Savanna Dance: Hotel Safari, #2

By Tori Knightwood

A shifter and a human fall into forbidden love on the lush African savanna.

 

Brandon Tyler has always had an interest in animals. Before he starts veterinary school in New York, he wants some experience with African mammals. While Hotel Safari offers him the chance to expand his horizons, he wasn't planning on losing his heart.

 

Inira Makeri's life path has already been decided by her family. But the blond American hunk makes her want to rebel and choose her own mate. As a shifter, she's always been free-spirited, and now her soul aches in unexpected ways.

 

Choosing the safe life and fiancé her family picked for her is the easy route. But it would also mean losing the chance to dance off into the sunset with her fated mate.

 

***

 

Friendship simmers into something more between a lynx shifter and a human at a Kenyan safari lodge.

 

Deirdre O'Connell is an Irish nurse who has lost everyone she ever cared about. She runs away to a job at the Hotel Safari Lodge in Kenya, longing to make friends, but she doesn't know how to trust.

 

Hans Schmidt is a German lynx on a mission to forget his painful past. Leaving behind a cheating fiancée, his career, and the only life he has ever known, he takes the job of jack-of-all-trades at the lodge with no timeframe and no expectations. But when he meets a sassy nurse, his broken heart finds a new reason to mend.

 

Is friendship with Deirdre enough for Hans? Or will he show her that friends make the best lovers?

 

Savanna Dance and Broken Lynx are workplace romances with heat and heart! Old secrets and alliances will come to light to make room for new love… and new life. These steamy stand-alones are multicultural shifter romances with a little bit of spice and a happily-ever-after.

**This book includes the steamy paranormal romance novellas, Savanna Dance and Broken Lynx, previously published separately.**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Knightwood Books
• Release date: Nov 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386432142

Book preview

SAVANNA DANCE

Chapter 1

Every time she arrived at Hotel Safari’s lodge in Tsavo, it felt like coming home. Inira Makeri had practically grown up here, running on the grassy plains, dodging acacia trees and predators. Even the smell brought back memories of her childhood. Dust and green and animal musk and the spice of leaves.

Auntie Pippa had welcomed her at every school holiday, and she and Jonathan often came to Inira’s family’s home near Mt. Kenya for Christmas and Easter.

Inira got out of the taxi just as Pippa’s Land Rover pulled up behind. Inira dropped her bag and a wide smile split her ebony skin.

Inira! Pippa called out, jumping down from the vehicle and rushing at her. You beat us here, you lovely girl.

They took each other’s hands and kissed cheeks.

A crunch of the gravel had Inira looking away from Pippa, who whirled around and gestured with a hand. Inira, meet our brand new volunteer, Brandon Tyler from New York.

A tall, broad-shouldered blond man stood next to the Land Rover, blue eyes boring into Inira’s. Warmth spread through Inira’s belly. Goodness.

He stuck out a hand and Inira shook it. Nice to meet you, he said in a deep voice, his grip surprising her with its strength despite his size. Kenyan men grasped women in a much gentler way.

Darling, you’ll be in Room 3 in the staff lodge, Pippa said. Go ahead in and unpack. I’m going to show Brandon around and we’ll meet you for lunch.

Where’s my buddy, Jack? Inira asked about Pippa’s grandson who lived with her and Jonathan.

He’s away at school and will be home for a visit at the end of the term.

Inira nodded and took Pippa’s advice, stopping in the kitchen first to greet Mary and Dani. In the staff lodge, she dumped her bag on the floor and rushed to the window. Her own home was beautiful, but this view, out over the plains dotted with animals and occasionally including Kilimanjaro when the weather conditions were just right, always made her feel comfortably insignificant in the world.

Her own problems just didn’t matter. This view reminded her that life goes on, nature runs wild, no matter what was happening in her own life. So what if she was having trouble finding the perfect job since finishing university? The savanna, the gnu, the elephants, the Goliath herons, and her beloved giraffes would always be here.

She unpacked her one bag, hanging her clothes on the pegs on the walls of the minimalist white room. Although small, it had everything she would need: a bed with a warm blanket for the cool nights, a place for her few clothes, and the giant window overlooking the green grassy plains.

The big house, filled with rustic wood and cool stone, was as grand as she remembered. She dropped into a leather chair in front of the wall of windows at the back. Waiting for lunch, she thought about the new American volunteer, Brandon. On the surface, he was as opposite from her as a man could get. So blond, so pale, so muscular. What a hunk.

Unlike the young Kenyan women Inira grew up with, she was more free-spirited. She was comfortable with her body and what it could do. She enjoyed pleasure and had decided a long time ago not to wait for marriage.

She’d also had her cousin Colin as a cautionary tale and knew what could happen if she wasn’t careful. So she was careful. She had no intention of getting pregnant before she was ready or exposing herself to the diseases transmitted through sexual contact.

From what she’d seen through years of Pippa’s volunteers, young men from the United States and Europe had no problem with a little fling. She expected more of the same from Brandon and she looked forward to the prospect.

"Jambo, Inira," a woman’s voice pulled Inira out of her lustful thoughts. Deirdre, the long-time health officer of the lodge ran at her, closely followed by her husband Hans. They had both worked here for as long as Inira could remember and they were like another aunt and uncle to her. She hugged them both and spent several minutes catching up.

We have some news, the Irish nurse said, a pretty blush spreading up her pale face. We’re having a baby.

How wonderful! And now that she knew, she could see the differences in Deirdre. Her face was a little puffy and her body heavier. When?

I’m only fifteen weeks along, so around the middle of November.

