Page 280 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“Why not? I’d carry a few bottleswithme.”

“I’ve been hiking my whole life and never encountered a bear,”hesaid.

“You must belucky.”

“Maybe,” he said. “Or maybe they know not to messwithme.”

She laughed. He turned to smile at her and a spark of energy leapt between them. Flickering light cast soft shadows across his face. He didn’t seem so bitter or angry now. Underneath his tough exterior, he had a gentleheart.

She swallowed and looked away. She shouldn’t be thinking about his heart at all. It wasn’t hers to claim, and he certainly wasn’t willing to give it away to a complete stranger. She needed to quash her childish notions of love. Hadn’t she already learned that fairy tale endings didn’t happen in real life? She wasn’t even sure love existed. And if it did, it wouldn’t be easytofind.

* * *

Drew leaned backon his hands. He’d never felt so comfortable talking to a woman in his life. She didn’t have sneaky layers of deceit in her the way most women did. Hell, look at Madison. Sure, she was a good person for the most part, but even she carried on behind Mack’s back for months. Sharon didn’t seem like that at all. The more he got to know her, the more he wantedtoknow.

“How long ago did you leave your ex?” heasked.

“It’s been overayear.”

“Hardbreakup?”

“Brutal.”

“I don’t wanttopry…”

“I’d rather not go into details,”shesaid.

“No worries. Do you miss being in a relationship?” heasked.

“Yeah, I do. I didn’t think I’d want to get into another one, but having someone to talk to and lean on is nice. In some ways, it makes life easier. Sharing the burden with another person helps smooth out thebumps.”

“Don’t tell my brothers, but every once in a while, I do think about what it would be like to findamate.”

“But you don’t want it enough to make the effort?” sheasked.

“It’s not that. I’m not a lazy person. I’m just not as aggressive as they are,” he said. “I can’t believe I’m telling you allofthis.”

“Your secrets are safe with me,”shesaid.

When she turned to him and smiled, a rush of heat flooded his body. The urge to pull her into his arms surged through every muscle until tension coiled in his belly. Maybe it was the low light, or the way her voice flowed through him like honey, but she’d awakened a desire in him that had laid dormant for far too long. Other than the occasional fling, he hadn’t been with a woman—really been with one—inyears.

Her lips parted to allow her pink tongue to dart out and swipe moisture across her bottom lip. His hands tingled with the need to touch her. As their gazes locked, he leaned toward her. He couldn’t stop himself as he dipped to brush a feathery kiss across her mouth. He pulled back, half-expecting her to slap him for being so bold. But instead, she leaned in and pressed her lipsagainsthis.

He scooted closer and gathered her into his arms. She didn’t hold anything back as he deepened the kiss. It was wild and reckless, but he didn’t care. He needed her. His brothers’ endless taunting was getting to him. Although he was perfectly happy alone, he did get lonely from time to time and it seemed to be getting worse now that he was surrounded by happycouples.

As she tangled her fingers in his hair, he slipped his tongue between her lips. She responded with a soft moan before molding her body to his. He pulled her into his lap and slipped his hand under the back of her sweater. Her skin warmed as he stroked light circles across herlowerback.

When her hand slid down to caress his chest, he groaned. He went rigid with need. If he didn’t stop soon, he’d carry her upstairs and straight to bed. But that would only complicate things. He didn’t want to give her a false sense of hope. He’d already gone too far, but he couldn’t seemtostop.

As her tongue caressed his, she shifted her hips. The exquisite pain of the pressure against his cock was too much. His bear clawed at his chest and growled with feral intent. The creature wanted to possess every inch of her, but Drew couldn’t do it. He couldn’t take what she was offering, knowing that she’d come to the ranch intent on marrying him. They hardly knew each other. Taking her to bed would light the fuse to a bomb he couldn’tcontain.

Hepulledaway.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” hemuttered.

“I shouldn’t have let you.” She brushed her fingers across her lips andlookedaway.

“No. I started it. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to take advantageofyou.”