Kodiak's Claim (5 page)

He interrupted. “I know who you are and why you’re here. To investigate me. And I understand you have questions, but could we conduct them one at a time, perhaps somewhere a little more comfortable than my upstairs hall?”

“I’m not going anywhere with you until I get my phone and put a call in to my office to let them know I’ve arrived.”
And who I’m with in case they need a place to look for my body when I go missing.

“I don’t know where your phone is. Probably wherever my grandmother stashed your coat and stuff.”

Excuses. Didn’t that just figure? Before she could accuse him of anything, he pulled a phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Use mine.”

Snatching it, she stowed her curiosity over the man who lived with his grandmother and immediately dialed her mother’s number. She ignored him as she scampered down the steps, trying to put some distance between her and the giant. It didn’t work too well, given she swore she could feel his eyes boring into her back, but at least he didn’t attempt to stop her.

Her mother answered with a bright, “Hello.”

“Mom, it’s me.”

“Tammy. It’s about time you called.” Her mother’s relief was evident. “Whose phone are you calling from? Your information is showing as private caller.”

“I just wanted to let you know I arrived safely,” more or less, “and am currently at the house of Reid Carver.”

“Isn’t he the man you’re investigating?”

“Not him, his company. Listen, I don’t have time to talk right now.” Nor the time to listen to her mother’s tirade, especially if she heard about the wolves and everything else. “I just wanted to let you know I’m safe and I’ll call you later.”

“But—”

“Love you, Mom, bye.”

She disconnected the call and whirled in the foyer, only to squeak as, once again, the behemoth managed to creep up on her.

“Would you stop doing that?”

“Doing what?” he asked with a smirk.

She eyed him suspiciously. He tried to look innocent, but failed. No one his size could hope to look anything but menacing, unless he was looking really menacing. “Oh never mind. We’re out of the hall. Mind answering some questions now?”

“Not quite. We’ve just exchanged the upstairs hall for the main floor version. Follow me and we’ll go somewhere there are actual stools and chairs. Or would you prefer to keep me standing as you harangue me with questions? Perhaps you want me to fetch you a bright light?”

Smartass. “I wouldn’t call wanting answers haranguing,” she grumbled as she followed his broad back through an archway into a massive kitchen lit by a multitude of recessed ceiling lights.

Holy culinary temple. For someone like Tammy, who had a healthy appetite and enjoyed the preparation of food as much as eating it, she practically drooled over the dreamy kitchen.

Cabinetry in a clear pine went floor to ceiling in a u-shape, with only the massive stainless steel stove—with more burners than the fire code surely allowed—and a fridge that was possibly larger than her walk-in closet at home—breaking up the huge amount of storage. A picture window over the sink reflected her gaping image back, and she snapped her mouth shut.

Given the luxury of the kitchen, the man was obviously loaded, and while his file didn’t mention a significant other, that didn’t mean he didn’t cook or have someone who cooked for him.
Let’s not forget, his business insurance just asks for his marital status. He could quite easily have a girlfriend and a half-dozen kids for all I know.
Although, if he did, she hoped their heads at least took after the mother. The thought of birthing one of his mutant and surely large progeny was enough to make any girl think twice about getting serious with him.

“Have a seat while I fix us something to eat,” he offered, gesturing to a stool in front of the massive island topped in gray granite swirled with green.

Perching herself, she eyed him as he opened the massive two-door fridge and pulled out an array of containers and condiments. So he wasn’t completely useless in the kitchen, good to know but not the most important thing right now despite her grumbling belly.

“Are you trying to stall me?” she asked.

Reid paused from his tomato slicing to fix her with a stare. “No. I’m hungry, and I’m betting you are too. It was a long trip. Feel free to grill me while I make us some sandwiches.”

“Let’s start with why your drivers drugged me.” She came out with guns blasting and resisted an urge to cock her finger like a pistol and blow on the tip.

“Ah yes, an unfortunate incident. When Boris saw the wolves, he grabbed the tranquilizer gun we keep in all the trucks. For some reason, it was empty, and he fumbled the dart as he tried to load it. That unfortunate fumble saw you pricked.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Why on earth would I joke? You can ask anyone who knows me. I am not given to jesting.”

