Moon Shifter 02 - Primal Possession

morning.”
    “Friend?” Liam’s eyes narrowed a fraction.
    December’s lips pulled into a thin line. “First of all, my friend is female, but second, I’m allowed to have male friends. And I
do
. Plenty of them.”
    “Why would any male want to be friends with you?”
    His words were like a swift punch to her chest. “Excuse me?”
    He held his hands up in a defensive gesture. “No, I mean,
just
friends. I mean, I could never be just friends with you. I…shit, never mind.” His expression was so dejected and out of character she was tempted to smile, but she didn’t let him off the hook.
    Liam had a possessive streak a mile wide and it annoyed her. She tried to hurry past him, but true to form, he beat her to the door. By the time she’d caught up, he’d opened it. No doubt after looking through the peephole. Or maybe he’d scented her friend. December still didn’t understand the animal side of him and what his limitations were.
    “Hey, December.” Kat’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between Liam and December.
    She wrapped her arms around herself at the sudden blast of cold air that trailed in. “Hey, Kat. I didn’t realize you’d be here so early.” In that moment, December hated the unfamiliar jolt of jealousy she experienced. Especially since it was directed at her friend. The sun was barely up but her friend looked perfect. Her ivory skin practically glowed. Kat was tall and slim, built like a model, but she actually had breasts. With long, dark hair and exotic, almost catlike eyes she was the kind of woman men fantasized about. Now that she thought about it, December was pretty sure her friend had said something about modeling when she was younger. And December felt tiny and small for being jealous of her.
    “Sorry, the drive was quicker than I thought in this snow.” She looked at Liam questioningly. “Uh, hey, Liam. I didn’t know you knew December.”
    December didn’t bother to hide her shock as she turned to him. “You know Kat?”
    He took a step back and cleared his throat. “Sort of. I’ll let you two do whatever it is you need….” His voice trailed off as he disappeared back toward the kitchen.
    December shut the door behind Kat, who was looking at her expectantly. The bottom dropped out of her stomach. Oh God, had they slept together? She shouldn’t care since she had no claim on him, but the thought bothered her. Okay, more than bothered her. It made her see red and feel as if claws could sprout at any moment. “The books are in here.” She motioned toward her living room where the box of books sat on her coffee table.
    Kat trailed after her and flopped down on her brown leather love seat. “So, you and Liam Armstrong, huh?
Very
nice, girl.” She was whispering but December had a feeling he could hear them anyway.
    December sat next to her but perched on the edge of the couch. “Did you sleep with him?” As soon as the words were out, she wanted to take them back. She couldn’t believe she’d asked her friend that.
    Kat’s pale eyes widened for an instant. Then she laughed as if the thought were hysterical. “Uh,
no
. Not that he’s not hot or anything, but, uh, he’s not exactly my type. And I’m pretty sure I’m not his either, guessing by the way he was practically devouring you with his eyes.”
    December hadn’t expected the relief that swelled through her. It was like a fast-breaking wave that nearly knocked her off her feet.
    Before she could say anything, Kat continued. “So what’s up with you two? He’s spending the night? Whendid this happen? I thought you had a date with that tourist last night. He’s a stockbroker or something, right? And I’ve never known you to let a man stay the night. I want details!”
    December struggled to compose herself. She’d almost been able to forget about what had happened the night before. Pretend it was a dream. Her friend’s question brought reality crashing back on her. She’d tell Kat later what had happened, but if she started talking about it now, she was afraid she’d do something stupid like start crying. “That didn’t work out. And Liam and I aren’t together. Not like that. We’re just friends.”
    “Friends?” Kat snorted loudly. The sound was so irreverent it made December smile. “Yeah, all my hot male friends have sleepovers with me too. We stay up late and paint each other’s toenails. Do
not
hold out on me. I haven’t had sex in forever, so give me something