Page 12 of Howl Me to the Moon (Moonlight Siren Supernatural Cruises #2)
CHAPTER 12
PIPER
A lthough it was hard to turn off my worries about the fate of the painting, I had resolved to take a little break tonight and enjoy the evening with Rex. So when he suggested going to have some fun on the ship, I was on board with the plan.
“Let’s see what’s going on tonight.”
We headed over to a board near the customer service desk that listed all the events for the night.
“Music trivia in the Moonbeam Lounge?” I arched my brows. “You’d kick my butt in that one, wolf.”
“Not if we’re a team, witch.” He nudged my chin up and grinned, then caressed my cheek. I leaned into his touch and resisted purring.
The seats were all taken, but we grabbed a trivia sheet and found a place to write on it at the bar. The cruise director played snippets of songs and, with no surprise, Rex knew most of them. Of course he did; he was a musician. Once people spilled out of the lounge after the game.
“Where to next?” I asked.
"How about the Motown tribute? It’s playing in here next.”
"Might as well refresh our drinks and grab a seat.”
He got another cold draft while I ordered a Phantom Rum, a White Russian with a magical ingredient to make it appear like mist was floating from the glass. We snagged a seat in a lounger with room for two. He put his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into him while we listened to the band start with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Rex tapped his foot along to the music, and I swayed my body in tune with it as I nestled against his side. As the band progressed through their set, more people got up to dance on the floor in front of the stage. I stood and nudged Rex to join me.
"Oh no." He chuckled. "Wolves don’t dance."
“Why not? Four left feet?” I teased and beckoned him to join me.
He groaned but relented, taking my hand as we headed onto the dance floor during "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch.” Although his movements were stiff at first, his rhythm soon took over. He moved smoothly to the beat—and sexily. He was cute, but he was huge, and I had to stare up at him. The heat from his body rumbled into mine.
When the tempo slowed with "Just My Imagination," Rex pulled me closer, our bodies touching. His scent wrapped around me, making it hard to focus on anything but him. Fortunately, all I had to do was sway with him as he led, the fingers of one hand wrapped through mine while the other rested on my lower back. My free one looped around his neck, barely reaching it.
When I looked up at him, he met my gaze. His eyes flashed amber-gold with a hungry look that shook me to my core. My mouth went dry, and I swallowed hard while tingles danced through every nerve ending in my body.
"I’ve wanted to hold you like this for days, Piper," he said, his voice low and rumbling.
My lips parted, and I could barely find words. "I’m glad we’re here together." It was hardly enough to express the insane reaction of my body to his.
He moved closer, staring at my lips, and closer still. My heart pounded so hard and then seemed to stop altogether as I waited, reverberating with anticipation. And then, finally, his lips brushed mine. I all but melted as my body turned into hot jelly as we kissed. I lost track of time and space until he pulled away seconds later.
I sighed in protest. "Why—?" I started, half unsure of what was happening.
He straightened. "We shouldn’t do this here."
Oh, right. We were surrounded by people who probably didn’t want to see us put on an R-rated show, if not more so. Because with the way my body heated up, I’d soon be fighting the urge to climb his massive body and begging him to take me right there.
Instead, I gulped. "Rex."
"Yes?" he replied.
One more pounding heartbeat followed by another. I sensed that what I was about to say meant more than I was able to grasp right now. But it was what I wanted. What I craved.
I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and murmured, "Take me to your room."