Page 19 of Mated to the Mountain Bear (Bear Protector #1)

“I can see that.” Ben’s voice is rough. Different. Huskier. His eyes drop to where I’m clutching the towel against my chest, with water still dripping from my hair and onto my shoulders. His jaw works as he takes a long look.

I tell myself it’s a rush of adrenaline that I feel, nothing more. We’re just too close in the small bathroom. It’s fear, not desire.

“Ben?” My voice is barely a whisper.

His gaze falls to my lips, and I hold my breath, waiting to see if he’ll do it. If he’s feeling this heat between us the same way I am, or if it’s all in my head.

But instead of crushing his lips to mine, Ben releases my arm abruptly and steps back until he’s plastered against the door frame. He can’t get far away fast enough. His hand goes to his thick, dark hair, raking through it roughly.

“Get dressed,” he barks out. “Then you can meet Jerry properly.”

Then he’s gone, pulling the door shut with more force than necessary. The walls shake slightly from the impact as he stomps down the corridor.

I stand here, soaking wet, and my heart still racing, but for entirely different reasons now. My skin tingles where he touched me. I can still feel the warmth of his hands through the towel, and of his eyes, where they trailed over me.

Jerry briefly reappears back at the window, panting happily, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His tail creates a steady thumping rhythm against the cabin wall. Only when he hears a sharp whistle from the front of the house does he disappear, sprinting around to his master.

I dry off quickly, listening closely to every sound, my senses still stuck in fright or flight mode.

The front door opens, and there’s rapid tapping of nails on wood as Jerry makes himself at home. Ben’s footsteps pace across the living room, back and forth, accompanied by that low growling noise he makes, and some choice words for Jerry, who barks back when he calls him a bad dog.

With shaking hands, I pull on the clothes he left for me. Another soft flannel, this one, red and black plaid, and more giant sweatpants that I have to roll at the waist. Everything smells like him, and I can’t resist bringing the material to my nose and breathing it in to calm my nerves.

Stepping into the hall, I hear Ben’s deep voice, softer than I’ve heard it before.

“What the hell were you thinking?” A pause, then a whine from Jerry. “No, that’s not an excuse.”

Jerry barks once, defensive.

“I don’t care. She’s...” Ben’s voice drops lower, rougher. “She’s been through enough without you scaring her half to death.”

More whining from Jerry and the sound of nails clicking on wood as he paces.

“Boundaries, Jerry. She needs to feel safe. Protected. Not have some idiot scaring her half to death...” He cuts himself off with a growl. “Don’t do it again.”

Jerry makes a huffing sound, clearly unimpressed with the lecture.

Ben groans. “Don’t give me that look. She’s a guest. When she’s gone, you can stare in all the windows you want.”

The mention of my leaving, like he’s looking forward to it, makes my stomach drop.

I pause in my slow approach. Of course, he’ll be happy to have his home back to himself. He’s been more than generous with his time and space considering he didn’t want me here in the first place. It’s me that’s forgotten that I’m a disruption to his peaceful life.

He said himself he’s practically a recluse.

Ben mutters again, and I hear the couch creak, like he’s sat down. Jerry whines, sympathetic this time.

“No, it’s not your fault. It’s mine.” Another growl, frustrated. “But you can make it up to her by keeping watch. It’s about time you earned your keep, anyway.”

I smile. Jerry’s gotten more words from Ben in five minutes than I have since I set foot on his land.

When I finally emerge, Ben is standing by the kitchen window, resting back against the counter, watching Jerry sniff around the couch where I was sitting earlier. Ben doesn’t turn fully when I enter, but I see his head tilt slightly, acknowledging my presence.

“I’m sorry I screamed,” I start, padding closer. “I hope I didn’t freak you out.”

Jerry sits back on his haunches and watches me closely, head tilted to the side, as he studies me. When he dips his head to smell my feet, Ben’s eyes track the movement, narrowing when he sees the healing scratches that still mark them.

“Don’t say sorry.” Ben knuckles are white where he’s gripping the counter’s edge. “Natural reaction.”

He’s trying to sound relaxed, but I can tell he’s anything but.

“Still.” I move to stand beside him, close enough to see his profile and the tight set of his jaw. “That was very… dramatic.”

