by Jane Jamison
Werebears of Shatland, Texas 3
Caging Her Bear Lovers
Bynn Caraway ran a bear down in the road. And yet, when she searched for it, she found a naked man instead. Now she’s come back to Shatland with her sister Lizzy, to find that man-bear, cage him, and make him shift, proving she hasn’t lost her mind.
Werebear brothers, Liam and Connor McGarrett, sense that Brynn’s their mate. Their brother, Finn, was the bear she ran over three months earlier. They’re torn between telling her what they are, or playing along until they’re sure she can accept their bear counterparts.
After his brothers take their turns inside the cage, Liam gets trapped when Lizzy’s scumbag fiancé decides to expose him and show the world what he really is.
Brynn started the trouble, wanting to prove shifters existed. But now that she’s fallen in love with the sexy cowboy werebears, can she bear to let them go?
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 44,798 words
CAGING HER BEAR LOVERS
Werebears of Shatland, Texas 3
Jane Jamison
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
CAGING HER BEAR LOVERS
Copyright © 2014 by Jane Jamison
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62741-830-0
First E-book Publication: June 2014
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2014 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
Many people contributed to the publication of this book. From parents to spouses, to my friends and then on to the publishing company’s staff, they all helped by being an author’s support system. But it is you, the reader, who really gives the story life. Thank you.
Jane Jamison
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Epilogue
About the Author
CAGING HER BEAR LOVERS
Werebears of Shatland, Texas 3
JANE JAMISON
Copyright © 2014
Chapter One
Three months ago
“Damn it.” Brynn Caraway squinted to study the wood plank road sign in the headlights of her car. She was sure it was the same Come to Jesus sign she’d seen earlier. Granted, there were a lot of those signs in rural America, including Texas, but she doubted most of them would have the words Meet Him at Walmart painted in red letters in the upper right hand corner. “I’m going in circles.”
If only she hadn’t taken the detour off the main highway and into the small town of Forever. The detour sign had only declared that food was ahead and not the actual name of the town. She’d figured she’d gotten lucky to find the place.
Grabbing a bite to eat at the little café called Milly’s Coffee Spot had put an end to her stomach’s rumblings, but it had also given her a good dose of downhome weirdness. The memory of how the other customers had watched her still made her jittery. Their stares had made her feel like the main course surrounded by ravenous diners. Maybe that was because she’d been so hungry, or maybe it really was the way they’d gazed at her. She wasn’t sure, but she didn’t want to find out, either.
She hadn’t been able to shake the impression that the people’s teeth had seemed too large. That, and the amber color she’d seen in more than one person’s eyes, was just plain strange. Not that the folks weren’t friendly enough. At least the pretty blonde behind the counter had been sweet, but she couldn’t handle the glittering stares they’d given her. She’d paid for the hamburger—her almost raw hamburger—and asked for a to-go bag.
That was over an hour ago and she still hadn’t made it back to the highway. How could she have gotten lost? Aside from one turn, hadn’t it been a straight shot into Forever? A turn she’d obviously missed on the way back.
She tapped her phone, running the GPS app again and hoping for better reception. But she was shit out of luck.
“Damn.” Chucking her phone to the passenger seat, she kept going. If a side street came up, she’d take it and hope for the best. She’d had enough of going in circles.
“At least there aren’t any corn fields. Or evil kids coming out of them.”
She drove on for another two miles when she finally noticed a side street off to her right. The entrance was almost entirely hidden by two huge bushes—bushes that looked like they’d been planted there on purpose. If she hadn’t been concentrating on finding a side road, she would’ve missed it. She swerved, taking the turn a little too fast. The car skidded, causing her breath to catch in her throat, but she held on and bro
ught it back under control.
Her heart was pounding, but with a few deep breaths the rhythm grew regular again. The road was narrow, providing only enough room for one car. Was it a road that would lead somewhere? Or was it for tractors or trailers or whatever the hell farmers and ranchers used? She’d already passed a score of pastures where horses and cattle grazed, and at first had thought the scene picturesque. At least to a city girl like herself. Lubbock wasn’t exactly New York City, but it was a far cry from the isolated area surrounding Forever, Texas.
