Accidental Lover (Wolven Moon Book 3) Read online

  The peach scent wafting around me is unmistakeable. There is no doubt in my mind that it’s her room. The robe on the hook has spots of her blood. In the bathroom, her workout shorts, little white panty and sports bra are draped over the rod. They’re damp and smell freshly washed.

  Why didn’t she just send them to the laundry?

  What am I doing?

  I leave feeling like an asshole, but more relaxed, convinced my sweet smelling dream girl hasn’t left the hotel.

  Downstairs, I log on to a computer in the security office. I want to keep an eye on the banks of surveillance monitors as I pull up room 302. A Rose Valentine is registered in it. And, yes, as I suspected the group code is Gabby’s wedding.

  “Sir?” The security guy questions me when I study the security monitors.

  “Just looking for someone.”

  Finally, I see her descending the main staircase. Relief floods my system and the Lycan blood stops raging.

  Fuck, I got it bad.

  On the landing between the lobby and the mezzanine, a pair of older tourists are attempting to take a selfie of themselves in front of the old bruja’s painting. My girl approaches them and talks to them. The woman smiles and hands her the phone. Cherie, pointing and using her hands, gets the couple closer together to take their picture. What a sweetheart, stopping to help Avalon guests.

  I slip out of the security office to watch her from the front desk.

  Done helping our guests, she takes the last flight of stairs, fluffy soft hair and sexy chest bouncing with each step. The graceful way she moves, that hot little body wrapped inside a dress that shows every delicious curve, she’s irresistibly feminine.

  The young desk clerk standing next to me stares with an open mouth as the blonde beauty walks through the lobby toward us.

  A low growl from me, he quickly puts his eyes back on his work.

  “Hey. Where did you run off to this morning?” I greet her with a smile.

  “Good morning, Victor. Can we talk?” She eyes the front desk staff, especially the cub that was mesmerized by her. “In private?”

  “Sure.”

  I lift the counter for her to walk through. With a hand at her lower back, I guide her to my office tucked behind the front desk.

  Once the door is closed, I bury both hands in that silky hair and kiss her soft lips. I stop when she doesn't kiss me back.

  “Why’d you leave without waking me?” I ask her, kissing her jaw and throat.

  “You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn’t have the heart. Listen, Victor,” she steps away from me and bites her lip.

  Her body language is so different from last night. What the hell happened between her sleepy sighs and right now?

  Do you regret being with me, peaches?

  The world darkens for my pitiful wolf.

  “Can you not say anything to anyone about last night?” She says.

  I laugh incredulous. “If you’re saying you want me to forget it, that’s never going to happen.”

  “No. Not that. I won’t forget it either.” She smiles slightly, takes a deep breath. “You’re Gabriela Santana’s cousin, right?”

  I nod.

  “I’m her maid of honor.”

  “That’s nice, Cherie. Connect the dots for me. What does Gabby’s wedding have to do with us having an unforgettable night together?”

  Brows furrowed, she’s disturbed that I don’t understand.

  “I don’t want to have to explain to her and especially not to your grandmother — you know, how we met.” She rubs her forehead. “How stupid I was. It would be embarrassing if they think I’m a slut.”

  I laugh. That doesn’t help her emotionally.

  “I’m sorry.” I hug her, cradling her head to my chest. “I’m not laughing to be mean.” I kiss the top of her head. “I was there last night, remember, the guy who broke your hymen? I can testify to the fact that you were a virgin until you were twenty-one.”

  “Almost twenty-one,” she corrects me.

  “Okay, almost twenty-one. Any girl who keeps her virginity that long is not a slut.”

  She looks up at me, tilts her head in thought. “Still,” she says with a tiny nod. “I’m still embarrassed that I crawled into a stranger’s bed.”

  Right place, right time, mi ninfa.

  “If it were Jesse, they wouldn’t be shocked, because we’ve known each — ”

  Fuck Jesse. Or don’t fuck Jesse, as the case may be.

  “Alright.” I cut her off. “If that’s what you want, Cherie, I’ll act like I don’t know you. Like I don’t even know you snore.”

