by Elena Aitken
But the second he made eye contact, he was a goner.
Shit.
“Ma’am.” It was a Herculean effort to control his voice when his bear was so close to the surface. “I’ll need you to get off the bike.”
So I can bend you over it and—
No! He could not afford to lose control. Not now.
If she recognized what was going on with him, it didn’t show. Not that Gabe was in any way fit to identify what was going on with her—the woman whose name he still didn’t know—when he could barely control his animal.
All he knew was she was a bear of some kind, and his instincts had kicked into overdrive.
Pull it together, man.
She did as he asked, and lifted first one leg and then the other from the bike until she stood directly in front of him. “Officer, I don’t—”
“Call me Gabe.” Why had he just said that? He needed to maintain some sort of professionalism or he’d be completely lost.
“Gabe.” Was he imagining things or did her voice have an extra little lilt in it when she said his name? Either way, he loved the way she said it. “Have I done something wrong?”
She’d lowered her eyelids and was very obviously making an effort to flirt her way out of whatever trouble she might be in. It would have worked, too. If he’d been any other officer in Jackson Valley. Hell, it might even work with him. Especially if he couldn’t keep his animal under control for at least another ten minutes.
“Yes,” he said slowly. “If you can’t produce your paperwork, ma’am, I’ll need to—”
“I’m afraid I don’t have them on me right now, Off—Gabe.” She winked this time as she said his name. “I was in kind of a hurry to get away from my sister and I’m afraid I left my purse back at the ridge with my license and my new registration papers.”
“Grizzly Ridge?”
Her gorgeous face lit up with a bright smile. “You know it?”
Gabe nodded once. “I do. The Jacksons are friends of mine.”
She jumped up and down a little and as much as he knew he shouldn’t, Gabe couldn’t help noticing the way her breasts bounced, only barely contained in her blouse. Damn. She was special. Curvy in all the right places. She wore tall black leather boots that hugged her strong calves, and her tight jeans showcased full hips and an ass he’d love to get both his hands on. She was shorter than him, and the height difference gave him the perfect vantage point to take in her ample bosom that strained her blouse, her nipples hard beneath the thin fabric, either from the cool October day, or…attraction?
“So you must know Luke? He’s my sister’s mate. But I don’t know how he puts up with her. I mean, she’s always—”
“You’re Chloe’s sister.” It wasn’t a question, he remembered Kade mentioning that she’d shown up.
“Yes.” She tilted her head and stared at him. “You’ve heard of me?”
“Word travels fast.” He shrugged. “Small town.”
“So does that mean you’re going to let me go with a warning?” At once, her flirty tone was back. She took another step closer to him until she was literally only inches away from touching him. His bear roared and when he looked down once again to see her chest heaving with every breath, he came closer than he ever had before to completely losing control.
Gabe clenched his teeth and shut his eyes against the vision of her breasts and the urge to rip the next tiny button from her blouse so he could cup his hands around each perfect swell to feel the heft of them. He knew they’d fit as if they’d been custom made just for him. He knew it.
Finally, he took a breath and opened his eyes. It was a force of will, but Gabe took a step backward to put distance between them. “I will give you a warning,” he said. “This time. But I—”
“Thank you.”
Before Gabe realized what was happening, she had her arms around him and was squeezing him in a hug. He knew how he was supposed to handle situations like this. He’d been caught up in more than a few awkward moments when women wanted to thank him for something or another. So, yes, he knew he was supposed to delicately extract himself from the embrace, take a step backward and move on with his day.
But knowing what he was supposed to do versus what he wanted to do were two very different things. Which was why, before he could stop himself, he had a hand on either side of her head and kissed her thoroughly.
Chapter Three
“Good morning.”
Zoe lifted her head from the counter to see Luke, her sister’s mate, walk into the kitchen. She raised a hand in a show of a wave and dropped her head down again.
“Don’t tell me you slept in the kitchen?”
“I wish.” Reluctantly, she sat up and propped her head up with her arm.
“You wish you’d slept in the kitchen?” Luke poured a cup of coffee and slid it over the counter to her. “You don’t like the bed upstairs? I’ve never heard any guest complaints about the accommodations.”
“No, no.” She pulled the coffee close and inhaled deeply. “It’s not that at all. The room is gorgeous. Thank you. And thank you for this.” She lifted the mug. “And of course for letting me stay.”
“Of course.” Luke pulled up a stool of his own and sat across from her. “So why couldn’t you sleep in our gorgeous room?”
“It wasn’t the room.” She sipped the coffee. It was hot and just the right amount of bitter. Perfect. “I just couldn’t sleep. At all. It was like the worst case of insomnia ever. And I’ve never even had insomnia.” Zoe dropped her head in her arms again on the counter. She’d tried everything the night before, but her brain would just not shut off long enough for sleep to take over.
It had never happened before. Ever.
“Any idea what was keeping you up?” Luke looked genuinely concerned. Everything about her sister’s mate was genuine. Zoe had only known him a few days, but she couldn’t help but be impressed with her sister’s choice. Luke Jackson was a perfect mate for Chloe. Which Zoe couldn’t help but secretly laugh at because her older sister had always openly declared how she’d never settle down with a mate.
