Bewitching The Bear Read online

  She and Aunt Louise carried the sign to the front window and secured it across the top of the window.

  For some reason, Gillian glanced over at the parking lot. Good, no sign of Cade Mallory.

  “Checking if he’s still around?”

  “What, no. I was just checking out the lighting in the parking lot. Okay, I was seeing if he was still around.”

  Her aunt had that don’t try and fool me look.

  “How about I make us a pot of my special blend herbal tea?”

  That sounded like the perfect thing right now. She needed as much sleep as she could get in order to find the energy for all the last-minute preparations for the weekend launch.

  “Sounds ideal.”

  “Okay, then I’ll head up to your apartment and get that brewing and I think you’ve done enough for the day so I want to see you upstairs in less than ten minutes.”

  Aunt Louise headed to the back of the store and Gillian took a long look around. It was starting to look like an actual shop. Just a few more boxes of teas and tinctures to open. Pictures to hang, lights to install, and it would be ready. Gillian shut off the main lights and walked toward the store room, passing the antique Mirror once more. She knew she shouldn’t have done it, but she glanced at it.

  She drew in her breath when she saw yet another image of her and Cade. This time they were locked in what looked like a very passionate kiss. While it wasn’t a 100 percent accurate predictor, it was right 99 percent of the time. She’d just have to put that one percent inaccuracy in her favor.

  She hit the off buttons on the rest of the lights and headed up the stairs where the sound of her aunt’s singing, and the smell of herbs, met her senses.

  “Ah just in time, the brew is ready.”

  Gillian sat down and held out the mug while Louise filled it to the brim. She too sat and cradled the mug of tea between her hands. Gillian took a sip and thought about the image she’d just seen. The tea, as usual, was delicious with its blend of chamomile, lavender buds, and secret ingredients only her aunt knew about.

  She should have begun to relax but instead her shoulders and neck felt twisted and tight. In fact, if she didn’t know better, she’d say she was turning into concrete.

  “Something you want to talk about?” asked her aunt.

  “The Mirror, has yours ever lied to you?”

  “Um, let me think. Oh yes, this one time I was on a diet and it showed me fitting into the black dress I’d purchased for the Regional Conference but when it came time to zip it up, no way, Jose.”

  “So, it can be way off?”

  “Well, the zipper wasn’t that far off coming together.” She sat down the mug and smiled. “Seen images of you and Cade Mallory?”

  Gillian had to confide in someone at this point. She nodded.

  “Good, bad, neutral.”

  “We were kissing.”

  “Ah, so good, but also bad.” She reached across and grabbed Gillian’s hand. “You know you could have set the challenge lower. Picked a man with warts and bad breath.”

  “Then it would hardly be a fitting first leg for my Quest.”

  “But Gillian, why a man that’s so gorgeous? A bear shifter who once he picks up on the scent of your desire is going to become a pest until he gets between your legs.”

  “They don’t like humans. Well, a few do. However, while I was doing my research, I discovered that humans aren’t his type.”

  She’d done her research before his brother Ian had fallen for the vet named Eve who he was about to marry. Gillian hoped the trend wasn’t catching within the Mallory family.

  Aunt Louise squeezed her hand again.

  “I must say I wouldn’t be able to resist him,” she said.

  “Why didn’t you ever marry?”

  “It was never in my destiny.”

  “It’s never too late. Perhaps Mr. Right is lurking in Kalispell.”

  Aunt Louise laughed so hard, she spilled some of her tea onto her sweater.

  “Heard of any rich old men that might find me attractive?”

  It was Gillian’s turn to laugh. “If any wander into the store, I’ll be sure to give them your number.”

  They both burst out laughing. This was good, drinking tea with her aunt, them joking, and for a few seconds, she forgot about the task ahead.

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  Chapter 4

  “Human?” asked Dane, before grabbing a slice of the pizza.

  “Smelled like it,” Cade responded. For such short notice, a huge gathering of shifters had turned out for their emergency meeting. Of course, this wasn’t just a case of planning something like the annual Halloween children’s party, this was something far more serious. It could even be a threat to their safety and survival. If she knew about them, how many other people did too? Also, was she going to reveal their secret to the authorities?

  Cade tried to recall her exact odor, although he didn’t have to try that hard. It was human, a little something else, he couldn’t describe, and then a high note of something floral, and what he could only say was alluring to his bear senses, thrown in there too.

  “Did she say where she was from?” asked Luke.

  “Did it sound like she was some sort of official?” asked Aiden.

  The questions were coming fast and hard, almost making Cade’s head spin. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything about her. Maybe he should have kept it to himself and tried to figure out who she was and how she knew about them. If he suspected danger, then and only then, would have revealed what he knew about her.

  He downed another beer, trying to block out the questions and the constant chatter in his store. Trey had picked the store as their gathering space tonight. Some shifters sat on motorbikes, some sat on the floor, while others perched on what would soon be his service counter. All of them seemed to be talking at the same time. He wanted to cover his ears but then said, “She wasn’t wearing a bra.”

