Waiting for Chief Banner to arrive was tense; they couldn’t talk above a whisper, in case Chief Banner somehow found his way up here without tipping off reception. If he heard too many voices from the room, he might realize he was walking into a trap.
The time ticked by and they waited, the tension rising, so that when the phone finally rang, they all jumped and then stared at it. Brad lifted the receiver and spoke briefly to the reception desk. “He’s on his way.”
There was silence in the room as Brad checked the live feed, and then they waited. When the door opened into the room where fake Manny and Joe were, they all turned as one to catch a look at the chief’s face.
“That him?” Brad asked.
“Yes,” Avery replied.
“Good, let’s get this wound up. Come on, Joe, do your job.” Brad leaned in to watch the screen; the others leaned in to listen to the audio, which was turned down low.
Jacob could almost reach out and touch the tension in the room. He’d never been part of a police sting like this. His life, his job, out on the open mountains was a hell of a lot less stressful. However, the situation fascinated him. He’d seen this kind of thing on TV, but he always suspected it was made up. The scene in front of him was real life.
“Joe, what the fuck is going on?” Chief Banner asked as he closed the door securely behind him.
“We got attacked by a bear.” Joe had been instructed to keep it short and simple.
“Where are the drugs?” the chief asked.
“I stowed them in the hotel room.” Joe was good at lying.
“Your fucking hotel room!” Chief Banner shook his head. “What if someone finds them? What if the maid accidentally trips over them?”
“I couldn’t bring them here,” Joe replied.
“Go get them.” Chief Banner’s manner was intimidating, and Joe sunk back in his chair.
“What happens if I do?” Joe asked.
“I let you live. If you are lucky.” Chief Banner looked at fake Manny. “Although I might put him out of his misery. This is going to raise too many questions.”
“You’re going to kill him?” Joe asked, fear and realization in his voice.
“What’s it to you? I’ll find you another partner.”
“You want to carry on with the drug smuggling, even after this?” Joe pointed to fake Manny.
“Yeah, and the only reason you’re going to keep breathing is because you are useful to me.” Chief Banner shook his head. “And to think you are related to me.”
“The eagle got hit too.” Joe had been told to say this, even though he didn’t believe in shifters.
“Fuck.” Chief Banner put his head in his hands. “That fucking idiot Mike, he said he could handle this, he said the bears up here wouldn’t interfere, that they keep out of the way of hikers. We’ll move the transfer point. One of my officers has gotten too close anyway. I’ve dealt with him for now, but I need to cover my tracks. And deal with the collateral damage.”
“Who is Mike?” Joe asked as the chief made his way toward the bed.
Chief Banner shot him a quick glance. “Pet bird’s name.”
“Right. I think we have everything we need,” Brad said to no one in particular.
“We don’t need for Chief Banner to actually have the drugs in his hands?” Jacob asked.
“No, Chief Banner’s admission on camera, plus Joe’s statement is enough. Along with his knowledge of Mike.” Brad stood up. “Lonnie, Avery, do you want to do the honors?”
“I’ll back you,” Avery told Lonnie as they made their way out of the room.
“Thanks, Avery.” Lonnie burst into the room, and tackled Chief Banner, who had a pillow in his hand and was about to put it over fake Manny’s face.
Jacob watched as Lonnie arrested Chief Banner, who kept repeating it was all a mistake, and he would see Lonnie never worked on the force again.
“We have you, Chief,” Lonnie spat. “You’re a scourge on the force, but I would not like to be you when you go to jail.” He hauled the chief to his feet. “And I am going to make sure you go to jail for a long time.”
Brad led Joe from the room, and Lonnie followed, a smile on his face and a set of handcuffs on Chief Banner’s wrists. Avery’s dad followed behind, while Harrison packed away all the equipment with help from Jacob.
“You’ve got a good man there, Avery.” Her dad stood outside the room while Lonnie walked to the elevator. Jacob tried not to listen, but he couldn’t help overhearing. “Lonnie’s not the only one who’s going to be leaving Holloway County, is he?”
“No, Dad.” Avery looked down at the ground. “Are you disappointed?”
“Why would I be?” her dad asked.
“Because you always wanted me to follow in your footsteps. To go to the top.” Avery risked a look at her dad.
He shook his head. “Sweetheart, I always wanted you to be happy. I didn’t care if you joined the force or fell in love and had ten kids. I love your mom, I love her softness. If you had chosen the same path as her, I would have been equally as proud.”
