Bearback Bride (Paranormal Dating Agency)

by Liv Brywood

  “Maybe all that hot sex fried your brain.”

  “Maybe.” Garrett laughed. “But I have to tell you, Connie loved Arizona. And Connie hates everyone.”

  “Not everyone, just your girlfriends. She’d very protective of you. And I can see why, in a way. You’re all she’s got left of her family. Your dad’s got one foot on the banana peel—”

  Garrett arched a brow.

  “Don’t tell me it’s not true,” Daniel said. “I still can’t believe the doctor let him leave his room to meet Arizona.”

  “He probably threatened to fire the doctor.”

  “Probably.”

  “Why does he have to be so stubborn?” Garrett said.

  “I don’t know. Interesting that Connie liked her. She despised Monica.”

  Garrett’s throat tightened. Monica. The only long-term girlfriend he’d ever had. He’d been so in love with her and had been planning on asking her to marry him until the day he caught her in bed with another shifter. He’d immediately dumped her lying, cheating ass.

  A flicker of guilt ate at him. He was lying to his father and to the rest of the bear clan. And although he knew his father would never forgive him if he found out, it was a risk he was willing to take. Even though he didn’t always like his dad, he was still family and family always came first.

  “Look, the only reason I’m doing this is because I don’t want my dad to be in agony during his last few days,” Garrett said. “He doesn’t need to know that I have no intention of marrying Arizona. My fake relationship with her is temporary.”

  “You’re sending her home after your dad dies?”

  “I don’t know yet. I sure as hell won’t put her in harm’s way. I don’t know how to solve her arranged marriage problem, but I’ll figure something out. Right now, my primary goal is to keep my dad happy and I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it.”

  ***

  Arizona cracked open an eye and glared at her buzzing phone. She groaned and rolled onto her side while trying to reach the annoying device. She hurt all over. Her thighs. Her hips. But last night had been worth any lingering aches and pains.

  She flipped her phone over. Gerri’s photo popped up, so Arizona answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, hon. I wanted to see how things were going at the ranch. Did you make it there all right?” Gerri asked.

  “Yes. Garrett picked me up at the airport and brought me to the ranch. I met his father last night.”

  “How did that go?”

  “Honestly? His dad looked like he’d crawled up out of a grave. I can’t believe he got out of bed to meet me.”

  “He’s an ornery old shifter,” Gerri said. “I’ve known him for years. He’s a good man overall, but a bit too obsessed with ruling over the clan. He should sit back and enjoy the few days he’s got left.”

  “Yeah.” Arizona sat up and pulled the comforter up to her chest.

  “Anything else happen last night?”

  “No,” she responded a little too quickly.

  “So you didn’t roll around in bed with a big, sexy shifter?” Gerri teased.

  “Why would I do that?” Arizona snapped. “I hardly know him.”

  “You did!”

  “I’m starting to think you’re psychic,” Arizona grumbled.

  “I have excellent intuition. Now, tell me everything. Is he as handsome as his pictures? I haven’t seen him in ages. He’s far too young for me, but in my younger days…”

  “Eww.”

  “What? I was young and beautiful once.”

  “You’re still beautiful,” Arizona said.

  “I know.”

  “And modest.” Arizona rolled her eyes.

  “You’re deflecting. He must be very good if he got you into bed on your first night there. You don’t usually jump into bed on the first date.”

  “I’m going to hang up now…”

  “Wow, you’re sensitive today. Was the sex bad?” Gerri asked.

  Arizona pictured Gerri leaning forward as if to gobble up tidbits of juicy gossip.

  “It wasn’t bad.”

  It was phenomenal. The best she’d ever had. But what the hell had she been thinking? She hardly knew him, but couldn’t shake the strange sensation that she’d known him for years. She’d never met either of her boyfriends’ parents, but meeting Garrett’s dad and sister had felt so natural, as if it were meant to be. Which was completely ridiculous. Pretending their relationship was real would only put her heart in jeopardy, and she knew better than to entertain delusions of being rescued by a knight in shining armor.

  “Maybe this will turn into a real relationship,” Gerri said.

  “No way. There’s no way in hell I’m going to live on a ranch out in the middle of nowhere with a cowboy. I want my old life back. I miss my job and my apartment. And I miss Chinese takeout.”

  “Mm. Kung Pow Chicken.”

  “Broccoli Beef.”

  “Orange Chicken,” Gerri countered.

  “Black Pepper Beef.”

  “Now you’re making me hungry,” Gerri said. “I’m going to order something from General Tso’s.”

  “I’m so jealous right now,” Arizona said. “And you made me hungry too. I should get up.”

  “You’re still in bed?”

  “I had a late night.”

  “I’m sure you did,” Gerri said.

  “Why do you do that? Make everything so dirty?”

  “It’s what I do, hon. You don’t get to be the most famous matchmaker in the country without knowing a few things about what it takes to maintain a relationship. A little side of dirty never hurts.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  After hanging up, Arizona gingerly inched toward the edge of the bed. Her lower back ached, probably from being banged up against the wall. And when she tried to stand, her thighs quivered. She definitely needed to limit contact with Garrett. He was too irresistible and she’d lose her ability to walk if she let him have his way with her again.

