Page 10 of Caught Bear Handed (Sawtooth Security #3)

Chapter Eight

Beau

I rolled down the window on the way back from Forever Home Ranch. Kayla’s scent filled the cab of the truck, and I knew better than to drive while intoxicated.

Today had been a damn good day.

Watching Kayla ride Millie through the Sawtooth wilderness felt like I was watching her on my big-screen TV.

But instead of lying in bed, alone in a semi-dark room, with my hand on my dick, I could reach out and actually touch her.

Inhale that honeyed scent while I wrapped her ponytail around my fist and pulled her toward me…

Nope. It could never happen. But if I was reading those glances she was giving me correctly, ones that lasted a little too long and ran a little too hot, she’d be into it.

Still, I was being ridiculous. Kayla Mitchell hired me to keep her safe, not to fuck her into next Tuesday.

Not to mention she was eleven years older than me.

No big surprise she thought it was more.

I was used to getting underestimated because I had a baby face and golden retriever energy.

I wanted to prove once and for all that I was a man, ready for more. More responsibilities, more?—

You’ve never fully committed to a woman , my bear reminded me. So after a few days in captivity with a beautiful celebrity, now you’re ready to settle down? You don’t think you’ll eventually get bored with Kayla too?

I hated that he gave me something serious to think about as I followed her into the cabin, watching her luscious ass sway with each step. My cock strained against my jeans… It was becoming a regular occurrence. I needed to get it together before I completely embarrassed myself.

“Oh, hi!” Kayla exclaimed when Gigi eagerly greeted us at the door, up on her hind legs, bouncing back and forth. “I guess somebody missed us.”

“Hello, my crazy girl.” I attempted a hug, but my wiggly pittie couldn’t be contained. “This is what I call her disco greeting.”

“I love it.” Kayla laughed as Gigi went over to her, to make sure she got the full experience.

Kayla managed to grab her paw, surprising me and my dog, and did a little dance with her.

Gigi gave a bark storm of approval, and Kayla went all in.

Forget my cock. Now it was my heart swelling to a size I didn’t know was possible.

This was a huge step forward for Kayla. I understood why a pet dog was weird for her, but if she never formed any bond with Gigi at all, it would’ve been a deal breaker in our imaginary relationship.

Not only was Gigi my ride or die, she was an outstanding judge of character. Her opinion mattered too.

All of it only made me want Kayla more.

Once Gigi was satisfied we wouldn’t leave without her again, she settled onto the sunny spot on the living room rug and went back to the serious business of chomping on Rudolf.

Kayla met my gaze. Her hair had come out of the ponytail, loose strands framed her face from around the baseball hat. I hadn’t noticed the smudge of dust on her cheek until now, and it took everything I had not to reach forward and wipe it away.

Then I would know how soft her skin was, and how she reacted to my touch. I shoved my hands into my pockets to avoid mistakenly finding out.

“I had a lot of fun,” she said abruptly, like she’d been thinking about something scandalous too. “Thanks for setting that up. Shea and Delaney were lovely, and the ranch was gorgeous.”

“I had fun being bad with you.”

She cocked a brow. “If that’s what you consider bad?—”

Heat soared through my body and I swallowed hard, trying to resist the overwhelming urge to take her by the shoulders, push her against the wall, and claim her mouth to show her every bit how bad I could be. She’d never doubt how far I’d go to keep her safe.

Sliding my hands out of my pockets, I took a step forward. Her eyes widened, and her scent intensified.

How awkward would this be if I was reading her signals wrong and she rejected me…

She won’t , my bear insisted.

I leaned in, and she closed her eyes. Sweet moon, she wanted this. She wanted me.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Her eyes snapped open. “What the hell is that?”

“Shit, it’s my phone.” I clumsily reached for my back pocket. My brain was short-circuiting during the quick transition away from Operation Kissing Kayla and I almost dropped the damn thing. Not to mention the phone hadn’t stopped vibrating.

“So many messages from Barrett.” I swiped the screen as messages kept appearing.

“Couple from Bellamy too. Looks like we didn’t have a signal while we were at the Ranch.

It’s picking everything up now. I better call them before they head out here.

” I groaned inwardly. “But they know the signal can be spotty?—”

“You’re gonna lie to them?” she asked, and a faint hint of disgust tarnished the sweet air.

“Depends on what they wanted to tell me in the first place.”

She gave a curt nod, clearly unimpressed. Great. She was right, it was the wrong thing to do, but I wasn’t ready to get fired for trying to impress my?—

“I’m gonna go take a shower,” she announced, ripping me away from my jumbled fantasy where I thought I got to keep her.

“I’ll take care of this.”

