Tropical Panther's Penance (Shifting Sands Resort Book 6) Read online

  Then he remembered his plan and stepped forward when he should have gone back, colliding knees with Lydia.

  “Dammit,” he growled, and instead of trying to pick the step back up, he stopped.

  “You were doing great,” Lydia laughed kindly, trying to gently pull him back into the dance.

  He resisted her, but kept her hands in his. “Lydia,” he said seriously.

  She stopped tugging on him and stilled her feet. “What is it?”

  “I’m probably not going to do this one right either,” he warned her. “But I gotta try.”

  Se furrowed her brow at him. “Do what?”

  Wrench swallowed and slowly lowered to one knee. “Lydia, will you marry me?” He’d tried writing a speech, had scoured the internet for the best poetry, and even asked Breck for advice. (Breck’s advice had largely been to not get married, never to find a mate, and had involved the word doom prominently.) But in the end, he’d decided to stick with the one line, not sure he’d be able to memorize the fancy stuff or deliver it right.

  “I’d really like it,” he added impulsively, remembering how she’d said she didn’t want to be an obligation.

  She stared at him, eyes wide and full of happy, unshed tears, and nodded without speaking.

  “Shit,” Wrench said, letting go of her hands and digging into his pocket. “The ring. I got a ring this time.”

  The velvety black box was tiny in his big hands, but the simple gold ring on Lydia’s finger, when she didn’t protest, was an exact fit.

  She fell forward, wrapping arms around his neck and he lifted her as he stood. “That was perfect,” she said, voice full of emotion. “Yes, yes I’ll marry you.”

  Wrench didn’t realize he was holding his breath until he released it, holding Lydia tight to him as he set her back down on her feet.

  Applause made him aware that they were the focus of most of the room. Renna gave him a thumbs up from where she sat with Ally falling asleep on her shoulder. Breck dramatically shook his head but was grinning like a sap. Tex whispered something to Laura that made her turn and kiss him soundly. Even Scarlet was smiling.

  Travis caught his eye and pointed at something above their heads.

  Wrench glanced up. They were standing under mistletoe.

  It was as good an excuse as any.

  He pulled Lydia into his arms and kissed her soundly.

  Her mouth opened under his, eager and hungry. Her body pressed against him, and her bare back felt like silk under his rough thumbs.

  Her hands in his short hair felt like fire, and her fingernails scratched lightly down his jaw as she continued to kiss him, desperate and possessive.

  When someone shouted, “Get a room!” Wrench could not have agreed more.

  He released Lydia’s mouth and took her by the hand. “Best advice I’ve gotten yet,” he said wryly.

  She smiled at him, hair tousled and lipstick smudged. “Let’s take it,” she agreed.

  They left in a chorus of Christmas wishes and congratulations, but only made it as far as the gazebo in the garden, where darkness gave them privacy they desired.

  Lydia unbuttoned Wrench’s shirt only slightly more carefully than she had the first time, he shrugged out of the jacket and pulled the shirt over his head when the last few buttons wouldn’t cooperate with her trembling fingers. Wrench unzipped her dress and let his hands travel down her sides and up around from behind to cup the breasts overflowing her lacy bra as he kissed the back of her neck.

  She moaned in growing need as he pulled close against him, pressing his own expression of need against her. She turned in his arms and finished shimmying out of her dress while she unbuttoned his pants and worked at releasing him.

  There was a brief moment when they were both removing the last parts of their clothing where they stood and simply looked at each other. Lydia was pale in the faint light, a healthy goddess with blessings at every curve and promises at each tantalizing hidden place.

  Then Wrench could not keep from touching her, and she met him halfway, arms rising to stroke his shoulders as he lifted her against the center post and claimed her with his entry. She was wet and ready and as eager as her mouth had been, lifting her legs to wrap around him and take him deeper with each thrust, until they were both in a frenzy of pleasure and desire and couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.

  And it was all beautiful and good.

  A note from Zoe Chant

  Thank you so much for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it and would love to know what you thought – you can leave a review at Amazon (I read every one, and they help other readers find me, too!) or email me at [email protected]. You can let me know who you'd like to see find their mate next, or if you have a favorite shifter type you'd like to see more of.

  If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You are also invited to join my VIP Readers Group on Facebook!

  Page down to read a special sneak preview of Tropical Christmas Stag, book 7 of Shifting Sands Resort.

  The cover of Tropical Panther’s Penance was designed by Ellen Million.

