Page 33 of Grizzly's Bear

“She must be to love your sorry ass.”

“Ha-ha! Very funny. How soon before I can drive back to Wyoming?”

“No need,” Jensen assured him. “Tony can fly you guys back home whenever you’re ready. That’ll leave the SUV here for Adam and me when we’re ready to hit the road.”

“Don’t drive by yourself when you head back,” Slade warned. They’d both heard Adam say he wasn’t sure how long he planned to hang around, and Slade wouldn’t put it past Jensen to take to the road alone. Jensen didn’t reply. He merely gave a brief nod that could mean anything.

“You know, I’m here if you need me. Right?”

“I know,” Jensen agreed. “Same goes.”

That was the thing, though. Jensen was always there when they needed him. But when had his brother ever asked for help?

“I’m back,” Rissa cried as she practically ran into the room. Her hair was sopping wet, the braid she’d tightly wrapped it in dripping down her back. Her shirt was inside out, and Slade was pretty sure her jeans, while clean, were unbuttoned. She held a bag of food in one hand and a duffle bag in her other.

“Slow down,” Jensen said, steadying her and taking one of the bags from her. “I need sleep, not to be checking you over because you fell and knocked your head while trying to get back to the idiot you mated.”

“Ha-ha,” Slade groused.

“True,” Rissa agreed.

“Which part?” Slade demanded. “That Jensen needs sleep or that you mated an idiot?”

“Both,” Rissa said without hesitation, making Jensen laugh.

“You’re both incredibly funny,” Slade grumbled.

“We both love you,” Jensen returned. “I’ll talk to Tony and have him check in when he gets a chance.”

“Is he flying us back?” Rissa sounded happy about that, and Slade wasn’t sure if it was the thought of a week in bed with him or not being in the SUV for an extended trip again. “How soon can we head out?”

“A few more days,” Jensen replied. “For now, eat then go back to sleep. Try to stay on his good side, Rissa, and I’m not talking about his mood.”

His mate paled. “Oh, my God! I didn’t think. I just pounced when I saw he was waking up.” She turned toward him. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Then back to his brother. “Jensen?”

“I’m fine,” Slade tried to reassure her.

“He’s fine,” Jensen answered at the same time. “Eat. Rest. I’ll be back in the morning to check on you both.”

Meaning it was evening. Slade hadn’t thought to ask since he’d been awake. Which made him think of something else.

“What about a shower?” he called as Jensen disappeared through the door. Thankfully, his brother decided to answer and poked his head back in the room.

“Should be fine. Just don’t do anything adventurous, please.”

There was no doubt about what Jensen referred to. Rissa actually laughed.

“Did I have that same criteria? Because I’m here to tell you, we did not follow that rule.” Her gaze seared Slade. “I’d say we were pretty adventurous. Wouldn’t you, mate?”

Jensen groaned then ducked back out, calling behind him, “I’m pretending I can’t hear you. La, la, la.”

Rissa laughed again, and Slade grinned along with her. He tugged at her wet braid.

“Want to get wet again?”

“If you want a shower, I’ll help you,” she promised. “But you heard Jensen. No kinky stuff.”

“I believe he said adventurous,” Slade reminded.

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