Once she closed the door to the bathroom, I exhaled heavily. It didn’t do a damn thing to change the way I felt about this woman. My phone buzzed one more time, reminding me to focus and do my fucking job.

“Hey, Barrett. Just got your messages now. What’s up?” I asked.

“That’s what I’m asking you. I messaged to check in and got concerned when you didn’t answer,” he said. “Everything okay over there?”

“Yeah, great.” That part wasn’t a lie.

“You sure?” he asked, the words spaced with concern. “Because we checked the cameras and there wasn’t any movement.”

I rubbed my forehead, cursing myself for my rookie mistake. “We went out for a walk.”

“Pretty long walk,” he said. “And you didn’t bring Gigi.”

It was my chance to come clean with him. “She’d just been out.”

Which wasn’t a lie, but my bear felt fidgety inside me. I was usually honest to a fault because he absolutely hated liars and loved catching them when they inevitably screwed up.

It wouldn’t be so satisfying when it was my turn on the shit end of the lying stick.

“You need to stay vigilant,” Barrett said, and I couldn’t tell if he believed me or not. “Bellamy’s been able to get into some of the financials of the laundering ring.”

“Oh yeah?” That sounded promising. But it also sounded like the case could be coming to a close, which I wasn’t ready for. “What did he find?”

“It’s bigger than we thought. Not only did they target celebrities, but there are a few politicians here too,” Barrett said.

“We’re forming some pretty interesting and damning theories.

Don’t want to say too much on the phone, but we don’t think Kayla’s the only one they’ve threatened.

She might be one of the only ones who hasn’t given in yet. ”

Anger churned in my stomach. My bear wanted to rip through my skin, and I’d have a hard time convincing him it was a waste of energy.

“Wonder if the others said no until they didn’t have any other choice,” I growled.

“Great minds.” Barrett’s tone was grim. “That means they won’t be satisfied letting Kayla get the final word.

Especially because if she goes public with this, it could ruin some very important people’s lives.

You need to be careful, Beau. I’m sure you’re getting comfortable there—that happens when it feels like nothing progresses in a case.

But this isn’t the time to let down your guard. ”

“I’m on it,” I said, pressing my lips together not to chuckle at the irony of the statement. “You can count on me.”

“Good. We’ll be out there to check on you and bring more supplies in a day or two. Let me know what you need.”

“Will do.”

Once we hung up, I let out a big exhale, but it didn’t do shit to relieve the ball of tension that had formed between my shoulder blades, not to mention much more dangerous places.

I’d been stupid to take Kayla out of the house, and I’d put the entire ranch and investigation in danger in the process.

These guys didn’t care about my security detail or what I felt for her.

They wanted to protect what was theirs, just like I’d protect what was mine.

Yeah, I said it. Mine.

If those assholes came here trying to get revenge, it would not be pretty.

I headed to my bedroom and leaned up against the door. The mist from the hot shower intensified that sweet honey scent, and it was all I could do to keep myself from ripping the bathroom door open, stripping off my clothes, and stepping into that shower with her.

How those sweet curves must look soaking wet and glistening with soap…

I groaned. I had to pull myself together. Kayla was in real danger and I couldn’t be distracted, constantly thinking about all the ways I could fuck her.

She deserved me at my absolute best. That was what it would mean to prove myself to her.

I moved over to the edge of the bed, opened my jeans, and closed my eyes, willing the image of her in the next room soaking wet and gorgeous to go away, but with her scent hanging so heavily in the air, it was no use.

My cock was in my hand, and I moved it up and down, ignoring the roughness of my own skin, pretending Kayla was here with me.

My body, my heart, and my soul believed the fantasy. I wanted nothing more than the sensation of her velvety touch as I guided her, letting her know exactly what I liked. She’d get it as good as she gave it too, I’d make sure of it.

I envisioned those big brown eyes heavy lidded with desire, her plump lips parted, and her wet hair clinging to her cheekbones and her shoulders, revealing her bare breasts.

My head fell back as I pumped harder, faster, and imagined her straddling me. One thick thigh on either side of mine. Her sex hot and wet, her scent so strong I could drink it like nectar.

How fucking good it would feel to sink my length all the way inside her, to feel her muscles flutter and pulse in response…

My balls hitched, and a stream of come splattered onto my comforter.

I let out a breath, my bones barely more than putty after she’d driven me to the brink like some eighth-grade boy.

The shower switched off, breaking the spell.

Sort of. I changed into sweats and balled up my ruined clothes and bedding.

I had to get a hold of myself. I was playing with fire, and a whole lot of bad guys who refused to take no for an answer.

If I was going to keep Kayla safe, this could never happen again.