She squinted, trying to see into the darkness. Another road sign. Hopefully, this one would point her in the direction of the highway. Slowing down, she got a good look at it then let out another groan.
Where the hell was Shatland? It was, no doubt, another one-horse town. Should she risk it and ask for directions? Or would the people there be as strange as those in Forever?
A curse came and went as she realized she didn’t have any other choice. She’d have to try it. She drove on, until at last, another handmade sign pointed her to the left and down a dirt road.
The idea of driving those roads after dark twisted her gut. She wasn’t sure driving around in the dark was a good idea, but the idea of sleeping in her car didn’t appeal to her, either. If only the moon were full. Instead, it was just an off-white sliver. Usually a cautious driver, she couldn’t hold back her growing anxiety as she pressed harder on the gas pedal.
Go slower.
But anxiety twisting around her spine kept her foot on the pedal.
Her hands gripped the steering wheel as her car sped down the road. She knew she was taking a risk going that fast, but who else would be out at night on a back road? What were the chances of her hitting any—
She let out a shout as the huge bear raced out of the pasture and directly in front of her. It struck the front of her car with a loud bam and the sound of breaking glass, then went flying over the hood. She screamed and slammed on the brakes as its body crashed into the back windshield, rolled over the trunk, then fell off. The thud of a very large and heavy bear hitting the ground sickened her.
Dirt flew into the air as the car skidded several yards before coming to a stop. The motor sputtered then died. For a moment, one blissful moment, everything was silent as the dirt billowed around her, obscuring her vision even more. If she tried, she could even imagine that nothing had happened.
But it had. She’d run down a bear.
“Holy hell.”
She twisted around and peered out the broken windshield. The darkness, however, kept her from seeing much of anything except the outline of the fence running down each side of the road.
Where is it?
Suddenly, she grew aware of the noise of her breaths hitching in her throat. “Calm down. It’s okay. It wasn’t my fault. At least, not all my fault. The damn thing jumped out in front of me.” A taste of guilt made her mouth go dry. She’d been going too fast.
It’s okay. At least it wasn’t another car. Or a person.
The one good thing was that if the beast were dead, it couldn’t attack her. Not that it made her feel any better about killing an animal. She hated the idea of taking any life, human or animal. Still, the thought of an enormous bear charging at her in wounded rage had her taking her hand off her door handle.
I don’t have to get out. Just get the car going and leave. That’s the safe thing to do.
She loved animals, domesticated and wild, but there was no way in hell she’d get out of her car to check on an injured bear. It could come charging at her with life-ending fangs and claws.
Just wait. Give it a minute or two.
If she hadn’t seen any sign of it by then, she’d do a tricky U-turn and head back down the road for a quick look. Then she’d get the hell out of there and into Shatland. Or even back to Forever. Anywhere was better than staying out on the roads at night.
Five minutes went by before she turned the ignition. At first, she was sure the car wasn’t going to start. The crumpled front of the hood mocked her as though saying “Seriously? You expect me to run after getting pounded by a bear?” But at last, the engine turned over and she drew in a breath.
Turning her car around in that narrow space was difficult in the blackness that surrounded her, especially when she realized that the bear had broken one of the headlights. Once she’d gotten halfway through the turn and could see a few feet ahead of her, she gripped the steering wheel and tried to find it.
A huge dark lump lay on its side, unmoving, not breathing as far as she could tell. The bear was even bigger than she’d thought. Was that a hump? Was it a grizzly bear?
“What’s a grizzly bear doing in Texas?” She’d never heard of such a thing. Of course, that didn’t mean much. She wasn’t exactly an expert on Texas wildlife.
Aw, shit. I’m going to have to contact the authorities. Once I do, I’ll get hit with a major fine. Aren’t grizzly bears on the endangered list?