  Her body disagreed. Every inch of her craved his touch. And if she could find a way to keep her emotions boxed up, she’d have no problem ending each day in his bed. Well, provided they actually make it to a bed.

  ***

  Arizona added a few tablespoons of cream to her coffee before turning to find Garrett leaning against the kitchen door. She jumped and hot coffee sloshed over the side. She set the cup down and grabbed a paper towel.

  “Sorry I wasn’t here when you got up,” he said. “I had to feed the cattle.”

  “It’s okay. I like staying in bed late. To sleep,” she quickly added.

  A slow smile spread across his face. Her gaze dropped to his sensual lips and the urge to feel his mouth all over her body rose up to enslave her. She shouldn’t be staring, but she couldn’t stop either.

  “Connie called a few minutes ago,” he said. “She wants us to meet her and some of the other shifters at the new Zip Lining Adventure Park.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “Not too far from here. But if you’re not up to it, I can tell her no.”

  “I’m up to it.”

  “You might want to wear longer shorts.” He nodded his head down. “We don’t want anyone to think you were with an animal last night.”

  Her face turned fifty shades of red. Every animalistic instinct in her body roared to life. She eyed the kitchen counter. He could easily lift her onto it, and he’d probably do it if she asked him. But could she be so bold?

  Before she could gather up the courage to proposition him, he disappeared down the hall. She hurried to catch up but stopped when he disappeared into his room. The room with the huge king-size bed in the center of it. Earlier, she’d scoped it out after checking to make sure he wasn’t in the house.

  After changing clothes, she met Garrett at his truck. He helped her into the front seat, his hands lingering on her waist a few seconds longer than necessary. The sensation of his hands on their body lasted
the whole ride.

  When they reached the adventure park, she squirmed. Hot, wet, and filled with conflicting desires, she couldn’t wait to put some distance between them.

  “I don’t know why my sister chose zip lining,” he grumbled as they walked toward his sister. “She knows I hate heights.”

  “Are you scared?”

  “No. I’m a man. I don’t get scared.”

  “Then why are you as white as a sheet?” She laughed. “Don’t worry, big strong bear shifter, I’ll make sure you’re strapped in really well. You won’t fall.”

  “You’ve done this before?” Hope flared in his eyes.

  “Nope. But I know how to tie a good knot.”

  “Really?” His gaze darkened seductively. “Maybe you can show me a few tricks later.”

  “Okay Mr. Grey.”

  “Who?”

  “Never mind.”

  “Should I be jealous?”

  She started to laugh but found his expression far too serious for her liking. Why would he be getting jealous if he didn’t feel anything? Maybe she didn’t need to worry about her own level of emotional attachment. Maybe she should be worried about him.

  They met up with Connie and the other shifters. The men regarded her with curious looks; a few discreetly sniffed the air. But the women were surprisingly welcoming.

  After a flurry of introductions, they headed toward the first platform. Garrett grabbed her hand. His damp and clammy palm trembled against hers.

  “You’re going to be fine,” she whispered.

  “Hopefully we’ll be high enough up that when I fall to my death, it will be quick.”

  “If I didn’t know better I’d think you were a chicken shifter, not a bear shifter.”

  He frowned.

  “I was just kidding,” she said before turning to climb the huge ladder to the first platform.

  As Garrett ascended the ladder, he stopped to look down.

  “Eyes on me,” she yelled.

  When he looked up, she caught a flash of gratitude in his eyes. Seeing him so freaked out was absolutely adorable. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who would be afraid of anything. She liked this soft, sensitive side of him.

  “It’s really hot,” he said. “Are you really hot? I’m really hot.”

  “It feels fine to me,” she said.

  He stripped off his shirt and stuffed the edge of it into the back pocket of his jeans.

  “Much better.”

  She froze, mesmerized by the play of light and shadow across his glistening chest. His muscles rippled and flexed as he leaned over to watch Connie slide down the zip line. Her squeals of delight faded as she slid toward the next platform. The sound barely registered as Arizona continued to ogle his ridiculously sexy body.

  “Like what you see?” he murmured against her ear.

  She swallowed. His lips were so close. So kissable. So damn irresistible.

  Without warning, he pulled her hard against his hot, sweaty, half-naked body. Her pussy fluttered, instantly wet and ready. And if they hadn’t been perched forty feet up off the ground, she would have thrown him down and rode him right then and there. Screw the audience.

  His tongue was hot and insistent against hers, molding against her before delving deeper to explore her mouth. She melted against him and pressed her aching pussy into his thigh. Before she could totally lose control and wrap a leg around him, the zip line operator cleared his throat.

  “Uh, you guys are next,” he said. “Are you going tandem or single?”

  “Tandem,” Garrett responded with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  The operator strapped them in so they were facing each other, legs intertwined. Shivers of lust shimmied down her thighs and sparked where their bodies touched. If they’d been alone, she would have figured out a way to have sex in this position. The added element of danger made her even wetter. She never considered herself a thrill-seeker before, but now that she’d had a taste of it, she wanted more.

