Lured E-Book

J.A. Belfield

• Herausgeber: J.A. Belfield
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Someone is watching the Holloway Pack ... and this time, the female isn't the target.

Life with a group of seven male werewolves worries Jem Stonehouse not one bit. She is engaged to the Alpha's son, Sean Holloway, after all. So, what has Jem's territorial instincts on high alert?

The pack's latest addition. Both of them.

None of the men think there's a problem with the new girlfriends. Jem's intuition tells her otherwise - that and a
nagging suspicion that the new females aren't there to partake.

Jem believes their goal is to take. The question is ... What?

As the eve of the blue moon draws ever closer, Jem's running out of time to find the answer and outwit a thief of the worst possible kind.

A woman who believes she can't lose.

Leseprobe

LURED

A HOLLOWAY PACK NOVEL

BOOK 2

Table of Contents

Title Page

TITLES BY J.A. BELFIELD

PRAISE FOR J.A. BELFIELD

1

2

3

4

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

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15

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21

22

23

24

25

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27

28

29

30

32

33

34

35 | Two Weeks Later ...

36

37

38

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41

42

43

44

45

Read on in the Holloway Pack: | Discover more about CAGED today! | THANK YOU FOR READING

Acknowledgements

About J.A. Belfield

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Also By J.A. Belfield

TITLES BY J.A. BELFIELD

BEGINNINGS

CALLED

LURED

CAGED

UNNATURAL

CORNERED

HOLLOWAY PACK BOX SET

––––––––

THE THERAPIST

A BEAST OF A WEEK

HER MANE ESCORT

PRAISE FOR J.A. BELFIELD

“Blue Moon has definitely earned my werewolf stamp of approval!” ~ Rabid Reads

“There’s twists and turns aplenty in this book. It keeps you hooked and on the very edge of your seat.” ~ Jeanz Book Read and Review

“I really didn’t want this to end.” ~ L.S. Murphy, Author, Reaper

“Once again, J.A. Belfield has blown me away!” ~ Ambur, BurningxImpossiblyxBright

“J.A. Belfield is an evil temptress. She will bewitch you, lure you into her story, and then twist your mind up with jaw dropping twists and heartbreak.” ~ Jen, At Random

LURED

Published by J.A. Belfield

www.jabelfield.com

Copyright © 2019 Julie Anne Belfield

Previously published as Blue Moon [2012 & 2017]

––––––––

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, events, locations, or any other element is entirely coincidental.

Cover art by J.A. Belfield.

First Published: December 2012

10 9 8 7 6 5 4

For Mr B and the Mini-Me’s and your understanding ways.

THE MUSIC OF WOLVES pierced the night air.

Ears twitching, I listened to the echoing calls of the rest of the pack—their announcement of readiness beneath the powerful glow of the full moon.

In eagerness, I thrust forward.

A warning growl from Sean held me in place.

My neck stretched forward; my head bobbed with my inhalations.

I took another step.

Sean’s growl halted me again.

I sent him a glance, whined.

His eyes twinkled before he gave an upward jerk of his chin, and we took off.

Every one of my senses heightened as our paws pounded the earth.

Flavours, scents, culinary delights blew to me on the breeze.

I didn’t rely on my enhanced vision to see. With the absence of foliage, the lunar glow left us without obstruction, lending light to the dark.

Side by side, Sean and I ran so close, our bodies’ maintained constant contact, my facial hairs bristling beneath his breath every time he glanced my way.

Our ability to each understand the other’s emotions, intents, needs and wants was magical—always had been.

As my paws contacted solid ground, the alluring aroma of fox invaded my path. My claws dug in, scraping up crumbling earth as I tried to stop. I spun, a patch of mud spraying my underbelly, and dove toward the scent I craved.

Sean headed to the right.

I followed.

His head lowered, feet moving faster.

I raced to keep up, reflecting his movements as he angled left and into a wide right arc.

The wind picked up, altering course, and blew the rich, meaty bouquet to my senses.

I ran faster.

My increased pace brought me to Sean’s side.

The delicious freshness of the meal tugged at me like a lure.

I wanted it.

So did he.

He allowed me a second’s glance before driving into the lead.

Fear oozed from our prey. A shudder wracked my body as my vision swam with bloodlust. I bounded onto Sean’s back hard enough to knock him away and propelled myself from his stumbling body.

I surged forward, jaws wide, lips back, ears flattened, saliva already present.

A low scoop snatched the animal into my jaws.

My teeth clamped down. My head whipped left, right, left again.

Each jerk lessened the animal’s struggles until I heard the victorious crack that resonated like thunder and vibrated through my jaw.

With each shake of my head, my teeth punctured deeper, releasing warm blood that trickled across my tongue, tantalising my taste buds, and as it pooled at the back of my throat, I let out my canine purr.

Eyes shining with his usual amusement, Sean crossed to me.

A low warning growl left my throat, but I didn’t move as he rubbed along my side—his sniff of my kill didn’t concern me.

After lowering to the ground, I pinned my meal between my paws and whined up at him to join me.

He heaved a sigh before settling his body down alongside mine.

His paw snuck around to draw the creature in for a taste, and my muzzle followed in search of more.

Nothing could ruin a good hunt.

1

The Porsche purred beneath my palms. Wind whipped through the gap in my window, stirring my hair into a halo. In the passenger seat beside me, my best friend, Poppy, sat shivering. “You sure you’re warm enough, Pop?”

“I’m good.” She pulled her coat a little higher around her wild, red curls and re-aimed the vents her way for the twentieth time.

She’d never complain, anyway, not when she understood being a werewolf notched up my regular body temperature enough that a sweater and scarf compensated for the chance at fresh air. At least she had the burgers for warmth. Brown paper bags filled with lunch pressed against her lap. I’d already eaten one while driving, but the wafts of fat-scented steam continued to entice.

Rounding the corner, I turned onto the road to the site of the pack’s latest property development. Although tempted to squeal through the gates and announce my arrival in style, I figured it best if Sean continued to believe I drove like a snail when in his car, and shifted down the gears one by one.

I spun the wheel left for the turn, but braked hard at a woman standing in the middle of the gatepost.

She whirled, lids narrowed over irises of bright blue, until she settled into a look of bewilderment.

If she thought I’d missed the fleeting irritation in her expression, she was mistaken. I stuck my head out. “Can I help you?”

