Dark Guardian #4: Shadow of the Moon Read online

  “Fair enough.”

  We sat there for several long, silent moments just holding hands. Finally I worked myself free of his grasp and forced myself to my feet. “We’re throwing a party here tonight after work. It was Lisa’s idea. Kind of an end-to-winter-break thing.”

  “Am I invited?”

  My voice was hoarse when I said, “Yeah.”

  As I left him there and made my way back to my room, all I could do was hope that leaving with him—and not trying to run away again—would turn out to be the right decision.

  SEVEN

  My last day at the resort was uneventful. Daniel was gone from the condo when I got up, and although I couldn’t see him, I felt him watching me—as I walked to work, as I trudged home. A tiny part of me wished he’d join me as I made my way through the snow. Part of me was glad for the distance between us, until I realized that it almost made tonight seem like a date.

  Still, I couldn’t describe the anticipation rushing through me as I got ready for the party. Or the insecurity.

  “Be still,” Lisa commanded.

  “But I want to see.”

  “When I’m finished.”

  She was applying makeup to my face. I’d practiced a little with the girls at school but had never quite mastered the skill.

  “You won’t make me look like a clown, will you?” I asked.

  Lisa growled, and if I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought she was a Shifter.

  “Relax. Just relax. I was the makeup artist for all my high school productions. I practically live at Sephora.”

  She said that as though it was supposed to mean something to me.

  Leaning back, she studied me for a second. “You don’t even know what I’m talking about, do you? Did you escape from some religious commune or something?”

  “No.”

  “Daniel—is he taking you back? Do you need help?”

  I grabbed her hand. It was so much easier when I knew no emotions would blast through me. “I’m fine. I just grew up in a small town, went to a girls’ boarding school, have never really flourished in the dating scene, that’s all.”

  “Okay, if you say so. But Daniel really likes you.” She moved in toward me, and I stopped her with a hand to her shoulder.

  “How do you know that?”

  “Duh? The way he looks at you.”

  “Exactly how?”

  “It’s just so intense. Like you mean everything to him. Like he can’t stand the thought of a minute without you. And tonight he is really not going to be able to take his eyes off you.” She spun me around to face the mirror.

  I gawked at my reflection and slowly came off the stool. She’d taken scissors to my hair to create wispy bangs. I couldn’t tell that she’d put on makeup, but my caramel-shaded eyes were larger, luminescent, exotic. She’d somehow enhanced their oval shape. My lips looked fuller. Definitely kissable.

  The thought made me grow warm, and I watched as a blush crept over my chin and rose into my cheeks. It probably started at my stomach, but since I was wearing a heavy cowl-necked sweater that draped off one shoulder, it was difficult to tell. The sweater was a deep purple that made my hair appear blonder, my eyes a richer hue.

  “It doesn’t look like me,” I said in awe.

  “Of course it does,” she said, brushing off my concerns. “And wait until Daniel gets a good look at you. He’s going to be stunned speechless.”

  Lisa called that right.

  In spite of the frigid winter air we had the front door and the French doors that led to the deck propped open so people could wander in and out. The lights were dimmed low and pine-scented candles flickered around the rooms. Music was playing. We’d moved all the furniture from the center of the living room so there was plenty of space to dance. Some people lounged on the sofa, love seats, or chairs lined along the walls. Some used floor pillows. We had snacks, sodas, and beers. No one was around to card anyone, so I grabbed a bottle and gulped some of the bitter brew. I was nervous, waiting for Daniel to show up.

  Wiping my hands on my jeans, I regretted that I’d run into a store on my afternoon break and bought a pair of spike-heeled boots. They were impractical, and I didn’t know when I’d ever have a chance to wear them again. But they made me feel elegant, even if my feet were killing me. I thought they made my legs look long and slender. Especially by the time I’d finished my first beer and gone for a second.

  I was in the bathroom, where we’d poured tons of ice into the tub to use as our cooler. I’d just pulled out the bottle when one of the guys I’d worked with during the past month, Mark, came up to me, snaked his hand around my waist, snuggled me against his side, and cupped my bottom. “Don’t you look great?”

  I could tell by the slight slurring of his words and the way he swayed that he’d already had too much to drink. I also knew he was harmless. Before I could extricate myself from his hold and get his hand off my butt, a low, warning growl echoed off the walls.

  Mark released me and spun around so fast that he almost toppled over. Regaining his balance, he asked, “Dude, was that you?”

  I wasn’t surprised to see Daniel standing in the doorway. What did surprise me was how glad I was to see him. He appeared menacing, and at that precise moment he left no doubt that he was defending his territory—which was me.

  I was torn between being offended at the old-fashioned gesture and flattered by his determination. He looked great. He’d obviously shaved. He was wearing a black cashmere pullover, and the emerald in his eyes glowed.

  Into the silence permeating the bathroom Mark said, “You want a beer?”

  Only then did Daniel shift his gaze to me. His eyes widened slightly as though he was surprised by my appearance, and I realized he’d probably tracked me through the condo by scent alone. Only now was he getting a good look at me. His nostrils flared; his eyes heated. I couldn’t prevent the little thrill of pleasure that shot through me.

  Mark held up his hands, like someone warding off an angry mob. “I didn’t realize she was taken.”

  “I wasn’t,” I felt compelled to tell him. “I’m not,” I added for Daniel’s benefit.

  “Yeah, well. I’m not here for trouble, just a good time.” Mark grabbed a beer and edged his way past Daniel in order to get out of the room.

  “That was kinda rude,” I said testily.

  “What’d you do to yourself?”

  “You don’t like it?”

  He angled his head to study me better. “I like it. But I liked you the other way, too.”

  “So tomorrow I’ll go back to the other way.” I flicked my fingers through my bangs. “Well, except for the hair. Beer?”

  He wandered into the small room and snatched a beer from the tub. He jerked his head toward the door. “You like that guy?”

  I shrugged. “Yeah. He’s nice.”

  Daniel scowled fiercely, and I realized there was nothing he did that wasn’t predatory. “I mean, more than like,” he said.

  “You said like.”

  He sighed with impatience, and I found myself enjoying the moment, realizing in spite of all his insistence that he would be my mate, he wasn’t quite comfortable with the emotions that came along with the declaration. I thought it was cute.

  “That other L-word,” he muttered.

  “Lycanthropy?” I whispered.

  “Funny.”

  I relented. “I don’t love him, if that’s what you’re asking. I barely know him.”

  His gaze dropped to my hip. “Sure looked like he thought he knew you.”

  “He was just being friendly. He’s really harmless.” Unlike you, I almost added.

  He narrowed his eyes, looked as though he was going to argue. Instead he twisted the top of his beer, took a swig, then studied me. “You shouldn’t flirt with other guys.”

  “Why? Because I belong to you?”

  “Because you need someone who can protect you and that guy can’t. But I will.”

  Two other people