by Milly Taiden
They shimmied over to peer at the base of the cliff. Piles of small boulders and rock debris littered the bankside. By the look of things, Barry was lucky to be alive. Damn.
Charli looked at Barry. He only shook his head. Part of her was relieved, and part felt guilty for being relieved.
She turned to face the steep hill. “Fred, where did you first see the bear?” Surveying the incline, she realized Fred didn’t need to show her. A huge swath of cleared ground led directly up the hill. Looked like a tornado had come down the side. “Never mind, Fred. Got it.”
Jed moseyed closer to Charli. “Who’s yer friend, Charli?”
She’d been so wrapped up in getting Barry’s memory back, she’d forgotten common courtesy. “I’m sorry, Jed. This is my friend Barry. He’s . . . uh . . . he’s a honey collector.” Both men looked at her. “Right, Barry?” She gave him a face that said go along with this or I’ll kill you later.
Barry stifled a laugh with a cough. “Yes, honey collector. I examine the honey’s texture to see if . . . uh . . . the queen bee is . . . young or old.”
Both she and Jed looked at him and said together, “You can do that?”
What the hell? She bonked her head again. That was as true as him being a honey collector. Where in the Sam Hill did honey collector come from? She was losing it. Big time.
She started up the slope, using trees to push her forward where the angle was steep. She took a misstep and slid backward. Strong, firm hands wrapped around her waist. Barry let her falling weight bring her closer, her back against his front. Holy fuck, that felt good.
How long had it been since someone had simply held her? Tucked her into a cocoon of warm safety where nothing existed except them? Turning her head to the side, she took in his scent emanating from his unbuttoned collar, the flowing heat his body generated under the jeans and shirt she’d bought him before going into the office this morning. There was no denying it. She wanted this man in her bed, badly.
A rumble vibrated her back. In his eyes, she saw her desire reflected. He wanted her just as much. Butterflies flipped in her stomach.
“Charli, girl. Ya all right over thar?”
She sighed and stepped from Barry’s secure grasp. “Yeah, Fred. I’m fine. Just slipped a little.”
“Ya needin’ help?”
“No help. Thanks, Fred, I got it.” The ground flattened, so it was easier to stay upright. They came to a stop in front of a mess of briars and tangled vines.
Fred pointed at it. “I seen the bear hidin’ behine this mishmash of vegie-tation.” He smiled at Jed standing beside him. “How’d ya like that big word, thar, brother?” Jed congratulated him with a slap on the arm and telling him he was one smart sumbitch.
Charli walked behind the brush pile and couldn’t believe her eyes. She hurried back in front and stood between the two men, hooked Fred’s arm with one of her own and Jed’s with the other. “You guys are the best friends a vet could have.” Her steps grew longer. “You take care of your animals, and your mama.”
Both boys’ cheeks reddened. “Well, Charli,” Fred said, “you take good care of us. You know exac’ly where the critter is a hurtin’. It’s like ya read their minds or sumpin’. And Ma likes you. Said yer a good n’flew ants, or sumpin’ like that.”
Holding back her laugh, Charli translated. “I’m a good influence. That’s nice of your ma to say. I’ll have to thank her.” They traveled in a single line, traipsing over the steep bottom. Upon reaching the gravel road, Charli once again hooked her arms in one of theirs and headed for their truck.
“You boys have helped us so much here. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I know you got chores awaiting at the farm.”
“Yes, ma’am, we do. Say, how’s the bear doing after the op-a-rashon?”
“He’s doing great.” She tilted her head back to yell, “Wouldn’t you agree, Barry?”
“Yes, I shor do,” he called behind them.
Jed turned to Fred. “He sounds intelligent, don’t he?” Fred nodded.
Reaching the Chevy’s driver’s door, she pecked a kiss on each man’s cheek. A sure way to get a shy guy to leave is to show him affection. Both men blushed to the tips of their ears and hurried into the truck. They were so intent on getting away, they didn’t even wave.