From beneath a full head of black waves, her cool stare trained on me, as her hands faux-flapped in front of her. “You scared me out of my wits, flying ‘round the corner like that.” The chill in the woman’s tone matched her expression.

I scowled. “Five miles an hour is not flying.”

“She trying to put out a fire, or something?” Poppy mumbled.

She turned from me to Poppy and quit with her hands, before circling toward the almost completed apartments.

Near the entrance, Ethan, Sean’s older brother by two years, had his head in close to Connor Larsen’s ginger curls, but her focus only swung as far as Connor’s son.

As though aware of the attention, Josh lifted his chin, and his gaze shifted from the Porsche to the stranger. After he mumbled something to Connor and Ethan, the three men headed our way.

I glanced back in time to see a smirk cross the woman’s face.

“What’s she playing at?” Poppy hissed.

Shrugging, I stuck my head back out the window. “I asked you what you wanted.”

She glanced back to me. “I was just admiring the apartments.” At the arrival of the three men, she gave them her full attention, complete with winning smile.

“She switched that on pretty quick for them,” Poppy murmured.

Josh smiled at the young female as he strode past her. Arms coming to rest against the Porsche’s window ledge, he planted a kiss on my cheek. “You’ve been ages, Jem.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

He thumbed over his shoulder. “Who’s your friend?”

“She’s no friend of mine.” My lip curled. “She looked like she was spying.”

Josh straightened as he laughed. Obviously, he didn’t get my non-joke. I’d have set him straight, but the fake, stalker-girl already had his attention, as well as Connor’s and Ethan’s.

“The apartments.” She waved a hand to her right, lashes fluttering.

Ethan tucked his hands into his jeans pockets and rested against the gatepost. “What did you want to know?”

My eyebrow lifted as I faced Poppy.

A ‘Can you believe them?’ expression showed on her face.

With a low growl of irritation, I jammed the gearstick into first. “If you want your food, come and get it,” I said and drove off.

I parked near the three-storey structure and killed the engine. The second I climbed from the car, Sean Holloway came our way.

The mere sight of my mate hitched my breath and sent my stomach into somersaults.

He removed his hard hat, a rub of his hand sending his chocolate brown hair into disarray. Four days into December, and he wore only short sleeves, offering a glimpse of his muscular arms. The nearer he came, the clearer his dark eyes grew, and his widening smile flashed teeth that glowed against the golden skin of a man who spent his life outdoors.

Poppy laughed from the other side of the car. “You two look at each other as though you’ve been parted for decades.”

Sean reached me, tangled his fingers into my hair, heaved out a deep sigh as though relieved I’d made it in one piece, and drew me in for a kiss. Eyes locked, our bodies met as though drawn by a magnetic force. Our tongues darted out, sampling the delicacy of the other, and my right foot left the ground, my body swaying with the headiness of the moment.

“Did you bring food?” he asked as his lips freed me.

“Of course.”

He sent Poppy a grin over my shoulder. “Joining us for lunch, Poppy?” He made it sound like we had a table reservation at a high-class restaurant, rather than squeezing into the portable onsite cabin.

“Apparently so,” she said.

“We didn’t want to keep you waiting, so I’ll drop Poppy home after we’ve eaten.” I studied his eyes, checking to make sure he didn’t mind, and received a nodded response.

At the passenger side, I ducked into the Porsche for the bags of food. A glance to the right showed the three pack members still chatting to the woman at the entrance. As her body language headed in the direction of flirting, my scowl returned.

“Lunch!” I shouted.

Connor and Ethan broke away.

“Bring mine here,” Josh said without turning.

My brows shot up. “What?”

“I’m talking. I’ll eat here.” Still, I didn’t warrant so much as a glance from him.

“I’m not your servant.” I growled. “Get it yourself.”

Connor passed behind me. “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing,” I mumbled, meeting Poppy’s gaze.

Ethan smirked as he brushed against me and grabbed one of the bags. “I have a pretty good idea.” He strode off, tossed two burgers to Josh, and followed Connor into the apartments where the rest of the pack worked.

With my scowl still in place, I plodded across to the inadequate hut.

Behind me, Sean’s footsteps hit the gravel, keeping pace with Poppy’s as she waffled on about cushions and throws and everything else we’d perused on our shopping trip.

I nudged the door open, flicked on the light—for Poppy’s human vision more than my own—and dropped the fast food bag onto the desk on my way to the drinks counter in the corner.

“Sounds like you had a good day,” Sean said, the rustle of paper telling me he wasted no time searching for his meal.

“We did,” Poppy said.

I flicked on the kettle and spooned coffee into three mugs.

The intensity of the stranger’s eyes, with her attention latched onto Josh like a damn fishing hook, roiled through my mind.

Looking at the apartments, my foot.

“Didn’t we, Jem?”

I leaned back against the counter and took the burger Sean held out for me with a nod. “Got the cushions.” I peeled back the greaseproof wrapper. “Picked up paint charts.” I aimed the bun at my mouth and bit a chunk off. “Grabbed lunch.” I sent him a burger-distorted smile around the garbled words.

The door swung open, and Josh entered, his green eyes sparkling beneath a mess of shaggy, dark blond curls, and a wide grin spread across his face.

My gaze flittered to Sean.

His expression matched his pack brother’s like Josh had impressed him with his ability to chat with a young, attractive female.

Poppy and I exchanged another glance—a hoard of unspoken communication passing between us. Knowing Poppy also had a bad vibe about the stranger made me feel a little better.

Josh unwrapped his second burger and shovelled half into his mouth as he leaned against the counter beside me.

I peered up at him. “Who was she?”

He shrugged. “Just passing and stopped to look at the apartments.”

“She wasn’t looking at the apartments.”

He nodded. “She lives with her sister and is looking for her own place. She said these look perfect. So ...” He shoved the rest of the burger in and chewed. “I gave her my card.”

Gave her his card? He didn’t even know her. I sought Sean’s reaction—he still had a smile on his face. “She wasn’t looking at the apartments,” I said again.

“’Course she was,” Josh said around his swallow. “What else could she have been doing?”

“Could have been ... spying,” I mumbled.

Sean choked on his burger. “Spying?” He rubbed his hand across his mouth in a poor effort to hide his smile. “On what?”

Averting my gaze, I watched the shuffle of my feet at the floor.

“Jem?”

I lifted my face to the glistening in Sean’s eyes, tilting my head as it sank in how ridiculous I might sound to him. “Josh.” I cringed at the heat spreading through my cheeks, and my stare flickered away again.