  More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant

  Tropical Tiger Spy. (Shifting Sands Resort # 1). A unique shifter in search of her past + a tiger shifter spy on an undercover mission + a shifters-only resort with secrets to hide = a dangerous and thrilling romantic adventure!

  Dancing Bearfoot. A single dad from the city + his daughter's curvy teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.

  Firefighter Dragon. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 1). A curvy archaeologist with the find of a lifetime + a firefighter dragon shifter battling his instincts + a priceless artifact coveted by a ruthless rival = one blazing hot adventure!

  Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A curvy witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!

  Bearista. (Bodyguard Shifters # 1). A tough bear shifter bodyguard undercover in a coffee shop + a curvy barista with an adorable 5-year-old + a deadly shifter assassin = a scorching thrill ride of a romance!

  The Christmas Dragon’s Mate. (Christmas Valley Shifters #1). A lonely bookkeeper in search of Christmas + a mysterious dragon shifter with a past full of pain + a beautiful snow castle hiding a ruthless enemy = one glittering Christmas romance!

  Mated to the Storm Dragon. (Elemental Mates #1). A curvy artist down on her luck + a dragon shifter running out of time + a powerful enemy with an ancient grudge = a romance as hot as dragon fire!

  Royal Guard Lion. (Shifter Kingdom #1). A curvy American shocked to learn that she's a lost princess + a warrior lion shifter sworn to protect her + a hidden shifter kingdom in desperate need of a leader = a sizzling romance fit for a queen!

  Zoe on Audio

  Dancing Bearfoot – Audiobook - A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.

  Kodiak Moment – Audiobook - A workaholic wildlife photographer + a loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.

  Hero Bear - Audiobook - A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!

  If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love…

  Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines # 1), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con artist Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. Together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.

  Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.

  Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents # 1), by Lauren Esker. A bear-
shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them? A full-length novel.

  Keeping Her Pride (Ladies of the Pack # 1), by Lauren Esker. Down-and-out lioness shifter Debi Fallon never meant to fall in love with a human. Sexy architect and single dad Fletcher Briggs has his hands full with his adorable 4-year-old… who turns into a tiny, deadly snake. Can two ambitious people overcome their pride and prejudice enough to realize the only thing missing from their lives is each other?

  Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.

  The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.

  The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie. A full-length novel.

  Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life. A novelette.

  Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.

  The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together. A novelette.

  Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter. A novelette.

  Start the series with savings!

  Escape to Adventure and Romance at Shifting Sands Resort

  Shifting Sands Resort is a (clothing optional!) luxury resort for shifters only. Come to find love and tasty treats of all kinds—but prepare for heart-pounding adventure and layers of puzzling secrets. Warm up to the eclectic staff and get to know some of the resort regulars as tough shifters meet their fated mates.

  Combining sizzling romance with laugh-out-loud humor and plenty of mystery, the Shifting Sands Resort series is a must-read for fans of T. S. Joyce, Terry Bolryder, and Lisa Ladew.

  Now you can save 30% on the first three books with this convenient box set. Relax on the sands with a tropical drink and a taste of adventure. Includes Tropical Tiger Spy, Tropical Wounded Wolf, and Tropical Bartender Bear. No cliffhangers!

  Buy now on Amazon

  Special Sneak Preview: Tropical Christmas Stag

  Shifting Sands Resort, Book 7

  Gizelle paused in the doorway, peering around the doorjam.

  Scarlet was angry.

  Scarlet was often angry when she got the thick envelopes from the lawyer who didn’t live on the island.

  Everyone else avoided Scarlet as much as they could when those envelopes came in the mail, going about their day-to-day jobs at the resort.

  But Gizelle actually liked it when Scarlet was angry. The prickly feeling made her feel safe, like Scarlet’s energy was a shield that kept other bad things away.

  The red-haired woman looked up when Gizelle padded into her office, and she pushed the paperwork away to force a smile.

  “Gizelle,” Scarlet said, carefully gentle.

  Everyone was carefully gentle with Gizelle.

  Gizelle trailed around the room, touching the potted plants and the spines of the old books.

  “My head was quiet this morning,” she said, coming to stand beside Scarlet and look down at the paperwork spread out in front of her. “Can we read that?”

  “This isn’t very interesting,” Scarlet lied with a dry, humorless chuckle. She put it into a pile, tapping it briskly into order. “Let’s read another chapter of The Secret Garden and practice some of your letters.”

  Gizelle fidgeted as Scarlet put the papers back in their dread-steeped envelope and stood up. “Ally says she learned to read as a little kid,” she said dejectedly.

