Bear The Burn (Firebear Brides 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

shouted came out far louder than he intended it to be, but fuck it. His mate was trying to make a getaway and he couldn’t let that happen. He’d shift and sprint after her down the damn dirt road if he had to.
    He ripped the passenger side door open and jumped inside exactly when she managed to get the engine running. With one smooth move, he grabbed the keys, twisted them and plucked them out of the ignition.
    “Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing? Give those back!” she demanded, trying to grab for the keys and only managing to lean into Royce’s still-damp body and make his convictions on not letting her go all the more strong.
    He could see that she was trying to avoid his gaze, her brown eyes looking anywhere but straight at him. She still had hints of that scarlet blush that had tinted her chest, neck, and cheeks when she’d run out of the bathroom like an Olympic athlete. Royce had to admit she could have had a career as a runner if she could move that fast when faced with one little uncomfortable situation.
    “I’m not giving those back until you calm the hell down and talk to me, girl,” he said, cringing at his choice of words. Still, he had to roll with it. Keeping his expression stern, he looked at her expectantly. “You want to explain to me where you were running off to?” he asked, his thick Boston accent laying in hard now that his heart was beating fast and adrenaline was coursing through his veins.
    “I… it was a mistake, okay? I don’t belong here. This is ridiculous! We don’t know each other. I can’t marry you! It’s fraud! I have a business in Dallas that needs me and I’m here, straight across the country, playing house with a guy who could be a damn psycho for all I know!” she rattled off, every excuse making Royce grin wider.
    He shook his head with a smirk, relaxing a bit as he put his hand behind the headrest of Tiana’s seat and leaned in closer, until he was firmly in her personal space with no intention of getting out of it.
    “Calm. Down. Take a breath. Breathe in, breathe out. We’re two grownups here. You walked in on me taking a shower. I get that you enjoyed the show... ah , let me finish!” he said, raising his other hand and putting a finger on her lips to shush her as she started protesting.
    Fuck. Not a good idea. Now the only thing he could think about was her sucking it into her mouth. Still, he kept it there for added effect.
    “Anyway. You liked what you saw—I’m flattered. Maybe I can show you more at one point. But only if you want to. I’m not going to tie you down here. If you want to, I won’t hold you back, but I’ll be sad to watch you leave. You’re allowed to feel a little awkward, but not enough that you run out on me like this, okay, honey?”
    He smirked, letting his finger fall from her lips. It sent a shudder down his spine, feeling her gasping breath as he left her lips. All he wanted to do was to crush his lips against hers and make all of that insecurity disappear hard and fast.
    “Even if you did leave now, there’s no hotel in Shifter Grove and Slate won’t be flying the plane back for another three days. So I think you’re stuck with me, Tiana. You can make it uncomfortable on yourself or you could let it go, come in with me, and have dinner. Maybe we can even have a conversation. But if you want to stare at my naked body some more, I’m glad to oblige you in that as well. Whatever you want, honey,” he said, laying it on thick now.
    After a moment, she sighed, and nodded. “Okay.”
    Well, that was something.
    He pulled back and dropped the keys on her palm, and she closed her fingers around them. Giving her a wink, he opened the car door and stepped out. He walked toward the house, stuffing his big paws in his pockets, not looking back. She must have been watching him leave and he wanted to make sure that she liked the view enough to not want to turn her back on it.
    Playing with fire had never been that fun.