Barry wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. “What was that all about?”
She leaned into him. “You’re going to sheet yer britches when I show you.” She took his hand, and together they climbed a second time. Upon reaching the brush pile, she dragged him around to the back.
“Holy shit. You’re right. What is it?” Both crouched next to a long, half-buried plastic container, the lid crooked. He pulled the top back and a wretched smell of rotten food almost made them gag. Barry reached in and pulled out one of the plastic grocery bags with what looked like spaghetti sauce smeared on it. He pried the knot open to see bundles of hundred-dollar bills. He looked up at Charli, then grabbed another bag. Same contents—except the food clinging to the bag looked fuzzy and green.
“Damn, Barry. There has to be a half million dollars in there. Anything else buried?” Barry rummaged to the far side. His hand brought out a sack containing a beautiful diamond necklace.
“Oh my god, Barry. What were you doing with this? Does any of this look familiar? Is it yours?”
“No.” He threw his hands into the air in frustration. “I don’t know what this is. I don’t know.” He stood and walked away. Charli ran after him and grabbed his arm.
“Hey. Look at me.” He wouldn’t bring his eyes to hers. “Barry, look at me.” She laid her palm against his cheek. The pain in his eyes made her want to wrap him up and take away the world. “I know this isn’t proceeding as you hoped, but we’ll figure it out. It’s only noon.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed each knuckle. “I know. It’s just aggravating thinking the answer is around the corner only to find nothing.” He rested his forehead against hers.
“We’ll find the answers. It just might take a little time. Okay?” God, she really hoped they could get some answers quickly. Fear lodged in her heart for him. She wanted to make sure he was safe and there was nothing for him to be scared of, but without any information, it was hard to know if that was true.
He smiled. “Yeah, okay. What are we going to do with the money? Take it back to the office?”
She debated for a second. In Shedford, nobody trusted corporations. “There’s nothing here that warrants us taking it. Maybe it belongs to some old couple who doesn’t trust banks, so they buried it. Like keeping their life’s saving under the mattress.”
That was highly likely. People in her neck of the woods didn’t go to the bank. They lived at a different pace and weren’t always willing to trust the government or its agencies. She came from a long line of vets, which made it easier for her to get them to trust her. Still, even though she lived in Shedford, she was originally from a big city.
Most of the folks in her town didn’t travel anywhere but the main street to go to the shops. Would someone go out so far and bury money and jewelry instead of taking it to a bank and locking it in a safe? Absolutely. Nothing surprised her in that town.
“And that,” Barry said, “is why you’re the special agent, and I’m the sissy.”
She laughed. “Let’s cover the box with dirt and brambles, then get some lunch. I’m hungry.”
“Sounds good to me.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Klamin watched the woman and bear come down the hill through the scope on his rifle. Wasn’t she a nice sight. Pretty face and voluptuous body that would take any beating he could give and come back for more. He’d love for his bear servant to bring her back to the compound. The things he would do with her.
He’d seen her before a couple of times. Never had the chance to really look her over. He was also curious about the rumor he’d heard that said she could talk to animals. A real Doctor Dolittle.
&nbs
p; What would his shifters tell her? Would they remember the intense pain of the shock therapy, the continuous blood sharing? Their former selves? That was a chance he wasn’t willing to take. He’d worked too hard and too long to let his plans be ruined by one fuckup beyond his control.
Damn hillbillies. He should’ve shot them when he first saw them on the hillside this morning. He shouldn’t have put off clearing the money and jewels until the day before. But he’d been so busy with his new project. It had to be set up carefully with the correct elements or it could prove disastrous, almost like now.
It could be worse. At least they weren’t taking the money. Still, he’d have to kill them both. The bear for sure, before he remembered.
What the fuck happened to break his mind control over the shifter? It had to be the amnesia. He’d never lost one before. That wasn’t true, but he didn’t want to remember those. They were failures. The bear was his shining glory. And it took fucking long enough to get it right.
