“All right then. If you're not going to Megan's place, then you're coming with me,” he said firmly. “This is your home, your life, Olga. You're not running from this.”
She opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. She took a deep breath and gave a barely perceptible nod.
Troy held out his hand to her. “Let's go home.”
Olga managed a smile. Then she put her hand in his and walked out the door with him.
Troy drove to his house in silence. His eyes scanned every street corner, every tree, every shadow to see if he could spot that piece of shit who called himself the Artist.
Troy tried to recall the new faces he had seen around town. Many people passed through the small, scenic town of Bear Cove. Some were here for business, others were visiting friends and family, and there were even some tourists and honeymooners who drove all the way out to Bear Cove just to enjoy the romance and peace of the little town. But the majority of the town's visitors were just passing through. They simply stopped to rest for a night, and after refueling their cars and grabbing some supplies for their journey, they would be on their way.
Troy hardly bothered taking note of all the faces that came and went but now he wished he did. One of them had to be the Artist.
Troy glanced at Olga. She was looking nervously out the window, staring at the people they passed on the street. Some people waved at them, but Troy didn't wave back. He just sped straight to his house and made sure he shielded Olga with his broad body as he bundled her into the safety of his house. Then he hurried back to his truck and unloaded all the bags.
Bolting the door, Troy carried her duffel bag into the bedroom and placed it on the bed. “I'll prepare dinner,” he said, pulling the door close behind him to give her some privacy.
Olga scrambled up. “I'll help...”
He wagged his finger sternly at her. “Only the chef is allowed in the kitchen. And I'm your personal chef tonight,” he declared with a dramatic flourish.
“Oh!” Olga's eyes rounded.
“You just unpack and unwind. I have everything under control.” He winked at her. “I'll call you when dinner is ready. No tiptoeing into the kitchen. I don't want you to steal my secret recipe.”
He was rewarded with a laugh. “Okay. Thank you, Troy. Thank you very much.”
He turned away, then abruptly spun round and closed the distance between them in two strides. He held her tight and pressed his lips to her temple. “I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Olga.”
“I'm not worried about me. I...”
Troy captured her face in both hands and looked deeply into her beautiful, stormy gray eyes. “I won't let him hurt the people I care about. I care about you, Olga. And I'm not the only one. A lot of people in this town care about you, and I know you care about them too.”
She cupped his stubbled chin tenderly and whispered, “I want this so much, Troy. I want a family, a home...I want an ordinary, mundane life with you, Troy.”
He kissed her palm and smiled. “I don't think our life together will be ordinary at all. But—I like mundane. In fact, I like it a lot.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“And now for dessert,” Troy announced.
Olga put down her napkin and gasped. “Oh, I don't think I've got room for dessert. That steak was huge! But it was perfect,” she smiled. “Marinated and done just right.”
Troy grinned. “I'll just get you one scoop of ice-cream then.”
“All right,” she said. “Just a small scoop.”
Olga watched Troy bustle to the kitchen and pull out spoons and cups. She had finished every morsel on her plate. Troy was an excellent cook, and she didn't realize how hungry she was until she took the first bite.
Leaning back, she released a quiet sigh. Troy was sweet, protective, sexy as hell and the guy could cook. She'd never dared dream that she would meet a guy like that. Even if she did, she would never have dared to hope for a future with him.
But this future was now within her reach. She could have the life she'd always wanted, and have the happily-ever-after that she'd only read about in fairy tales.
If only she could free herself from him.
Olga balled her fists, her eyes narrowing. Troy was right. She would not allow the Artist to destroy her. She deserved love and happiness just like everyone else. Why should she run and hide like a fugitive? He was the fugitive, the criminal, the bloody murderer, not her!
Troy came out with two cups of ice-cream. He'd even put sprinkles on top of her ice-cream.
They sat side by side at the dinner table and enjoyed their chocolate ice-cream in companionable silence. Olga had never felt so comfortable with anyone before. She was deeply attracted to Troy, but she also felt as though she had known him for a long time. There was sexual attraction and desire, but there was also love, acceptance and friendship. Their connection was not just deep, but strong and unchanging. Troy would always be a part of her, she realized.
Troy nudged her playfully and asked, “Whose turn is it to do the dishes tonight?”
“Mine of course.” She stood up but Troy tugged her back down. She landed on his lap.
“I'm just teasing you.”
Olga wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. “I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared,” she said softly. “I'm still scared, Troy. I know he's out there, and now, I'm sure he knows about you. I scared for you, Troy. I don't...”
Troy silenced her with a long, lingering kiss. “I can handle that sick fuck,” Troy growled. “You forget I'm a big, bad bear.”
“I didn't forget.” She held his heated gaze and said, “I want you to claim me.”
“A rogue bear doesn't deserve...”
“Bullshit!” Olga spat. “That's bullshit, Troy.”
