Page 16 of Asking Fur Trouble

“Life has gotten you down.” Gerri reached up to pat Bess’s cheek. “That jerk boss of yours and that soul-sucking job have caused you to lock up your fun-loving side. You just need to reconnect with that part of yourself.”

Bess’s throat tightened. No one had spoken to her like this in years – like they could see beneath her careful veneer of competence to the unfulfilled woman beneath.

“You must have had a fun side as a child or teenager, right?” Gerri prodded.

Memories flooded Bess’s mind – sneaking out of the house at sixteen to go skinny-dipping at the lake with her friends, jumping from the roof of her parents’ garage onto a trampoline at fourteen, hitchhiking to a concert two towns over at seventeen. A smile tugged at her lips before she could stop it.

“There it is,” Gerri said, her golden eyes triumphant. “That’s the woman Charov needs to meet – the one who takes risks, who laughs with her whole body, and who doesn’t worry about tomorrow.”

Bess hugged herself, suddenly feeling exposed. When had she lost that girl? Somewhere between college loans and insurance claims, she had packed that vibrant, daring part of herself into a box and shelved it.

“Charov Mavac doesn’t need a paper pusher,” Gerri’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “He needs a woman who can match his passion for life, who can challenge him and surprise him.” She gave Bess a wink that somehow managed to be both innocent and scandalous. “And from what I know of teenage Bess’s adventures, you’re exactly what that bear prince needs.”

Heat flooded Bess’s cheeks as she realized just how much Gerri seemed to know about her past. “How do you?—”

“Never mind all that,” Gerri waved away the question. “What matters is that girl is still inside you. Let her out to play with the prince.”

ELEVEN

Charov was unusually anxious as he sat at the polished breakfast table waiting for Bess to arrive. He scanned the entranceway for the tenth time in as many minutes. The morning sunlight streamed through the tall castle windows, bathing the intimate dining alcove in a warm glow. The servants had prepared a spread fit for royalty—which, of course, it was—but he found himself completely disinterested in the food.

When footsteps finally echoed in the hallway, Charov straightened his posture instinctively. His bear senses picked up her scent before she appeared—a delicate mix of something floral and distinctly... Bess.

Then she stepped into the room, and his brain short-circuited.

Gone was the stiff Earth woman in her practical garments. In her place stood a vision in Nova Auroran silk, the pale green sundress clinging to every curve of her body like it had been painted on. Her brown hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, catching the sunlight with hints of gold and amber. The dress accentuated her full breasts and the swell of her hips in a way that made his inner bear growl with delight.

“Good morning.” Her voice cut through his thoughts as she approached the table.

Charov rose to his feet instantly, a primal response he couldn’t have controlled if he had wanted to. “Good morning. You look...” He searched for a word that wouldn’t sound like a crude come-on. “Different.”

A slight blush colored her cheeks. “Good different, I hope? Queen Zyre helped me select something from the royal wardrobe.”

“My mother has excellent taste.” His eyes lingered on the way the silk draped across her thighs as she sat down. His bear clawed at his insides, demanding to get closer to her.Mine, it insisted.Mate.

He poured her a cup of local tea. “Did you sleep well?”

“Better than expected.” She took a tentative sip, her green eyes widening with surprise. “This is delicious.”

“Frost berry tea. It only grows on the northern slopes of Mount Visak.” He leaned back, studying her transformation with unabashed interest. “You seem... much different this morning. Not just the clothes.”

Bess set down her cup. “I’ve been thinking about our conversation yesterday. About all your adventures and experiences.”

“And?” He reached for a piece of fruit, momentarily distracted by how the dress hugged her waist when she shifted in her chair.

“And I realized I don’t even know what I like to do for fun anymore.” Her eyes met his, a new spark of determination there. “I’ve spent so many years buried in paperwork that I forgot what it’s like to actually live.”

Charov’s interest spiked. “That sounds like an invitation.”

“It is.” She smiled, and for the first time, it reached her eyes. “If you have time today, I’d like to experience some of your favorite things. Show me what makes Nova Aurora special.”

The bear inside him practically roared with excitement. “I know exactly what we should do.” A slow grin spread across his face. “But you’ll need to change.”

“Change? What’s wrong with this?” She gestured at her dress with a frown.

“Nothing. In fact—” He cleared his throat, reining in his thoughts. “It’s perfect for dinner in the royal hall. But for what I have planned, you need pants.”

Her eyebrows shot up.

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