Wild About You

deserves to be.”

Shanna heaved a sigh. “It’s so tempting. Believe me, I really want you to do it. I just haven’t convinced—” Her eyes widened. “I hear a car coming.”

She must have awfully good hearing, for Elsa didn’t hear anything.

Shanna smiled at her. “Howard’s coming. He doesn’t know you’re here, so he’s going to be totally taken by surprise. He’s a huge fan!” She dropped her flashlight in the basket by the door and hurried outside.

Alastair sidled up close to Elsa. “Are you getting strange vibes?”

She snorted. “Tell me about it.” She’d been getting them since they’d entered the forest.

“Something odd about the owner,” Alastair whispered. “But I really want to do this house. If the rep seems like a decent chap, I say we go for it.”

Elsa nodded. “I agree.” The house was very tempting, but the strange vibes were tempting, too. It was as if she’d caught a glimpse of a puzzle she was anxious to solve.

She finally heard the sound of a car engine. “Let’s go.” She returned her flashlight to the basket and peered outside.

Alastair turned his flashlight off and joined Elsa by the front door.

“Howard!” Shanna called out. “Thank you for coming.”

“Is there a problem?” a masculine voice responded. “Toni told me to come here right away.”

Elsa swallowed hard. Whoever this Howard was, he had a sexy voice. Deep and powerful enough to make her insides quiver. She inched out onto the dark porch.

Shanna ran forward to meet the newcomer, who had parked an SUV down the driveway in a dark area beneath the trees. “We’re thinking of renovating this house. You won’t believe who’s here!”

Howard emerged from the shadows, partially lit by a floodlight.

Elsa gasped.

“Blimey,” Alastair whispered. “He’s bloody huge.”

Elsa pressed a hand to her chest as her heart thundered. He was tall, taller than her. And big, bigger than her. Solid as a boulder, yet he moved with a stealthy, fluid grace. She eased forward, waiting for him to enter fully into the light. Any second now.

There.

Her heart lurched up her throat. He was gorgeous. Strong, masculine face, beautiful blue eyes, and thick brown hair. His black T-shirt molded to a wide, muscular chest, and the sleeves stretched across biceps that made her mouth water.

Her skin tingled with goose bumps. Was this what she had anticipated ever since she’d entered the forest? Somehow, she had known something was waiting for her just around the bend. Something big.

He was definitely big. And having a big effect on her. She felt breathless, weak at the knees, and dazed, as if she were in a dream.

He halted suddenly at something Shanna had whispered to him. “What?”

“It’s true,” Shanna said. “She’s here.”

His eyes widened as he turned to stare at the house. His gaze found her on the dark porch, and his mouth fell open. Her heart leaped in response.

He closed his eyes, and his chest expanded as he took a deep breath. Was he trying to smell her? When his eyes opened, they gleamed a richer blue. He looked at her, and his gorgeous mouth curled slowly into a smile.

Alastair snorted. “I don’t think he’ll mind working with you.”

She’d certainly like to work with him. She ventured out of the shadow and into the light.

Howard sprinted toward her, then skidded to a halt in the gravel in front of the porch. He gazed at her, an amazed expression on his face.

“Elsa,” he whispered.

His voice went through her like a delicious shiver. “Hi,” she breathed.

He continued to stare at her. “Hi.”

“How do you do?” Alastair stepped forward, extending a hand. “I’m Alastair Whitfield.”

“Howard Barr.” He glanced at Alastair, then focused once again on Elsa, forgetting to shake hands. “It’s really you.”

“Yes.” She licked her lips, suddenly as nervous as a schoolgirl.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, then back to her eyes. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”

Her heart melted.

“Too bad we don’t have a camera rolling,” Alastair muttered.

“I knew it,” Shanna whispered, her eyes glistening with tears.

“So do we have a deal?” Alastair asked. “We can renovate this house?”

“Perhaps,” Shanna answered. “If I can convince my husband. And if Howard will agree to oversee the project—”

“I will,” he said, never taking his eyes off Elsa. He stretched a hand toward her. “I’m very happy to meet you.”

Her heart fluttered. “Howard.” She placed her hand in his.

An instant frisson of electricity shot up her arm. She gasped and stepped back, stumbling on the porch steps. Howard grabbed her by the upper arms to steady her.

She cried out as a flame of heat seared the birthmark on her right shoulder.

“Are you all right?” Howard leaned close to her, his eyes worried.

She scrambled out of his reach, grasping her shoulder. The heat from her birthmark scorched her left hand, forcing her to let go. “Agh.” Her palm was red. Burned.

Oh God, no. She curled her injured hand into a fist. It couldn’t be real. Her aunt had always warned her this could happen, but she’d never believed it.

She glanced at Howard, who was watching her with a confused look. Oh God, no! Not him.

He’d activated the curse.

Chapter Six

What the hell had happened? He could have sworn she liked him, but now she was recoiling in horror.

“Elsa?” Howard reached out to her, and she jumped back.

Her handbag slipped off her shoulder and she grabbed it, wincing as if in pain.

“Are you hurt?” He could still feel the heat stinging his left hand from when he’d touched her.

“I . . . excuse me.” She gave Shanna and Alastair an apologetic look. “I need to make a personal call.” She rushed down the steps, giving Howard a wide berth, then dashed to her car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

Alastair plastered a wide grin on his face. “The poor girl is exhausted. We started the day in London, don’t you know. It’s been a dreadfully long day.”

Shanna nodded with a sympathetic smile, then glanced toward the car. “I hope she’ll be all right.”

Howard eased a little closer to the car. With his superior senses, he might be able to hear her phone conversation. It was wrong to invade her privacy, but dammit, he had to know what had happened. He couldn’t strategize his next move without more information.

“Shanna, I do hope you’ll allow us to renovate this house,” Alastair said. “It would be perfect for our show.”

Howard turned his head toward Alastair and Shanna so it would look like he was focused on their conversation.

“Aunt Greta,” Elsa whispered urgently into her phone. “I—I think it happened. You told me to call you immediately if my birthmark ever—”

Howard strained but couldn’t catch what the aunt was saying. If only Elsa wasn’t closed up in a car.

“Yes, it’s burning,” Elsa said. “Something terrible.”