Deep chuckles met my ears. Josh reached around and drew me to his side. “If I didn’t know any better, Jem, I’d say you were jealous.” His lips met my neck, and a little wolf nuzzling ensued.

“Hey.” Sean tossed his empty wrapper at his pack brother, though his lips remained curved. “Knock it off.”

Josh sent Sean a grin, but he released me, bumping me with his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jem. I’d never run off with someone who didn’t have your approval.”

My eyes sought Poppy’s, found them already on me. Poppy knew as well as I did we’d have to hope he never asked approval for the dark-haired girl.

She’d already lost it.

***

POPPY GLANCED AT ME from her cocooned position in the passenger seat of the Porsche. “You really don’t like the idea of other females invading your territory, do you?” she asked over the hum of the engine.

I shrugged.

“I know you have a strong bond with Josh, so I understand you feeling pushed out, but ... it’s not only him, is it?”

“I don’t know. It’s just ...” I paused to consider. “None of them have shown an interest in women.”

“Just because they haven’t advertised their attraction doesn’t mean the feelings aren’t there, sweetie.”

I didn’t comment.

“At the end of the day, they are male. They all have a pulse,” Poppy continued. “Of course they think about women.”

Still, I remained mute as horrid images of sharing the breakfast table with six females rampaged through my mind.

“You’re too used to having them all to yourself.”

I shrugged again, trying to shove the mental slideshow away.

“You have to consider they may meet someone—date even. Surely, you don’t think they’ve all lived their lives as monks?”

I couldn’t tell her that, as a rule, the pack didn’t date humans because past experience showed them the consequences could be catastrophic—not for themselves but for the humans. “I’ve never thought about it.” I hadn’t needed to.

“Oh, come on. Men have needs. Sooner or later, those men of yours will want to get those needs fulfilled.” She probably thought the conversation helped.

She couldn’t have been more mistaken.

My eyes had been opened to the possibility that I may not always be the sole female to interact with the pack.

I welcomed the idea about as much as a bout of diarrhoea.

2

Thursday, I woke to the usual heat of Sean’s body along my spine.

“’Morning, Jem,” he whispered against my hair.

I rolled in search of him. Wrapped in each other’s arms, our hearts beat an unsteady tune, our breaths mingled. “Hey, baby.”

“Sleep well?”

“Hmm-mm.” My lips brushed across the overnight stubble coating his cheek.

His knee nudged between mine until he nestled within my thighs. “Shopping again today?”

“Hmm-mm.” I tugged on his lower lip, my tongue sampling the delicacy of him. The tilt of my hips united me with his erection, and my gasp merged with his soft groan as he entered me with a gentle thrust. “Can’t you come with me?” I whispered. “I miss you when I go alone.”

His fingers caressed the soft flesh of my breast. “I thought you were going with Poppy.” He traced my jaw with his teeth, hovered above my pulse, where he suckled before trailing down my neck to my shoulder.

On a shudder, I tangled my fingers into his hair. “Tomorrow.” My body moved against him as my legs rose to entwine with his. A tilt of my head, and I encouraged his mouth back to my neck.

The journeying of his teeth and tongue sent shivers along my spine. “I’ll speak to Dad, see what he says.” His mouth worked my throbbing flesh.

As I found his throat and did some teasing of my own, his steady rhythm kicked in. His arm snaked beneath my back, holding me to him as he took control. Back arched, eyes connected with his, I gave myself to him. With every thrust, my body trembled, as did his. My fingers grasped his shoulders as though afraid to let go.

With the magic of his body, the heat within me, and his dark eyes brimming with emotion above, he took me over the edge until I cried out, spurred on by the deep growls of his desire.

Sean crumpled against me, breaths ragged. As his heart pounded my chest, our beats synchronised. Our gazes remained locked, moistness invading Sean’s eyes, while a similar dampness misted my own.

“I love you, Jem,” he said.

“I know. Why else would I be here?”

My natural response, one I gave often, always made him smile.

“Okay, you two!” Nathan, Sean’s dad, boomed from downstairs. “Time to get up!”

I groaned.

A sparkle claimed Sean’s eyes. “We’ll get up when breakfast is ready.”

“We’re not your bloody slaves,” Ethan called. “Get your own.”

Sean chuckled, as we hauled our backsides out of bed and pulled open the bedroom door. On the landing, we both turned for the bathroom.

“Sean!”

We twisted toward Nathan—our Alpha—at the bottom of the stairs, where he stood with sternness in his pale blue eyes beneath a dark mop of hair his two sons had inherited.

With a lift of his eyebrows, Sean shrugged as though to say ‘what now?’

“You can shower separately,” Nathan said. “We need to leave the house at some point today.”

A common order from Nathan. He often split us up—although he did have a point. If we stepped into the generous shower cubicle together and lathered the soap up across one another’s body, we’d get side-tracked, everyone would be waiting for us, we wouldn’t care ... they’d get stroppy.

Taking advantage of Sean’s distraction, I spun for the door first.

***

DRESSED IN A GREEN sweater and jeans, my blonde hair still wet against my shoulder blades, I jogged into the kitchen, as Sean lowered a plate holding four slices of toast and two poached eggs onto the table.

He inclined his head. “Sit.”

I sent him a smile on the way to my usual spot, parked my rear on the oak-carved chair.

Ethan smirked from the opposite seat, humour lending a shine to dark eyes that matched Sean’s. “Good evening.”

I picked up my fork. “You’re getting funnier, Ethan. You’ve been practicing again, haven’t you?”

The chair to my left scraped out as Sean joined me with a plate of his own. He nudged a drink in front of me and pointed his knife at my food while shovelling a forkful of egg into his cavernous mouth. “Eat.”

“Very masterful.” My gaze lifted to Nathan on my right. “You must be so proud of your Neanderthals.”

Nathan’s focus never left his newspaper. “Eat your food, Jem.”

“Wonder where they get it from.” Toast and egg found their way into my mouth, rinsed down with a swig of coffee.

“If you want Sean to join you today, you’d better get a move on.” Nathan’s eyes remained downcast toward his paper. “If we don’t leave soon, we’ll fall behind, and then I won’t be able to spare him.”

Despite my mouthful of food, I smiled. I’d got my way, and would get to spend the day with Sean—alone.

Sean’s increased speed suggested approval of his dad’s decision, too. As soon as he finished, he jumped up from the table and sped to the bathroom.

