“It wasn’t exactly a normal plane crash.” Craig ground his back teeth together. “Our pilot was an eagle shifter who jumped out of the plane. We believe he was paid to do it by Harvey.”
“Who is Gina’s next of kin.” Ben’s expression grew grave. “And you don’t want me to let Harvey in to see Gina alone in case he tries to finish off the job?”
Craig gave a brief nod. “Gina hired Linda to protect her because she trusts her. If Harvey goes in there, at least let Linda go, too. She can stand by the door and listen in, just to ensure Harvey doesn’t do anything or threaten her life.”
“Okay, although as a shifter, I realize she could hear what happens inside the room whatever side of the door she’s on.” Ben raised an eyebrow.
“But she wouldn’t be so quick to react and what if Harvey somehow blocked the door?” Craig’s mouth curled up at the corners as Ben shook his head.
“Go ahead. I can see you both care for Gina and she has nothing but praise for you and Linda.” Ben took a step backward and then turned to face the others. “Harvey, you can go in.” Harvey fought to keep his calm, but it was obvious to everyone he couldn’t wait to see Gina. Which puzzled Linda. “Linda, you should go, too.”
“What about me?” Chuck moved to block Harvey from entering them room.
“And you are?” Ben asked.
“Her personal assistant. And her best friend.” Chuck didn’t meet Linda’s eye.
“If Gina isn’t too tired after she’s seen her brother, then I’ll see what I can do.” Ben nodded at them all. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and check on Joaquin.”
Chuck bristled, and Linda’s suspicions deepened, while Harvey made a grab for the doorknob and let himself into the room where his sister lay propped up on a pillow with an IV in her arm.
“Harvey.” Gina looked surprised and her eyes scanned her brother quickly before looking to Linda for an explanation.
“Harvey was worried about you.” Linda closed the door behind them, noting that Craig was holding Chuck in check with his most menacing glare.
“Worried about me?” Gina reeled backward. “Since when?” Her voice had a hard edge that Harvey couldn’t ignore.
“Since the day you stopped receiving my calls.” Harvey approached Gina’s bed with apprehension. “I know what I did was wrong, but you always told me brothers and sisters should stick together. We always stuck together before.”
Gina shook her head. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“When I made that deal that nearly bankrupted us. Chuck told me how upset you were and that you didn’t want me anywhere near the company.” Harvey’s eyes misted up with tears.
A look mirrored in his sister as she held out her hand to Harvey. “I never said that.”
Linda stepped forward, unsure if Harvey was making a move that would result in Gina’s harm or if what he was saying was genuinely true. But Gina’s next words gave credence to Harvey’s story. “Chuck told me you were furious with me for taking over and didn’t want to speak to me.” She wiped away a tear as it slid down her face. “He advised me to give you some space. Some time to calm down.”
“That’s not true…” Outside the room there was a thumping noise. Linda had a pretty good idea what had happened.
Shifter hearing for the win, her bear joked as Linda opened the door leading to the corridor where Craig held a startled Chuck by the scruff of the neck rammed up against the wall.
“Maybe Chuck should come in after all.” Linda checked along the corridor but there was no sign of Doctor Ben. “We’ll make this quick, since Gina needs her rest.”
“Let go of me. Gina, tell this thug to get his hands off me.” Chuck wiggled like a worm on a hook.
“Not until you tell me what the hell is going on here.” Gina sat up straight in bed, looking every inch a successful CEO. She had power and she was about to wield it. A look of admiration crossed Harvey’s face.
And Chuck’s.
Realization struck Linda in the heart like an arrow. Just as Cupid’s arrow had pierced her heart the first time she saw Craig.
“You are still in love with Gina.” Linda’s statement was so obvious, so true, Chuck didn’t even bother denying it. “And when you found out about Joaquin, you were jealous.”
“Yes.” Chuck tilted his chin up in defiance. “I made her what she is today. I’ve stood by her side through every meeting, taught her everything her father taught me…”
“And then decided if you couldn’t have her, no one would,” Linda finished for him.
