As all four female Weres stared at Colin, he realized that Dulcie’s question about oral sex wasn’t far off the mark. He’d approved the inn plan partly because he hoped he and Luna would get to know each other better, perhaps even become lovers. After seeing Regis off, he’d been ridiculously eager to get back to her, and when she wasn’t in her office, he’d tracked her down here.

Apparently Luna’s co-conspirators supported using sexual favors to gain the outcome they desired. He wondered if the others had any idea they’d put their money on an untried virgin. He doubted that Luna had confessed her situation to anyone until she’d told him about it the night before.

Dulcie, who didn’t seem to mind being caught wearing silk nightwear, was the first to address the awkward situation. “Please excuse us, Colin, sir, your royal Laird of Glenbuggy.”

“Glenbarra.” He cleared his throat to disguise a laugh. ”And I’m afraid the word royal isn’t part of my title.”

“Of course not.” Sybil, looking somewhat granny-like in her flannel gown, leaped into the fray. “I’m sure Dulcie knew that.” She glared at her fellow housemaid.

“I knew that.” Dulcie braved it out with a wink. “Just teasin’ ya.”

“Exactly.” Janet smiled brightly. “You know how it is. Females get bawdy when we think no males are around. We meant no disrespect to you, someone we admire, or Luna, someone we both admire and love.”

Then Luna, her cheeks rosy and her chin lifted, faced him. “I take full responsibility for any distress this gathering or our remarks have caused y’all.”

“It’s fine. I’m not—”

“I should have gone straight to my office as promised, but instead I came back here to share the good news, which probably wasn’t my place.” She plowed on, clearly needing to explain. “But in my excitement, I didn’t think of that. Having the chance to stay on Le Floret and be a part of Whittier House means the world to us.”

Colin’s heart squeezed, because he knew how sincere that speech was. “I can see why it would. This island is special.”

“Oh, and the wine is Janet’s,” Luna continued. “None of us would take what’s not ours to take.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” He surveyed the group with satisfaction. A core staff of dedicated and loyal individuals would serve Luna well in the months ahead. “The fact that you’re pulling together to create a future for yourselves is impressive. That kind of initiative speaks well for how Geraldine ran the household, and how Luna has run it under Geraldine’s supervision.”

“Thank you,” Luna said.

“I’d like to add one cautionary statement if I may.”

She nodded. “Of course.”

He glanced down at the tile floor while he fought to control his grin. When he looked up again, his expression was completely bland. “A blowjob is a powerful weapon. It should be used wisely.”

Dulcie giggled, but the rest of them, including Luna, looked thunderstruck.

He gazed at Luna as if nothing unusual had been said. “Ready to discuss those projections, now?”

“Certainly.” She squared her shoulders and set her glass on the counter. Back straight and color high, she ignored Dulcie’s smile as she marched out of the kitchen.

He followed. Luna was obviously still embarrassed, so he decided not to attempt conversation until they’d reached the room that had once been Henry’s hidey-hole. Colin had fond memories of the office and its bookshelf-lined walls. During his summers here, he’d been allowed free access to any volume on the shelves.

Tiffany lamps, connected to a timer that kept them on from early morning to midnight, saturated the room with jewel-toned light. The interior space had no windows, so the lamps were a necessity. Henry had said the absence of daylight helped protect the books, many of which were rare. But Colin had always thought the room satisfied Henry’s wolf-like desire for a cave.

“I’m so sorry.” Luna turned to him the moment they were both inside the office. “That was unforgivable, and it never would have happened if I’d come straight here instead of going back to the kitchen to…”

“To let your friends know that they would still have a job?” Colin finished for her. “That was a kind and generous impulse, Luna. You don’t need to apologize for it.”

“But announcing it should have been your privilege, not mine.” Her dark hair gleamed dark and rich in the lamplight. “I’m sorry I jumped the gun.”

He longed to touch her. His desire for her was a slow, steady ache, one he could resist for now, but not forever. The more time they spent together, the more insistent that desire became. “I honestly don’t mind that you told them. It’s not a secret.”

She looked relieved. “But Dulcie’s remark was uncalled for. It sounded like the four of us have schemed to get our way by using me as bait. I would never agree to such a thing.”