“Who the hell keeps sleep darts in their trucks?” Other than pervs who couldn’t get a date.

“In case you hadn’t noticed, we live in a bit of an untamed area of the world, one where wild animals still roam far and wide. Given we prefer to preserve wildlife when possible, we have adopted certain methods, humanitarian methods, to problems our drivers might encounter on the road. Putting predators to sleep rather than killing them is a prime example.”

“So what, he was going to zap all the wolves on the road?” She couldn’t hide her incredulity.

Reid shrugged as he shredded some lettuce. “I don’t see why you find that so incredible. And remember, Boris never actually saw how many there were. Hearing of the wolf situation, Boris meant to do well, but he’d just woken up and, still in a groggy state of mind, had a clumsy moment.”

The man didn’t deign to look at her as he calmly explained her drugging. Nope, cool as a cucumber, he sawed through a thick loaf of bread, so fresh still that the crust crackled and the most heavenly smell wafted forth, making Tammy’s mouth water. Talk about not fighting fair.

“Let’s say for a moment I believe your cockamamie story. How the heck do you explain Travis going to confront the wolves and stripping on the way?”

“Are you sure that’s what he was doing?” Reid questioned as he slathered the bread with real butter then mayonnaise, atop which he layered some tomato and lettuce.

“What
plausible
explanation do you have for me now?” she asked, eyes riveted by his stacking of the sandwich—Swiss cheese, a real piece of ham, cheddar slice, precooked bacon slices.

“He was trying to get at his sidearm, a noisy flare gun, which he’d foolishly put his coat and sweater over. I guess an unexpected passenger threw him for a loop. He’s not usually so forgetful.”

Nice. He was trying to shift some of the blame to her. Tammy knew all about that. Her ex-boyfriends thrived on that tactic. “Okay, so Travis was trying to get at his hidden holster. Boris was trying to put the wolves to sleep. What happened after I went to sleep?”

“Not much. Travis fired the flare, which scattered the wolves. A couple of my employees met them to help change the flat, and they finished their route.”

“So the truck is here? Load intact?” she asked.

“Of course. We can even go see it if you like.”

On the surface, everything added up, and yet the pat answers nagged at her. She’d never heard of anyone carrying around tranquilizing darts. Guns, yes, for protection, but sleeping darts?

“So you still haven’t told me why I’m here at your house instead of at a motel?”

“As it turns out, your reservation was accidentally given away. Since there’s a lack of accommodations in our town, it not being a real hot tourist spot, and the fact you are here after all to investigate me, I thought what better place for you to keep a close eye on my activities than right here in my home? I’ve got more than enough room.”

In theory, yes. Each room seemed spacious, and yet, his simple presence still managed to overwhelm and crowd her to the point that she felt rather breathless. He slid a plate with a Shaggy-worthy sandwich in front of her.

“You expect me to eat all that?” She eyed the massive offering hungrily. Truth was, she could devour it—and wanted to. But it surprised her that he didn’t offer her something smaller and lighter. It’s what guys usually did.
Want a salad? Maybe some cottage cheese and fruit?
Most men seemed to assume she was on a diet.

“If you don’t want it, I’ll have it. I’m always
hungry
.”

The way he said it had her shooting him a glance, but he didn’t pay her any mind as he lifted the concoction and bit into it.

Her tummy growled. Screw it. Who cared what he thought of her eating habits? Wrapping her hands around the sandwich, she brought it to her mouth and sank her teeth in.
Mmm…

She must have hummed her pleasure aloud or something because Reid said, “Good?”

“Better than sex.”

Oops. She should have probably kept that one to herself because her simple observation sent the big man into a choking fit.

Reid was in no danger of choking to death, but it seemed the human didn’t know this, as she darted around him and did her best to wrap her arms around his chest and squeeze.

It just made him cough and choke some more, this time in laughter. He wheezed through his mirth, “What are you doing?”

“Saving your life.”

“I think I’ll live.”

