by Liv Brywood
“Oh, that’s it? He’s a bear shifter?”
“You know what that is?” Donna asked, shocked.
“Yeah. Remember that hot ski instructor in Aspen?”
“Carlton?”
“He was a shifter. Polar bear,” Ebony said.
“Polar bear? Are you serious?” Donna wasn’t sure what was more shocking, the fact that Ebony had met another shifter, or the fact that there seemed to be multiple types of bear shifters.
“I was on the double black diamond slope one day and I skied off trail. I caught him shifting back from his bear form. He’d been spying on me. Can you believe that?” Ebony asked in an indignant tone. “But, he made it up to me in bed. And let me tell you, he was a tiger in the sack.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Donna asked.
“It was too weird. You and I had just met a few weeks earlier so I didn’t want you to think I was nuts.”
“This is unbelievable.”
“Is he good in bed?” Ebony asked.
“Incredible.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“Wow, you’re not holding back the hard questions,” Donna grumbled.
“Either you are, or you aren’t,” Ebony said.
“I’m not ready to be in love again. I just got divorced.”
“Love doesn’t happen when it’s convenient,” Ebony said. “It likes to come along and smash you in the face when you least expect it.”
“I feel like I’ve been sucker punched,” Donna said.
“Then you’re in love.”
“But I had so many plans. I wanted to travel the world before I even considered falling in love again,” Donna said. “I can’t fall in love right now.”
“But you did,” Ebony said.
“I did.” The revelation opened up her heart. All of the love she’d been holding back flooded in to fill her with warmth and happiness. Ebony was right. Love had come along and kicked her ass, and she couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
“A piece of advice?” Ebony asked.
“Sure.”
“Don’t let him get away,” Ebony said. “So what if he’s a shifter? He sweet, caring, and a man who values family. Those qualities don’t come around very often, so you’d best not ignore your feelings. I know this isn’t fitting into your timeline, but maybe now is the right time.”
“It just happened so fast,” Donna said.
“Welcome to your new life.”
“Thanks,” Donna said. “I guess I should go talk to him.”
“I can’t wait to hear every sordid detail,” Ebony said. “And I’ll be here waiting for a play by play of the makeup sex.”
Donna laughed. “Not happening.”
“A girl can dream.” Ebony chuckled. “Now, go get your man.”
***
Brody handed the last string of Christmas lights to Mack. They stood outside the B&B on the back porch.
“You guys sure deck this place out for Christmas,” Brody said.
“It’s my favorite time of year,” Mack said. “And we have a lot to celebrate. A year ago, my brothers and I were all single. Now we’re all married. It’s funny how life can change in an instant.”
“How long did you know Madison before you knew she was the one?” Brody asked.
“Honestly? I think I fell in love with her the minute I met her.”
“So you knew right away?” Brody asked.
“Nah. I was as pig-headed as they come. But my bear knew and he didn’t let me forget it.” Mack laughed. “Damn thing about drove me nuts trying to get at her.”
“Sometimes my bear has a one-track mind too,” Brody said.
“You’ve been hanging out with Donna a lot.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know where her head’s at,” Brody said. “I told her I’m a shifter and she panicked. I tried to talk to her about it, but I don’t know if she can get past it.”
“Some women can’t,” Mack said.
“I know. I’m not getting my hopes up.”
“Don’t let it get you down,” Mack said. “Maybe she’ll come around.”
“Maybe.”
After hanging the last string of lights, Mack climbed down the ladder. Both men stepped back to inspect their work.
“Fire it up, honey,” Mack called through the window.
“Okay,” Madison responded.
The lights flickered to life and cast a kaleidoscope of color across the porch. Madison opened the back door and came running out.
“Oh sweetie, it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to do the tree,” Madison said.
“We’ll go cut one down next week. We’ve got a few more weeks before Christmas, so I don’t want to cut it too early,” Mack said.
“Okay,” Madison pouted. “Let’s get back inside and I’ll make you some hot chocolate to warm you up.”
“I was thinking of taking a dip in the hot tub,” Brody said. As much as he liked spending time with them, he needed to be alone.
“Okay,” Madison said. “But don’t stay out too long. I think another storm’s coming in tonight.”
“I won’t.”
He headed down the steps and through the snow. When he reached the woods, he turned to look at the Christmas lights. Mack and Madison were still standing on the porch but they had their backs to him. Mack held a sprig of mistletoe over Madison’s head. He kissed her and pulled her into his arms.
Brody’s heart twitched with envy. He wanted a love like theirs and he’d thought he might have found it with Donna, but he’d been wrong. He had to let her go. But it wouldn’t be that easy. The thought of walking away from her tore his heart apart. He’d taken a risk by allowing her into his world and it had backfired. Finding another woman like Donna would be impossible. She was everything he didn’t want in a woman, and everything he could ever want at the same time. She was so wrong, and yet so right. God, what a mess.
