Tropical Leopard's Longing (Shifting Sands Resort 8)

Stunned silence answered him.

“You’re crashing the Trayvor-Grant wedding?” Jenny finally said in disbelief.

“You’re getting married?” Bastian exclaimed.

“You’re going to fight someone to get married?” Tex said incredulously.

“You’re gunna die,” Wrench said grimly.

Everyone turned to look at him, and the big, tattooed panther shifter shrugged uncomfortably at the attention. “Assuming it’s a fight to the death. Otherwise I guess he’s just gunna get beat to a bloody pulp.”

“I’d prefer to stay in one piece,” Breck said, trying to convince himself this was still a good idea. “And I’m hoping you can help me do that.”

“Darla’s your mate,” Laura finally guessed. “That’s why you’ve been so weird the last few days.”

Everyone made noises of mixed sympathy, surprise, and congratulations. No one seemed sure which was most appropriate.

Several moments later, Breck was standing on the back lawn, stark naked, with Tex, in bear form, demonstrating his charge.

“He’s a lot bigger than me,” Breck said, frowning at Tex’s dramatically snarling face. The grizzly was probably ten times the weight of his leopard form.

“Cave bears are bigger yet,” Graham reminded him grimly. “But you’re a lot faster. And hopefully a lot smarter.” He and Wrench were sitting on the picnic bench. Apparently, the imminent death of a fellow staffer excused having a beer with breakfast; they were both holding bottles and looked like nothing so much as the grumpy old critics from the Muppets.

“You gotta be meaner,” Wrench advised sagely. “Go for his nose. Won’t actually damage much, but it hurts like a sonnuvabitch.”

“Might give you a chance to get through to something critical,” Graham agreed.

“Don’t waste time on the shoulders,” Bastian advised. “Too much fat and fur to get through there.”

Tex shook himself with a harrumph that sounded proud.

“Well, get out there,” Graham said, waving the beer bottle. “Show us what we’ve got to work with.”

Breck sighed and shifted, then, knowing that speed was his only real hope, darted forward and hit Tex’s nose with sheathed paws like a boxer.

Tex reared up out of reach and casually back-handed him across the lawn.

Breck rolled back to his feet and circled around behind the big bear, trying to find any part that might be vulnerable. He considered hamstringing him, but even with unsheathed claws, doubted that he would be able to get through the thick fur. Would his jaws work? He didn’t want to actually hurt Tex.

While he was wondering if he even could, Tex turned, a slow, ambling turn, and then gave an unexpected burst of speed for such a big animal, bowling him over and giving an odd little four-legged pounce at the end that completely flattened Breck.

While Breck was still wheezing and trying to catch his breath, Tex shifted back to human. “You okay? I… thought you’d get out of the way faster. Sorry.”

He offered a hand to Breck as he shi

fted to human and helped pull him back to his feet.

“I’m more of a lover than a fighter,” Breck gasped.

Wrench took another long swig of his beer. “He’s gunna die.”

Chapter 37

Midnight in the tropics was like a kiss; dark and damp and full of secrets that wanted to be told.

The ocean made a droning rumble on the shore below them, and the night insects and frogs sang their songs of longing in endless rounds.

The vigil had been prepared for the usual overnight rain, and there was a canopy above them that whispered with the intermittent drizzle. Twists of flowers and embroidered ribbons adorned each corner, reflecting the golden light of the circle of candles.