  Her mouth opens to a big oval. “Oh, I do not.” She playfully smacks my chest. With a big sigh, my girl finally smiles back at me and relaxes in my arms.

  “Thank you, Victor.” She kisses my cheek.

  Cheek just isn’t good enough. I cover her mouth completely with mine, kiss her –– thoroughly. This time, to my relief, she participates. My cock responds in a flash. Just as I’m about to suggest we head back upstairs, her stomach growls loudly.

  Laughing, I pull away. “Hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Are you having breakfast here with the bride and groom this morning?”

  She nods. “I’m so hungry I’m considering steak and eggs.”

  “You’ll like ours. It’s one of the best items on our menu.” I give her one more quick kiss. “I’ll see you there.”

  Her stomach sounds the alarm again. I chuckle and open the office door to the corridor rather than the one to the desk. “Go fill that thing so it’ll shut up.”

  I give her a few minutes head start before I make my way to the main dining room, too, feeling like I’m walking on air.

  Yes, my sexy witch, I’ve got it bad for you.

  Gabby stands and hugs me. Doing my best not to look at Cherie, I quickly shake the groom’s hand — wondering again why Gabby’s marrying a fucking Erickson.

  If she wanted a Norse, she could have chosen a cub from dozens of sovereign families in Colorado Springs or here in Telluride. You want pure Norse? Pick a higher altitude mountain town that they favor and be surrounded by the pale bastards.

  I lean down to kiss Grandmother’s cheek.

  “Vic, this is Cherie Valentine, my best friend and maid of honor. C, this is my cousin, Victor.”

  Even her last name is sweet.

  How does the Rose name fit? Maybe it’s her middle name?

  “Nice to meet you.” My girl stands to shake my hand. I trap her tiny hand with both of mine. Peaches isn’t a very good actress. Though she has nothing to feel guilty about, it’s there all over her face.

  “The pleasure is definitely mine, Cherie.” She tries to pull her hand back. I hang on to it. I’m supposed to keep quiet about last night, but mi ninfa didn’t say squat about flirting with her in public.

  “Are you sure you two haven’t met before?” Grandmother says. “Gabriela, you’ve been friends since, what, junior high?” Gabby and Cherie nod. “Though we don’t see near enough of Cherie, she has joined us at the cabin on occasion.”

  Damn. I should’ve spent more time with extended family.

  “I am positive, Grandmother. There is no way on Earth I’d forget someone this beautiful.”

  Cherie blushes.

  Gabby pushes forward a young Norse wolf, making me drop Cherie’s hand.

  “And, this is Jesse Lynch, Baldwin’s best man.”

  I recognize the name. Lynch is sovereign.

  Putting on my poker face, I turn to look at the infamous Jesse and shake his hand. I hate the kid on sight. And he is a kid. Although about my height, he’s a scrawny college boy.

  I could take him — easily.

  My alpha side rarely shows itself, but it's front and center right now.

  He bristles and drops my hand.

  Gabby seats him right next to my girl. I swallow a protest, take the chair next to my grandmother.

  Everyone studies their menu, except
Grandmother and me. We know it by heart. I just stare at Cherie.

  Fuck. She’s beautiful.

  Grandmother pats my hand. When I turn to look at her, she raises a knowing eyebrow. She leans in to talk quietly. “I see you’ve taken a liking to someone.”

  I can’t hide my happy smile, not from the family matriarch. I nod.

  “Deep within this apple’s heart, this spell is cast for love to start,” Grandmother chants.

  Grandmother believes the myth that a blessed apple buried under the foundation gives The Avalon special properties when it comes to love and lovers on the property. I’ve never thought much of it — until last night, that is. I chuckle. She kisses my cheek.

  Watching our grandmother-grandson moment, Cherie tilts her head and smiles at us. Mi ninfa is sentimental.

  Jesse puts down his menu to say something to Cherie, taking her attention away from me. He puts his arm along the back of her chair, leans in far too fucking close to point at something on her menu.

  Cherie shakes her no. He puts a hand on her bare shoulder, caresses it. My beast wants to fly across the table and strangle the punk.

