“Come on in, most of us are here but we’re still waiting for one more participant.”
Gillian followed her to the back of the house where about ten women sat talking.
“Everyone, our new member, Gillian.”
They went around and introduced themselves and Gillian realized they were all shifters, wolf, cougar, bear. Lilly wasn’t however, but she guessed she was married to one.
“I’ve brought along Huckleberry muffins,” said Gillian, handing Lilly the container.
“Did I hear the word huckleberry?” asked one lady, standing.
“You’re already the favorite member,” said Lilly. “Sit and make yourself comfortable and maybe we should get our food and drinks while we wait.”
Gillian recognized the two cougar sisters who owned the craft store down the road.
They all took a plate of food and Gillian opted for hot tea. Lilly sat beside her on the couch. “We’ve been reading a mystery this time around,” she told Gillian.
“I love mysteries.”
“Here take this one, I think you’ll enjoy it?”
Gillian was feeling relaxed and enjoying the evening. Thoughts and nervousness about her upcoming date the farthest from her mind. She sipped her tea and took a bite of the cheesecake someone had brought along.
“Okay, let’s start,” Lilly said, looking at her watch.
“Hey, hang on, wait for me,” said a man.
It couldn’t be. Being part of a book club was the last thing she could imagine Cade being interested in.
She looked up and saw him standing there holding a book under his arm and wearing reading glasses. He even made glasses look sexy.
“Gillian, have you met Cade, he’s one of the founding members of our book group?”
She swallowed. This had to be more than fate that was putting him in her path. Someone on the Quest Committee wasn’t playing fair.
*****
Cade sat on the chair directly opposite Gillian. What would be the odds that she’d join the book club? She looked just as shocked to see him, as he’d been to see her.
He took a bite of the huckleberry muffin. He’d picked it up before he’d been told they’d been made by Gillian. The huckleberry pieces melted on his tongue, the muffin, sheer delight.
“Do you think the author played fair as to the identity of the killer?” asked Lilly.
He sat chewing, watching Gillian run her fingers around the rim of the tea cup she held. He imagined her running them over his cock. He coughed, sat up and quickly opened his book and placed it over his groin. His erection was building.
Your own fault, idiot.
“Cade, what did you think?”
“What, right, the mystery, the…” He coughed again, sat up a little more. “I did guess that…”
“Don’t spoil it,” said Lilly. “Gillian hasn’t read the book yet.”
“Oh, okay, well, I think the author played fair and did a great job hiding the clues.”
Why was he sweating? He took the napkin on his plate and wiped it over his forehead.
“Let’s talk about what we want to read next,” said Lilly.
“How about a hot romance,” said Audrey.
“No, definitely not a romance,” said Cade.
They all looked at him, including Gillian.
“And what’s wrong with a romance?” asked Audrey.
“Nothing, but I don’t want to read one,”
Was it getting hotter in here or what?
“How about non-fiction for a change,” he threw out as a suggestion.
“I love that idea,” said Lilly. “How about the rest of you?”
Everyone, including Gillian, nodded.
Cade took a deep breath and then ate the rest of his muffin.
He’d almost forgotten the name of the title they’d finally agreed on. He’d have to phone Lilly in the morning so he could head to the bookstore. Or maybe he could just ask Gillian. They were now in the same reading group. The rest of the evening was a blur. The next thing he remembered he was saying goodbye to everyone. He and Gillian were the first to go outside. It had started to rain while they’d been in the house.
“I didn’t know you were a book fan,” he said.
“Have been since I was a little girl.”
“You’ll enjoy that,” he said, pointing to the book in her hand.
“Hope so, I always try and read for at least 30 minutes before I go to sleep.”
“Me too,” said Cade.
He had a vision of them sitting side by side in bed, elbows bumping now and then as they turned the pages, heat from their thighs penetrating into one another’s skin. They’d close the books, turn off the lights, get warm under the covers, make love, and then snuggle before slowly falling asleep.
He put his own book in front of his groin. Why did his mind come up with such vivid scenarios that involved Gillian? In fact, he wasn’t the sort of read next to your partner and then snuggle after sex, sort of guy.
“I guess I should be getting home so I can get started on this. Have a good rest of the evening.” Her voice interrupted his thoughts.
Cade waited until she was half way to her car to respond. “Gillian, I can’t wait for our date tomorrow night,” he called to her.
Back to Top
Chapter 12
6.55 p.m.
Panic started to set in. Beads of perspiration clung between her cleavage. Cleavage, maybe she was showing too much of it. Perhaps he’d think she’d chosen this outfit on purpose.
Someone was knocking on the door.
Cade.
She glanced one more time in the mirror. She wanted to look good for him, but on the other hand, she didn’t because that was safer.
A louder knock this time.
“Be right there,” she called out.
She rushed down the hall, put her hand on the door knob and took a deep breath. When she opened it, Cade leaned again the jamb looking more handsome than ever before. He wore a black t-shirt and pants with a denim jacket with the usual bear emblem on it. He’d caught the sun at some point, probably on the ride with her aunt because that had been the last time the sky had been completely free of clouds.
