The Cowbear's Christmas Shotgun Wedding (Curvy Bear Ranch 3) (8 page)

“I’ve never seen such a huge tree,” Kate said as she pulled him toward the Christmas tree.

“We cut it down yesterday,” Mack said.

“It must be fun being able to cut down whichever tree you want,” Kate said.

“Actually, a lot of the forest around here is protected. It’s illegal to cut down trees without a permit. But there’s a Christmas tree farm just up the road. They grow the trees year-round and replant them as they’re cut down,” Logan said.

Brady walked in from the hall with Rachel and Jimmy in tow. After everyone greeted each other, Jimmy hurled himself at the huge box of family ornaments in the center of the room.

Rachel ran over and grabbed his hand. “Hang on honey, we need to wait for everyone else to arrive.”

“Let him put one on,” Logan said. “I’m sure Hank, Drew, and Cody won’t mind.”

As if on cue, his other brothers came in through the front door. They stomped their boots and shook snow out of their hair.

“It just started snowing again,” Hank said.

“We checked the fence lines on both properties. Everything looks fine for now, but we’ll take turns keeping watch. But I think we can spare an hour for the tree-trimming party, right?” Drew asked.

“I don’t see why not,” Logan said.

“The gingerbread men are ready,” Madison said as she swooped into the room with their mom’s old cookie tray.

“Those look amazing,” Kate said.

Logan loved the way Kate’s eyes lit up as she picked up one of the finely decorated cookies. When she snapped an arm off, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What?” Kate asked.

“You’re so cute when you’re ferocious.”

“Wait until you see me take its head off.” She grinned as she chose a seat on the sofa.

After sitting next to her, he leaned over and whispered, “I’m glad I’m not a cookie.”

“Mommy, can I have a snowflake and a gingerbread man?” Jimmy asked.

“Absolutely,” Rachel said. She set one of each cookie on a small plate and handed it to her son. She passed a gingerbread man over to Brady. “I know this one is your favorite. I still remember that time you bought all of them from me at the high school bake sale. I couldn’t figure out why you needed so many cookies.”

“And I ate every one of them that night. I thought I was going to die,” Brady said. He chuckled and wrapped an arm around his mate’s waist. He drew her toward their father’s old overstuffed chair. She squealed as he pulled her into his lap.

Logan glanced at Kate out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to pull her into his lap too, but didn’t want to embarrass her in front of his family. Instead, he inched closer to her on the sofa.

When all six brothers, Rachel, Jimmy, and Madison finally found seats, Mack stood. While balancing a cup of eggnog in one hand, he struck a dramatic pose with his other hand. He held it outstretched as if he was about to decree something. It was a stance their father had perfected. After his death, they’d carried on the tradition.

“In the great tradition of our ancestors…” Mack waited until all the laughter died down. “I now decree this the official start of the annual tree-trimming party.”

They clinked glasses and immediately started various conversations. While the brothers milled about the room, Rachel wiped cookie crumbs off of Jimmy’s mouth. For a moment, Logan wondered what it would be like to have a son. He’d never really thought about having kids, but after seeing how happy Brady had become since finding out about Jimmy, he couldn’t help but wonder.

He laced his fingers into Kate’s and handed her a mug of cocoa. As she took the first sip, she smiled around the rim of the cup. Twinkling Christmas lights reflected off of her lake-blue eyes. She glowed like an angel.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring at me.”

“I can’t help it,” he said.

“Tell me about the ornaments.”

He glanced at the small, heart-shaped silver frame in Jimmy’s hands. “That’s the frame my grandfather gave my grandmother on their first Christmas together. It’s a photograph of them that was taken when they were dating. During the Great Depression, they didn’t have much. He worked a second job in town all year, hoping to save enough to give her a gift.”

“I bet she loved it.”

“She did. We hang it on the tree every year as a reminder of their love.”

“What about that one?” she asked as she pointed to a star made out of Popsicle sticks.

“I made that one in first grade.”

“I love it.” She laughed.

“I’ll never claim to be a great
artiste
, but I can hold my own,” he joked.

