Page 89 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

As he reached for her other foot, she closed her eyes and wondered what it would be like to stay with him. She’d been so eager to leave, but why? Did she really want to run away from Mack? Was she afraid of him? Of his ability to transform into a bear? Or was she really just afraid of having another failedrelationship?

If only she could have met Mack two years ago. She wouldn’t be facing single motherhood and she wouldn’t have had to figure out custody with a cheating, lying bastard. Life choices always seemed so clear when she reflected back on them. Of course, looking back, she had more information than she’d had at the time. How could she have known that Ben would end up in bed with her bestfriend?

She sighed. There was no point in trying to figure everything out right now. She needed to rest so she could be well enough to leave. If she could just get some time to herself, then she’d be able to figure out what she really wanted. And she’d be able to figure out what to doaboutMack.

As much as she wanted to deny the magnetic attraction between them, she couldn’t. The man exuded both protective and seductive energy. She couldn’t be in the same room with him without getting wet. When he stood by her side, she felt safer than she ever had. How could she possibly think about walking awayfromhim?

* * *

Mack’s eyes snapped open.As he glanced around Madison’s bedroom, a shiver of unease snaked down his spine. Madison lay in the center of the bed. The slow rise and fall of her chest indicated a peaceful sleep. The tension in his back loosened as he crossed the room to caress hercheek.

His heart clenched. He’d almost lost her. If only he could find the words to say to make her understand how much he needed her. Thank God the midwife had said she’d be okay after a few days of bed rest. He hated that she was injured, but at least he’d have more time to try to convince hertostay.

The sound of breaking glass cut through histhoughts.

Hefroze.

He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Two-fifteena.m.

A thin stream of moonlight slanted across the carpet. He used the path as a guide to the door. With a steady hand, he incheditopen.

The stealthy crunch of footsteps in glass carried up from downstairs. He paused, listening for another clue as to the intruder’s whereabouts. His brothers wouldn’t be prowling around in the middle of the night, but he wouldn’t put it pastMadison’sex.

As Mack slipped through the door, he carefully tested each step to make sure the floorboards wouldn’t creak. He silently closed the doorbehindhim.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he peered into the darkness below. Even the moonlight couldn’t reach into every corner of darkness. He sensed someone waiting in the shadows, so he also waited. Time ticked by in incrementalmoments.

His patience paid off when he heard the scrape of a shoe across the floor. It came from thelivingroom.

Mack pressed his back against the wall. Because the entrance to the living room and the stairs shared the same wall, the intruder wouldn’t be able to see him descend. Well, unless the intruder walked intothehall.

With little time to spare, Mack tiptoed down the stairs. As he reached the bottom step, the wood planks groaned. A rustle of clothing caught his attention. The intruder stood on the other side of the wall. The awareness of his presence coupled with fear for Madison’s safety sent chills acrosshisback.

He didn’t have the element of surprise on his side any longer, so he needed a different strategy. If he could make it to the kitchen, he could circle around through the dining room and take the other man bysurprise.

But first, he’d have to make it past the opening to the living room. He had no way of knowing if the intruder carried a weapon, or if so, what kind. He’d have to rely on his bear’s reflexes tohelphim.

He crouched down, preparing to spring past the living room. But a split second before he could make his move, the intruderspoke.

“I know you’re on the other side of this wall. Where’s my woman?” Benasked.

Mack’s jaw clenched. The fool. Did he actually think he could walk onto Mack’s property and live to see another day? “Madison’s not yoursanymore.”

“I want to hear thatfromher.”

“She’ssleeping.”

“I always suspected she was whoringaround.”

Rage coiled in Mack’s belly. “She’s not awhore.”

“But she’s fucked you,hasn’tshe?”

Mack refused to answer. He’d be dammed if he’d talk to another man about his relationship with Madison, especially not Ben. “I’ll give you ten seconds to walk out that door. If you’re not out of this house by then, I’ll throwyouout.”

Ben lunged out of the living room and swung his right fist toward Mack’s face. Mack bobbed to the side then slammed his fist into Ben’s gut. A stunned grunt exploded from Ben. He stumbled back and landed onhisbutt.

As Mack advanced, Ben scrambled back until he hit the wall separating the kitchen from thefoyer.