Free Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian Page B

Ty another name. “Thanks.”
    Then Kyle turned to her again. “I’m gonna make that call and then I’ll go get your stuff. I won’t be gone long. Why don’t you and Cat watch a movie or something?”
    “Sure.” Tam smiled at Cat, who still looked heartsick. “I’m sure we’ll be able to amuse ourselves for a little while.”
    Kyle hesitated, his hand tightening on hers for a few brief seconds before releasing. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    Then he turned and disappeared into his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. To make the call to Cat’s mom, she assumed.
    “Tam, do you want to sit down?”
    With a guilty start, Tam realized she was staring at Kyle’s door. Turning, she walked over to the couch and dropped onto the cushion next to Cat’s, letting her head fall back. Trying to think of something to say.
    She felt the couch shift as Ty rose. Turning her head, Tam watched Cat track the boy through the house to the front door and out of the house.
    “Is he your boyfriend?”
    Cat’s short laugh accompanied the shaking of her head. “No, he’s not.”
    “But you like him?”
    Cat turned to stare back at Tam. “It’s complicated.”
    “Complicated by you being a werewolf?”
    Cat’s gaze narrowed. “We call ourselves lucani versipelli .”
    Tam thought for a second. “Wolf skin-shifters.”
    Cat smiled, her expression easing just a bit. “That’s right. Not many people would know that.”
    “Six semesters of Latin turned out to be good for something.”
    “Are you…afraid of me?”
    Tam shook her head. “I’m amazed. I never imagined seeing anything like that in my life. But I’m not scared. I’m actually a little more worried about what I told you the past few nights. Cat…”
    What could she say? She’d given the girl such graphic details because she’d thought talking about it would help purge the ordeal. She’d probably given Cat nightmares.
    Tears popped into the girl’s eyes. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
    The very real sorrow in the girl’s voice made tears threaten Tam’s eyes as well. But she’d shed enough of them and she blinked them back. “Me too. But I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. Just like you don’t want me to be afraid of you. Okay? I’m still here. I lived through it and I’m still here so that’s a win for me. Do you understand?”
    Cat nodded. “Yes. Okay.” She took a deep breath. “So you’re going to let Dad help you?”
    “Yeah, I am.”
    “He’s good.” Her voice dropped until it was almost inaudible. “He doesn’t think I know what he does. What he is. But I’ve known for years.”
    Tam frowned, confused. “What do you mean? I know he’s a…a werewolf. Like you.” What could be weirder than that?
    Cat’s teeth lodged in her bottom lip before she sighed. And was saved from answering by Kyle’s bedroom door opening.
    “Cat, Dan and your mom’ll be here in about half an hour.” Kyle walked out, those topaz eyes glowing. “I should be back before they get here but if I’m not…” He switched his attention to Tam. “Hell, if I’m not, I’m gonna apologize for Margie now. And don’t feel like you have to answer any questions you don’t want to, Tam.”
    Cat snorted. “Yeah, when did that ever stop Mom? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she behaves. But you know Mom.” Cat slid an apologetic smile at Tam. “She doesn’t know the meaning of the word boundaries.”
    Tam suddenly realized she was about to meet the woman who’d been involved with Kyle, was still involved with him because of Cat. She was obviously in a relationship with someone else, this Dan whom Cat also referred to as her father.
    Shit.
    Did Kyle still have feelings for Cat’s mom? Well, that was stupid. Of course he did. They had to get along. Cat was too well-adjusted for them to be at each other’s throats.
    Jesus, there was just so much she didn’t know about this man. A man she’d taken one look at and decided she wanted.