Summer Surrender (Phases Series, Book Six) Read online

  Even though Josiah had the same ability, seeing the shift from human to animal never failed to amaze him. And that was the real problem. If an untrustworthy or terrified human were to witness it, his and Daniel’s lives as they knew them would be over. And if unscrupulous scientists or biologists ever got their hands on a shifter, his or her life might even be forfeit.

  But he couldn’t believe all people would respond the way Dylan’s lover had. For instance, Maggie didn’t seem to have a problem with Lucas and Quinn. Josiah couldn’t believe she didn’t know. It was impossible to be intimate with someone for that long without realizing something was up.

  Daniel sighed and pulled on his jeans. Josiah followed suit staring in the direction Dylan had disappeared. “He’s just Moody McMoodSwing, tonight, isn’t he?”

  Daniel snorted. “And this would be different than any other night?”

  “Point taken.” He paused to tug his shirt over his head. “You know, if anyone needs to get laid, it’s him.”

  “No kidding.” The other man tossed Josiah a bottle of beer. “I don’t see it happening any time soon. It’s like he blames himself for what happened to Kelsey, and is determined to punish himself forever.”

  Josiah sighed. Daniel was probably right, but no one could have predicted what had happened. No one could have imagined that Kelsey wouldn’t stop to listen to Dylan. That she would have been so freaked out and driving so recklessly that her car had ended up in the river. But no amount of disbelief could change what had happened or how it affected him now.

  Daniel didn’t talk about it much, but Josiah knew it ate him up inside. He’d been the one pressuring Dylan to come clean to her about their true nature. Josiah had only met Kelsey a few times while he and Daniel were in graduate school, but he’d liked her. She was a sweetheart. The whole thing was just such a fucking waste.

  * * * *

  Hollis sat at her desk while the students turned in their assignments and filed out of the room eager to start the weekend.

  “Don’t forget,” she called out, “we’re doing fieldwork on Monday. Make sure to wear appropriate clothes. No sandals, please.”

  It had only been a week, but her class was doing beautifully. It was amazing since she’d only had three days of actual prep work. The regular science teacher hadn’t left much in the way of a lesson plan, but Hollis had reviewed the district’s curriculum and managed to come up with a ten-week plan that would cover the most important course work.

  Granted, the fact that there were only nine kids made the teaching a little easier, but most of the students seemed engaged and were working hard. With any luck, they’d all pass and be able to move to the next grade level with the rest of their classmates.

  Hollis was doing well, too. She’d thought she might have a hard time adjusting to rural life, but the only thing she really missed was Starbucks. Between spending time with Maggie and hanging out with Daniel, Josiah and some of the other teachers, she didn’t lack for company. She’d even managed to catch up on some of her reading. So far, it had been the perfect working vacation.

  “Thanks, Miz C. I finally feel like I’m getting this now.”

  Hollis smiled at Travis, the last student straggling up to her desk. “Well, it helps when you come to class.”

  Color bloomed high on the boy’s cheeks, but he returned her grin. “Yeah. Yeah, I know. I’ll see you Monday. Have a good weekend.”

  “You, too.”

  Travis nodded and waved as he headed out of the classroom, nearly running into Daniel as he entered.

  Her tummy fluttered wildly as he approached. The lake and trees weren’t the only gorgeous scenery around here. His bronze complexion and high cheekbones hinted at what was surely Native American ancestry. Tall and leanly muscled, his body had a runner’s grace with a tightly coiled energy that lurked beneath the surface. For lack of a better description, he always seemed ready to pounce.

  “I’m really impressed with the progress you’re making with the kids,” he said as soon as Travis was out of earshot.

  “They’re great kids. Some of them aren’t particularly motivated, but I’m hoping to get them all to the point where they can pass this course and move on to the next grade.”

  “I think you’ve made more progress here in a week than I’ve seen some people make in months.”

  She waved away the compliment, trying to ignore the pleasure his words brought. It shouldn’t matter to her what Daniel thought of her. But she’d be a liar if she said it didn’t. Annoyingly enough, it mattered what Josiah thought, too. Between the two of them, she’d had plenty of fantasy material.

