But all the talk about stranger-danger, lone wolves, and the hand of fate must have shaken something loose inside my head, because suddenly I’m a lot less attracted to him. In fact, I really don’t like how his eyes are raking over my figure. A little male appreciation is one thing… but there’s a possessive quality in the way Rafe’s irises darken that makes me extremely uncomfortable.
Why, oh why, does Cassia always have to be right? Probably because she wound up falling for the wrong guy and then having her heart smashed to bits.
I resign myself to making the best of the situation. I adore Pru and Vreeland, it’s a perfect night for a cruise, and I’m on a low-risk double date. What could possibly go wrong?
Vreeland points his boat toward one of the small, heavily wooded, private islands in the bay, which happens to be owned by his uncle. He drops anchor near the sandy shoreline, and we all decide to take a dip before dinner.
I’m rethinking the whole idea and wish I’d left my bathing suit at home; then I’d have a ready excuse not to get in the water with Rafe, who’s been invading my personal space since we set sail. Pru, Vreeland, and Rafe have already shed their outer layers, ready to take the plunge, and they’re all waiting for me. Pru knows me well enough to sense I’m uneasyand turns to her fiancé and Rafe. “Why don’t you two dive in first. We’ll be along in a minute.”
“What’s the matter?” she hisses as soon as we hear two splashes off the port side.
“Rafe’s paying way too much attention to me. Gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
“But I thought he was your type!”
“So did I… until tonight,” I whisper. “Don’t worry… it’s just for one evening.”
“Oh no!” Pru’s fangs catch on her bottom lip.
I arch an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“One of Vreeland’s cousins is having surgery next month and can’t be a groomsman, so I encouraged Vreeland to ask Rafe because I thought you liked him. Rafe immediately accepted when he found out you were my maid of honor, and Vreeland sort of promised you’d be paired up together.”
Why do these things always happen to me? Seriously, can’t the hand of fate pick on some other magicless faerie?
I huff out a breath. “It’s… it’s alright—how could you know? Besides, it’s only the rehearsal and the wedding. No problem!”
“And the joint bridal shower too.”
“Okay, so I just need to remind Rafe to keep his hands to himself for three more nights… got it!” I say with more cheer than I’m feeling.
“Sorry,” says Pru, who looks so remorseful I punch her lightly in the arm.
“Lighten up!” I peel off my sarong and top and follow Pru to the railing. “Just don’t leave me in the water alone with him.”
Which is exactly what Pru does ten minutes later, but it’s not her fault. Vreeland and Rafe were horsing around with an inflatable frisbee, and Rafe’s elbow accidentally poked Vreeland in the mouth. Vreeland’s lip started bleeding heavily, so Pru followed her fiancé into the boat to get him an icepack.
“Sorry, man!” Rafe calls after them.
Vreeland waves off his apology. “It’s all good, since I won.”
Rafe chortles as he treads water. “I demand a rematch.”
“It’ll have to wait until after the wedding!” says Pru. “I don’t want my groom showing up with a fat lip!”
I start paddling toward the yacht, intent on following Pru and Vreeland, but Rafe intercepts me, his broad, muscular chest bobbing in the water in front of me. “What’s your hurry?”
“Um… I just wanted to check on Vreeland.” I try swimming past Rafe, but he starts circling around me in the water; with every one of my attempts to paddle past him, he shortens the distance between us.
“But the water’s mighty fine this evening,” he murmurs, closing in on me. “And so are you.”
Argh! I grit my teeth at the lame pick-up line; why did I think this guy was attractive for even five seconds?
Rafe’s hands encircle my waist, drawing me toward him, but I smack his shoulder, shoving him away. “Keep your hands to yourself!” I growl low in my throat.
Any super from Riddle Hill would immediately back off, but this lone wolf isn’t taking the hint. He’s tightened his grip, and I’m piping mad. I raise my arm, readyto slap him in the face, but Rafe is lightning fast. He catches my wrist, gives me a sly grin, and chuckles softly. “I enjoy a woman who plays hard to get… After all, I’m a wolf.”
“I’m not playing anything,” I hiss. “Let me go, or I’ll scream.”