“And that one?” She pointed to a cross-stitched Santa Claus.

“I made that one,” Drew said. When Logan chuckled, Drew added, “What? I’m good at sewing stuff. Mom appreciated it.”

“I’m just messing with you,” Logan said.

“Those two are the crafty ones,” Mack said. He held up a glitter-laden gold-painted pinecone. “I made
this
one.”

“I see creativity runs in the family.” Kate arched a brow.

“That it does.” Logan laughed.

The party continued for hours. Logan stole glances at Kate’s face. She beamed throughout the night and by the time the festivities wound down, she was grinning from ear to ear.

“Thank you so much for including me,” she said.

“Anytime. You’re always welcome,” Mack said.

After saying their goodbyes, Logan took her aside into the kitchen. “I want you to stay here tonight. We haven’t seen anything to indicate that there’s going to be trouble, but I don’t want to take any risks. I don’t think you should be alone in your house at night. I can’t trust that you’ll be safe.”

“I can’t stay here.”

“You could sleep in my room and I’ll sleep on the couch,” he said.

“I still have a lot to do at the house and I won’t let someone like Milton run me out of it. It’s
my
damn house.”

Surprised by her fierceness, he cocked his head to one side. “I thought you were in a rush to get rid of it.”

“I am, but I’m not going to let someone run me out of it until I’m ready to leave.”

“Then let me stay there with you.”

“There aren’t any extra beds. We put the bug-infested boxes on my dad’s bed, so you can’t sleep on it,” she said.

“What about the couch? It looked comfy.”

“You’re not going to be satisfied until you stay the night. Am I right?” she asked.

“Right. It’s not safe, so either you stay here, or I stay there.”

“Well, come on then,” she said as she opened the closet door to get her coat. He quickly followed and helped her put it on.

The trip back to her house didn’t take longer than ten minutes, but a light snowfall made visibility bad enough to set Logan’s nerves on end. If someone lurked in the shadows, he would have no way of knowing until it was too late.

Chapter 8

Kate found two thick blankets in the hall closet. She carried them through the dimly lit hall to the living room where Logan waited on the sofa.

“I found these, but if you need more, I can look in my father’s closet. I can’t guarantee they won’t be moth-eaten though,” she said.

“These will be fine. If it gets too cold, I’ll shift. I’ll try not to knock over the lamp.” He flashed a sexy smile that raced through her body like wildfire.

This was crazy. She should have stayed at his home where they would be surrounded by his brothers, instead of temptation. But the thought of letting a stranger scare her off her land overrode her good sense. She’d be dammed if she’d let a fire chase her away. Besides, Logan would keep her safe. But would she be able to keep herself safe from him?

As much as she loved spending time with his family, she couldn’t imagine living in West Yellowstone. Besides, her dad’s house was a wreck. If she’d really been honest with herself when she first arrived, she would have just sold the place as-is. But it was too late now.

She’d just have to stick with her original plan. She’d spend the rest of the week cleaning out the house and completing as many repairs as she could. Then she’d find a nice non-developer to sell it to. Someone who would appreciate having a home.

“You could start a fire in the fireplace if you want,” she said.

“Do you want me to start one for you in your room too?” he asked as he added newspaper and sticks to the fireplace.

He’d already started one hell of a fire for her, but it wasn’t in her bedroom, it was in her heart. She’d never met someone as sweet and caring as Logan. He really
had
changed from the person he’d been in high school. The realization weighed heavy in her heart. She couldn’t fall for him.

Besides, what could he possibly see in her? She wasn’t anyone special. She did a job that anyone could walk into and do just as well. She didn’t have any interesting hobbies, other than picking cat hair out of every available nook and cranny in her apartment. She drove an average car, and had an average life. It was comfortable. Why change it now? Why risk loving someone who might not love her back?

Within minutes, he’d built a fire which filled the living room with warmth. More than anything in the world, she wanted to sit on the couch with him and snuggle. But those were dreams for someone else, someone worthy of love.

“Well, goodnight then,” she said.