“Chuck?” Gina’s shock was palpable. “You hired those people to kill me?”
“No!” Chuck exclaimed.
Craig put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “You know we’ll get the information out of them. Whatever it takes.”
“Ouch, you are hurting me.” Chuck grabbed hold of Craig’s hand and tried to prize his fingers open. Without success.
“You tried to hurt Gina?” Harvey’s face turned red with rage.
“No, I’m in love with her. I want to marry her,” Chuck insisted.
“But she doesn’t love you, does she, Chuck?” Linda asked. “That must smart.”
Chuck clamped his mouth shut.
“How did it feel to see them together at the convention?” Linda pushed Chuck harder.
“I wasn’t there,” Chuck insisted.
“Really? Because we spoke to the local sheriff, who pulled a favor. You weren’t very good at concealing your tracks. You do know hotels have cameras everywhere.” Craig’s fingers bit into Chuck’s shoulder causing him to yelp loudly.
“Chuck?” Gina asked, her face pale. “You followed me to the convention. Why?”
“Because I wanted to get you alone. I thought if we were away from work you would see how good we are together, both inside and outside of the office.” Chuck’s words tumbled out of his mouth.
“Instead, Chuck saw you having a good time with Joaquin.” Linda went to Gina and took her hand. “You were right, the person behind the attempted blackmail was trying to destroy your happiness.”
“And blame it on Harvey.” Gina reached out her other hand to her brother. “I’m so sorry I suspected you.”
“It’s okay.” Harvey hugged Gina tightly. “It’s okay.”
“You have no proof I was behind any of this,” Chuck said adamantly, but at that moment, Craig’s cell phone rang, making everyone jump.
“It’s Flint.” Craig answered the call, his eyes flicking from Gina, to Harvey and then finally resting on Chuck. “Okay, we’ll be waiting.”
“What’s wrong?” Linda asked.
“Nothing. It’s all good. The sheriff will be over soon to arrest Chuck. It seems one of the birds has decided to sing.” He smiled at his own joke.
“What?” Chuck asked, enraged by the news.
“Yes, was only too happy to cut a deal.” Craig shrugged. “Looks as if you are going to jail for a long, long time.”
Chuck tried to shrug Craig off, but Craig only tightened his grip. “Don’t even think about running. I’m faster than you.”
Chuck’s shoulders slumped forward. He was beaten. All his plans were done. Finished.
Failed, her bear added.
Thank goodness, Linda replied. As she looked around the room, she was thankful that no one died on the mountain.
And that we found our mate, her bear reminded her.
And that we found our mate and at last we’ll all get our happy ever afters.
Epilogue
“This place is amazing.” Linda rolled over onto her stomach and stared out at the clear blue ocean. The waves were gently lapping at the shore, while Craig gently kissed his way up her spine.
“Oh, yeah, ah-may-zing.”
She giggled. “Say it again.”
“You are spoiling the mood,” Craig accused poutily.
Linda giggled again. “My grandma always said she hoped my mate was a man who could make me laugh.”
<
br /> She turned onto her side and faced him. The Caribbean sun had lightened the tips of his hair and turned his skin to bronze. Craig was so incredible he took her breath away.
“So that’s where you get your good judgment from, your grandma.” He kissed her neck, and trailed kisses over the swell of her breast which was encased in a string bikini.
“It is.” Linda ran her fingers through his hair. “Growing up I always thought I was missing out. You know, everyone else had a family, no matter how dysfunctional.”
“I wish I could have been there for you.” His eyes darkened, and she felt his love for her more keenly than ever before.
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” She cupped his face in her hands and lifted her head, so their lips met. “When I’m with you, none of it matters.”
Craig stroked her cheek. “One day soon we’ll have a little bear cub of our own and our family will be complete.”
“My life is complete, right here, right now. I’d choose to go through it all again and not change a thing just as long as I end up right here with you.” Linda shifted her weight and draped her leg over his thigh.
“I feel the same way.” His eyes roamed her face, taking in every feature as if he were committing it to memory. “I love you, Linda. More than I ever thought I could love another person.”
