by V. Vaughn
My breasts are against his chest, and my nipples harden as I clutch at his shirt. I squeak out, “I can’t, Luke.”
A sound rumbles in his throat as he asks, “You’re really going to let me being a werebear stop us?”
“Holly?” Opal’s voice carries over to me, and her eyes are wide when Luke steps back to reveal her. Luke excuses himself to push his way into the men’s room as Opal’s gaze becomes a glare. “Holly Berry, what the hell are you doing with a werebear?”
My whole body is trembling with a mix of desire for Luke and anger at her reaction. Especially since Luke has to have heard her. I say, “I’m not sure what business that is of yours.”
She grips my arm, and her fingers dig in deeply enough to hurt. “I will never let you disrespect our clan that way.”
I yank out of her grasp. “That’s not your decision to make, Opal. Now, if you’ll please step aside, I’ve got a ball to roll, or throw, or—or something.” I do my best to breathe in an effort to calm myself as I walk toward the lanes.
Gigi stares at me in alarm when I land hard on the plastic seat with a thud. I say, “Don’t ask.”
Once Opal and Luke return, we begin the game. When it’s my turn, I try to mimic Josie’s style, but my ball rolls into the gutter for both tries. I’d be embarrassed, but too many other emotions are swimming around in me to care. While everyone else is enjoying themselves, Luke and I remain quiet. I catch him stealing glances at me as I try to study anything but him. And Opal is watching the two of us like a hawk.
When it’s my turn again, Jim says, “Luke, go help her.”
Opal clears her throat in what I guess is an attempt to warn me not to take the assistance. I ignore her as Luke rises to step beside me and places his hands on mine to realign my grip. His gaze is intense as he stares at me.
“You’re mad,” I say.
“Far from it. I’m horny as hell for you and trying to control myself.”
“Oh.” A low purr rumbles through me in response as my cougar defies me.
Luke smirks at me as he releases my hands and says, “Take your steps as your arm swings back.” He demonstrates for me. But watching his bottom flex in his jeans makes it hard to concentrate.
“Got it.” My mind is reeling from the fact that even though I know what Luke is, I’m still attracted to him with the fierceness of the mate connection. I’m not sure I can fight it. I focus on mimicking Luke’s motions as I take my turn. This time when I roll my ball down the lane, I knock over most of the pins. “Yes!” I turn back, and Luke’s grinning as the others clap for me.
“Now all you need is practice.” His gaze makes his intention clear as I smolder, imagining what he has in mind.
Opal growls loud enough that Jim stares while Josie elbows her.
I say, “Thanks.” I glance at Jim. “You might regret this.”
His serious gaze makes me think he knows I meant more than suggesting Luke help me with my bowling. He gives me a slight nod that I assume means he’s okay with the situation, and I suppose if he works with Luke in the first place and has him on his bowling team he might be.
When I go to retrieve my ball for my second turn, I notice Zander a couple lanes down. He’s staring at me as if he could bore holes through my body, but the moment I turn away and notice Luke staring at me too, any concern for what my ex-boyfriend thinks disappears. The look of pride on my mate’s face is all I need, and that scares the hell out of me.
6
After the game is over, most of the teams pour into the tavern attached to the bowling alley. The volume of noise that carries out toward us is loud, and Ted mentions how long it would take to get a beer. I wonder if Jim knows that Luke doesn’t like to drink when he suggests we all go to the diner instead.
I know Gigi really wants to go. She and Mitch have been flirting all night, and I won’t ruin her chance at something, so I say, “That’s a great idea.” Plus, even though I’m playing with fire, I can’t help but want to spend more time with Luke.
Opal scowls at the suggestion, but before she can create a scene, Josie says, “Opal, I don’t know about you, but I think we should leave this to the kids. We both have an early day tomorrow, and I can drop you off on my way home.”
I throw Josie a grateful smile when Opal reluctantly agrees.
As we walk by the bar, I notice Zander again, and he comes toward me. He’s using his predator walk, but not in the sexual way. My stomach clenches, because whatever he’s about to say, it can’t be good.
