He cleared his throat, and she jumped.
“I’m sorry. I was admiring your eyes. They are quite striking.”
He opened his mouth several times as if to speak, but never actually said anything. She wondered if he’d ever had a compliment because right at this particular moment, he looked as if he wished the floor would open up and swallow him. She smiled, and he just kept right on staring back at her, not moving, not saying a word. After a few seconds, she began to think that she’d done something horribly wrong.
“Did I offend you in some way?” She’d never gotten a reaction like this from someone for a simple compliment.
“Um. No. It’s just. Well—” He rubbed the back of his neck as if he could coax the right words out with his fingers.
Finally, as if to let him off the hook, she said, “Some men aren’t good with compliments.” She went back to the kitchen to finish her list. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
40
Lycan Christmas
S. K. Yule
“If you change your mind, let me know. I should only be a couple of minutes. Make yourself at home.” She sat back down, picked up the pen, and started jotting down the rest of the things she needed on the list.
In between writing down items on her list, she glanced at him—from under her lashes this time so he didn’t catch her ogling him. He wandered around the living room for a few seconds before sitting on the couch. His movements were graceful, and it was a little unsettling how he made no noise as he moved about the cabin. Was stealth a lycan trait, or was it just natural to him? She had tons of questions she was dying to have answered about lycans, but had decided to let him teach her how he saw fit. At least that way he’d be doing most of the talking.
She’d save the questions for those times when he was lagging with the conversation. Quit staring at the gorgeous man, and get the list done so you can put him out of his misery. But a small part of her thought it was good for him to wait.
She focused back on her list, and just as she’d written down the last item, a commotion from the living room caught her eye.
“What the hell is that?” Lorent stood staring down at Puss, who had obviously decided to get acquainted with him.
“It’s called a cat. Her name is Puss.” She watched them as they stared each other down, trying hard not to laugh at the scene. Finally, Puss sauntered away with a flip of her tail.
“I know what it is, but what’s it doing here?”
“She’s my pet. You know, pet? People do have them from time to time?”
He rubbed at the back of his neck again.
“You got a problem with my cat, Lorent?” She put her hands on her hips and fixed a stare on him that would rival any mother about to scold a disobedient child.
Melony stood across the room glaring at him, daring him to touch one hair on Puss. A smile tugged at his lips, but quickly vanished. The fact that he was entertained by her protective nature of her beloved pet irked her.
“I said, you got a problem with my cat? Because if you have a problem with my cat, you have a problem with me.” Her hands balled into fists.
41
Lycan Christmas
S. K. Yule
“No. I don’t exactly have anything against cats. I just wasn’t expecting to see one. I mean, I scented it when I came in, but I assumed the scent was on something you’d brought from your previous home. I was startled when it jumped in my lap.”
“Puss is not an it. She’s a she.”
“Honestly, I didn’t mean any harm. I simply wasn’t expecting a cat to jump on my lap.”
After a couple minutes, she smiled. “Okay then. We’re good. Let me get my coat, and I’m ready to go.”
“I’ll make sure to remember that if you fuck with Melony’s cat, she’ll turn into a hellion and rip a few strips from your hide,” he mumbled under his breath.
She raised a brow. “I didn’t quite catch that. What did you say?” She’d caught every word of it.
“Nothing.”
She started down the hallway, but stopped as she reached the basketful of clothes she’d moved earlier. She stared down at the thing, wishing it was human so she could do it bodily harm, before picking it up, sliding the door open to the laundry area, and dumping the contents into the washer. She set the empty basket on top of the washer, added soap, and started the cycle. If Shannon wants her unmentionables washed on delicate, she can do it herself. She went down to the bedroom to get her coat, one of her favorites—black wool with tiny pink dots. The dots were barely noticeable unless one looked hard, but the shade of pink matched her hair perfectly.
She was extremely irritated about doing Shannon’s laundry. However, she’d be irritated more if she didn’t do it, Shannon showed up later, and decided to stick around to do it herself. After all, Melony couldn’t refuse to let Shannon use her washer. What would be the excuse? Sorry, Shannon. I don’t like you, so you can’t wash your clothes here. No matter her feelings toward Shannon, she wouldn’t act like a spoiled brat.
She walked by Lorent to the front door. “Let’s go.”
42
Lycan Christmas
S. K. Yule
Chapter Six
Lorent walked just behind Melony, mesmerized by the sway of her hips.
She was a tiny slip of a thing, but she packed some serious curves. If the dictionary had the cliché “dynamite comes in small packages,” he was sure a picture of Melony would
