Page 8 of Caught Bear Handed

“I get it.I’m not used to sharing either.”If this were a script, this would be when I moved away from the half-naked, wet bear.But it was real life, and I wasn’t going anywhere.“Do you have a girlfriend?”

This was why I needed a script…

“Nope.I’m a single dad, raising Gigi on my own.”

Do you want to help him with that?my wolf wondered.

Beau gave me a lopsided grin like he could read my animal’s mind.“What about you?You must have left someone behind.”

I shook my head.“I swore off dating after the last guy I met on an app turned out to be an absolute creeper connected to a nefarious crime ring, which is why I’m here.”

He laughed, and the sound did unacceptable things to my lady parts.

“Barrett and Bellamy are the best in the business,” he said.“There’s no one else you’d want working this case.They’ll find those guys.”

That was exactly what my agent had said when she’d explained the arrangement that had sent me into exile in Sawtooth Forest.Coming from her, it seemed like a way to justify the exorbitant bill, but Beau genuinely believed this.

“What about you?”I asked.

“What about me?”There was an unmistakable rumble to his voice.

The bear wants to play, my wolf said.

I could’ve backed off, excused myself, and forgot this conversation ever happened.Never thought about those bulging biceps again.Or how good he smelled fresh from the shower.

But I didn’t.“What are you good at?”

His eyes lit up, and that rumbling vibration intensified.“I’m good at a lot of things.”

Woof!Woof woof woof!Gigi called out from the living room.

Beau shook his head, the spell broken, and chuckled.“Nature calls.”

“Time to dog dad.”I nodded as I willed myself to move past him toward my bedroom.

I leaned against the door, listening to my heart pound as Gigi’s barking intensified.Moments later, Beau soothed her and took her out.

What in the moon just happened?I couldn’t hit on my bodyguard, even if he was gorgeous, and I was terrified and in need of some comfort.I had to keep things professional.

So much for downtime.This would be the most difficult role I ever played.

After hanging out in bed and diving into my backlog of steamy romance books, I could totally confirm that in my head, all the heroes looked like Beau.Didn’t matter if they were mafiosos, hockey players… all I could picture was him.It was a definite improvement over the intrusive thoughts about Mark Peters ever since my abduction.

So I made a bargain with myself.Each season ofThe Wolf’s Moon,we’d pick a set crush.Just a little harmless fun—sometimes, people would get found out, and the wrap parties had a tendency to get wild.

My heart hurt, missing my set family and wishing I could tell them where I was.Wishing I could immerse myself in the drama of a fictional character instead of my own damn problems.

Soon, my wolf said.But until then, your new set crush will keep you busy.

I emerged from my bedroom and found Beau in the kitchen.He hadn’t noticed me, because he was dancing along to whatever was in his headset as he chopped vegetables.Thankfully, he was fully dressed in a teal T-shirt that made his tan skin look amazing, and khaki cargo shorts.I carefully trod into the kitchen, not to startle him, since the knife looked pretty sharp.

“Hey,” he said.

The skin around his eyes crinkled when he smiled.My stupid heart skipped a beat in full approval.

Set crush, I reminded myself.

“Hey,” I responded.