Mending the Bear

by Vanessa Devereaux

  Eve pulled into the turnaround by the woods. Ian’s bike was already there and as she drove farther along she saw a car that she immediately recognized. It was Chloe’s. She parked her car, got out, and glanced into the car seeing Sophie’s car seat and a stuffed toy sitting on the backseat. Tears stung her eyes. Chloe was his secret lover. Maybe that’s why Joanne dumped him.

  She walked over to an opening in the woods. She put her hand to her mouth when she saw Ian’s clothes sitting there in a pile. His bear biker jacket sat on top. He and Chloe were having sex back in the woods somewhere. Poor Ash. How could Chloe play around with another man when she had a wonderful husband like him? She didn’t want to hear or see what Ian and Chloe were doing. But she was going to wait until they exited the woods and give them a piece of her mind. She began planning out what she was going to say when she heard footsteps and then twigs breaking. Two sets of footsteps if she wasn’t mistaken. Yep, caught in the act.

  Another twig broke and soon she was looking at a naked Ian and a naked … oh my God, it wasn’t who she thought it would be. It was Ash who quickly covered his cock with both his hands when he saw Eve standing there.

  “Eve, what are you doing out here?” Ian asked.

  “I should be asking you the same thing. I knew you were coming here for sex but I had no idea it was with…” She couldn’t get the words out.

  “No, no, this isn’t what it looks like,” he said, stepping toward her.

  There was she thinking it was Chloe who was messing around when all the time Ash had been cheating on her.

  “And you, Ash, you’re a married man. You’re a father, for God’s sake.”

  “No, Eve, please, let us explain,” said Ash, now hiding behind a tree trunk. “This isn’t what it seems. Liam and Sam couldn’t make it today and at the last minute I came along. I have Chloe’s car because mine’s at Liam’s shop, that’s how I met up with Ian.”

  “I don’t believe it for a minute,” Eve said.

  Ian took two strides over to her. It was the first time she’d seen him without an erection and even now he was impressive. Oh God, why was she thinking about that at a time like this?

  “We’re bears. We took off our clothes so we could shift and run and it’s not…”

  How dare he make fun of her and come up with some ridiculous bullshit story about bears. What was it with this guy and his bears?

  She took two strides over to him and slapped his face.

  “Eve, please, Ash and I aren’t lovers, we’re bears, and really, we are.”

  She gave him the finger before turning and running toward her car. She got in and tried to not look at Ian who now at least had his jeans on, running behind the car shouting for her to stop.

  ****

  Shit, shit and double shit.

  Ash finally came out from behind the tree and retrieved his clothes and got dressed.

  “Can you believe that?” Ian asked. He still held his face where she’d slapped him. It had hurt his soul more than his body.

  “You know how women are, whether they’re human or shifter, they’re overly dramatic,” Ash said pulling on his shoes. “I avoid Chloe at all costs when it’s her time of the month. Maybe Eve’s got PMS, too.” He suddenly stopped talking and instead burst out laughing. “Now she thinks we’re lovers and you’re definitely not my sort of bear.”

  “I’m glad you find this whole thing so damn funny,” Ian said. “What am I going to do?”

  “I don’t think she’s going to listen to anything you have to say so I suggest sending a peacemaker. Sort of an intermediary,” Ash said, slapping him on the back.

  They began to walk back to Ian’s bike and Chloe’s car. “Do you think I did right by telling her about us being bears?”

  “Do you want to continue seeing her or not?”

  “I do, I really do.”

  “Then she’s got to find out sometime. So how about I get Chloe to chat with her? She’s a fellow human so she’ll know how to put this matter right.”

  ****

  Eve slammed the car door shut. Right now her blood pressure was probably through the roof. She knew she’d been crazy to get herself involved with another man and so soon after moving here and promising herself this was her me time. No man, no complications, just her career, business, and getting on with her life sans male. Why could she never take her own advice? She was great giving to other people. Her baby sister, for example. Her patients, but herself, no, and that’s what angered her the most.

  But Ian wasn’t just any man. No woman in their right mind would have been able to resist him.

  And poor Chloe. Things were worse for her. She was married to Ash and they had a child. How could he do that to the poor girl? She’d heard some poor excuses that men made for their behavior and cheating, but Ian’s would be one for the books. Bears, my ass.

  She walked the back of the building that housed her vet practice, disarmed the alarm, and then went inside. She’d never trust another man again.

  Eve checked on her patients, two dogs and a cat, all three having had surgery yesterday, and refilled their water bowls.

  “Aren’t you a good dog?” she said to a Beagle who came to the front of the cage and licked her hand. “I envy you because your life is so uncomplicated.” The dog gave a bark, setting off the other one and causing the cat to hiss.

  “Okay guys, let’s quieten it down.”

