Page 67 of As The Shifter World Turns

The building has termites and needs to be tented. So, if you can gather your stuff—there’s a fully stocked pantry and plenty of wine and beer—and meet me out the front in fifty minutes.

I leaped out of bed and peered underneath. “Termites. Ewww!”

Micah grabbed me and pressed his lip to my brow. “Don’t worry. They nibble on wood, not tasty wolf shifters. But…” He dropped his gaze to my hard-on. “Not sure about morning wood.”

My wolf was close to the surface but I batted him away. We’d gone from sixty to fifty minutes so there was no time for sex. A quickie yes, but Micah and I went in for marathons. I hurried down the stairs to Daire and Ivor’s place as technically I was still staying there, leaving Micah to gather his stuff, but then had to message him asking him to bring my toiletry bag. And I brought in my bicycle not wanting it to stay outside all weekend.

“Bring it to the beach,” Daire said as he came up behind me. Before I could protest, he’d taken it and attached it to the van’s bike rack.

When I walked into 1A, Ivor was in his room flinging clothes on the floor and muttering to himself. “Did you have plans this weekend?” I poked my head through the doorway.

“No. Other than imagining horrible things happening to Kellan. And I’m not sure where Ryder and I are with each other.”

I couldn’t help him with that. “Has he been here? Kellan?”

“Don’t think so. But if he sniffs out we’re at Daire's beach house, you bet he’ll turn up.”

I put my arm around him. “Stop thinking of bad stuff that could happen and look at this as you and Ryder’s first weekend away together.”

He collapsed onto his bed. “Except we have the entire Sunshine Manor family with us. There’ll be no privacy.”

“There’s always the beach,” I said over my shoulder as I headed to pack.

When we finally assembled outside, Neil had three enormous bags and was glancing around as if he expected to see someone, Ivor had his head down but kept sneaking looks at Ryder, Micah was on the phone and Daire was complaining about how much luggage we had.

“Neil’s the one with all the bags,” I protested.

“Hey, I’ve got my camera gear and makeup, clothes and wigs. I have to work this evening and tomorrow while you all cavort around the place.”

“Cavorting?” Ryder asked. “How does that work exactly?”

Ivor chimed in. “Not sure I know the meaning. Can you demonstrate, Neil?”

I grinned and joined in the teasing. “Like this?” I wriggled my ass and circled him.

“You’ve got it wrong,” Micah added. “It’s like this.” He jumped on the spot waving his hand in the air.

Our human friend ignored us and got in the van. “I can’t hear you,” he sing-songed. “And I hate you all.”

“Everyone in,” Daire yelled as he stuffed the last bags onto the floor of the van.

The drive to the shore was the usual Sunshine Manor outing. Everyone was talking at once, complaining about Daire’s driving and discussing what we were going to eat.

When Daire pulled up at a mansion, no make that a palace and punched in the key code, I stared at the camera perched high on a post recording our every move. There was a huge wall surrounding the house, which kinda negated being right on the water as the view was obscured unless you were on the second floor.

But unlike Sunshine Manor, this house was modern. It had a three sided-porch, a huge pool and barbecue area, and I was certain the flowering plants and shrubs were Daire's handiwork. We piled out of the van, grumbling at the way Daire had packed our stuff until he said, “If you don’t like it, you can walk next time.” That shut us up.

Once the door was open, Micah grabbed my hand and tore inside and up the stairs. “What’s the rush?” I panted.

“We need to choose the best room.”

“Shoes off,” Daire yelled. “And I have dibs on the bedroom at the top of the stairs on the right,” he mumbled as he raced behind us.

Turned out the bedrooms had attached bathrooms and they all had a view or partial view of the beach along with a balcony. The sumptuous room we chose had a massive king-size bed, walk-in closet and a bathroom to die for.

“Ready for a swim?” Micah asked as he rummaged in his bag.

“Sure. Let me find Neil. Not sure how he feels about swimming in the ocean.”

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