“Give me some credit for being a better judge of character than that, lass.” He gazed at her. “Do you even know what Dulcie was talking about?”

Her cheeks turned pink. “Sort of. I’m sure y’all do.”

“Aye.” His body tightened as he thought of what such an activity would be like with Luna, who would be experiencing it for the first time. She might be hesitant at first, but with her passionate nature, she’d be a fast learner. He took a steadying breath. “Do they know that you’re a—”

“No,” she said quickly, “and I’d appreciate it if we could keep that between us. If they found out, they’d pester me with a million questions.”

He fought the urge to step closer. “I have questions, too.”

“Does it matter so much?” Her gaze was wary. “Why is being a virgin so all-fired important?”

“It’s…just so unusual for a Were.” He massaged the back of his neck while he considered the best way to discuss this volatile topic. “To start with, sexuality is a significant part of Were culture.”

“It’s a significant part of human culture, too, but that doesn’t mean everyone is doing it.”

Colin was beginning to understand just how little she knew about her own species. “That’s one of many differences between Weres and humans. Teen Weres usually are encouraged to explore their sexuality. Pregnancy isn’t an issue, and Weres are naturally resistant to disease. Sex is a skill we’re expected to master and enjoy along with all our other studies.”

“Oh.” Although she was blushing furiously, she held his gaze. “So most teen Weres have sex, then?”

“Nearly all.”

“Well, that explains why Dulcie, Janet, and Sybil are always teasing me about not having sex. But they’re not having it, either!”

“No, but I’m sure that they did when they were younger, and if the opportunity presents itself, they will again. Not every Were has non-stop sexual encounters their entire life. If they find a mate and that Were dies, the survivor may choose celibacy to honor their lost mate.”

She seemed to consider that for a moment. “I wonder if that’s what happened to Hector.”

“Possibly. I never asked.”

“That would explain why he lives like such a hermit on the island.”

“And that’s fine for Hector, but it seems like such a waste for someone who’s never…”

“Does my virginity really bother you, then?”

“It bothers me that you’re not enjoying yourself as you could be. I hate to think of you missing out on something beautiful, especially when you obviously have a very passionate nature.”

“Especially when y’all could be enjoying yourself, too,” she said with a teasing smile. She might be innocent, but she was aware of her sexual power.

He took a deep breath to steady himself. “You tempt me greatly, Luna, and I’ll admit that your lack of experience presents an extra challenge to my ego.”

“You sound a little desperate.” She stood bathed in rainbow light from the Tiffany lamps, her green eyes luminous.

“You have no idea how desperate I am. Fortunately for both of us, I’ve been well-schooled in self-control.”

She swallowed. “I shouldn’t have told y’all.”

“But you did. Why do you suppose that is?”

“Stupidity?”

He shook his head. “You’re not stupid, and you have strong self-protective instincts. Try again.”

“Because I know I’m missing something, and I want to know what it is.”

A weaker man might have taken that as a cue to pull her into his arms. Colin blessed the training he’d had as the future laird and pack alpha, because he sensed it was too soon. “I’d be happy to show you what you’re missing. Delighted, in fact.” Now there was the understatement of the century. Imagining how he would instruct her made him tremble.

She clasped her hands tightly in front of her in a clearly protective stance. “We’re in business together. What if sex ruins everything between us, even the business arrangement?”

“I swear to you as a MacDowell that I wouldn’t allow that.” His heart beat faster as he realized that she was considering it. But he had to move slowly. “Nothing personal between us will change my decision that Whittier House will become an inn under your supervision. It’s a brilliant idea, and you’re the right person for the job.”

“That’s good to hear.” She relaxed slightly.

“If I had any doubt about your ability to deal with guests, you passed the test tonight when you didn’t go face-down in your plate while Regis carried on about his golf.”

A smile tilted the corners of her full mouth. “I considered poking out my eardrums with my shrimp cocktail fork.”

“Be grateful you weren’t the one showing him around the estate all afternoon.” Colin welcomed a chance to talk about something else and dispel some of the tension between them. After all, he wasn’t about to seduce her here. But in the back of his mind, he was already considering his next move.

