Betting on Julia (A Melville Sisters Novel) (Entangled Covet) (5 page)

But he could still taste her on his lips, on his tongue, and his dick jerked again. Inside, he heard the echo of a chuckle.

She’d been so soft. God, he’d wanted to loose himself in that softness, bury himself so deep. Somehow remember that there were good things, good people in this world. Forget for a little while that he wasn’t one of them.

I prefer Melanie myself.

“Fuck off.”

Chapter Five

Julia flung open her wardrobe door and inspected the contents.

What did you wear for a date that wasn’t quite a date? With a man who wanted to be your friend, whom you wanted to jump but keep an emotional distance from?

The movies on Wednesday had been great, though she hadn’t paid much attention to the film. They’d laughed at the same places, although usually seconds after the rest of the audience, as though they were both trying too hard. She’d found it near impossible to concentrate with Bastian—even his name was sexy—so close. His long jean-clad thigh almost touching hers.

She’d bought a big tub of toffee popcorn and eaten the whole thing herself. Bastian didn’t have a sweet tooth apparently.

Afterward, he’d walked her to her door, waited while she went inside, and made absolutely no attempt to kiss her good night.

And why would he? He needed a friend, not some crazy bitch who fantasized about doggy sex with him.

Now it was Friday night and they were going for pizza because that’s the sort of things friends did. So why couldn’t she decide what to wear?

She was aiming for casual sexy, as if she’d dressed for a friend, but the friend wouldn’t be able to look at her without thinking sex.

At least
Thing
had been quiet. Julia hadn’t heard a sound from her since she’d interrupted the kiss. Which was good because if
Thing
really wanted a new name, then she’d better stop poking her nose in where she wasn’t wanted. Now, nearly a week after full moon, Julia was hopeful she would stay quiet until the next one. Which she refused to think about right now.

The doorbell rang. It was too early for Bastian, and she tightened the robe around herself and took the stairs at a run. Peering through the peephole, she found Lissa standing on the doorstep, a bottle of champagne in her hands.

They were celebrating. But celebrating what?

She pulled open the door, glanced sideways at Bastian’s place, and pulled Lissa through. “Why didn’t you use your key?” she asked.

Lissa grinned. “I didn’t want to in case I interrupted something.”

“Not much chance of that,” she muttered.

“Why? Hasn’t Mr. Hot-Next-Door-Neighbor been back?”

“We saw a movie on Wednesday, and we’re going for a pizza tonight.”

“Hmmm, not very romantic.”

“No. He doesn’t want romance. And neither do I. He wants a friend, and I want sex.” She groaned as sexy, naked images flashed up in her mind.

Lissa laughed. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to get him to comply. Is he imminent, or do we have time…?” She lifted the bottle of champagne and waved it in Julia’s direction.

“We have time.” Besides, she would have made time. She wanted to know what Lissa was celebrating and she wasn’t leaving the house until her friend spilled. “So where’s Daniel tonight?” she asked as she led the way into the sitting room.

“He’s gone to some fight.”

“Really. That doesn’t sound like Daniel.”

“It’s something to do with the pack. Something, Ethan set up before—”

“Before Daniel killed him and the rest of the guys and gals ate him. Okay, don’t spoil my Friday night. I don’t need to know any more.” She got a couple of champagne flutes from the cabinet. “So what are we celebrating?” she asked.

Lissa was struggling with the cork, which didn’t want to budge, so Julia took the bottle from her and pulled it out with ease.

“My, how strong you are, Grandma.”

“Yeah, and what big teeth.” She’d never actually tested her new strength, hadn’t wanted any more evidence of exactly how screwed up she was, but she supposed it had its uses. She poured the champagne and held out a glass to Lissa.

She shook her head. “Actually, the champagne is for you. I’m not drinking.”

“You’re not?”

Lissa licked her lips and glanced away. “I’m pregnant.”

A whole load of conflicting emotions raced through her in a flash. Julia forced them all down. This was about Lissa, not her. She put her glass on the table and hugged her best friend.

“I’m so happy for you,” she said stepping back. And she was, really she was. She was also jealous and hurt and in pain…

Daniel had wanted to change Lissa, turn her into a werewolf so she’d live longer, never get ill, be stronger… But Lissa had put him off, saying she’d consider it later. Because first she wanted babies.

