Free A Werewolf to Call Her Own (Mystic Isle, Book 2) by Selena Blake

blossoming in front of his eyes.
    Well, if she could battle her demons, so could he. He took a deep breath, jumped off the platform and sailed down the mountain after her.
     
    Ceara clutched the straps and stared hard at the rapidly approaching platform. Four lights beckoned her with a warm yellow glow. Wind whistled in her ears and a breeze whipped her hair around her, temporarily blinding her. Soaring through the trees, sweeping beneath the stars… it was a dream come true. Another item to check off her bucket list. She felt free and exhilarated.
    Two hulking men wearing the trademark Mystic Isle polo shirts stood at the edge of the platform, hands out, ready to catch her. But that didn’t stop her heart from bouncing around in her chest. Now was not the time to land flat on her butt and ruin her “ I’m a confident, fun woman ” exterior. She could do this.
    What had the other guy said? Bend your knees. Right.
    She fought the urge to close her eyes as she barreled down the last few meters. A little “eep” escaped her lips as her feet hit the deck. Thank goodness for good athletic shoes. Running to stay upright, she felt two pairs of hands holding her steady.
    Blood rushed through her veins and adrenaline took over. She yelled out her delight to anyone who was listening.
    “ S’en donner à coeur joie . That was fun!”
    The men laughed.
    The distinct whir of someone coming down the line drew her attention. Maxim coasted in, broad naked chest and all. She couldn’t drag her gaze away.
    He made landing look easy and graceful.
    “Have fun?” she asked, noticing his grin.
    “Yes.” He started taking off his harness, a determined gleam in his eyes. Men had a one-track mind. Not that she wasn’t interested… she might be young and inexperienced, but she wasn’t stupid. Men like Maxim didn’t come around often. And the sex… well…
    They handed in their harnesses at the same time. He reached for her immediately, cupping her elbow and ushering her toward the stairs. After the activities of the last few days, her more tender bits needed some rest. She couldn’t tell him that, though.
    “So I was thinking… want to watch a movie with me?”
    Snuggling up to a sinfully handsome man, eating popcorn and watching a flick was on her list.
    “I don’t know about the popcorn part… but I wouldn’t mind eating something…” he murmured against her temple.
     
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Ceara stood on the balcony, gazing out at the water. It was their last night together. She wasn’t going to beg him to take her with him. She wasn’t.
    She shivered as a breeze raced over her skin. Or maybe it was her conscience, telling her what a fool she was. While she agreed that Maxim was as perfect as any man she could imagine, she also knew that a half dozen orgasms, a few excursions, and a day snuggled next to him on the couch watching old movies did not a relationship make.
    She would just have to continue knocking “to do” items off of her list without him. He’d opened her eyes to the possibilities. Made her realize she could have all the things her heart desired.
    Everything but one.
    “You are so beautiful.”
    She hadn’t heard him approach, but his heat quickly wrapped around her and his arms followed, crossing over her chest in a tight embrace.
    “Thank you.”
    “Come inside with me.”
    The hard length of his erection was undeniable.
    She laughed softly. “Why do you rent the penthouse if you don’t like heights?”
    He sucked in a breath and his body went rigid.
    “There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m afraid of pretty much everything. And --” She took a deep breath. “I can’t swim.”
    He groaned and pressed his cheek against hers. She’d be willing to bet his eyes were closed, blocking out the incredible view and the tremendous drop off. Of all the things she feared, this balcony was not one of them. She trusted the guard rail.
    “So… penthouse. Heights?” she prodded.
    “It has the