Chapter 4 Moonlust Strikes #2
“Righto. I’ll start the dusting now.” Nyree collected the basket of cleaning materials from the storage cupboard and set to work. A tingling awareness of the moon prickled in her chest. It was full in three nights. Tonight, she’d sneak out and fly.
Given her frustration, she’d need to use her vibrator too. Weird. Typically, her almost daily flights would nullify the edginess of moonlust.
Oh, well. At least Nyree didn’t have a roomie to ask inconvenient questions.
As she pulled out a duster and carefully stepped into an exhibition of polar explorer memorabilia, her mind slid to her mother’s email.
What the devil was Ari playing at involving her mother to get her to return to him?
Toward the end, everything she’d done had upset him, so why would he want her back?
Control? More of her money? Nyree snorted in disgust. Both probably.
A reconciliation. She shook her head. Not happening. He’d never change, no matter his promises to the contrary.
Disgusted with the man all over again, Nyree shoved him from her mind and focused on the exhibition.
A job here allowed her to get close to history, and she loved the novel way of learning.
She studied a framed copy of Ernest Shackleton’s bold, handwritten signature, the pair of woolen mittens, and the gabardine jacket that he or his expedition members had worn with a sense of awe.
At eleven, she stored her cleaning basket and prepared for the deluge of visitors.
It was fun greeting the cruise ship passengers.
Most were older since it was expensive to get to South Georgia and Antarctica.
Soon men and women, most dressed in matching cruise ship-issued orange jackets, descended on her shop.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” a woman and one of her first customers asked. “My son is around your age.”
“No boyfriend at the moment,” Nyree said with a smile. “I’m too busy to look.”
“You must get lonely here,” another woman commented as she handed over a pile of postcards and a T-shirt to purchase.
“Not really.” Nyree maintained her smile as she rang up the items. “We have a community of scientists, along with my coworkers. I do lots of walking and take photos, and this week, we’re busy with ship visits.”
The woman shuddered. “As much as this place is beautiful and interesting, I’d hate to live here for months on end without seeing friends, having a latte, or going to the local mall.”
“I don’t miss shopping, and it’s an opportunity to save my wages.”
The woman shook her head in clear doubt and gave way to the next customer. Nyree spent ten minutes running around after the elderly couple since they wanted to send postcards to their grandchildren and buy gifts for their children.
“We’re on a retirement trip. I’ve always wanted to visit since my grandfather worked here at the whaling station,” the thin and spare husband said.
His plump wife tsked. “We prefer seeing the whales swimming around in the ocean, but those were different times.”
By the time the cruise ship left, the shelves bore empty spaces, and Nyree spent an hour refreshing the stock.
Carolyn appeared and came to a rapid halt in the doorway. “I was coming to help, but you’ve finished.”
“Shouldn’t I have restocked?” Nyree asked.
“Yes. No. I mean, you did the right thing. None of my previous helpers used their initiative. That’s why I’m here. To issue orders and make certain we’re ready for the next cruise ship. Great job. Is there anything else you need from the stockroom?”
“No, I made myself a list and have everything. I just need to fold these T-shirts to finish.”
Carolyn beamed. “You’ve done well. I can’t see a thing out of place. Thank you!”
“You don’t have to thank me. I enjoy keeping busy, and besides, isn’t this what you’re paying me for?”
A laugh escaped Carolyn. “Some summer assistants haven’t been as studious and do as little as they can.”
“Oh. My mother taught my sister and me to pull our weight.”
“You’re a treasure. As soon as you finish here, why don’t you go for a walk?”
“I’d like that. I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy taking wildlife photos and getting out for walks.” Nyree checked the time. “I might do a longer hike. I’ll pop in at your place at six to let you know I’m safely home.”
“Perfect,” Carolyn said. “Honestly, you’ve saved us so much work. It used to take me hours to restock, even with help. Enjoy your walk.”
“I will.” Nyree strode from the shop that doubled as the post office.
Today was perfect for a flight. She’d hike over the hill and soar over the island interior, far from prying eyes. For some reason, the discomfort in her belly was worse than usual, and a flight in her dragon form would go a long way to settling her taniwha moonlust.
Nyree pushed open the door to her accommodation and almost buckled at the knees.
The intense wave of lust had her groaning, her nipples prickling to hard points.
Hurriedly, she shut the door and breathed carefully through her mouth.
The scent here differed from when she’d left.
It smelled earthy and green, and it was the most enticing fragrance she’d inhaled for a long time.
She gulped, aghast at the dampness between her thighs, the sheer need throbbing through her sex. This was weird. She had to get out of here and shift before she did something dumb, like agree to join a scientist for a weekend of research.
