Werewolf in Seattle: A Wild About You Novel (23 page)

As he sipped his champagne, he thought about her and whether she and Duncan would get along. He almost wished they would have a chance to meet, because instinctively he knew they’d be friends. That idea didn’t bother him in the same way he’d been bothered by Knox Trevelyan’s attentions to Luna.

For all Duncan’s impetuous behavior, he would never make a move on a female Colin wanted. At bottom, Duncan was a good-hearted chap with a zest for life, but that enthusiasm got him into more trouble than any Were Colin knew. Consequently he’d been a bloody pain in the ass.

Although Duncan was only four years younger than Colin, some days it had seemed like ten. But they’d had good times, too, some moments when Duncan had made him laugh until his ribs ached.

Now Colin was needed back at Glenbarra to talk Duncan down off the ledge. That meant his days with Luna were nearly at an end. With that in mind, he started to leave the bedroom, but then decided to take a quick look around first.

A glance into the bathroom revealed a promising Jacuzzi tub placed next to a window. If the view wouldn’t make Luna dizzy, they could have a good time in there. After today’s hot-tub shopping, he knew that she had an imagination when it came to benches and jets.

The bedroom also looked promising. The raised platform bed was at least king-sized, maybe even custom-made to be larger. It was covered with various shapes and sizes of pillows, all snowy white.

The bed had been designed as a playground, and Colin
hoped they’d use it that way. A chest sat at the end of it, and when Colin pushed a button, the top slid back and a flat-screen monitor rose from its depths.

“Planning to catch a reality show or two?”

He turned toward the doorway.

Luna rested a shoulder against the door frame, her half-full champagne flute dangling between two fingers. “Or maybe your taste runs more toward X-rated videos,” she said. “I’m sure those are available.”

“I’m sure they are.” Holding her gaze, he pushed the button again and the flat screen whirred back down into its cabinet. “I don’t need them.” As if to prove that point, his groin stirred. He deposited his glass on the top of the cabinet.

“I didn’t hear your voice anymore, so I decided to wander in and find out if you’re okay.” Pushing away from the door frame, she moved into the room.

He crossed to meet her and slid one hand around her waist and the other beneath her hair to cup the back of her neck. “You have a caring nature, Luna Reynaud, to ask about my problems at home.” He began a gentle massage, taking pleasure in the feel of her silky skin under his fingertips.

Her green eyes darkened in response to the simple caress. “I don’t have a sister or brother, but it must be distressing to have issues and be so far away.” Resting her palm on his chest, she reached up with her champagne flute and rubbed the cool glass against his temple. “I’ll bet that pesky vein popped out again.”

“I’m sure it did, but it’s better now.”

“Here I was out there relaxing like a princess, and you were in here arguing with your brother.”

“It wasn’t so bad.”

She stopped rubbing his temple and brought the flute
down to his mouth. “Have some more of this stuff. It’s very tasty and will wash away all your cares.” She tipped the glass.

He swallowed the fizzy champagne and smiled at her as she lowered the glass. “You’re fussing over me.”

“I am. Is that okay?”

“If feels wonderful, lass. I can’t remember the last time someone fussed over me.”

“Everyone needs it once in a while, especially a big strong laird who takes all the responsibility for his pack on his very broad shoulders.”

“You make me sound like a hero, and I’m not.”

“You are a hero to me. And probably to Duncan, too, when he stops to admit it.”

Colin nestled her closer. “I don’t know about that, but he complimented me on listening to him for a change. I have you to thank for that.”

“Me? Why?”

He savored the way she settled against him so trustingly. “You’ve challenged my assumptions and poked holes in my belief system. Before I met you, my world was divided into black and white, Weres and humans.”

“And now?”

“That kind of sharp division doesn’t exist for me anymore. It can’t, because it would put me on one side and you on the other. I couldn’t live without us being… friends.” What a ridiculously inadequate word that was.

“Neither could I.” Her gaze searched his. “Does that mean you won’t object if Duncan mates with a human?”

“I’ll still object if he’s only doing it to make a statement, and judging from what he’s said, I think that’s his main motivation.”

“Will he go ahead anyway?”

