Instinctive - By Cathryn Fox Page 0,70

these years.

“After a few more weeks with these sales numbers, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind just how dedicated and serious you are about running the business. Then you’ll be able to come home.”

Oh, if it were only so easy . . .

Suddenly her mind raced to Slyck, and how she’d only just found him. Oh God, what would happen to the both of them when the full moon peaked in a mere three days? Would they ever be able to walk out of suburbia alive?

Her stomach knotted and she worked to keep her voice steady. “I am serious about the business. I always have been.”

“And I’ve always believed in you, honey,” her father said, and for the first time in her life, Jaclyn actually heard genuine pride in his voice.

Jaclyn pressed the phone to her ear harder and fought the prick of tears. Her emotions were in such turmoil lately that she felt like she was on a roller-coaster ride and the only way off was to jump.

“Oh, Jaclyn, before I forget, I wanted to mention that Caroline’s daughter, Katherine, is marrying a nice young doctor. The wedding is in September. I’m sure you’ll be getting an invitation any day now.”

“Super. Can’t wait.” Sometimes it took real effort keeping the sarcasm from her voice.

After giving her time to absorb and digest that bit of information, her mother went on. “We’re going to take a drive down to see our new home, so we thought we’d stop in to see you before we headed south.”

Oh God, no.

Jaclyn increased her grip on her phone. “That’s probably not such a great idea,” she rushed out, her alarm obvious in her tone. She tried to soften her outburst and began backpedaling. “It’s . . . a . . . It’s just that I’m so busy and still trying to get settled in, and I’m just getting over the flu, and I have all these allergies.” She coughed for effect but in her jittery state ended up hitting her coffee cup. As the hot liquid poured over her table, the commotion drew the attention of those around her. She spotted Harmony’s violet eyes trained on her, gauging her carefully. Jaclyn jumped to her feet and tossed napkins on her spill. Lily came back with a cloth and Jaclyn smiled at her in appreciation.

“Are you okay, dear?” her mom queried, which brought her attention back to the crisis at hand.

Her body tensed while she scooped up her purse and made her way out into the sunshine. She sagged against the brick building and ran her hand along the back of her neck to loosen the knot. She tried to keep her voice level as she addressed the worry in her mother’s voice. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. Just busy. You guys go on ahead to Florida and we’ll catch up when you get back. Have fun. Don’t worry about me. I have everything under control here,” she lied.

After a moment of silence, her mother spoke. “Is it because of a man, Jaclyn?” she asked. Jaclyn didn’t miss the underlying hope in her voice. “Have you found yourself a nice boy in Serene?”

Jaclyn shaded the sun from her eyes and glanced down the street in time to see Slyck making his way back to Vibes. Her pulse kicked up a notch at the mere sight of him, and need gathered in her belly. Even from her distance she could smell his warm, earthy, masculine scent as it perfumed the air. She worked to regulate her breathing and fisted her fingers as the compulsion to scurry across the street and pounce on him whipped through her blood. When their eyes briefly met and held in a lingering look, she locked her knees to keep upright. Slyck turned away and she took in his profile. It was then that she noticed the deep, fine lines fringing his eyes, and the worry shadows darkening his skin. He looked exhausted, like he hadn’t slept in a week. Her heart tightened in her chest when he pulled open the door to Vibes and disappeared inside.

“Jaclyn,” her mother said again, bringing her thoughts back around. “Is he a nice boy?”

Oh, yeah, Slyck was a nice boy.

A bad boy.

A panther boy.

All of the above. Oy!

She glanced at her sexy attire and her cute new belly ring. Now was certainly not the time for her parents to visit, not when she was trying to convince the locals she was a libidinous lycan-in-the-making. She