Where is JF? The day took forever to pass. Stacey had spent her morning checking out the resort, every nook and cranny, with Maurice at her side explaining the amenities available for a wedding. He’d answered every single question posed without hesitation. Let her peek into every single corner and cupboard she wanted. To find nothing.

After lunch, she took a different tact, embarking on a sailing boat with other guests. Throwing up over the side and going back to shore. Cats and water did not mix.

She spent the rest of that afternoon by the pool, pumping people for information while, at the same time, pumping handful after handful of cream to keep her skin from turning into red-seared steak. Those who slathered her, talked. And talked.

Everything she learned proved boring. So boring, even with all the tropical drinks.

By late afternoon, she was greasy, frustrated, and had nothing to show for her day of investigation.

Okay, not entirely nothing. A few people talked about the missing girl, in terms of either “Oh my God, hope she’s okay” to “Wonder who she shacked up with.”

No one seemed unduly concerned they themselves could go missing. The resort did its best to act as if everything was okay. This was a place of fun and adventure, not fear.

Bo-o-r-r-r-ing. She wanted to shake things up. Really was tempted to do something, anything, to relieve her irritation.

But then Francois might not kiss me.

Since when did that matter? Since when did she behave for a man?

Since I found one that makes me feel all mushy inside. How long since she’d met a fellow who evinced more than a passing interest from her? JF didn’t fawn over her. Didn’t say yes to everything she demanded.

The man had a backbone, and it was damned sexy.

Everything about him was so freaking hot. And I want it all.

Want him.

Was she falling for the guy? She barely knew him. Yet, the more she discovered, the more he intrigued.

At least now she understood why he acted so disparaging to her and the other lions. He’d been hurt. Hurt badly. She could see how he’d have trust issues. See it, but not understand it because she’d never truly suffered like Francois had. Raised as a pampered princess, the youngest of the brood, Stacey enjoyed the finer things in life. Travel, clothes, good food. Almost dying because of believing in the wrong person?

That must have sucked.

Surely he understood that one woman was an anomaly? Having grown up in the pride, Stacey knew those kinds of incidences where they went nuts were rare. But he perhaps didn’t know that. Perhaps she should tell him or, even better, show him that not all shifters were violent psychopaths. Bring him home to meet her family. Mama and Papa and all her siblings.

Hmm, then again, their chaos might send him running.

What am I doing? Thinking of introducing him to relatives. Hello, he was not boyfriend material. Casual sex, yes, but nothing more permanent. She had no interest in settling down and popping out babies. Unlike her sisters, she didn’t get all gushy at the thought of children.

Children had dirty paw prints that left stains on clothes. They also expected constant care. Stacey wasn’t into that. At all.

Most men, though, they wanted a family. A legacy to carry on their name. It made long-term relationships sour when they heard her philosophy on life.

Enjoy it.

Travel the world. Stay up late. But don’t waste the day. Avoid the midday sun. Don’t buy off a discount rack. And no babies.

Most of those men could handle but, for some reason, the last one really threw them off.

Best to stay single.

Staying single meant not caring about the fact that her ex-boyfriends moved on with a little Sally Homemaker.

Was Francois at this moment already moving on with Jan?

The very thought had her waving a waiter over with another drink.

By the time the adventuring party returned, she was sitting in the shade by the pool, sloshed and taking selfies that she posted and tagged her biatches in to make them jealous she was at a luxury resort while they were stuck at home. The riposte of texts back, most calling her jealous names, made her smile.

A massive shadow covered her slathered body. The tiny bikini meant there was a lot of skin that needed protection.

Stacey lifted her sunglasses to eye Francois properly. “You make a better door than a window,” she observed.

“Is lying by the pool your idea of work?”

“You told me to stay out of jail. So I did.”

His lip twitched. She was sure of it.

“I didn’t think you’d listen.”

“Your faith in me is astounding.”

Yes, definitely some movement at the corner of his mouth.

“I have faith that you can find trouble wherever you are.”

She didn’t even try to contain her grin. “I do. It makes life interesting. You should try it sometime.”

“Trouble is for thrill seekers.”

“It is. And it is also for those who want to live life rather than play it safe.”

“Taking chances can be deadly.”

The subtle undercurrent to the words struck her.

“But only by taking a chance can you sometimes discover new and exciting things.”

“Sometimes things die trying.”

She held his gaze. “But what a way to go.”

With a shake of his head, he severed the visual connection between them. “Every time you open your mouth, you give another reason why I should stay away from you.”

“Liar. Every time I open my mouth, you wonder, will it fit? Does she spit or swallow?” The brazen words poured out of her, and she couldn’t help but laugh as his expression got even more uptight.

With a hint of smoldering.

“Your mouth is filthy.”

“I agree, I am soooooo dirty. Whatever will you do?” she purred. “Put me over your knee and spank me? We should probably go to our room for that.”

“You should probably keep your voice down,” he growled.

“Fuck ’em,” she drawled, the alcohol making her bold. “We didn’t share the same mother. It’s allowed in some states.” They also didn’t share the same father, but his rebuke about keeping cover made her hold her tongue on that part.

“You’re drunk.”

“Yep.” She held up her glass. The empty glass. “These are really fucking good.” Made shifter-strong. Pound back a few and even she felt a buzz.

“How on earth did you manage to stay out of trouble today?” Francois said with a shake of his head.

“I was good.” So good because he’d said he’d give her a prize.

“I doubt it.”

His skepticism pissed her off and made her suspect something. “Are you trying to welch on our bet by calling me a liar?”

“I’m a man of my word. You’ll get what I promised.”

“Make it sound like a chore,” she grumbled.

“More like disappointment.”

“Because you don’t want to smooch me.” Her lips turned down.

He crouched by her chair and moved in close so only she could hear him.

“I want to kiss you. But why settle for a tame kiss? See, I’d assumed I’d return to you being incarcerated. Locked somewhere and in need of rescue. I had a plan to rescue you that would have rivaled something from the Wild West.”

“You would have saved me?”

“Oh yes,” he murmured, leaning close. “Saved you and then spanked your ass until it was pink and you couldn’t sit for a few days.”

She sucked in a breath. “Damn, sweetcheeks. You make me wish I’d given in to impulse today. Now that I know what you’re planning, I’ll try harder to get arrested next time.”

He growled.

She chose to view it as a holy-shit-you’re-hot kind of growl.

“You’re impossible,” he snapped, getting to his feet.

“Admit it, you like the challenge.”

“If I want challenge, I’ll play chess.”

“Boring,” she sang. But then because it was bothering her, she finally remarked on his disheveled appearance. “Is it me, or do you look like you wrestled with the jungle and lost?” Dirt and other things streaked his shirt, and a scrape abraded his temple.

“A little mishap in the woods.” Said with a false smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “No big deal. I could, however, use a shower.” He turned on his heel and walked away.

Since the view was mighty fine, she slid her glasses down on her nose and watched. It meant she got to see Jan scurry out from the clubhouse and make a beeline for the far side of the pool and engage in a conversation with Maurice.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t make it out, but she noted how Maurice glanced at her then away quickly.

Children playing at subterfuge. How adorable. It made her wonder what had happened on the volcano tour.

And, hello, did Francois say he was showering? Code speak for join him? Either way, a naked hottie wasn’t something she wanted to miss. Gathering her keg of sunscreen, she weaved her way back to their building, cursing its distance. Those mai tais were really good.

Despite the numerous debates to take a nap in some of the soft-looking grass along the way, she made it, and her bright yellow building came into sight. She noticed JF outside it talking to a girl. A girl with long red hair. Who isn’t me.

The missing resort guest Shania had returned.