“You all set?” he asked.
“Just let me grab a jacket. It’s been getting cool at night.”
“Sure has, fall is here, winter after that. Prime snuggling weather.”
He was toying with her, she knew it. She wondered what her aunt had said. Despite questioning her, including whatever possessed her to ride on the back of his motorbike, she’d been very coy about what they’d talked about.
“We said very little. After all, it’s hard to exchange pleasantries when the winds whipping over your head,” was all she’d revealed.
“Yet, you were able to arrange a dinner date for me.”
“If we don’t get a move on all the best salmon’s going to be gone.”
Cade’s voice jarred her back to the present.
“Of course, sorry.”
She followed him outside and stopped suddenly when she saw no car but just a motorbike.
“I hope you’re not intending for me to ride on that thing.”
“I don’t appreciate you calling a bike that thing, especially my bike.”
“My apologies to whatever its real name is, but I don’t ride on them.”
“My bike’s name is Reed, and tonight, you will ride on him.”
“Says who?” asked Gillian.
“I don’t have a car and I don’t feel like walking. I mean I know it’s not that far but I prefer to ride to the café.”
“And I don’t feel like riding on a deathtrap.”
“Deathtrap…what is it with you and all these insults about bikes? Motorbikes are safe, it’s idiots that make them unsafe.”
“I have the perfect solution. How about you ride, I’ll walk and meet you there?”
“Stop being a pain in the butt and sling your leg over the back here.”
&nb
sp; He leaned over and grabbed something off the back of it “Here’s your helmet.”
“I am walking.”
“Your aunt hinted you were stubborn.”
So, Aunt Louise had told him something about her.
“Suit yourself then.”
She turned, ready to start walking and realized it was at least half a mile down the road and she’d worn the highest heeled shoes she owned. Still, she wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of getting his own way.
Cade revved up the bike but didn’t take off like she thought he would. Instead, he simply rode beside her. She knew it must have been killing him to hold back on the speed.
“Looks like rain again. Look how low those clouds are,” he said.
“Nope, not going to do that until tomorrow morning.”
“You checked the weather forecast?”
“Feel it in my bones.”
“You have arthritis?”
“No, I don’t.”
She quickened her step, her feet already killing her.
“Don’t take after your aunt, do you? I mean she takes life by the horns.”
Gillian knew he was bating her. Daring her.
“It’s not going to work,” she said.
“What isn’t?”
“Daring me to be as courageous as my aunt.”
“Ah, so you admit it’s a courageous act doing something that scares you.”
“Riding a bike doesn’t scare me.”
Now her feet hurt so bad that even her ankles felt the pain too.
“My decision is based on safety and nothing else.”
“You could be hit by a car while walking.”
“I could, but that’s not the point.”
She wanted to stop and take off her shoes but she couldn’t let him know she’d made one dumb decision.
Almost to the half way point, she knew she’d probably hobble the rest of the way.
“Those shoes are pretty but I guess they’re hurting your feet right about now.”
“My feet are fine.”
A drop of rain fell onto her cheek.
“Hey, you feel that?”
“I thought you were in a hurry to get to the salmon.”
“I can’t leave you alone. That would be rude. It might put you off wanting a second date with me and I already know I want another one with you. I love taming stubborn women.”
She glanced at him. “Is that the only reason you’d want to see me again, to tame me?”
“Hey, I didn’t mean it that way. I want another date with you because you’re cute, you love reading like me, and you intrigue me.”
Another drop of rain, and then another.
“What makes you think I’ll go on a second date with you?”
“I feel it in my bones.”
She smiled but didn’t want him to see that he was almost making her laugh with his witty repartee.
Two drops, three, four, and now an almost downpour.
“Come on, hop on the back. I’d hate for you to catch a cold which could prevent you from going on our second date,” said Cade.
“I have tinctures and teas to prevent colds. Plus, I’ll just walk faster.”
She’d almost winced when she’d said the last part of the sentence. Her feet felt like hell right now.
“Okay. but if you don’t mind, I’m going ahead and I’ll be waiting for you.”
Gillian saw him take off and wished she wasn’t so damn stubborn. She was certain two blisters were forming on her heels.
The sign for Starlight Café was in sight. She only hoped the rain would stop while they had their meal or she’d have to walk home in this downpour. She might even have to do it barefoot.
*****
Cade stood under the overhang by the Starlight Café door. Gillian was now twenty feet away. He had to give her credit for her tenacity. Other women he’d known would have said screw my pride, I’m getting on the back of the bike. Most of them would have wanted to save their appearance. Even from this distance, he could see her hair was wet and she was hobbling slightly.
He wasn’t going to gloat and he wasn’t going to say another word on the topic. They were simply going to have a nice dinner and after, even if she put up a protest, she was getting on the back of Reed.