  “Thank you, but they’re doing all the work,” she said, forcing herself to stop imaging a threesome with him and Josiah. She’d clearly been spending too much time with Maggie and her guys since sex seemed to be all she could think about lately.

  Daniel’s lips curved upward as he half sat half leaned against her desk, his groin right at eye level. She tilted back in her chair. It was easier to keep her eyes on his face that way. Not that keeping her gaze on his face was a hardship.

  She shifted in her seat as she peered up at him. The man was gorgeous—closely cropped black hair, brown eyes so dark they were almost black and firm lips that she couldn’t help but imagine covering her own. Oh hell, she’d been imagining those lips doing more than that. Mentally shoving aside the fantasy of Daniel baring her breasts and drawing her nipples into his mouth one after the other, she tried to focus on what he was saying. Soon, she’d need to throw herself into the icy waters of Lake Superior to cool down and keep her imagination under control. She tuned back into reality in time to hear him say, “So did you decide to come?”

  Before she could open her mouth to respond, Josiah bounded into the room carrying a cardboard box and looking as if he’d been slugging down all of the coffee she’d been longing for. Hazel eyes glinting with amusement, he shoved his dark brown hair off his face.

  “That seems like an awfully personal question,” he said as he perched on the other side of her desk.

  Hollis felt her cheeks flush. The man was a ridiculous tease, but she knew he didn’t mean anything by it. He was just one of those guys who flirted with any woman he came across. Of course, he didn’t behave inappropriately with his students, so at least he had some control.

  Daniel reached across and cuffed Josiah across the back of the head.

  Josiah laughed. “Just kidding, sweet cheeks. I know he’s talking about the cookout tonight.”

  So did she, now that he’d reminded her. Daniel had invited her to the “We Survived the First Week of Summer School Cookout” a couple days ago over lunch. She’d heard some of the other teachers were going, too.

  “What should I bring?” she asked.

  “We’ll have plenty of food,” Daniel said before the other man had a chance to speak. “You don’t need to bring anything.”

  “Not true,” Josiah interrupted. “You’ll need your swimsuit. The cookout’s on the beach. Also, I’m pretty sure Danny’ll have the hot tub open. Right?”

  Daniel nodded, his eyes never leaving hers.

  The last thing she wanted to do was parade her so-not-bikini-ready-body in front of these two, not to mention the rest of the people there, but she could at least go and have a supper with them.

  “Not sure about the bathing suit, but how about if I at least bring some wine?”

  Josiah shrugged. “Fine by me if you wanna swim naked. In fact, I encourage it. And,” he continued before she could get a word in edgewise, “I’m sure Dan would encourage and appreciate it, as well.”

  She couldn’t bring herself to look at Daniel. Ignoring her burning cheeks, she held Josiah’s gaze. “You’re incorrigible.”

  He grinned at her unrepentantly. “Yes, I am.”

  Daniel shifted next to her, and she turned to look at him. He scowled at his friend then dropped his dark gaze to her. “Bring whatever you’re comfortable with. We’d just like to see you there.”<
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  She nodded. “I’ll be there.” And who knew. Maybe she’d bring her suit. It wasn’t as if she would see any of them after the summer.

  “Oh hey, I almost forgot. This came for you,” Josiah said, handing her the box he’d been holding.

  She looked at the shipping address. Her research supplies had arrived.

  Both men walked toward the door. Josiah grinned and waved. “See you tonight, sweet cheeks.”

  Daniel rolled his eyes and paused. “Oh, by the way, I invited Maggie, Lucas and Quinn. They’re friends of ours, too, and I thought you might be more comfortable with them there.”

  She smiled gratefully. “Thank you. It’s sweet of you to think of that.”

