Mountain Lion (Bear Haven Book 4)

by Bolryder, Terry

  She nodded back. “Yeah, you were.”

  She kept her eyes on his chest. If she looked up into his handsome, caring face or at his wide arms, he’d want to run into them. Want comfort. And he’d already made it clear that was off-limits.

  So she pushed away from the tree to walk back to the main clearing. When she stumbled, Wyatt caught her around the waist.

  When she turned around, looked up into his eyes, still feeling lost and afraid, she felt him crush her to his chest, wrapping his thick arms around her.

  “Shh,” he said, sinking to the ground and cradling her against him. “It’s okay. It’s okay now. I’m here.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and let out the tears she’d been holding back for twenty-two years.

  * * *

  Wyatt didn’t know what else to do, so he simply held Val while she cried. Great big, angry sobs as she sat in his arms. Luckily, they were far enough from the main clearing and there was enough noise there that no one would notice them.

  He’d never held her like this. He felt like he was seeing something sacred. Something private and personal. He also felt closer to her than ever before.

  Her small hands clutched him; her soft body pressed into him. She sought him as shelter, and he gave it to her. Murmuring comfort, running a hand over her hair, soothing her.

  This, he knew how to do.

  What he didn’t know how to do was deal with the protectiveness that had surged up inside him. More than just over a friend. But over something that was his. Possessive. Jealous. Enraged. He would have beat up the dude if he’d attacked anyone.

  But the feelings Wyatt had when he came upon the jackass trying to assault her were more than simply those of a protective big brother or friend.

  Utter, possessive rage that someone would dare try to touch what was his. That anyone would dare make her afraid when he loved her.

  When he…

  His thoughts trailed off. Love? Holy shit.

  When had that happened? They hadn’t known each other long enough for that. Yet as he held her, he realized compared to how little he’d ever let anyone else into his life, he really did know Valerie.

  From their rides, from their dinners. From the moment she’d walked into his life.

  But he’d have to put that all away. So what if he’d somehow developed feelings for her he shouldn’t have. That didn’t mean this could work.

  The dude assaulting her had just given all the reasons why. Because she couldn’t possibly want to deal with any men after that. She had to think they were all idiots. And as long as he didn’t make a move on her, he didn’t have to be grouped in with them.

  “I’m so glad you found me.” She gulped between sobs. “I was afraid.”

  “Shh,” he said, stroking her hair. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. I’ll always find you.” He meant it, too. He’d spend the rest of his life protecting her, making it up to her, even if nothing romantic could ever happen between them.

  He owed it to her for everything mankind had inflicted on her over the years.

  “Thank you,” she said. “And I’m sorry I came on to you in the haunted house. I’m sorry if I made you mad.” She sniffled, sitting back to wipe her nose on his jacket, which made him smile.

  She finally seemed to be feeling a little better. He guessed everyone needed a good cry sometimes.

  Then he realized what she’d just said.

  “What do you mean came on to me at the haunted house?” he asked, putting his hands on her shoulders to keep her steady.

  An owl hooted in the distance, and he became aware of other sounds. Crackling bonfires. Children laughing. People shouting inside the haunted house.

  But nothing that could distract him from waiting for her answer.

  “I know I bothered you. Getting all clingy.” She swiped at her eyes and nose again, and he caught her sleeve because he was worried she’d scratch herself. “I grossed you out.”

  He frowned, totally confused. But now wasn’t the time to talk about it, so he simply swept her into his arms.

  He looked back at the guy they were leaving behind. He was a shifter; he’d be fine. More fine than he deserved to be. But he’d probably tell someone about where Valerie was and a description of who he’d seen her with.

  And Wyatt wasn’t taking any risks with that.

  “When we get back to the ranch, I’m moving you in with me,” he said. “I’ll take the couch. But just until I know they aren’t coming after you.”

  “Good idea,” she said. “But won’t it bother you?”

  He raised an eyebrow at her as he carried her along the edge of the clearing, hoping to get to the parking lot without drawing much attention. “I don’t know where you’re getting this whole bothering me thing, but you’re mistaken. You didn’t bother me in there.”

  When they reached the car, he set her down, opened the door, and helped her in. Then he went around and got in on his side.

  “Then why did you push me away?” she asked. “It’s because you’re not attracted to me. Because I’m only a friend. Because you couldn’t possibly—”

  He leaned forward and cut her off with a kiss to the lips, sealing off any other words as his mouth covered hers. After a soft second, he pulled back, looking into her eyes.

  “Of course I’m attracted to you. I pushed you away because I’m trying to be the good guy. And with your breasts on me like that… I couldn’t think.”

  She blinked at him, surprised. Then she threw her arms around him and planted her lips on his with a hard kiss.

  She tasted like tears.

  Wyatt froze in shock but then relaxed against her lips and let her take him. Her hands were soft on his face and her lips were like velvet. He heard a soft purr from her throat and realized something.

  She wanted him. It stunned him. He hadn’t even thought it possible.

  And now he was utterly at a loss for what to do.

