Page 11 of Driven Wild By The Grizzly

There’s a twinge in my chest. I’m not used to folks being concerned for me. “I’m fine,” I grunt. But if I’m honest, I like the feel of it. Her worrying for me.

The offending item zips past. Half a darn tree trunk. I grind my teeth together. I should’ve been watching for shit like that.Be more careful, doofus. You’re transporting the most precious thing in the world.

Finally, we’re at the far bank. I hold Jessica more tightly as I clamber up the slippery slope.

When I’m back on solid ground again, my heart lifts. There are no more obstacles in my way. I’m taking Jessica back to my cabin.

And that means she’s mine. My bear is bounding in joy beneath my chest. I long to shift, throw her on my back, and run home, as fast as my four paws can carry me.

She’s not ready for that yet, though. First I need to show her the man I am. And not scare the hell out of her in the process.

But it’s going to be hard. Because I’m already enthralled with her. My obsession is taking hold. I’m desperate to be closer to her, to explore her without any constraints. The physical attraction is too strong to deny. But it’s more than that—I can’t wait to find out all about her. What makes her happy, excited. What her dreams and passions are.

I peer down at her. Her lips are parted and she looks a little stunned. “Are you okay?”

She breaks into a smile and my heart jolts in response.

“Never better,” she says.

She’s being ironic, of course. But I love how she’s so tough, so spirited. The perfect mate for a bear.For me.

“I’ll protect you from anything,” I tell her. “You don’t have to worry about anything ever again. You’ll be safe and cared for, always.”

Her eyes widen in surprise. It’s a lot to hear, I know that. But I need her to understand how much she means to me.

“That sounds… nice,” she says haltingly.

I stop breathing.

She’s never felt like that before.

The thought hits me like a viper’s strike:she’s never felt safe.I’m desperate to ask her what she’s been running from, but there’ll be time for all that later. Now, I need to focus on getting her out of the storm.

“Almost there,” I tell her, picking up my pace.

With every step, my beast swells inside me.

Soon, she’ll be in my lair. The rest of the world shut out. Just me and Jessica, and this one night to make her mine.

6

Jessica

When we’re safely across the river, I expect Ethan to set me down on my feet again. But he doesn’t. He keeps right on, striding through the downpour with me in his arms.

“Aren’t I getting kinda heavy?” I shout above a vicious gust of wind.

His burning gaze locks onto mine. “Nope. You’re as light as a feather.”

Okay, then. I guess I could get used to this—being carried in the strong embrace of a mountain man. My head is resting in the crook of his neck, and I’m fighting the impulse to snuggle into him. His deep, spicy masculine scent is filling my nostrils, while his wet hair falls over my face, protecting me from the worst of the rain.

We’re also going a lot faster now. Instead of walking at my stumbling pace, he’s hurtling along like he’s got a homing device attached to him.

Before long, a log cabin emerges from between the trees. It’s rustic but cozy-looking, with curtains up at its two square windows and a shiny red front door.

This is it. This is where I enter his lair. Shivers of anticipation race through me.

I guess I should be a little apprehensive at least. But, to be honest, all I can think about is how much I want to be alone with him.

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