The beer was cold in her mouth, but it instantly spread warmth throughout her body, making her feel light and playful.
“I feel like you know way more about me than I know about you,” she said.
“I don’t feel like I know so much about you. But, go ahead: what do you want to know about me?”
“Like, what do you do for a living, for example?”
“There’s no official name for my job. I guess you could say I’m a community manager. I oversee our territory, making sure that everyone has what they need to keep their homes looking nice. I figure out the supply and demand of our natural resources. For example, every winter, I visit every family in the clan and help them work out how much wood they’ll need for fuel, so we don’t end up chopping down more trees than necessary. I also contract out work that needs to be done, and I mediate in any disputes.”
“Wow. It sounds like you have a really pivotal role.” He shrugged.
“It is an important job, but anyone could do it really. I don’t really work in winter. I’m on call for emergencies, but nothing ever happens. And if I’m not back by spring, I guess they’ll hand my job on to someone else.”
“I’m sure you’re being too modest,” she said, thinking what a nice, modest way he had about him. He was like a gentle giant – so naturally strong that he didn’t need to show off about it. Suddenly, she imagined herself folded into his arms, feeling his strength and warmth all around her.
“How about you?” Shit, he’d asked her a question. She snapped out of her reverie. He’s asking what job you do, dummy.
“Oh, nothing.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ve been a homemaker for the past two years. Kurt didn’t want me to work.”
“And before that?”
“I used to work in a bakery. I’ve always wanted to have my own place actually.” Caleb grinned.
“That would be a cool job. We don’t have a bakery in Stonybear Peak.” He stopped abruptly, as if he’d said something wrong.
“I’ll bake you a cake someday,” she said.
“I do have a sweet tooth,” he admitted with a grin.
“What’s your favorite?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because the guys already tease me for it.”
“Oh, come on. I won’t tell anyone,” she teased. Just then steaks came, smelling incredible. He shook his head.
“Sorry, the steak made me forget,” he said.
“Liar!” she said with a gasp of mock outrage. He shrugged.
“Maybe I’ll tell you over dessert. And I’ve realized that I’d really like a glass of wine to go with the steak. Do you want one too?”
“Yes,” she said immediately. She was now relaxed enough not to care if the wine made her soft and hazy.
It was a delicious combination, and they both ate ravenously, chatting lightly in between mouthfuls. She was amazed how easy he was to get on with. Kurt either talked at her in a monologue, or he was moody and silent, and she’d assumed that it was a feature of shifters, but Caleb was always coming up with topics of conversation, and he seemed interested in everything she was saying, leaning forwards and holding her gaze when she spoke. There was a moment when they both reached for the fries at the same time, and their hands brushed. He didn’t withdraw his immediately, but kept it there, his pinky lightly touching her thumb. Is he flirting with me? she wondered, and at the same time, she felt like electricity was running out of his body into hers.
The wine was having its effect, and when Caleb gently asked her about her life with Kurt, she found herself telling him everything. About how controlling he was, how he’d cut her off from all her friends and family, and prevented her from becoming part of her new community. And how he’d been violent towards her twice before, and hit her again yesterday. As she spoke, his eyes darkened and became fierce with suppressed anger.
“I didn’t say before, because I didn’t want to upset you, but I also saw that bruise on your arm in the restaurant yesterday–” reflexively, she put her hand over it. “Did he do that to you?” she nodded.
“He was always dragging around, and he’s so much bigger than I am. I think a lot of the time he doesn’t know his own strength.” Caleb frowned.
“Paige, that’s not true. We bears are a lot bigger than wolves, and we don’t go abusing our mates with our big clumsy paws. We know that we have to treat you gently.” Paige’s lips parted. Did he mean a collective ‘you’, or was he talking about her individually? Her heart beat fast, and when he stretched his huge, strong hand across the table and very gently grasped her fingertips, she thought it was going to explode. “You’re so delicate and perfect,” he breathed. “Your mate would know that they have to protect you, not harm you.” She swallowed hard. His words stirred up such mingled emotions, making her throat constrict. She felt overwhelmed and her instinct was to snatch her hand away, but instead, she forced herself to keep it there. His eyes glittered in the candlelight, and his lips looked more kissable than ever.