While I waited, I cleared away the breakfast plates, piling them into the dishwasher. My head tilted at Sean’s footsteps padding back across the landing. Lids lowering, I envisaged his naked body glistening from the water, steam rising from his flesh on contact with the cool air.

My eyes opened. I turned toward the stairs. Took a step.

“Sit down,” Nathan ordered.

When I peered once more toward where my mind had travelled, Nathan cleared his throat. With a sigh, I slumped into my seat, glaring at Ethan’s quiet snorts of laughter into his mug.

A few minutes later, Sean’s booted feet carried him back into the kitchen. The dampness of his hair made it appear almost black. Along the back of his T-shirt, a line of moisture clung, where he’d failed to dry the rivulets either side of his spine.

I tracked his movements across the room to pick up his wallet and keys.

As he shoved them into his jeans pockets, he turned and sent me a flash of a grin, and my stomach tightened in response.

“Time to go.” Nathan pushed up from his chair. “You won’t need your keys, Sean. We’ll all go in the pickup.”

Sean’s frown appeared fast and furious, booting his grin aside. “But ... Dad ...”

A thirty-two-year-old man being told what to do by his father could be considered quite sad, but it was the way of the pack—the Alpha said jump, we asked how high?

“You can drop me and Ethan off,” Nathan said. “And I need you to make a list of the piping we’ll need for the showroom kitchen. Then you’re free to go, and you can collect us on your way home when you’ve finished.”

“But ...” Sean stared down at his Porsche keys.

“Take it or leave it, Son. It’s my only offer.”

“Sure.” Sean tossed the keys down before following Nathan to the door.

***

IN THE SHOWROOM APARTMENT, Nathan strode across the lounge and tugged back the cardboard flaps on one of a dozen packages lined against the wall. “These what you hoped they’d be like?”

I smiled at the shiny, vermillion door I’d ordered for one of the kitchen units. “Perfect.” I nodded to the other packages. “The white ones—are they as glossy?”

“Exactly the same, but white.” His mood seemed to have improved since morning. “You want to check?”

“Sure do.”

From the corner, he retrieved another flat-pack piece of cardboard and brought it over. Opening the flaps revealed whiteness as brilliant as fresh snow.

My lips curved as I ran a finger across the door’s surface.

“This will be the lounge.”

Nathan and I turned at Josh’s voice.

He smiled. Beside him stood the dark-haired, young woman from the other day.

The hackles shot up along my spine. Eyebrow raised, I sent Nathan a sideways glance before I fixed a stare back on her.

“It’s a good size.” She smiled up at Josh—way up. From a vertical perspective, she had to be at least a foot below Josh’s six-three height.

Josh walked over, kissed my cheek. “Are the doors right, Jem?”

I nodded but continued to watch the girl.

The girl followed Josh’s every move. As he walked, her eyes tracked his legs, his arms. When he spoke, she studied his lips, his eyes. During his interaction with me, she never broke contact with him. She had to be either unnaturally interested in a man she didn’t even know, or naturally very observant. I couldn’t figure out which.

“This is Marianne.” His hand came to the small of my back, nudging me forward a step as he gestured toward the invasion.

Face to face, I studied her. Pegged her to be around twenty-one. Without a doubt, pretty.

I saw why she’d taken Josh’s attention—but her eyes led me to believe the deal went deeper than the surface, as they contradicted the outward youth she portrayed, making her look like a calculating, wise, old owl.

I didn’t realise how long I stared, or that I hadn’t spoken—even the narrowing of my eyes didn’t register.

Josh leaned in close. “Please, play nice, Jem.”

All sorts of ideas whizzed through my mind, like to drag her arse outside and request, not too politely, that she find another male to set her sights on—preferably not one from our pack. Instead, I took a step forward and extended my hand. “I’m Jem.” My lips stretched in an attempted smile.

“Nice to meet you, Jem.”

On release of her hand, I resisted the urge to wipe my palm across my jeans leg and turned to Nathan instead.

He frowned—probably at my outright rudeness—and offered his own hand. “Nice to meet you, Marianne. I’m Nate.”

Nathan always introduced himself as ‘Nathan’ to strangers. He always reserved ‘Nate’ for friends and family.

I scowled. Am I the only one impervious to her?

Breakable, tiny fingers folded around Nathan’s. “Hi, Nate.”

“Come on.” Josh stepped away from me, placing a guiding hand on Marianne’s elbow. “I’ll show you the rest of the rooms.”

As soon as she was out of earshot, Nathan whispered, “What’s up with you?”

“She’s lying.”

“About what?”

“She doesn’t give a damn about these apartments. The only thing here holding her attention is Josh.”

“Does that really matter? Josh seems content enough to play along.”

“If she likes him, she could say. I’m sure the truth would work just as well.” I sounded like a sulky child.

“Perhaps she’s shy.”

“Does she look shy to you, Nate?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know much about women. Haven’t had much experience with them.”

“Except for Beth.”

His gaze, as it met mine, filled with anguish, I presumed at the mention of his human wife—the mother of his two sons. Nathan had sent her away over ten years before, after Connor’s wife had been killed in an attack by another pack. He believed it the only way to keep her safe. Neither Sean nor Ethan had seen her since.

Except for Beth,” he said at last. “And you.”

I smiled. “Surely, I’m too much of a pain in your arse to count?”

His chuckle told me my attempt at lightening the moment worked. “Jem, you overestimate yourself. Come on, let’s round up and get home.”

3

On Saturday, we spent the day at Poppy’s for her son’s birthday—a morning and afternoon of sandwich making, pirate games, and Sean chasing about the garden with the entire party of nine-year-olds, while Poppy followed him with her digital camera. Watching him expose such a natural way with kids turned out to be entertaining, enlightening, and almost heart-breaking, all at the same time.

Daylight showed the first sign of dimming, as Sean stopped the truck outside home and turned the key. Quiet met our ears, filled only by our breaths.

“What did you think?” I asked when he made no move to get out.

The question didn’t really need asking. Anyone with eyes could have seen the fun Sean had at the party, reliving his youth, burning off energy.

He turned, his teeth flashing a smile. “It was awesome. Ben’s so cool. Lily, too.”

“That’s because they have Poppy as their mum,” I said. “And Jase as their dad.”

He nodded and leaned back against the cushioned headrest. His lids lowered as though taking a moment for personal thought.

“Fancy a game of ball?” he asked, opening his eyes.

