Laid Bear 2: The Kodiak Clan Read Online Free PDF

hormonal mate that he was leaving town the next day.

“I don’t know why you won’t go out with him.” Veronica’s best friend Grace Harnig was sipping coffee from one of Keith’s favorite mugs. She’d tried to set up Veronica with any number of eligible bear bachelors since Keith died, but the timing was never right. Now she was pushing a successful cannery owner on her.
    “I dunno, Grace, I hear he’s kind of arrogant and a total player.” Oh, and did I mention I’m in love with a human?
    “But you gotta admit he’s totally scorching, right? I mean, the dude is rockin’ that bod, and he’s got that dark hair-blue eye thing going on. Do you know how rare that is in weres ? Besides, he can’t be all bad — he does a ton of good deeds around town.”
    Veronica shrugged. “I guess…” She yearned to tell her best friend about Jess. That’s what girlfriends did. They gabbed about boys and supported each other no matter what. But she was terrified to tell anyone in her community about her feelings. If word got out, her life in Kodiak might as well be over.
    “Well, you need someone in your life, chica. It’s been, what, six years since Keith died? You have to be getting horny by now.” Grace winked lasciviously, making Veronica giggle.
    “Psh! Who needs a man when you have the, and I quote, ‘World’s Dopest Dildo’?”
    “Hey, I put a lot of thought into that Christmas present!”
    “I’m sure you did. I just wish you would have warned me so I didn’t open in front of my kids and in-laws!”
    Their laughter filled the outdated-but-spotless kitchen nook.  
    “But seriously, babe, we need to get you hooked up already,” Grace said, sniffing back tears and catching her breath.  
    Veronica felt her skin heating up with her lie of omission and stood quickly to refill her mug. But it was too late. Grace had caught her blush.
    “Ohmigod! You found someone, didn’t you? Is it serious or just a fuck-buddy? Who is it? Is he hot? Tell me everything right this instant!”
    It was almost a relief to be caught. She wanted to share this part of her life with someone so badly, but she wasn’t sure how to start. She couldn’t look Grace in the eye as she sat down with her mug.
    “It’s no big deal, Grace. It’s just an online thing. Not like it’ll go anywhere.”
    Grace’s gaze burned into her, yet she still couldn’t meet it with her own. That chip in the rim of the mug suddenly became incredibly fascinating.
    “Holy shit,” Grace whispered. “You’re in love.”  
    Veronica’s eyes shot up to her friends and then darted away. “No way. I’m just having a little fun. I haven’t even chatted with him for a few days. Now drop it.”
    Her chair screeched as she got back up and went to the fridge, letting the chilled air cool her hot face.  
    “How could you not tell me, Ronnie? After all we’ve been through together?”
    The pain in Grace’s voice cut Veronica to the core. They’d been best friends for a decade. She’d done more to help her through Keith’s death than anyone else, and then practically became a second mom to the boys. She deserved the truth, as hard as it would be to admit.  
    Clearing her throat did little to break up the log jam that was preventing her from speaking. This was the hardest thing she’d ever done.  
    Just do it, babe. Keith’s voice rang in her head. Rip it off fast. It’ll only sting a little.
    Veronica met Grace’s hurt gaze and took a lungful of air. “His name’s Jess Slade. I met him online and he’s here on the island for the summer but we haven’t met in person yet. It was only supposed to be a little harmless fun but we really connected.” She paused to lick her lips. “Grace, he’s human.”
    Her statement was met with silence. Grace’s jaw slackened and her mouth dropped open as she struggled to process this new piece of information. Finally gathering her wits, she managed to whisper, “Human?”
    Veronica nodded. Holding her