Page 9 of Howl Me to the Moon (Moonlight Siren Supernatural Cruises #2)

CHAPTER 9

PIPER

T he next day, worry tangled the edge of every nerve. While Sloane presented during his portion of the art talk, I stood off to the side in the gallery. I’d just finished my presentation, hyping guests up about art, collections, and our upcoming auctions, and countless thoughts tumbled through my mind.

Where was the painting? I glanced around the room at a couple of dozen others displayed on easels. Although a part of me hoped it must have just been accidentally moved during my talk yesterday when it went missing, that hope diminished with each hour. And with it, my anxiety sharpened.

The authorities on board had questioned everyone who had access to the painting, including me. Their video footage hadn’t turned up any suspects, especially since some of it had been tampered with. If we didn’t find the painting, I was screwed, no matter what. Even if they didn’t think I was involved in its disappearance, I’d been the one to find the painting and arrange the purchase, which was at a sizable cost. No doubt they’d need someone to blame, and I’d be the one to take the hit. That would mean I’d need to find a new job and a place to live. Start over again.

Just like Rex had said he’d had to do.

Rex. He occupied the other portion of my mind that wasn’t consumed by the painting, as well as being the primary focus for the rest of my body.

Sigh. Just thinking about last night sent delicious heat coursing beneath my skin. His muscular frame, long dark hair, and the way he’d looked at me with those soulful brown eyes. He’d been so considerate to help me, and the way he’d appeared so vulnerable when he’d told me about his past and starting over tugged at me. Although I told myself I didn’t want to get involved with anyone on this ship, a part of me now wondered—would it be so wrong?

With the way my body reacted to him, that didn’t seem to be the case. And since my days on this ship might be numbered…

Once the presentation was done, Sloane and I worked with the support staff to return the paintings to the storage room. Now I eyed everyone with speculation. Could they have been involved?

“What do you think happened to the painting?” I asked Sloane as we slid a rolling cart back into the storage space.

“No idea.” He shook his head. “Kind of crazy for it to just disappear, isn’t it?”

I groaned. “Yup. And to have them question us.” I placed my hand on my chest. “As if we’d have something to do with it.”

“Just protocol,” Sloane assured me. “Don’t worry, nobody would suspect you. You were in the gallery giving a talk, as was I. I saw you there, as did countless others.”

I exhaled with frustration. “If someone took it, what would they do with it? There’s no way they could take it off board without being noticed.”

“True.” He nodded in agreement. “It’s too big to conceal.”

“So what would they want with it?”

Sloane shrugged. He stared at me for several seconds without blinking, which was somewhat unnerving. Maybe he was more anxious about the missing painting than he was letting on to keep us both from freaking out.

I rubbed between my eyes, trying ever so hard to figure out what was going on. “I could be blamed—they need someone to punish as their scapegoat. After all, I was the last person to see the painting. If anyone is going to take a hit, it’s me.”

“Hell no,” Sloane declared with adamance. “That would be ridiculous. I won’t let that happen.”

I gave him a grateful smile. “We don’t have any say.”

* * *

After work was done for the day, I changed out of my work clothes and into my more comfortable, favored bohemian-style clothing. The fabrics were so soft and colorful, and the way they flowed over my body made me feel good. I’d take that anywhere I could find at the moment. This dress had shades of dark red printed with intricate patterns. I paired it with slouchy brown leather boots and headed out for a walk to get some fresh air.

The moon was rising, and stars danced in the dark slate over the ocean. So peaceful. I loved being out here floating on the ocean, away from everything. That was one of the reasons that drew me to work here. Although the work was sometimes grueling, I loved peaceful moments like this.

I took a few slow, relaxed laps around the ship and then went back inside, a gust of wind nearly knocking me on my ass as it pushed the heavy door closed. Adjusting myself, I debated where to go. Rex was playing tonight, and a part of me longed to head down to see him. But after last night with that near kiss, I wasn’t sure I could deal with the temptation of being around him again so soon.

Instead, I headed to the observation deck where Kylie was bartending tonight in the Celestial Lounge. Maybe we could have some girl time and catch up.

Not likely—not with the number of people in the lounge listening to the band perform “Fly Me to the Moon.” She was so busy serving passengers that it took a few minutes before she slid down the bar to greet me with a smile.

“Piper-Pi, what’s going on?”

