But what she hadn't expected was how good he was with Mikey. Wyatt was patient and jovial, and he entertained the inquisitive, restless six-year-old tirelessly for hours. Mikey bounced all around him and followed him everywhere like a puppy. To Mikey, Wyatt was the perfect playmate. He was boisterous, funny, smart and he knew all the fart jokes.
Wyatt was warm and respectful towards Rachel, and she knew he thought of her only as Mikey's mom and Ruby's elder sister. She was just a plain, frazzled, thirty-six year old single mom who had too many things on her mind and no time for herself. She hadn't gone on a date in eons. Mikey was her priority, her life. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken the time to pamper herself at a hair or nail salon. She had done her own hair and makeup for Ruby's wedding. She had managed to fashion her dark, brown tresses into a passable chignon and applied a coat of subtle colors to her eyes and cheeks. And this pretty pink dress had been a great buy. The cut of the dress made her waist look small compared to her generous hips and the plunging neckline actually made her large, heavy breasts look sexy. She would never look like a supermodel, but she could look good. As good as a curvy, middle-aged woman could look.
She had stolen glances at Wyatt throughout the afternoon while he played with Mikey. But it seemed that he wasn't immune to her either. She had caught Wyatt staring at her with a look of unmistakable want and hunger when he thought she wasn't looking. The heat in his blazing blue eyes had made her breath catch and her body respond in a most inappropriate way.
Rachel shook her head. She shouldn't be panting after Wyatt Lawson. She wasn't a giggling, giddy schoolgirl and she sure wasn't a hot, young thing. She was here for Nate and Ruby's wedding, and Wyatt had kindly agreed to host them. Wyatt wouldn't go for someone like her. He was a party boy, and he partied with rich, stunning, single heiresses all the time. Why would he even look her way?
But he did.
Many, many times.
As she'd rushed around the house, helping the staff put some last minute touches to the decorations, Wyatt had stared at her with a look that could only be described as predatory. Predatory, intense, primal. He looked as if he wanted to devour her. In a very delicious, decadent way.
Inhaling a deep breath, Rachel entered the formal dining room and walked quickly to the long dining table. Feeling hot and breathless, she sat down heavily and grabbed a glass of iced water. When she put down the glass and looked up, the flames in her belly leaped right up again. Wyatt was seated directly opposite her, and he had his eyes on her. The smirk left his lips as he feasted his eyes on her face, her lips and down her exposed, heaving chest.
The air suddenly felt too hot and thick, and she almost couldn't draw breath. It was only when she heard Mikey's voice that she gasped and began to breathe normally again.
“Mom! Aunt Ruby and Uncle Nate are kissing again. Do you think they'll ever stop?”
Rachel looked up and sure enough, Ruby and Nate were locked in a deep, loving kiss.
“Hmph! I think they're going to do this their whole lives!” Mikey declared, wrinkling his nose.
“That's right. They are going to do this their whole lives,” Rachel smiled at her son. “They're married.”
Mikey scrunched up his nose as he picked up his napkin.
As everyone sat down to dinner, Mikey announced suddenly, “I'm never getting married.”
“Oh? Why not, honey?” Rachel asked him.
The little boy chuffed loudly. “Because—kissing is so gross!”
CHAPTER TWO
Mikey was seated between Wyatt and Jack at the long dining table. Rachel sat across from them and watched Wyatt joke with Mikey throughout the dinner.
As she watched Wyatt help Mikey to more mashed potatoes and gravy, she had to admit that the man was really wonderful with her little boy. He was very attentive and alert. Even though she had gasped and paled when Mikey was falling from his shoulders earlier on, a part of her just knew instinctively that Wyatt would never allow her little boy to get hurt.
Deep down, she knew she could trust him. She knew that Mikey was perfectly safe in his huge, gentle hands.
All three Lawson brothers were blond, blue-eyed and criminally handsome. But it was Wyatt who caught her eye, grabbed her attention and wouldn't let go. He wasn't just handsome, he was sweet, thoughtful, witty and funny. He was fun to be around and he made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable. No wonder Mikey loved him. Rachel hid a wry smile. Women loved him too.
Wyatt was a born charmer, a smooth, suave heartbreaker.