He started to speak again but she pressed a finger to his lips. “You thought I was a coward because I wanted to run away again. Well, I think you're a coward too, Troy Hillman. You're afraid to be happy. You think that you've been turned into a bear shifter against your will so you should live the rest of your life in regret and bitterness. Well, guess what? Shifters deserve to be happy too. It doesn't matter if you're a born shifter or a turned shifter. You're what you are. You've got nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I'm not ashamed...”
“Yes you are. You've never really accepted what you've become. That's why you shift in secret. That night, when you saved me from Jim, you just turned and slunk off into the shadows when the rest of the townsfolk came running. You didn't want them to see you. They know what you are yet you hide from them. I'm not the only one who's hiding, Troy.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Troy didn't look away from her. She was even more beautiful when she was angry. Olga was breathing hard and she was glaring at him, but there was no mistaking the fierce love and pride in her eyes.
She loved him.
She was proud of what he was, who he was. And she would be proud to be a bear shifter's mate.
“You're tough, Olga,” he said, wrapping his arms around her.
“I'm a survivor,” she answered. “But from now on, I'm not just going to survive. I'm going to live.”
Troy leaned in and kissed her. His heart was bursting with love and desire for her, and he knew without a doubt that she was his. She was his reason to live, and he knew that everything he had gone through was to bring him to this moment. If he had to endure that horrendous, savage attack by the bear all over again just so he could be here with her, he would do it a thousand times over.
She saw him. She saw through all the excuses and pretense, and saw his heart. The heart that he shared with his beast.
Troy cupped her breast gently as his mouth moved over hers. He could feel her nipple stabbing into his palm through her t-shirt. She wasn't wearing a bra. With a groan, he buried his face in her neck.
“Olga...” he growled softly.
She speared h
er fingers through his hair and slanted her mouth over his. Their tongues tangled and their hands moved furiously to remove their clothes.
Olga pulled her t-shirt over her head and began to tug at the waistband of his track pants. Troy removed his t-shirt and tossed it to a corner. He slid his hand down her shorts and felt her warm, sticky juices coat the tips of his fingers.
“You're so wet,” he said hoarsely.
She murmured into his mouth, working to free his erection. Troy gritted his teeth when she closed her hand around his hard, throbbing cock. His hips jerked when she pumped her fist down the length of his shaft.
Troy fought for control when he felt her hot, wet tongue swirl round the head of his cock. She reached up and untied her ponytail, letting her glossy black hair tumble down her shoulders. Sweeping her hair to the side, she took him deep into her mouth, letting him see what she was doing to him.
She sucked and bobbed her head faster and faster, bringing him dangerously close to the edge.
Troy grabbed her and kissed her hard. Her lips were wet with his precum and he could taste and smell himself all over her.
His bear roared within him. Mine!
Troy felt the raging, violent, unstoppable force of his bear's lust and hunger. This time, he didn't try to restrain his beast. He had found her. His bear had found its mate.
Troy could feel his eyes glowing as his bear surged to the surface. His muscles bulged and he could feel the tips of his claws pushing out from his fingers.
With a roar, he ripped Olga's shorts and panties to shreds with his claws. She shivered but not from fear. She was highly aroused. Her skin was hot and flushed, and the scent of her arousal was driving him insane.
Pushing the plates aside, Troy bent Olga over the dining table and spread her legs.
He gripped her hips and let out a low, warning growl.
Olga turned her head to the side and looked straight into his eyes. She saw his beast staring back at her and she wasn't afraid. Her eyes mirrored his powerful want and hunger.
She wanted this. She wanted him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Olga panted, wanting to feel Troy deep inside her. She whimpered when he grabbed her hips and pulled her toward him.
Gasping, she gripped the edge of the table as he entered her from behind. She loved how big and hard he was. She loved how he stretched her walls and filled her so completely.
Olga let out a keening cry when he began to fuck her hard. Troy slammed his cock into her again and again, hitting all her aching, sensitive spots. She clenched around him and started to come.
“Olga...” Troy snarled as he felt her channel rippling and tightening around him. He continued thrusting into her but with slower, gentler strokes. He rode out her orgasm and bent down to kiss down her spine.
She turned around to kiss him deeply on the mouth. He was still buried inside her, and Olga moaned when he cupped her heavy breasts and thumbed her nipples.
Troy began to move again. His strokes were long and slow, and he made love to her tenderly. His large hands caressed every inch of her body, setting all her nerves alight.
Olga closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the intense, escalating pleasure that was overwhelming her senses. Being with Troy felt so good, so perfect and so right. They were connected, physically, emotionally, eternally.
Olga cried out as Troy brought her to the brink of another orgasm. She started to shudder in ecstasy as Troy pounded into her.
Troy pushed her hair off her shoulder and leaned forward. His eyes were fully feral and glowing with a deadly, predatory light. He loomed over her, broad, virile and powerful.
He bared his teeth and grabbed her tightly. Olga screamed when she felt his teeth sink into the base of her neck. He continued pistoning in and out of her body, and she was swept up in a violent wave of pain and pleasure.
With another cry, she shattered completely. Troy roared his release as her pussy squeezed and milked him relentlessly. He closed his eyes and kept moving inside her even after he was spent.