Werewolves couldn’t have children. The pregnant mothers invariably shifted at full moon and miscarried. Which meant now Julia could never get pregnant. Or rather, if she got pregnant she would never carry the baby to full term, which was perhaps even worse. Of course, she would never try, never allow herself to risk it. And in fact, snuggled in her bedside cabinet, next to her vibrator, was a brand-new, as-yet-unopened box of condoms. Just in case.

She picked up her champagne and gulped it down.

“I’m sorry,” Lissa said. “I wasn’t sure whether I should tell you.”

“Don’t ever be sorry,” she said fiercely. “I’m glad for you and Daniel. Really I am.”

“It’s just that life’s not fair and it sucks and…”

“And I’ll probably never have babies. But that’s okay, because I’ve never met a man I wanted kids with. And having babies makes you fat and blotchy and… Yuck. Who’d want it? You’re going to be so ugly.”

Lissa smiled. “Things will work out.”

Actually, Julia had never thought about babies until she couldn’t have them. She’d just presumed that one day, she’d find the right man, and they’d have a whole load.

Never going to happen.

She forced the thought aside. This was Lissa’s time. “Do you know how long?”

“I’m about three months. I thought I might be but didn’t want to say anything until I was sure, and I kept putting it off. Truth was, I was scared.

Julia grinned. “Bet you thought there might be a pack of puppies in there.”

Lissa shuddered. “Something like that. But the doctor says they’re perfect.”

“They?”

“It’s twins.”

“Wow. I’m going to be an aunt. Twice.”

“You’ll make a great aunt.” She refilled Julia’s glass and perched on the sofa arm.

“How’s Daniel taking it?” Julia asked.

“Terrified…delirious…terrified.”

“Mr. Big Bad Werewolf, leader of the pack is scared?”

“Oh yeah.”

The doorbell rang, and she glanced at her watch. “That’s Bastian. Stay here—I’ll go let him in.”

“You want me to scurry out the back door? Please don’t say yes. I so want to meet him.”

“No, stay and say hi. I’ll only be a second.”

As she opened the door, Bastian stared at her, and she glanced down. She was still in her fuchsia robe with a half-empty glass of champagne in her hand.

“Am I early…or interrupting something?”

“No. I have an unexpected visitor. Come in and say hello.”

He raised an eyebrow but followed her into the sitting room.

“This is my friend, Lissa,” Julia said.

Lissa gaped. Clearing her throat, she came forward holding out her hand. “Hi.”

Bastian took it, and Julia watched him closely. Lissa wasn’t beautiful, but she was stunning in an unusual way. With her short, spiky black hair and strange golden eyes, most men found her worth a second glance. But there was nothing in Bastian’s expression except an open friendliness. “Nice to meet you. Are you joining us for dinner?”

“No. I just popped in to give Julia some news.”

His glance went to the open bottle of champagne. “Good news, obviously.”

“Yes, but now I should get back home.”

“Actually, you can come and help me with something first.” She grabbed Lissa’s arm, then thrust her glass at Bastian. “You finish that.” And she hustled Lissa from the room and up the stairs.

“Holy shit, he is hot,” Lissa murmured as the bedroom door shut behind them. “I mean really, really smoking hot.”

“Watch what you’re saying, or I’ll tell Daniel.”

“Yeah, but…wow.” She eyed Julia. “And he just wants to be friends?”

“So he says.”

“That is so not right. How can you look at that and not think sex.”

“Hey, you’re a respectable married woman and the mother of my brother’s babies.”

“Yeah, but…wow. You have so got to get into his pants.”

Julia giggled. “So what do I wear to make that happen? I want to look like I’m not making an effort but totally sexy at the same time.”

Lissa went to the wardrobe and rifled through the contents. “Definitely not jeans,” she muttered to herself. “A skirt, I think, where’s that black leather one…”

It was weird; six months ago, it would never have occurred to her to ask for fashion advice from Lissa. But her friend had blossomed in the months since she’d married Daniel—while Julia had regressed—but then there was nothing like turning into a hairy monster once a month to knock your confidence.

Lissa pulled out a skirt and tossed it to Julia. “Wear it with your knee-length boots and stockings so you feel sexy even if Mr. Hottie doesn’t know.” She followed it with a pale pink cardigan.

Julia was already wearing matching fuchsia underwear, so now she pulled on a pair of thigh highs, followed by the miniskirt that came to just above the knee and finally the cardigan on top. Lissa came across and undid the top two buttons, revealing more than a hint of cleavage. “Perfect. Casual but sex-kittenish. He won’t be able to resist you, especially if you lean over the table a lot and maybe flash a bit of thigh by accident.