  The door buzzed at the front. Maybe an emergency after-hour patient. Maybe even Ian with more bear bullshit stories. When she peeked through the glass that ran down the center of the door. She saw Chloe standing there. Eve froze. Should she tell the poor girl that her husband was cheating on her out in the middle of nowhere with none other than another man who claimed to be one of their buddies?

  “Can I come in?” Chloe called to her.

  Eve slid back the latch and unlocked the door, still undecided about whether or not to keep Ash’s cheating a secret.

  “Hi. Did you leave something behind yesterday?” she asked.

  “No, I came to talk to you about Ian and Ash, well mostly Ian.”

  “Then you know about them? Oh thank God,” Eve said, putting her hand on her chest.

  “I do, but not in the way you think. Let’s go sit down.”

  Chloe walked over to the chairs in the waiting area. She sat and then patted the one next to her. Eve sat.

  “What you saw wasn’t what you think you saw,” began Chloe.

  “I saw both of them exit the woods buck naked. Other than the two of them being lovers, I have no other explanation for two grown men being in that condition in the middle of nowhere.”

  “Ian’s really upset about the whole thing. He likes you a lot and that’s why Ash suggested I talk to you and convince you that nothing was going on. Ash wasn’t cheating on me, and Ian’s not cheating on you.”

  “Then why the no clothes look for both of them?” Eve asked.

  “It’s true what Ian told you, they’re bears. Well, actually bear shifters. They go out running as bears. They leave their clothes and head off into the woods. It’s a big thing for them. Huge thing after they’ve had great sex. Ash still leaves me, even if it’s midnight after we’ve made love.”

  Eve hit herself on the side of the head. Was everyone insane or did they think she was stupid?

  “There is no such thing as a man who can change himself into a bear.”

  “That’s what I thought, too, but it’s true. I promise you it’s true. There are even wolf shifters. In fact, Ally’s husband, Kent is one. And the two ladies who run the craft store next to Starlight are cougar shifting sisters. I think I’ve heard them talk about lion and tiger shifters as well, but I haven’t met any, well, not yet.”

  Boy all three of them were playing her for a fool.

  “So how did they get that way?” Eve asked. That would give Chloe something to think about.

  “They’re not from Earth. They crashed landed here when an asteroid hit their home plan
et.”

  “Mars maybe?” Eve asked.

  “Eve, don’t be so flippant. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m telling you it’s true. Hand on my heart, swear to you this is true. They took me in when I was on the run when I was pregnant with Sophie. They are my family and they are the nicest people you could wish to meet. Please give Ian a chance.”

  “You want me to believe that Ian and your husband are bears half the time and they’re also aliens.”

  “Would you like to see them? Would that convince you we’re not lying to you?”

  Eve could tell that Chloe, for the first time since she’d met her, was beginning to sound irritated. The always placid girl was beginning to lose her cool. Did that mean it was true, or was she just pissed off that she couldn’t fool Eve?

  She’d call their bluff and they’d settle this once and for all. She’d ask for something they couldn’t possibly pull off and this would all be over.

  “Okay, I’d like to see them as bears,” Eve said.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Shifting while a captive audience was watching was never easy, but if Eve wanted proof, then proof was what she was going to get. Chloe had called to say that Eve would meet him in the same spot where she’d stumbled upon him and Ash. He paced up and down, finally seeing her car heading his way. She got out and walked toward him, neither of them saying a word for the first few seconds.

  “You know I’m only here to see how you’re going to get out of his hole you’ve dug yourself into,” she finally said.

  “You are going to be surprised. In fact, you’re going to eat humble pie.”

  “Really, well, I hope you have some whipping cream to serve with it.”

  Ian began to strip off his clothes. Eve stood watching him with her arms crossed over her chest. Her foot tapping impatiently. Shit, she was even more gorgeous when she was angry, which she clearly was right now. He slipped off his boxers and yes, he had an erection. He’d picked up the scent of her irritation and it was in fact, turning him on.

  She glanced down at his crotch. “Thinking about Ash, maybe?”

  “No, baby, just thinking about you and what you’re going to have to do to me to make up for your stupid behavior.”

  “Well, let’s see you transform into a big bad bear and then we’ll talk.”

  “Big bad bear, okay goldilocks, wait to have your socks blown off with this.”

  He relaxed his muscles as he always did right before he shifted, but nothing was happening. He wasn’t getting the usual feeling he did just prior to a shift. He relaxed some more, hoping that something was happening but no, he was still in his man form.

  “I knew it,” Eve said. She turned and was about to leave.

  “No, don’t go. It’s because I’ve never shifted in front of a human before. That’s what’s wrong.”

  “Have you ever thought about writing books? Because boy you can tell some tales.”

  “Give me a chance will you? Either turn the other way or I’ll go behind a tree and do it.”

  “Don’t bother, because I am about to turn the other way. Turning to walk toward my car, then I’m going to get in, drive away, and hopefully never set eyes on you again.”

  He’d show her.