  After double-checking the cinches, the operator ran through a list of things they shouldn’t do during the “flight.” When he moved to stand behind them, Garrett cast her a pleading look as if he wanted to chicken out at the last second.

  “Don’t forget to make it look like we’re in love,” he murmured. A split second later, they were pushed off of the platform.

  His shriek of terror pierced her ears. She leaned back in the harness and tried not to laugh as they flew through the air. Trees whizzed by at breakneck speed. And then it was over. They automatically slowed down as they reached the second platform.

  “You made it,” she said.

  He cracked open one eye. “We’re done?”

  “With the first platform.”

  “How many are there?” he asked.

  “Twenty,” Connie said. “Wasn’t it a huge rush?”

  “If panic counts as a huge rush, then I think he felt it,” Arizona said with a grin.

  “He screamed like a girl,” Connie said.

  “That was my war cry.”

  “Sure it was, big boy.” Arizona squeezed his shoulder.

  “I’m up next. See you on the other side,” Connie said. Then she was off.

  “It was my war cry,” Garrett grumbled.

  “I think we’re doing a great job fooling them,” she said.

  “Hell, even I’m fooled.”

  “You are?”

  “You can’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about last night all day,” he whispered.

  A secret thrill raced down her spine. So he’d been fantasizing about their erotic tryst too.

  “Maybe,” she murmured. “But I thought we’d already agreed that it can’t happen again.”

  “It will.”

  “What?” Her heart skittered in her chest.

  “It will. The second I get you alone, it’s on.”

  She sucked in a breath as her pussy clenched. He was right. She couldn’t wait to get back to the ranch so she could tear his clothes off. Caution be dammed. It was all a joke anyway. It didn’t mean anything, so why not play a little?

  Six

  As one week bled into the next, Arizona looked forward to more family gatherings with Garrett. Even though he pretended to be a loner, he insisted they attend all of the parties and celebrations. The more she got to know the other members of the bear clan, the more she liked them. She’d fallen into a routine with Garrett. Fake relationship during the day, hot sex at night. In a way, she didn’t want it to end.

  The timer on the washing machine buzzed, signaling the end of the cycle. She hummed as she pulled the clothes out and tossed them into the dryer. As she closed the door, her phone rang. Gerri’s face popped up on the screen.

  “Calling for your weekly checkup?” Arizona asked wryly.

  “Just making sure you’re okay.”

  “Everything’s going great. Yesterday we went hiking in the woods and later today we’re planning on meeting Connie for dinner. She’s been dating a shifter who’s new to the area. He’s a really nice guy who treats her like a queen.”

  “You sound happy,” Gerri said.

  “Happier than I’ve been in a long time,” she admitted.

  “Are you still in denial about your budding relationship?”

  “We’re not in a real relationship,” Arizona said. “I can separate reality from fiction. Besides, getting involved with him would be terrible for both of us.”

  “And yet you’re still having sex.”

  “Gerri!”

  “I can hear it in your voice. You’re falling for him. Whether you want to believe it or not, it’s happening. You love his house, his family, and the animals on the ranch, but you won’t admit that he’s become part of the package.”

  “Look, I understand what you’re trying to do, but it’s not going to work with us,” Arizona said. “I’m sorry, but we’re not a match. His father will pass away any day now, and once he’s gone, I’m on my own
again. He’ll probably ask me to leave and then I’ll be right back where I started.” A heavy weight settled in the pit of her stomach.

  “Don’t tell me you don’t feel anything for him,” Gerri said. “I’ve known you your whole life and you’ve never lied to me before. Don’t start now.”

  “Fine,” Arizona huffed. “I might like him a bit too much, but I’m not in love with him. Satisfied?”

  “I worry about you.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re obviously in denial about how much you’ve come to care about him,” Gerri said. “If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s this: you should be careful with love. You never know when it will strike, and if you turn away from it, you might not get another chance.”

  “I love you, but that’s total BS. Even if I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, it wouldn’t happen.”

  “Why not?” Gerri asked.

  “Monogamy isn’t realistic.”

  “According to whom?”

  “Well, let’s take my dad for instance. Ever since mom left, he’s jumped from one girlfriend to the next. He’s very, very good at serial monogamy, but terrible at commitment.”

  “I can’t believe you’re using your father as an example. He’s the last man I’d use as a model for relationships,” Gerri said. “Your father may not be able to stay with one woman for more than a few years.”

  “Months.”

  “Okay, months. But there are plenty of men out there that are ready for love. They’re waiting for the right woman to come along. A woman worthy of lifelong devotion,” Gerri said. “Garrett’s that type of man.”

  “I doubt it. He’s expressly told me he’s not looking for a wife. He only wants casual relationships. Everlasting love isn’t part of his plan. And I don’t blame him. There are a hundred ways a relationship can blow up in your face. I can understand why he doesn’t want to try.”

  “He may tell you that, but do his actions match?” Gerri asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Does he do everything in his power to make you happy when you’re around?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does he make sure you never lack anything? Food, water, sleep?” Gerri asked.

  “Those are basic necessities. Anyone with half a brain would make sure the people living under their roof had those things.”