Page 80 of The Mating Quest

She didn’t look up. “Morning,wolf.”

“I’d join you on a walk, but I’m dripping. Going to take a shower and then maybe a dip in the pool. Want to joinme?”

Now she did glance up, seeing his T-shirt plastered to his body, the sweat dripping down his face. “In the shower?” she blurtedout.

A grin touched his face. “That would be interesting,” hemurmured.

Damn, he was giving off major signals this morning, compared to the cold indifference of yesterday when he acted like a personal nurse. “The pool later, maybe. I need to clear my head. At least you plan to have a little fun today,wolf.”

His expression smoothed out. “Swimming is good and keeps me fit. I need to be in top form as alpha. I am planning on studyinglater.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Why? Is Drust testing us on what we did on our summervacation?”

His mouth quirked a moment, then he turned serious again. “The office library has a section of books on the Winter and Summer Fae kingdoms, and the Dark Kingdom. I plan to read up as much as Ican.”

“We’re supposed torelax.”

“Yes. But I’m not heading into a situation without knowing as much as I can. Enjoy your walk. I need thatshower.”

Again, with the Ethan who was always so responsible, never took a break and never seemed to have fun. She watched him jog toward the house. What would Ethan say if he knew she had been there before, and knew all too well the dangers they mightface?

Ilana returned to the house, trying to ignore the sounds of the shower in the master bedroom and the images it evoked in her naughty imagination. She changed into her dark blue swimsuit, paired it with a pretty coral wrap, slid into blue flip flops, grabbed a towel and went to the beach tosunbathe.

She drowsed in the hot sun for an hour until it grew too warm, then waded into the surf. No sign of Ethan. Let him spend all his time inside reading. The water was deliciously warm, with cool spots. Ilana swam and drifted. A sea turtle popped up its head beside her. She reached out a hand to stroke its head. Then itsubmerged.

Sensing another presence in the water, Ilana whirled around. The merman from yesterday surfaced close by. “Hi,” he said,waving.

“All this water and you have to swim next tome?”

“I’m besotted with you. I’ve been waiting for you toreturn.”

Maybe she should have stuck to the pool. Ilana sighed. “Lookyou…”

“My name isZach.”

“NotAquaman?”

He laughed. “I like you. You’re beautiful.” The merman stared at her as if she were the last woman onearth.

Knowing the finfolk’s predication for sex, she shook her head. “Try harder. That’s a crappyline.”

He tilted his head. “You do not believeme?”

Then he added in a hopeful tone, “You’re gorgeous. Want tofuck?”

Ilana rolled her eyes and swam for shore. She walked out of the water, sat on the towel. So much for quiet time alone. The beach seemed deserted yet this swimming playboy had shown up out of nowhere. Ilanasighed.

Out on the water, ripples formed. A tail rose out of the water, splashed. Then a man emerged from the Gulf, headed straight toward her. Totally naked. Giving a little shriek, she averted hergaze.

“Get lost, fishman. I’m notinterested.”

A laugh. “Women are always interested in me. I thought if you saw what I have to offer, you’d change yourmind.”

“What thehell?”

Ethan had arrived and he soundedfurious.

Merlin looked up. “Go away, Lupine. She’s mine. I saw herfirst.”