Savanna Bear: Hotel Safari, #6

By Tori Knightwood

Can this free-spirited human overcome her fears and give her grizzly shifter lover a second chance?

 

As a marketing executive for a multinational hotel corporation, Megan Larch has seen her share of hotel rooms and loved her share of men. She has a type, and the extremely buff American guest at Hotel Safari isn't it. While she'll never turn up her nose at a good shag, she came to the lodge to visit old friends, not make new ones.

 

Xander Simpson is a grizzly bear shifter on the prowl for a new adventure. He quit his job in Minneapolis to try his hand at wildlife photography on the Kenyan savanna. Megan, a sexy British redhead, doesn't fit into his plans, but she stirs emotions in him he never expected from a human woman.

 

When Megan learns her friends have been hiding an age-old secret, she must overcome her feelings of betrayal, or she could lose her chance with the one man who could finally convince her to settle down.

 

***

 

This elephant shifter never thought he'd fall in love with a spoiled rich girl, but he'll do anything to convince her she's his mate.

 

Elizabeth Canterwell has closed herself off to love since Colin Kemboi rejected her. Now, she has run off to southern Thailand to forget him and find pleasure in the arms of another. But she still has her position in London's cutthroat social scene to consider.

 

Chon is an elephant shifter with the body of a fighter and the mind of an intellectual. Hotel Safari Thailand has strict rules about employees fraternizing with guests, but when he meets Elizabeth, nothing can draw him away...except Elizabeth's own refusal to fraternize with the hired help.

 

Will he break down her walls and show her the joys of forbidden love in the Thai jungle?

 

Savanna Bear and Thai Rebound are vacation romances with heat, heart, and hard bodies! 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 Bear and Thai Rebound, previously published separately.**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Knightwood Books
• Release date: Nov 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386922865

Book preview

SAVANNA BEAR

Chapter 1

Megan cleared Customs and looked around. She immediately saw Pippa’s blond head and, next to her, the honey blond head of a frantically waving Deirdre.

Megan laughed and ran to her friend. I didn’t know you were coming. How many phone calls and texts had flown across continents in the past few weeks? And Deirdre hadn’t breathed a word about meeting her at the airport. She gave her best friend an extra squeeze.

Oh, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity for some girl talk in person before your momentous arrival at the lodge, Deirdre said.

I’m so excited to see you both, Megan said. It’s been too long.

What has it been? Pippa asked. Three or four years? Since you first started working for the marketing office in London?

Megan nodded. Right. Colin has been keeping me very busy with trips everywhere else but here. She loved her job and getting to travel. Getting to come to Kenya more often and visit with her best friend would be icing on the cake.

Pippa and Deirdre helped her with her bags and they all buckled into the Land Rover.

Before we head back to the lodge, let’s get lunch in the city, Pippa suggested.

Great idea, Megan gushed. What did you have in mind? She would be able to get any kind of cuisine in London, but at the lodge, the choices were limited.

How would you fancy the local buffet near Hotel Safari Nairobi? Pippa asked.

Deirdre clapped her hands together. Yes, I haven’t been there in ages. They make the best g-nut sauce.

Megan nodded. "Yeah, I haven’t had ugali or groundnut sauce or manioc leaves or that super spicy yellow sauce in years. My mouth is already watering." London was known for its ethnic cuisine but she hadn’t yet found a decent East African restaurant.

Mary and Dani have been doing research into the cuisines of our guests and have been experimenting more and more with foreign food, Pippa said.

They were already so good with Italian and English specialties, Megan said. Even in London I can’t find a better Bolognese sauce than Mary’s. I’m excited to taste their latest creations.

They have been making a lovely beef stir-fry with all kinds of vegetables, Deirdre jumped in. Especially when we get a shipment of ginger.

Not long after reaching downtown Nairobi, they became mired in traffic. Pippa groaned. I’ve forgotten how bad it can be. I don’t come up to Nairobi so often anymore. The traffic is always a killer.

This is even worse than parts of London, Megan offered.

They eventually arrived at the restaurant and warmly greeted Wilson, the huge cook at the back of the restaurant, and Pauline, the cashier. Received like family, they hustled through the line and filled their plates with local delicacies.

