed to stay and risk exposing a secret that the world was far better off not knowing.
“There might be a tip in it for you, if you can bring yourself to smile.”
Dash couldn’t decide if she was teasing or flirting with him. He offered his hand, determined to bring his professionalism to the forefront. “I’m Dash Windsor. I own the resort.”
Her smile widened. “So you’re Cole’s brother. Nice to finally meet you.” She wrapped the towel around her waist.
He wished she had tucked it higher under her arms. Less distracting that way. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news ....”
Her smile dimmed. “Don’t tell me I have to give up the private pool?”
“Well, there was still a mix up, despite Zoe’s shuffling to fit you in.”
Lush lips parted in a silent ‘oh’ as though she’d expected this.
“I’m afraid I really can’t let you stay on the resort.”
“Why?”
“We’re ....”
“You’re going to have to come up with something more believable than being double booked.”
“I’m afraid you don’t understand, Ms ….”
“Brooke,” she provided. “Brooke Maisey.”
“I know it’s a very big inconvenience, Ms. Maisey.”
“Call me Brooke. Have you talked to Cole?”
“Cole?”
“Yes, your brother.” She enunciated each word carefully as though he was slow on the uptake.
Dash crossed his arms. “I’m sure you are aware that Cole doesn’t own or run the resort.”
“All I know is that Cole made the arrangements and confirmed them.”
“Sometimes these things happen.”
“Well, since I overheard your staff talking about the resort not being booked to capacity as it has for the last couple weeks. I’m sure you can find another place for me if this one really is reserved for someone else.”
She didn’t believe him. He could tell it right down to the impish half grin that touched her lips.
Dash shook his head. “That’s not possible.”
Brooke crossed her arms in a militant stance that mirrored his. “Now you’re just making me think you don’t like me.”
“It’s nothing personal, Ms. Maisey.”
“Brooke,” she repeated.
“I really hate to put you out ....”
“Then don’t.”
“I wish it were that simple.”
She cocked her head. “You do own this place, right? Or are you just the pool boy getting his kicks playing boss man?” The twinkle in her eyes said she was screwing with him.
Dash didn’t know whether to laugh or toss her back in the pool. There was no way she was staying on his island. If he couldn’t get her to leave on her own—using security being a last resort—that left only Cole to make her see her little trip wasn’t happening.
“I’m going to straighten this out.”
Her lips twitched. “Good luck with that.”
He gave her a curt nod, not bothering to try to get another word in. His gut told him she wouldn’t let him have the last word anyway.
As he reached the gate he’d used to enter the cabin’s backyard, he could feel her eyes warming him straight through his shirt.
“And bring your swim trunks next time,” she called out.
He could have left it there, but he didn’t.
Dash glanced over his shoulder. “I prefer to swim naked.”
He grinned as he let himself outside the gate, but by the time he reached the main lobby his annoyance that Cole had purposely sent someone here who clearly was not capable of shifting to wolf form had simmered to a festering boil.
“Get Cole on the phone,” he growled, and stalked past Zoe into his office.
A human woman on an island full of werewolves just wasn’t going to work.
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