Page 24 of Sunshine for the Grumpy Grizzly

My breath catches, my heart fluttering. “B-but?—”

“No buts. There’s a risk you’ll get hypothermia. I’m getting you home, now.” He glances over my shoulder. “All of you.”

I turn my head, take in Natasha and Kellie. They’re both shivering like crazy, and Kellie’s lips have gone blue. That does it. “Okay,” I say.

The last section is flatter, but the wet rocks are slippery underfoot. Preston keeps hold of my hand the whole way. Part of me feels guilty that I’m getting special treatment, but the other part is just blissed out at the feeling of his big, callused hand enveloping mine. I keep my gaze focused on his broad back, on the muscles shifting beneath his drenched plaid shirt. He’s not wearing waterproofs, but if it bothers him, he doesn’t give any sign of it.

At long last, we emerge at the trailhead.

“Thank goodness!” Natasha gasps out.

“Let’s get you inside,” Preston says gruffly, shepherding us toward the lodge, which is just visible in the distance.

The rain is heavier than ever, but I come to a dead stop. If I’m being real honest, I’d happily never lay eyes on any of my colleagues again. But I don’t want them to be hurt either.

Preston turns, looks at me. For a long time, we don’t speak. We just gaze into each other’s eyes, like we’re communicating telepathically.

Then he lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it.

“You have a pure heart, Lucy Cole. Do you know that?”

I beam at him. “Thank you,somuch.”

“For you. Anything for you.” He glances at the lodge and his expression turns stern. “Okay, your job is to get warm. You hear me?”

“Sure do.” I nod seriously. “You’ll be careful out there?”

He snorts. “For a bear it’s nothing.” He pulls me into his arms and holds me. I don’t want to let go, but after four, five beautiful seconds, I tear myself away.

He squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it.”

And he heads off, into the driving rain. The mist is coming down so fast, it envelops him in seconds. My heart aches for him. With every step he takes, it gets worse. I have an overwhelming urge to dash after him.

But a hand wraps around my arm.

“Lucy Cole, we’re all going to get into that hot tub of yours, and you’re going to tell useverything.” Despite the rain and the cold, Natasha’s eyes are glittering with excitement.

I sigh. “Okay, let’s go.”

7

Preston

The moment the girls are out of sight, my beast tears out of me, roaring. It’s so glad to be unfettered by these freaking wet clothes.

Now I can go a lot faster, easily following the human scent trail through the mountains. Thank goodness the other team had the sense to head back before the storm arrived.

The rain is goddamn heavy and with every step I take, I curse these idiot humans who are bent on taking themselves out. But I’m gonna get to them fast, so I can get back to my girl and put her sweet mind at rest. Hell, I’ve got no opinion of these assholes, but I’d gladly rescue them all day if it makes her happy.

I wonder how the heck I’m going to bring them back though. Two, three, I could carry on my back, but there’s ten of them out there. And if they made it all the way to the flag, it’s a long journey back. Cold, wet and at high altitude, they could easily get hypothermia. I gnash my teeth in frustration. I need to be with Lucy. She’s so ready for me. Every bit of her is crying out to me to take her, and my beast is mad with lust. When you find your mate, you don’t wait. You don’t leave her in the company of her bitchy colleagues who aren’t worth as much as her little toe. You hold her in your arms and never let her go.

I’m so darn proud of her for getting herself back safely. When those assholes picked her last for their teams, it took all my self-control not to take them out. Every last stupid one of them. Why is it that humans can’t value the best things in life? They turned their back on a precious jewel like her, and squabble in the dirt among themselves instead. But she rose above it, my girl, and did her best to save their miserable skins.

I know she’s been doing this her whole life, and I’m so in awe of her resilience. But this is the last time she’s going to suffer. From now on, she’s going to live with me in my lair, and I’ll make darn sure she gets every little thing she’s ever dreamed of.

I’m getting close now. The flag is still a good way off, but the scent of their hides is thick in my nostrils. Another minute, and I see them—huddling under a rocky outcrop. They’re in a group hug, clinging onto each other and shivering so hard I can hear their teeth chattering. Those pricks.

I pause. No point letting them see me in my bear form. I shift fast. Yanking those wet clothes back on is a hell of a job, but I just about manage it.

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