But after decoding the old recipe, it was as easy as making cereal. His plan would be realized soon and then more wealth and happiness than he’d ever imagined would be his. He liked this area. Might keep his headquarters here in the mountains. They offered the perfect hiding place for the compound, plus he liked the cold weather.
His two targets had reached the road and were heading to the SUV. He aimed the crosshairs on the man rounding the front of the vehicle. He squeezed the trigger.
CHAPTER NINE
With more questions than answers, Barry came down the hill with Charli after hiding the money container. What was his connection to the container? Was it his? Was he really hiding money? And to what purpose? His gut clenched. Maybe someone was after him and trying to rob him.
“What do you want for lunch?” Charli asked.
“Food in general works for me,” Barry said as he crossed in front of the SUV. His animal half grabbed control of his body, stopping him in his tracks. Danger floated in the air. A small missile slammed into the truck’s side where he would’ve been had he kept moving. A pop like a firecracker sounded in the trees on the other side of the creek.
“Barry?” Charli had her door open, but leaned back to look over the hood.
He lunged toward the passenger door. “Get in the truck, Charli. Now!” He threw the door open. A hot punch blasted up and down his backside. He growled and fell onto the seat, his hands grabbing the console between them. “Go, Charli, go!”
She glanced at him. “Barry, what—”
“Go!”
She stomped on the gas pedal and the SUV spun its wheels before gripping the ground and darting forward. Charli reached to the side, taking a handful of Barry’s shirt, trying to pull him into the seat. “Barry, get your ass in this car now.”
He pulled his upper body in far enough for her to grab his belt. A roar rolled out of his throat when she yanked him in. Goddamn, that shit hurt! He tried hard to find his way into the seat but everything was moving too fast.
“Barry, you’re bleeding.” Her voice was filled with alarm.
“No shit.” He pulled a knee onto the floor mat. Another bullet hit the back passenger door. They were in a world of trouble and Barry didn’t know why. All he could hope was that he hadn’t brought trouble with him. He’d never live with himself knowing his mate was in danger because of him.
“Get in here now!” Charli gripped the steering wheel, afraid to let go, afraid of losing control and rolling over the cliff side.
“Goddammit, woman. I’m trying.” Another projectile banged against the truck’s backside. Charli swerved, Barry wrestled his other leg onto the floor mat, and the passenger door slammed shut. Kneeling, he lay forward and rested his head on the center console, gritting his teeth.
“Are you shot? Where?” She ran her hand over his back, feeling for wetness on the dark shirt.
“My ass.”
Her hand froze. “You’re shot in the ass?” What sounded like a snort came from her. “Right or left cheek?”
He roared loudly in pain and humiliation. “What the fuck does it matter? I’m shot.”
Biting back a grin, Charli cleared her throat. “Shot in the ass twice in one day. Once as a shifter, once as a human. I think you’ve set a record for me.”
He leaned up, looking at her. “Are you making fun of me? I’m bleeding.”
Charli patted him on his head, tempted to glide her fingers through his soft hair. “You are the butt of my joke, dear.” She barely choked back a laugh.
“Great,” he growled. “Am I going to hear ass references for the rest of the day? I could die.”
She was so tempted to roll her eyes but decided he might get even more offended if she did. “Don’t worry, stud. No one dies from a hole in their ass. You’re just fortunate enough to have two ass holes.” He groaned and dropped his head onto the console. This time, laughter did erupt from her. Part was from teasing this adorable man, and part a release of absolute terror at the thought of losing him.
A shot in the ass she could fix. Him getting killed was not something her heart wanted to think about. Her jokes were allowing him to focus on himself instead of noticing how tightly she held the steering wheel.
“Why don’t you shift? It will heal itself.” She took a quick peek at him to ensure he was still hanging on.
“Shifting heals things?” Barry looked dumbfounded. He definitely needed to start with Shifters 101. “How do I shift?”
