Page 7 of Caught Bear Handed

Kayla gasped as Gigi fell to her side.“She plays dead.”

Gigi’s tail thumped and she could only stay still for seconds before she was back up.I motioned for her to do a twirl.

“She’s earned her reward now.”I lowered Rudolf, but Gigi’s patience had run out.She jumped up and snatched her out of my hand before trotting off, finding a spot in the middle of the living room to lie down and chew.

“I take it back,” Kayla said.“You are a good dog dad.”

“Thanks.”I grinned at her.“That means a lot, considering the source.”

“It feels weird to say I’m looking forward to this, but I hope we can make the best of it.”Kayla wrung her hands.“I’m not good at staying in one place.”

“Tell me about it.”My bear wanted to promise her adventure.Excitement.A future that she was always in.

But this was a job, and as soon as these goons were behind bars, chances were, I’d never see her again.

I shouldn’t have hated that thought as much as I did.I needed to get my head on straight, or I could fail us both.

ChapterThree

Kayla

Relaxing wasn’t part of my normal vocabulary, but my calendar had suddenly been wiped clean.I had to admit, I was excited for a chance to tackle all those cute projects I always planned to do between seasons ofThe Wolf’s Moon.But other projects always seemed to come first—like guest spots on hot TV shows, commercials, and speaking engagements.

I absolutely loved my job and was eternally grateful that I got to play make believe for a living, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to make hay while the sun shined.All the opportunities could disappear in the blink of an eye.

Like now.My anxiety levels were at Mach Five that this little sabbatical could mean the end of my career.My brain treated me to what I liked to call the four o’clock morning meeting, coming up with all the ways Mark Peters would get the last word, including somehow stepping into my place on the show.

Not.Fucking.Happening.

My wolf did her best to reassure me that the bears from Sawtooth Security would take care of this rat bastard for good, and that I had nothing to worry about.The show’s producers had been gracious when I told them I had to take an emergency leave mid-season.The writers would have their work cut out for them.I’d been given a bigger role this season, and now they’d have to write me out.Episodes didn’t get finalized until about a week before we started filming, so they could accommodate, in theory.

Out of sight, out of mind.It was one of the reasons I took all those extra projects.Even without a stalker, women of a certain age tended to disappear in Hollywood.

I wanted to change that narrative.

You can’t change anything if you’re dead, my wolf reminded me.

Perspective.I took a deep sip of my third coffee of the morning and made a promise to myself.I would be grateful for this break.

But I had to do something.I couldn’t stop Mark, but I’d hired Sawtooth Security for that job.If I didn’t keep myself busy, I’d drive myself crazy with these doomsday stalker prophecies.

Of course, none of those cute someday projects got packed for this side quest.I could order stuff, but the logistics of keeping the order anonymous seemed like a monumental pain in the ass and should probably be saved for important things, like pizza.Maybe it was time to read some of those spicy romances I was always downloading onto my e-reader.

I’d just have to be careful not to picture a certain bear shifter as the hero…

My bodyguard was absolutely gorgeous, with shaggy, almost black hair, a full beard, and muscles for days.But not only had Beau been hired to keep me safe, he was way too young for me.There was no way he was over thirty.So I could admire from afar, but that was all this could be.An awkward crush.

Gigi lay in the middle of the living room, sprawled out and happily chomping on poor Rudolf.She stretched and let out a contented sigh, which reminded me I had downloaded a thirty-day yoga challenge that I’d promptly forgot all about.I could crush that while I was here—not that I wanted this to last a month, but maybe the habit would follow me back to my normal life.

After putting my mug into the dishwasher and grabbing a glass of water, I headed to my bedroom, ready to get my namaste on.

But instead I ran into Beau, fresh from the shower, wearing nothing but a towel.

Our gazes locked for the longest moment.I forced myself to look away, but all I saw were the tiny droplets of water that were still beaded on his pecs and biceps and glistening in his thick chest hair.

I needed to excuse myself and spend the rest of the day hiding in my bedroom, but I couldn’t.

“Sorry,” he said.“Still not used to having a roommate.I left my stuff in my room.”