“I didn’t know that,” Avery admitted, and her voice made Jacob want to go to her and hold her tight. But he kept working, taking down the camera from where it had been hidden among the spare bedding.
“Well, now you do.” He hugged her tight, just like he had when she was a girl. “You are a part of both of us. The hard and the soft. The yin and the yang. Whatever you choose, we will always be proud, and we will always love you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Avery kissed his cheek. “You should go, Lonnie is waiting.”
“God job today, Avery.” Her dad gave her a wink and walked stiffly away, his stick tapping on the ground.
Avery watched him go, and walked over to Jacob, who was just finishing up. “Are you OK?” he asked, and she nodded. “It’s over.”
“It is.” She smiled up at him. “But then the next case begins, and the next.”
“Does that mean you are going back to Holloway County?”
Avery shook her head. “I’m ready for a change of scenery. A slower pace of life.”
“So, you’ll move to Bear Creek?” He tried to keep the excitement from his voice.
“I might be persuaded. For the right offer.” She looked up at him through her eyelashes, looking younger, softer, more relaxed.
Jacob dropped down on one knee. What else was a guy to do? “Will you marry me, Avery? Although I don’t have a ring. Yet.”
Avery’s hand flew to her mouth. “That was not the kind of offer I was expecting.”
“We’re meant to be together. It’s fate.”
Avery sighed, and placed her hand under his chin, then she leaned down and kissed his lips. “I suppose, if it’s fate.”
“That’s a yes.” Jacob asked hopefully.
Avery pulled back from him, seeing his wide grin. Then she kissed his dimples, and finally said, “It is a yes. I seem to have lost my heart to a mountain ranger.”
Jacob stood up and wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. “I love you, Avery. And I intend to make sure you know it for the rest of our lives.”
“You know, I still have a couple of days’ vacation left.”
“I know just the place for us to spend it.”
“On the mountain?” Avery asked.
“No, in bed.” Jacob took her hand and led her out of the hospital. They would have to go back to the police station first, and then spend some time with Lonnie and Avery’s dad, and then…
Hell, that could all wait, his first priority would always be to his mate. It was his job to cater to her every desire. Her every pleasure. Starting right now.
Epilogue
“I always liked women in uniform,” Jacob said, coming up behind Avery as she straightened her tie in the mirror.
“Is that so?” She watched his face, reflected in the mirror, and knew she was going to be out of her uniform pretty darn quick. His need for her was incredible, insatiable, unstoppable.
Giggling a
s he reached around her and undid the buttons of her shirt, she gave in to the inevitable and pulled her tie off, then undid her pants. They pooled by her feet, and she stepped out of them, as her shirt slipped to the floor too.
“I like my mate best when she is out of uniform.” He put his hand in his pocket, and pulled out a small box, which he held out in front of her. “And wearing my ring.”
“I love it!” Avery cried, and held out her hand so he could slip it on. “I love you.” She held her hand up in front of the mirror, admiring her engagement ring.
“Perfect. Just like the woman I love.” He kissed her neck, and his hands cupped her breasts, making her groan with pleasure.
“It’s a good thing I got ready early.” She turned in his arms, and kissed him, before adding, “But I don’t want to be late on my first day.”
“Then we’d better be quick.” He lifted her up and carried her to the bed, where he dumped her unceremoniously in the center. In seconds he was naked beside her, unclasping her bra and then tugging her panties down over her thighs.
“You sure know how to turn a lady on,” she teased.
“You’re supposed to be aroused by my eagerness.” He slipped his body between her thighs, his weight on one elbow as he hovered over her.
“I think we can slow it down just a bit.” She stroked his cheek, and then kissed his lips.
“If you insist.” He kissed her right back, their lips pressed together, tasting each other, exploring each other. Jacob had the warmest, gentlest hands. He also knew how to use them. How to touch her in just the right place, with just the right pressure.
Cupping her breast with one of those large hands, he ran his fingers over her soft flesh, pinching her nipple, until she arched her back. His mouth covered the hardened bud and he sucked, then licked then sucked some more. Her world was on the verge of self-destructing. But she wanted him inside her when that happened.
Sliding her hand down between their bodies, she stroked his cock, and then guided him toward her. She ached for him, her body ready to be filled by him. Stroking the head of his cock along her outer lips, she teased them both, until he could stand it no longer and thrust his hips forward, entering her.
“Deeper.” She nipped his ear, her hand sliding down his back, to press against his ass, urging him to take her. “Fuck me.”