  “Most people do,” Scarlet said. She gave Gizelle a searching look. “You don’t have to feel bad, though. I didn’t learn to read until I was grown up, either.”

  Gizelle felt brighter. “You didn’t?”

  Scarlet shook her vivid head.

  “Who taught you?” Gizelle asked.

  “A dear friend,” Scarlet said softly. “A dear friend who knew that reading would give me what I needed to understand people”

  “I’d like to understand people,” Gizelle said wistfully.

  They walked together out to the open lawn behind Scarlet’s room and settled into the grass to read. Other people seemed to prefer chairs, but Scarlet liked to sit on the ground like Gizelle did. Gizelle tucked her skirt neatly under her knees, imitating Scarlet’s pose.

  “Did you grow up in a zoo, too?”

  Gizelle didn’t remember the zoo she’d been rescued from, but she had heard enough stories to piece together where people thought she came from. A bad man had collected shifters in a prison where he did awful things to them.

  No one would tell her what the awful things were.

  Scarlet, opening the book in her lap, gave Gizelle an amused look under her eyelashes. Scarlet never talked about her life, not to anyone, not just not to Gizelle, which made Gizelle feel less odd.

  Scarlet’s reading voice was low and calm, and there were pictures that Gizelle could look at over her shoulder. When the chapter ended, too soon, the world came back.

  “Can’t I learn to read without learning to write?” Gizelle asked, frowning over the disappointing mess she made copying Scarlet’s tidy handwriting.

  “It has to do with how you learn,” Scarlet assured her. “How everyone learns. When you make your hands do it, it gets into your brain better.”

  “Why doesn’t it look like it does in a book?” Gizelle chewed on her lip, trying to make herself finish out the page, but the letters slithered away from how she wanted them to look, and she couldn’t concentrate over the sound of feathers crowding her head.

  “Scarlet?” She pushed away the noise.

  “Yes, dear?” Scarlet was thinking about the lawyer’s letter again. Gizelle could tell because of the prickles around her.

  “Do you think I could ever have a mate?”

  That earned her all of Scarlet’s attention, prickles changing to little rays of surprise. “A mate?”

  Gizelle picked at the edge of her paper. “Jenny and Laura and Bastian and Wrench all have mates. And Neal.” She missed Neal. Her gazelle missed Neal.

  “Do you want a mate?” Scarlet asked pointedly.

  “Don’t you?” Gizelle countered.

  Scarlet was silent with surprise, as if no one had ever asked her that before.

  “They seem really happy,” Gizelle said wistfully. “Like something they didn’t know was missing was found. I’ve got a lot of missing parts, would a mate fix them?”

  “I don’t know if a mate could bring your memories back,” Scarlet said frankly, but slowly, like she was thinking carefully about her answer. “And I don’t know if you’d want them to. And there are… other parts to being mated.”

  “Sex,” Gizelle said impatiently. “I know about that.”

  “What do you know about it?” Scarlet asked suspiciously.

  “I’ve seen the pictures in the magazines at The Den,” Gizelle said defensively, referring to the staff house where most of the bachelors lived. A few of them had mates that lived there now, and the magazines had gotten more scarce. “And
Breck told me all about it.”

  Scarlet made a funny face. “Breck?”

  “He’s an authority on the subject,” Gizelle said confidently, repeating what the leopard shifter waiter had told her. “And he wanted to make sure that I could make up my own mind about it when I was ready. So I wouldn’t be surprised or let someone take advantage of me.”

  “That’s... wise,” Scarlet conceded. She didn’t sound particularly happy about it, though.

  “I’m not a child,” Gizelle insisted.

  “I know,” Scarlet said, almost mournfully.

  That reminded Gizelle of something else. “Travis said he was decorating for Christmas today, but he didn’t have time to explain it to me. And Ally keeps talking about it, but she doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Christmas? Christmas doesn’t have to make sense,” Scarlet said warmly, following Gizelle’s change of topic without hesitation. “Christmas is a holiday we celebrate near the end of the year. People give each other presents, and there is singing, and Chef will make special food.”

  That sounded nice. “What kind of food?” Gizelle asked. “What are presents? Will Saina sing?”

  Scarlet grinned at her, all warm and fuzzy with memories. “I had forgotten that this would be your first Christmas. You’ll get to try figgy pudding and sugar cookies.”

  Figgy pudding sounded questionable, but Gizelle knew she liked cookies and sugar.

  Scarlet continued, “Presents are special gifts that friends and family give each other. Usually little things, like books or clothing or candy. They get wrapped in special paper and tied with bows and we all open them together on Christmas Day.”