“I hope to talk him out of it, but… I have to do it in person.”

A stricken look flashed briefly in her eyes and was gone, replaced by acceptance. “That makes perfect sense. In person is always better.”

“Unfortunately, I’ll need to leave very soon, perhaps in a couple of days if I can arrange it.”

“Right.” She nodded, as if the matter was not up for debate.

“He’s agreed to hold off telling her he’s Were until I’ve met her. Once I’ve seen them together, I’ll have a much better idea of whether they’re meant to be mated. No one should choose a mate, whether she’s Were or human, to prove a point.”

“No, I suppose not.” She gazed up at him, her green eyes giving nothing away. “Why should they choose one, then?”

His heart contracted. She would have to ask the hard question. But he owed her his best answer, culled from his most recent thinking. “Because they’ve found someone they can’t live without.” He was very much afraid he’d done exactly that.

“But what if the other someone doesn’t feel the same?”

Ah, the cold slap of reality. If she’d begun to guess his feelings, she was reminding him that both parties had to be fully committed. “Then perhaps they’re not destined to be mates,” he said.

“Perhaps not.” She took a deep breath. Then she gave him a bright smile. “Well, enough deep philosophy! I see you discovered the flat screen that we’re not going to make use of. What else do we need to explore before we continue with our decadent evening?”

She was obviously ready to change the subject and the mood, and he admired her resilience. She could very well be more resilient than he was. “There’s a Jacuzzi in the bathroom,” he said.

“Is that right?”

“It’s next to a window, though, so that could prove to be a problem for you.”

She lifted her glass. “All I need is you and more champagne.”

“That I can provide.” For now, at least. Maybe before he left he’d order a case of that bubbly for her. It was a poor substitute for being there personally, but it might help.

While Colin turned on the tap to fill the black Jacuzzi with water, Luna went to fetch the rest of the champagne and the plate of food. On a hunch, she opened a small refrigerator under the wet bar and discovered a second bottle of the same pricey stuff. That could come in handy as she adjusted to the fact that Colin was leaving.

He didn’t seem particularly happy about it, either, but that wouldn’t keep him here. He wasn’t essential to the development of the business, but he was essential to the running of his pack in Scotland. He’d only agreed to her plan of opening an inn because he trusted her to manage it without him.

She’d known all that, but had hoped for more time with him. She wasn’t going to get it, and expensive champagne would help blunt her disappointment. She clutched the nearly empty bottle plus the unopened one against her stomach while carrying the plate of food in her free hand.

“Look what I found,” she announced as she walked into the bathroom.

“Nice.” Colin came over to relieve her of the bottles.
He emptied the last of the old bottle into his glass, briskly opened the new bottle of champagne as if he’d been doing it for years and neatly filled her glass without spilling a drop. He handed her the glass. “Maybe we should order some more food, too, so we don’t get completely peshed.”

“And what’s wrong with that, my Much Honoured Laird of Glenbarra? What better time to get peshed than in a complimentary penthouse with complimentary high-end bubbly?”

He flashed her a grin. “You have a point. We’ll worry about food later.”

Luna raised her glass. “To George Trevelyan.”

“To good old George.” Colin touched his glass to hers. “Don’t let him intimidate you, lass.”

“I won’t, but if he tries, will you come over here and kick his butt?” Colin’s slight hesitation told her all she needed to know. “I’m kidding. I can handle George just fine.”

“Of course you can.”

She longed to ask him when he would come back, but she might not like the answer. If she ran the inn as efficiently as he expected her to, he wouldn’t need to come back at all. She took another swallow of champagne and set her glass on the black marble counter. Time to get this party started.

Standing in the middle of the bathroom, she glanced at Colin. “Ever watched a striptease?”

His eyebrows lifted. “Can’t say that I have. Have you?”

The champagne fizzed through her veins, making her feel sexy and bold. “Only in movies, but I know the general idea. I think I should perform one for you.”

Colin turned off the faucet and sat on the edge of the tub, his champagne glass in hand. “I wouldn’t object.”

“Didn’t think so. I’ll provide my own music.” She
vaguely remembered a tune that she’d heard and she began to hum it.

