Disappointment surged through her.A problem.For her, at least.She was falling for Tawera in a big way.It didn’t help that it was the full moon tomorrow night, and every part of her skin sizzled with awareness.If she couldn’t fly tonight, her vibrator would have to make an appearance, and she imagined that’d cause embarrassing questions because Tawera’s hearing was even better than hers.
She locked the store and went to meet the first boat heading ashore.This one contained passengers rather than staff or guides because the occupants wore the distinctive bright orange jackets the cruise company gave their passengers.The wind had changed direction, and she got a hit of penguin poo.It’d never be a designer perfume, but it was growing on her.She stalked over to the arrival point and pasted a smile in place.
Slowly, the passengers drifted to a stop, and Nyree introduced herself.“Good morning.My name is Nyree.Welcome to Grytviken.I’ll give you the quick down-low on the things you can do during your visit, then you’re free to use your time however you wish.You’ve probably already noticed the cemetery.There, you’ll find Shackleton’s grave, along with those of sealers and soldiers.If you head in this direction, you’ll come to the Grytviken church.Feel free to go inside.I’ll be leading a tour in exactly one hour, which will leave from outside the post office.I’ll give you an overview of the whaling history and take you around the station here.”
“Where is the post office?”A blonde girl bounced on her toes, enthusiasm shining on her round face.Her ponytail jerked from side to side, and Nyree hid her smile.
“If you walk past this shed, you’ll see the sign.You’ll find the museum near there too.The shop will be closed during the tour, so if you want to mail a letter or purchase a T-shirt, do it before the tour or afterward.The tour goes for around half an hour.Do you have questions?No?”Nyree smiled.“Remember, the tour will start at eleven prompt.I’ll go through the island’s history, and you’ll hear a lot about the whaling industry.Enjoy Grytviken.”
The passengers dispersed, and Nyree hustled to the shop.Tawera loitered outside.He’d dressed in black jeans, a black T-shirt advertising a brewpub in Los Angeles, and a pair of old gumboots.He carried an orange jacket over his arm and wore a black cap.
“Where did you get the jacket?”
“I acquired it from the scientists.I overheard them discussing cleaning out an old building to make way for new arrivals.The man in charge told them to heap all the unwanted clothing together, and he’d get rid of it.I grabbed several items to make me blend.”
“Excellent thinking.We were lucky to find jeans to fit you.Oops, looks like a line is forming.I’d better open up before they break down the doors.”
Tawera kept pace with her.“They would do that?”he asked, his brows drawn together.
“It’s a figure of speech,” Nyree explained.“Go.Eavesdrop on our visitors.You’ll hear accents from different parts of the world.It will help you learn to fit in with different people.”
“I thought I would help you.”
“You’ve already done that by stocking the shelves, and I’d love your aid later.Right now, I think you’ll learn more by listening to different men and women.Just don’t flirt with the women,” she added with a wink.
“I only wish to flirt with you.”He leaned closer.“Your lips are perfect for kissing.”
Nyree’s mouth dropped open, and she stared at him.“Where did you learn that?”
Tawera grinned—a full-out smile that took him from handsome to mouthwateringly sexy.“I’ve been listening to the scientists.”
“The scientists are talking about me?”
“Yes, but they said nothing to make me hit them.They were polite and behaved as if their mother was present.”Tawera winked at her, but he hadn’t quite got the hang of it.Both of his eyes flicked closed before he opened them, and a hint of mischief peeked back at her.
Her heart beat in double-time, and she bit back a sigh at his unconscious charm.Nyree’s gaze dropped to his mouth, and as she did this, his lips quirked upward.Her gaze jumped to his.Caught in the act.Even as her cheeks heated, she made a shooing motion with her hands and ushered him away.“Listen to the new arrivals.The scientists are weird.You want to learn from a wide variety of people, and this is the perfect way for you to study modern behavior.No flirting.No drawing attention to yourself.This means if someone upsets you, don’t react.You must walk away, but you can tell me about them later, and we can swear up a storm together.”
“We will gosh-golly them?”
Nyree spluttered.“Where did you learn those words?”
“From the missionaries.”
“Oh.”It was a struggle not to laugh, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.“I’ll teach you a modern curse later—one you can insert into a relevant conversation so you’ll fit in better.”
Tawera nodded, eagerness in him now.
“If you come across something you don’t understand, save your questions until we’re in private.”
Tawera nodded a second time and strode away.Nyree spared a second to study his rear end before she plucked a shop keys from her pocket.
“Is he your boyfriend?”the blonde from earlier asked.
Nyree jumped.Despite her taniwha senses, she hadn’t heard the girl’s approach.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.That man is fine.His facial tattoos are distinctive.He’s from New Zealand, right?I visited there last year and read lots of history before I arrived.”
“Yes,” Nyree said.“Come in and browse.Let me get the lights.”