“Damn it. Why me?” Groaning, she laid her head on her hands, still gripped around the steering wheel, and closed her eyes. She stayed there, thinking about whom she should call and what she’d say.
A groan that was all too human, a groan that wasn’t hers, came and went. She sucked in air, opened her eyes, and turned to look at the animal again.
Oh, whoa.
A man stood in the same place where the bear had been, his silhouette outlined by the soft glow of her one remaining headlight. That was enough to have her thinking she must’ve hit her head in the accident. But when her gaze slid down his body, taking in his solid body of hard-packed muscles and shoulders that went on for miles, she swore she had to be hallucinating.
He’s naked.
Her gaze flicked over him, taking a slower trek this time, as he stretched and groaned again. His penis was erect. Unless the darkness was playing tricks on her, or her vision wasn’t working right, his shaft was the biggest, longest she’d ever seen. Best of all, it curved all the way to the mushroomed cap.
His hair was cut short, almost to a buzz cut. She squinted but couldn’t make out his facial features. He was tall, topping out over six feet, without an ounce of body fat on him. His legs and arms were like tree trunks and yet, they didn’t have the over-bulked bodybuilder look that came from too many hours in the gym. No, his were a result of hard labor, the kind she imagined had put calluses on his hands.
Yummy.
She sat back, mindful of where her thoughts had gone and where they should return to.
The man’s body is amazing. A wet dream’s delight. But where’d the bear go? And why is he naked?
It was difficult, but she managed to take her eyes off the gorgeous specimen of male to scan the area around her. Had the bear run off? If so, was he injured? Which meant, of course, that he was dangerous and ready to take out his rage on anything and anyone. If he hurt someone, it would be her fault.
She put her hand on the door handle again, then froze. Which was more dangerous? An injured grizzly bear or a stranger? A very naked, very strong-looking stranger? One had the ferocity of a wild animal, while the other had more intelligence. Either could take her without much trouble. She studied him again then inhaled as his brilliant amber eyes pierced the darkness. She squinted, trying to get a better look, and remembered the strange amber in the people’s eyes in Forever.
Did everyone in that area of Texas have that color in their eyes? Was it something in the water? She was relieved that she’d purchased bottled water at the café.
Although she couldn’t see well enough to know for certain, she had the impression that his lips were lifted into a kind of smile-snarl.
Again, she asked the question. Which was more dangerous? Answer? A ferocious, naked, intelligent man was more dangerous.
Another question and answer came on the heels of the first. What kind of man runs around butt naked? Answer? A crazy naked man.
Crazy. Naked. Intelligent. Strong.
Not exactly the combination that brought her an
y kind of comfort.
She took her hand off the handle, then powered the window down just low enough to call out to him, but not enough that he could reach inside should he move closer. “Stay back. Don’t come near me.”
He took a step toward her anyway, then stopped when she laid on the horn. After giving it a good, long blast, she took her hand off. “I told you. Don’t get near me.”
“Lady, what the fuck do you think you’re doing? Running the Indy 500? You hit me before I knew you were there.”
His tone was angry, but the sound of it was so sexy that it made her clench between the legs. She’d bet anything that he was handsome. If she dared to let him get closer, she could find out.
Don’t risk it. Handsome, maybe. Dangerous, very possibly.
She studied him again. The second time was even more difficult since she was sure that his cock—his still very erect cock—was pointed straight at her. “No. That’s not right. I didn’t hit you. I, uh… Did you see a bear?”
He tilted his head at her in that way that her old dog had done whenever he listened to a command. Was he expecting her to give him a command? Strangely, she found herself hoping he’d do the commanding so she could obey him.
Had she hit her head? She must’ve. Why else would she be thinking the way she was?
“You’re shitting me, right?”
Okay, he was ridiculously hot with a sexy voice, but he was also acting like a jerk. “I hit a bear. A grizzly bear. That’s what damaged my car.”
As though right on cue, her engine started acting up. She tried to turn the motor over, hoping for another small miracle, but it sputtered and died. Smoke drifted out from under the hood.