Rachel turned to see Nate lace his fingers through Ruby's as he fed his bride. Their wedding bands were prominently displayed on their fingers, declaring their love and union to the world. The newly married couple looked so in love, and so perfect together. It made Rachel sigh quietly as she sipped her champagne. She was genuinely happy for them, but at the same time, it brought home the fact that she would never have someone to share her life and burdens with. She was a single mom, and she loved her son with all her heart. But still, being a single parent wasn't easy and she sometimes wondered if she would ever find someone special, someone who would love both her and Mikey unconditionally. She had dated on and off, but none of the men she dated ever really loved and accepted Mikey. They only tolerated him grudgingly and saw her son as some kind of excess, unwelcome baggage.
Well, she and Mikey didn't need scum like that in their lives. They were a family. Small and struggling, but whole.
Throughout the meal, Mikey complained loudly whenever he saw his Uncle Nate and Aunt Ruby kissing. Wyatt would back him up by making gagging noises and pulling silly faces. Then the two of them would pucker their lips and make exaggerated smooching noises at the bride and groom. Despite their teasing, Nate and Ruby didn't scale back on their public display of affection. Nate simply winked at Mikey and drawled, “I'm going to keep kissing your Aunt Ruby for the rest of my life.” That earned Nate a loud groan from his nephew and wolf whistles from his brothers.
The food was excellent. The kitchen staff had prepared a sumptuous feast for the family, and there was much teasing and laughter around the dinner table. Mikey managed to keep his shirt pristine white, even though his face was thoroughly smeared with sauce by the end of the meal.
“You eat like a bear!” Wyatt told him, flashing him the thumbs up.
Rachel shook her head. “Don't encourage him,” she said.
“Why not? Not many human boys can eat like bears,” Wyatt countered.
“I like bears,” Mikey said, digging into a humongous ice-cream sundae. “They're so cuddly.”
“Your teddy bear is cuddly,” Rachel corrected. “Real bears are not cuddly.”
Wyatt picked up his glass. “We can be cuddly,” he said, his eyes on her as he raised the glass to his lips. “I love to cuddle.” You.
Heat crept up Rachel's cheeks. She could feel herself burning, blushing furiously under his scorching gaze.
Clearing her throat, she reached for her glass of iced water. She took a sip but it wasn't enough to bring down the temperature. She felt like dunking the whole glass over her head to cool herself down. Why was he looking at her like that?
Was Wyatt...flirting with her? Or was he just making fun of her?
She looked down. She didn't think she was the type of woman who would catch the eye of a billionaire playboy like Wyatt Lawson. She wasn't a glamorous, svelte, leggy bombshell. She wasn't bleached, tanned and toned to perfection. Not in the least.
She smoothed her clammy palms down the silky fabric of her pink shift dress. She was suddenly very aware of her low, revealing neckline. It showed more cleavage than she was comfortable displaying, but when she'd tried on the dress, she'd felt sexy, beautiful, and she'd bought the dress on impulse. Why shouldn't she splurge on herself and look beautiful on her sister's special day? Why shouldn't she doll up and look beautiful and desirable for just one day?
Still, even with a new dress and nice make-up, she was just a thirty-six year old woman
with too many curves and a long scar down her face. Even the thickest, most expensive make-up wouldn't be able to hide that scar.
She wasn't ashamed of her scar. But she was sorry that her sister had had to endure so much to try to protect them from a psychotic, violent werewolf who couldn't handle rejection. Ruby had chosen to run far away to protect them. For a long time, Rachel didn't know where her sister was. She had been so afraid, so worried for Ruby. The cut she suffered was nothing. She just wanted Ruby to be safe and well.
But she knew that Ruby was wrecked with guilt whenever she saw the scar on Rachel's face. But Rachel had told her firmly to stop wallowing in guilt and regrets. It was time to move forward and put the past behind her.
Rachel didn't care about her scar. Her sister was safe and happy now. Her scar didn't change who she was. She was a loving sister, and a caring mother. She was still the same person, scar or no.
Rachel wasn't ashamed of her looks, but she wasn't one to fantasize and chase after an impossible dream. Wyatt Lawson was an impossible dream, a sexy, tantalizing fantasy.