The server came over with the dessert menus and they jerked apart guiltily.
“I’m stuffed,” she said, not even looking at the menu. As a big girl, she always felt self-conscious about ordering dessert.
“That’s a pity, because the couple at the table over there have sticky toffee pudding, and it smells pretty incredible.” She salivated. Sticky toffee pudding was her absolute favorite.
“Come on, do something nice for yourself. You deserve it after the day you’ve had,” he urged.
“Only if you admit that it’s your favorite.”
“It is,” he replied, pretending to be embarrassed.
“Okay, I’ll have some,” she said. “But you’ll have to finish it if I can’t.”
“Done,” he replied, looking pleased.
“I seem like an idiot for staying with Kurt, don’t I?” she said abruptly, giving voice to the thought that had been in her head ever since she admitted how he’d been treating her.
“No – not at all, Paige. I was just thinking how strong you’ve been, after the way he was threatening you. When I was waiting for you in the parking lot, I really didn’t think you’d come.”
“Really? Like, how much chance did you think there was?”
“Maybe 10%.”
“You waited all that time for a 10% chance?” she said. He smiled.
“Of course.”
“As soon as I read your note, I knew I was going to come. It just took me a little while to make my escape from Kurt. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d gone when I arrived. I probably would’ve tried to hitch a ride someplace.” Caleb frowned.
“Please tell me you were joking.”
“Of course. I’d never get into a strange man’s car.” He smirked, knowing she was teasing.
The dessert turned up, and was even more delicious than they’d anticipated. Paige ate half of her portion, until she truly was stuffed, and Caleb finished the rest. She gazed at his physique in awe. He had the kind of body she loved – so big and broad and powerful. She wasn’t surprised that it took a lot of food to fill him up.
“This was so great,” she said, as they waited for the check to arrive. “I’d forgotten what it was like to have an enjoyable dinner. Kurt was always so volatile that I never knew when he was going to blow up next, and it was often when we were having dinner together. I used to get so anxious that he might blow up that I wound up with a permanent knot in my stomach.”
“That’s so wrong. That guy is such a – such a – I don’t even have words for it,” Caleb said, his voice tightening with disgust. He fell silent, as if he didn’t trust himself to say any more. The check came and they argued over who was going to pay it, eventually going Dutch when they couldn’t come to an agreement.
They walked back to the hotel drowsily, side by side, Paige acutely aware of Caleb’s presence beside her. He was so much bigger than she was, but he carried his bulk with such agility. She felt lik
e they’d grown closer over the course of the meal. She kept replaying the moment when he took hold of her fingers between his index finger and thumb. It was a flirtatious gesture, surely? She willed him to put his arm around her, to hold her against his body and make her feel like nothing could hurt her again, ever.
When they each arrived at the doors to their rooms, they paused and said a slightly awkward goodnight. Paige closed her door and then she heard Caleb close his too.
She got ready quickly and climbed into bed, eager to sleep. But as soon as she pulled the comforter up and closed her eyes, she began to hear noises around the hotel. There were little taps at the window, which she told herself were caused by the branches of a nearby tree that she’d seen earlier. Then there was a series of bangs above her, and the stairs creaked. Each time she came up with a rational explanation. It was an old building. Old buildings are noisy, she told herself. But it was too late. Kurt was present in her thoughts again. What if he’d somehow followed them here, and he was lurking outside, waiting for Caleb to fall asleep so he could grab her? Her door was locked; she should be safe. But a lock’s not going to stop Kurt. She tossed and turned, her heart hammering in her chest every time a new creak or bang terrified her.
