Beary Guarded (Polar Bliss Book 2) (3 page)

He followed her about halfway down the path, and then she stopped and turned to face him. He didn’t miss the subtle way she positioned herself so they could both be seen from the street, or the way she glanced at the gun on his right side, and then to the street behind him.

Did she fear him? Is that why she’d run?

He honestly hadn’t understood her reaction on Saturday, but fear of him had never crossed his mind. He frowned, but tried not to take her actions personally. She’d been hurt before, something he planned on getting to the bottom of soon, and maybe she’d never fully recovered. 

She locked her dark brown eyes with his, and his heart ached for the sadness he saw in their depths. He knew she wanted to look away, and his wolf howled beneath the surface when she didn’t. Despite her fear, she was strong, courageous, and the perfect mate for him.

He opened his mouth to tell her so, but she spoke first.

“Okay,” she said, quietly. “Go ahead and get it over with.”

“Have dinner with me tonight,” he said.

“Dinner?” she sighed. “No, I don’t want to do this over dinner. Let’s finish it now.”

Finish it? They hadn’t even started.

He had no idea what she was talking about.

“I…what?”

“Look, I know you’re angry about getting stuck with me as a mate, but you don’t have to worry. We can easily stay out of each other’s way, and you can undoubtedly find someone else.”

“That’s not happening,” he growled, softly. “You’re mine, and I don’t want anyone else.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I don’t belong to anyone.”

For the second time in two days, she turned and ran away from him.

Chapter Four

“Your boyfriend is here again,” Ridge teased in low, sing-song whisper.

“I know,” Riley said through gritted teeth.

She was working the expresso machine, and concentrating on filling orders, but she didn’t have to look up to know Nate had walked into the shop. His wolf called to her bear on a primal level, and god…he smelled so freaking good. She wanted to lick every inch of his hard, perfect tanned skin.

Her pussy tingled, and she pressed her thighs together to stop the ache building between her legs. She hadn’t wanted a man in over three years, and had only been with one before that, and now every time she saw Nate, she ached for something she didn’t understand.

She’d heard sex could be fun and enjoyable, but the one time with her ex had been forced and painful. The experience wasn’t something she wished to repeat, and though she’d tried to touch herself—to break down her barriers and destroy her demons—she’d never been able to find anything close to an orgasm.

Eventually, she’d just given up.

Now, she didn’t know what the hell was going on. Her bear nudged her in Nate’s direction, but her human half stayed rooted to the spot behind the counter.

It had been a week and a half since she’d run from him—for the second time—and though she hated to admit it, he was growing on her. He’d come into
Polar Bliss
at least once a day, and sometimes he visited twice.

The day after her second run, he’d ordered a
Polar Bare
, and formally introduced himself to her and her brothers. The four of them had chatted lightly about Longmeadow, his job as sheriff, and where he’d come from, and then he’d asked her out to dinner again.

And she’d declined again.

That had been nine days ago, and she’d turned him down nine times.

Surprisingly, both Ryker and Ridge thought she was crazy.

Her brothers liked Nate a lot, and they both thought she should give him a chance. She respected their opinions, always had, but more so about her mate because they both knew, firsthand, exactly what she’d been through with her ex. They’d rescued her from the monster, and made sure he could never hurt her again.

She wanted to take their advice, but fear disabled her.

On his daily visits, sometimes Nate sat at the counter and didn’t leave until he’d sipped his entire coffee, and sometimes he ordered, exchanged a few pleasantries and left. On the days when he sat at the counter, he made small talk and tried to get to know her, and each time he left, she felt another piece of the giant wall around her heart slowly crumble away.

Today, he held a small wrapped box, and she immediately recognized the paper from the candy shop. He’d successfully pried the name of her favorite confection out of her, and she knew the box held twelve pieces of chocolate covered maple crème candies.

The gesture warmed her heart, and she didn’t try to hide her smile. She looked up, determined to agree when he asked her out the next time, and frowned. A slim woman with short brown hair had blocked his path to the counter, and dared to touch him. A low growl threatened to escape, but she stifled the sound, and got back to work. Nate could talk to, or flirt with, whomever he wanted, and she couldn’t do anything about it, but she couldn’t look away either.

