Bear Exposure (Highland Brothers 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

don’t.”
    “But I guess most girls do?” she asked.
    “Some.” He eyed her.
    “But it must mean something if you have grocery delivery service.”
    “Yeah I have some money. The family has a staff that handles things for us. I can get you anything you need.”
    “And who is us?” She sat at one of the barstools, while he placed the waffles on the toaster rack.
    “My brother Crawford is an architect in Seattle. And my brother Hudson is an author.”
    “Hudson Highland is your brother?” Her eyebrows rose high on her forehead.
    “Yep. The one and only.”
    He closed the door on the toaster. Most women he dated knew he was a famous photographer. They had seen his exhibits or knew his byline in magazines. Everything about Presley was refreshing. It made sense she was his mate. He was pleased with his bear.
    “Wow. That’s quite a family.”
    “It has its downsides. Tell me about your family.” He walked to the pantry. He knew he had seen a jar of honey in here somewhere.
    She bristled, twisting her hair furiously through her fingers. “I don’t have family.”
    He eyed her. “No family?”
    “No. My parents died when I was in high school. It’s just me.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    She looked around the kitchen. “How long do you plan on staying here?”
    He sensed the change of subject was because he had struck a nerve. Family was everything to him. They did need to discuss the next few, though. He was glad she brought it up.
    Now that he had found her, he wasn’t going to let her go. She was his mate. His everything. He hoped, the mother of his cubs.
    “I don’t have a plan.” He moved a bag of flour out of the way. “I sort of took off from a shoot for a few days.”
    “What kind of shoot?”
    “For Zest magazine.”
    “You’re kidding me. And you left?”
    He grabbed the jar and placed it on the counter in front of her. “I brought my camera here. Thought I’d try to find my inspiration again. Sometimes it helps getting away from the city.”
    She lowered her eyes. “I think I know that feeling.”
    Her words pulled at his chest. He felt his bear stir.
    The toaster dinged and Striker placed the hot waffles on a plate. “Sorry about the breakfast, but there is coffee.” He handed her a plate and turned to pour a cup of coffee.
    “What kind of pictures do you like to take?” she asked, biting down on her fork.
    “Want to see?”
    “You have some here other than the magazines?”
    “Yes. I used to develop film. I thought it was more real. The textures. The process. I love it. I have a darkroom next to the wine cellar.”
    Her eyes widened. “Wine cellar? This place has everything. Except food.” She giggled.
    “I’ll get the food by tonight. Come on.” He led her away from the kitchen and down the stairs.
    He threaded his fingers through hers, tugging her against his back. They descended the staircase and Striker opened a door at the other end of the cellar.
    This was the first time he had let anyone see his darkroom. But, Presley was his mate. He was going to share his entire life with her. This seemed like a good place to start.

12

Presley
    S triker revealed a revolving door on the other side of the wine cellar.
    “Step in here and just push until you’re on the other side,” he instructed.
    She did as he told her and emerged in total darkness. She felt quick prickles of fear, but within seconds Striker was behind her. She felt his arm slide against her stomach, and then the room was thrown into shades of red light.
    Her shoulders relaxed. Just being next to him quieted her anxiety.
    “I haven’t been down here in ages.” He moved around, shoveling piles of photo paper onto the table so she could sit on a stool.
    “This feels like we’re in an underground bunker or something.” She looked around the room.
    “I have to have the door to keep light out. If someone goes in the cellar and flips on a light anything I’m working on would be ruined. It’s an extra precaution.”