At their table, Megan said, Why didn’t you bring the baby with you?

Deirdre shook her head. It’s a long, hot drive for an infant, and this way we can have a good chat and catch up without too much talk of babies.

Megan laughed and nodded appreciatively. While she was happy for her friends, she wasn’t a baby person. She was happy to see them but had been nervous about the baby part. Her younger sister would be getting married in about six weeks and would jump into having babies right away. So, soon, Megan’s life would be filled with other people’s babies. But she’d happily endure a week’s holiday with baby Katarina because Hans and Deirdre were her very good friends, and she’d do anything for them.

Tell us, Deirdre said, what has life been like in London?

Oh you know, the usual, work and parties...

And men? Deirdre asked, raising her eyebrows.

Yes, of course. You know me.

Deirdre and Pippa both nodded.

Now you tell me, are there any guests I might like? Megan asked.

Do you still like the same type? Deirdre asked. Tall, dark, and handsome?

Megan gave a broad grin. You know it. Anyone like that?

Pippa wrinkled her forehead in concentration.

Well, a tall and ruggedly handsome guest, built like a bodybuilder, with light brown hair. He’s not lily white pale, but he’s not swarthy either, so I don’t think he qualifies as dark, Deirdre said.

Xander? Pippa asked. Right. His brother Steve was with us on his honeymoon last year. He had such a wonderful time that Xander had to see it for himself. Even though he isn’t your usual type, physically, he’s a very nice young man, handsome in his way, and I think you’d get on well.

Megan smiled but she was doubtful. A bodybuilder from America? What could they possibly have in common? But if he was sexy, maybe he’d be good for a shag, or a little snogging, at the very least.

How old is he? she asked, telling herself she didn’t really care because she couldn’t possibly fall for a bodybuilder.

Deirdre and Pippa exchanged a glance.

I’d say mid-thirties, Pippa said. But he’s in amazing shape.

He was only a few years older than herself. Completely acceptable.

The women finished their meal, walked back to the Land Rover through the mid-afternoon throngs of colorfully dressed people, and slogged through the traffic to the Tsavo Road.

Megan was talked out. Instead, she stared out the window at the scenery, and remembered all the wonderful times she’d had here in Kenya when she was a volunteer ten years ago and her trip three years ago. She always loved coming back and appreciated that the Hotel Safari corporation gave her the opportunity to travel to their various properties. And sometimes, they let her go along to scout new potential properties since she’d be responsible for their ad campaigns.

They pulled up in front of the beautiful façade she remembered. Anyway, she could hardly forget it since a huge portrait of the lodge’s façade hung in the lobby of Hotel Safari London’s corporate offices. She saw it at least twice every day, and it always made her smile with its beauty and the memories it conjured.

Memories of laughing with Deirdre, of watching her and Hans fall in love, of her own romantic adventures.

She stepped out of the car with relief after the long, dozy drive. It was exciting to be back here and to see her old friends among the staff.

Get cleaned up and come meet the baby, Deirdre suggested.

Megan arrived at the infirmary about ten minutes later. Deirdre greeted her on her porch holding a bundle of pink. Megan rushed up the stairs and oohed and aahed appropriately. She’s beautiful, Deirdre. Well done.

Deirdre beamed.

And Megan meant it. Despite her lack of experience, Megan found Katarina super sweet.

A teenage girl with dark skin and very short hair came out the front door with a tray covered in tea things.

This is Phil, Deirdre said. She helps me with the baby.

Phil put the tray on a low table and shook Deirdre’s hand, eyes averted.

Megan poured the tea as the shy girl went back in the house. Megan shot a look at Deirdre.

I know, Deirdre whispered. She’s painfully shy around grown-ups but she’s wonderful with Kat.

Where on earth did you find her?

Deirdre looked over her shoulder to make sure the girl wasn’t lurking in the doorway but the coast was clear. She leaned over the table and whispered, Do you remember Jenny?

Megan’s brow wrinkled.

Colin’s girlfriend, Deirdre said.

Oh, the one who died?