After removing everything but his boxers, he slipped into the hot tub. The warm, bubbling water soothed the tension in his muscles. Dark clouds gathered overhead to block the moon and stars. As the first frigid droplets of rain beat against his face, he considered getting out and drying off. But he couldn’t bring himself to move. All of the energy in his body had been replaced be a deep longing for something he could never have.
Footsteps crunched through the snow. He looked up to find Donna climbing the stairs to the hot tub. Underneath a heavy coat, she wore a skimpy midnight blue bikini that left little to the imagination. His bear roared with approval, but he cringed. Had she come here just to taunt him?
“Mind if I join you?” she asked as she laid the coat across a chair.
“I was just leaving,” he said.
“Oh.” Her face fell. “I was hoping I could talk to you.”
“I guess I could hang around a few minutes.”
As she stepped into the water, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Every luscious, stunning curve reminded him of their passionate lovemaking. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go, but instead, he sat on his hands. She swam across the hot tub and took the seat next to him.
“I’ve been thinking about your revelation today,” she said softly.
“And?”
“At first I didn’t know what to think. I was stunned and scared, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that your bear is just another manifestation of your outward appearance. I’ve been judged based on how I look my entire life and I hate it. I try not to judge other people based on their appearance, but sometimes I still do.”
“My bear isn’t just an expression of my appearance, it’s who I am inside,” he said.
“I know who you are. Bear or no bear, you’re a gentle, kind, loving man who can make me laugh until my ribs ache. You make me feel things I haven’t felt in years… like hope.”
“Hope?”
“You shared your secret with me earlier today, and so it’s only right that I share one with you,” she said.
&nbs
p; “Okay.” His heart raced from a mixture of fear and longing.
“The past few days have been amazing. I’ve never met anyone who could make me smile so hard my cheeks ache. When we’re in the kitchen together, we have so much fun. And going to Hooves and Hands changed me. I love hearing you talk about your family. You obviously love them very much.”
“I do.”
“I’m not going to run, Brody. Not this time. But I’m scared. I wasn’t looking to fall in love again right away, but… I did.”
“You did?” He almost couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I love you,” she whispered. “And I want to see if we have something that can last.”
He surged forward and pulled her into his arms. As he spread hot kisses across her cheeks, she laughed and laced her fingers in his hair. When he found her lips, she wrapped her legs around his waist. His bear roared with approval and pranced around in his chest.
When he finally stopped to take a breath, she gazed at him with shimmering eyes.
“I love you too,” he murmured. “I had no idea this was going to happen, but it did. I’ve been looking for a perfect mate my entire life. I never thought she’d be as beautiful and honest and sexy as you. I’m a lucky man.”
“Now let’s not go rushing into anything,” she said. “I’d still like to meet your family.”
He sat back. He’d been so caught up in the moment, he’d forgotten one critical issue. What if his family didn’t like her? Or what if she didn’t like them? His stomach clenched. There was only one way to find out.
“When the retreat is over, would you like to come to Bozeman with me to meet my family?” he asked.
“On Saturday?” Her eyes went wide.
“Yeah. We could take my truck. I know it’s not your preferred method of travel, but I can’t leave it here.”
“I know. It’s just…fast.”
“If you’re not ready—”
“I’m ready,” she said.
“Good, because Lizzie’s birthday is on Saturday and I was planning on baking a cake for her. Madison said she’s going to teach us how to bake a cake tomorrow, but I could use some backup. You know, just in case something goes wrong.”
“I’d be happy to assist,” she said. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Come here,” he whispered.
He slid his hands up her hips and pulled her down against his cock. With only a couple of thin swatches of fabric to separate them, every nerve ending in his body awakened to her heat. A slow burn simmered in his body as she ran her palms across his chest.
“I could get used to touching you,” she whispered.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mm hum.”
She descended on him like a wild woman, ravishing him with passionate kisses until he couldn’t catch his breath. His fingers stroked the soft flesh along the inside of her thighs. She quivered and moaned. Her lips dropped to his neck where she assaulted him with her tongue. As she slowed to trace spirals around his nipples, he groaned.
“We should go inside,” he murmured.
“Too far.”
“What if someone comes?”
“It’s the middle of the night,” she mumbled as her teeth grazed his shoulder.
He growled and nudged the fabric on her bikini bottom to the side. As he swept the tips of his fingers across her slick heat, she groaned. She reached down pushed his boxers down over his hips. He wriggled free and pushed them away. They rolled on the sea of bubbles before floating to the other side of the spa.
As he moved to enter her, she guided him home. She was tight, hot, wet, and all his. He couldn’t get enough of her lips. Each kiss brought him closer to total surrender. He’d spent a lifetime dreaming of a woman like her and he’d finally found her.
A frosty breeze caught her soft moans and carried them into the forest. Water sloshed over the edge of the hot tub. The gentle rolls of her hips increased as she drew him deeper. When her breath hitched, he took control. With long, deep thrusts, he pushed her over the edge. As she exploded around him, he joined her in a long, undulating orgasm that took them to a place of total ecstasy.