  He let her kiss him for a moment longer and then pulled her back gently and tucked her hair back behind her ear.

  “How about we wait until we get home?” he said. “So we can talk about this.”

  She nodded solemnly, touching her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry.”

  He started the car, trying to ignore the pounding in his heart. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I just have to figure things out,” he said, giving her a tender look. “But I promise I’m nothing but flattered by the fact that you want me.”

  The last thing he would do was reject her feelings. But he still wasn’t sure whether he should actually return them.

  Damn, he wished there was a guidebook for life.

  9

  He was attracted to her.

  Val hadn’t even considered the possibility. He was gorgeous. Tall, handsome, built, with nice clothes and an amazing ranch. She was just an employee, one who didn’t even really know what to do with makeup or her hair or even girly clothing.

  He’d shaken her off because she made it hard to focus?

  The thought was baffling. And hot.

  For some reason, for once, it didn’t bother her to have a man attracted to her.

  Maybe because she knew, unlike other men, Wyatt would never use that attraction to try and take advantage. In fact, even now, after a searing hot kiss, he seemed reluctant to do anything about the attraction sizzling between them.

  But why?

  As they drove, she rested against the window and thought about the fact that he’d come to save her. She’d never been rescued like that before, and it was an odd feeling. She’d always had to fight for herself, always had to be on guard.

  So strange to think she wasn’t alone anymore.

  And wouldn’t be for a while, since Wyatt feared Nate would have enough info to help her family find them.

  She wasn’t sure. It all depended on if he could describe Wyatt well enough in the darkness for someone to know who he was talking about.

  She shook her head. She wouldn’t t
hink about that prospect. She’d think about the fact that she and Wyatt would be staying in the same living space tonight, which made her cheeks flame red.

  “You okay over there?” he asked. “We’ll be home shortly, thanks to the lack of traffic on the road.”

  “Sure,” she said. “Just resting.”

  “I get it. You’re tired.” He scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out like we’d hoped. I wanted to take you to do fun fall stuff, and someone had to go ruin it.”

  “It wasn’t ruined,” she said. “I mean, we still went, and I got to learn something about you I didn’t know… and I got to be rescued.”

  “You shouldn’t have needed to be rescued,” he said. “I should have been there all along, but I was trying to give you space. Well, not anymore. Not until we deal with those who have tried to hurt you.”

  “I know,” she said quietly.

  “Listen, Val. I know we’ve been trying to handle this the peaceful way, but seeing what happened tonight made me think we can’t take any risks. We need to do something about the men who hurt you. We can’t just live the rest of our lives wondering when they’re coming.”

  “I know,” she said. “I guess I’m ready.”

  “Good,” he said. “You know I’ll protect you, right? No matter what happens?”

  “But there’s only one of you,” she said. “And there’s more of them. And they’re shifters too.”

  “I’m not alone out here,” Wyatt said. “There are others who would help me if I needed them.”

  “I never see anyone around the ranch that fits that description,” she said. “Unless you count lazy John.”

  “No,” Wyatt said. “Not on my ranch, but on the neighboring one. Bear Haven.”

  “Right,” she said. “You’re friends with the owners of a neighboring ranch.”

  “We get along well enough. We grew up together. And I’ve helped them out with their own mates a few times.”

  “Mates,” she said. “That’s why they wanted me to be with that rich guy. What does that even really mean? Just like rights for mating for life?”

  “No,” Wyatt said, shaking his head. “It means something deeper, or it’s supposed to. It means you’re only with the other person forever. You protect them with everything you have. Love them more than you will anyone or anything else.” He glanced over at her. “Though cats have been known to mate for different reasons than other shifters. Some feel cats could have fated mates, just like other shifters, but they’ve been ignoring the idea for so long that no one really knows.”

  “Oh,” she said. “What’s a fated mate?”

  “It means someone you just know is the one. Like they’re destined for you.” He chuckled. “I admit I find it a romantic prospect but have no idea if there’s any truth in it for cats. I’ve definitely seen it take hold in other shifters. Nonetheless, once a cat has claimed a mate, they are possessive as anything.”

  “How do they claim one?”

  Wyatt put up a hand, flexed it, and with a little metallic click, she saw claws glinting in the darkness, just for a moment. Then his hands were back to normal.

  “Holy shit,” she said.

  “It doesn’t hurt, though. I’ve seen the mark, however. On one of my friends.”

  “One of your friends mated with a cat?”

  “Yeah, even though he’s a bear. Actually, you’re going to meet him. I have questions about the two of you being connected.”

  “How so?” she asked.

  “I wasn’t sure when I should tell you this, because it’s just a crazy guess, but he’s got part cat in him. And I’m wondering if you might be related to the cat his dad bred with.”

  “If they bred, weren’t they together?”

  “Shifters can breed without claiming a mate if they aren’t full-blooded or they aren’t the same species. And even when a mate is claimed, if both parties don’t agree, that doesn’t mean they’ll stick together.”

  “Oh,” she said. The whole idea made her nervous. Particularly the thought of her being involved in any of it. She just wanted a normal, quiet life with her horses. All this mating stuff seemed like too much trouble.

