Bearllionaire: (BWWM) Paranormal BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone (7 page)

“Now, how about you?” she asked, turning the empty mug in her hands. “What are your hopes and dreams, Ryder Hart?”

When he grinned at her and started to speak, she found herself simultaneously second-guessing herself and falling in love with him.

Ryder Hart was indeed going to be trouble.

“
I
want
to make a difference in the world,” he said, and Janna’s heart gave a nervous little double thump.

“Yes, I got that about you when you came up with the locals-only discount idea.”

He eyed her narrowly, as if trying to decide if she was making fun of him or not, and then relaxed. “I know it sounds odd. The consummate capitalist caring about something like that. But I want to leave a legacy.”

“What about children?” she asked, fingering the lip of her mug pensively.

“What about them?”

“Won’t that be your legacy?”

He bit his full lower lip and she crossed her legs to hide the effect it had on her. For some reason, he seemed nervous about the topic of children. “I do hope to have kids. But I also hope to leave a better world for them. And to change the lives of other kids.”

“I
had
heard Ryder Hart was big into philanthropy,” she said quietly, not knowing where to push forward or pull back with the big, quiet man. Sometimes, he could be so forceful and intimidating and other times, so thoughtful and drawn in on himself.

“I am. Because I’ve been given much, I too must give.”

“Well, given and earned.”

“Same thing,” he said. “There are people who work just as hard as I do and don’t make the same. That makes me feel responsible to even the stakes.”

“How?”

“Donations. Building shelters for the less fortunate. Sponsoring foreign aid programs. I could go on and on, but the list would bore you.”

“I thought you were just trying to impress me,” she said with a warm, knowing smile.

He grinned and leaned back in his chair. “Is it working?”

“Yes,” she said. “Especially since I can just get online and Google you if I need to verify anything.”

“I suppose so. Though you won’t get internet out here. I’d need to take you up to the lodge.” He cocked his head and a dark lock caressed his forehead. She had the oddest urge to reach over and tuck it back out of the way. It was a crime to hide any of that beautiful, smooth skin. He had lines, sure, but they were the type that added character, at the corner of his eyes and faintly at the side of his mouth. He looked like a man in the prime of his life who had lived enough to be interesting.

Had she lived enough to be interesting? She sort of hoped they didn’t have to talk about her career. Accounting wasn’t exactly an exciting topic.

A knock on the door sounded, and Ryder stood smoothly to answer. He exchanged words and possibly a tip with whomever was there and then came back with takeout bags in his hand that were emitting steam and a wonderful smell.

“That smells amazing,” she said as he pulled clean dishes from the cupboard and started setting the table. It was easy for him to reach even the top shelves of everything, and Janna thought it would be nice to have him around. She wouldn’t have to always be grabbing the footstool to get things in her kitchen.

Well, her foolish brain could think of a lot of reasons he’d be great to have around. But fairytales just didn’t happen. She needed to remember that and keep her eye on the prize. The pay that would get her out of here and help her forget the mistake she made with Scott forever.

But she felt just a tinge of longing that it could be different. That someone like she and Ryder really could fit together.

“I was hoping to cook for you, but after…” He trailed off, flushing adorably, and started taking out large takeout containers to serve onto the plates. “Well, we’ll do it when you’re less tired. I’m sure you’re starving.”

She was about to protest but remembered her stomach rumbling.

“I promise you can count on me to be more of a gentleman,” he said, pushing her plate toward her. A deep-brown steak emitting savory fumes was laid alongside grilled asparagus. A meal that would be filling and healthy at the same time. And indulgent. How long had it been since she went out?

She waited for him to be served and then noticed him waiting for her to take a bite. She eyed him suspiciously, not liking being watched when eating.

“Ah, sorry,” he said, averting his eyes and taking a bite. “I’m afraid one of my failings is I sort of prefer my women well fed.”

“Well, we are less grumpy that way,” she said lightly, cutting into her steak.

“That’s not why… Oh, never mind.”

She chewed a bite of her meat, intrigued enough that she barely tasted it. “What do you mean that’s not why? Why, then?”