“Hiya, sheriff,” the woman said, placing one hand on his forearm, and the other on his chest. “Are those for me?”

Nate grabbed the wrist of the hand on his chest, pulled it off him, and dropped it like a piece of garbage.

“Considering I don’t know you,” he said, firmly, “I’m going with
no
.”

“How about we get to know each other over dinner?” she said.

He grabbed her other wrist, and pulled it away with the same amount of irritation.

“Sorry, but I have plans,” Nate said, stepping around the woman.

“Well, maybe some other time,” she called after him.

He turned back toward the woman and sighed.

“No,” he said, simply. “I’m taken.”

Riley felt her cheeks redden, and looked down as excitement raced through her. Nate couldn’t know yet, but the woman was a notorious gossip. News about their budding relationship would spread like wildfire and he’d be labeled as a lover of scarred, fat girls forever.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said.

She resisted the urge to cringe, and looked up into his deep blue eyes.

“Good morning,” she said, glancing at the woman slipping out the door. “You shouldn’t have said that. She’s a big-time gossip.”

“Good,” he said. “I want everyone to know you’re my girl.”

“Nate…” she whispered, glancing around the tiny shop.

Luckily, they’d reached a lull, and the place was mostly empty. Ridge brushed past them and started restocking the coffee prep bar, and she appreciated the few moments of privacy the gesture allowed them.

“Look, beautiful,” Nate said. “You may not be ready to admit it yet, but you
are
my girl. It doesn’t matter how long you resist, or how long it takes for you to trust me; nothing is going to change the fact that we’re meant to be together. You’re mine, but the good news is, I’m yours, too, and I want everyone to know it.”

She wanted to believe him, but her ex was nice at first, too. He’d said and done all the right things until he was tired of playing his game, and then he’d nearly destroyed her.

Your ex was evil…and he wasn’t your mate.

No, he wasn’t, and yet she’d still allowed him to take so much. How could she be sure the same wouldn’t happen with Nate?

Nate is not your ex…nor is he anything like him.

In the face of the truth, she was still nervous, but she was also tired of being afraid.

“Okay,” she whispered.

“Okay?” he questioned. “Does that mean you’ll have dinner with me tonight?”

“Yes, I’ll have dinner with you.”

Behind Nate, Ridge pumped the air, and she giggled at his silent support.

“Ridge is happy,” she said.

“Damn right,” Ridge called over his shoulder.

“Not as happy as I am,” Nate said. “I want to cook for you, but I still don’t have any furniture, so how about
The Bear’s Den
? Do you like that place?”

“Does she?” Ridge laughed.

“Ridge!” she squealed.

“I’m shutting up,” he said, pushing half-way through the employee’s door. “Right after I call Ryker.”

Her brother disappeared into the back, and shook her head.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “
The Bear’s Den
is one of my favorite places.”

“Great,” he said. “What time should I pick you up?”

They decided on a time, and then Nate gave her the box of chocolates and went back to his office. She’d ended up sharing the treat with her brothers and Jane in order to quell their ooey-gooey teasing, but she didn’t care.

She had a date with a wolf—her mate—and she was looking forward to it. 

***

“No red meat?” Nate asked. “Ever?”

The information boggled his mind, and yet, in his eyes, it only made Riley more special.

“Well, not ever,” she laughed, “but most of the time. I’ll eat it if I don’t have a choice, but I’ve always preferred chicken. It drives my brothers crazy, especially on nights when it’s my turn to cook. They have to put up with my horrible cooking, and my chicken.”

“It’s a good thing I know how to cook a bird,” he laughed. 

“Please don’t go out of your way for me,” she said, all humor gone. “I can eat anything.”

She didn’t understand that from now on, everything he did was for her, but hopefully, one day she would.

“I’m not going out of my way,” he said.

“Yes, you are,” she sighed. “I’m sure you would rather have steak or burgers, and so would your friends. Please don’t worry about me.”

