The next hour was the busiest she’d ever been, and shutting the shop to start her tour took so long, she ended up five minutes late.
“I’m so sorry,” Nyree said.“Let’s move.Back in the early 1900s, whaling started here in Grytviken.See that bay out there?It’s not huge, but there were so many whales that the men hunting them didn’t need to leave this area.”
Nyree led the group around the rusty machinery and over the ramp where the whalers dragged the massive mammals up for butchering.She scanned the faces of the men and women who followed her around the small settlement.Most of the guests listened attentively to her spiel and took photos.Tawera remained on the outskirts, and whenever he caught her gaze, he gave his version of a wink, charming her.
Her skin heated, and her belly tightened.Nyree breathed carefully and tried to focus on her tour.At the end of half an hour, she was pleased to finish because her mind hadn’t been on the job.Tawera kept intruding, and each time she spotted him, she thought of the coming full moon.
She was heading straight to her bedroom during her lunch break.Today, they had a narrow window between cruise ships, and she intended to take full advantage of the respite.Never mind food.She’d whip out her vibrator.Too bad if Tawera heard.She’d explain this to him in upfront detail.Given the sizzle of her skin and her swollen sex, she’d self-combust if she didn’t have an orgasm or two to release the sexual pressure taking her body by storm.
An hour later, Nyree stalked to her quarters, and Tawera trotted beside her.They dodged a seal and two Gentoo penguins.A brown skua wheeled overhead, letting out a predatory squawk that had the black-and-white penguins diving for cover.Now the ship had left, leaving the settlement peaceful.However, the tempest that raged within her had her balanced on a knife-edge.
“Why are you walking so fast?”Tawera asked.
“I have something I need to do,” Nyree said, tension leaking into her voice.
“Can I help with something?”
“No.No.” And if she told herself that enough, she might come to believe this.Nyree reached the doorway of her place and unlocked it.She flung the door open and stepped inside.“I’m feeling the effects of moonlust.I am going to my room and getting out my vibrator to take off the edge before I do something crazy.”
“What’s a vibrator?”
“Huh,” Nyree muttered, closing her eyes and praying for patience.“I’ll explain everything later.”Nyree marched directly to her bedroom and slammed the door behind her.Her skin warmed and tingled while every nerve ending in her body pulsated.
She yanked off her boots and dropped them haphazardly on the floor.One.Two.She tossed her socks on top and rapidly stripped off the rest of her clothes.The cooler air caused her nipples to pucker and pull tight.She dragged in a deep breath, and a groan squeezed past her lips.Every breath smelled of Tawera.
Before she thought better of the action, she marched to the doorway and flung open the door.Tawera stood there, his fist raised as if he’d intended to knock.Nyree grabbed his biceps and dragged him inside her room.He looked startled and unsure for an instant until she began tearing at his clothes.
He tugged at his T-shirt when she tried to yank it over his head.“What are you doing?”
Nyree didn’t dissemble.“It’s moonlust.I have to work this afternoon, but I can’t concentrate.I don’t have time to go for a flight.I was going to get out my vibrator, but I can smell you.”Nyree stared at her feet, unable to keep talking without extreme discomfort.
“What should I do?”Tawera asked.
“I don’t want you to do anything,” she snapped, angry at herself and her heritage.“I’m sorry.Go.I’m getting my vibrator out of the drawer.I’ll get myself off so I can calm down and go back to work.”She sniffed.“Why is this happening now?I’ve never reacted this strongly at a full moon.”
“Nyree,” Tawera whispered.He walked to the door and didn’t leave.Instead, he shut it and returned to her side.He tugged her against her chest and embraced her.For an instant, she held herself stiffly, then the fight went out of her.Tawera kissed her cheek and followed this with another kiss closer to her mouth.
She twisted away, her heart beating so fast she wondered if it might burst from her body.
“Let me help you,” Tawera said, his gaze meeting hers.“My moonlust isn’t as bad as yours, but I can still help.”
“No, you don’t have to,” Nyree said.“I have my vibrator.Leave me on my own, and I’ll take care of the problem myself.”
Tawera screwed up his nose, and she couldn’t decide if his reaction was good or bad.“Please, Nyree.What is a vibrator?”
He wanted to know.She’d show him.
Nyree stomped to the rickety veneer nightstand.Years of use had taken their toll on the cheap piece of furniture.She’d found a book of the perfect size to keep the cabinet level.She ripped open the top drawer and tugged so hard, the contents flew out, scattering like a colorful explosion of confetti.Hair ties.Two filmy scarves.Tampons.Her electric blue vibrator.
“Gah!”Nyree shouted.
Tawera—sensible man—took one giant step back and stared at her and the contents of her drawer with wide brown eyes.
When he said nothing, Nyree sniffed and plucked her vibrator off the floor.She stomped to the compact bathroom and gave it a wash.Although she’d cleaned her accommodation thoroughly on her arrival, one couldn’t be too careful with hygiene.
On her return, she found Tawera had picked up the fallen items and stacked them neatly inside the drawer.
He held up a tampon and turned it over.“What is this?”