“I have no idea,” Zoe lied. “I could just cry I’m so tired.” She dragged her cup closer and sat up again.
“Well, don’t do that.” Luke pushed up from his stool. “If Chloe thought I’d made her little sister cry, she’d be pissed. And I do not need one crying female and another pissed-off one.” He laughed. “No thanks.”
“I hardly think Chloe would care.” Focusing on her sisterly relations would be a good distraction. And way easier than letting herself think about the reason she couldn’t fall asleep the night before. “It’s not like she’s cared about my life since she left home.”
“That’s not fair.” Luke looked over at her from where he stood at the fridge. “She cares about you. A lot. And I know she’s worried about why you’ve shown up here so suddenly.”
Zoe lowered her gaze and exhaled slowly.
“Your parents are worried about you, Zoe. Chloe too.”
“I suppose she’s going to call them and let them know I’m here.” She sounded like a petulant brat and she knew it but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
Luke shook his head. “She wants to.” He took a carton of eggs from the fridge as well as various other ingredients and put them on the counter in front of her. “But I convinced her to wait,” he added unexpectedly. “At least for now. You’re a grown woman and from what I can tell, you don’t seem to be in any danger of any kind. Omelet?” He gestured at the supplies as he grabbed a bowl.
“Sure.” She sat up straight and reassessed him. “You convinced her not to call?”
He nodded. “Surprised?”
“I am.” Zoe crossed her arms over her chest while she watched him get to work preparing breakfast. “Why would you do that?”
“Like I said.” Luke stopped, egg in hand, and looked her straight in the eye. “You’re a grown woman. And the way I look at it, we all have our own demons. Yours m
ade you run.” She opened her mouth to object, but he continued to talk. “I also know that the ridge has a way of helping people come to grips with whatever it is that’s haunting them. I think your time here will be good for you.”
Zoe dropped her arms and stared at him.
“Am I wrong?”
She shook her head slowly and let a small smile creep across her face as an image of her sexy police bear flashed in her mind. If she closed her eyes, she could still feel the heat of his lips on hers, the way he’d twisted his fingers through her long hair and held her close as their mouths explored the other. It was, without a doubt, a kiss unlike any other she’d ever experienced. And her bear had instantly gone wild with the taste of him.
Zoe had no idea how long they’d stood there on the side of the road, lost in each other. It wasn’t until a car drove by with a little honk that they’d come apart. The look on Gabe’s face, equal parts stunned and turned on, no doubt mirrored hers and Zoe knew if they weren’t careful, things could escalate between them, and fast.
Which was why she’d grabbed her helmet, popped it back on her head, and without another word, fired up her bike and taken off down the road. She drove far enough to put some distance between them, but still her instincts were in overdrive. She got off her bike and once more took her helmet off in an effort to take a deep breath and cool down.
Damn. Their connection was hot. No, beyond hot. It was absolutely on fire, and it wasn’t as if she wouldn’t enjoy a little romp with a sexy grizzly shifter. Given the way her body was vibrating, every nerve ending firing all at the same time, she’d definitely like to get him alone…and naked.
But that type of attraction could be dangerous. Very dangerous. Especially if her hunch was right, and it was more than lust.
Maybe Luke was right and her time at the ridge would be good for her. But maybe, if she was right about Gabe, it would only serve to destroy her.
There was only one way to find out.
That kiss.
It was all Gabe could think of.
Everything about kissing a stranger during a routine traffic stop was wrong. Very wrong. He knew that. He also knew that he could face disciplinary action for it. He also knew he didn’t give a shit.
What he didn’t know was her first name.
Not that it mattered. At least not for the moment. Because everything about that kiss had been—
“Dad! You’re not listening.”
Gabe blinked and shook his head until the image of the curvy beauty who’d had his bear roaring faded away, replaced by his reality, which was brought sharply back into focus.
“Sorry, kiddo.” He turned to Ashton, who perched on a stool at the counter next to him, a bag of chocolate chips in hand. “What were you saying?”
“I asked if I could put the whole bag in.” His six-year-old son grinned. He was no fool and he knew when his dad was distracted. Unfortunately for him, Gabe was on to him.
“No deal, kid. Half a cup, just like the recipe says.” He handed Ashton the stack of measuring cups. “Can you find the right cup? It has a one with a two under it. That means it’s half.”
With a sigh, Ashton put the bag down and began his search for the right measuring cup. After a moment, he triumphantly pulled it from the stack and Gabe let him measure in the proper amount.
When he was done, he took the bag and held it out to his son. “Don’t forget the good luck chips.”
“The what?”
“Good luck chips.” He dipped his hand into the bag and pinched a few chocolate chips with his fingers. “Reach in and grab a few. Not too many,” he added with a wink. “Then before you throw them in the batter, you make a wish. Ready?” Next to him, Ashton reached into the bag and nodded seriously. “Okay,” Gabe continued. “Make your wish and when you’re ready, toss them in like so.” With a flourish, Gabe shot the chocolate bits into the bowl. A moment later, Ashton did the same thing.
