Bearly Falling

by Ally Summers

  I closed the door to the nursery and walked down the stairs. Boone had poured two glasses of wine, and was waiting for me in the living room. The fire crackled and popped in the hearth. He had piled the logs high.

  “They are asleep.” I smiled triumphantly. I turned on the baby monitor and traded it for a glass of wine.

  Boone exhaled. “You always know what song to sing. I can’t seem to get it right. They growl when I sing.”

  I curled up on the couch, nuzzling into the warmth of his chest. “But you make them giggle in the bathtub.” My palm flattened against the hard planes of his muscles.

  His body still gave me tingles. Touching him awakened even the sleepiest parts of me. He rested his hand on the inside of my thigh. I was exhausted to the depths of my bones. The twins were demanding. Two sweet perfect baby girls were so much work. By the end of the day I wanted to collapse in bed and sleep like a bear. But as much as I needed sleep, I needed my husband more.

  One of the logs popped and I jumped. His hand tightened around my leg and I let out a gasp.

  “You know I won’t let anything hurt you.”

  I nodded, knowing he would die before anything would happen to me or the girls.

  Boone’s eyes flickered just before his mouth crushed mine with a blinding kiss. I purred against his tongue, loving how he tasted.

  He caught my wine glass before I let it slip from my hands.

  “Good catch,” I whispered.

  He crawled on top of me on the sofa, pushing me into the cushions. I stared into the eyes of the man I loved. The man who stole my heart every day he held our baby girls. The man who taught me how to experience my body with pleasure. The man who gave me one erotic night after another. The man who helped me create a home and a family in Twilight Hollow.

  A year ago I came to this town ready to move on to the next bigger and better project. I didn’t have time for a relationship. I didn’t have time for family. And I never considered what life would be like with babies. But Boone changed all of that. Maybe he had a little help from Annabelle.

  Not long after Holden helped Poppy leave the Harvest Ball, her mate met her in Tennessee. They were raising Annabelle together, as soulmates, as her parents. The way fated mates were supposed to live. They were finally free to be a family without the ire of Axel McMasters following them. I heard Axel had taken a new mate. I hadn’t met her yet.

  I still thought about that little cub. I wondered if she would ever come back to Twilight Hollow to meet her clan, but Boone told me that instinct wouldn’t kick in until she was a mature bear. For now, like our daughters, she was a regular child. All she wanted was love and attention. The only thing that mattered was that she was safe and with her parents.

  I wrapped my arms around my husband’s neck. His bear started to stir, growling low. Calling his mate to him. I arched, tipping my breasts to the ceiling and grinding against his waist with my heat. I was already hot and ready for him. I’d never been able to resist our natural draw to each other.

  “Careful, Mrs. McScott.”

  I met his lustful gaze. “Why should I be?”

  “You’re about to lose every stitch of clothing you have on.”

  “Is that a dare or a promise, Mr. McScott?” I dragged my bottom lip under my teeth, driving him wild. He threaded his fingers through mine, taking my hands over my head. He pinned my wrists together.

  Boone waggled his eyebrows. “Oh baby, it’s a promise.”

  I wiggled my hips closer to his. “And you never break a promise,” I whispered.

  “Never.”

  His mouth covered mine and we got lost in each other.

  I hope you enjoyed Bearly Falling. The next book in the McScott Brothers story, Bearly Merry, will be out soon!

  I’ve added a few more bear stories for you to enjoy until then.

  Happy reading!

  xoxo,

  Ally

  Bear Game

  Copyright © 2017 by Ally Summers

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  One

  Grayson

  I barged past the door, slamming the mahogany slab against the wall as it bounced back.

  “Oomph.” Celia was on my heels. I hadn’t meant for it to hit her. “Just wait. It’s not that bad,” she tried to explain. “It always sounds worse in an email than it really is.”

  She scurried after me in a short skirt. It hugged her thin ass in a way that was barely work appropriate. She hadn’t caught on that it didn’t affect me the way she wanted it to. Celia wasn’t my type. She was my assistant. I didn’t see beyond that. Wasn’t interested.

  “Not bad?” I met her at my desk. “You don’t consider this bad?” I held up my phone, displaying the latest memo my brother had sent.

  She shrugged cautiously. “I’m sure you can fix it. How can I help?”

  I turned to the row of windows that looked out on Denver’s lights. From my office, I could see the entire city.

  The Hawthornes had been here longer than any other family in this town.

  “Where is the file?” I barked. This wasn’t the first time someone had tried to back out of a deal. Like hell if I would lose millions. “And where is Clarence?”

  “He’s meeting with Jackson,” she replied.

  “Damn it,” I growled. “Call them both in here now.” Returning my gaze to the city, I folded my arms. It was an impressive view.

  The windows ran floor to ceiling and the entire length of two walls which met in the corner. It was the same office our father had occupied. As family alpha, it was rightfully mine. Everything was heavy. Solid wood. Aged leather. Dark and menacing. An office of power and force. There was a reason for that.

  “Jackson said they were working on a personal matter,” Celia eked.

