Page 18 of Caught Bear Handed (Sawtooth Security #3)

Chapter Fourteen

Beau

Gigi was happy to have us back at the cabin. She immediately brought over her bone pull toy, and I indulged her in a game of tug of war. She growled, and the whole back half of her body wagged as she attempted to get the bone away from me.

Kayla had disappeared into her bedroom as soon as we got back, making our sudden return feel even more abrupt. We were basically on house arrest now, the only reason either of us were permitted to set foot outside of this cabin was to accompany Gigi on her business trips.

Amelia’s revelation of her fan encounter hadn’t seemed that alarming, but it did bear similarities to Kayla’s stalker. I wanted to think Barrett was overreacting. That we couldn’t have possibly been tracked to this remote town nestled in the middle of Sawtooth Forest.

More than that, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d fucked this up. All I had to do was make sure Kayla Mitchell stayed inside this cabin. I literally had one job.

It wasn’t that I let my feelings for Kayla get in the way—although there was no denying it was a factor.

I let my restlessness get the best of me.

I understood why these four walls were too small for her.

I championed her idea to go to this party—not because I had a crush on her, but because I thought she might be the only one who could get the information out of Amelia that we needed.

Now, we’d been totally cut out of the investigation. When Kayla had asked Barrett if he’d still be using her in the undercover missions, and he’d said he’d let her know.

I’d bounce back from this fuck up—but I didn’t want her to feel like she’d failed.

Furthest thing from it. Finding Amelia in that massive crowd had been no small feat.

And even in disguise, she’d managed to gain Amelia’s trust and get the information we needed.

I had a feeling today would be pivotal in solving this case.

Then why does it feel like shit? my bear asked as I gave the bone one last good tug before letting Gigi take the victory.

She pranced into the middle of the living room, her tail still wagging as she settled in with the bone.

“Oh, Rudolf’s going to be jealous.” Kayla’s voice startled me out of my pity party. “Or completely relieved he’s not getting chewed on.”

“Rudolf’s a glutton for punishment,” I said. Apparently I was too, because every time this woman appeared, somehow I became more smitten with her. All traces of her disguise had vanished. She was bare faced, with her hair piled on top of her head. She wore an oversized T-shirt and bike shorts.

Fucking gorgeous.

She settled on the couch, tucking her legs in close to her body, and picked up her tablet.

There was no doubt she was disappointed, but I had a sinking feeling it was more than that. I could live with her being pissed at me, or Sawtooth Security, but I wouldn’t be able to tolerate her thinking we’d failed.

She was absorbed in the screen, invisible walls up, and my bear hated it. I was full of restless energy, which felt dangerous without an outlet.

Stop acting like this is only about work , my bear chided me. You’re upset because you don’t know where you stand with Kayla after this.

He was right, and I needed to bear up and solve the fucking problem. But if I did, I risked the chance that our fake relationship had been tossed away as quickly as her disguise.

“It’s a shame there was all that food and we didn’t get to eat,” she finally said. “I was looking forward to seeing you kick some ass in that chili competition.”

“We’ve got some chili in the fridge, if you want some.”

“Maybe later.” She placed the tablet beside her. “So, I have to ask—what did Brad pull you away for?”

“Nothing you couldn’t have heard,” I rumbled.

It had crossed my mind more than once that things would’ve gone differently if we hadn’t been separated.

Which was ridiculous, because it didn’t change Amelia’s experience.

But maybe, with the two of us together, the surveillance equipment would’ve worked better, and Barrett and Bellamy wouldn’t have panicked when Kayla brought Amelia to the parking lot.

Kayla raised a brow. “Do you think he was trying to pull rank on you?”

“Possibly.”

She shrugged. “Maybe he’s jealous you have such a pivotal role in this investigation and he’s just the messenger.”

My bear snickered. She just opened the door…

If I’d learned anything today, it was to not take anything for granted.

“Speaking of the case, and today,” I said, joining her on the couch. “I’m bummed I didn’t get to pretend to be your boyfriend.”

“You did for a couple minutes.” She gave me a smile that had way too much pity in it.