  As she turned away, he relaxed again, slowly feeling his feet and hands turning into paws, his fur pushing through his skin. He went down on all fours. He was a bear again and he was going to go greet Eve.

  He pounded up behind her, nudging her leg with his front paw.

  “Very funny, Ian, now go away.”

  He nudged her again, making her turn around. She stepped back and put both her hands over her mouth.

  “It is you, isn’t it? Can you talk? No, that’s a stupid question.”

  Ian put his paw up to her leg, hoping she realized he wanted her to touch him. She ran her fingers through his fur and then stroked his head. He looked her straight in the eye. If she didn’t already known it was him, hopefully she’d know by his eyes. She stroked him some more, but then he’d had enough. He wanted to shift back because they needed to talk. He hoped she’d stuck around while he ran back and quickly shifted into his man form. He pulled on his jeans and ran over to her.

  “I know you’re in shock, but I hope I’ve proved that I was not playing around with Ash or anyone else for that matter, behind your back. I’m a one on one bear and I don’t stray.”

  She put her hand on the side of his face. “I’m so sorry I hit you. Sorry I mistrusted you. Sorry I called you a lair. What can I do to make it up to you?”

  He smiled. He had exactly the right punishment in mind. Yeah, right now he had her right where he wanted her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I will do anything else to make it up to you, but not this. I just can’t do it.”

  “You won’t know if you like it till you try it. You just slid your leg over and then we go for a ride.”

  “I hate motorbikes.”

  “How many have you been on?” Ian asked.

  “None.”

  “Then I rest my case.”

  She had to do this because she’d so wronged him, but bikes scared the hell out of her.

  “Okay, but only for the shortest of rides, and then payment is repaid. Does that sound like a deal?”

  “I guess it will have to be. Now get on behind me and hold on tight, because baby, you’re in for the ride of your life.”

  “That’s what I’m scared about.”

  Ian got on, reeved up the bike, and she slid on behind him, holding onto him like he was going to blow away. A tiny scream escaped from her mouth as he pulled away and soon they were on the main road. The wind whipped through his hair, sending the bear earring swinging at full speed. He reeved again and this time the wind blew into her face, almost taking her breath away. Yikes, they were going to be killed. Helmets, they had to stop and put on helmets.

  “Do you have your eyes closed?” he shouted above the noise of the bike and road.

  “Yes, how did you know?” she called back.

  “I know you pretty well by now.”

  He went faster, forcing her hold him tighter. She rested her cheek on the dead center of the bear emblem on the back of his jacket, knowing now why he was so fascinated with those furry creatures. She opened one eye and looked at the wind causing his earring twirl, making it look like the bear was dancing.

  “Enjoying yourself yet?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “You will.”

  He picked up more speed and they went around the corner with her holding on like her life depended on it.

  “You said a short ride,” she shouted, now finding it hard to hear a thing as the road noise got louder.

  “Short ride to me is at least an hour.”

  An hour, holy shit, they’d have to peel her off of his back by then.

  Ian put the bike into top gear and Eve found the courage to actually look where they were heading. The canyon to their left looked so pretty. He was heading up to the spot where she could see all of Kalispell. Chloe had told her she and Ash often drove up here on date nights while her parents babysat Sophie. She’d mentioned that it was especially pretty at night with all the sparking lights. And stars … she could see the stars this far from town.

  “Hang on, baby, because we are going to do some real riding now.”

  They moved like they were flying. They were flying. At least she was. Or was she only dreaming that she was on the back of the motorbike that belonged to a man who could turn into a bear?

  Ian gave one more acceleration as they got farther up to the mountain. The air was thinner and fresher, and Kalispell now looked like tiny and many miles away. He pulled the bike into an opening in the wooded area and switched off the ignition.

  “Okay, baby, you can let go now,” he said.

  She hadn’t realized her fingers were still buried in his body, the skin still white where she gripped so hard. She let go of him and he slid off the bike, quickly offering her his
hand to help her off.

  “So what did you think? And I want your honest opinion. Remember you still have some things to make up for.”

  She wasn’t going to lie. While the first part of the journey had been the most fearful of her life, the second half, and the climb up into this canyon overlook, had been the best ride ever.

  “Okay, I liked it.”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  “I like it a lot,” she added.

  “That’s what I wanted to hear. It’s what I needed to hear. I couldn’t be with a woman who didn’t like my bike as much as she did me.”

  He pulled her in close, the earring swinging less fiercely now, but nevertheless swaying. She reached up and touched it. “I think I might get myself one of these,” she said.

  He didn’t say anything, didn’t comment, but simply removed one of her earrings, took off his own and then slipped it into her ear.

  “I thought you loved that thing,” she said.

  “I do, but I’m going to let you wear it until I get one made for you. One of the bear shifters makes jewelry.”

  “Anything you guys don’t do?” she asked as they wrapped their arms around one another.

  “Um, let me think … nope, we have just about every profession and skill covered now.”