Page 19 of My Unbearable Mate

“Be careful. And maybe put some pants on before you get in? The seats are leather.”

Bellamy’s eyes widened, like he just realized he was still naked.

“We’ve got sweats in the back of my truck. Let’s get dressed and head out. Maybe we can grab some breakfast first. I’m always starving after a shift, and it might have been a while since you ate.”

A memory flashed in my mind of a plate of food in my hands. It being plentiful and abundant all around me. Kids laughing. But I couldn’t place it, and it didn’t make sense. “Yeah, pancakes would be great.”

I climbed into the passenger seat of Bellamy’s truck while the guys got dressed. His scent was so strong in here, and I couldn’t stop myself from deeply inhaling it.

His cabin would be a thousand times stronger. I couldn’t decide if that was a bad thing or not.

What had happened to me? This wouldn’t be the first time I second guessed my decision to reject Bellamy’s claim, but the longing, the attraction—oh hell, who was I kidding—the desire to let the bear claim me had never been so strong before.

No, this was ridiculous. I forced myself to look away from his perfect, bare ass as he stepped into those gray sweatpants. This bear still hated my guts. The kiss was nothing but a desperate measure. I needed to snap out of whatever spell he cast over me.

A spell…

The driver’s side door opened before I could fully form the thought, and Bellamy climbed in. He pulled his sunglasses out of a protective case, because he always took meticulous care of his belongings.

That could’ve been you…my bear reminded me like she hadn’t been a driving force behind the rejection.

He started the truck and turned to me. “Never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“I’m still the same Clover,” I insisted as he pulled the truck onto the road and headed back toward Granger Falls. “Just a little forgetful at the moment.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.” He chuckled. “I told myself I wasn’t gonna get mixed up in whatever trouble you’re in.”

“You almost pulled it off.” I grinned. “But at least now you’re taking this seriously.”

He gave me some wicked side-eye. Bellamy took everything seriously. Too seriously.

“I have more questions than answers,” he said. “And I think we owe it to everyone in the clan to find out the truth.”

Chapter

Nine

The Right Bear for the Job

Bellamy

I was more disappointed than surprised that Clover passed out before we made it back to Granger Falls. There was no telling what she’d been through at that strange, abandoned camp, but I had a feeling that time and that talisman were slipping away from us.

She needs the rest, my bear said. She’ll have better information for you when she wakes up.

My bear was probably right. He could sense things on a vibrational level that I didn’t have words for. We just called it our instinct.

Beau and Brad headed to breakfast, with an order to bring back to the house. And that meant for the first time in over a decade, I was alone with Clover Crowley.

Why the fuck was I nervous about it, like I was a teenage boy trying to work up the courage to ask her out? This was strictly business.

Do you kiss all your clients?

I groaned as I carried Clover into my bedroom. I took her shoes off and covered her with a blanket. A smile played on her lips as she snuggled into the pillow, my pillow, but she didn’t wake.

Sweet moon, did she ever look gorgeous with her hair splayed out on my pillow. There was a little makeup smudged around her eyes. Her pink lips parted as her breathing grew heavier.

It took every ounce of strength that I had not to crawl in beside her and hold her in my arms while she slept.

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