Bewitching The Bear Read online

  He glanced at her hands…her long manicured nails had obviously given away another lie. However, he didn’t seem to want to press the issue.

  “Okay, then, I will see you tomorrow. And one thing you might want to do is speak to Maisie who is co-owner of Downward Facing Wolf yoga studio in Whitefish. They have a spa and some of these products might be a good match. Enjoy the rest of the evening, and your shower too.”

  “Thank you, I’ll do that.”

  She opened the door, let him out, and then tried not to, but couldn’t resist watching him walk back to his own store. The tight jeans, the way his ass filled them out, the broad shoulders…

  She quickly stepped back from the window when he turned around and waved.

  Bears obviously had a sixth sense just like her. She’d have to be super vigilant around him, or he’d catch her out.

  She walked back to the kitchen, feeling that strange sensation in her pussy again. She stood and closed her eyes while feeling a gush of juices seep from her.

  If she kept this up, she’d be putty in his hands, but she sensed he already knew it.

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  Chapter 6

  Cade walked back to his store. Well, he tried to walk back. He had an erection. He’d had one since she’d mentioned she’d be taking a shower later. He could imagine her naked, the water cascading down her shoulders, gliding over her breasts, some getting caught in the puckered skin that made up her aureoles. Downward toward her belly, slowly moving into the thick hatch of dark hair…yeah, he guessed it was thick and just as dark as the hair on her head. Maybe some of the water would find its way into the opening of her pussy.

  He unlocked the door and rushed inside. He almost had to crawl to make his way to the back room where he kept a well-stocked fridge. Cade swung the door open and pulled out a beer. It was ice cold, he rubbed it first across his forehead, and then down the front of pants.

  It did nothing to lessen the erection. He was so hard that he couldn’t even get the zipper open on his jeans. His dick strained against it. He’d never been this aroused ever. He’d had some hot girlfriends but not one of them had turned him on like Gillian.

  He finally yanked the zipper down and slid his hand inside his boxers. Luckily, there were no windows back here so no one would see him jerking off.

  He moved his hand up and down his shaft, the image he’d managed to clear from his head only minutes ago, sprang into his mind again. He’d have to go running in his bear form after. He thought he heard the water running in the building next door. Maybe she was taking the shower that had started all this discomfort.

  Cade moved his hand faster; anchoring his toes to the floor, knowing when he came, it was going to knock him off his feet.

  *****

  Gillian finally opted for a bath instead of a shower. She sprinkled in the flower petals and some of the essential oil. Lavender, one of her favorites during times of stress. And boy, was she stressed. Cade Mallory hadn’t helped the whole situation but that wasn’t his fault. Gillian had essentially changed the hands of fate and lined them up for not only a chance encounter, but a continual one. There were lots of good-looking men, including sexy cowboys, in the area, but she’d picked Cade because she’d found him to be especially handsome and therefore more of a test. Strange that on closer research he’d turned out to be a bear shifter. Not just a lone one roaming around in Northwest Montana, but part of a community of animal shifters. How they’d arrived here or how they’d picked this area she had no idea. Maybe one day he’d tell her.

  She dipped her big toe into the water to test the heat. Just about perfect. Gillian removed her panties and sunk down into the water, allowing it to act like a warm blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

  Inhaling the lavender scent, she began to relax. She tried her hardest to forget about anything else but the present moment, and her ‘me’ time, but nowadays that was impossible.

  So many people counted on her. The muscles in her shoulders tightened. Now all she could think about was Cade. How gorgeous he’d looked standing there talking to her, wiping the platters and giving her those sideways glances. She knew what they meant. He was just as attracted to her as she was to him.

  Before she knew it, her hands were under the water. Fingers circling her navel. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her hand south over her mound. No rule that said she couldn’t do a little self-pleasuring. As well as lavender, that always helped relax her.

  If she thought of Cade while she did it, well, no one would possibly know.

  She parted her legs, feeling the warm water brush her pussy opening. She circled the tattoos on both her inner thighs. She slid deeper into the tub so her nipples skimmed the surface of the water. The tattoos on those danced as if to taut her.

  We’re on your body for a reason, they seemed to scream.

  If she didn’t get some relief, she’d go crazy. She pushed her hand under the water and quickly found her mound.

  Gillian wondered what would happen if she pushed her finger into her pussy.

  No, she didn’t want to do that so instead she played with her clit. Teasing and circling it until it stood erect. She tapped it, feeling that jolt of electricity like pleasure she’d experienced when she’d seen him standing in the store when their fingers had brushed.

  Gillian rubbed it harder, seeing Cade in her mind’s eye, feeling release coming soon as she dug her heels into the floor of the tub, and sighed heavily with relief when she reached her orgasm.

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  Chapter 7

  Cade stood in front of the mirror. He’d already changed outfits twice. While he wasn’t a slob when it came to what he wore, he’d never been the type of guy who worried too much about his choice of clothing and what others thought of his appearance. Maybe he should change his jacket.

  Leather jacket…probably a bad choice. Lots of people were going to be inside the store. It would be hot, leather made you even hotter, he’d sweat and he might even start smelling.