Colin’s lips twitched as if he were trying very hard not to smile. “‘The Stripper.’ Good choice.”

“So you recognize it? I’m not such a great singer.”

“In my book, you’re a very fine singer.”

“Now, that’s a lie, but I’m good enough for this, anyway.” She kept humming as she began to swivel her hips and ease her sundress strap down over her shoulder. Then with a wink, she pulled it back into place and started on the other strap.

“Tease.”

“That’s the idea.” She rolled her shoulder and gave him a melting look as she eased the second strap down and continued to hum. This time she managed to get the strap all the way off, although it might not have been the smoothest move in the world.

She had more trouble with the second strap and had to stop humming while she struggled with it.

“Want any help?”

“Nope.” She got the strap off and held out both arms as she began to shimmy. That much she did know how to do. “Ba-dum-dum-
dum
, ba-dum-dum-
dum
, ba-dum-dum-
dum.
”

He grinned at her, his blue eyes sparkling.

“Don’t give me that Chesire-cat smile. It makes me laugh and I can’t concentrate.”

“Right.” He covered his mouth, but the crinkles around his eyes gave him away.

Humming louder and with more emphasis, she began a bump and grind as she slowly peeled her dress down. It had a built-in bra, which made the striptease easier, but it wouldn’t last nearly as long. So she took her time about peeling the dress down to her waist.

Colin, she noted with satisfaction, wasn’t grinning anymore, and his eyes weren’t crinkled up with laughter, either. The sight of her girls was getting him hot, judging from the way he focused on them.

She wished she had a couple of tassels, but that wouldn’t do much good unless she could twirl them, and she figured that took practice. As a substitute, she cupped her breasts in both hands as she continued to hum and dance for him. He was a very easy audience to please. He never took his eyes off her.

For her next maneuver, she turned her back to him and waggled her bottom from side to side in time with her humming as she gradually pulled up her skirt, then slowly, very slowly, pulled down her panties. She couldn’t see his face, but she could hear him breathing. He was becoming a desperate Were.

Once she’d worked her panties down over her bare feet, she turned, keeping her toe hooked through one leg opening. Then, with a well-timed
ba-dum
, she kicked the panties right at him. To his credit, he caught them before they sailed into the Jacuzzi. She almost forgot to hum as he raised them to his nose and inhaled.

Funny how the striptease seemed to be getting her hot, too. She’d intended to make this last awhile, but every time she looked at Colin, the front of his slacks stuck out a little more, and she was starting to ache like nobody’s business.

Still, she wanted to end this performance with a flourish, so she forced herself to ease her dress down inch by torturous inch. She kept humming and creating circles with her hips. When she paused right before exposing her pièce de résistance, Colin groaned. Now, that was gratifying.

With one final shove, she pushed the dress all the way
down. Humming at full volume, she grabbed it from the floor and twirled it over her head to loud applause and whistles from the audience of one.

She stood there flushed and panting, and highly aroused. “You liked it?”

“I’ll show you how much I liked it.” He stood and tore off his clothes. “Sorry, but I’m not taking time for a striptease. This is a straight strip, without the tease.”

She watched him with hungry eyes. “Works for me.” She’d never tire of this view of Colin MacDowell, naked, his muscled chest gleaming with moisture, and his glorious penis fully erect.

He held out a hand. “Come with me, you naughty wench. You’ve put me in a fine state, as you can see. Time for you to do something about it.”

She loved how his brogue thickened right along with his cock when he was really excited. “I would be honored to do something about it.” She put her hand in his. “What did you have in mind?”

“I crave having you sit on my lap, if you know what I mean.”

“Not exactly, but I’m sure I’ve probably seen it done in the movies.”

“Oh, I’m sure you have, at that. The idea is I’ll sit on the bench there, and you’ll sit astride, a knee on either side of my hips.”

She glanced up at him. “Sounds like fun.”

“I guarantee it. And the warm water will soothe your parts.”

That made her smile. “My parts?”

“I still want to take good care with you, lass. You’re a beginner yet. Though I wouldn’t know it to watch you stripping off your panties and tossing them in my face.”