Page 19 of Guard Bear
"Blisters." She admitted.
Every protective instinct flared. "Let me?—"
"I'm a shifter. They'll be fine by morning." Steel entered her voice, but she softened it with, "Come on. Let's go protect my goats."
The pen's new gate gleamed in the afternoon sun, but the twisted metal of the old one lay against the barn like a threat. Andre's bear growled, remembering. Someone had been here. Touched what was his.
He forced the possessive rage down and focused on mounting the first camera. Up on the ladder, he felt her eyes on him. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled with awareness—she was definitely watching him work. When he glanced down, their eyes met.
"See something interesting?" The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Color bloomed across her cheeks. "Just making sure you're installing it correctly."
"Mmm-hmm." He turned back to the camera, grinning. "This angle covers both the pen entrance and the approach from the main road."
"Good. What's next?"
They worked their way around her property. When she stumbled on uneven ground near the workshop, his hands caught her waist automatically. The full body contact—her back against his chest, his arms around her—lasted maybe three seconds.
His bear roared MINE so loud he winced.
"Thanks." She didn't immediately pull away, both of them breathing harder than the stumble warranted.
"Careful." The word came out as a growl.
"It's just the blisters. I'm fine." She stepped away then, not meeting his eyes.
He wanted to argue. Wanted to carry her to the workshop and tend her feet. But she was already moving toward the building, pointing out the best angles for camera placement.
Andre installed the workshop cameras while hyperaware of her presence. Her scent concentrated here, layered into the very walls. His bear wanted to rub against every surface, mark this space as under his protection.
By the time they reached the bee yard, afternoon sun slanted across the rows of hives. Joy explained the hives' flight patterns, when the bees departed, when they returned. She demonstratedwith her hands, and Andre found himself fixated on their graceful movement despite the bandages.
As afternoon shadows lengthened, they reached her tiny house. One camera left. Joy had resisted cameras here, but after last night...
"Just covering the approach," he promised, positioning the ladder. "Your privacy stays intact."
She nodded, but he caught her watching him again. This time, when their eyes met, neither looked away. The golden light made her olive skin glow, turned her eyes to molten honey. His hands shook as he tightened the final screw.
"All done. Want to check the app? Make sure you can see everything?"
She pulled out her phone, moving close to see the screen in the slanting light. Andre stepped behind her to point out the different views, and the torture began anew.
This close, he could see the delicate curve where her neck met her shoulder. Count the tiny freckles scattered across her skin. Feel the heat radiating from her body mere inches from his. Her scent made his head spin.
"This night vision setting," she said, voice slightly breathless. "Show me again?"
He reached around her to touch the screen, bringing their bodies even closer. Not quite touching, but the space between them felt charged. His bear pushed against his control, wanting to press against her, to feel her soft curves against his body.
"Touch here to switch modes." The words came out rough, barely human. "See how it adjusts?"
She turned to respond, not realizing how close he stood.
Time stopped.
Her face was merely inches from his. Close enough to see the gold flecks dancing in her brown eyes. Close enough to count each individual eyelash. Close enough to feel her breath against his lips.
Her pupils dilated, black swallowing the brown. Those perfect lips parted on a soft exhale that feathered across his mouth. The phone slipped forgotten from loose fingers as her gaze dropped to his mouth.
