Lycan Heat by S. Yule (polar express read aloud TXT) 📕

She already hated herself for taking it. It made her feel weak even though she knew better. Everyone needed help at some point in their lives, and she was no different. Finally, she started drifting into sleep. Glorious, dreamless sleep.

* * * *

“Sherry. Sherry. Wake up.” Janine shook her harder.

“Geez, Janine. Why are you waking me up so early?” Sherry groaned and tried to burrow back under the blankets her sister was jerking off her.

“It’s not early. It’s almost one o’clock in the afternoon,” Janine growled.

“Come on. We are getting everything set up for the cook out. Everyone is already here—except you.”

She groaned. “Okay. Okay. You go ahead and I’ll be there in a bit.” She cracked her lids open and saw her sister standing there with her arms crossed over her middle as she so often did when she was agitated.

“You’re little bit will result in all afternoon.”

“I promise. I’ll be there in an hour or less.” She would, too, even if it killed her, which it might.

“Swear to me.”

“I swear. Now go.”

“Okay, but if you aren’t out there in an hour, I’m coming to get you.

And, I’ll bring Raze and have him carry you out there if necessary.”

“I’ll be there.”

“All right. When you’re ready, we are set up not far past and to the right of the cabin. Raze, Anthony, and Brent are already putting the meat on the grill, and Karen and Rindy are anxious to meet you.”

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Lycan Heat

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“I’m getting up right now. Now get out there, and let them know I’ll be along in a bit.”

“Seriously, one hour.”

“Go!” Sherry laughed as Janine giggled and then dodged the pillow she tossed at her.

Before heading out the door, Janine paused. “Um, are you okay? I mean, after our talk last night?”

“I’m okay, but I don’t really want to talk about it right now.”

“All right.” She gave Sherry one last long stare before going outside.

She was proud of herself. She’d taken another quick shower, had put on her makeup, pulled her hair into a cute top-knot, and was dressed with ten minutes to spare. She’d dressed warmer than yesterday in a white cotton hoodie that zipped up the front over the pink T-shirt with “chic” written in silver rhinestones across it. A matching pair of cotton pants that hugged her hips and white tennies with pink glitter on the toes completed the ensemble.

It wasn’t anything extremely fashionable, but it was cute and comfortable.

She went to find Janine and the others. Following the voices in the distance, she walked slowly along the tree line. If she was honest with herself, it was quite beautiful out here. A Monarch butterfly flitted by her and lit on the bark of a tree. She stepped closer and gasped when it flew off the tree and landed on her nose. She laughed at the way its legs tickled her before the butterfly took flight once again. She watched it, mesmerized, until it disappeared into the woods.

Maybe she’d been a bit judgmental about nature. She would try to enjoy herself the rest of the time she was here. Just up ahead, two big tables were set up, one laden with food, the other surrounded by several chairs and draped in a checkered tablecloth. A grill sat to the side of the empty table and three men, one Raze, stood around it drinking beer and poking at the meat searing on the grates. Raze was not small by any means, but the other two men were huge.

Another cabin was set back in the trees, but looked more like a mini mansion than a vacation getaway. It was a stunning sight with its wraparound deck and rustic charm.

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Lycan Heat

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Sherry spotted Janine, who was talking to a blonde and a black-haired woman. When she saw her approach, she waved for her to come over and join them. Sherry hurried over to where the women were standing.

“Sherry, this is Karen.” She motioned to the black-haired woman. “And this is Rindy.” She motioned to the blonde.

Karen was tall, curvy, and had beautiful blue eyes, while Rindy was closer to her petite size and had gray eyes. Both the women were pretty in their own ways, but Karen seemed a bit more laid back than Rindy, who continuously scanned the area as if expecting something to happen.

“Nice to meet you.” Sherry shook Karen’s and then Rindy’s hand.

“Anthony? Come meet Janine’s sister, Sherry,” Karen called out.

“You too, Brent,” Rindy followed up.

Anthony was quiet and intense. He was also huge and had gorgeous green eyes accented by inky black hair. He smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you.” His voice was low and quiet.

Brent was big, as well, but not quite as hulking as Anthony. He had chocolate brown eyes, brown hair, and an easy smile she was sure any woman would find attractive. “Glad to finally meet you. Janine talks about you all the time.” Brent put his arm around Rindy’s shoulders.

“She does?” She quirked a brow in her sister’s direction. “I had no idea my sister was so fond of me.” She chuckled and gently elbowed Janine in the ribs.

“Is the meat about done?” Karen asked.

“Yep. Everyone grab a plate.” Brent followed Anthony back to the grill.

“Would you like something to drink, Sherry?” Raze asked her.

“I’d love some water if you have it.”

“Coming up.” He turned to Janine. “You need anything else?”

“Yeah, but it’ll have to wait until later.” Janine leaned in and whispered to Raze, but Sherry still heard her.

She covered her ears. “La la la la. Don’t want to hear this.”

Raze dropped a quick kiss on Janine’s mouth and started for the cooler by the grill. After Raze handed Sherry a cold bottle of water, some 27

Lycan Heat

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movement from the woods startled her. Seconds later, a blond boy stepped out. He stood watching them.

“Come on over, Collin. Grab a plate and join us,” Brent called out