She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Yes, very friendly.”
“Bree, I swear there isn’t anything going on between Martine and me. I haven’t even seen her in nearly a year and – “
“Really? Because she kissed you like something was going on between you.”
“If I had known she – “
“Have you slept with her?” She interrupted him.
He gave her a hesitant, cautious look and her heart plummeted to her feet. He had slept with her; it was written all over his face. The question had popped out of her mouth before she could stop it, and now she wished bitterly that she had kept her big mouth shut.
“I have.” He said quietly. “But it was only once and I didn’t mean to do it.”
“Didn’t mean to? How exactly do you accidentally have sex with someone?” She asked bitterly.
He flushed. “It was three years ago. Martine was visiting and it was during the moon cycle. I was young and impulsive, and it’s harder for Lycans to resist the urge to mate when the moon is full.”
When she only stared at him, he sighed and rubbed his hand through his hair. “Martine has always had a crush on me. I should not have slept with her that night but I was weak and – “
He stopped and gave her a pleading look. “I knew it was a mistake immediately. The next morning I apologized to Martine for what had happened, and told her it could never happen again. She said it was fine but she does have a tendency to be um, over-exuberant in her greetings.”
“It was only once.” He finished softly.
“She wants it to happen again.” Bree pointed out.
“But I don’t.” James said firmly. “I want you.”
He reached for her and she backed up. “I can’t James. Once I rescue my brother, the sex between us would have to end anyway. I’ve already betrayed him once by sleeping with you. I can’t keep betraying him.”
“Bree – “
“Please go.” She whispered. Her anger and jealousy had faded, leaving her feeling tired and depressed and she wanted to be left alone.
“How do I know you won’t sneak away in the night?” He suddenly asked.
“I promised your mother I wouldn’t.” She gave him a weary smile. “Good night James. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He hesitated in the doorway, giving her one last look of longing mixed with frustration. “If you get too cold in the night, come to my room. You can sleep in my bed and I’ll sleep in this room okay?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
Chapter 16
“Bree, come sit with us.” Dani waved at her from across the room, and Bree smoothed her skirt down before sitting on the couch next to the young blonde woman.
Dani put her arm around her and grinned at her. “The skirt fits!”
“Yes. Thank you. It’s very lovely.” Bree smiled.
“You’re welcome. It looks way better on you than me anyway. Don’t you think Martine?”
The brunette gave a short nod and a strained smile. She was looking out the window, and Bree knew just from the look on her face that James was outside.
Dani rolled her eyes at Bree. “Martine is obsessed with my cousin. They have sex once and she thinks they’re betrothed.”
“Shut up Dani.” Martine said without tearing her gaze from the window.
“Martine, you know he only had sex with you because it was the full moon.”
She turned to Bree and snorted disdainfully. “The Lycans are ridiculous during the full moon.”
“It’s more than that. He’s just distracted right now.” Martine gave her a hurt look. “Besides, it is almost the full moon. He won’t be able to resist me. You know he won’t.” A small pleased grin crossed her face, and she hugged herself happily before looking out the window once more.
Bree swallowed down the surge of jealousy that went through her. She studied Martine. The girl was pretty in a soft and curvy kind of way. Her dark hair and dark eyes complimented her tanned skin nicely, and she had full breasts and hips.
She stared down at her own thin body. Her breasts were small and even after nearly two months of regular meals, she would never have hips or a full bottom. She looked like a boy compared to Martine and she sighed softly.
Martine was right – James wouldn’t be able to resist her during the full moon. And now that he knew there was no future with her, why should he resist Martine. She was beautiful and seemed nice. She was a Lycan and she certainly wasn’t afraid of her own shadow like Bree was. She could probably lift a sword easily.
“Bree? What’s wrong?” Dani frowned at her.