  I whipped around. “I don’t care what he said. Get them in here. Now.”

  “Of course. Anything you need, Grayson.”

  She scampered toward her desk in the foyer. She worked just outside the double doors to my office.

  I didn’t care what damn personal business my brother thought he needed to attend to. He was responsible for this department and like hell if he wasn’t going to answer for it. Jackson and Oliver ran their own divisions. We didn’t get in each other’s way. At least not until something like this happened and I had to step in.

  But that’s what alphas did. They ran the clan. They ran the family. And in this case, I ran the company.

  My father’s portrait hung high at the end of my office. There was a brass light overhead which illuminated his face. If he were here, he’d be just as angry at Jackson.

  It had been five years since I had taken over Hawthorne Global. Five long years of late nights, board meetings, strategy, dedication, and leadership. I stared at my father’s face. He had done this job well. He had run the clan and the company. I hadn’t realized what a remarkable man he was until I had to step into his shoes.

  I heard the door open behind me and turned as my brother and Clarence walk into the room.

  “Celia said it was life or death that we get in here.” Jackson glared at me. “We were in the middle of something.”

  I waved my hand in the air. “I don’t care what it was.” My anger wasn’t directed at Clarence. He had been on my father’s team. He was a trusted advisor. The only employee at Hawthorne Global who knew our family secrets. “You have a lot to answer for, little brother.”

  Jackson rolled his eyes. “You got my email.”

  “I did. And I want to know why you didn’t bring me in if Silverstone was going to back out this entire time. I could have re-negotiated the deal.”

  “It wasn’t your deal. I didn’t need you to get involved.” Jackson stepped closer to the desk.

  “It is alw
ays my deal when Hawthorne Global is on the letterhead,” I countered. “Always.”

  He shook his head. “You know what you need?”

  “A department head who knows when to ask for help?” I snarled.

  “No.” He paused. “You need a mate.”

  My eyes flashed with fury. “Clarence, can you give us a minute?”

  The attorney quickly gathered his briefcase and strolled toward Celia’s reception area. “Let me know if you need my counsel. I will leave clan problems to you two.” He closed the door.

  I glared at my brother. “You keep my personal business out of this office. Clarence doesn’t need to hear anything about it.”

  Jackson laughed. “Says the man who is about to go full bear because he hasn’t gotten laid.”

  I growled. “Shut the hell up. This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with you trying to deflect from the real problem—how you botched Silverstone.”

  Jackson sat in one of the pleated leather couches. He kicked his heels on the coffee table. “Silverstone was never going to sell off that full parcel of land. I knew it from the beginning. I tried to tell you it wasn’t going to happen. You pushed me into a dead end.”

  “We need that land. You should have worked every angle at your disposal.”

  “There are other land deals out there. There always are. Plenty of them.”

  “Then why weren’t you working on finding another one while this one fell through?” I challenged.

  “Because sometimes I just need a damn break, Grayson. Don’t you?”

  I let my shoulders relax. “This is because you’ve been working too hard? Are you suddenly allergic to money?” Neither was a situation I related to. He was full of shit.

  His gaze was steady. Jackson had never been intimidated by me. He always fell in line when he had to, but there was a difference between being my younger brother and obeying the clan dynast. I was his alpha. The regent of the Ashe Peak Clan. I gauged his mood. He wasn’t talking to his alpha.

  “Sometimes I want to do something other than work. I’m tired of being a Hawthorne. Aren’t you?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  He pointed. “Look at this place. The office. It’s like a tomb to Dad. Nothing has changed in here since he died. Aren’t you tired of it? Don’t you want something to change?”

  I had to press my lips together to suppress the ferocious growl that wanted to barrel through my chest. “I like my office.” I cleared my throat. “I happen to like being CEO of Grayson Global. I’m proud of our family name. I’m honored to lead the clan.” My eyes bored into his. “Does that answer all your questions?”

  “Yeah. I think it does.” He rose from the couch. “I’ve decided I’m going to take some time off.”

  “What are you talking about?” I asked. “There is no other name I’d rather have. I’m honored to be in this family. You should be too.”

  “Before you interrupted us with your orders, Clarence and I had a meeting. He knows what to do. I signed my power of attorney over to Oliver while I’m gone.”

  “You did what?” I wanted to strangle him. “Oliver is still in Seattle.”

  “Look, I’m not trying to hurt the company. I don’t want to hold up any business while I’m away.”

  He strolled past me. “Away? Get back here, Jackson.”

  He stopped at the door. “I need this, brother. I’ll be back. I swear. You and Oliver can handle the company while I’m gone. And maybe when I get back you’ll have met a nice girl and want some cubs.”

  “Cubs?” Children were the last thing on my mind.

  He nodded. “Yeah, the more cubs you have, the less time you have to boss the rest of us around.”

  “That’s not happening any time soon.”

  He shrugged. “You do realize without cubs, alpha status will go to Oliver’s or my sons. There will be a new dynast, and he won’t be your heir. Something for you to think about. The clan needs a she-alpha. We need a dynastess to settle your bear. And you need a woman.”