“Goodnight.”

“If you need anything, let me know,” she added.

“I will.”

She turned and hurried down the hall before she did something stupid, like fling herself into his powerful arms.

As she closed the door to her room, she took a breath for the first time since leaving the living room. She leaned against the closed door. Her bear growled, wanting to go to Logan.

Too bad, bear. That’s not going to happen.

She changed into a pair of flannel pajamas and started a fire. Flames cast dancing shadows across the ceiling. She climbed into bed and studied the flickering light.

An hour passed, then another. Sleep eluded her. After tossing and turning half the night, she decided to get a glass of warm milk. Maybe that would help her sleep.

She tiptoed down the hall. As she passed the living room, she glanced at the couch. She stopped. Logan wasn’t there. He was standing by the window with the curtain pulled back slightly, staring out into the dark night.

Without turning around he asked, “Can’t sleep?”

“No.”

She padded into the living room. A small fire still burned in the fireplace. Just outside the arc of light, the air chilled her enough to make her wish she’d put on a robe.

“Another storm’s coming.” He let the curtain fall before turning toward her.

Her heart fluttered. The front of his shirt hung open to reveal every ridge and valley of his sensual body. She couldn’t look away.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be responsible for what happens when I come over there,” he said.

“I…”

“Go back to bed, honey. I need to keep watch and you’re too much of a distraction right now.”

Against her better judgment, she crossed the room to peer out of the window. Moonlit snow flurries whipped across the plain before curling up the mountain.

“No one’s going to come out in this. It’s too cold and windy,” she said. She dropped the curtain and turned to him. “I can’t stand the sound of the wind at night.”

“I can’t either. It makes you feel so…”

“Alone,” she finished.

“Yeah.” As he leaned against the wall, his heated gaze raked up from her feet to her face. “I never thought someone could look like that in flannel pajamas.”

“Like what?”

“Like someone who belongs on Santa’s naughty list,” he said in a tone that sent a shiver of desire straight to her sex.

“I guarantee I haven’t done anything worth putting me on the naughty list,” she said coyly.

“I have.”

She swallowed as he slowly closed the distance between them. Flames illuminated fiery highlights in his tousled hair. The edge of his lip curved up in a rakish smile. He knew exactly what kind of effect he was having on her.

He moved to brush her hair away from her cheeks. His eyes searched hers as if to ask if this was what she really wanted. She answered by slightly tilting her head back.

“You’re sweeter than a sugar cookie and stronger than an oak.” A breath later, his lips grazed her forehead. “I could lose myself in you.”

“You make me strong,” she said.

“What will it take to make you stay?” he asked while tracing the edge of her earlobe with the tip of his tongue.

“If you weren’t here, I would have already sold this place to that developer and I’d be gone.” She trembled as he kissed the side of her neck just under her ear. “I don’t know why I’m still here.”

“I do.”

“You do?” she asked with a whimper.

“Mm-hmm.”

His mouth grazed her jawline. A rush of heat flooded her body.

“Logan…”

“Yeah?”

Before she could answer, his mouth closed over hers. She moaned as he reached for her waist. His warm hands slid under the flannel shirt and up her back. She leaned against him, relishing the press of her breasts against his firm muscles.

His tongue swept between her lips to explore her mouth. Heated kisses aroused dormant hunger, coaxing it forth until she was moist and needy. Dizzy from his kisses, she molded her body against his, giving him full access to explore every curve and contour.

And he took full advantage.

As his hands dropped down to cup her butt, she pressed against the hard ridge of his cock. The evidence of his arousal was better than any aphrodisiac. Inside, her bear leapt with joy and urged her to deepen every kiss.

When he walked her back against the nearest wall, she hooked one leg around his thigh. She’d waited her whole life to find someone who could make her feel this way—wanted—and maybe even loved.

He broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against her shoulder. Every inch of his body trembled. She couldn’t bear to be apart from him for another second.

She pressed her lips to his ear and whispered, “Will you come to bed with me?”