I smiled. “Do you really need to ask?”

We exited the car, and while Sean forked off to gather up the basketball, I entered the house through the conservatory.

“We’re playing ball, if anyone’s interested,” I said before heading back out.

Sean and I had already pulled off our sweaters, our scrabbling for the ball well under way, by the time the others emerged and clothed me in their scents. Of course, they took his side, leaving me to chase after them like the puny kid who couldn’t quite keep up—as usual.

Kyle bulleted toward their goal with the ball he’d stolen from me, and before I could reach him, he leaped, aimed, shot and scored.

A dive landed me on his back, my arms wound around his shoulders. “That was cheating. The game’s barely started.”

He chuckled. “You being a bad sport, Jem?”

Lips pursed, I slid down him until my feet met the ground. “No.”

The game recommenced, and my muscles came alive with the exercise. Adrenaline surging, my heartbeat sped up, my breaths hastened—until Kyle tackled me, as I made a dash toward the action.

His hands gripped my waist, and he whirled me round to face the wrong way.

I growled. “You’re going to be in trouble if you keep this up.”

The next attack came from Daniel, the middle Larsen son. He dove for me, as I jumped for the ball, and we collided mid-air before the ball could reach me. His arms came around my waist, saving me from the blow, and our feet slammed the lawn on our landing.

“What’s this? Pick on Jem day?” I nudged him away with my shoulder. “You’re all as bad as Josh ...” Trailing off, I halted, my gaze scanning the garden.

Where the heck was Josh? He never missed out.

After a second check confirmed he definitely hadn’t come out, I jogged across to the house and pulled open the conservatory door. “Josh!”

No answer. Even the noise of game play grew quiet as they paused.

“Josh! Come and play!” I called.

Feet shuffled from the lounge into the hallway.

I smiled ... until Connor appeared instead of Josh. “Where’s Josh? Tell him to come out.”

“He’s not here,” Connor said.

“But ... it’s almost dinnertime.”

Connor’s green eyes shot to the side beneath his red hair. “He’s not eating with us today.”

Frowning, I took a step into the kitchen. “Is he ill?”

“No. He’s gone out.”

My frown deepened. “Where’s he gone?”

Sean’s scent spiralled through, before his feet hit the tiled floor of the conservatory. “What’s up?”

I turned to him. “Did you know Josh was going out today?”

“No.” He faced Connor. “Where’s he gone?”

“On a date.” Daniel spoke from behind us.

I whirled, checking his face, his eyes, but found no sign of a joke, despite his smile and light tone. “A date?”

He nodded. “With that girl he met. What’s her name ...?”

“Marianne.” I scowled as my good mood drained away.

“Yeah, that one.”

Daniel seemed oblivious to my expression, as I glanced back toward Connor. Connor’s gaze met mine for only a split second before he gave his attention to the tiled floor.

As I looked from one man to the next, my hands tightened at my sides, my jaw ached from the clenching of my teeth, and those hoods of mine overhung with the mega-furrowing of my brow.

Sean took a step forward, reached out for me, but I spun and headed inside, already digging in my pocket for my mobile.

“Jem?”

Ignoring Sean’s call, I squeezed past Connor through to the hall. With my mobile held out before me, I scrolled down to Josh’s name and hit the call button.

As I strode past the living room, a tilt of my head revealed Nathan. I didn’t speak, just kept going.

At the end of the hall, I U-turned and raced up the stairs, two at a time.

The first door on the left led to my bedroom. I entered and slammed the door behind me.

The ring tone sounded four times, five, six, seven. Each ring frustrated me further, fuelling my impatience.

He’s doing it on purpose.

Maybe he knew what I had to say.

Josh answered on the ninth ring. “Jem?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going on a date? Is it because you’re with her?”

“Jem?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Um ... what’s wrong?”

“Are you on a date? Yes, or no?”

“Excuse me for a minute.” His muffled volume told me his words weren’t aimed at me. The sound of his footsteps indicated movement before he spoke to me again. “Jem, what’s wrong?”

“Why am I finding out from everyone else you’re on a date?”

“What? I—”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Is it with her—the faker?”

“Jem!” His tone arrived sharp.

“Don’t Jem me.” My warm temper burned. “You knew you were going on a date, and you didn’t tell me.”

“I haven’t seen you.” Irritation marred his tone, too.

“You’ve seen me all week. Was it because you knew I wouldn’t approve?”

“What are you going on about? How can I tell you something I don’t even know myself?”

“Don’t give me that.”

“Marianne only called last night to ask me out. I haven’t seen you since then, so how could I possibly tell you? And what do you mean, you wouldn’t approve?”

“She called you? She called you? That’s because she has ulterior motives.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“She’s a liar,” I said. “She’s lied from the off and played you like a fiddle.”

In truth, I realised I had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. I must have sounded like a bumbling idiot, but couldn’t seem to help myself—I was on a roll, and it moved too fast to show any signs of slowing.

“You don’t even know her,” Josh said.

“That’s exactly my point, Josh.”

“What? What the hell—”

“You promised you’d make sure I liked anyone you dated. Do you remember that?”

“Jem—”

“Well, I don’t like her!” I hung up on him.

My chest heaved.

The tremble of my hand affected the mobile I held before me, as I waited to see if Josh would call back for round two.

He didn’t.

My frustration expanded, but the more time that passed, the longer I had to think. As my pulse returned to normal, my breathing followed suit, and my brain evaluated what I’d just done.

I groaned.

What right had I to tell Josh who he could or couldn’t date?

No right, that’s what.

Who was I to insist he seek approval for any women he liked?

No one—not even family ... not in the literal sense of the term.

I had to be the biggest let-down of a surrogate big sister ever.

“Shit!” I kicked at the divan.

I owed him an apology—big time—but couldn’t bring myself to call him back.

Probably wouldn’t answer, anyway.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” A stomp of my foot accompanied each curse.

What if he was on his way home? What if my ranting had incited him to cut his date short? He could be raging mad and already coming to have it out with me.

“Oh, you idiot.”

With another groan, I tossed my mobile onto the bed, rubbed my hands over my face. Only as I fisted them in my eyes did I realise the threat of tears.

What the heck’s wrong with me?

Jealousy hadn’t sparked the outburst. Something more than that. Would I have gotten so mad if it had been a different girl he’d taken on a date?

I very much doubted it. I just couldn’t figure out why I had such a problem with her.