  He took it off and tossed it onto the couch in the office at the store. Maybe he’d simply pull his shirt out of his jeans and open up its top three buttons. Yeah, that looked good. He pulled the collar up a tad. Now, he was looking downright cool.

  A guy wolf whistling, made him jump. He turned to see his brother, Ian, standing in the door way.

  “I like the look. I take it Gillian is hotter than you made us believe. Getting to know her such a hardship, yeah, sacrifice, my ass.”

  “It’s not just for her. I like this look too. Plus, the leather jacket is looking a tad shabby.”

  “It’s supposed to, that’s the whole point of having a motorbike jacket. Are you ready? Eve is already in the store and you know how she loves anything with candles and soaps and we now have a mortgage so I think I should get to her before she goes too crazy.”

  “Glad I’m never going to have to deal with any of that. Not just the house buying thing but having to keep an eye on a spouse so they don’t break the bank.”

  “You say it now but one day you will. It is by the way, a situation I highly recommend,” Ian told him.

  It was true that Ian was once like him, I’m not getting married and having children sort of guy. And here he was about to marry a woman who had not only stolen his heart, but stolen it swiftly.

  Cade opened the door for his brother and they headed outside. “You getting nervous about the whole wedding thing?”

  “Nope, just looking forward to being a husband and hopefully a dad very soon too.”

  Ian hoped his brother didn’t see him rolling his eyes.

  “I have a great idea, why not ask Gillian to be your plus one,” Ian continued as they walked along the pathway to Gillian’s store.

  “I didn’t think a best man needed a plus one,” said Cade.

  “Who are you going to dance with?”

  “You know I don’t dance,” said Cade. “You know I refuse to dance. Anyone who asks me to, gets hurt.”

  �
�Another thing we’re going to need to cure,” Ian said, slapping him on the back.

  They were almost to the store and Ian could hear lots of talking and people spilling out in front of the store while holding bags with the store’s named splashed across them.

  “Wow, this place is packed,” said Cade. “You think we can even get in there?”

  They both had to push their way inside and Cade was happy to see so many of the shifters had already arrived. He knew they were here partly out of curiosity about Gillian, and partly because they did love supporting new local stores. He hoped Gillian appreciated that they were decent people who didn’t mean anyone any harm and just wanted to be left in peace.

  “I knew it,” said Ian. “Look, Eve has a basket full of stuff already.”

  He looked up to see his future sister-in-law waving to them, and sure enough the wicker basket that Gillian gave out to customers was overflowing. They both walked over to Eve.

  “I’m finding so many great things for everyone who’s taking part in the wedding,” she said.

  “Honey, how much is all of this going to cost?” asked Ian. “We said we’d stick to a budget.”

  He saw what he guessed was panic wash across his brother’s face and couldn’t help but smile. Good thing his wife to be had a growing veterinary practice.

  “It’s fine, don’t worry, there’s an opening day sale going on,” she assured him. “Oh, and you two have to try the lavender lemonade. Gillian said she’d give me the recipe and I thought it would make a great non-alcoholic drink for the designated drivers at the wedding.”

  Cade made sure he wasn’t going to be one of those. Not only because he loved beer but the thought of drinking something with flowers in it. No way, that wasn’t his thing.

  “How you guys doing?”

  Cade turned when he felt a firm pat on his back and saw it was Bear. “Don’t tell Hannah but these huckleberry scones rival anything she bakes at the café.”

  He had to admit the delicacy Bear was waving around, looked to die for, and being a true bear, huckleberries were his weakness.

  “You tried them with the huckleberry honey yet?” asked Ash, walking over them. “Gillian told Chloe she makes it herself. “We’re buying three jars. I’ll warn you it’s selling out fast.”

  Why his heart fluttered when Gillian’s name was mentioned, Cade wasn’t sure. Well, not unless he had a heart defect that hadn’t bothered him up till now.

  “I had no idea the store also sold food.” That was Dane whose plate was overflowing with scones and pastries. He’d told them he, like his wife Melanie, was eating for two.

  “I also sell natural remedies for indigestion which I’m guessing you’ll have later.”

  He recognized Gillian’s voice immediately. The tone, the pitch, and the way she said I. He looked at her, she looked at him. A guilty thought washed over him. He hadn’t seen her since he’d rushed home and jerked off.

  Today, she looked so beautiful. Not that she hadn’t looked that way the other two times he’d seen her. She had her hair tied up and wore a floral dress with an off the shoulder neckline. He wanted to kiss every inch of her collarbone. Her lips had a pinkish tint and shone with what was obviously gloss. Her eyelashes curled upwards.

  “Cade, Cade.”

  He didn’t realize his brother was talking to him until he hit him on the back.

  “What, I was just…”

  Everyone looked at him, clearly waiting for him to say something but no lie would come out of his mouth. Cade had never been the tongue-tied brother. That was sometimes Ian or even Trey, but never him.

  “Just thinking about getting myself one of those huckleberry scones,” he finally said.

  “Sorry to say they’ve all gone. How about I make you your own batch and bring them over to you later today,” said Gillian. “It’s my way of thanking you for cleaning all the platters.”

