Page 4 of Caught Bear Handed (Sawtooth Security #3)

Chapter Three

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 of The 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.”

“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 of The 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.

“I’m not used to seeing you without your red lipstick,” he said.

I touched my fingers to my mouth, acutely aware that his gaze followed the movement. “I feel a little naked without it.”

Which made me think of him dripping wet in nothing but that towel all over again.

“You look great either way.” He gave me a smoldering look.

The aroma of cooking meat hit my nostrils, and my empty tummy rumbled in appreciation. “What are you making?”

He put down the knife. “When Barrett told me about this assignment, I was on duty with the Granger Falls volunteer fire department. We’d started a pickup basketball game, with the stipulation that the loser was responsible for doing all the department’s cooking at the Fourth of July cookout.

Since I technically had to forfeit, I got a text tonight that I needed to bring chili.

It’s a big deal, so I want to make sure it’s perfect.

Hope you’re in the mood to do some taste testing. ”

“So ready.” I settled onto one of the high chairs on the other side of the island. “I have so many questions.”

“Ask away.” He picked up the knife again and continued chopping bell peppers.

“You’re a firefighter?”

“Volunteer,” he clarified. “My main job is Sawtooth Security. But I’m not the type of guy to sit at a desk and push paperwork.

Between cases, I’m pretty much climbing the walls.

I worked out a deal with Barrett, so I can cut back my hours when things are slow and work with the fire department.

They’re flexible, because it’s a volunteer gig. So far, it works.”

“That’s cool that he’s willing to be so accommodating.” I barely knew these bears, but they seemed like decent guys. A family, like I’d found with The Wolf’s Moon . “Do you cook a lot or are you only doing this to settle your bet?”

His lips parted, and his eyes sparkled. “I like to cook, but I usually stick to stuff like steaks and burgers. I make a mean chicken wing. I know you’re new around here, but the Fourth of July cookout is a big deal. Everyone in town will be there.”

I nodded. “Do you think we’ll be able to go to this cookout? We’re under house arrest.”

“Hope so,” he said after a moment. “And I hope you’ll stick around for it, if your filming schedule allows. But on that subject, I have a question for you.”

I swallowed hard. Beau had been completely candid with me, and he deserved the same. I had no idea what he was about to ask. There was no reason for my heartbeat to speed up. “Of course.”

He put the knife down again and leaned against the counter. “So, let’s be real here. This case is way more than an obsessed ex-boyfriend. What do you know about these guys, and why do they want you?”