He gritted his teeth and she definitely thought she could make out a light flush on his high, severe cheekbones. She’d embarrassed Ryder Hart somehow. “I… Well, I’ll explain more later. I’ve already messed things up enough today.”

“So you like women with a little meat on their bones,” she said, happily working her way through the meal as they spoke. The awkwardness of the moment wasn’t enough to counteract the tastiness of the entree. “Nothing to be ashamed of there.”

“I said I didn’t want to talk about it,” he said quietly, continuing to eat. “But yes, short story, I like it. Now eat.”

“I am,” she said, grinning. “So what are you going to cook for me later?”

He perked up at that and set down his fork. He didn’t seem very hungry. More nervous. “Whatever you like. What are your favorites?”

“Whatever you want to cook,” she said.

“Easy to please. I like that.”

“Do you?” she asked, eyes flashing to his. “I sort of got the impression you liked hard to get.”

He met her gaze with hard sapphire blue. “Are you hard to get?”

She didn’t blink. “Maybe.”

“Then, yes, I like it,” he said, leaning back in his chair and eyeing her with that strangely predatory yet flattering gaze.

She finished her meal as they spoke about their families. Ryder wouldn’t say much other than he and his brothers left home for school and hadn’t been back, and rarely saw one another but kept in touch. Janna could tell him most of the truth about her family. Controlling mom, gorgeous, skinny sister whom she was relieved Ryder didn’t seem at all interested in meeting, and a father who worked too much and wasn’t really around.

Perhaps she hadn’t dated around enough before Scott, and that’s why she fell the way she did. And perhaps her dad hadn’t been around enough to teach her anything about men.

And perhaps, with how cruel life had been to her at times, she simply didn’t want to overthink things when life was actually good. It felt fair that life would be good for once. That’s why it was so awful when things with Scott went bad.

But it did leave her here, away from her family, where she could grow as a person and meet people like Ryder. And Leslie and Kylie. She wondered if her friends were trying to figure out how to get into the parties at the lodge. Maybe she should mention something to get them an in next time she saw Ryder’s brothers.

Not that she knew when that would be. He tended to be tense and a little cagey when it came to talking about other men, as if he were jealous but knew he had no right to be this early in the game. But to be honest, it made her feel safe. Protected. She knew that someone who was his would never worry about being treasured. And she was strong enough to stand up for herself if someone were acting controlling.

After all, she hadn’t hesitated to laugh in his face when he’d tried it before. Caveman dominance was fun in the bedroom, but out of it, she was a grown woman and expected to be treated like one.

“Where have you gone in your mind?” Ryder’s voice cut into her thoughts. “Don’t get me wrong. I kind of love that about you already. But I find myself wishing I could go with you.”

She flushed with warmth. That was one of the nicest things anyone had said to her. Not telling her to come back or chiding her for not paying attention or telling her not to zone out. Just wishing he could go with her.

She tried to keep her heart from melting on the spot. “Just thinking about family. And life. And you know, the things that get you where you are.”

“Tell me about it,” he said. “I was dreading this trip and the memories it would bring. And then I laid eyes on you and knew everything happens for a reason.”

“How can you be so sure? You barely know me.”

“You keep saying that, and I keep trying to answer it. I can’t explain it other than to say I don’t do this with everyone. Anyone even. Just you. You’re special.”

She poked the remains of her dinner around with her fork. “It’s not that I don’t want to believe you. It’s just hard to.”

“I know. That’s why we’ve got a week,” he said, finishing his dinner. When she nodded at him, he took both plates and put them in the sink and started running water.

“You wash dishes too?” she asked.

“Yup,” he said with a grin. “Fully housebroken.”

“Nice,” she said. “Definitely points in your favor.”

He gave her a slightly predatory grin that was playful nonetheless. “I’ll make sure to redeem them later.”

The mood changed, and he seemed aware he’d done it. “Well, I’ll redeem them by letting you cook for me.”

She tried not to be disappointed. What could she say, that she’d hoped they could be redeemed in somewhat… sexier ways? She’d sound stupid being the only one thinking that. He was determined to behave himself. Why couldn’t she do the same?

