Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(39)

At the end there was a lot of clapping and cheers. Branch had to admit it was a good musical, even if it had made it hard to talk to Maura.

“Jasminda was amazing,” Maura said as they left the restaurant. “We’re really lucky she was here this summer.”

“It was pretty good.” They were standing in front of the restaurant, where a row of buses was waiting to take everyone to their separate destinations. He wasn’t about to go back to Safari Town. “I wish we could have had more time to talk. Would you like to maybe spend some time in the hotel bar together?”

“I don’t know. It’s pretty late.”

“But last night you said you’d save a late night just for me.” Branch gave her his most seductive stare and moved in close enough that she could smell his cologne.

“Well, I guess one drink wouldn’t hurt.”





Four


Maura was vacillating between heady glee and serious fear. What had she done?

She was sitting on her bed as Branch looked around the suite. They were going to go to the hotel bar, but it was already closed. When he’d suggested they raid the mini-bar in her room, she didn’t know how to refuse. It sounded like an awfully risky idea, but part of her was elated. Branch Dunkin wanted to come back to her room with her! She wanted to drag that part of her to the bathroom and drown it, but that wasn’t happening.

“I’ve never been in one of the rooms here,” Branch said. “I checked out a room at the Wild Resort when I first got here and I figured they’d all look the same.”

“Are they?”

“Nope. They’re all nice, I bet, but they’re different. This one is much more romantic. Makes sense. It was built for the honeymoon set. Do you like it?”

She nodded. “It’s nice. If I was on my honeymoon, I’d love it.”

“Sorry if I’m being rude, but what happened there?” Branch bent and began taking things from the mini-fridge.

“He cheated on me and left me a few weeks ago.” Maura looked at her hands. “I couldn’t get a full refund on the vacation package, so I came alone.”

“Screw him,” Branch snarled. “Any man who would cheat on you is a dummy. And nobody wants to be married to an idiot.”

“I’m happy that he told me before we were married.” She took a deep breath. “It hurt, but it’s like taking off a Band-Aid. It can only get better from here.”

“Much better.” He winked as he handed her a pale yellow drink. She sniffed it cautiously. It smelled strongly of alcohol and pineapple. “Drink up. This is my signature drink.”

She took a small sip and frowned. “This is just vodka and pineapple juice.”

“I never said I was a killer bartender.” Branch laughed. “It’s actually cake vodka and pineapple juice.”

He sat next to her on the bed, close enough for her to smell him again. She wanted to lean over, press her face against his neck, and breathe deeply. He smelled so good. She didn’t even think it was his cologne. It was his unique scent that was driving her crazy.

An old article she’d read popped into her head. It had said that if you liked how someone smelled, it was because your brain was telling you that your children would have the best chance at survival. Something about opposite immune systems or something.

It was an interesting fact, but a useless one. She knew why Branch was there. He wanted to get laid. The thought made her wet instantly. Branch Dunkin wanted to sleep with her. He was probably thinking of ways to kiss her right now. What rotten luck!

She shouldn’t sleep with him. It would only make things more complicated when Jimmy Tony got to the island. What if Branch wanted to keep hanging out with her? She wasn’t going to have time for that. It was bad enough that she was going to have to lie to Lily. She didn’t want to have to complicate her stories even further and risk getting caught. She was going to have to tell him to go home.

Maura finished her drink and looked at the glass as she spoke. “This was a nice night, but I think you should go now. It’s getting late.”

Branch leaned over and kissed her on the mouth. She was surprised and just sat there stiffly. This wasn’t how she had imagined her first kiss with Branch happening. She didn’t even kiss him back until he pulled her closer. When she felt his body pressing against her, she snapped out of her trance and opened her mouth to him.

His tongue quickly darted out to taste her. She clutched at his arm and ran her tongue over his bottom teeth. The arm around her waist tightened and he kissed down her neck to her collarbone. He pressed his face against her skin and then whispered softly, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said, but when Branch pulled down the strap of her dress and kissed down to her shoulder, she changed it to, “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” He pulled down the other strap and then pulled the top of her dress down. Maura bit her lip and closed her eyes. She would stop him in a second. Only one second more.

Branch palmed her left breast in his enormous hand. He nuzzled his face in her cleavage and reached around to unhook her bra. Maura inhaled sharply but didn’t say a word. Her nipples peaked in the cool air before Branch even took one in his mouth. She moaned as he moved his head from one side to the other. He sucked hard and she put her hand on his shoulder.