Mating Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novel by Katie Reus Read Free Book Online Page B

she’d needed to get a punch in before her arm fell off. Being pinned underneath him with no shirt on . . . She shivered, and it had nothing to do with the icy chill in the air. The feel of all his muscle and strength and raw power was way too familiar. It would have been so easy to give in to that kiss, to wrap her legs around him and . . . Nope. Not going there. She gave her head a sharp shake as if that could somehow force away memories of their hot, sweaty bodies tangled up together.
    When she reached December’s doorstep, she knocked once. Moments later the door opened and her redheaded best friend stood there with a slightly swelling belly. Petite and much shorter than Kat, December practically glowed. Pregnancy definitely agreed with her. Her blue eyes widened slightly. “Kat! Come in.”
    Kat pushed down the guilt. Her friend shouldn’t be surprised to see her, but Kat had been keeping her distance since December and Liam moved back to the ranch recently. After the torture Kat had endured, both of her friends had lived with her for a little over a month, and for that she was grateful. She should have visited here more. “If you’re sure you’re not busy and I’m not interrupting anything—”
    December rolled her eyes, grabbed Kat’s hand, and tugged her inside. “You can join me in the kitchen. I can’t seem to stop baking. Though of course I can’t eat any of it without puking it back up. But I like the smell. I think I’m driving Liam a little crazy.”
    Kat snorted softly at she followed her friend into the country-style kitchen. “I don’t think that’s possible.” Her eyes widened when she saw the racks of cupcakes, cookies, and a couple of cakes. “Holy crap, you weren’t kidding.”
    “I
know
.” A timer went off and December opened the oven, pulling out what looked like lemon squares, and Kat’s mouth watered.
    “Is that what I think it is?”
    “Yes, and you can take the whole thing once I’m finished.” December didn’t look up as she grabbed a metal tin from the pantry, so Kat took a seat in one of the chairs at the center island.
    “I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately.”
    December shook her head as she started to dust the contents of the pan with powdered sugar. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”
    But she did. December was just too forgiving. And an incredibly good friend. She’d never once pressured her to talk about what had happened to her in that barn. Well, December had tried to talk Kat into seeing a therapist, but she hadn’t been pushy. Considering that December had been turned into a shifter too—though she’d undergone the change because of her pregnancy and wouldn’t be able to shift forms until after the birth—she had her own issues to deal with, but she’d been the best friend Kat could ask for. “I just stopped by to see what you and Liam were up to. I’m surprised you’re not working today.” Especially since it was Saturday. One of the busiest days at her friend’s bookstore.
    “Right now Erin’s watching the store, but I’m going in around lunchtime. I’m going to try selling some of these baked goods, see if there’s a market for them.”
    Kat inhaled deeply, dying to dive into the lemon squares, especially after the workout she’d just had. “I can’t imagine any of this stuff lasts very long in your store.”
    A small smile touched her face. “Or in this house. Liam’s like a garbage disposal.”
    Kat grinned. “So, what’s your man up to today?” In addition to avoiding December she’d also been steering clear of the entire pack and Liam. She felt like a jerk for avoiding the two people who’d been so good to her when she’d needed it most. But she hadn’t wanted to bring them down with her issues. Not when they were newly mated and soaking up the bliss of their new relationship. Plus Kat had begun to feel like a third wheel around them.
    “He’s with his brother.” December shrugged, but Kat