By 1am, she couldn’t take it any longer. Slipping her clothes back on, she went to the door and opened it cautiously, half expecting Kurt’s narrow, wolfy face to be on the other side. But there was no-one; just the silent hallway. She crept out, tiptoed up to Caleb’s door, and pressed her ear to it. She thought she could hear a rhythmic, rumbling sound. She raised a nervous hand and tapped softly. Immediately, the rumbling stopped. There was a small thud of feet landing on a wooden floor, and sooner than she would have thought possible, the door was snatched open.
“Paige! What’s wrong?” Caleb exclaimed, in a voice heavy with sleep.
“Nothing. I’m sorry. I was just scared by myself. I started thinking that Kurt might come and try to snatch me from here, and I really freaked myself out. Do you think I could sleep on your couch?”
“Of course. Come in.” He opened the door wide to let her in, and she restrained a gasp at the sight of him. He’d left his curtains open and the moonlight cast a blue light into the room, perfect illuminating his bare torso. His body was unbelievable. It rippled with powerful, bunched muscles, from his biceps, to his pecs to an amazing set of washboard abs. He was wearing a pair of pajama pants that sat low on his waist, revealing the diagonal bands of muscle running between his hipbones and his groin. Wow. Just wow. She was practically salivating at the sight of him.
“Thanks. I’m so sorry to be a pain,” she whispered, shuffling past him.
“You’re not being a pain, Paige. I’m happy to have you here,” he said. She walked across the room, picked up the top coverlet that he’d discarded, and sat on the couch, pulling it over her. “Uh – no. There’s no way you’re sleeping on the couch,” he said, far more firmly than he’d spoken before. “If you’re staying in my room, you have to sleep on the bed. It’s actually two singles pushed together, so there’s plenty of space, and I promise you, I’m not a bed-hog. That’s my only condition.” A little shiver of delight ran through her from head to toe. His firmness was as sexy as his gentle protectiveness.
“Ok,” she said simply, and she lifted the covers on the opposite side of the bed from him and crawled in. She lined herself up so she was right on the edge of the bed, and stared at the ceiling, listening.
“Goodnight, Paige,” he said in his rich, deep voice.
“Goodnight,” she replied. “And thank you.” He didn’t say anything else, but that rhythmic rumbling sound soon started up again. It was oddly comforting, and sooner than she expected, waves of sleepiness washed over her.
Chapter Nine
Something was wrong. Caleb knew it before he even opened his eyes, as a creeping sense of unease spread through his body. He felt incredibly warm and comfortable. And, in the circumstances, that could not mean anything good. What have I done? Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, to the sight of a lock of ash-blonde hair, barely a foot from his face. It smelled delicious – like strawberry shampoo. But he had no business being close to it. And that was the least of his worries because, right now, his cock was swollen and aching, and it was rubbing gently against the back of Paige’s pants. He shot away from her in horror. What the hell am I doing? He turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling, barely daring to breathe. I’ve been spooning Paige. My face was in her hair, my arm was curled around her waist – mere inches from her incredible breasts – and I was dry humping her. At that thought, his cock twitched and his bear purred. He shook his head in disgust. I’ve been trying to convince her that I’m a decent guy whose only interest is in helping her, and I’ve been acting like a dirty old pervert. Yeah, nice idea to have her share your bed, Ridgeman! He turned his head to look at her. She hadn’t stirred when he moved away from her. He listened hard. She seemed to be asleep, but he couldn’t tell for sure. She looked so adorably vulnerable in that position. Her long, wavy hair was spread out on the pillow, and her left hand curled over her right shoulder. She had such nice hands – so dainty and feminine. He hadn’t been able to restrain himself from touching them last night. He hoped desperately that she’d interpreted it as a comforting gesture. But it wasn’t. It was a mark of the overwhelming desire that he felt for her. There had been a few moments while they’d been having dinner when he’d thought that maybe she liked him too. But that wasn’t possible. She was still all tangled up with that A-hole of a boyfriend. And, regardless, he had no right to take advantage of her vulnerable state.
