Lycan Christmas by S. Yule (best contemporary novels txt) 📗

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

does, I can’t see that there would be anything that could stand between you two. Games and manipulation are not the way to get a man—maybe a way to entrap one. A relationship gained from deceit and lies will never last.”

“Stay away from him.” Shannon smiled, and kept her voice calm and low.

Melony wondered if Shannon would have remained so collected had they been alone. She figured her composure had more to do with not wanting to draw attention than from actual manners.

“If Lorent wishes me to, I will. But until I hear it from him?” She shrugged. “Sorry. I really hope you have a happy Thanksgiving, Shannon.

And I really hope that we can put all of this behind us one day and become friends.”

Melony left before she said something she’d regret. She scraped her plate, set it in the sink, and vowed to go back for dessert after she cooled off.

While she couldn’t pretend to like Shannon all that much, she did truly wish they could become friends. They were closest in age at Sanctuary, and Melony had always wanted a sister. She guessed if she viewed it from another perspective, she could understand how Shannon might see her as a threat. If Shannon had liked Lorent before Melony had come to Sanctuary, she could understand how the girl might be a bit jealous.

Yet, if Shannon and Lorent had something serious, she didn’t understand why Shannon would feel jealous or threatened. If Melony ever fell in love, it would be with a man she trusted, and if she couldn’t trust her man to be around another attractive female, then he wasn’t the man for her.

Adultery was not acceptable to her. She would never cheat on someone she’d pledged her heart to, and she expected no less in return.

Still, how could Shannon be even a bit jealous of her? The girl had legs up to her neck, and was built like a supermodel. She shrugged as she walked over to the glass doors to look out the back. She couldn’t resist a peek outside and slipped through the door and out onto the deck, where the cold air instantly made her shiver. The storm was still in full swing, although at the moment the snow was falling slower. She wished she’d gotten her coat, but the beauty of the view was enough to make her brave the cold for a while longer. She could very easily envision living the rest of her life in this area.

95

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the door open behind her, and jumped when a warm throw dropped around her shoulders. She gasped and spun to find Lorent standing behind her.

“Oh! You startled me.” She smiled, happy that her dark mood lightened considerably at the mere sight of him.

“I’m sorry.” He looked out over the deck at the thickly treed land as she had been doing moments before.

“It’s beautiful here.”

“Yes, it is.” His low voice warmed her nearly as much as the throw he’d brought her.

“Are you having a good time?” She watched him, not missing the way he flinched ever so slightly at the question.

But just as quickly, his discomfort disappeared, and he grinned. Holy heck, the man was sinfully gorgeous. His white, even teeth stood out in the soft glow of the lights strung along the railing, and his black hair was tousled to perfection as usual. He was seriously a breathtaking man, and she longed for him to kiss her again.

“I am. Are you?”

“Yes. Well, I am now.”

“Now?”

“I mean, I was before, but then not so much, but I am again.” She nibbled her lip as usual in awkward moments and then giggled. “I guess that didn’t make much sense.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. Not really. I don’t want to think about it anymore actually.”

“If you want to talk about it, I’m here.” He shrugged.

“Thank you, but I think I’ll pass for now. I might take you up later on the offer, though.”

“Anytime.”

“I wanted to ask you something, actually two somethings.” She pulled the throw tighter around her.

“Okay.” He frowned, probably thinking she was going to ask him something personal.

96

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

“I was wondering if you had decided to let me cut your hair? I could even come to your place if you prefer.”

He stood still for several moments as if he was waging a silent war with himself before finally answering. “I could stand a trimming once a month.”

He pushed his fingers through his hair.

“I wasn’t implying that you needed a haircut. I like the tousled do you have, but everyone needs a trim here and there.”

“I usually trim my own, but as you can see, I’m not very good at it.

Fortunately, the bedhead look doesn’t require a straight cut anywhere.”

“It looks fine, Lorent. You do a good job, but I’d be happy to do it for you so you didn’t have to mess with it yourself.” Not to mention the thought of getting her fingers on and in his hair was extremely appealing.

He nodded. “You said you had somethings to ask me?”

“Oh yeah. I was wondering if I could take you up on your offer to show me how to cook a few dishes? Maybe I could even trade my hair services for cooking lessons?”

97

Lycan Christmas

S. K. Yule

Chapter Thirteen

What the hell had he gotten himself into? He had been dying to talk to Melony all night, but had kept his distance, worried about his ability to keep his hands off her. He’d followed her to the deck after he’d seen the exchange between her and Shannon. Shannon was starting to get on his nerves. He thought he’d made it plain that he wasn’t interested in anything other than friendship with her, but he guessed he’d have to start being a bit more assertive where she was concerned. He didn’t doubt for a moment that