Nyree forced her legs to move to her bedroom, where she changed into hiking clothes.
She packed her jacket, her water bottle, and snack bars she’d brought from home.
Flying always made her ravenous since her taniwha used lots of energy.
She drew in more air. A mistake. Whatever the scent was, it was addictive, and she shuddered, her clothing cumbersome against her sensitized skin.
Hurriedly, she laced her hiking boots and stood. For an instant, she considered grabbing her vibrator and fixing the problem. No, a flight always worked best.
As soon as she entered the main lounge area, the scent jumped her again, and another groan squeezed past her clamped lips.
She hesitated, buffeted by the strength of her need, and the intoxicating scent wafting from somewhere in her lounge.
Part of her wanted to investigate while a saner part of her decided to flee.
Once she was outside, it took three deep inhalations to clear the sensual fog from her brain.
Weird, since she’d never experienced the pull of the moon this badly.
She set off with long strides, trotting up the rocky incline and passing the church.
Ten minutes later, she was alone and more clear-headed.
She kept walking, following the stream until she reached a sheltered spot she’d used in the past. Here, she removed her footwear and stripped.
She tucked her clothes away in her daypack and stowed them.
Her shift was faster than expected and painful.
Yet another groan spilled free before her transformation completed.
She stood, slightly dazed before her wits returned.
She’d never heard of another taniwha displaying the symptoms assailing her today.
In theory, she should keep things together because of her regular flights.
With a shrug, she studied the rolling lichen-covered hills and the mountain peaks beyond before she took to the air.
Nyree pushed herself hard, flying faster and farther than usual. The more exhausted she was after her flight, the better the results.
The crisp mountain air cleared her mind, and she enjoyed swooping over the mountain tops and exploring the hidden valleys. This high up, snow clung to the rocks. It was strange seeing no grass or trees, but the pristine environment and the privacy made up for the lack of greenery.
Once she returned to her bag, she dressed and took her time walking back to the township.
She pulled out her camera and indulged herself in taking photos.
Mainly she aimed her camera at the strutting penguins and the big-eyed seals, but she also took shots of the old rusted whaling equipment, the church, and the cemetery, which glistened in the late afternoon sun.
Just before six, she knocked on Carolyn’s and Keith’s door to let them know she’d safely returned.
“Stay for dinner,” Carolyn said.
“Thanks, but I’m tired. I’m dreaming of a shower and an early night. I want to get up early and take photos of the sunrise.”
“Better you than me,” Keith said with a dry smile. “I stay in bed in the mornings for as long as possible.”
“That’s true,” Carolyn agreed. “Wait for a few minutes, Nyree. I’ll fix you a plate to take home with you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Nyree said.
“Let her fuss over you,” Keith said. “Carolyn told me how well you fit in and how much work you’re saving her. We appreciate your willingness to turn your hand to any job we throw your way.”
“It’s nothing,” Nyree protested.
“Smell the pasta,” Keith said. “My Carolyn does a great creamy pasta sauce. You can’t tell us you’re trying to diet because you’re always away with that camera of yours and walking for hours.”
Nyree shrugged. “I enjoy the peace here. The stark beauty and the penguins’ and seals’ antics amuse me. The albatross and the brown skua. Everything is new to me—magnificent and awe-inspiring.”
Carolyn handed her a covered plate. “We appreciate your work ethic and the way you deal with our visitors. You don’t flirt with the scientists or create friction. Believe me, you have no clue of the trouble one coquettish woman can create.” Carolyn shooed her outside. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Nyree waved and walked back to her accommodation. She passed a seal who tried to intimidate her with a direct charge. Nyree stood her ground, and the animal backed off, conceding. Keith had mentioned the seals became more aggressive during the breeding season.
She grinned. Little did these seals know.
She was a bigger badass than them, and her taniwha would happily eat them for a snack.
Her smile faded. She should’ve stood up for herself with Ari.
No, Manu had told her she’d done the right thing protecting their secret.
He and Hone had investigated Ari, and they’d agreed he’d be a problem if he’d discovered the existence of the taniwha race. Not that this dampened her regrets.
She should’ve handled Ari differently.
With a sigh, she pushed open her door. The earthy scent of lust had her gripping the door with her free hand.
What? How?
Nyree set the plate on the counter, and holding her breath, rushed to shove open the windows. One. Two. Three windows pushed wide to circulate fresh air.
She pivoted, ready to flee outside to rid her lungs of the seductive scent when a loud crash stopped her in her tracks. Her gaze darted toward the source of the sound, and her mouth dropped open. She blinked and refocused.
“What the hell?” she muttered.