Safari Island Shifters: The Complete Collection(61)

He was passing the new gym when he realized someone was following him. Ward’s first instinct was to run. His gazelle was skittish and its first choice was always flight. Never, ever did he want to fight. Years of his childhood had been spent with a therapist learning to control his animal and keep himself calm.

The urge to run dissipated when he turned to face his pursuer. It was the woman from the bar. She was almost a foot shorter than he was and she was smiling. Her body was soft and curvy and she didn’t look like she could physically hurt him if she tried.

“Hi.” She tilted her head and her silky chestnut hair fell over her bare shoulder. Ward’s gazelle was paying careful attention to how the strands caught the moonlight. Even if he was wary of the woman, his gazelle was inexplicably interested.

“You missed the bus stop a few blocks back.” Ward checked his watch. “If you don’t hurry, you’re going to miss the last bus to the resorts.”

“I don’t want to go to the resort.” The woman pouted. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I was following you?”

Ward sighed. “I was hoping you weren’t following me.”

“You’re very good-looking.” She got a little closer. “I see that you aren’t wearing a ring. Are you single?”

Now that she was a little closer, Ward could see that she was drunk. “It doesn’t matter. You need to get to the bus or you’re going to be stuck sleeping at the bar.”

It happened every night. There were even some tourists who came to the town bar with the intention of get locked in. The bus back to the resorts didn’t run all night. An hour after bar close, they stopped. It was four hours until the next bus came. There were no cars on the island except for the ambulances and the cars used on safaris. Mostly, people traveled by golf cart or bus. That meant there was no traffic on the island and no drunk driving accidents.

The woman shook her head. “Nope. I’m going to get locked in with you. I bet you’re single.”

Ward turned away. “I’m going to keep walking and you’re going to go back to the bar.”

“You really want to go home alone tonight?” she called after him. “I don’t want anything. A little fun for a few hours and then I’m gone. I don’t even live here. We won’t see each other again.”

Ward didn’t stop walking. His gazelle told him to run back to the woman and take her to his home ASAP. But he couldn’t do that. This was his only time to hang out alone. He didn’t want to bring home some random woman from the bar.

She kept following him until he got to the front of his house. He heard her stumble a few times, and she sang quietly the whole time. Her off-key rendition of a popular rap song made him smile. Not exactly family friendly, but hilarious to hear at three in the morning. He pulled out his house key and turned to tell her good night. He’d call security as soon as he got inside, he decided—but the woman wasn’t behind him anymore. He looked and saw her sprawled on the sidewalk.

Ward quickly ran down the walkway and pulled out his phone, ready to call for help. He knelt next to the woman. “Miss! Can you hear me? I’m going to call for help.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “No need. I think I’m okay. I must have had a little too much to drink.”

Ward helped her stand up and examined her. She looked alright, but he didn’t want to let her walk back to the bus stop by herself. He tried calling security but the line was busy. That almost never happened. He shut his phone, frustrated. “Want to come inside for a minute?”

She smiled. “Now you want me to come inside. No, sir! I don’t need to be rescued. I’m going to walk back and try to catch that bus.”

“Wait.” He grabbed her by the arm. “I don’t think you should do that. Just come inside for a moment. I wouldn’t feel right letting you wander around at night all alone. It isn’t safe for someone in your condition.”

“You’re just as drunk as I am, mister.”

“I’m Ward. What did you say your name was?”

“Joan.” She started to walk away from him.

He grabbed her by the hand once more. “Joan. You’re a very pretty woman. Why don’t you come inside? Just for a bit?”

He had no intention of sleeping with her. He just had to be sure she was alright for the night. If he couldn’t get hold of security, he’d walk her to the six a.m. bus himself.

“Just for a moment.” She followed him to his door. “But no funny business. You already turned me down once. I don’t need pity sex.”

“No pity sex,” Ward agreed.

He led her inside and made her sit on the couch, then looked around the kitchen for a late night snack. He came back to ask her about herself but Joan was already asleep. She had kicked off her heels and was curled up at the edge of the couch.

She looked so cute. Ward covered her with a blanket and turned on his TV. He would let her sleep until morning. Not exactly how he’d envisioned spending his evening, but not a total loss. His gazelle was angry that he wouldn’t touch the lovely visitor, but he wasn’t a total cad. There would be more opportunities to take home pretty women. Maybe not as beautiful as Joan, but his gazelle would be fine.





Two


Joan Marin’s mouth was dry. Painfully dry. She could smell bread toasting and coffee, but she wasn’t going to be eating soon. Her stomach was twisting painfully. She was going to throw up.