“I…I love it,” I said, my voice suddenly thick with emotion. I was overcome by how thoughtful this was. He’d actually noticed and remembered how entranced I was when I saw the little creatures for the first time at the Moonlight Lounge, and he wanted to show this to me.
The back of his hand brushed mine, then he shoved them in his pockets as if he wanted me to have this experience on my own. But he was the one who brought me here. It was a gift to me.
Hooking my arm in his, I leaned into his warmth and let his steadiness keep me balanced as I watched the magical twinkling lights above us. One of the fairy sprites came close to my face, and I laughed with delight. I may have toppled over if not for Travis’s hand suddenly at my back, steadying me. With the sound of the surf crashing around us, I could’ve stood here beside him forever.
But then a voice cut through the darkness like a buzz saw. “Travis? Daphne? You up there?” It was one of the camera guys. “These rocks are really sharp.”
Travis sighed and I stepped away from him.
“Guess they should’ve brought their rubbers,” I whispered.
A laugh burst from his throat. “Coming,” he called back to them, shooting me a devilish smile that made me snort with laughter.
I hated to leave, but everyone was waiting for us. Correction: everyone was waiting forTravis. I fidgeted with the charm bracelet around my wrist. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but the ceremony had to be starting soon. Had our bachelor figured outwho he was sending home? I had to admit, I was glad I was safe from elimination, that it wouldn’t be me.
At least, not tonight.
Travis held my hand as we picked our way back over the barnacle-covered sea stack. It came as no surprise to see the lights and cameras rolling when he jumped onto the sand. He turned and reached to help me down, his large hands splayed around my waist. But when I landed, he didn’t let go of me. Instead, he pulled my hands behind him, making the fronts of our bodies collide. He was all broad shoulders and big, strong muscles. And, if I wasn’t mistaken, he was more than a little excited. Which I found pretty thrilling, to be honest.
I lifted my chin. “Thank you for bringing me here, Travis. That was such a thoughtful?—”
Without warning, his mouth crashed over mine, my words lost on his lips. A hand tangled in my hair, another cupping my nape. It was one of those sexy, made-for-TV kisses that every girl dreams of. His tongue invaded my mouth as he kissed me deeper, and I think I moaned just a little.
Okay, so the theatrics were for the sake of the cameras, but I didn’t care. I slid my arms around his neck anyway and arched into his sexy embrace.
Right now, I wasn’t worried about whether or not kissing a werewolf was a good idea. Because in this moment, it definitely was.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Daphne
The morning sun rose over Midnight Beach and cast a warm, peachy glow through clouds stretched thin on the horizon. Above them, the sky transitioned to a brilliant, clear blue, promising a day of island fun. Despite its name, there was nothing dark or melancholy about this place.
Up early to stake a claim at one of the cabanas, I tossed down a towel and a copy of Paranormal Paradise to save my spot.
Our group date didn’t start until nightfall—Jada wanted all the Date-A-Wolf activities to be as vampire-inclusive as possible, even though none of us tonight were light sensitive.
Which meant my daylight hours were free.
On the agenda: catch some rays, read, eat and repeat. Maybe a nap.Ah, heaven.
But first, I needed to run a few errands.
I consulted a map of the downtown that I’d grabbed from the hotel lobby. The illustrations inside were coloring-book style, which explained the basket of mini colored pencils thathad been placed on the table with the maps. I’d just assumed the island golfers were into color-coding their score cards, so I didn’t take one. On my next trip through the lobby, I’d have to grab a few. It would be fun to color in the map later.
I located the places I’d already been to as points of reference. Then I slung my beach bag over my shoulder, adjusted my sunnies and headed for the boardwalk.
At last night’s charm ceremony, Travis sent home a vampire from Cleveland and a bear shifter from Missoula. Both had been pretty upset about it. He’d taken a fair amount of time walking each woman out and helping her into the waiting limo. Somberness hung over him like a dark cloud when he returned. Ignoring the champagne that Jada had poured for him to toast the remaining contestants on camera, he excused himself and bade us goodnight. His sister hadn’t been too pleased about him leaving. Something about a missed photo-op.
If you’d have asked me earlier how I’d feel to still be part of the contest today, I’d have said disappointed…and probably a little apprehensive.
But that was before Travis had taken me to Fairy Rock.
Goosebumps prickled my skin as I recalled how the sprites had twinkled and frolicked upward in the night sky. It clearly hadn’t been a scripted part of the show with the camera crew scrambling to keep up. Mia was right—Travis had ignored reality dating show standards to use his limited time with the women who were at risk of being sent home. Instead, he had spent it with me.
And then there was that kiss—that toe-curling, panty-melting, steal-my-soul-away kiss. Although I had to keep reminding myself it was all just for show and he wasn’t actually the man for me, I couldn’t help being drawn to him as if he were. Animal magnetism had a whole new meaning.
That kiss, though unscripted, would definitely make forgood ratings. But if I let myself believe it was anything other than that, I was a fool.
