Dark of the Moon by Rachel Hawthorne Page B

toweling off and spotted bruises forming on my thigh and upper arm. In frustration I hit my balled fist on the counter. Any self-respecting Shifter would shift and heal those suckers right up. My solution was going to be carefully selecting clothes that didn’t show too much skin.
    That’s so not going to get Connor’s attention.
    I couldn’t believe that in less than an hour, after his ridiculous test, I caught myself looking forward to seeing him again. I couldn’t deny that wrestling him had been atotal turn-on—even if the reason for it had sucked.
    After our close encounter on the wrestling mat, I knew I’d finally caught his undivided attention and that result was more invigorating than being given a position of authority. He’d scented the pheromones my body had been releasing with his nearness. I wondered what might have happened if we hadn’t had an audience in the dungeon. Would he have dipped his head farther for a kiss? Would he have objected if I’d slipped my hands beneath his shirt and caressed the firm muscles of his back? Would he have pressed—
    A hard thud on the bathroom door made my heart leap into my throat.
    “Hey, Brittany, can I come in?” Lindsey asked.
    When did she get back to the room? And couldn’t she have waited until I was finished with my fantasy to disturb me? “I’m not dressed,” I ground out.
    “So wrap up in a towel. I need to get ready for Rafe.”
    “Give me a minute.” I didn’t bother to hide my irritation. And I couldn’t afford to take time to see where my fantasy might have led. Maybe tonight before I went to sleep. I gave my body a quick once-over and didn’t see any other bruising.
    I wrapped a towel around my torso, but the bruise on my thigh peeked out like a naughty kid I’d once babysat. Great. Maybe Kayla wouldn’t notice. Lindsey knew the truth, so my injuries wouldn’t come as a surprise to her. I grabbed another towel and walked out rubbing it over my arm like I was drying it for the first time—hoping to keep the bruise hidden.
    “Thanks,” Lindsey said as she scooted past me and closed the door.
    Kayla was zipping up a short jean skirt when I tossed the towel on the bed and started scrounging through my backpack. My bruised arm was hidden from her view. I dug out a pair of jeans. As for the shirt—
    “Is that a bruise?” Kayla asked.
    Looking down at my thigh, I feigned surprise. “Huh. Looks like.”
    “So shift and heal it.” She pulled a lacy green top over her head. “That’s one of the coolest things about being a Shifter. How easily we heal.”
    She grabbed a brush and started dragging it through her vibrant red hair.
    “I’ll take care of it after you guys leave.” But not in the way she thought.
    She stilled the brush. “I’ll close my eyes if you’re modest about shifting in front of me.”
    “Thanks, but I’ll deal with it.”
    “I understand,” she said quietly.
    I doubt it. “Understand what?”
    “It’s a personal experience. The first time I shifted in front of someone other than Lucas, I was so nervous I wasn’t certain I could pull it off. I can’t imagine what it must have been like growing up knowing you’d have this amazing ability. I don’t know that I would have had the patience to wait.”
    “It’s not like we have a choice.”
    “True.” She put her brush aside, headed for the door, and stopped. “Sure you don’t want me to wait for you?”
    “I’m sure. Besides, you and Lucas can probably get in a hundred kisses before I’m finished getting ready.”
    “Or one long, slow one. My personal favorite.” Opening the door, she smiled brightly. “Hey!”
    “Hey,” Lucas said, his voice reflecting how glad he was to see her.
    She closed the door. How great it would be to have a guy waiting for me in the hallway. But only if that guy was Connor.
    I dressed quickly, before Lindsey came out of the bathroom. I didn’t need more advice on how to handle my bruises, and I figured her solution