Page 4 of Howl Me to the Moon
“What?”
“I just said that Rex can’t take his eyes off you.” She pulled her shirt away from her neck. “It’s getting hot in here.”
Well, hex me sideways. It took all my self-control not to look up. “Is that the bass player?” I asked with a forced neutral tone.
“Yes, his name is Rex Forte. I’ll introduce you after the show.”
My pulse quickened at that. I leaned against the bar and ran my fingers over the stem of the glass. Once I realized what I was doing, I stopped.
“You playing matchmaker, Ky?” I teased.
“Well, youdidintroduce me to Damien,” she said in a knowing tone. “And left me stranded with him on the dance floor.”
I chuckled. Guilty. When I wasn’t working the gallery, part of my responsibilities was to socialize with the passengers to ensure they’d have a great cruise. But when I’d seen the way that Damien and Kylie stared at each other with undisguised longing, I couldn’t help playing matchmaker. “Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, but why not?” she asked. “He’s hot and single. You’re hot and single. And the way you look at each other.” She fanned herself again. “Fire.”
I straightened. “Because I’m not interested in hooking up with anyone and dealing with complications. Ugh.”
“Ah, too bad,” Kylie said with a rueful tone. “I have to admit this ship is a lot more fun with a lover.”
Perhaps. But that wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. Not when I had so much riding on me with my job here. I had to focus on making decent sales at the auction this week, because if not, they could cut the art auctions completely.
But when the opening notes of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” began, curiosity took over and I glanced at Rex once more. Sure enough, the wolf shifter caught my eye once more. What was even more surprising was how my magic seemed to hum with vibrant energy inside.
CHAPTER 4
REX
The final notes of our set faded and the crowd broke into applause. I'd managed to recover after my wolf stirred in a near frenzy once the woman had walked in with Kylie. I don’t know what had gotten into him, but it made it hard to concentrate on anything but her. My hands were sweaty and my temperature rose. One wrong move and I’d let my wolf burst through the surface and take control. He was sure to prance over to the woman and perform tricks in front of her, like a furry idiot.
“Great show,” Van said.
I groaned. “Minus my mess up.”
“Fortunately, no one seemed to notice besides us,” Damien added.
I was sure it was way more than that, but maybe Damien was right and the audience was more into whatever they had going on.
A handful of passengers came up to compliment us. I nodded and smiled, but my attention remained fixed on the woman with Kylie. Who was she? And how could I talk to her?
When Kylie and her friend approached, my wolf rose with awareness while I was ready to shirk back. I wasn’t ready, not yet. Not after how distracted I’d been by her the entire show.
Too late now. They almost reached us, and as she moved closer, I could sense her vibrant energy. It hummed through me. Witch. Her hazel eyes sparkled with flecks of gold.
Then her scent reached me. A subtle fragrance of wildflowers and lavender. It wrapped around me, enveloping me with warmth. Utterly enchanting.
My wolf howled inside.Mate!
He couldn't be serious. I stared at her, unable to form coherent thoughts. I gripped my bass tighter, trying to keep it together while my wolf went manic inside, chantingmate.
“Hey guys, you were awesome!” Kylie hugged Damien and he kissed her. After a moment of the two of them lost in each other, she turned to me. “Rex, meet my friend Piper. She works in art auctions on the ship.”
"Hi, Rex," Piper said with a smile. “Great show.”
The sound of my name coming from her lips entranced me. And she complimented me. What elation.
I stared at her, realizing that I hadn't said anything. Silence stretched like an awkward yarn.Say something. Say something.