If she wasn't careful, she could just drown in those deep, blue eyes and get swept up in a maelstrom of unrequited lust and desire. Wyatt gave her heart palpitations and tingling, sweaty palms with just one killer smile. Imagine what he could do with...one kiss?
She had to drag her eyes away from those tempting lips. Wyatt was still staring at her, a languid, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Slowly, he leaned forward and lowered his eyes from her face, down her neck to her chest. Rachel suppressed a gasp when she felt her traitorous nipples hardening under his gaze. Those treacherous, lustful nipples actually peaked and ached maddeningly as Wyatt licked his lips and smirked.
Huffily, she crossed her arms over her chest, unintentionally brushing against her throbbing nipples and sending a moan up her throat.
Rachel bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut in mortification. But nobody seemed to have heard her. Nate and Ruby were whispering to each other, and Jack was showing Mikey a few magic tricks with his fork. Only Wyatt was staring at her, his eyes burning with raw, undisguised hunger. His throat moved as he swallowed hard. When he dragged in a deep, ragged breath, his eyes slid shut momentarily and he seemed to be savoring a delicious, intoxicating scent. He inhaled again, and his whole muscular body shuddered.
Rachel turned away, but she remained acutely, achingly aware of Wyatt's presence and proximity. He was just across the table from her, and it was impossible to ignore a man like Wyatt Lawson. The man was self-possessed, commanding, charming, and when he was interested in a woman, he didn't bother hiding his interest. In fact, he made sure the woman knew that he wanted her. Once he had his sights locked on a target, he would move in swiftly and take what he wanted. He was confident and aggressive in the boardroom and the bedroom. Rachel had no doubt that Wyatt always got what he wanted.
And what he wanted right now seemed to be—her.
Rachel clenched her thighs together, but that brought no relief to the growing ache between her legs. There was no denying it. She was aroused by Wyatt. His obvious, palpable desire for her was an incredible ego-booster and a huge turn-on.
With a strangled gasp, Rachel realized that bears had a very acute sense of smell. The scent that seemed to have such a hypnotic effect on Wyatt was—her.
He was inhaling the scent of her arousal, savoring her warm, female scent.
Without thinking, Rachel scraped her chair back in a rush and stood up. The conversation around the table screeched to a halt and everyone looked up at her.
“Rachel?”
“What's wrong?”
Ruby jumped up and held her arm. “Is everything okay?”
“I...I'm fine.” Rachel gulped and gave her sister a quick smile. Everyone was still staring at her in concern. Mikey looked a little scared.
Taking a deep breath, she snatched up her wine glass and faced Nate and Ruby. “I...I'd like to propose a toast,” she stammered. “To Nate and Ruby!”
“To Nate and Ruby!” everyone chorused, raising their glasses.
Rachel knocked back her wine in one gulp and slumped back down in her seat. She could feel Wyatt's piercing gaze on her but she refused to look at him. She was afraid she might just spontaneously combust if she met his eyes. His gaze was unwavering, scorching, and her body smoldered and shook in response. With one look, he was setting her on fire. She felt like she was burning up inside.
Rachel swiped a hand across her forehead.
Maybe she was coming down with something.
A serious case of Wyatt-fever, that's what.
Turning abruptly to Ruby, she chatted animatedly and loudly with her sister about her honeymoon plans. If she could help it, she would just avoid eye contact with Wyatt for the rest of the evening. Perhaps her fever would subside and she would be able to breathe normally again.
“Nate has booked a suite at the Grand Hunter Hotel,” Ruby gushed happily. “It's a beautiful hotel and it's always fully booked! The view there is simply breathtaking, and there are some wonderful cafes in the town center that I'd like to check out. We'll spend one week...”
Rachel smiled and nodded, but her sister's voice was drowned out by the thunderous beat of her heart. Ruby touched her arm briefly and turned away to answer a teasing question from Jack. Laughter erupted round the table, and Rachel chanced a glance up at Wyatt.
The moment their gazes clashed, she gasped as her senses ignited and every nerve sizzled in her body.