“Sounds like a plan,” Julia said, pulling on her boots and admiring herself in the mirror. She’d always wanted to be tall and skinny like Lissa, but had learned to make the most of her assets and she could admit she looked good.

How could he resist her? Maybe she’d invite him back here afterward and…she exhaled loudly. “Can I ask you something?”

Lissa frowned. “You’ve never worried about it before.”

“Well, this is kind of…personal. About you and Daniel.”

“Uh-huh…”

She took a deep breath. “Does he like doggy sex? I mean more than other stuff…?”

Lissa’s lips tightened as though she was trying not to smile. “I’ll answer if you tell me why you want to know.”

“Meanie.” Another deep breath. “I keep having this fantasy about Bastian and me and we’re doing it and I’m on all fours and… Okay, that’s enough detail. Your turn.”

A pink flush washed over Lissa’s cheeks. “Well, I’m not sure what’s normal, but he does seem to like the position. And he sort of does this thing with his teeth and…”

Julia held up her hand. “Thank you, but that’s more than enough sharing. And definitely more than I need to know about my brother.” But at least that image dispelled the other one and her wayward libido calmed down.

She sprayed on some Chanel and was ready to go.

At the bottom of the stairs, Lissa turned and gave her a hug. “Thanks for being the best friend ever,” she murmured. “I know this must be hard, but I had to tell you.”

“Of course you did. And I’m glad.”

Someone cleared their throat behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Bastian standing in the doorway to the sitting room.

“Is everything all right? Do you want to cancel tonight…be with your friend?”

“No,” they said in unison. Damn. He was nice and considerate as well as hot. It occurred to her briefly that maybe he was
too
perfect, but she brushed the thought aside. Anyway, it wasn’t as though she was wanting to fall in love, or anything long term. Just some hot sex to take her mind off her little—okay huge—problems.

“I have to go,” Lissa said. “But lovely to meet you.” She thought for a second and a glint came in her eyes, her lips curving in a small smile. “I’m thinking of inviting Debs and Marcia and their partners over for lunch on Sunday. Tell them the news. Why don’t you and Bastian come over? It will be fun.”

“Debs and Marcia are my sisters,” she informed Bastian. Julia thought the fun bit was doubtful. It was generally considered that the Melville sisters en masse was a terrifying prospect. And she couldn’t help but wonder how Bastian would cope.

Bastian still hadn’t answered.

“Well, you did want to meet more people,” she said. “And this is a good opportunity.”

“But it’s a family affair.”

“They won’t mind. They’d love to meet any friend of Julia’s,” Lissa said.

“Okay. In that case, I’d love to come.”

He didn’t sound over the moon about the idea though. Maybe meeting the family wasn’t part of the “friends” thing. Though it was hardly meeting her mum and dad. They now lived in Spain and had since her father’s retirement.

“Good. Now I’ll leave you to your date.”

Julia grabbed her leather jacket, and they walked out with her. A tall man in a dark suit stood by a car.

“My bodyguard,” Lissa said, sounding a little defensive. Julia gave him a quick glance. He was one of the pack, but not one she had ever spoken to. He nodded to her, interest flaring in his eyes—she was the new Alpha’s sister—but he didn’t speak.

They waited until the two had driven away, before heading off down the street. The buildings were decorated with strings of colored lights and she realized it was only a few weeks until Christmas. She usually loved the festive season; this year her mind had been on other things. Bastian strolled beside her, his hands thrust into his pockets, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Was Lissa your…girlfriend?”

It took her a moment to realize what he was asking. He thought Lissa was her ex-lover. She shuddered at the thought, and a grin twitched at her lips. “Actually, I may have…exaggerated the ‘girlfriend’ thing. You caught me at a bad time and I sort of panicked.”

“My fault for coming on too strong. So you’re not into girls?”

“No. I’m definitely into men.” Best to get that clear right away. “Lissa is my best friend—a completely different thing. But she’s also my sister-in-law. She married my brother four months ago.”

“And why does your sister-in-law need a bodyguard.”

Actually, she wasn’t sure. The bodyguard thing was new, but she would definitely find out on Sunday. She hoped there was no weird shit going on with the pack. She’d avoided talking about pack stuff with anyone. She hadn’t wanted to know. Hoped it was all temporary, and she could forget all about it when she was back to normal.