Page 43 of The Bear's Chosen Mate
“I want to protect you,” he said sincerely.“That means I don’t want you doing anything that’s going to hurt.”
“I get that, and I appreciate it so, so much.But you said something the other day that was true.What if?”She lifted tired eyes to his, but there was determination there as well.“What if the things I’m worried about are only in my head?What if I can do this, but I give up before I even try?That’s not fair to you.So—let’s do this.”
He caught her fingers in his, squeezing tight before lifting them to his lips and kissing them tenderly.“That’s my Kaylee Kat.”
She slid out of her chair and crawled into his lap, and if he hadn’t set a timer on his watch to remind him when he needed to be heading out, her sweet kisses would’ve made him late.
Kaylee walked with him to the door of the apartment, hand in hand.
“I’ll be somewhere near the outdoor stage for most of the day.We won’t move into the auditorium until after eight,” James reminded her.
“I’ll find you.I’ll get changed then join you.”
James kissed her, tenderness in his heart as she squeezed his neck tightly before letting go, pacing back into the apartment as if she belonged there.
Which she did.She totally did, mating bond be damned.
Down at the fairgrounds, the car lot was beginning to fill as people wandered in the park, picking up food at the various vendors.There were families everywhere, with pockets of teenagers stealing into less supervised corners to flirt.It seemed the entire community had come out to the event.
He was in the middle of organizing a set of prizes when her call came through.“Kaylee.Where are you?”
“Late.I’m sorry, I’m not going to be there right at the opening.”
The noises of the fair were slowly rising, and he slid away from the group he’d been working with to try and find quiet.“You need some help?”
She hesitated for a moment, then spoke crisply.“Small commitment popped up.It’ll take me a couple of hours to take care of, and then I’ll be there.I promise.”
He found a quiet spot and focused on her.Listening intently to see if there was anything more she wanted to say.
Nothing.
He took a deep breath and trusted.
“I’ll miss you,” he shared.“I’m looking forward to seeing you, but I’m looking forward more to after the celebration is done.I plan to take you home and hold you all night long.”
“I’d like that,” she told him.“Now, go.I’m sure you’ve got a million people needing you to help them.I’ll get there as quick as I can.”
Screw what everybody else thought.He blew her a kiss, smiling as her laugh carried over the line before she hung up.
Even with more than enough to do, Kaylee stayed on his mind.James worked quickly, smiling at people, chatting and being friendly.Eyeing the growing crowds.
Amber’s familiar dark hair appeared as she exited the organizers’ tent.James was surprised to see Lara at her side, her long silvery white hair pulled back into a high ponytail.
The women wandered slowly.James watched with interest to see more than one person give a double-take at spotting a member of Midnight Inc.at the Borealis Gems sponsored-event.
Including, it seemed, his brother.
“What’s that woman doing here?”Alex demanded.
James shrugged.“It appears Amber and Kaylee have adopted her.You should probably get your nose back in joint, or the three of them are going to make your life hell for the sheer fun of watching you get annoyed.”
“I don’t trust her.”
“I don’t see that she’s doing anything untrustworthy,” James pointed out.He pivoted his head toward the parking lot, checking the open space beside his car in the hopes Kaylee’s truck had magically appeared in the last three seconds.
“It’s just not right,” Alex complained as he folded his arms over his chest.“Inviting someone from the competition to hang around when I’m damn sure they’re up to no good—”
“Maybe you need to keep a close eye on her,” James suggested.Anything to get his brother out of his hair.