She glanced at him and gave him a sympathetic look. “You’re asking me? Like I have a clue?”
He groaned and dropped his head forward again. “Well, shit. How close are we to a hospital?”
A quick look at the speedometer had her shaking her head. “At least forty-five, fifty minutes. It’ll take fifteen to get off this damn mountainside with all the turns.”
“I could be dead by then,” he grumbled.
She should probably not tell him that a shot to the ass was better than one to the groin.
“As I said, no worries. Your bear is already healing you. We’ll be at the clinic in under thirty, and I’ll take care of you.”
“Your clinic, as in veterinarian—animals?”
“Chill, bear. Your ass is the same as a horse’s. Don’t be a jackass about this.” She snickered to herself.
He slid a hot hand over her upper thigh, giving a little squeeze. She gasped at the tingles running straight to her core. His fingers spread, heating more than just her leg. She tried to move his hand away, but he only gripped her tighter.
Fuck, he was killing her, making her wet and wanting. A low growl reached her ears. “Hey, don’t blame me this time. Would you like me to spank your ass to get your mind off me?”
“You can spank me any time you want, darlin’. After you take the bullet out. But breathing you in, thinking of your taste, overpowers all the pain.”
Aw, damn. She bit her lip to keep from melting in her seat. “So, you’re saying I’m like morphine?”
“You are a powerful drug, baby, and I’m completely addicted.”
She rolled her eyes. “For having no memory, you remember the cheesiest come-ons. If you say you want to be my socks to stay with me every step of the way, I’ll kick your ass before I take out the bullet. Whoever came up with that line is a complete moron. Single moron, at that.”
Barry barked out a laugh. “That’s quite original. I think. I’ll never use it, but it’s different.”
Charli slowed the SUV and turned onto the highway running past her rock driveway. Good, she’d gotten his mind off the smoking hole in his butt. Now all she needed was to get him fixed up. “We’re almost there. Sit tight. Oh wait, you can’t sit.” She slapped the steering wheel with a giggle.
Barry rubbed his face with his hands and groaned. “Will I ever hear the end of this?”
Charli smiled. “Not if I have my way.”
An hour later, Barry lay ass-end up on the steel operating table in the animal clinic. The bleeding had stopped, the bear healin
g it over. Charli needed to recut the top of the hole to get inside.
“This shouldn’t hurt much. I gave you a local anesthetic, and the bear has done a good job of healing from the bottom up.” And what a great bottom lay before her. Tight, with the perfect amount of bubble for her to squeeze to her heart’s desire. Not that she should be thinking of that during something so serious, but damn, the guy had the glutes of a god.
She rubbed a gloved hand over the globes. She would’ve loved skin to skin, but she was done up in scrubs and surgical attire and wasn’t willing to risk infection. That would mean more chances to see and handle the merchandise, though. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized she had this kind of love for a sexy ass.
Barry took a deep breath. “Dammit, woman. You’re doing it again. You smell so good, and I’m stuck facedown. It’s hard for a man to lie on his stomach when he’s hard.”
She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at his dilemma. It sucked for him because she had a great, oh so great, view of his backside. She gently patted his uninjured ass cheek. “I hardly noticed your hardness. Now be quiet while I dig this out. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
“That’s what you think.” He grunted and laid his head on his hands.
Never before had Charli talked this easily with someone. The one-liners came with little effort, Barry bringing out the fun in her. A part she hadn’t seen since school. She could get used to having someone around. “Someone”—or only him?
CHAPTER TEN
With sandwich and chips on a plate and a glass of water with a straw, Charli walked into her living room. One of the best asses she’d ever handled—and she did handle this one as much as she could—lay on the sofa waiting for lunch.
She smiled seeing his gorgeous eyes. “Hey, buttercup, how’s it going?”
Barry groaned. “How many more ass and butt jokes do you have?”
“Hey”—she set the food and drink on the coffee table—“don’t be a shithead. If you still hurt, I’ll bring you some asspirin.”