Page 242 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“Everything a regular human does. Work, spend time with my family. Make love to beautiful lawyers.” He flashed alopsidedgrin.

“Don’t try to flatter me right now. I’m not in the mood,” shesnapped.

“Sorry. I was just trying to ease thetension.”

“Does anyone else know about you?” sheasked.

“My familyknows.”

“Are they bearshifterstoo?”

“Yes.”

Her jaw dropped. “Are youserious?”

“My whole family isshifters.”

“Madisontoo?”

“No, she’shuman.”

“But she knows?” Abbyasked.

“She knows. All of my brother’s wives and fiancées know about their bears,”hesaid.

For the first time since she’d seen him transform in the woods, she took more than a shallowbreath.

“Were you always like that?” sheasked.

“I was born ashifter.”

“I just can’t wrap my mind around this. I feel like I’m in some kind ofTwilight Zonenightmare,”shesaid.

“I’m sorry. I never wanted tohurtyou.”

“That’s good to know,” she saidsarcastically.

“I’m still the same man you were getting to know,”hesaid.

“No, you’re not. You’re not even a man. I mean, you’re half man, but halfsomethingelse.”

“I don’t know what I can say to convince you that I’m still the same man you took to bed lastnight.”

“You don’t have to convince me of anything. I’m leaving and never coming back. Now get out and close the door behind you,”shesaid.

He sighed and stood. She took a step back as he gave her a pained look. He turned and walked tothedoor.

“Please at least take a few minutes to think about staying. I was hoping we could continue to get to know each other,”hesaid.

“Why? I already told you I’m leaving at the end of the week.” She lowered her voice. “That was the whole point of having no-strings-attachedsex.”

“I know. I guess I was just hoping for something more.” His shoulders slumped as he crossed the threshold and closed the doorbehindhim.

Abby sagged against the broom. She didn’t need any more complicated, crazy problems in her life. Even if he was the same man she’d been getting to know, they could never be more than just passing acquaintances. Eventually she’d have to return to her life and figure out a way tomoveon.

Chapter8

Cody stomped down the staircase.When he reached the foyer, Madison bustled out of thekitchen.