Gigi whispers, “Want me to intervene?”
I shake my head as Zander asks, “Holly, can I talk to you for a minute?”
As much as I don’t want to get into something with my ex-boyfriend, I think I need to deal with whatever it is he has to say. I turn to the group. “I’ll catch up to you.”
Luke shakes his head as he stares at Zander. A low rumble comes from both men, and Gigi steps in front of Luke. She’s a mighty cougar when she wants to be, and her move speaks volumes to Zander.
She turns to the Mad Mountain guys to say, “I’ll wait for Holly, and we’ll meet you guys there.”
I glance over at Luke to see his hands are balled up into fists, and I’m afraid of a fight. No doubt any werecougars here would side with Zander, so I say to Luke, “Go. Please. I won’t be long.”
Mitch says to Luke, “C’mon, man. It’s all good.”
Luke scowls at me as a low rumble that is all bear comes from him. But Mitch grabs his arm to lead him away.
Gigi snarls at Zander and says, “I’ll be by the door.”
Once she steps away, I ask, “What’s up?”
Zander speaks in a voice too low for humans to hear. “Are you hooking up with the bear?”
My neck hair bristles, and I wonder who else noticed Luke and me by the bathrooms. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
Zander’s cat flashes in his eyes, but he controls himself. “Don’t be stupid, Holly. You know what would happen if you do, and I’d hate to see you get hurt.”
I cross my arms. “Now you care about me getting hurt?” I’m not sure where my words come from, but I add in a low hiss, “I don’t see how Luke being a werebear matters. If the clan can’t get past their prejudice, that’s not really my problem.” Brave words coming from me, because if I do get involved with Luke, my life at home will be over.
“It’s very much a problem. Only purebloods can live in this town, Holly.”
Heat rushes to my face as my protective instincts flare.
He takes me by my arms, and his grip is firm. “Hanging out with that bear is dangerous.”
I snap back, “I can take care of myself.”
Zander’s fingers dig into my flesh as his eyes get hard. While I think Zander is hurt that I’m attracted to a bear, this is more. He’s still in love with me, and I realize I’m being selfish stringing him along. I think I need to tell him the truth. I reach out and touch his chest, but telling him Luke is my mate won’t come out.
I say, “I like him.”
I watch as the pain from my words clouds Zander’s eyes. “I see.” He shakes his head as he releases me to back away.
“I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
Zander’s voice is flat, as if he’s putting up a protective wall. “You’re the one who’s going to get hurt.” He turns and walks back to the tavern.
Gigi is by my side in an instant. “What the hell, Holly? Does he plan to hurt you?”
“No. I don’t think so.” I shrug as we begin to walk. “Zander seems to think me being with Luke is dangerous.”
My best friend loops her arm in mine, and the door squeaks open. Frigid air blasts us as she says, “Spoken like a man hell-bent on getting what he wants. And he’s probably right.” She chuckles. “The way Luke looks at you makes me hot. You sure you don’t want a repeat of last night?”
I sigh, because I do. “This is so complicated.” I glance at the expectant face of Luke as we approach
the guys, and any thoughts about Zander’s warning disappear as my cat begins to purr. I like dangerous.
When we get to the diner and sit, I end up across from Luke. I’m reminded of the last time we ate here. When he nudges my shoe with his, I guess he’s remembering too. Steam rises from our coffee cups as Jenny fills them. Gigi and I order pie, while the guys get greasy appetizer foods.
Gigi asks, “Luke, what brought you here?”
He winks at her. “I like snow.”
Gigi says, “Right, because we’re the only town that has it.”
Luke’s spoon clinks against his coffee cup as he stirs. “I needed to get away. I was floundering back home and making bad choices.” He lifts his mug and gazes at me. “And now I realize it was my destiny to come here.”
Gigi hits my thigh in what I think is an “Oh my god!”
Mitch isn’t one to be outdone by Luke’s charm and gazes at Gigi as he says, “Funny how when you least expect it, you find what you’re looking for.”
I hit my friend back with what is definitely an “Oh my god!”