When he opened his eyes again, she saw that the glow had faded from them. His blue eyes were full of love and tenderness as he gazed at her.
“I love you,” he said hoarsely.
He kissed away the tears at the corner of her eyes. “Did I hurt you?” he asked in a pained whisper.
“No. You didn't hurt me. And I know you will never hurt me.”
He hugged her fiercely. “You never have to be alone ever again, Olga. You have me. You have us.”
“I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me,” she whispered. “You don't know...what he's capable of, Troy.”
“I'm a predator, Olga. A hunter. I don't think he can touch me.”
She shook her head. “He's human. But I think you know that humans are the most vicious killers. Animals kill out of necessity. Humans kill because they can.”
“We'll get him this time.”
“I'm worried...”
He shushed her. “Don't worry. You were alone before, so it was easy for him to terrorize you. But now he's the one who is alone. We are together, and we will be all right.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
“I'm going to drop you off at the library,” Troy said. “I don't want you alone at home while I'm at work.”
Olga nodded. She didn't want to be all alone the whole day in Troy's house either. At least in the library, there would be people around her and it'd be quiet enough so hopefully she could take her mind off her troubles long enough to get some work done.
Olga grabbed her laptop bag and headed out the door with Troy. She looked around the peaceful neighborhood and wondered if the Artist was watching her now.
So what if he was?
This was her life, and she wouldn't be running away this time.
If he wanted her, he would have to come out into the open and get her.
Olga got into the passenger seat of the truck as Troy loaded his toolbox and some cans of paint into the back.
When Troy drove towards the library, Olga turned to him and said, “Please don't tell Megan.”
“Why?”
“I just think it's safer for her. You are a big, strong bear so you can take care of yourself.” She punched his muscular arm. “I don't doubt that Megan is strong too. But—I don't want Megan and her boys in his crosshairs.”
Troy frowned and exhaled roughly. Finally he nodded.
Once Troy pulled up in front of the library, he began to unbuckle his seat belt but Olga stopped him. “I can walk into the library by myself.”
“But...”
“You can watch me until I'm safely inside before driving away.”
She leaned in and kissed him before he could say more. “Bye. See you this afternoon.”
“Be careful, Olga. I want you to call me right away if...”
“Yes, sir!” She gave him a smart salute and hopped out of the truck.
At the library entrance, she turned and waved to him. Then she slipped into the cool, quiet interior of the library.
Megan wasn't on duty this morning. Another librarian was at the counter and she looked up and smiled brightly at Olga. “Morning, Dot!”
“Morning, Helen,” Olga greeted her, wincing a little. She hadn't told anyone except Troy her real name. To everyone else, she was still Dot.
Sighing, she placed her bag and laptop on her usual table at the back of the library. Then she hunkered down and concentrated on her writing.
Her life wasn't going to grind to a stop because of him. The Artist was obsessed with her. But she wasn't going to return the favor. She wouldn't spare him a second thought.
After a while, she found her rhythm and her story began to take shape. Working steadily and efficiently, she actually lost track of the time. By the time she looked up, she saw that the library had become quite crowded. The children had been dismissed from school and she heard the librarians telling the schoolkids not to
run or talk too loudly in the library.
“Dot! Dot!”
She turned around and saw Leo and Logan running excitedly towards her. Megan was behind them, carrying their schoolbags.
“Mom picked us up from school and told us we could spend the afternoon in the library today,” Logan said, clambering into the chair beside her.
Leo tried to push his brother out of the chair. “I want to sit beside Dot!”
“I was here first!” Logan argued.
Megan came up and pulled the twins apart. “Dot's working. You boys go read quietly in the children's section.”
The twins sighed. “Okay, Mom.”
After chatting with Olga for a few minutes, Megan went off to look for the twins and Olga got right back to work.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Olga closed her laptop and slid it into the bag. She was pretty pleased with her progress today. She had finished a story and started on another one.
Megan came up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. “Why don't you and Troy come over for dinner today?” Megan said, beaming.
“I don't...” Olga began.
“You'll be doing me a favor. You can help the boys with their homework while I prepare dinner. Leo and Logan have been asking and asking when you can come over for dinner and play 'Snakes and Ladders' with them again.”
Olga gulped and Megan flashed a thumbs-up. “I'll go collect Leo and Logan,” Megan said cheerfully and scuttled away. “Meet you at the entrance in five minutes!”
Olga got up and shook her head. She'd wait for Megan at the entrance and decline her invitation politely but firmly.
She was walking briskly and digging into her bag for her phone when Logan barreled right into her. “Dot!” Logan panted, waving something in his hand.
“Hey, Logan, you okay? I think your mom's looking for you. Where's your brother?” she said, holding the boy's arm gently to steady him.
Logan shrugged. “I don't know. Leo said he had to go to the bathroom. But he's been gone a long time.” Logan held up a small sealed envelope. “Someone told me to give this to you.”
Bear My Heart: A Small Town Paranormal Romance Page 8