I swallowed hard, but it didn’t come close to touching the disappointment that was growing inside me.

“Here’s the thing, Beau.” She scooted closer to me. “I don’t want fake anything. I want you.”

Fuck yes , my bear said.

But human me wasn’t as confident as my animal. “You do?”

The corners of her lips quivered as she fought her smile, but she gave in.

“I want to get to know the bear who fights fires because his job as a private investigator isn’t exciting enough for him.

I want to hear all about your time in the military, and where you grew up.

And I want to know why you have that chip on your shoulder. ”

I wiped my shoulders playfully. “No such thing.”

“Oh, come on. You’re impossibly good at everything and still you feel like the underdog. You don’t even believe that I want you.”

I slid closer, closing the gap between us.

“I haven’t shown you everything I’m good at.” My voice was almost pure growl, and I was feeling far more animal than man.

Even though she was calling me out on my insecurities, I was still nervous. I was about to cross a line that we couldn’t come back from. No matter how she reacted, tonight would change everything.

She leaned in, close enough that I could kiss her. “I told you I want to see it all, bear.”

I wouldn’t deny my mate anything.

I took her face in my hands, rubbing the pad of my thumb against her soft cheek. Her skin was still dewy from the moisturizer she’d applied after removing her disguise. Her brown eyes widened, and this close to her, I could feel each breath hitch in her throat.

The anticipation was enough to make my bear go absolutely fucking feral.

“You smell like honey,” I said, regretting it instantly.

Even more so when it earned a chuckle from Kayla. “No one’s ever said that to me before.”

“No?” I drew away, just slightly. “It’s been giving me a buzz ever since I moved in here.”

“Huh.” Her body relaxed a little. “We all have a signature scent, but maybe it’s more apparent to…never mind.”

“Finish that thought.” My bear was going crazy inside me, insisting the time for talking was later, and all he wanted was action—in the form of driving his cock deep inside her.

“My mate,” the word was barely more than a whisper. “Maybe our scents drive our mates wild.”

My bear liked that a lot.

“What’s my scent?” I asked.

“The earth,” she said, closing her eyes for a long blink. “Like grass in the morning when the sun is finally powerful enough to burn off the dew. And something sweet, like berries, but I’m having a hard time placing it because it’s totally unique to you.”

“I like that.” I could barely speak. “Our bodies are telling each other their secrets.”

“What else does your body want to tell me, bear?” she asked, her voice husky.

“So many things.” I finally gave in to my bear’s demands and covered her mouth with mine. She met the kiss eagerly, her intensity matching mine as her lips parted and she let me inside.

I thought the last kiss was amazing, but this one was on another fucking level. She’d just said I was her mate. That we were connected on another level. I led her down onto the cushions, never breaking contact with this kiss.

I had no idea I’d been starving for this woman until she walked into my life and showed me what I wanted.

Her hands grasped my shoulders, fingernails pushing against my skin like she intended to mark me. It was enough to send my bear into another dimension. I growled against her lips. Her body tensed, just for a moment, and then she moaned, accepting the challenge.

I moved my lips away from hers, down to her neck while I slid my hands up her sides, stopping at her bra. It wasn’t anything fancy, it felt like a sports bra. I didn’t care. This woman didn’t need lace and jewels. She was beautiful when she was raw, genuine, and unapologetic.

“I can barely stop kissing you,” I confessed. “But I can’t kiss you and undress you at the same time.”

“Let me help you.” With a surprising amount of strength, she pushed me to a seated position. With a few blinks, she sat up and shook her head. “You’re not the only one who’s been thinking about this.”

My eyes widened. “Wait. You know?”

She furrowed her brow. “Know what?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” Didn’t need to confess all my sins.

She straddled my lap, and all the blood in my body rushed to my cock. Would everything be more intense with Kayla…my mate?

Stop fucking around and find out . My bear could hardly take any more.

She placed a finger under my chin, forcing me to meet her eyes. “I told you I wanted to know everything.”

Her tone was playful, but this was a side of her I didn’t expect. She was totally ready to take control of the situation. I…I’d never given up control before, but I’d never been with a woman her age.

I was afraid to admit how much I liked it.