Jacob pulled back, and then lunged forward, filling her completely. In a steady rhythm, he withdrew, only to impale her again and again. She whimpered, her orgasm sweeping toward her on a wave of pleasure. Avery longed for them to stay like this all day, with him inside her, their bodies joined as one. But it was her first day working for Brad, and she didn’t want to be late.
Wrapping her legs around Jacob, she urged him on, her fingers raking the length of his back, sending shudders through his body. He thrust into her, gasping as he strained to penetrate her completely. They fit together so perfectly. Both in and out of bed.
Her life here with him was complete. They could face whatever came their way together, the mountain had taught them that.
Avery’s orgasm shimmered in front of her eyes, tantalizingly close. Then Jacob came, his body jerking as he spilled his seed, his mouth clamping down on her breast as his body tensed. She could not hold on any longer, and she cried out as she came, her sex pulsing around his hard shaft, until she was completely sated.
They lay together in each other’s arms as their breathing returned to normal. But she had to get up, and get dressed, again.
“I have to go.” She kissed him and rolled out of bed, going to the bathroom to freshen up and grab her clothes.
“Want me to come with you?” Jacob offered.
“I think I can find the way.” She turned to kiss him as she straightened her tie. “Maybe lunch?”
“I’d like that.” He kissed her lips. “Go get ’em, Officer.”
Avery pulled him into her arms. “I’ve already got the one I want.”
“Me too.” Jacob kissed her once more. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Avery headed for the door. “But if you break the law, I’ll still arrest your ass.”
Jacob gave her that special smile that melted her heart, and she sighed in contentment. She’d be picturing those dimples all day. “See you tonight.”
“And every night.”
“For the rest of our lives.”
“For the rest of our lives,” Avery agreed, taking one last lingering look at him before she went to start her new job serving and protecting the folks of Bear Creek.
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Hero Mine
Bear my Fate (Hero Mine Prequel Book 0)
Hero Mine - Kurt
Bear Bait (Hero Mine Book 1)
READING ORDER FOR
Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan
Complete Box Set
Or available individually
suggested reading order
(each can be read as a standalone
but why not start at the beginning and get to know all of the characters?)
Rescued by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book One)
Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Two)
Tamed by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Three)
Snowbound With The Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Four)
Biker Bear Billionaire (Bear Creek Clan Book Five)
Bound To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book One)
Doctor Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book Two)
Stranded With Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Three)
A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Six)
Home Or Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Four)
Fated To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Five)
Lonely Bear (Bear Bluff Book Six)
Wolf Valley Raiders
Complete Box Set Out Now!
Or available individually
suggested reading order
Redeem the Wolf
To Catch A Wolf
Reclaim the Wolf
Awakening the Alpha
Biker Bears
Forbidden Bear
Secret Bear
Christmas Bear Brothers
Complete Box Set Now Available
Or available individually
suggested reading order
Santa Paws
Christmas Catastrophe
Bear Humbug
Fated and Mated
Love at First Site
Her Scars To Bear
Her Choice To Bear
Her Russian Bear
Who’s the Daddy?
Complete Box Set Available
Or available individually
suggested reading order
One Bear and a Baby
Her Bear and a Baby
Second Chance Bear and a Baby
Baby Protector Bear
Return to Bear Bluff
Complete Box Set Available
Or available individually
suggested reading order
The Bear is Back in Town
His Bear’s Necessity
Black Bear Down
Who B
ears Wins
When Bears Collide
Wish Upon A Bear
Cowboy Brother Bears
Complete Box Set Available
Cowboy Bear Blues
Cowboy Bear’s Mate
Cowboy Bear’s Fate
Return to Bear Creek
Daddy Bear
Mountain Bear
Honey Bear
Forever Bear
Storm Bear
Silverback Dragon
P.I. Bear
Doctor Daddy Bear
Bad Boy Bear
Silverback Bear
Ranger Bear
Christmas Bears
Sleighed
Claused
Wrapped
Shifters Prime Sleeping Lions
Complete Box Set Now Available
Living a Lion
Freeing a Lion
Fighting a Lion
Chosen by the Karal
Complete Box Set
Or available individually
Deceit
Love
Power
Hunger
Devotion
Warriors of Karal
Stranded
Found
Taken
Hunted
Allies
Sci-Fi Romance
The Princess and her Alien Rogue
The Princess and her Bounty Hunter
Her Dragon's Bane Serial
Soul Of The Dragon
Blood Of The Dragon
Heart Of The Dragon
Love Of The Dragon
Ranger Bear (Return to Bear Creek Book 11) Page 12