“No regrets?” she asked.
“No regrets.” It was Linda’s turn to search his face for the truth. After their mountain adventure, Craig had told his Army friend and his family he would not be reenlisting. Thankfully, when they heard the reason for his choice, everyone was happy for him.
In fact, his parents had soon welcomed Linda into their lives and were joyfully waiting for news of their first grandchild.
“Make love to me.” She whispered the words in his ear, her breath caressing his neck.
Craig looked up, his eyes scanning the white sandy beach. But she knew he was looking further than that. His senses were roaming the area, trying to locate the others.
Gina and Joaquin had accompanied Linda and Craig on her rescheduled Caribbean vacation. Harvey had also been invited and was arriving today by boat. Which was where Gina and Joaquin were right about now. All the way on the other side of the island.
Craig’s expression changed. “We are alone. For now.”
“Now is all we need.” She kissed him, her hand sliding down between their bodies.
Craig tipped his weight back a couple of inches, allowing her to curl her fingers around his hardened length. She stroked him, up and down, and he bit his bottom lip as the breath hissed through his teeth.
Regaining control of his emotions, he stroked her thigh, his fingers exciting her as they moved higher, inching upward until he hooked her bikini to one side and thrust a finger inside her.
She sighed, her eyes closed in contentment as he brushed her inner walls with his fingertips. Craig’s touch never failed to excite her. Their bodies were in tune with each other both in and out of bed.
But in bed, that was where the magic really happened and the sparks flew.
She guided him inside her and he slid his hand down behind the knee that was draped over his leg, then he thrust forward, impaling her on his hard length. Linda bit down on the hard muscles of his shoulder as he filled her completely.
Craig pulled back and then thrust forward once more. With incredible control, he made love to her while the waves rolled over the sand and the sun warmed the air. This was so far removed from the first time they had made love on the side of a snow-covered mountain. Since then their love had deepened and their lives had entwined until Linda could not imagine living without her mate.
Linda circled her arms around his neck and kissed his lips, he tasted of fresh sea air and the crisp white wine they’d sipped with their seafood lunch. Craig’s hands roamed her body, his fingertips brushing her nipple while his tongue explored her mouth. She stroked his back and urged him to take her harder, deeper.
His hips flexed, and he thrust inside her while his fingers tweaked her nipple. Linda’s inner muscles tensed as she teetered on the edge of her orgasm. She wanted to tip over into an ocean of ecstasy, but she also wanted this to last forever.
He broke their kiss and lowered his head, kissing the soft flesh of her breast before sucking her nipple into his mouth. Craig rolled his tongue over the taut bud and her insides clenched. She was fighting against the tide of pleasure waiting to rush over her, wanting their lovemaking to last but it was no use.
Her inner muscles tightened around him, pulsing, throbbing as her orgasm hit her. Craig groaned and then tensed, his seed filling her as he came. Their bodies joined as one, they raced toward their climax, two people who belonged together wrapped in each other’s arms until they were completely spent.
“That was ah-may-zing,” Craig murmured against her ear.
This time she didn’t giggle, she was too caught up in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Instead, she kissed his salty skin and thanked fate and Gina for getting them together.
If her best friend hadn’t needed her, she would never have met Craig, and never understood what true love was. But they had met, and she did understand that the love they shared was as deep as any ocean and as eternal as the snow-covered mountains.
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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
His Bear’s Necessity
Black Bear Down
Who Bears 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 Bear
Hero Bear
Undercover Eagle
Single Daddy Dragon
Secret Baby Bear
Silverback Wolf
Awakened Dragon
Treasure Bear
Silverback History Bear
River Run Wolf
Silverbacks and Second Chances
Cursed Bear
Lucky Bear
Fated Bear
Song Bear
Blind Date Bear
Christmas Bears
Sleighed
Claused
Wrapped
Hero Mine
Bear my Fate (Hero Mine Prequel Book 0)
Hero Mine - Kurt
Bear Bait (Hero Mine Book 1)
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
Survivor Bear Page 15