He looked down at his erection. It wasn’t going anywhere. And it wasn’t likely to while he was still in bed with her. Cautiously, he got up and walked over to the bathroom, thinking he might as well have a shower. He stripped off, and as he climbed into the shower and turned the water on, his right hand found its way to his, long, swollen shaft. As he gripped it tight and began to make smooth strokes up and down, he thought about Paige. About her full breasts, which were poorly concealed beneath her frumpy shirt, about the sweet ripe curves of her ass. He imagined how it would have felt if she’d been naked just then, and he’d rubbed himself between her ass cheeks, before slipping his cock into her pussy. How she’d be soaking wet and grip him tightly; how her breasts would feel cupped in his hands. He imagined kissing her pretty mouth; her mouth on his cock, taking him in deep. He didn’t get any further before he shot a jet of hot cum against the wall of the shower stall, his cock pulsing over and over. His bear purred its approval. Ok, that’s better. Now maybe I’ll have some chance of keeping my animal under control today, he told himself.
He finished washing himself, and when he came back into the room, Paige seemed to be waking up.
“Good morning. Have you been awake for long?” he asked cautiously.
“No, I just woke up now,” she said, her voice adorably sleepy, but as her gaze roved over his body, covered in only a towel, she looked a little shocked.
“Sorry,” he said, feeling like a pervert again. “I didn’t think. Being a bear I forget about clothes sometimes –”
“It’s fine, really,” she interrupted. “But I’m thinking that I should get up and get myself ready too.” She stood up and reached the door in a few strides. “Shall I meet you in the breakfast room downstairs when I’ve showered?”
“Yes, sure,” he replied.
*
When she’d gone, he packed his bag and took it down to the car. But when he reached the parking lot and walked over to his car, he was greeted by an unexpected sight – snow had fallen overnight, but his license plate had been wiped clean. Someone had been recording the number. Maybe it was the hotel, doing a check on the cars that were parked there. Although, he’d given the plate number and description of the car to the owner when he’d checked in yesterday. And his car was pretty distinctive. Tension prickling at the back of his neck, he walked over to the passenger side door. His bear gave a roar of ange
r. The window was smashed, and the car had been broken into! He tore the door open and looked through his things anxiously. It was all still there – the mp4 player, the sat nav. Nothing had been taken at all. It didn’t make any sense. But then, his nostrils came to life and there was a scent that was all too familiar. How have I only just noticed it? he thought, his hackles rising as he picked up the now-familiar stench of Kurt. He’s followed us here and broken into the car, looking for something. That wolf stink was everywhere – sour and cloying. He looked around wildly. Was Kurt close by, watching him and laughing to himself, waiting for an opportunity to make his move? He snorted. As if Kurt would be any match for a bear. But what is he doing here? His fingertips burned and his skin prickled as his bear began to force its way out of him, eager to make Kurt pay for what he’d done. He tensed every muscle in his body, and with a supreme effort, managed to keep it in. Not yet, he told it firmly. There would come a time, very soon, when he ripped that scraggy wolf apart, he promised himself that. But there was no point hurtling around in his bear form in broad daylight, hoping to sniff him out. Maybe he should go looking for him in his human form. He circled the car, trying to pick up Kurt’s trail, but there was nothing. Weird. The tarmac surface didn’t hold on to scent very well, but still, there should’ve been a hint. The only explanation was that he’d pulled up in his car, trashed Caleb’s car, and then driven away. Caleb burned with anger that Kurt had somehow managed to follow them and damage his car, but his bear tugged at him, telling him to go and check in with his mate. His first duty was to make sure that Paige was okay. Reluctantly, he stalked across the parking lot and went over to the restaurant.
Paige wasn’t there. She must still be getting ready, he concluded. He went up to her room and listened at the door, but couldn’t hear anything from inside. He knocked on the door twice, and waited. She didn’t come to the door. He knocked twice more. Still nothing, and the room remained silent. His pulse quickening, he tried the door handle. To his surprise, it opened.
Bear My Perfect Gift: BBW Winter Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (Christmas Bear Shifter Romance Book 3) Page 6
