She looked up and spotted him. Her eyes were red and wet. “Oh. Hi, John. I didn’t see you there.”
“Hey, Elaine. Sorry to startle you.” He smiled and glanced around the clearing. It was way too open for what he had planned. Maybe he could persuade her to walk with him into the forested area. “Just out for a walk after my shift.”
She wiped her eyes. “That’s nice. Me, too. The weather is starting to change. I think the snow will melt soon.”
He sat next to her, at the edge of the bench. “Yeah.”Whatever. Did he really need to make small-talk about the weather? “On your own tonight?”
“Yes. I needed some quiet time. My husband used to walk this path when he was alive. I come here when I need to think.”
“Sorry about your husband.”
“Thanks. Are you mated?”
“Who, me? No. I doubt I ever will be.”Why are you still talking to her? Just hit her!He held the gun under the flap of his coat, steadying his shaky hand on his leg.
“Don’t say that. A handsome man like you? Of course, you’ll find your mate. She’s out there somewhere.”
John didn’t respond. He had no words. All he could think about was where he should hit her in order to knock her out. He’d need to silence her quickly. He wished she would turn her head so he could attack from behind, but she kept her gaze pinned on him. His intestines lurched in anxiety and disgust.
She laid a hand on his arm, and he tensed. “I’m sorry I look like such a mess, John. You found me at a bad moment. I’m not normally so teary. I just feel so…alone right now.” Her lips turned up at the corners. “I appreciate you stopping to talk to me. You look a little pale. Are you feeling all right?”
“I’m fine.” He wiped his sweaty lip on his coat sleeve. “Thanks.”Why does she have to be so nice? This would be so much easier if she was a bitch.
“So you’re a bear, huh? That’s cool. Me, too. So was my mate. Such beautiful animals, loyal and strong.” She grinned. “Of course, bear men are some of the sexiest I know.”
Was she flirting? It had been a long time since any woman had flirted with him. And yet the evidence was there in her dilated pupils and moist lips.
Elaine was a good-looking woman, no doubt about it. His bear was already foaming at the mouth, wondering how she would taste.
No. After the way Hill had drooled over her photos, John didn’t dare make a move. Hill would likely slaughter him on the spot. “So where’s your pal Connor? I see you with him a lot.”
“Now, John.” She rolled her eyes. “You didn’t really follow me into the woods so we could shoot the breeze about Connor, did you?”
“I guess not.”
She sighed, stood, and stretched, arching her back. “The last time I spoke with you, you mentioned something about wanting to see my cabin. Do you still want to see it?”
Holy Christ, shewasflirting with him.
A hundred scenarios unfolded in his brain, most of which involved fucking her into a state of unconsciousness. He couldn’t help but notice her tits when she stood like that. Even through her winter coat, he could make out her curves.
Damn.
Maybe just a little fun before business…
What are you thinking? Just do the job. His revolver felt hot and heavy in his hand.
“You seem like a nice man.” Her smile hardened. “It makes me wonder how you got to this place.”
“Do you mean how I got my job at the resort?”
“No, John. What I mean is I wonder why you would bring a gun onto Gemini Island.”
He jumped off the bench and pulled out the revolver, taking aim. Tree branches snapped behind him, and he whirled around, his hands shaking as he pointed.
From out of the trees, a group of predators stalked. A brown bear, a polar bear, and an assortment of tigers, jaguars, and wolves emerged. Leading the pack, a massive mountain lion prowled, its raspy voice rumbling in warning. The animal walked right over to Elaine, and she rested her hand on its head, giving its ears a scratch.
How had he not sensed their approach? Perhaps because he was too busy gawking at her tits.