Except, they were both consenting adults. Why couldn’t they have a little fun? Well, for the sake of the slight soreness between her legs, she’d follow her logical side and let things cool off for tonight. But she couldn’t help feeling a little snuggly, with her stomach full and the cabin so warm and an hour of great conversation with a good-looking man.

Ryder wouldn’t let her finish the dishes, so she turned on the big-screen in the living room and watched reality TV while she waited.

When he came and sat down next to her, the air heated a couple degrees. He was just so damn big she wanted to just cuddle back against him. She’d fit right against that wide chest.

Luckily, he seemed to have the same idea because he pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her waist. She squirmed because the odd angle wasn’t comfortable with the Spanx. He ran a hand along her middle and then frowned.

“You should go take those off. You deserve to be comfortable. Also, let it be known that from here on out, whatever that thing is hiding, I would rather see.”

She frowned, not liking being told what to do, but when he pulled away from her, waiting for her to change, she sighed and gave in. It wasn’t like she wanted to stay uncomfortable. But there was a still a part of her that felt she had to strap herself in or minimize her fat to be loved. She was one half loving her body and one half afraid that anyone else hating it could break her fragile self-esteem.

She stood and went into the bedroom to change. She decided she might as well put him to the full test of how comfortable he liked her, so she changed into comfy, loose black workout pants that flattered her rear and a soft hooded sweatshirt in a flattering shade of pink.

His eyes warmed when he saw her, and she blushed in response. She knew she was acting like a sixteen-year-old on her first date, but she couldn’t help it. This was the most exciting thing to happen to her in a long time. And she needed lots of good tidbits to pass on to Leslie and Kylie so they could live vicariously.

“I wish my friends could see this,” she said. “It’s beautiful up here.”

He straightened as she sat, and then pulled her in against him to cuddle. He leaned over her hair. “You smell wonderful.”

“Um, thanks,” she said with a laugh. She inhaled his musky scent. Pine and forest and cold rivers. “You do too.”

“Thank you.” He smoothed his arm along her middle. “Much better. So soft.”

“Hey, no creeping,” she said, wriggling away. “And no touching my fat.”

“I’m touching you, not your fat. And if you don’t like it, I’ll stop.” He started to pull back, but she grabbed his arms and tugged them around her. They were huge, protective, and warm. No way she was giving them up.

Only problem was they made her think of earlier in the evening and what they’d done on the couch they were now sitting on. Damn.

“As for your friends, you’re welcome to call them up. As for sleeping arrangements, I didn’t mean to bring you to my cabin. It’s just when I thought about subjecting you to the parties at the lodge, and my brothers, I wanted to give you something private. You can take the bedroom, and I’ll take the couch. You can also call the girlfriends over and share the cabin with them.”

“Where would you go?”

“I’d still be here.”

“Um, no offense, but I don’t think they’re going to want to stay here with a dude in the living room.”

He frowned. “I didn’t think of that.”

“You didn’t think this through much, did you?”

“Honestly, I thought of it all on the spot when I saw you in that store and saw that Scott creep getting ready to make his move.”

She gave him a surprised look, then shrugged. “Well, I guess if it’s that short notice, you didn’t do too badly after all.”

“Glad you think so,” he said, holding her tight.

She held back a long sigh. He was so warm, so right. She wanted to stay here watching trashy TV while snow fell and just forget that life existed outside. She also wanted to take him back to the bedroom and make him prove what they’d had wasn’t a one-time thing. Already, her body was aching for more. She’d never been like that with Scott, never felt this constant, bone-weary need for him.

She didn’t think she was the type to be swayed by Ryder’s fame or reputation, so she wasn’t sure exactly what it was. Maybe it was just him. Maybe you really could get to know someone quickly if they were open enough.

Or maybe she was just letting her heart do more dangerous wishful thinking.

When it was dark outside, she said good night and reluctantly pulled herself out of his arms. He insisted he could set himself up on the couch and didn’t even go to the closet in her room. Instead, he pulled out a travel suitcase from a closet by the door. Ryder Hart was apparently the type who prepared for anything.

She watched him making up his bed on the couch and leaned against the frame of her bedroom door. She was surprised by the feeling of tenderness that hit her as she watched the big man trying to get comfortable on the too-small sleeping space.