“Surely he didn’t talk about golf then, too.”

“Not the whole time.” Colin grimaced as he thought back over his long afternoon with Regis. “First he spent a couple of hours bragging about his business success. I can’t imagine how he makes any money at all when he’s such a crashing bore.”

“Does he have a corner on the Were market here in the Seattle area?”

“I suppose he might, but still.”

“Maybe he has a whole bunch of smart agents working for him, and he has no contact with clients anymore. But he couldn’t resist getting a peek at this island, so he assigned himself to come out here.”

Colin nodded. “I’m sure this island has been a tantalizing mystery for almost fifty years, and that should work to your advantage. Initially, curiosity will bring guests.”

“And then word will spread about the wonderful food and the charming setting, and we’ll be booked up months, maybe even years in advance.” She spread her arms wide. “We’ll be a smashing success.”

She seemed more relaxed, now, and he enjoyed watching her green eyes light up when she talked about this project. He’d gone from hating the idea yesterday to loving it today. But he needed to clarify a few things before lust short-circuited his brain. “I have some questions.”

“I should hope so.”

“Will you make any areas off limits to the guests?”

“Definitely. The staff’s quarters will be private, of course, and the kitchen.” She paused. “I’ve been sleeping in a bedroom across from Geraldine’s because she wanted me nearby, but I’ll move down to a spare room in the staff area to free up the space.”

“I suppose you’ll be needing my bedroom, too.” He didn’t want to give it up, but that room would be popular with its access to the tower above, and Whittier House was now an inn, not a family home.

“That’s up to y’all. We should designate a room that’s yours, though, for when you’re visiting.”

“No, you should use all available space. On the rare occasions I’m here, you can stick me anywhere.” Everything coming out of his mouth was perfectly logical, but his heart wasn’t buying a word of it.

She seemed to sense his ambivalence. “We can decide that for sure later on.”

“All right.” He left the subject with relief. “Are you planning to make Henry’s library available to guests?”

“No, I’m not. This room will be my office and guests won’t be allowed in here, but they should have books available. I was thinking Geraldine’s sitting room might make a nice library.”

“And it has a wet bar. I assume you’re planning to schedule happy hour every evening?”

“I think Geraldine would haunt me if I didn’t.”

That made him smile. “Aye, she would, at that.”

“Picture me registering guests and saying Drinks will be served at six in the library. It has a nice ring to it.”

“I agree.” Her sweet scent beckoned to him, and he realized he’d unconsciously moved closer. “You’re going to be a natural at this, Luna.” Guests, especially male guests, would be drawn to her, too. Sooner or later an eligible Were would express interest. Colin didn’t fancy that concept at all.

“I hope so. It feels right. Anyway, the sitting room already has bookshelves. It just needs more books. I could browse the used shops in Seattle, and pick up a few board games while I’m at it.”

“That sounds like fun.” He had a sudden, appealing image of strolling around musty old bookstores with Luna and stealing a kiss in a narrow and secluded aisle. “Maybe we could do that before I leave.”

“And when are you leaving? I don’t remember a time being set.”

He sighed. “I won’t be here long, I’m afraid. A week is all I’ve allowed myself. My father’s health isn’t great, and my brother Duncan is something of a loose cannon.”

“Then we need to prioritize.”

He knew what would rise to the top of his priority list, but he didn’t say that. Later.

She surveyed the shelves in Henry’s office. “These books all belong to y’all now. I suppose it would make sense to sell some of the more valuable ones instead of just letting them sit here.” She didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic about it.

“I’d rather not sell any.”

Her smile was warm with approval. “I’m glad. These books have become special to me. I look up from my desk and there they are, lined up in colorful rows, waiting for me to choose one. I’d hate to see any of them leave. And old books smell so good!”

“Yes, they do.” He’d never met anyone who’d mentioned that, but it was one of his favorite scents. From now on he’d also associate it with Luna. “I used to spend hours in here. Henry let me read anything, even if it was a first edition worth a great deal of money.”

“Geraldine said he was generous.” She laughed. “Well, obviously he was if he built her a castle.”