  She sighed as he left. Not only were they gorgeous, but nice, too. Perfect fantasy material. And they would be fantasy only. It made sense to her that Maggie would attract two guys. She was sweet and funny—not to mention gorgeous. Hollis couldn’t imagine a world where guys like Lucas and Quinn would be attracted to someone like her. Well, she could. That’s why it was a fantasy. It was never going to happen. She did her best to push those thoughts away. She had a project to put into action.

  A few hours later, she was on her way to the address Daniel had given her. She’d set up the trail cameras that had been delivered. She’d placed one near where she’d seen the huge lynxes, another further down the lakeshore and two more in the woods across the road. Whenever something moved, the habitat cams would record it and send the images back to her computer via a secure wireless system. The recording devices were almost perfectly camouflaged. They’d be difficult for a human who didn’t know they were there to spot. An animal wouldn’t notice them at all. She couldn’t wait to see what kind of images she’d get. Besides setting up the cams, she’d managed to make a fruit salad, chill a couple bottles of wine and get ready for the party—all since she’d gotten home from work.

  Her stomach fluttered nervously as she pulled up to Daniel’s house, a modest two-story that sat even closer to the shores of the lake than her home for the summer. He had no neighbors for miles. There were already almost a dozen cars in the driveway and front yard, but she relaxed a little when she saw Maggie’s car. Parking, she slung her tote bag over her shoulder, wincing when the wine bottles clinked together. She should have done a better job wrapping them in her beach blanket.

  Daniel shaded his eyes against the evening sun as he noticed Hollis making her way around the side of the house, and he relaxed a little. He’d been worried that she wouldn’t come. And half afraid she would. He glanced at where his brother leaned against the railing of the deck, watching her with a barely civil stare.

  Don’t be an asshole, he projected into Dylan’s head.

  Daniel left his spot by the grill and met Hollis halfway down the hill, relieving her of the large bowl she was carrying. “Did you have any trouble finding the place?” he asked, inhaling her sweet, feminine scent. Mixed with the natural perfume of warm woman was sunscreen with a hint of bark and pine needles. She’d been in the woods recently.

  “No. Not at all. The directions were perfect.”

  She smiled, but he could tell she was nervous. He followed her gaze to where Dylan watched them. Daniel put a hand on the small of her back and led her toward his brother. Might as well get the worst of it over. “Never mind my brother,” he muttered. “He’s perpetually in a bad mood, so don’t take it personally, okay?”

  She murmured her understanding as they approached. Holding out her hand to Dylan, she said, “Hi, I’m Hollis Chambers. I work with your brother.”

  For several long seconds, Dylan stared at her outstretched hand before finally engulfing it in his own. His eyes widened almost imperceptivity at her touch, but Daniel noticed.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Dylan finally managed to grate out.

  Before the moment could become more awkward, Josiah appeared at her side and pulled her into a quick hug. “You made it. Ready to go skinny dipping?”

  A startled laugh escaped her, but Daniel didn’t miss the relief in her eyes.

  “Uh, not so much.”

  Dylan’s eyes never left her.

  Just leave her alone, Daniel said silently to his brother.

  Just don’t do anything stupid, Dylan responded. Go ahead and fuck her if that’s what you two are determined to do, but don’t be stupid. Dylan left his half-empty beer bottle on the rail and stalked up the hill. Josiah followed. Daniel wasn’t surprised to hear the engine of Dylan’s bike roar to life.

  A small, warm hand gripped his forearm. Hollis.

  “Did I do something to offend him?”

  Daniel turned to her with what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “No. He’s just…moody.”

  Her eyes clouded, and her teeth sank into her bottom lip. He had all he could do not to bend down and kiss her.

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “Trust me. I know him better than anyone.” He set the bowl of fruit down on the picnic table with the rest of the food.

  Still looking unconvinced, she pulled the wine out of her bag. “Where should I put this?”

  He grinned at her. “I don’t know about you, but after this week, I could definitely use a glass. Why don’t we open it?”

  “Sounds good to me.” She watched, seemingly mesmerized by the sight of his fingers wrapping around the neck of the bottle and carefully working the cork free of the neck. It released with a pop, startling her. Her eyes widened and darted to his.

