Page 10 of Just Right
I’m notsure what I’m supposed to do. Snooping seems like a bad idea after I basically made myself at home while they were all out last night. I’m curious where they all went off to already, but that’s not really my business. I’m just grateful they thought of me when it came to breakfast, plus someone rekindled the fire in the living room.
It’s not blazing so high that it’s too warm near the hearth. It crackles gently, setting me at ease, with the small flames giving off enough heat that I just want to sink down in front of it and relax.
For all I know, this might be the last time I can.
I didn’t want to look like I was making myself at home. That’s why, the first chair I sat down on was the large wooden stool without any padding. Yeah, no. My ass hurt within seconds of trying to get comfortable, and the hard back made it impossible to do anything but sit up straight.
Sorry, but my job consists of being on the computer all day. Your girl slouches.
The massive couch looked super tempting. It was big enough to seat a grizzly bear—which, I realize now, was the point—but I had the same problem as I did the night before. It was just toosoft. I felt like I was being swallowed up by the furs and cushions.
Remembering the story I can’t deny seems way too apt all of a sudden, I side-eye the final chair. Goldilocks ended up breaking Baby Bear’s chair because, while it was comfortable, it was also meant for a bear cub, not a little girl.
Assuming this chair is Finn’s, will it hold me?
Fingers crossed.
I sit down as carefully as I can, waiting for a creak. When it doesn’t come, I chuckle under my breath. I’m no twig, but these arebears. I’d hope that any chair that could hold one of them would be able to hold me. Luckily, it does, and damn if this simple armchair isn’t one of the most comfy chairs I’ve ever lounged in.
I’m still curled up in it, resting after my stressfullongday yesterday, watching the flames wither and die without more wood to feed them when, suddenly, the air suddenly grows heavy and I know… I justknow…that I’m not alone anymore.
My head swivels. There, standing near the entrance, is one of the twins.
Finn, I think. There’s something more approachable about him. Unlike Colt, whose very presence was a dare earlier, Finn seems eager for me to get closer. In fact, as soon as our eyes meet, he takes two short steps toward the chair.
Only two, though, because he pauses before the third. He glances quickly at the wall behind us. “Colt and Rowan aren’t back yet? Normally, I could scent them, but today…” He snuffles through his nose. “All I smell is honey.”
Sure. Honey. If he says so.
I shake my head. “It’s just me.”
“I thought so. Their axes are still missing. Usually, my brothers sharpen them, then hang them up when they’re done.”
I think I know what he means. I noticed last night that there were two axes on the wall, then two other hooks that were empty. It’s the same now so I didn’t think anything of it. But if they replaced them before, then took them down again, that would explain it.
Only…
“Why would they have axes?”
They’re bears; at least, Finn definitely is. They said as much, and whether that was a dream or not, I know what I saw. He went from big bear to naked Finn, and if my eyes dip a little to check out the crotch of his jeans when I remember what he looked like completely nude, I can’t help it.
Remember? It’s been a year since my last hook-up, and though I know I’m not here for a good time, a girl can dream, right? Scratch an itchandfind out what happened to Charlotte?
Sounds like a wish come true to me.
Too bad that Finn seems innocently oblivious to my curious gaze. I asked him a question. Instead of eye-fucking me back, he answers it.
“We’re lumberjacks. We cut down trees in the forest, make paths, and leave firewood for some of the residents who need it. They trade things that we need.”
Down, Goldie. See? This is why it’s a good idea to ask questions like that. All it too was one and now I know that my hosts work out in the woods, they probably spend most of their time there, and they have contact with other monsters.
Good to know.
I’m still a little curious about Finn, though.
“Where’s your axe?” I ask him. He saidweare lumberjacks, but it doesn’t seem like he was out there with his brothers.
He gestures at the wall. “That’s mine. The extra is a spare we took off of one of the hunters that came through. But I didn’t go out to chop with my brothers. This time of year, I tend to our bees.”