  “Really,” said Ian. “Doesn’t sound like the sort of thing my brother would do. He used to run at the thought of washing dishes after supper.”

  He was turning red, he knew it. Guess that’s what brothers are for, embarrassing you.

  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go mingle some more,” said Gillian. She turned, her dress fluttered, sending up the smell of perfume. Cade lifted his nose, taking it in along with her scent. If he didn’t know better, he’d say she was slightly aroused.

  “You really weren’t joking when you said getting to know her, getting into her panties, was going to be a hardship for you,” said Dane.

  “Yeah, if I wasn’t happily married, I might also try burdening myself with the same sort of hardship,” added Ash.

  “Your own batch of huckleberry scones,” said Bear, nudging him. “Maybe you’ve already been in her panties and not telling us.”

  “I simply dusted her platters,” Cade said, partly annoyed that he had to explain himself.

  “So, that’s what they call it these days,” Dane said.

  They all burst out laughing, making Cade blush. He felt the heat begin at the top of his head and travel down to his collarbone. He hadn’t blushed quite like that since…well, he’d never blushed like this, ever. Good thing he’d opened up three buttons on his shirt. He wanted to pull it away from his body and flap it against his skin in hope of cooling down, but he didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of making more jokes.

  “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go and mingle, I just saw Liam and Lucy and I want to talk to him about a bike.”

  He made a quick exit over to the food section and overhead Liam talking to Lucy.

  “Huckleberry honey, let’s get ourselves some of that and let me lavish your pussy with it and I can lick it and we’ll both have a great time tonight,” said Liam.

  He had an image of doing that to Gillian and it made him go rock hard. They both must have noticed him standing behind them and turned to face him.

  “Hey Cade, how you doing?” asked Lucy. Liam now held two jars of the honey. The display now had only one remaining jar. He knew with bears shifters in town, Gillian wasn’t going to be able to replenish the supply fast enough to meet demand. Maybe she was a great entrepreneur and knew that already.

  “You mind leaving some for other bears,” said Cade, grabbing the last one. “I hear this stuff is to die for.”

  He wasn’t going to use his on Gillian. It would adorn his toast the following morning. Well, maybe if he got lucky, one day he might be enjoying it on her, no, he meant with her.

  “Oh, look at that beautiful antique mirror. That would be perfect in the room I’m decorating for Brady’s new model homes over in Bigfork. I’ll go see how much it is.”

  Lucy took off. She’d found her calling as interior designer for Brady Walsh, billionaire bear shifter. Cade was surprised he and his wife Jenna, weren’t here today, buying up everything.

  “You found out anything about Gillian other than the fact she sells stuff that bears love?” asked Liam.

  “Not much, but she wasn’t so snappy with me the second time I talked with her. I don’t think she’s here to do as any harm.”

  “Still, it’s best to find out more about her. And hardship, really, Cade, you think the rest of us are dumb?”

  Cade was about to respond when Lucy cut in.

  “Honey, you have to try this lemonade,” said Lucy, returning with two glasses full of light purple liquid.

  “I think I’ll pass on that one,” said Liam. “You get the antique mirror?”

  “No, unfortunately it’s not for sale, it’s a family heirloom of Gillian’s but she’s promised to look out for one for me. Gillian seems really nice,” said Lucy lowering her voice.

  “Cade thinks so too, in fact, he’s inviting her to be his guest at his brother’s wedding. Ian just told me.”

  “Really,” said Lucy, handing him the extra glass of lemonade.

  “I didn’t say that I would,” said Cade.

  He didn’t know why, but he downed the whole glass
, thinking he was going to regret it, but after it hit the back of his throat, he knew he had to have more.

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  Chapter 8

  Gillian stole another glance over at Cade. When she’d first run into him this afternoon, nothing but embarrassment had washed over her. She only hoped he hadn’t seen her blushing. She’d felt the heat spread throughout her face the second he’d looked into her eyes. Almost like he’d looked into her soul and that he knew all about her session of self-pleasuring in the bathtub. Could shifters do that? Perhaps she’d have to find out more about them.

  He glanced back over at her and nodded. She’d heard through the grapevine, that bear shifters often communicated with one another telepathically. Such a great talent to possess.

  “There’s my girl.”

  Any thoughts of Cade quickly faded when she heard a familiar voice. It was her grandmother, and as usual, she was making a grand entrance into the store.

  Silence fell for a few seconds as she pushed her way through the crowd to find Gillian.

  “Oh, my goodness. What a turnout. I’m so happy for you.”

  She kissed Gillian on the cheek and then pulled her in close and hugged her so hard that Gillian was sure she heard bones creak in both their bodies.

  “You always were so talented at putting events together.”

  “It’s wonderful to see you, grandma. This was a long way for you to travel.”

  “Nothing I wouldn’t do for my one and only grandchild. Now, I need some food and refreshment ASAP.”

  Luckily, Gillian had made a big batch of the lemonade and there were still some pastries to be had.

  “Let’s go over and sit while I rest my feet,” said her grandmother.

  Gillian carried the glass and plate and followed behind her. Grandma Finnagan sat in the winged armchair and kicked off her shoes.

  “This feels so wonderful.”