  “I’m fine without either.” I clenched my jaw. I had no interest in sharing my power with a woman. I didn’t need a co-ruler.

  He tipped an imaginary cap in my direction. “See you in a few weeks or months. I haven’t decided.”

  “You can’t take a leave of absence. I haven’t authorized it.”

  Jackson laughed. “I’m evoking solitaire rights. There’s not a lot you can do about it.”

  The fury whipped through me. As usual he was being selfish. Evoking bear law. Not thinking about the company. Not thinking about the mess he had left for Oliver and me to deal with.

  “Damn it, Jackson. You can only do that once in your life. The laws are very specific.”

  “Now’s my time. I’ve thought about it plenty.” He grinned. “Take care. I’ll be in touch.”

  The door clicked in place quietly behind him.

  I stared in disbelief. What the hell had just happened?

  Two

  Sienna

  I looked up at the building that appeared to touch the sky. It was dark above, but from the sidewalk the illuminated corners of the architectural peaks made it look like it was glowing. Hawthorne Global was the city’s most famous building. I didn’t know how it was possible I’d never been inside.

  I checked my phone. I was running ten minutes late, but I had squeezed this appointment in as a favor to Jennifer. It wasn’t every day I had a chance to lock in the biggest client account for the firm. The Hawthornes were the most famous, wealthiest, and the most powerful family in Denver. I couldn’t believe Jenn was willing to let me take this appointment for her.

  I walked through the glass doors into the marble foyer. Everything felt heavy and grand. It also felt as if it hadn’t been touched since the eighties.

  I tapped the elevator button. Jenn had given me specific instructions to go to the top floor. She said the client would be waiting for me there.

  I didn’t want to be nervous. There was no reason to be. I was good at my job. I had complete confidence in my skills. It was just hard not to be thrown off by the name on the inside of the elevator: Hawthorne.

  I took a deep breath when the elevator doors retracted and deposited me on the executive level of the building. If I could land this account I had a good chance to make partner at the firm. A partnership I had worked toward for three years.

  After design school, I had interned and apprenticed without salary. Without benefits. Once I was finally hired I worked tirelessly to prove my worth and carve out my place in the company. I contributed every minute I was there. If it took reeling in the Hawthorne account to cement my place, then I’d make it happen. I could do this. I wanted to be a partner.

  I had many of my before and after photoshoot collections on my tablet. I was proud of the work I had done for our corporate clients. I clutched the tablet to my hip. If I had to do an entire sales pitch I was glad that my portfolio was strong. I didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t had time to prepare like I usually did for a meeting.

  I strolled over carpet that looked as dated as the rest of the building. It was dark brown with a short shag cut. At one time, it had been in vogue. It was obvious the Hawthornes hadn’t splurged on any updates in decades.

  It was quiet on the floor. The reception area was dark. The brass lamp on the desk was turned off. I shuddered at the plastic potted plant by the window. It felt as if I had stepped through a time portal. Everything was perfectly clean, neat, and tidy. I didn’t see spots or wear and tear. It was just plain dated. I could fix that.

  I looked around for signs of activity. Jennifer had told me the top floor. I was expected. There had to be someone up here.

  “Hello?”

  I checked in the first office, but it was empty. I moved toward the next door. There was no one here. The executive floor was a ghost town.

  I started to pull my phone out to call Jennifer when I heard a grumble. I don’t know if that was the word.
It sounded like an angry growl. Almost as if there were a wolf or an animal loose in the building.

  My eyes darted toward the elevators behind me. It was silly how nervous I was. I couldn’t have actually heard an animal up here. Could I?

  I took another step.

  “Hello?” I called out. “Anyone here?” My voice had almost become a whisper. This was one of those times I could hear my mother’s voice in my ear, nagging me to always carry mace with me. Why didn’t I listen to her?

  I tiptoed forward.

  I saw a long black shadow expand across the floor.

  I looked up.

  And that’s when I saw him.

  Three

  Grayson

  I stared at city lights before me. In the past twenty-four hours since his abrupt departure, Jackson had left more work for me to do than before the Silverstone land deal fell to pieces. I had to find another tract of land as big or bigger. We couldn’t move forward with a mixed-use development plan if there was no land to build on. I had spent the entire day putting out fires.

  The architect’s plans were scattered on my desk. We had already invested a million dollars so far. I couldn’t back out now. And where was my brother? On an island? In a cabin in the mountains? I had no fucking clue. He wasn’t here. And as usual I was left cleaning up the mess. Oliver was no more help. He was trying to close a new tech deal in Seattle. I couldn’t bring him into land development this late in the game. He didn’t study real estate. I still couldn’t believe Jackson had given him power of attorney.

  And what had Jackson meant about needing to find a mate? What the hell right did he have to talk to the dynast that way? I was fine. I was happy. I ran the company. And no one complained about the money in the bank. The estate. The summer home. The jet. They liked all those things. They loved being Hawthornes. Our name meant something, and it kept their bank accounts full.