Chapter 10
Two days later, Donna stood on the back porch of the B&B. As dawn broke, a gust of wind rolled down the mountain. She pulled a shawl tight across her shoulders. She paced the length of the porch while sipping from a steaming cup of coffee. Fortunately, Madison always seemed to have a pot ready. Normally, it would be a good thing. But in this case, drinking a bunch of caffeine probably wasn’t helping her nerves. Maybe she should have chosen herbal tea instead.
The back door opened and Madison stepped out.
“How’s the coffee? Would you like another cup?” she asked.
“It’s great,” Donna said. “But I think I should stick to decaf next time.”
“You’re up awfully early.”
“I can’t remember the last time I got up before sunrise.”
“Is everything okay?” Madison asked.
“Honestly?” Donna leaned back against the porch railing. “My stomach’s in knots. After we leave the ranch, Brody and I are driving back to Bozeman so I can meet his family. But… I’m afraid they won’t like me.”
“Honey, you have nothing to worry about,” Madison said. “When I first met you, I’ll admit that I thought you were a bit of a prima donna. But after getting to know you, I realized that you’re more than just a pretty face with impeccably applied makeup. You’re a sweet, kind-hearted woman who deserves a man like Brody. His family is going to love you.”
“He’s looking for someone who can help take care of his sister, Lizzie… I don’t know if I can be that person. My own mom was so self-absorbed that I basically raised myself, so I never really learned how to be a mother.”
“You know what mistakes your mom made, right?” Madison asked.
“Yes.”
“Well then, you know what not to do. You won’t make the same mistakes she did because you’ll know better.”
“You’re right. I guess I’m just nervous,” Donna said.
“Well I’m sure Brody will find a way to calm you down,” Madison said with a wink. “I’m going to head back in to get breakfast going. Let me know if you need a refill. I’ll make a pot of decaf.”
“Thanks.”
As Madison pushed open the door, Brody stepped out.
“Speak of the devil,” Madison said.
“No one’s called me that since, oh, last night,” he said with a chuckle.
“Brody!” Heat crept into Donna’s cheeks.
“I’ll leave you kids alone,” Madison said before shutting the door.
“Don’t worry, hon,” he said. “I’m sure they could hear you screaming across the lake.”
“I can’t help it when you do that thing with your tongue.” Just thinking about the way he’d lashed his wicked tongue against her the previous night was enough to melt her panties.
He strolled over and wrapped her in a warm embrace.
“I woke up harder than a redwood and you were gone,” he said.
“Sorry. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m just nervous,” she said.
“Don’t be. I’m sure my family will love you.” He moved to stand behind her. “Look, there’s a bear in the tree line.”
“Where?” she asked.
“Over there.” He pointed at a thicket near the edge of the lake.
She squinted. At first she didn’t see anything but snow and trees, but a blob of brown movement caught her eye.
“Is that a shifter?” she asked.
“I think it’s Olsen.”
“He seems so much happier than he was when he first arrived,” she said.
“I talked to him last night. He said that learning how to cook some of his wife’s favorite meals made him feel like she was still around. He said he’ll always miss her, but that the pain isn’t as bad now that he can bake her buttermilk bisc
uits.”
“I hope we have a love like that,” she said wistfully.
“We will.” He sealed his promise with a kiss. “And I don’t want you to worry, honey. If I had any doubts about you, I wouldn’t have invited you to meet my family.”
“Can I ask you something else?”
“Shoot,” he said.
“Can you sit on my suitcases while I zip them?”
He burst out laughing. As he grabbed her waist and spun her around in a circle, she squealed and forgot all of her worries. She completely trusted him and couldn’t wait to move onto the next phase of her life with him.
***
After breakfast, Brody dragged Donna’s impossibly stuffed suitcases down the stairs. He regularly hoisted bales of hay around the ranch, but her suitcases felt like they’d been filled with cement. When he reached the foyer, he stopped to take a breath.
“Sweetie, you’re going to have to learn how to pack lighter,” he said.
“But now that I have a big, strong man to carry them for me, I don’t need to,” she said sweetly.
He rolled his eyes.
“Need a hand?” Logan asked.
“Sure.”
As Logan tried to lift one of the suitcases, he grunted. “Good God, what do you have in here? Cinderblock?”
“Just some makeup and my hair dryer,” she said.
“I think she’s got an entire cosmetics department in there,” Logan said.
“That’s my girl.” Brody winked at her.
“Maybe you boys should have had an extra helping of bacon or something,” she joked.
“Is somebody still hungry?” Madison called from the kitchen.
“No,” Donna replied. “The boys were just showing me their muscles.”
Brody laughed as he hoisted up one of the suitcases. He opened the door and climbed down the steps. After depositing her bag in the truck, he turned to grab a second one from Logan.
“She’s a handful,” Logan said. “Good luck to you guys. I hope we see you back here sometime soon.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Brody slapped him on the back.
“Honey are you ready?” Brody called.
“Let me just say goodbye to Madison,” she yelled from the porch.