Live yes, but allow her to move away, no. When she would have relinquished her hug, he placed his hands upon hers and held them, the skin-to-skin touch just heightening his awareness of her nearness. Something about this city girl drew him. Enticed him and his bear.

As they stood frozen, he could hear the change in her heart rate. It pulsed rapidly and stuttered as he stroked his thumb over the soft skin of her hands. He turned until he could peek down at her. A frown creased her brow, and again, she made to move away, but he caught her with his hands on her waist, for some reason not eager to let her escape.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

I don’t know.
Instinct not logic currently dictated his actions. But he didn’t admit this aloud. “Do you always ask so many questions?”

“Only when I’m trying to understand what’s going on.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Confusion clouded her gaze. “No.”

Did she not sense the attraction between them? Of course she didn’t. She was a simple human. She couldn’t know how his bear chuffed at her nearness. How the scent of her aroused him. How he wanted to lay claim to her body.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Apparently, his grandmother wondered the same thing. “Reid Alexander Carver, what are you doing manhandling our guest?”

Oops, caught harboring naughty thoughts and jolted back to sanity.
What am I doing?

The city girl jumped, and Reid dropped his hands. Tamara quickly put space between them as she whirled to confront his grandmother. “What is it with people sneaking around here?” she exclaimed.

His grandmother grinned. “We’re just light on our feet, child. I see you’ve recovered from your unfortunate incident.”

“Yes, ma’am. Although I hardly call sedating me accidental.” She said this with a suspicious glance in his direction.

“Don’t ma’am me, child. My name is Ursula, but everyone calls me Ursa, the mother bear.”

If only city girl knew how true those words were. Ursa truly was a mother bear, and a matriarch of the clan. Although, he would have added to that title the less official ones of wielder of a mean wooden spoon and champion ear grabber.

“I’m Tammy. I’m with—”

“The insurance company. Yes, Travis told us, and glad we are that you’ve come. These thefts and tragedies have completely devastated our small community. Poor Reid here has been quite frantic trying to figure out a way to keep the business afloat while things are sorted out.”

Frantic? Reid didn’t bother to retort at this exaggeration but rather took another bite of his sandwich. If he couldn’t feed one appetite, might as well take care of another.

“Yes, well, I’m not here to solve a crime,” Tammy stammered. “Merely to judge the company’s eligibility to the claim.”

“Of course you aren’t here to solve the problem. A delicate thing like you shouldn’t get involved in violent criminal matters.”

It was Tammy’s turn to choke on the mouthful of her sandwich.

“Goodness, child, are you all right?” his grandmother asked as she thumped her heartily on the back.

The sound half strangled, Tammy managed to gasp, “Yes, fine. Wrong pipe.”

Ha. More like a victim to his grandmother and her straight talk. The city girl might have thought she held an edge when it came to shooting from the hip, but his grandmother wrote the book.

“I see Reid made you a sandwich. Such a good boy. Although I see he forgot a drink.” Which his grandmother, in the wink of an eye, had served to their guest, a tall glass of milk. “Once you’re done with the sandwich, I’ve got freshly baked pie for dessert.”

“Pie?” Tammy asked faintly before taking another bite.

“Yes, apple pie, with brown sugar and cinnamon. If you like, I can heat it up and put a dollop of ice cream on top. That’s how Reid likes his.”

Whatever other questions Tammy might have harbored got quelled under his grandmother’s steady chatter and feeding. No one went hungry in her house.

To Reid’s surprise, Tammy, once over her initial shock, managed to keep up, not just with the food but the barrage of questions. More like an inquisition, one Reid paid way too much attention to.

“How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

“None. Unfortunately.” Tammy made a face.

“Why unfortunately?” his ursa inquired.

“Because it leaves my mother too much time to meddle in my life and to Google advice as well as crimes against single women.”

“So you are unattached?”

“Oh yes and staying that way,” was Tammy’s vehement reply as she spooned some of the heated pie dripping in melted vanilla ice cream into her mouth.

Was she humming again? Such a soft sexy sound of pleasure that—

A sharp elbow to his kidney brought his attention back as his grandmother said, “Bad experience?”