He’d convinced her to come the office barbecue he was throwing a week from Saturday—he’d postponed planning for a couple weeks while trying to win her over—and now they were discussing the menu. He couldn’t wait to try the peach-apple cobbler she planned to bring for dessert. 

“It’s too late for that, beautiful,” he laughed.

She frowned, took a sip of her soda, and then set the drink back on the table to the left of the original condensation ring. With her finger, she traced the ring, and then pulled several drops out to create something resembling a funky, abstract sun. The distance between them seemed to grow by the second, and as much as he wanted to see her happy, he wouldn’t let her hide. 

“What happened?” he asked. “Did I say something wrong?”

Once again, she met his stare with one of her own.

“I know we’re mates, but you don’t have to call me beautiful,” she said, almost inaudibly. “I know I’m not, and so does everyone else.”

“I don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks,” he growled, “and neither should you. I think you’re beautiful, and I plan on letting you know everyday for the rest of our lives.”

A small smile lifted one side of her face, but when the woman from the coffee shop approached their table, it fell again. God, he hated badge bunnies that couldn’t get a clue.

“Hiya sheriff,” she said, placing her knee on the edge of his side of the booth cushion. Even though the temperature outside was below forty degrees, she wore a pair of skin-tight denim shorts, and a tight, red silk blouse that was unbuttoned half way, revealing her black lace bra. She reached into her bra, pulled out a business card, and slid it across the table.

“If you get tired of doing charity work, then give me a call,” she said, turning to leave.

No way in hell!

Riley watched the woman, but never said a word. Not that Nate expected her to. She still didn’t believe he was only interested in her. When the woman walked away, Riley averted her eyes, and he knew the reason why.

She expected him to keep the invitation.

Fuck that!

This ends now!

He grabbed the card, read the woman’s name, and got out of the booth. He’d been civil the first time, but now that she’d insulted Riley, all bets were off.

“Lorena,” he barked, his voice booming across the crowded restaurant. All chatter and movement stopped, and the only audible noise came from the multiple televisions tuned into a popular digital sports channel. He raised his hand to reveal the card stashed between his first two fingers. “You forgot something.”

“No, I didn’t,” she called back, confidently.

“Yeah, you did,” he said, walking toward her. “Would you like me to read it out loud?”

She looked around the room and suddenly understood his intention. Only her name and number were printed on the card, but he could invent anything, and when their two reputations were placed side-by-side, most people would believe the new sheriff over a vindictive gossip with a bad reputation for cheating on her husband.

“No, that won’t be necessary,” she retorted, snatching the card back.

“Good,” Nate said, turning away from her and facing the crowd. “Now that I have your attention, for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Nate McCallister, the new sheriff here in Longmeadow. I moved here two weeks ago, and I did arrive single, but that quickly changed when I walked into
Polar Bliss
and met my beautiful date, Riley Holland. Riley and I are dating exclusively now, and I have no interest in spending time with anyone else, so please don’t ask. I am your sheriff, but I am also a man, and I won’t tolerate rude or insulting behavior toward my woman. Please think before interrupting my personal life. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Lorena stormed out into the cold, and most of the patrons applauded or hollered out their approval, and by the time he made it back to their table, everyone had casually returned to their meals.

Now he had to face Riley.

He knew she’d be embarrassed, and possibly angry for so many things—defending her, making a scene, declaring his intentions to a room full of strangers—but he stood by his actions. Lorena and the rest of the badge bunnies needed to know he was off the market for good.

He slid back into the seat across from her, and prepared himself for the worst.

Before she could say anything, the waiter returned with their food.

“Can I get you guys anything else?”

Riley smiled at the younger, redheaded male bear and Nate barely stifled the warning growl that threatened to escape. The bear was friendly, but he wasn’t doing anything wrong, and Riley seemed to like him.

As soon as they’d walked into
The Bear’s Den
, Nate had realized he’d found the other shifter family living in Longmeadow. The hostess, the bartender and two of the waiters, were all redheaded polar bear shifters.

“No, everything looks great,” Riley said. “Thank you, Holt.”

“You’re welcome,” the waiter said. “Flag down myself or Holden if you need anything.”