Deirdre nodded. She was Phil’s sister. Phil was pretty young when it happened but her parents have kept a strict eye on her since they lost one daughter. Honestly, she’s been a godsend.

Megan sipped her tea. She makes a good cuppa.

Okay, now that we’re alone, spill the news, Deirdre began and Megan laughed at the conspiratorial look on her friend’s face. What happened with Carter?

Carter! We spent wonderful holidays together at Christmas. He was fun for a laugh, but you know me, never looking for anything serious.

Yes, I do know you, and I think you purposely choose men who aren’t looking for anything serious so you don’t ever have to worry about falling in love with them.

Megan scoffed. Please. Can’t I, as a modern woman, just decide I don’t want a serious relationship? I don’t want to get married and have babies. I’m sorry, Deirdre, I’m not you.

Deirdre stuck her tongue out at her old friend. Megan, my dear, I know you’re not like me. I’m glad you’re not like me. But are you really happy? Alone?

Megan’s stomach twisted. She was happy, mostly. She could do whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. She didn’t need permission from a man. She could sleep with anyone she chose. She didn’t need to be tied to just one person and she couldn’t imagine such a thing.

Sometimes, if she was being completely honest, she was a little jealous of the deep love Deirdre and Hans felt for each other. But she couldn’t imagine having it herself. And she had reconciled with this fact a long time ago.

Yes, I am happy. And I don’t think of myself as alone, she finally said. Yes, I live alone, but my family is nearby and I have lots of friends. I see my sister regularly.

Oh Shannon, she’s getting married soon, isn’t she? How are the wedding plans going? Deirdre asked.

Going well. Mum and Shannon and Aunt Tina have taken care of everything so far. I barely know more than the date and time I’m expected at the church.

Deirdre shook her head but Megan ignored her.

I’m sure I’ll be roped into helping with final details upon my return to London. Her fiancé, John, is a sweetie, she continued. Sometimes they seem so young to me.

What is she now, twenty-six? Deirdre asked.

Yes, but she’s the baby of the family and she’s always been treated a certain way and put on a pedestal. John puts her on a pedestal, too.

Deirdre grinned. Good for her.

Yes, good for her, Megan supposed. It was exactly what she didn’t want for herself.

You know, Megan, the other reason I worry about you is that as a woman alone, who is open to men’s attentions, I worry that one of these days you’re going to find yourself in a situation you can’t handle, and you’re going to get hurt.

Deirdre’s freckled face was furrowed with concern but Megan’s chin jutted forward in rebellion. Why would I get hurt? I don’t go home with just anybody, you know. Her anger faded quickly. She thought about why the statement had angered her at all. Because she felt Deirdre assumed she couldn’t take care of herself or fight back if she needed to? Or because Deirdre was questioning her judgment?

In any case, she knew Deirdre loved her and only wanted the best for her. I am careful, you know, Deirdre, but thank you for worrying about me.

Deirdre gave her a sad smile. Okay, I’ll leave it alone now.

They finished their tea and Deirdre wrapped the baby to her chest with a colorful cloth. Then they headed to the big house to see the rest of the staff Megan knew. They hit the kitchen first where Mary squealed at the sight of her.

Miss Megan! You are back.

Hi Mary.

They shook hands with big smiles in place.

Megan greeted Dani, the second housekeeper, a bit less warmly having only met her on her visit three years ago.

Mary showed off the stir-fry she was preparing for tonight’s dinner. And tomorrow I will make goulash. It’s a Hungarian stew. Mary’s proud smile split her glossy dark face.

Megan was impressed. This was already more variety than she sometimes had at home, nights where she couldn’t be bothered to cook more than beans on toast or go to her local pub for bangers and mash or a savory pie.

The smells in the kitchen brought up memories again of her time here ten years before and she gave Mary an impulsive hug before they moved on.

They went through to the main room of the lodge and met Pippa and Jonathan coming in from the terrace.

Here you are! Jonathan enveloped her in a huge embrace, nearly squeezing the breath out of her.

Megan squeaked out a laugh.

Welcome back, Megan, he boomed. We’ve missed you.

When he released her, Pippa took her arm. I’m about to go on a late afternoon game drive. Would you like to come along?