Inira smiled at her. She hoped to have a job by then, and hopefully one with the ability to come visit Deirdre, Hans, and their new baby when the time came. Luckily, Christmas wasn’t too long after the baby was due.

I’m so happy for you, Inira said. It had been a long time since anyone in her family had had a baby. She loved babies, even if she wasn’t ready to have one herself. She had plenty of time, despite her mother’s prodding and hints to settle down with Mwagiru and give her grandbabies.

Oh Mwagiru. She loved him, but she wasn’t ready to settle down. She was young and hungry for life and wanted to be free to experience all there was in the world. And the idea of him didn’t inspire lustful thoughts, as Brandon had. No, Mwagiru was her rock, her friend, a man who would be a good father and provider. Nothing more.

Hans gestured for her to sit with him and Deirdre at one of the tables.

She poured herself a glass of passion fruit juice and then joined them. So, fill me in on the current stable of young, eager Pippa fans. She rested her arms on the table and leaned in close.

Deirdre laughed and put her hand on her husband’s brown and calloused one.

Well, you met Serena when you were here last time, Hans began. She splits her time between here and Nairobi, spending as much time with Colin as she can before heading back to the States. Nelson is working at the Nairobi hotel for a couple months before he, too, heads back to the States.

Inira nodded and suppressed a smile. She remembered Nelson well. His cat-like grace had been a perfect match for her. Well, perfect for a weekend.

Right now it’s only you and Brandon, another American. But I think a couple of European students will join us in the next few of months.

By then she might be ready for a new fling.

Pippa and Brandon came in then, and Pippa introduced him to Hans and Deirdre. Minutes later, Dani and Mary carried in bowls and platters of food.

I smell lunch, Jonathan Kemboi said, strolling into the dining room, hands patting his belly.

Uncle Jonathan, Inira said and rushed into his arms. As a child she’d been afraid of him, probably because giraffes were a lion’s prey and something inside her recognized this about them. But there were rules here to keep shifters like her safe at the lodge. At least from each other.

The savanna had its own rules.

A little of his lion had rubbed off on her. She could protect herself.

Baby girl, Jonathan rumbled. Welcome back. How long are you staying this time?

As long as Aunt Pippa can stand me, Inira answered. Or until I find a job.

Hard to find a job if you’re out here and not in the city. Pippa primly laid her napkin on her lap and didn’t meet Inira’s gaze.

Pippa always told it like it was. Inira could always count on her for the truth and to keep her on her toes. If anyone could help her find a job, it was Pippa.

Everyone served themselves chicken stew, ugali, and fresh avocadoes and got down to the serious business of eating. It was rare for all of them to be together for meals. There was usually something to keep Hans and Jonathan in the field at lunchtime. The two married couples usually had dinner in their own cottages.

Which meant Inira would have plenty of time alone with Brandon.

Chapter 2

Brandon had always been up for a challenge. Working with Pippa Blackwell-Kemboi would be easier than maintaining his touchdown average playing college ball, but she was no pushover. It was clear from the first moment she’d first spoken to him at the airport, and she’d confirmed the first impression during the long drive to the lodge.

His first view of the lodge had been amazing.

His first view of the ebony young woman had been mind-blowing.

She’d looked at him with appraisal in her sparkling brown eyes. It was as though she’d figured out everything there was to know about him with the one look. He sure hoped he’d measured up.

Thinking about her graceful limbs wrapped around him had made it difficult to concentrate on Pippa’s tour of the lodge. He’d had to force himself away from thoughts of Inira and back to Pippa. He didn’t want to make a bad impression or do a bad job. This volunteer opportunity was important to him, even though it wasn’t required by his veterinary program in New York.

He didn’t expect to work on African wildlife for his career. No, he’d probably be some suburban vet who’d spend his days spaying and neutering house pets. But he loved all kinds of animals and this could be his last chance to do something different.

At lunch, he met the rest of the staff and learned he and Inira were the only volunteers. He also learned Inira was family to the Kembois. They’d protect her from a playboy like him.

Playboy was the wrong word. But he was only here for two months, so he certainly wasn’t looking for a serious relationship. Just a little fun.

She looked at him like she wanted fun, too.

After lunch, Pippa took him down to the campground to meet Dennis and the campers, and late in the afternoon, on a game drive. He’d hoped Inira would come along, but she was already familiar with everything and asked to help Dani, the housekeeper.

They set off in Pippa’s white Land Rover while the sun was still high in the sky. Do you have a specialty? Pippa asked.

Brandon shook his head to clear it of thoughts of the young woman who moved like a dancer. A specialty?

Any particular animal you’d like to focus on while you’re here? Or are you a generalist?

Oh, I didn’t know I’d have a choice, he muttered, staring out the window at the grass and trees. It was all much greener than he’d expected. For now, I guess I’m a generalist.

Pippa shot him a smile. Wonderful. If you ever want to see more of any animal in particular, let me know. She turned her attention back to the road in front of them, showing Brandon her stark profile.

He’d seen pictures of Pippa online before coming. They’d all shown her as professorial and serious. They didn’t capture her wind-blown, carefree nature. He tended to get too serious about whatever endeavor he was pursuing, whether it was his studies or football or a girl. Maybe he’d learn more from Pippa than merely about the animals of the savanna.

It’s still too early to see any lions or other predators, she said. They nap when it’s hottest out and hunt closer to sundown. But we’ll see plenty of other animals. Ah, here are the wildebeest. Zebras and gazelles will be nearby, as well.

Pippa stopped the car and Brandon stuck his head out the window. A smile broke out on his face. Amazing.

Here, Pippa said, holding out a pair of binoculars. "Try over there.