“Did you make a wish, kiddo?”
Ashton nodded seriously. “Yup. Did you?”
Gabe smiled and ruffled his son’s hair. He always made the same wish: that his son would grow up happy and healthy. So far, so good. As a single dad, it wasn’t always easy, especially because Ashton didn’t even remember his mother. He was only a toddler when the crash claimed Marie’s life and that of their unborn child. In the first few years after the accident, Gabe was sure it was a blessing that his son didn’t have to deal with the same crippling grief that he was experiencing. But now that time had lessened that grief, leaving mostly memories that made him smile, Gabe had started to believe it was a cruel unfairness that meant Ashton would never remember the woman who’d loved him more than anything else in the world.
“I wished for a—”
“Whoa.” Gabe held up a hand. “You can’t tell me. It won’t come true. You have to keep it a secret.”
Ashton grinned and made an elaborate show of zipping up his mouth and locking it and Gabe couldn’t help but laugh.
“Let’s get these cookies on a sheet and in the oven,” he said. “You can take them to Grandma’s tonight.”
“Can we have cookies for dinner?”
Gabe gave him a pointed look although he knew there was a good chance that with his mother-in-law in charge, there was no doubt that Ashton would have at least one cookie after he had a healthy dinner. They were lucky to have Maryann, Marie’s mom, so involved in their life and Gabe knew it. His own parents weren’t really the warm, cuddly grandparent type and after the accident, they’d only become colder toward him—if it were possible. There was only so many times you could listen to your parents tell you how disappointed they were in you because you’d been driving the car that went off the road, killing your wife. As if it ever needed to be said.
It was an accident.
One he lived with every day.
Which was why, as soon as he could, Gabe packed up what was left of his family and moved to Boulder Creek, a tiny town in the middle of Montana where Marie’s mom had settled after her daughter’s death.
It had been the best thing he could have done.
A fresh start for both of them.
A chance to build a life.
And find a mate?
The thought, along with the image of the blonde-haired beauty—Chloe’s sister—took over his senses. A mate? He had a mate.
Correction. He’d had a mate.
He’d loved Marie. She was a fantastic mate and mother. They had a life together. A great life.
But was it fated?
Gabe had never once questioned his relationship with Marie and what they shared together. But in recent months, he’d watched his friends the Jacksons fall in love, one by one, with their fated mates. And that seemed different in a way he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
He’d never felt the same type of draw to Marie that his friends had with their mates. The same intensity that they all seemed to share. Not that he hadn’t loved her.
Of course he had.
Damn.
Guilt flooded him the way it always did when he thought about Marie and the life they’d had together. The last thing he wanted to do was sully her memory in any way. She’d been his mate and he’d loved her.
“Dad, I’m going to go get my Transformers.”
Automatically, Gabe nodded. “I’ll get these in the oven.”
He used the few minutes of quiet to refocus. Gabe prided himself on being a hands-on dad despite all the help he got from Maryann. When he was with Ashton, he liked to stay present with him and made it a point not to look at his phone when they were spending time together or be distracted by anything else. Including thoughts of blonde-haired beauties.
“Don’t run away again.” Chloe’s voice stopped Zoe moments before she did just that.
Not that she was really going to run away. Just head out for a run on the ridge. It was a gorgeous day, and now that she had some coffee in her, she was more than ready to get moving.
“Please,” her
sister added when Zoe moved to put her hand on the door. “I think that’s the least you could do.”
With a sigh, she turned around and flipped her hair off her face. “I don’t want to fight with you, Chloe. I really don’t.”
Her big sister smiled and immediately Zoe had the urge to go to her and let Chloe soothe her the way she had so many times before when they were kids.
But they weren’t kids anymore and not even Chloe would be able to soothe away the hurts in her soul this time.
“Will you come for a walk with me?”
Zoe nodded. “I was actually going to go for a run.”
Chloe grabbed her coat and joined her at the door. “Sounds good. But let’s talk first.”
She nodded, even though it was the last thing Zoe really wanted to do. She couldn’t put it off forever, though. So she might as well get it over with.
They walked in silence until they were away from the main buildings and were finally alone on a trail. Despite the fact that it was already the second week of October, it was sunny and warm, with only the slightest chill in the air. Zoe hadn’t brought a coat with her. No need considering she was planning to shift and go for a run, but Chloe didn’t seem to be in any kind of hurry to let her run.
They walked a bit farther before finally Zoe couldn’t take the quiet. “What do you need to know, Chloe?”
“It’s going to be like that, is it?”
Zoe stopped short. “Like what? You said you wanted to talk, so—”
“Enough.” Chloe turned and put her hands on her hips. “I’ve had enough of this spoiled rotten, wounded little girl act.” Zoe tried not to, but she couldn’t help but react to her sister’s anger. Chloe almost never spoke to her that way. “You came here, remember? You’ve been missing for months, Mom and Dad have no idea where you are, and all of a sudden, you show up on my doorstep, acting like nothing’s wrong but you refuse to talk about it?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so. At the very least, you owe me an explanation, Zoe, and you know it. So talk.”