Clatters carried from the kitchen, as footsteps bounded up the stairs.

I tilted my head.

The bedroom door handle squeaked, and the door swung open to reveal Sean. “Come and eat, Jem.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat.”

“I’ve upset Josh,” I said.

“You can apologise.”

I shook my head, my mouth bearing the burden of my frown.

Sean stepped into the room and pulled me close. “He’ll forgive you, Jem, once he’s cooled off.”

Inhaling his calming scent, I leaned into him. When he drew me to his side and herded me toward the door, I didn’t protest, hadn’t the energy—I’d used it all up on Josh.

In the kitchen, the others had already started eating. When Sean drew back my chair, I slumped into it and ignored the attention of the pack, peering down at my dinner as though potatoes had answers.

From his usual seat beside me, Sean reached for my fork and held it out to me. “Eat.”

I took the cutlery, poked at my cottage pie. Knowing he wouldn’t leave me alone unless I obeyed, I prodded up a miniscule forkful and steered it into my mouth, raising my eyebrow at him in a ‘happy now?’ expression.

With a smile, he leaned over and snared a far bigger blob on his own fork and waved it beneath my nose, until I relented and ate it.

As I’d no wish to endure the embarrassment of being fed in front of the others, I forced one mouthful after another down.

Halfway through my meal, I dropped my fork and pushed up from my seat. “I should call him back.”

Sean tugged at my arm, parking me back on my rear. “Leave it, Jem.”

“I should .... I was horrible to him.” With a groan, I leaned forward, holding my hair up to prevent it stroking mashed potato on my plate.

“Talk to him tomorrow,” Sean said.

I shook my head, clambering from my seat.

Back through the hall, I rounded the newel post, jogged up the stairs, and snatched my phone off the bed. I hesitated only a second before I hit redial.

It rang for ages. Maybe he’d no intention of ever talking to me again.

My chest tightened at the thought.

His answer jolted me back. “What now, Jem?”

“Josh, I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” His tone chilled me.

“I had no right to speak to you that way.”

“No, you didn’t.”

I sniffed. “I’m sorry.”

His sigh travelled the connection to my ear. “I know.” His voice had softened. “Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

“Sure,” I mumbled.

“Bye,” he said and hung up.

***

JOSH HADN’T SOUNDED as though he’d forgiven me, or that he would.

The thought of losing the bond I shared with him tugged at me. I’d grovel if I had to—except over what I’d said about her. After spending hours awake thinking about it, I realised I’d meant every word—even if some of it hadn’t made any sense.

Little conversation arose over breakfast. The further through my sausage and tomatoes I chomped, the quieter I grew, the more reflective I became as my mind worked its way through the apology I had to give.

I’d never forgive myself if unsuccessful.

My urge to get the apology over and done with had me sending impatient glances toward the stairs, as I waited for Sean so we could leave. Sensing eyes my way, I turned to meet Ethan’s gaze over the rim of his mug.

His dark orbs shifted to the left, toward his dad.

Expecting admonishment for my antsy behaviour, I looked toward Nathan, but he stared with such intensity at ... nothing ... he didn’t even seem to notice our scrutiny.

Both Ethan and I faced him for seconds.

Nathan’s expression didn’t change.

My attention re-met Ethan’s, and I gestured with my eyebrows, hoping to portray my question, what’s up with your dad?

Ethan gave the tiniest of shrugs.

Something was definitely up with Nathan, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with Josh.

***

WHEN IT FINALLY REACHED time to head to Connor’s, we took our usual route through the forest in wolf form.

Weekly visits meant regular changes—something strongly encouraged by Nathan. He said it aided in retaining mental balance and control, and kept the twitchiness that occurred if a body’s needs weren’t met at bay.

Not that any of us minded.

I watched Nathan as the four of us raced forward.

Although a quieter character than the younger pack members, Nathan loved his runs as much as the rest of us. His body language, his focus, his rumbling growl, though, told me the day’s exercise lacked its usual enjoyment.

I glanced sideways at Sean, caught him eyeing his dad, before my eyes retrained on Nathan.

Something bugged him, for sure.

The five mile stretch to the Larsen household didn’t take long to cover. We sent a call of approach, alerting them to bring clothing out for us—a routine none had bothered with before I entered the pack.

Embarrassment over nudity didn’t lie within any of them. I had issues over seeing Sean’s family with no clothes on.

The way-too-long running sweats, which had been left on loan, told me I’d run out of gear at Connor’s—again. I rolled up the legs and tugged an equally large T-shirt over my head. After a glance to ensure Sean had dressed, too, I broke out of the forest onto the Larsen lawn and found Josh on the patio.

Sean reached me and kissed my cheek. “Go on ahead. I’ll wait for the others.”

I nodded and strode across the grass to Josh.

His head hung low, hands in his pockets. When I neared, he lifted his lashes, giving a small smile.

I stopped in front of him. “Josh, I—”

He turned and walked away.

I stared at his retreating back, until he paused at the back doorway to the house and peered over his shoulder.

“Come on. We need to talk,” he said.

I followed him in, through the kitchen, the hall. Connor’s house had pretty much the same layout as Nathan’s—as though designed by the same person. As we turned for the stairs, I spotted his two brothers and dad in the living room. They each sent me a smile.

Josh ascended the stairs. My eyebrow lifted for a second, before I fell into his shadow behind him. It took Josh’s long legs only a few strides along the landing to arrive at the second room on the right. He allowed me a brief glance, pushed open the door, and went inside.

Reaching the doorway, I leaned against the frame, as Josh sat on the bed.

The first time I’d entered Josh’s room, it’d rendered me surprised. The many images of his mother in there held sharp contrast to the sparse adornment of family pictures in Nathan’s home. Josh had been only thirteen when the outside pack had killed his mother a little over ten years before.

Josh’s beckoning finger brought my attention back to him. When I didn’t move, he came over and took my hand, walking me to the bed and drawing me down with him as he sat.

I lifted my bare feet, tucked my knees beneath my chin, wrapped my arms around them.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” he asked.

I shrugged.

“What was yesterday all about, Jem?”

My shoulders lifted and dropped again.

He sighed. “So ... you’re not going to talk to me about it?” He swung his feet up and lay back against the pillows, folding his arms behind his head. A flicker of pain visited his eyes when he looked at me.

“I told you yesterday I was sorry. You’re the one who didn’t sound like you accepted it.” My voice came out weak. So much for repairing the damage.

