Page 31 of Snowed In With the Grizzly

He slides into the seat opposite and raises a glass of red wine. It turns out Grandma Jo had a secret wine stash, and we’ve cracked open a bottle.

“Cheers. To us,” he says.

“To us.” I clink my glass against his and take a sip of the dark liquid.

I’m not used to drinking wine, but it feels real grownup sharing this experience with Jaxton. It’s all so romantic. The low lighting; the fire burning in the corner; the candles on the table.

My mate’s eyes burning into mine.

I love the way he’s watching me, expectantly, as I take the first bite of steak. I know he took a lot of care with it.

I close my eyes blissfully. “It’s… literally the best steak I’ve ever eaten.”

“It’s not.” He’s crooking an eyebrow dubiously.

“Yes, seriously. It’ssogood.”

He allows himself a small smile. “I’m just happy if you like it.”

I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. “Everything is perfect,” I tell him. “I couldn’t be happier.”

Jaxton’s smile gets bigger. “That’s all that matter—”

He freezes. Then his smile drops and he jolts out of his seat.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“I heard something.” He dashes to the window, peers through the gap in the curtains. “Shouldn’t have let my damn guard down,” he mutters, peering out at the darkness.

I didn’t hear anything. “You sure—?” I start to say. Then I remember—he’s a shifter. His hearing is probably a hundred times as sensitive as mine.

He goes to the door, and stands close, listening. Sniffing.

My heart hammers. Is it the cops again? Or my father? Did he somehow manage to make it here in the middle of a blizzard, furious that I disobeyed him? Doesn’t seem possible…

With a roar, Jaxton tears open the door. “Caleb!” he bellows into the storm.

Caleb?

A moment later, something that looks like the abominable snowman hurtles to the door.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Jaxton hollers.

“Hey, bro.” The snowman flashes a grin.

Jaxton’s brother.My heartbeat slows.

“Wooh, it’s wild out here!” He swipes snow off his face, and I make out longish, curly hair.

Jaxton looks extremely unimpressed. “Again, what are you doing here?” he growls through gritted teeth.

“I was planning to crash at yours, but I saw you weren’t home, and I followed your truck over here. Sure hope I’m not disturbing anything.” He peers around Jaxton’s bulk, trying to get a better look at me.

“You are,” Jaxton replies.

“Uh, sorry. Guess I’ll go over to your place. Anything to eat in there?”

“Not really.”

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