  Silence fell and everyone looked at him. He hadn’t said it to shut them up. In fact, he wasn’t aware it had left his lips until they all stood looking his way. The image of her standing in front of him with the light blue t-shirt pulling across her chest, her nipples tight and pushing through the flimsy material, had jumped into his mind as he recalled their meeting.

  “Let’s get this straight, the only thing you know is she wasn’t wearing a bra?” asked Nick.

  Cade was suddenly tongue tied. What could he say, how could he justify how ridiculous and somewhat sexiest that had sounded? However, he was after all, a nipples sort of bear. Some liked legs, some liked long hair, his passion was nipples and breasts. By what he’d been able to see through the t-shirt, she had a pair that would give any bear wet dreams

  “That’s all you bears think about, sex,” said Max

  “Oh, and you cougars don’t, is that what you’re saying?” asked Christopher.

  “Look who’s doing the accusing, a mate stealer,” said his brother Ian.

  He guessed this wasn’t only about defending his younger brother’s lustful nature, but the rift between Ian and Max had yet to fully heal even though they’d called a truce months ago when Ian had fallen in love with human, Eve.

  “You want me to kick your bear ass again, Mallory,” shouted Max.

  A loud, almost ear-piercing whistle sounded through the store. Liam now stood on the top of the counter with his thumb and middle finger in his mouth. He removed it and said, “Guys, guys, let’s not fight among ourselves. We have a more pressing issue to deal with here.”

  “I agree,” said Dane, sneaking another slice of pizza from the selection of food each shifter had brought along as treats.

  “I think the solution is for us to get to know her better. When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw the sign on her store that says she’s having a grand opening on Saturday. Free drinks and food, prize giveaways and samples. Let’s have as many of us attend as we can. I know all the ladies will love it. And Cade, you’ll be given the task of gett
ing to know her on a very personal level. Wine and dine her and then get into her bed. Nothing a woman won’t reveal after a night of great sex,” continued Liam.

  Cade spat out the beer he’d been half swallowing. He had been through a dry spell when it came to women. In fact, he hadn’t fucked anyone for almost a year. He hadn’t even been looking for someone to date. And a human? They were asking a lot of him. But holy fuck, if he was going to get into the panties of a human, his next-door neighbor would be his first choice. However, he wasn’t going to let the others know they’d handed him a dream assignment. He’d make sure they’d always know that if he pulled this off, they’d owe him forever.

  “You mean you want me to sacrifice myself for the group?” he asked while trying his best to keep a straight face. He hung his head down as if he was the victim rather than the soon to be victor in their scheme.

  “That’s exactly what we’re asking you to do,” said his brother, Ian, slapping him on the back. “Do you think you’re up to the task?”

  Cade knew something that was up right now and that was his cock. Just thinking about fucking her had send his hormones into a frenzy. He crossed one leg in front of the other so no one else saw his obvious excitement.

  “I guess I have no alternative then. I suppose you want me to start as soon as I can.” Hot damn, how could he even keep a straight face.

  “We’ll meet again on Sunday after the store opening, and hopefully after Cade’s had a chance to at least woo her a little, and then let’s compare notes,” said Liam.

  Sunday, it was already Thursday. Cade guessed he’d have to get to work on wooing her early the next morning.

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  Chapter 5

  “Anything you need help with?”

  Gillian froze on the step ladder. Something that she could only describe as a tingle like a very mild electric shock, traveled through every inch of her body.

  It was him.

  She’d immediately recognized the voice. Its deep timbre and the way he phrased a question. Last night she’d seen a huge gathering of guys at this store. She’d guessed he was throwing some type of party. At least there hadn’t been any loud music or guys shouting in the parking lot until the early hours of the morning.

  She turned around to see him standing by the door. Why did she continue to forget to push the latch across to the locked position? Maybe it was subconscious and she was hoping he’d keep stopping by. Today, he wore a black leather jacket with a bear emblem on the collar, white t-shirt, and tight blue jeans. He sunk his hands into his pockets and looked up at her. She remained frozen on the ladder.

  Her rudeness upon their first meeting had obviously not deterred him. It hadn’t worked but if it had then what sort of a test would it be for her?

  Just accept it’s going to be a tough Quest.

  She stepped down and took three steps toward him. He got more handsome the closer she got. She’d really set herself up for a task that was going to be impossible to achieve. However, if she did then they’d know how strong she was. Definitely someone you’d want as your leader.

  Okay, let’s play this another way, be civil, but just keep him at arm’s length.

  “Would you like to dust off some platters and dishes? I’m using them to serve the food at the grand opening tomorrow.”

  “I can definitely do that,” he said.

  “Great, they’re this way.”

  She led him back to the kitchen out back. She stopped and turned. She could feel the heat of his body, the smell of his aftershave, and knew he was close behind her. She turned. She’d been right. Cade stood less then a couple of feet from her. He looked straight at her. He had the prettiest blue eyes she’d ever seen. She had a weakness for guys with blue eyes, and combine that with him being over six feet and possessing broad shoulders, well, that was asking for trouble. Throw in a slight wave in his hair, which Cade also had, and her ideal man stood in front of her.