  Daniel grinned. “A little jumpy today?”

  “Apparently.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I guess I need that glass of wine more than I thought I did.” She watched as he filled a couple glasses then handed her one.

  “Go relax. I’ll bring you a burger as soon as they’re done.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

  “Nope. All you need to do is let me know how you want your burger cooked then drink your wine.”

  “Well done.” Her forehead furrowed as she stared at him as if she were about to say something else.

  “Yes, I’m positive,” he said before she could speak. “Now, go sit down.”

  “Yes, sir.” She grinned.

  “Finally. Someone who treats me with the respect I deserve.”

  She was laughing as she walked toward a group of fellow teachers sitting in the evening shade. It was impossible not to admire the gentle swing of her full hips and the sway of her skirt around her calves as she walked.

  Wow, Josiah’s voice sounded in his head from across the yard. Could you be any more obvious?

  Fuck off, Daniel responded.

  Believe me. I’d like to.

  Yeah, wouldn’t they both.

  While he flipped burgers on the grill, Daniel surreptitiously watched Hollis as she sat and chatted with their co-workers. Noticing some latecomers in the group, he wandered over to gather their burger orders and was just in time to see Kathy, the head of the math department, gesture down the beach to where Maggie, Quinn and Lucas walked along the water’s edge holding hands.

  “Disgusting. I can’t believe they’re behaving like that in public,” Kathy muttered.

  Hollis followed the other woman’s gaze. “They’re just holding hands.”

  Kathy’s head swiveled toward Hollis, looking like a particularly disdainful owl. “You find that arrangement acceptable?”

  Hollis bristled, and Daniel held his breath wondering what she would say.

  “Look, they’re consenting adults. It’s not like they’re underage or being coerced. I think it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks as long they’re happy.”

  Kathy scowled at Hollis but didn’t respond.

  One of the other teachers nudged Hollis. “Would you do it? Be in a threesome, I mean.”

  Hollis snorted depreciatively and gestured loosely at herself. “Somehow, I don’t imagine that’s a choice I’ll ever be faced with.”

  Displeasure simmered in Daniel’s veins. He hated that she
thought so little of herself. That was definitely going to change. And soon.

  “But if it came up,” the other teacher pressed. “Would you?”

  Hollis stared out over the lake for a few seconds before nodding. “Sure. If I was attracted to both of them and they were attracted to me too, why not?”

  A flutter of hope wavered through him. She wasn’t completely opposed to the idea.

  Kathy huffed and pushed to her feet. “I suppose you support gay marriage, too, don’t you?”

  Hollis smiled sweetly at the other woman. “Damn straight, I do.”

  Kathy stalked toward the other side of the yard.

  “Everything okay here?” he asked as Hollis noticed him standing there.

  “Just a difference of opinion.”

  “Kathy’s just being a judgmental bitch, again” the other woman volunteered.

  “What else is new?” someone muttered. “Seriously, if I had two hot guys after me, you can bet I’d be all over that.”

  “Good to know,” her husband said drily.

  Daniel laughed and took the rest of the orders before moving back to the grill. And Hollis’ opinion was definitely good to know, as well. Despite her opinion that she’d never be faced with a ménage, she was about to find out she was very wrong.

  Chapter Three

  Draping her towel around her shoulders, Hollis moved closer to the warmth of the crackling bonfire. The dancing flames reflected on the water, and tiny embers floated upward toward the star-laden sky. The full moon had taken on a yellowish cast and hung low in the sky, its light shimmering on the water. She’d pointed it out to Daniel earlier, and he’d told her that some of the native people in the area called it the Sun Moon due to its color and the fact that it usually started to get relatively warm in June. There were other names for it too, but she liked Sun Moon the best.

  She watched until the bright yellow faded to a soft butter color and climbed higher in the sky. The sand under her feet had grown cold, but she didn’t feel particularly inclined to move. At least, not yet, anyway. There was something about this place that just made her want to sit back and relax and take it all in.