  Grandmother leans into me again. “You have a little competition. Nothing you can’t overcome.” She pats my hand.

  I tell myself it’s ridiculous to be this jealous over a girl I just met — no matter how sexy, no matter that she gave me her virginity.

  But there’s nothing logical about a wolf that attached.

  Though she tries to keep her voice low, my Lycan hearing easily hears her conversation with Jesse.

  “I’m not that hungry after all. I think I’ll just have a fruit bowl,” she says.

  What the fuck? Your stomach’s screaming for food.

  The word budget floats across the table. I open the menu. Steak and eggs is four times the cost of the fruit bowl.

  The waiter comes to take our orders. “Good morning, Tim,” I say. “Please put this breakfast on my tab. It’s a gift to the bride and groom.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Aw. Thank you, cousin.” Gabby blows me a kiss. Baldwin murmurs a thank you.

  “You’re welcome.”

  When it’s Cherie’s turn to order, I stare at her.

  Get the fucking steak, peaches.

  “The steak and eggs are highly recommended,” she says with a quick glance at me. “I’ll have that and a small side of fruit, please.”

  Now that’s a meal a nymph can fuck on for hours. She glances at me, again. I smile broadly and wink at her — right there in front of everyone. She blushes, looks away.

  After everyone is finished ordering, I order mimosas for everyone so we can toast the bride and groom.

  “Not for Cherie,” Gabby teases. “She’s still a baby.”

  Jesse brushes Cherie’s hair off her shoulder. He touches her one more time, I’m going to kill him.

  “Oh, come on,” he says. “She’ll be twenty-one in a few days.”

  “Three days,” I say. “Her birthday’s in three days.” I glare at the boy.

  Everyone turns to look at me. Cherie’s big eyes widen.

  “How do you know Cherie’s birth date, Vic?” Gabby says.

  “You must have seen my internship application, Mr. Santana,” Cherie says with a deep swallow.

  “Yes.” I nod. “And please call me Victor.”

  Quick save, dream girl.

  “Jesse, do you mind switching seats with me? I’d like to discuss Cherie’s app with her?”

  He does mind, a lot. I can see it on his face.

  Tough shit, boy. Move it.

  I bring my alpha to the surface.

  Scowling, he undrapes his arm, pushes his chair back. If he kisses her, I will kill him right here, right now. He doesn’t.

  Before I slide into the chair he just left, I move it closer to Cherie, rest my leg so it’s touching hers. I know there’s a Cheshire cat grin on my face. I reign it in as much as possible. Grandmother gives me an approving wink.

  “So, you want to intern at The Av? Sell me on your qualifications.” I turn to mi ninfa, putting my arm across the back of her chair. No matter what she says, she’s hired, of course.

  “She’s at the top of her class right now.” Jesse chimes in.

  I wasn’t talking to you, kid.

  I nod, though, thanking him. “Refresh my memory, Cherie. What’s your major?”

  “I’m on the Tourism Management tract at the LEEDS Business School at CU-Boulder.”

  “Cherie wants to see the world,” Gabby says.

  “I want to experience the world.” She corrects my cousin with a smile. “Big difference.”

  “Explain the difference,” I say, watching her closely. My girl turns her sparkling eyes to me, clearly passionate about this.

  “When you travel, you’re in a place for a week or two at the most?”

  I nod in agreement.

  “I want to live in a location long enough to experience it fully – the people, the culture, the food – before I move on. And I enjoy hospitality, meeting people from all over the world, ensuring guests have the best time possible is rewarding.”

  Obviously. She demonstrated that by assisting our guests on the stairs.

  “This fall is my final semester at CU. Since I only need a few credits, I decided to make the most of it with another internship.”

  “She’s an overachiever. Graduating very early,” Grandmother says.

  Cherie rolls her eyes.

  Grandmother scolds her. “Young lady, don’t ever roll your eyes at yourself. Intelligent girls are hot.”

  “Yes, they are.” Jesse chimes in again. My girl smiles at the kid and, then, at Grandmother.

  “Yes, ma’am,” she says before focusing back on me. “I took core classes at the community college while I was in high school. Those put me a few semesters ahead.”

