Page 8

Chapter Eight

A Soap Opera Damsel

Clover

Sweet moon, did Bellamy ever know how to kiss.

I’ll forever claim I let him take me by surprise because I was under the influence of unexplained supernatural forces, but the moment he grasped my shoulders and his lips met mine, pure lava rocketed through my veins. I could blame it on the delicious heat rolling off his glorious naked body, but as he ran his tongue along the seam of his lips, imploring me to let him inside, I forgot all the reasons I shouldn’t be kissing him.

I let myself get lost in him, grasping his strong arms and going along for the ride wherever he took me. Maybe it would be nice to have a protective bear, even if he was a little grumpy and bossy, take care of me for a little while.

He drew away from me, blinking like he just woke up from a dream.

“So I guess you changed your mind about helping me.” I grinned, hating how much I was already craving the next kiss. And the one after that. What? The idea of commitment usually gave me hives.

“Your nana paid me a visit at the Stepchild, thinking she’d find you there. I had to pull these guys out of Red Heaven to come to your rescue.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at his two very human and very naked associates. I seemed to have a knack for attracting naked bear shifters lately.

There was a fuzzy memory of others….

“Sorry. I owe you big time.” Wait. For what? I looked around, realizing I had no idea where we were or how we got here. We were on the side of the road, my car looked like I’d driven it off the road, and from the misty light, I was pretty sure it was early morning.

Bellamy tipped his head. Damn this maddening bear for being able to read my mind, but he’d kissed me stupid.

I smiled sweetly at him. No use in hiding it. “I’m having a little trouble remembering what happened.”

“You remember the kiss, right?” His voice was husky, and he was still so naked. No wonder I was distracted.

“Everything that happened before that was a blur.” I looked around, trying to figure out how I got here and why I ditched my car. And those naked men…I rubbed my temples, hoping it would bring the memory into focus. Nope, nothing.

Bellamy cocked a brow. “Maybe I should kiss you again and see if you remember anything else.”

“Don’t think it works that way.” But my bear was begging me to find out. “Good try though. Guess I’ll head home and sleep it off. Thanks for…the kiss, I guess. And whatever else led up to it.”

He stepped in front of me. “Like hell I’m letting you drive in this condition. You’re coming back to my cabin.”

“I didn’t forget the part where I asked you for help and you sent me packing. Now you think you can tell me what to do?” The kiss wasn’t that good.

Are you sure about that?

“Ah, so you do remember something.” He crossed his arms over his muscular, hairy chest and grinned. “Clan land is three hours from here. Maybe two, since I’m sure you still drive like you’re trying to qualify for a race. You have no recollection of where you spent the last two days. I’m not so much as letting you operate a coffee maker until you get some sleep and can tell me what the hell happened to you.”

“Ugh. Fine. I feel like some soap opera damsel with amnesia.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “What about my car?”

The younger of the two guys behind Bellamy raised his hand. “I’ll drive it.”

“Beau has a serious man crush on your car. I’m sure he’ll take the utmost care bringing it back to my place.” Bellamy turned and gave him a playful glare. It was brotherly, almost fatherly, and I would not spend a moment thinking about what a good dad he could’ve been. “Brad will go with him. You’ll be riding shotgun with me.”

Hell, I hadn’t laid eyes on this bear in over a decade. He could have a wife and a whole bunch of cubs…

That kiss said otherwise , my bear reminded me.

“Be careful. And maybe put some pants on before you get in? The seats are leather.”

Bellamy’s eyes widened, like he just realized he was still naked.

“We’ve got sweats in the back of my truck. Let’s get dressed and head out. Maybe we can grab some breakfast first. I’m always starving after a shift, and it might have been a while since you ate.”

A memory flashed in my mind of a plate of food in my hands. It being plentiful and abundant all around me. Kids laughing. But I couldn’t place it, and it didn’t make sense. “Yeah, pancakes would be great.”

I climbed into the passenger seat of Bellamy’s truck while the guys got dressed. His scent was so strong in here, and I couldn’t stop myself from deeply inhaling it.

His cabin would be a thousand times stronger. I couldn’t decide if that was a bad thing or not.

What had happened to me? This wouldn’t be the first time I second guessed my decision to reject Bellamy’s claim, but the longing, the attraction—oh hell, who was I kidding—the desire to let the bear claim me had never been so strong before.

No, this was ridiculous. I forced myself to look away from his perfect, bare ass as he stepped into those gray sweatpants. This bear still hated my guts. The kiss was nothing but a desperate measure. I needed to snap out of whatever spell he cast over me.

A spell…

The driver’s side door opened before I could fully form the thought, and Bellamy climbed in. He pulled his sunglasses out of a protective case, because he always took meticulous care of his belongings.

That could’ve been you …my bear reminded me like she hadn’t been a driving force behind the rejection.

He started the truck and turned to me. “Never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“I’m still the same Clover,” I insisted as he pulled the truck onto the road and headed back toward Granger Falls. “Just a little forgetful at the moment.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.” He chuckled. “I told myself I wasn’t gonna get mixed up in whatever trouble you’re in.”

“You almost pulled it off.” I grinned. “But at least now you’re taking this seriously.”

He gave me some wicked side-eye. Bellamy took everything seriously. Too seriously.

“I have more questions than answers,” he said. “And I think we owe it to everyone in the clan to find out the truth.”