Wyatt was staring straight at her, his blue eyes feral and predatory. There was no mistaking the raw, primal desire and want in his eyes. Rachel's lips parted as she blinked dazedly, letting her eyes linger on his sexy lips and smooth-shaven jaw and chin. She swallowed as she stared at his Adam's apple and his strong neck and broad shoulders. She raked her eyes over the expanse of his white silk shirt, wondering how it would feel to press up against that rock hard chest and feel his heart pounding under her hand.
With a shake of her head, she snapped out of her reverie and pressed her hand to her mouth. What was she doing? This Wyatt-fever was burning out of control, damaging all her brain cells and consuming her entire body.
She was a mom, a prim, proper, responsible mother. But...she was also a woman. A woman who hadn't had a man in her bed and in her life for far too long.
She cast a sobering glance at Mikey, who was busy licking his spoon and eyeing the untouched slice of cake on Wyatt's plate.
“Uncle Wyatt,” Mikey began innocently. “Can I have...”
“No!” Rachel snapped.
The word came out harsher and louder than she'd intended. Mikey's eyes widened.
“No, Mikey,” Rachel sighed and gentled her tone. “You've had too much ice-cream already. No more cake for you. You don't want to end up with a tummy ache, do you?”
Mikey put down his spoon. “No. Tummy aches are no fun. They're nasty.” He peeled off his napkin. “Can I go play now? You said I could play computer games after dinner!”
“Well...”
“Please! I'll just play one game. Just one. Please, Mom!”
She looked into her son's bright hopeful eyes. He really was such a good kid. “Okay.”
“Yippee!” He slid off his seat and went to hug her. “Come on, Mom! Let's go shoot some zombies!”
“You mom hasn't eaten much,” Wyatt said, coming round to take Mikey's hand. “Let her finish her dinner and chat with your Aunt Ruby for a bit, okay? I'll take you to your little bear den now, since you've been such a good bear at the dinner table.”
“Bear.” Mikey giggled. “Roarrrrr!”
Rachel watched them walk out of the dining room and was surprised at the sudden, fierce emptiness she felt once Mikey and Wyatt were gone from her sight. They were still in the house, for God's sake. It wasn't like they'd gone away forever.
Ruby must have seen the look on her face. Patting her hand, Ruby leaned over and said, “Wyatt is just taking Mikey over to the ot
her side of the house. Nate told me that Wyatt prepared a room for Mikey over at his wing. Mikey will go crazy! Wyatt filled it with toys, books, games, a TV set and a computer!”
“Oh.” Rachel's eyes rounded. “He shouldn't have...”
“He already did.” Ruby shrugged and laughed. “I think I can hear Mikey shrieking right now.”
Her sister was right. Judging from her little boy's delighted shouts and squeals, Mikey must have discovered all the treasures in his den.
When Rachel glanced towards the door of the dining room, Ruby gave her a nudge. “Why don't you go check on your two bears?”
Rachel started. “I don't have two bears. Just one little boy, who likes to pretend he's a bear.”
Ruby gave her a long, knowing look and took her arm. “Come. I'll walk you over to Wyatt's side of the house. The mansion can be rather confusing and you can get lost in the maze of corridors.”
They excused themselves from the table and stepped out of the large, formal dining room. Nate was briefing Jack about some ongoing deal that the Silver Group was negotiating. Jack would be handling the deal in Nate's absence. Nate and Ruby were leaving for their honeymoon this very evening.
As they walked arm in arm down the long corridors, Ruby began casually, “Wyatt's a great guy. He's playful and a little rowdy, but he is solid and dependable. I'm sure you've noticed that the Lawson men are very good-looking. They're handsome, successful, charming, and they're billionaires. Every female in Ursa Springs hopes to land herself a Lawson bear. At least that's what I'm told.” Ruby rolled her eyes and laughed. “Wyatt may be a playboy now, but once he finds his mate, wham!” Ruby pounded her fist into her palm to emphasize her point. “That's it for him. There will be no one else for him.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes at her younger sister. “Why are you telling me this?”
Ruby mirrored her expression, squinting back at her. “Don't think I didn't notice how Wyatt was looking at you at the dinner table. I may be the swooning, blushing bride tonight, but I'm not blind. And I know you, Rachel. You like him too...”
Owned By The Bear: BBW Billionaire Bear Shifter Romance Standalone Page 2