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

Our gazes caught, like she could hear my animal whisper filthy suggestions to me.

Looking away felt like weakness. Even though she’d put up one hell of a fight when she’d been abducted, there was no missing that she was freaked out over the situation.

As she should be. She’d had her trust and safety violated at work, and she couldn’t go home.

We’ll make sure she never feels unsafe again, my bear suggested.

Kayla Mitchell wasn’t ready to look away either.

“We should probably get going. Let the two of you get settled,” Clover said, finally breaking the spell. She took Kayla’s hands in hers. “I don’t know how we’ll pull it off, but I’d love to hang out while you’re here. Maybe we can have a fun girls’ night in. You’ll love the wolf pack?—”

“Let’s figure out logistics first.” Bellamy put his hand on Clover’s shoulder. She all but melted on contact. These two were at each other’s throats not too long ago, and now they were practically inseparable.

My bear wanted that. And so did I, if the gnawing feeling in my belly was any indication. Before today, I would’ve sworn to anyone who asked that I wasn’t ready to leave my wild days behind me.

But five minutes in this woman’s presence and my whole world had been turned upside down. I wasn’t sure I wanted my coworkers to hurry up and find these guys who were responsible for her abduction or if I hoped the case was never closed.

“We’ll talk soon. You have my number?—”

“Is that safe?” I interrupted Clover. “I know we’re routing everything through the office, but it seems like it could be a weak link.”

“We gave Kayla a burner phone, and we’ll still be taking other precautions,” Bellamy clarified. “We’re letting you keep your phone because it’s already behind our protection protocol. But if we think it’s compromising the case, you’ll get a burner too.”

“It won’t come to that,” I said.

“Hope not.” Bellamy nodded to me. “Let us know if you need anything.”

“We’ll be checking in with both of you in the morning,” Barrett said. “Have a good night.”

The quiet was overwhelming once my coworkers left. It was just Kayla and me.

And Gigi, who bumped her snout against Kayla’s leg, followed by a push with her paw.

“She wants to play,” I said.

“Oh, I might not have a lot of experience with pet dogs, but it doesn’t mean I don’t speak the language.” She went down on one knee, which made Gigi dance side to side with excitement. “Did you bring any of her toys?”

“Of course I did.” I went over to my duffel bag. I took a moment to watch my favorite girl play with my favorite actress. I wondered if she could tell that Kayla was like her. “When you said you understood Gigi, does that mean you can communicate with her?”

“Not like I would with a shifter, but I understand her body language. I feel like we’re gonna be friends.”

“Good,” I said as I pulled the battered stuffie out of my bag, which got a certain pittie’s attention. “Because Gigi and I go way back. She’s kind of my ride or die. And this is Rudolf.”

Gigi jumped up to grab her favorite toy, but I handed it to Kayla.

“Where’s his red nose?” she asked as she considered the reindeer.

“Gone the first day she had him. Along with the squeaker.” I laughed.

“Usually, she trashes a toy and forgets about it, but there’s something about Rudolf she wasn’t willing to let go.

So I’ve had him repaired and restuffed. The squeaker’s been replaced a couple times too, but that’s always the first thing to go. ”

“Maybe Gigi thinks Rudolf is her mate,” Kayla suggested.

“Never thought of it like that. Oh, wait,” I said as she was about to give Gigi her toy. “You’ve got to make her work for it.”

“What?”

“She can do tricks and then she can play with Rudolf,” I said, taking the toy back.

“I was just about to say I thought you were such a good dog dad, but now I think you might be a big meanie.”

“Those are fighting words,” I teased. But honestly, I was relieved that she was willing to play with Gigi. It would’ve been awkward as fuck if Kayla didn’t like my dog.

Gigi took a seat in front of me, her gaze glued to Rudolf. I motioned for Kayla to come over.

“You can ask for her paw,” I said, and waited for Kayla to initiate. Gigi was all too happy to oblige. “You can get her to sit pretty.” I raised my hand, and Gigi went up on her hind legs. “Good girl. Now…bang!”

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.