As she got closer, he noticed the front of her dress was wet, making it stick to her skin. Looked like she was braless again. Maybe she didn’t believe in them. The cold rain had made her nipples grow tight and they acted like beacons to him. He was guessing they were works of art. What he wouldn’t give to touch them and then place his lips around them and…
He coughed, trying to think of something else before he had a hard on again. Last thing he needed to deal with while he enjoyed his meal. Gillian joined him on the step to the café.
“You look gorgeous when you’re wet,” he said.
Initially, he hadn’t meant it as an innuendo but after the words had left his tongue, he realized it had all the implications of being very naughty.
She brushed her hair back off her face and smiled at him “Nothing like a brisk walk to work up an appetite.”
“You’re going to love the food in here,” Cade said, opening the door back for her.
She went ahead of him and soon they were in the warmth of the café, the smell of salmon clung in the air, the gentle noise of conversation making the whole place buzz and feel like home away from home.
“Hi Cade, two tonight?”
It was Hannah, owner of the café who greeted them. Even though she now wore loose fitting dresses all the time, it was hard not to notice her fast growing baby bump.
“Have you met Gillian?” he asked her.
“No, I’ve been meaning to stop by the store but I’ve been too busy with family stuff and the café.”
“Gillian, this is Hannah, the owner of Starlight Cafe.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Gillian, holding out her hand.
Hannah took it. “Oh, my goodness, you feel like you’re freezing. Let’s get you seated and get you a hot tea or coffee.”
Cade put his hand on the small of Gillian’s back to encourage her to follow Hannah. He waved to most of the bear shifters he recognized. Trent and Emily and their three kids sat in the corner by the window and waved back. Hannah chose to seat him and Gillian on the table next to Cole and Samantha.
“Here you go,” said Hannah. “You both want the salmon dinner or should I bring you menus?”
“Salmon sounds good to me,” said Gillian.
“Me too,” said Cade. He’d worked up an appetite for it all day. Last time, he’d been in here, they’d run out before he’d arrived. Lots of angry bears had to settle for dish of the day that night. He hoped it never happened again.
“And a hot tea does sound good right now,” Gillian added, before sneezing.
“You okay, not coming down with a cold, are you? Well, if you are, you’re sitting next to the right guy, Gillian meet, Dr. Cole MacDonald and his wife, Samantha, who by the way is a detective so don’t do anything naughty,” Cade said.
He wondered if Gillian would actually do something naughty. Not in the break the law sort of way but something not so vanilla in the bedroom.
Stop it, and stop it right now, Cade Mallory.
“Pleased to meet you,” said Cole.
“Same here,” said Gillian, sneezing again.
He’d just been joking about the cold, and he hoped it wasn’t true. He’d feel downright awful if she came down with something because she’d walked in the rain.
“Bless you,” said Samantha.
Hannah brought Gillian’s tea and put a mug of beer in front of Cade.
“Am I that predictable?” he asked. Last thing he ever wanted to be was predictable.
“Afraid so. The salmon will be about ten minutes,” Hannah told them.
She turned and left.
“Gillian, I hear your shop is a feast for the senses,” said Samantha. “We would have stopped by for the op
ening but Cole was in San Diego for a doctor’s conference and I decided to go along too.”
“Cole specializes in getting women knocked up. Five so far isn’t it? I heard it was you who finally got Maisie pregnant,” Cade joked with him.
Cole had always been the ideal candidate for playing pranks on and generally teasing in a harmless way.
“Gillian, let me explain. I’m an infertility specialist and Maisie is one of my patients,” Cole said.
“I met her the other day at Downward Facing Wolf. In fact, she’s partnering with my store for the spa products,” Gillian said.
“She is so excited about being a mom,” said Samantha. “She has this clever man to thank for it.”
“Just doing my job,” Cole added.
Hannah arrived back with the plates of salmon for all four of them.
“This looks wonderful,” said Gillian. “And I love the tea.”
“Glad to hear it, it’s our house blend. Oh, and I’d love to talk to you about your huckleberry scones, I heard they’re to die for and I’d love to sell them here if you’d be willing to share the recipe.”
“I can do that.”
“Great, you want to stop by later this week. In fact, let’s have lunch here and we can talk. I mean if you have time.”
Cade loved the idea that Gillian was making friends at the book club and also had a potential friend and confidante in Hannah.
“Her aunt can run the store for her while she’s gone. You all have to meet her. She’s buying a bike and going to take lessons,” Cade added.
“You mean you really sold her a bike? I thought she was joking with me,” said Gillian.
“Don’t seem too surprised. Cade could sell just about anything to anyone,” said Cole. “When we were nine, he sold me a used piece of chewing gum.”
“Oh yuck, I don’t want to even think about that,” said Samantha.
“I didn’t know it was used until after I’d handed over the money. I don’t think it was even your gum, was it, Cade? Probably something you found on the school playground,” Cole added.
This story didn’t put him in a good light so he needed to put the matter straight. Even though they’d been kids, he didn’t want Gillian thinking poorly of him.
“That was not me. It was Trey.”
“All the Mallory brothers are sweet talkers so watch out,” said Cole.
Bewitching The Bear Page 6