First, I’m complaining about the lack of hot water, and then, I’m screaming the house down. Not to mention, stealing his bed, food, and clothes. Talk about being a pain in the backside.

“I think you’re nervous.” He faces me now, and the intensity in his dark eyes makes my breath catch. “And you have every right to be. But nothing’s going to hurt you here.”

The way he says it, low and fierce, like a promise, untangles the knot in my chest. His hand moves from the counter, about to reach for me, before he changes his mind and lets it drop.

Our gazes lock, and I can’t look away.

Then Jerry barks, sharp and demanding, breaking the moment. Ben’s lips twitch in what might almost be a smile.

“Come here,” Ben says, already moving toward the pale grey husky and extending a hand, which Jerry affectionately nuzzles.

I follow, pausing in front of both of them. “Is he friendly? Can I pet him?”

Ben turns back to me, and his expression softens. “I don’t think you have a choice, he’s going to be stuck to your side.”

I lean forward and extend my hand, palm up.

Jerry bounds over, all fluffy fur and enthusiasm. Up close, he’s beautiful. And huge. He spins and presses his side against me, hitting my thighs, and nearly knocking me over with his greeting.

Ben’s hand shoots out, steadying me with a palm against my lower back. “Easy,” he commands, and Jerry reluctantly eases back but continues his tail wagging, tongue lolling happily.

“Hi there.” I laugh, bending to scratch behind his ears.

Jerry leans into my touch, nearly knocking me over again with his enthusiasm.

“Sorry I screamed at you.”

Jerry seems to have forgiven me instantly. He plonks his ass down right on my feet and parks himself there, head tilted back in expectation of more head scratches, which I’m happy to oblige.

“Does he visit often?” I ask, looking up at Ben from my stooped position.

“Most days. But then he’ll go walkabout for a week.” Ben’s standing close, hands in his pockets now as he shrugs, watching with an unreadable expression as I pet Jerry.

I study the massive husky’s grey and white markings, and those icy blue eyes. He really is a handsome boy.

“Ben and Jerry?” I can’t help but smirk. “Really?”

Something flashes across Ben’s face. Embarrassment?

“He looks like a Jerry,” he mutters defensively, but I catch the affection in his gruff tone.

I don’t question how a hundred-pound husky looks like a Jerry. Instead, I nod, like that makes perfect sense and doesn’t hint that under that grumpy exterior, Ben may, in fact, have a sense of humour.

Deep down. Deep, deep , down.

“He likes following me to the lake while I fish. Conveniently, he appears when I’m grilling because he knows I’m good for scraps. Hell, he probably smelled our breakfast and came running.”

I rub Jerry and smile. I can understand the appeal of following Ben around all day.

“I should...” Ben clears his throat, taking a step back. “I’ll be outside. Are you good here?”

Taking a deep breath, I push away the anxiety I feel at the idea of Ben leaving me. I’m being ridiculous. I survived without him before, and he’s not going far.

“Yeah.” I stand, brushing dog hair off my trousers. “Jerry and I need to get to know each other properly.”

“I won’t be long.” I’m not sure whether he’s reassuring Jerry or me until he adds, “You watch out for her, bud,” pointing a finger at his excitable Husky, who whacks his tail hard off the floor in response.

Filled with a warm fuzzy feeling, I move to the porch as Ben slams the door on another outbuilding. I look out at the sun, groaning at the embarrassing awkwardness between Ben and me.

I’ve sucked his thumb. Stroked his biceps. And he’s practically seen me naked. Maybe now, we’re even.

It certainly can’t get any worse.

“You really frightened me,” I tell the dog, sinking down to sit on the top step.

Jerry immediately flops on my feet, heavy and warm, and apparently, deciding I make a great seat. He rearranges himself to put his head in my lap, his blue eyes gazing up at me innocently.

He doesn’t look remotely sorry, but I can’t be mad at him, so instead, he gets more head scratches and adoration.

Jerry sighs contentedly, drooling a little on my borrowed sweatpants, but I don’t mind. I’m much more concerned about the highly inappropriate crush, borderline obsession, I’ve developed on my reluctant hero while dreading the idea of going home to my empty apartment and nonexistent life.

And what I’m going to do if Beau can’t find the man who’s hunting me.