Waking the Bear (Shifter Wars) Read Online Free PDF Page B

it shut.

Chapter Three
    Griff’s heart raced and his bear paced inside him. He had to get out of the cabin before his body betrayed his newfound feelings. Amy was his. She was meant for him, of that he was certain.
    Still, she was off-limits.
    “I hope you’ll enjoy the cabin.” Griff set the pen down. Business relationship only. “There’s a creek not too far away, and lots of pretty spots to take on nature without going deep in the woods.” He set his jaw. “Close by.”
    “Yeah, I saw lots of places in the photos. I’m looking forward to painting here.”
    Renting the cabin to Amy was a bad idea, he could feel it in every bone in his body—like standing on the brink of a cliff without a safety harness and jumping up and down seeing if the wind would blow you over the edge.
    “If you need me, here’s my number.” He handed her his business card from his wallet, his fingers brushing against hers and sending an electric shock up his arm. He shuddered and yanked his hand away as soon as she took the card.
    Dammit. Bad idea. Bad. Idea.
    He stuck his wallet back in his pocket. He should’ve told Jill to pull the cabin from her listings for the year, especially with the Sen Pal encroachment, but it hadn’t even crossed his mind with all the other things he had to catch up on since fully waking up. His patrols weren’t much more than a quick ride around the park and a bit of trail running, but combine that with semi-hibernation, and there wasn’t a lot of time for other things.
    Now he had another person to protect. Someone he felt like he’d known his entire life. One who made him feel something unlike anything he’d ever felt. It was a new kind of scared, coupled with excitement and joy.
    Bad news, all around.
    He tugged at his beard. He shouldn’t be renting to a lone woman. A city woman at that. He could tell that from first sight. He could also tell she wasn’t the kind of woman to listen. Stubborn. He wasn’t sure if that annoyed him or excited him, but she seemed completely oblivious to any dangers she might face in the wilderness outside the cabin’s doorstep.
    His wilderness.
    “Griffton?” Amy raised her eyebrows.
    He tried not to take in her fragrance too deeply. “Everyone calls me Griff.” He smiled but didn’t make eye contact. “Let me know if you need anything. My cell’s on the card. I can be here quickly.” Naps are shorter with each day. By summer, they’ll be completely optional.
    She returned his smile. “Park ranger. Saving lost and wandering people from mountain dangers. Like lions and bears. And the lone tiger, I’m sure.”
    “You’re making fun.” He scowled. City woman . He shook his head. “I’ll protect you from lions and bears. No promise on the tigers.”
    She laughed and the floor fell from under his feet. So lovely. He had to get out of the stifling cabin and away from her intoxicating presence.
    He needed to think.
    “I find it hard to believe I could be in so much danger in the forest. I mean, I’m afraid of snakes and spiders, but I’ll watch for them. I doubt I’ll run in to any bears or lions.” Amy slid her fingers through her long blond hair and raked it over her shoulder, and Griff couldn’t help but stare as the tresses slid over her hand like molten gold. “Or rogue tigers.”
    “I hope you’re right.” He looked into her eyes again, searching. Every time, she met his gaze. She wasn’t scared of him. She didn’t know she should be. He needed to keep it that way, no matter what his psyche was telling him.
    He wasn’t ready to accept what he knew was true.
    The timing couldn’t have been worse for her to come into his life, yet here she was, practically delivered to his doorstep and tied up with a pretty bow. The urge to be near her was overwhelming, but he had to keep his distance or he was going to make things a lot worse.
    Every bit of his essence urged him to put his hand on her shoulder, run his hands through her hair, and pull her