***

A low growl rose up from his chest. All thoughts of being honorable and leaving her alone vanished in a split second. His bear roared with uncontrolled lust. The beast’s presence became so powerful that he couldn’t hold it back.

He jerked away from her and stuffed his hands in his pockets in an attempt to stop himself from shifting. But he hadn’t been fast enough. The pads of his fingers grew. The backs of his hands sprouted elongated fur. His hands grew to triple their normal size to form paws.

Kate’s wide-eyed stare softened as she reached for his paw. She held her palm up and looked into his eyes. He slowly brought his paw forward until it met hers. The connection was enough to calm his bear. The shift stopped and as she pet the fur with her other hand, it receded. She was the only woman who’d ever managed to soothe his restless bear. He stared at her in wonder.

“Are you ever afraid of your bear?” she asked.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It’s part of my nature to be an animal sometimes. It’s who I am. To deny it would be to deny an essential part of myself,” he said.

“I’m afraid of my bear.”

“Why?”

“Because of what happened on prom night,” she said.

It was enough to drop a sheet of ice water over his libido.
He
was the reason she was afraid of her bear. If he hadn’t been such a jackass that night, she never would have shifted. He released her hand.

“I never should have teased you the way I did. You wouldn’t have shifted,” he said.

“I almost killed Jessica. If Isaac hadn’t stopped me, I would have killed my best friend.”

“But you didn’t.”

“You weren’t there. You never saw how close I came.”

“I heard.” He turned away to stare into the fire.

“It wasn’t your fault.” She came up behind him and placed her palm on his back.

“It was.”

“If you really believe that, then I forgive you,” she said.

He turned to gather her into his arms. He tucked her head under his chin and gently cradled her against his chest.

“Is that why you moved away?” he asked.

“That and because of my father. He never taught me anything about my bear. I had to figure it out through trial and error. Now I just ignore her and she leaves me alone for the most part.”

“So you never shift?”

“I haven’t shifted since that night.”

“Oh, honey. You just need someone to teach you how to control your bear.” His heart clenched. To go through life denying your animal would be a terrible way to live. He couldn’t imagine how hard it had been on her. He had to find a way to help. “I can teach you about your bear.”

“You can?” She pulled back slightly and looked up at him.

“Tomorrow we’ll spend all day shifting. One day with me and you’ll have much better control of her. Being a shifter isn’t a bad thing. It can be very useful in some circumstances.”

“Like what?”

“Well, you never need a blanket when you’re cold. You can just shift.”

“I could use a blanket right now.” She shivered in his arms.

“I have an idea,” he said.

“What?”

“Let me hold you tonight. I’ll show you one of the benefits of being a bear.”

“Okay.”

Since her tone held a hint of skepticism, he decided to be extra careful with what he was about to do. He pushed back the sofa until it hit the far wall, then moved the recliner out of the way.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Then let my bear hold you.”

She swallowed. For the second that she hesitated, his heart seemed to stop. But then she pulled him close and kissed him. Unlike the fervent kisses from just a few minutes ago, these held an intimate quality beyond simple seduction. In offering up her trust, she was giving him more than he ever wanted.

He reluctantly released her and stepped back. As he summoned his bear, the cracking, popping, gnarled scrape of bone against bone sounded through the room. His paws returned as his nose lengthened. He grew larger and stronger until his grizzly loomed over her. To her credit, she didn’t shrink back or display any fear. Trust. He had every bit of hers.

After turning in a circle, he lay on the carpet in front of the fire. He reached a paw out, hoping that she’d be comfortable enough to lie next to him.

When she dropped to her knees and crawled into his arms, his bear chuffed with happiness. He carefully pulled her into an embrace, wrapping her in a genuine bear hug. She nestled into his arms and pet his fur for several minutes.

“You’re so cuddly… and warm… I could get used to this,” she murmured.

As her breathing slowed, he inhaled her scent. He couldn’t get enough of her smell—it was better than honey. He wanted to lick her to get the taste of her on his tongue again, but he didn’t want to wake her. As much as he needed to claim her as his own, he couldn’t. Not yet.