I grunted. “I could use a drink, Kylie Ky.”

She leaned forward. “What’s wrong?”

“Too much to tell right now.” I glanced down the bar where a guy had just stepped up to place his order. “But we’ll talk about it later.”

Kylie made me the featured cocktail of the day, Moonlit Delight, which included blueberry vodka. As I took the first sip through the bar, someone from behind me said, “Piper.”

I knew that voice. I sucked in hard, accidentally making a slurping sound as I turned to see Rex. The second my gaze met his, all those heady sensations from last night when we’d been so close, so tempted, so ready returned.

I straightened, trying to compose myself. “Rex, how are you doing?” I hoped he bought my forced neutral tone.

“Just wanted to see how you were doing.”

I slanted my head. “How did you know where to find me?”

“Good guess.” He grinned in a devilish way that sent tingles all the way to my toes. “Plus this thing works pretty well.” He tapped the side of his nose.

I widened my eyes. “You tracked my scent?”

“It’s quite unique.” His eyes gleamed with mischief.

“In a good way, I hope.” What was I doing? Why was I saying weird, flirtatious things like this?

His gaze traveled over me with a slow perusal, unraveling me bit by bit. “In the very best.” Then he straightened, and his expression turned more serious. “Any luck with the search?”

I exhaled from my nostrils. “Unfortunately not.”

He tipped his chin up an inch. “I’m happy to help you look.”

I frowned before shaking my head. “Not tonight.”

He cocked his head. “Something wrong?”

I chewed my lower lip as I decided whether I should tell him. Marcel had reamed me out earlier about taking a gamble on such an expensive painting. When I’d tried to help figure out where we could look next, he’d snapped at me that I had my chance. Now he had the security team on it as well as a witch skilled in scrying. He told me to do my damn job and sell paintings.

Did I want to get into all that with Rex? And ruin the first bit of happiness I’d had all day now that he was here?

Hell no.

Instead, I said, “Nothing worth dwelling on now.” I stood and tipped my head. “Walk with me?”

His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Of course.”

We headed out to the Starlight Terrace, the outdoor deck with a pool decorated with colorful tiles resembling a dragon that shimmered beneath the moonlight. Upbeat pop music played from the speakers while the salt from the ocean perfumed the air. Few people walked the deck tonight as the Alaskan breeze kept them indoors while we sailed. I steeled myself against it, though goosebumps prickled on my skin.

Rex brushed his fingers against mine, and heat danced inside me. Then he took my hand, warming it in his large but gentle grip. I stole a glance up at his profile, feeling so small walking beside him. His dark hair was tousled, and I itched to run my fingers through it. Seeing this wolf shifter here beneath the moonlight did funny things to me, and all sorts of unfamiliar tingles zigzagged inside.

Rex turned to me. “Are you cold?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “It’s a bit chilly out here.”

“I’ll keep you warm,” he promised. He pulled me into his arms, enclosing me in the heat of his muscular body.

I breathed in his scent, so earthy and masculine. My heart beat harder, pressed against his chest beneath the moonlight. The tension from earlier that day slipped away as all I could focus on was him.

One song melded into the next as we embraced, swaying gently. Others walked by, but I barely noticed.

Rex bent low and his breath tickled my ear. “You know, I didn’t expect anything like this when I joined the band. Meeting someone like you,” he murmured. “I’m glad I found you.”

My pulse jolted while my breath came quicker. “Me too,” I admitted, completely grateful that the surly selkie had quit the band.

When I pulled back to glance up at him, his eyes smoldered with a feral hunger that left me spellbound. No doubt he was a wolf. Utterly fascinating, undeniably captivating.

I stared up at him, one heartbeat thudding after another. His gaze lowered to my lips, and I ceased to breathe.

“I want to kiss you.” His voice sounded throaty and edged with need.

My chest heaved as I gulped oxygen. When I found my voice, it trembled. “Rex?”

“Yes?”

My body heated with desire, aching with need. “Do it.”

A low growl reverberated from his chest. He cupped my face with both hands, bent down slowly, and kissed me.

Magic vibrated through me like the sizzling energy in the air before a storm. I almost lost my footing, but he held me up and pulled my body close to him.

He claimed my mouth, delving deeper. Possessive. Determined. As if branding me with his touch.

He pulled away a fraction and rumbled, “Mine.”