Page 13 of Taken Home By the Grizzly

The heavens ring above my head. “Anything. Just say the word.”

I see her chest rise and fall as she takes a big breath. “You’re right, I can’t get the furnace to work. It’s freezing cold in the house, and there’s no hot water. I was wondering if you had any ideas?”

“I’m pretty good with my hands,” I say casually.

I see her gaze dart to them, and I wonder what she’s thinking. Is she wondering how they’ll feel running all over her?

Then she bites her lip. And I see it. The tell-tale flush of desire creeping up her cheeks. That’sexactlywhat she’s thinking.

She wants me.

Then the scent of her need hits my nostrils.

Holy crap.

My loins burn and my vision goes dark.

My beast’s thick hide burns my skin.She’s yours.Claim her,it growls.

Lust is consuming me. The whole world contracts to a point, this need to drag her inside and possess her.

But first, she needs my help.

With a massive effort, I rein everything back.

“Lead the way,” I say.

“Thank you, that’s real kind of you.” she says quietly, then her gaze flickers to the front door, which is wide open. “You got a fire going in there?”

“Sure have.” It’s actually the first fire I’ve lit all winter. When I’m in my bear form, I don’t feel the cold one bit. But as a human, I appreciate its warm glow.

“Looks cozy,” she says, wistfully.

“If you didn’t have those cubs to look after, I’d invite you in.”And strip you naked in front of the fire.

“Cubs?”

“I mean kids,” I say quickly.

“Speaking of which, I need to get back. I hate the fact that I’ve left them alone, but there was no way I was going to drag them out in the cold.”

“They’ll be okay,” I tell her. “You’re doing a real good job.”

She gives a dry laugh. “I’m so not.”

She starts walking back to the house and I catch up to her so I can walk at her side, holding branches out of her way. I want to do everything I can to take the load off her.

“How did you wind up working at this place?” I ask.

“Oh, I answered a job ad. I was real smart.” Her voice is laced with sarcasm.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I should’ve asked a bunch more questions before I made the five-hour bus journey here. Like,are you planning to dump the kids with me and run off?”

“Wait, you came all that way to take the job?”

“Yeah.” She flicks me a glance. A quick flash of her pale face which quickens my pulse. “I got laid off just after Christmas. Unexpectedly. And there were no other jobs where I was. So, I had to leave.” She says it matter-of-factly, without any self-pity. I admire her strength even more.

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