He nodded, and we simply sat for a few minutes, gazes on each other.

“Josh, I’m sorry, okay? I was a total arse yesterday, but ... you could have said something. I can’t believe you’d leave your dad to tell me ...”

“You have a problem with me dating, Jem?”

I shook my head because I didn’t.

“You just have a problem with Marianne?”

Picking non-existent fluff off the duvet cover, I thought about telling him no, but nodded.

“I like her. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

I didn’t answer. What could I say? That I had a bad feeling about her? How ridiculous and insubstantial would that sound?

“Are you jealous?” The frown overhanging his dulled eyes told me his words held no joviality.

I shook my head.

“I know I can’t have you ...”

At his quiet mumble, I studied him closer.

“Should I just mope around because of that and never bother looking elsewhere?”

I didn’t know what to say. I’d always believed Josh’s feelings for me were given in a playful sense—nothing more, nothing less. The way he looked at me and the deepness of his voice had me reconsidering what I’d always thought to be harmless fun.

Specks of rain hit the window. Although I gave the quiet patter my attention, Josh’s heavy stare remained on me. “When that girl first showed up ...” My lip went to curl, until I chewed at it. “... and you showed an interest in her, it made me realise ...”

“Realise what, Jem?”

I looked back at him. “That I’ve grown used to having you all to myself. Not just you, Josh—the entire pack. Poppy told me it was selfish. She said you all have needs.” I half smiled. “I guess she’s right, maybe I am being selfish. It’s just ... I don’t know.”

Only our breathing filled the room again, until I broke the silence. “I’ve no right to expect you all not to date. I know that. How unjust would that be when I have Sean? But it ... would be easier to deal with if your females were ...” I swallowed down my discomfort. “Someone I didn’t mind.”

“Why do you have a problem with her?”

“Because I know she’s lying about her interest in the apartments just to get to you.”

His jaw tightened. “So, what? What’s wrong with her lying because she finds me attractive? All women do it. You’re all manipulative. You all make stuff up just to get a man’s attention, and then, once you’ve got it, ask him out, or something.”

I threw my hands up. “And you know this, how? From your vast experience with the opposite sex? Have you even had any experience with women, Josh?”

He glared before he reined it in, letting out a heavy sigh. “Not really.”

My lips curved at his naivety.

“But I like her,” he said.

The arc of my lips switched to a downturn. “I know.”

“And I want to see her again. Can’t you accept this is what I want?”

My poorly contained sigh escaped through my nostrils. “I can try.”

“Can you please not make things difficult for me if she comes round again?”

“I’ll try.”

“Will you at least try to be nice to her?” His green eyes beseeched. “For me?”

I studied his lovely face, reached out to tug at his erratic hair that had grown into a curly mop. “I’ll try my best ... for you.”

Smiling, he took my outstretched hand. A gentle tug urged me down beside him. I brushed my lips across his cheek, nestled my face into his shoulder. As he pulled me close into his body heat, I breathed out my relief.

It didn’t take long for footsteps to climb the stairs. My face remained burrowed when they entered the bedroom, and the mattress depressed behind me as a heavy weight climbed on.

“This a private party ...” Nuzzling teased the back of my neck. “... or can anyone join in?”

I tilted my head to allow Sean’s lips easier access.

“I can’t believe this,” Josh said. “I finally entice Jem into my room—alone—and you turn up and spoil my fun.”

Sean’s chuckle vibrated along my spine, and I giggled. “You forget too often, Josh, that Jem is my woman.” Sean’s words held no warning, no malicious intent, only a regular banter.

Josh rolled toward Sean, and I found myself sandwiched between two rock hard chests.

As Sean’s hand stroked across my stomach, it fluttered.

Josh slid his hand down and grasped my thigh, tugging at me until my face pressed into his chest. “Maybe we could come to an arrangement. It’s unfair that you keep her all to yourself.”

Sean drew me back to him. “I don’t do sharing. Sorry. It’s in my nature to be territorial.”

The rumble of laughter brewed within their chests.

Josh wriggled closer. “How about a threesome?”

Sean laughed, shifting closer against my back. “Interesting idea.”

The two of them squashed me until my nose and mouth were buried against Josh, my rear heated by Sean.

“I can’t breathe.” The fabric of Josh’s T-shirt muffled my mumble.

“You hear something?” Sean asked.

Josh chuckled. “No.”

I tried to push out my arms. Sean and Josh had them pinned. I struggled against them, my grunts turning into a low giggle. “You’ll be sorry when I pass out from the fumes of smelly armpit.”

“Hey, I don’t smell.”

As soon as Josh lifted his arm and sniffed there, my fingers located his ribcage.

He squirmed against the tickling contact, rolled over laughing.

Sean’s hold lessened, and I made my escape to kneel on Josh’s stomach, tickled him some more. Giving me the upper hand ... until Sean joined in the game—on Josh’s team.

Two against one? I never stood a chance.

4

Monday lunchtime, donned in humungous, waist-high coveralls, and ugly, steel-capped boots Nathan insisted I wear, I tried to ignore the calls of, “Hey, Jem, nice outfit,” as I headed inside the showroom apartment.

The plastered walls had been prepared the afternoon before, and awaited my magic touch. In the kitchen, after filling a tray with brilliant white emulsion, I balanced the roller against the lip and climbed the stepladder.

The ceiling didn’t take long to coat, and I moved to give the lounge its first lick. I’d covered almost a quarter when Josh showed up, bearing a steaming mug of coffee.

I clattered down and danced over to Josh with a smile. Mug in hand, the steaming aroma travelled up, as I inhaled, sighed, and sipped. “Thanks, Josh. I needed this.”

“So I see.” His gaze travelled the walls and returned to me. “I’m impressed. You haven’t got any paint on you.”

“Very funny. I am capable of doing stuff without making a mess.”

“Yes, but ...” He paused at his mobile ringing and pulled it from his pocket. His focus flicked from the caller display to me. “It’s Marianne.”

I willed my brow not to crease. “You’d better answer it, then.”

He seemed unsure as he hit the connect button and put the phone to his ear. “Hey, Marianne, how are you?”

“Pretty good—even better now I’m talking to you.”

My enhanced hearing caught her words without effort, and it took restraint not to stick my fingers down my throat.

Josh grinned. “Did you have a good time on Saturday?”

“Of course. We should do it again sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

I considered moving away so I wouldn’t have to hear them any longer, but didn’t.

