Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(13)

“Eyes up here.” He gave her a wicked smile. “Did you hear my question, or am I distracting you too much?”

Her face was hot. “One more time.”

“Want a ride? I haven’t shifted in ages, and it’s a beautiful night for a walk on the beach.”

He was standing in front of her in just his boxer-briefs. She knew shifters were very open with their bodies, but this was ridiculous. How was she supposed to follow the conversation when his bulge was right there? She could imagine slipping the briefs down and seeing exactly what he was working with, and she didn’t think he would stop her.

She twirled a curl around her finger. They were completely alone. No one would disturb them, and they had lots of time.

“Sure.” She snapped out of her trance. She did want to see him shift, though. She’d only watched videos of shifting on the internet. Here was a chance to see it up close and personal.

He turned around and slipped down his boxers, and Addison groaned inwardly at his sudden shyness. She still got a very good view of his toned buns, which looked nice enough to take a bite out of. Not that she would...probably.

With his back to her, he began to change. His skin thickened and he fell forward onto his hands and knees.

His shoulders widen impossibly and his skin deepened in color. It was breathtaking. When the shift was finished, there was a giant rhinoceros standing on the sand in front of her. Even knowing it had moments earlier been Chet, her heart still raced. It was a giant animal, at least fifteen feet long and taller than her, at least six feet high at its shoulders.

The giant rhino shook its head and turned to face her. He dropped down to sit and waited for her.

Addison stepped forward with trepidation. She’d seen similar animals earlier in the day, but she’d been safely inside a car and this was very different. She didn’t feel threatened by Chet, but her instincts screamed at her to run away as fast as she could.

She touched the skin around his broad, flat lips. It was firm and leathery. Then her hands swept over his two horns. She would have to ask him what they were for. Did he use them to dig in the dirt, or were they only for fighting? The smaller one in back had to be for decoration.

His giant gray eyes watched her as she explored his face, and she realized she was wasting time. They only had so long until the show ended, and Lily was already going to be mad enough.

Addison put her purse under Chet’s blazer on the tree and then climbed atop his back. He stood up and started walking slowly down the beach. She realized quickly that she needed to lie down on top of him. Without a saddle, it was hard to stay on his back upright, and her dress made it difficult to straddle him.

He picked up speed to a trot once she was secure on his back. Her curls whipped in the light wind, and she grabbed on tighter and giggled. She was riding a rhino down the beach—a giant, two-ton rhino shifter. And she was having a great time.

The beach was fairly empty. She only spotted a few couples in the shadows as they went. She couldn’t blame them. Nights like this begged for some outside lovemaking.

She had no idea how far they had traveled when he stopped at some dunes and sat down again. Addison slid off his back and looked out at the ocean. By the time she turned back around, a very naked Chet was starting a fire.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Near Safari Town. Me and the guys come drinking out here all the time.” He pointed to an alcove where there was a stack of beer cans. “Nobody else comes down here. We can sit for a while and still get back in time if I run. Cool?”

She nodded. “Cool.”

He got a blanket from their secret stash and spread it out for her. She sat down near the fire while he stayed standing.

He stretched. “Feels good to get down on four legs again. It’s been way too long since I shifted.”

“You don’t do it every day?”

“No way. I forget about it all the time. It’s only when I start getting restless that I remember that I gotta let the beast free.”

He sat down next to her on the blanket. She tried to keep her eyes trained on the fire, but it was no use. She was surprised to find him staring at her intently. She brushed her neck. “What?”

“Does a man need an excuse to look at a beautiful woman?”

She blushed. “Stop.”

“I know. Sorry. I’m sure you get sick of hearing it.”

Addison laughed. She didn’t want to sound like she was fishing for compliments, but she didn’t. Not often enough, anyway. Maybe she was hanging around the wrong men. “I’m sure you do too.”

He shrugged. “I get ladies on the tour every day. Most of them aren’t afraid to tell me how hot I am. I sure don’t get sick of hearing it.”

“Of course you don’t. Do you ever tire of talking about how great you are?”

“I am that great. Why should I pretend I’m not?” He ran a finger down her arm. “I’m sure you’re looking in the mirror every chance you get.”

She laughed. “Not exactly.”

“Well, you should be. They couldn’t drag me away from a reflective surface if I had your face.” He put his hand on her cheek. “Maybe you’ve just gotten used to seeing yourself all the time. Make no mistake, everyone you meet is lucky to be able to gaze upon your lovely smile and those kind eyes.”