“But I’ve always wondered why he made it so big, with so many bedrooms.”

Luna cocked her head. “She never told you?”

“No, and I didn’t think to ask until now, when it’s too late.”

“Well, she told me, one night during happy hour down on the beach. I suppose I can say, now that she’s gone.”

Colin found himself feeling jealous of the closeness Luna had enjoyed with Geraldine, but he could have had that, too, if he’d made more of an effort. “You don’t have to if you’d rather not.”

“I don’t think she’d mind. But first of all I have to ask, were Henry and Geraldine considered truly mated?”

“I’m certain of it.” Colin had fond memories of watching them hold hands and steal an occasional kiss when they thought he wasn’t paying attention.

“Then I don’t understand, because they tried and tried to have children and couldn’t. Why not?”

“Being truly mated doesn’t guarantee pregnancy. It only means you can’t have a pregnancy unless that condition is met.” He thought about all the bedrooms in Whittier House. “I can’t believe they planned to have enough children to fill the place.”

“No, but they wanted a bunch. They added the extra space so that any who chose to stay on the island could do so, even after they mated. I think Henry and Geraldine secretly wanted to start their own pack.”

“So they wanted children, after all.” Colin had convinced himself that children hadn’t been important to Geraldine, but now he could see why his visits had meant so much to her. “I’ve been a sorry excuse for a nephew, that’s for bloody sure.”

Luna rested her hand lightly on his arm. “Don’t blame yourself. She wouldn’t want that.”

Her touch, even though it was muted by the sleeve of his dress shirt, jolted him out of his guilty reverie and tossed him right back into a hot cauldron of lust. He looked into her eyes, and he must have transmitted every bit of that surge of lust with one glance, because she jerked her hand away as if she’d laid it on a hot stove. Yet she held his gaze.

“Do I scare you?” he asked.

“Some.”

“I don’t mean to.”

“I know. It’s me. I hadn’t spent much time alone with a male Were until you arrived.”

“Are you ready to call it a night?” He fought the strong urge to reach out and stroke her cheek as he would a frightened child, except she was not a child, and once he started touching her, he wasn’t sure how easily he’d be able to stop. He clenched both hands into fists and wondered if he should make a move. Probably not.

She moistened her lips. “So y’all don’t want to go over my income projections?”

That Southern drawl of hers just might be his undoing. It slid over him like warm honey, and he longed to hear how sweet and seductive that voice would become once he’d introduced her to the wonders of mutual satisfaction. His groin tightened, warning him that there were limits to his self-control.

“Let’s do that tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Her eyes searched his, as if uncertain how the dance should go. “Then I’ll say goodnight.” She turned toward the door.

He didn’t want her to go, but he didn’t have any reason to ask her to stay that didn’t involve stripping naked. He didn’t think she was ready for that. Of course, he couldn’t be sure what she was ready for, because he hadn’t dealt with a virgin in years, and he was out of practice.

Then he had an inspiration. “I’m going to set up my telescope on the roof. Do you like stargazing?” After he said it, he groaned inwardly. What an obvious ploy to get a woman alone in the dark.

She turned back to him, her face alight. “I’ve never tried it, but sure. Geraldine told me how much you used to enjoy it.”

“Then let’s do that.” At first he was astonished that she didn’t laugh at his clumsy attempt to coax her into an area that contained a bed. Then he realized that she wasn’t sophisticated enough to laugh at what would have been obvious to any other female Were but was not obvious to her.

“I’ll go change into jeans and a sweatshirt and come to your room. See you soon.” She hurried out of the library and headed toward the back stairs that were a shortcut to the corridor where she currently had a room.

Colin followed her out and walked toward the entry hall and the main staircase leading to his wing. As he climbed the stairs, he told himself not to expect the stargazing plan to pave the way for sex. It might, though, and if it did, he’d make sure the experience was all it should be.

After years of celibacy, Luna deserved excellence, and providing that was his responsibility. He felt the weight of it crushing some of his anticipation. Then again, as a virgin, she’d have no basis of comparison. She wouldn’t know if he was great, adequate, or dismal.

The weight lifted and his anticipation returned. He took the rest of the stairs two at a time.