“Listen, are you busy right now?” Marianne asked.

“I’m working.”

“Oh ... it’s just that I was coming past that way. I made you some tea. What with the weather being so cold, I figured you could use something to warm you up.”

“You’ve made me tea?”

As Josh met my stare, my eyebrow lifted.

“Would it be okay to drop it into you? I won’t get in your way.”

Nooooo! my mind screamed. I willed my head not to shake, kept my mouth shut. My teeth clenched with the effort.

Josh combed his fingers through his hair. “That would be great.”

“Would it be okay to come in to you? Or would you rather come out and meet me at the gates?”

Josh turned toward the window. “You’re here already?”

“Yes.”

“You may as well come on in, then. I’m just in the apartment—the one I showed you ...”

“I know,” she said. “See you in a few seconds.”

Josh hung up. “Marianne’s here.”

My head bobbed. “I heard.”

“Please ...”

“I’ll try.”

“Jem.” His eyes pleaded.

“I’ll try,” I said again.

Marianne waltzed into the room brandishing a silver—single-serving—flask. “Hey, Josh.”

What sort of woman made flasks for men they barely knew?

Skinny-fit jeans accentuated her slender figure, and her matching cable-knit jumper and gloves, and her gilet enhanced the dowdiness of my coverall. Even my thrown-into-a-scrunchie hair faded into the background beside her lush, dark waves cascading in perfect twists.

She approached Josh with lips spread wide, teeth revealed, eyes sparkling. The instant she turned toward me, all warmth faded, despite the smile that remained fixed in place. “It’s nice to see you again, Jem.”

Josh’s body tensed.

Although I wanted to tell her to take her stupid flask and disappear, I’d made a promise to Josh. “You, too.” My jaw almost seized in the effort to remain polite. “I have work to do.” I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the stepladder.

“Do you want this now, Josh?” she asked.

Unable to help myself, I glanced over my shoulder.

Marianne smiled as she handed it to him. “You look as though you could use warming up.”

Warming up? Josh stood before her in nothing but a muscle vest and had not a goose bump in sight.

“Thanks.” He took it from her and twisted the lid, and his entire face scrunched up.

The flower beds in Poppy’s garden smelled more consumable than whatever the flask held.

My foot relocated to the floor, and I moved closer. “Tea?”

Marianne smiled. “Yes.”

“Doesn’t smell like tea to me.”

“That’s because it’s herbal. I make it myself. It’s very good for your health, Jem. Helps you stay strong.”

Josh held out the flask as though diseased, and my hand lifted to smother my smirk. He glanced up, panic widening his eyes.

I barked out a laugh, but choked it back with the pretence of a cough. “I’ll, um ... put that in the office, if you like. You can have it when you take your break later.”

I didn’t wait for him to respond, just took it from him as my strides carried me past. By the time he mumbled a thanks, I’d already left the room.

***

FROM THE SNUG BUCKET seat of the Porsche, I cruised the country lanes toward the DIY Depot across town, with scarf circled around my neck, and Sean’s rock CD blasting through the speakers. Through the open window, the icy cold wind whipped my hair about my head, and taking advantage of the lack of police cars prior to hitting town traffic, I drove way too fast, in a desperate need for coveralls that fit.

I barely met any other vehicles during my recklessness. Only a Nissan and Volvo came toward me, and a sleek, black Lexus, whose driver also didn’t seem averse to breaking the speed law, stuck in my rear-view throughout.

When I reached the depot car park, I took the Porsche slow over the speed bumps and, after parking up, headed in.

On the way to the protective clothing department, a set of bathroom taps caught my eye, and I veered right. The chrome contours slid beneath my inspecting fingers. My lids lowered as I pictured them on the suite I’d ordered—white curves amid silver walls to match the taps—until a deep unease settled over me.

My shoulders stiffened as my eyes flew open. A discreet inhalation revealed nothing to set my alarm bells ringing.

To the left, my gaze met that of a middle-aged man, with thinning hair and a paunchy stomach. Beyond him, a younger guy in jeans and T-shirt, his hair gelled.

Behind my other shoulder stood a couple, both with their hands on a pushchair.

I stared hard at the woman for a few seconds, before turning my attention to the only other occupant in the bathroom aisle, a middle-aged woman with rich chestnut hair.

She held a brochure, seemed to search the shelves for something.

Still nothing—within visual or sniffing range—to cause concern.

Shrugging it off, I reached up for a set of the taps and ducked off to find the coveralls I’d come for.

***

WEDNESDAY MORNING, donned in my ridiculous white coverall and ugly boots, I began to decorate the walls of the apartment. With each sweep of the paint roller, my body relaxed. The sounds of the others doing their manly jobs and quiet tunes from the radio added to it.

After an hour, Sean arrived. My arm continued to move, as I assured him I was okay and allowed him a kiss to ease his withdrawal. With the promise of coffee on his next visit, he headed back out.

Once again, I slipped into a trance-like state. My mind daydreamed about Sean, what I’d very much like to do to him, with him, about the forest and hunting—all the good thoughts that aroused my body as well as my brain.

Footsteps entered the apartment, disturbing my blissful oblivion, and neared the room I occupied.

I turned, and my gaze fell on Marianne.

“Hello, Jem.”

Remembering my promise, I nodded and tried a small smile on for size—it didn’t fit very well.

“Is Josh about?”

“Didn’t you ring him first?”

“I tried, but he didn’t answer.” She smiled as her cool stare travelled over me. “I assumed he couldn’t hear it.”

Teeth gritted, I studied her for seconds, while my inner attitude warred against the politeness I knew I had to offer. “I’ll try his number ...” ... if it’ll get rid of you. I retrieved my mobile from the window ledge and dialled.

Josh answered straight away. “Missing me, Jem?”

“Always.” I smiled. “Marianne’s here.”

“Where?”

“Down here ... with me.”

Silence.

“She did try calling you, but she said you didn’t answer.”

“I didn’t hear it.”

I glanced at Marianne. “That’s what she said.”

“Tell him I brought more tea,” Marianne said.

I reined in my smirk. “She’s made you more tea.”

He hesitated, may even have groaned, but covered it well. “Okay, tell her I’m coming.”

I hung up. “He’s on his way.”

“Thanks.” She sent me a smile sweet enough to rot teeth.

“Sure.” I put my phone down, returned to the ladders and my painting.

“Did you choose this colour?” she asked.

I nodded.

“It’s nice.”