  And she’d never let anyone think they could own her again.

  All too soon, they pulled up at the ranch, and Wyatt got out and came around to help her down.

  When his hand touched hers, electricity shot through her fingertips. She looked up and saw his gold eyes glinting in the darkness.

  The chemistry between them was unreal, especially because she’d never been particularly attracted to a man before.

  Was it just the friendship growing between them? Or something more? All she knew was the walls in her heart were falling, and deep inside, she wanted him.

  He let go of her hand slowly and then turned to lead the way to the main house.

  She followed, wrapping her arms around her, loving the feel of Wyatt’s soft fleece keeping her warm.

  He led the way up the main stairs and down a long hallway. When they got to the end, they turned right, and there was a locked side door with a stairway they took up to the top level. When they went through the door there, Val let out a gasp.

  It was beautiful. Clean and modern furnishings. Warm silver drapes and pillows on cream-colored couches and carpet. Wyatt put a hand out, and she pulled his fleece over her head and handed it to him.

  It was wonderfully warm up here so she didn’t need it.

  “Don’t want you overheating,” he said. “Do you need to go get anything tonight?” he asked. “I have spare toothbrushes, and you can borrow one of my shirts for sleeping.”

  “Okay,” she said. “We can get my stuff tomorrow.”

  “All right,” he said, taking a seat on one of the couches. She did the same, sitting on one that was perpendicular to him.

  From his front window, there was an amazing view of the mountains, the wide sweeping land, and all the trees.

  “It’s amazing up here,” she said. “If I were you, I’d never want to come down.”

  “Well,” he said. “I have to if I want to keep the place running. I do love it here, though. I can look out at everything, but it’s quiet and peaceful.”

  She sat for a moment, soaking up the space. It struck her how quiet everything was.

  “A little lonely, though.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I’m an only child, unlike the brothers who run Bear Haven. I admit, sometimes I’m a little jealous. But I have great employees, even if they are always coming and going on a seasonal basis.”

  “Don’t you get lonely in the winter?” she asked.

  “A little,” he said, one corner of his mouth quirking in a smile. “But I get used to it. Besides, it’ll be a little less lonely this time, won’t it?”

  She nodded.

  “All right, I’m going to grab you some pajamas. Wait here.” Then he disappeared into a back room.

  * * *

  When he came back, he handed her a pair of silk button-up pajamas that looked way too big. “Through those doors is the master bedroom where you’ll be sleeping tonight. I’ll take the couch. You can go in there and change. There are toothbrushes and toothpaste in new packages under the right sink.”

  She nodded, flushing as she took the pajamas and hurried off to the bathroom so she didn’t have to look at him anymore. The sight of his long body moving around the apartment with that fluid grace he always had was doing something to her insides.

  Slowly, steadily, a need was building. It was unlike anything she’d felt before.

  She ran to the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She pulled on the pajamas and tied the waist to the tightest setting. Then she rolled up the sleeves and the ankles so she wouldn’t trip. After finding the supplies he talked about, she brushed her teeth quickly, then used his face wash and a clean towel.

  Then she turned around to look at the wide mirrors on the front of his large closet.

  She almost didn’t recogniz
e herself.

  It was amazing what food, safety, and, yes, a little bit of happiness could do for your looks.

  Her skin was glowy and healthy. Her hair, while still a plain sandy blond, was soft and thick, and her eyes were bright. No more bruises. No more wounds.

  She looked lower, to her body. She was curvy, but she liked it. She had large, soft breasts, extra around the middle, and thick thighs.

  Wyatt had said he was attracted to her, and she wondered if it was really true.

  She ran her hands over her body, imagining how it would feel, how it would look if it were him, standing behind her, tall and thick and handsome, touching her like she was precious.

  She slid her hand down between her legs, where it ached, and let out a small moan as she thought once again of his touch. “Wyatt.”

  Apparently, she’d been louder than she thought, because she looked up and saw Wyatt standing at the bathroom entrance, completely stunned.

  His normally tan face was red, and his eyes looked a combination of confused and terrified. “Sorry, I just… wanted to make sure you’d found everything okay. Then I heard you make a noise and…”

  He scratched the back of his head and turned away from her, embarrassed. She knew she should feel embarrassed, should want to die of humiliation. But she was glad to see him there. Glad for him to know she wanted him.

  Even if she didn’t really know what to do about it. But he would, right?

  “Wyatt,” she said, putting one arm over the other nervously as she walked toward him.

  He flipped around to face her and walked backward out of the bathroom until he hit the side of the bed and sat down on it, looking up at her.

  He was so handsome, so flawless. And such a good man. Her heart ached for him. She wanted to share this with him.

  “Yes?” he asked hesitantly.

  “You said we would talk about this when we got back. About me wanting you. Or you wanting me.”

  She walked closer, until she was standing between his legs, his thick, solid thighs on either side of her.

  He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Of course I want you,” he said, staring up at her. “You’re a beautiful woman. And I’ve come to really admire you… as a friend.”