The haunted shadow that burned in Tamsin’s golden eyes squeezed Sarge’s heart. She hadn’t just turned submissive to him when he’d approached. She'd frozen in place. Someone in her life put that fear in her. Dominated her and killed that feisty spirit. And he'd be damned if he’d allow that dread to remain. She needed to see that she and her bear were free. Running through the woods would do her good. Hell, it might keep his own demons at bay.

The scent of other shifters reminded him that they were not an anomaly on the island. He'd never sensed so many different animals crossing paths. It went against his basic instincts, and he fought his bear’s desire to investigate. Tamsin showed no signs of alarm.

She rammed her body into his when he slowed down to inspect claw marks on a tree. Unconcerned and more playful, she challenged him to follow. At his size, he could easily catch up and outrun her. But that wasn't the purpose of the game. He ran blindly behind her, trusting her to lead.

They raced out of the woods and toward the top of a small ridge, scrambling past brush and rocks until they reached an opening at the top. Tamsin slowed to an amble, and Sarge sidled up alongside her.

She approached the edge of a bluff. A cold wind ruffled through Sarge's fur, and he lifted his head, hoping she didn't want to shift back. Even though they would be hot from the change and the run, the winter drafts whipping around them might cool their bodies down too much. As if in tune with him, Tamsin sat down on her back haunches with a quiet grunt and closed her eyes. Following her example, Sarge did the same.

The air rustled through their fur, the salt of the sea and the chill of the season flavoring it. He scented a hint of snow, too. The sound of water crashing against the rocks soothed him. Even in his animal form, he could appreciate why his friends loved being on this island. Something about it was working its way into him. Changing him. Maybe even melting a little bit of his icy exterior.

His guard had never been this far down before. He found his thoughts full of Tamsin. How stunning she had been that first night at Maddox’s event. How much spirit she’d shown when facing off with her sister. The invasion of images of Everly almost killed the desire rising inside of him. Tamsin leaned her body against his, and the unwanted recollection of her sister blew away with the wind.

The closeness of Tamsin’s body ignited a tiny ember inside him he thought would never return. Sure, he'd been with other women before. But the occasional puck bunny satisfied only his physical needs. Nothing ever went outside the bedroom. He made sure of that. The flame inside him wanted more from Tamsin. Needed it.

About the time he thought about the need to shift back, Tamsin’s bear lumbered back to her feet. She shook her head and blew out a sigh of steam. Unlike before when she’d run with abandon through the woods, she picked a careful path down the steep rocks and back into the edge of the park. At the bottom, she changed forms with a groan. Once again, he followed her lead.

“Shit. We left our clothes back at the house.” Sarge did his best to cover up his heightened awareness of her naked body. Her skin glowed in the moonlight, highlighting all her delicious curves.

She shook her head. “This is Shay island. Most of everybody who's out here right now is either one of us or considered a friendly. Walking back without clothes on won't be as big of a problem as you think. Which cabin are you in?”

He did his best to explain which way he had driven into the park. She offered to guide him back, walking next to him in heavy silence.

Words formed in his head, but none of them made it out of his mouth. Because of the dark of night or maybe the leftover energy from their shift, he couldn't get a reliable read on her. Not knowing how she reacted to him hampered his ability to find the right opening line. By the time they arrived at his cabin, he panicked. He didn't want their time together to be over too soon.

“See you around,” Tamsin dismissed.

Out of desperation, Sarge grabbed her hand. “Want to come in?” Even he cringed. Smooth, asshole.

Tamsin glanced down at their linked hands. “I don't know if that would be a good idea.” She bowed her head too far for him to gauge her expression, allowing the long strands of her hair to hide her face.

Recovering as fast as he could, he blurted out a last-ditch effort. “Come inside and stay until the morning.” He could have rolled a little bit of Alpha dominance into the request. But he’d never make her do something against her will. Ever.

Tamsin crooked an eyebrow up. “Is that your way of making a pass at me?”

He wasn't prepared for her mental body check, throwing him off. “No, no, no. That's not what I mean. I thought that maybe you could take the bed and I'll sleep on the floor.”

“So you don't want to sleep with me?”

Damn. She’d slapped that puck right past him. “Of course, I do. I mean, not tonight. Or maybe, yes. If you want to. But I'm not saying you have to. Argh,” he groaned. Wiping his hand down his face and over his beard, he gave up. “Maybe you should go inside, and I'll sleep out here.”

Tamsin squeezed his hand and let go. “I’m just joking with you. Relax.” She opened the door to the cabin and walked past him.

Sarge hoped that she ignored his dick, saluting her. He gawked at her naked ass like she was a buffet of food and he hadn't eaten for a month. He begged the moon for help because it would take a miracle to make it through the night without touching her or scaring her away.

His best play would be to remain submissive to her decisions and give her full control. Because if he gave in to the raw, swelling need his bear practically clawed up his insides for, he’d ravage her body all night long until they were both destroyed.

With every ounce of strength he had, he pushed down his primal urges and followed her inside.