Jim groans. “Seriously? I might need to move to the counter.”
Ted reaches his hand out toward him. “But what about me?”
Jim slaps it away as we laugh.
Plates thump down before us, and I eye the French fries smothered in cheese that Luke got. He slides his plate toward me, and I give him a reluctant grin when he sticks his fork into my chocolate cream pie. The guys entertain Gigi and me with stories about snowboard students as we eat.
When I’m sure I’ve had enough caffeine that I won’t sleep tonight, we decide it’s time to leave. Ted and Jim live on the edge of town, and we drop them off at the truck they left parked at the bowling alley.
A block down from the diner is where Gigi should turn off, and we stop to say our good-byes.
I wink at Gigi before I say to Mitch, “Luke can walk me home if you take care of Gigi.” Before Mitch can answer, the sound of glass shattering carries to us, and it’s quickly followed by a loud alarm.
I glance at Luke in surprise, and when I realize the direction of the noise is near the salon, I turn to Gigi. Her eyes are wide, and we both take off running. Within seconds, what we fear is right before us. The edges of our broken window shimmer under the light of the street lamps. There is a large hole in the center of it, and for some reason, I focus on the part of the words still left intact. “Turn —eds”
“Holy shit,” says Mitch. His voice breaks me from my trance.
The salon has been a dream for Gigi and me since we were in high school, and it means a lot to both of us.
She has a tear on her cheek as she asks, “Who would do this?”
My keys jingle when I remove them from my pocket and attempt to unlock the door with shaky hands. Luke’s fingers wrap around mine, and he steadies me as we turn it open together.
He steps in first, and I flip on the lights. Shards glitter, and I notice a brick wrapped in a piece of paper is on the floor, next to the my Christmas tree it smashed into. Shiny glass bulbs I’ve had forever are in pieces on the floor too. My ears ring from the siren, and glass crunches under my feet as I rush to get to the back room and turn off the alarm. When I’m done, I notice Luke bend down to pick up the brick. I know I should go see what’s on the paper, but my stomach rolls as I recall Zander’s words. “You’re the one who’s going to get hurt.”
Luke reads the note, and when he lowers it to gaze at me, Mitch snatches it out of his hands.
Mitch spits out, “Cowards.”
I step forward as my eyes fill with moisture, and Luke pulls me into an embrace. A low rumble vibrates from his chest as Gigi grabs the paper from Mitch. I let the warmth of Luke comfort me, and Gigi reads it out loud.
“‘Beware of bear.’” She huffs. “Not the brightest bulbs in the pack, are they?”
The intelligence of our vandals isn’t important. Zander was right. Luke being a werebear matters, and shame burns in me as I realize I’m putting more than myself in danger. I never considered how my actions could affect Gigi.
Mitch says, “When we find them, they’re dead.”
Gigi snarls. “You got that right, because I’ll kill them myself.” Her footsteps thud as she stomps over to the storeroom. “Someone’s going to pay for this.”
I gaze at Luke as he growls too. “They sure are.”
I shake my head slowly, because the last thing I want is a brawl that will end up with people dead. The punishment for that would be much greater than being banished from the clan. Gigi returns with a broom, and glass clinks as she begins to sweep up the mess.
Mitch asks, “Do you have any broken-down cardboard we can use?”
I sniff and step away from Luke to answer. “Yes.” I point at the back door that gives us access to the Dumpster we share with neighboring businesses. “I’ll get the duct tape.”
Luke grabs my hand to stop me. “Hey. I won’t let them harm you, Holly.”
I nod before I walk away, but I’m not afraid for me. I’m afraid who they really want to hurt is Luke.
7
By the time we get things cleaned up, it’s well after midnight. Mitch made a few calls and Jim showed up with some plywood to use instead of cardboard to help keep the cold and snow out of our shop. I live above a real estate office less than a block away, and when Luke and I walk up the stairs as he takes me home, our footsteps echo in the narrow hallway. I’m emotionally drained, and my body aches to relax as we get to my apartment.
While I fumble with my keys, Luke says, “I know you don’t want to be with me, but I’m not leaving you alone just yet.”