  “Got it.” I nod. “Where have you interned so far?”

  “For college credit, at The Stanley the last couple of summers. During high school, I had summer jobs at The Broadmoor and The Cliff House. And my mom owns a small B&B near the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I grew up with guests in the house year round.” She smiles.

  Holy shit. The Cliff House and The Stanley are four diamonds. The Broadmoor is a five star. That’s exactly the type of experience we need to keep our five stars.

  “She already has an offer from The Graces,” Gabby says. “If you want her, better move fast.”

  I’m impressed, again. The small but exclusive, world-renowned Graces in Santa Fe takes exactly one intern a year. She must be hot stuff if they selected her.

  “Come to Santa Fe with me, Cherie. We’ll have a blast.” Jesse pleads with her.

  “What do you mean with you?” I question the punk.

  “I’m interning at my father’s architectural firm there.”

  Aw, hell, no. Time to wrap this up –– with a bow.

  “Gabby, do you vouch for Cherie?”

  “Absolutely.” She nods.

  “Grandmother?”

  “Of course. Cherie rocks everything she does.”

  Yes, she does. I’ve experienced that rocking myself.

  My balls tighten at the thought of Cherie in my bed all semester. I feel a little like an asshole. Fuck it. I’ll take her any way I can get her.

  “That settles it, then.” I hold out my hand for Cherie to shake. “Welcome to The Avalon.”

  This could not have worked out any sweeter.

  “Just like that?” Cherie ignores my hand. She thinks I gave it to her because she fucked me. Yes, I would have, but after hearing her background, I’d hire my girl even if she hadn’t fucked me silly last night.

  I reassure her. “Even at your young age, Cherie, you’ve got the experience high-end hotels want. Plus, you’ve got the highest recommendation possible, that of Maria Santana.”

  Grandmother winks right on queue.

  “I hire everyone Grandmother recommends. You can start right after the w
edding if you’d like. We could easily use you for the rest of the summer season. We’re booked solid for the Film Festival over Labor Day and the TV Video Awards right after that. You’ll learn more about The Av and be ready to hit it hard when ski season slams us.”

  Gabby squeals, rushes over to hug Cherie.

  He might be scrawny, but Jesse’s got balls. His beast glares at me like he’d love to take a shot.

  I got the power, kid.

  I say a silent thanks to all the Santana ancestors who made the leverage I just flung possible, including my great-great grandmother who supposedly had the love spell put on the place.

  My girl is pissed. Fuck. I just gave her one of the most coveted hospitality intern slots in the country after a three-minute conversation. Why wouldn’t she be suspicious?

  Tim brings the mimosas. Cherie rejects hers.

  “I’m under-aged, even if it is by a few days. The Avalon’s liquor license is too important to risk.”

  “Excellent, Cherie.” Grandmother praises her. “That’s the kind of levelheadedness The Avalon needs. Welcome, dear. I’m so happy you’ll be looking after my favorite hotel.”

  Cherie nods. “Thank you, Mrs. Santana.”

  “None of that Mrs. Santana business. Even here, I’m Maria.”

  “Does that mean you accept the internship?” I ask, putting my hand back out for Cherie.

  C’mon on, sweetness. Shake on it.

  “Yes.” She slips her tiny hand in mine and shakes. “It’s a great career move for me. So, thank you.”

  Despite her words, her eyes shoot darts at me. That’s okay. Cuss me out as much as you want, mi ninfa, and then fuck me silly.

  chapter six

  WAITING FOR THE seamstress to bring my bridesmaid dress for the final fitting, I pace the floor in a bedroom attached to Gabs’ suite.

  I desperately wanted an internship at The Avalon. Honestly, had the regular application route not resulted in a hire, I would have swallowed my pride and approached Maria for a special favor. But as a reward for sleeping with Victor? No, no and no.

  As if on cue, Victor slips into the room, without knocking, of course, and closes the door behind him. I catch him off guard and with both hands, push him back against the door.

  “What do you call a girl who sleeps her way to the top? I believe the answer is whore.”