  Oh yeah, she’d set herself up for failure.

  “My name’s Gillian, Gillian Finnagan. I’m sorry I was rude to you the other day. Opening this place has made me tired and somewhat cranky.”

  Liar, liar, your nose will catch on fire.

  She offered him her hand. He took it, shook it with a firm grip while all the time not taking his eyes off her.

  “No apology needed. I know how stressful it is with getting my motorbike store all set up.”

  “How are things going with that?”

  “I have all the bikes moved in and I’ll be having my grand opening next week. You’re invited by the way.”

  She’d have to make a polite excuse to avoid that at all costs.

  “The platters are here and I have some cloths in this box.”

  Gillian sorted through them and handed one to him.

  “Can we look forward to some tasty snacks tomorrow?” Cade asked.

  “Are you really coming to the opening?”

  She hoped that hadn’t sounded like it had. The last person she needed when she had to concentrate on customers and sales, was Cade.

  “I wouldn’t miss supporting my neighbor. Lots of my buddies are going to stop by too.”

  “That’s great to hear. And yes, we have cupcakes, dips, chips, and also lavender lemonade.”

  She almost laughed when he pulled a face at her choice for beverages.

  “You ever tried lavender lemonade?” she asked.

  “Can’t say that I have.”

  “You’re going to love it.”

  “How do you know I’m going to even try it.” He raised one eyebrow. She loved the way he did it. Gave him almost a I’m a naughty boy, sort of look.

  “Because I’m going to make you,” she said, realizing that had slipped off her tongue before she’d had chance to hold it back.

  “Really.” He stopped wiping the platter and looked at her. “You like being in control?” he asked.

  “Who doesn’t,” said Gillian.

  “That’s true. I’ll try the lemonade but if I don’t like it, I’ll be honest. You like honesty in people?”

  She knew what he was referring to. He wanted to know how she knew about him being part of a shifting community. She couldn’t tell him anything yet, well, depending on how this went, maybe not ever.

  “It’s an admirable trait,” she said.

  He didn’t say anything else, didn’t push the issue, but went back to cleaning the platters.

  “Something does smell good in here,” he finally said.

  “You’re standing right next to soaps that were just delivered.”

  “I’m guessing sandalwood,” he finally said.

  “That’s pretty good. Most people wouldn’t be able to smell that through the cardboard and packing paper.”

  “Ah, but you’re forgetting that I’m a bear shifter.”

  He raised his eyebrows. She sensed he was trying to guide the conversation onto the topic of her knowing all about him and his buddies. Gillian wasn’t going to play that game.

  “You like sandalwood?” she asked.

  “Oh yeah.”

  She opened the box and took out two bars and handed them to him. “Accept them as an apology for my attitude toward you when we first met.”

  As she handed them to him, their fingers brushed. Something similar to the feeling she’d experienced on the step ladder washed over her. She closed her eyes, hoping he didn’t see her reaction.

  The feeling passed and was replaced with a strange sensation in her pussy. She shifted her legs. She’d never experienced anything like it before.

  “You okay?”

  I will be when you leave.

  “I’m fine. So, you like motorbikes?”

  Had that seemed so obvious, the whole changing the subject so abruptly?

  “I do and so do my two brothers.”

  “Was that one of them I saw you with? I…I just happened to be looking outside when my aunt was visiting, and spotted you.”

  He grinned and she guess
ed he hadn’t bought her answer. However, he was probably enjoying forcing her to think hard about her responses.

  “Yeah, that was Trey. I have another brother, Ian, who’s getting married very soon. How about you, you have siblings?” he asked dusting the last of the platters.

  “Nope, I’m an only child.”

  Technically she wasn’t, but she didn’t want reveal all the details to him.

  “Where would you like these put now that they’re sparkly clean.”

  “Could you set them on the table there.”

  She had to admit he’d done a great job.

  “Anything else I can do for you while I’m here?”

  Had he meant it to be an innuendo or was her mind going down the wrong track?

  “That should be it. I’m going to put the last of these lotions on the shelf and then take a shower and have an early night ready for tomorrow.”

  She walked him back out to the front of the store.

  “I like the name The Apothecary. You come up with it?” he asked.

  “Yes, I just hope I get enough foot traffic.”

  “Don’t worry about it, once one shifter buys from you, the others will too. We’re a tightknit community or maybe it’s another fact you already know about us.”

  She felt herself color. She knew she shouldn’t have been so brazen in revealing she knew they were shifters. That had been downright dumb, possibly making her Quest that much harder.

  “There’s nothing like being with your own kind.”

  There was a whole bunch she could tell him about her own group but for now, that would remain her secret.

  He leaned against the door. “We feel safe, we have been safe so I hope you’ll keep our secret to yourself.”

  “You have my word.”

  “Of course, it would make me feel much better if I knew your secret. You know sort of put us on even footing.”

  “You know, I honestly don’t know why I said that. Secrets, I mean, I have them but none you’d be interested in. Just every day ones like I bite my nails.”