I don’t want to be alone, so I say, “Thank you.”
I have a small living space that contains the kitchen and the living room, and past that is a separate bedroom and bathroom. My keys clatter on the small table by the door, and metal rattles as Luke attaches the chain lock.
I plop down on the couch and say, “This night seems to have gone on forever. Thank you for helping us with the window.”
Luke sits next to me, and the couch sinks as he asks, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” But my tears give me away. I’m not okay, because even though the last thing I should want right now is to be in Luke’s arms, it’s all I can think about. So when he opens them to me, I snuggle into his embrace.
“Hey.” Luke tucks my head into his chest. “Go ahead and cry. I have a big shoulder.”
I let myself cry for a bit before I pull away to gaze into Luke’s eyes. “This is so unfair. Being mates shouldn’t be so difficult.”
“I know. But prejudice is born from fear. Whoever threw that brick is afraid of what I am, Holly. I’m sure you understand that.”
“I do. But what I don’t understand is why hurting you makes it better.”
“Don’t you worry about me. I’m more concerned about you.” A low rumble comes from him before he asks, “Does this have anything to do with that guy you were talking to tonight?”
Zander. I frown, because I’ve never known Zander to be violent, and I can’t imagine him resorting to vandalism like a coward. He’d be more likely to challenge Luke on a physical level. “No. That was my ex-boyfriend. He may not be happy I’m with you, but he wouldn’t do something so petty.” I wonder if maybe Zander knows someone who would, and I think I need to speak to him.
Luke pushes a strand of hair out of my face. “You’re exhausted. You should go to bed.” He takes my face in his hands as his bear flashes in his gaze. “Don’t ask me to leave though. I can’t.”
I don’t want him to be alone in his apartment either, because I’m more concerned about Luke’s safety than mine, so I let him think I want his protection. “I know.” I trace Luke’s lower lip. “I want you to stay.”
Warning bells are ringing in my head as I let my attraction for my mate cloud my judgment, and I don’t pull away when Luke leans down and kisses me tenderly.
I lean my head back when Luke combs his fingers t
hrough my hair and gathers it at the back of my neck. I’m reminded of how he pulled my hair during sex and how hot it was when he dominated me. My skin tingles with desire for my mate, and my cat begins to purr.
Luke stops kissing me and says, “I want to be with you in the worst way, but I’m not going to force it, Holly. I think tonight you need me to hold you and make you feel safe.” He shrugs. “Or maybe that’s what I need to do to satisfy my bear. Will you let me?”
I comb my fingers through his short crop of hair. “I’d like that.” I tug a strand and add, “Keep me safe.”
Luke’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “I’m here to please.” He stands and holds out his hand for me. “If anything goes bump tonight, I’ll be the naked guy in your bed.”
I lick my lips as I scan his body. “I like your choice of sleepwear.”
I find Luke a toothbrush, and when I climb in between the sheets, he’s waiting for me. I put on a loose T-shirt before joining him, but as soon as he pulls me against his body to spoon, I wish I hadn’t. I long for the feel of his skin against mine, and the thin cotton between us is irritating, so I sit up and stare down at him. The light from the lamp on the street sparkles in his eyes as I lift my shirt to peel it off.
I say, “I don’t think I’ll be cold without this,” before I toss it to land on the floor with a whoosh.
Luke’s chest rumbles as I straddle him with my legs and press my chest against his to kiss his lips lightly. My nipples harden, and his coarse chest hair is rough on my skin before he rolls me onto my back and lifts up to gaze into my eyes. “Tell me you want me, Holly.”
The tiny voice of reason in my head that should warn me to say no doesn’t speak. Not that I would have listened anyway. “I do.”
Luke drags a finger down my chest and traces around my areola. I quiver beneath his touch as he says, “We’ve done fast and rough.” A low noise comes from the back of his throat as his cock twitches against my thigh. “And now we’re going to do slow”—he plants a kiss at the hollow of my neck, and his breath makes tiny hairs on my skin stand up—“and sensual.”