Page 27 of All for the Beast

The pink water grew more alive as the day progressed. V’s smile melted, replaced by a look of concern that made it seem like his life was on the line.

Katy burst out laughing, then laid a hand on his shoulder. Geeze, it was as strong as it looked.

“I’m just teasing you, V,” she said with a giggle. “I can be wild when the mood strikes, don’t you worry.”

She gave him a clear and obvious wink that meant they were venturing into the unprofessional zone. His lips trembled, his mouth empty of words, and much to her dismay, he looked away and back to the water.

Katy felt her heart sink. She had to remind herself that she had told him she wanted to remain professional. And there she was, flirting with a business partner.

It had been so long since she had felt any other hands beyond her own on her body, pleasuring her, tasting her. She was longing for him physically, but deep down, outside the realm of her consciousness, there was more to what she wanted beyond an insatiable roll in the hay.

They arrived at the next port, and Katy felt this was going to be astronomically different. She heard bustling voices and music coming from beyond the dock and shoreline, along with a few people trailing around without any clothes on.

V stood and, once more, offered his hand.

“There are a few clubs on this island,” he said. “We can look into those, too, if you’d like.”

Katy wanted to tell him that she would do anything he wanted. The moment he put a hand on her bare skin, she was willing to be anything or anyone he wanted. Their collision would be cataclysmic, whether it lasted one night or a lifetime.

She took his hand, and he pulled her up fast. She balanced herself in the boat, and he gazed down at her, a look of frustration and a bit of sorrow sprinkled into it.

“I would like that,” she whispered.

V turned away and held onto her hand as they stepped onto the dock. When he let go, she felt empty and needy.

Katy didn’t want to hurt him, and she didn’t want to get hurt, either, but the electricity moving through her body was strong. She was sure that it was bound to take her over and force her to make a few decisions she hoped she wasn’t going to regret.

TWELVE

VHARLK

Aflush turned Katy’s face red after a long day of touring Siborim, and Vharlk could not help but find her more adorable.

“What?” she asked, swiping at her cheeks. “Is there something on my face?”

“I think you are sunburned.”

She pouted, something he had come to expect from her after spending so much time together.

“I have to see. Can we go somewhere where there's a bathroom?”

Vharlk nodded. “I have dinner reservations at a seafood place. Would you care to join me?”

Katy balked at the mention of seafood. “Not more of that tentacle stuff, please.”

He laughed and led her toward the restaurant. “We have more than one dish, I promise you. I’ll help you pick the food you’ll like.”

She seemed subdued at that. “Okay, but bathroom first.”

On the way to the restaurant, the suns set, casting their brilliant rays across the city, bathing them in the dying light. The night began unceremoniously with shifters and their human counterparts wandering from work to home and to other places.

The whole city worked like a well-oiled machine, with everyone satisfied with the life they’d chosen for themselves. Even though he was not yet pack leader, Vharlk saw to it personally that everyone was happy. If they had a problem, they could come to him. As the shifters passed, they waved, said hello, and some even bowed to him.

“Wow, everyone loves you so much,” Katy said, sounding impressed. “Even the humans.”

Vharlk preened at the praise. “I try to keep my people happy. The humans are a priority as well. If the humans aren’t happy, their shifter partners aren’t happy.”

Katy smiled at him. “It’s so nice to see. Where I come from, we have a mayor who looks after the city. Most of the time, they’re corrupt, and they don’t care about anything except the money they get.”

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