Page 37 of Mated to the Mountain Bear
But now is not the time.
“Window.” I gasp, pointing with a shaking hand, before immediately re-covering my boobs. “Someone’s at the window.”
He steps in front of me, muscles coiled for action, and feet spread, ready to fight. Then his shoulders drop slightly. The tension doesn’t leave his body, but it morphs into annoyance rather than red-hot fury.
“Jerry,” he snaps, voice strained and rough. He moves to the window and bangs hard on the glass. “Goddamn it, Jerry.”
The blue eyes jerk back, tilting to the side in confusion. The glass clears, revealing a wet pink nose and grey fluffy ears. Ben glares out the window, his muscular back rising as he takes a deep breath to calm himself, pointing a finger away from the cabin in warning.
The white and grey head tips back and responds, then a loud, indignant bark fills the air.
“Just come around. Damn stupid dog.”
Jerry barks again, unhappy with the slur. After making his point, he dashes away, barking as he goes.
“A dog?” I whisper.
Ben nods back, broad shoulders rising and falling with each adrenaline-filled pant.
“That’s not a dog. That’s a horse.” My voice comes out higher than intended, with a wobble I can’t hide.
“A giant pain in the ass, that’s what he is,” Ben mutters, then moves in three quick strides to the towel rack, grabs a towel, andoffers it to me without looking in my direction. “I’m so sorry. He has no fucking manners.”
“Your dog?” I’m shaking as I reach for the towel, then wrap it around myself with trembling hands as I stand, then tuck it under my arms. “It’s just a dog,” I repeat to myself, willing my frantic nervous system to calm down.
“I should have warned you about him.” Ben’s back is to me now, waiting for me to be decent before he turns around, but his fists clench and unclench at his sides, knuckles white. “Are you okay?”
“Just a little shaken.” That’s an understatement. I thought he’d found me. My heart is beating so hard, I think it’s going to come out of my chest. As I try to step out of the tub, my foot slips on the wet porcelain.
Ben moves like lightning, spinning around and catching my arm to steady me. His other hand goes to my waist, fingers spanning across the towel before curling to hold on tightly. His touch burns, even through the thick fabric, as I blink up at him, startled.
“Careful.” The word comes out gruff and ragged, but his hands are gentle.
I nod as he helps me step onto the bath mat but doesn’t immediately let go. His thumb strokes my arm, over a scratch that lingers there from my fall, and makes tiny back-and-forth movements that have my heart racing, before he seems to realise what he’s doing and pulls back.
“Jerry wanders. I don’t know if I can really call him mine.” He explains, still not looking at me directly, his gaze fixed politely somewhere over my shoulder. “He’s more of a frequent houseguest.”
Jerry’s nose bumps the glass again, leaving another wet smudge, which I now think is adorable instead of terrifying.
A hysterical laugh bubbles up inside me. I press my hand to my heart, shoulders shaking. Could my life get any more ridiculous? I’m a nervous wreck.
“He scared the hell out of me.”
His distant barks filter through from outside, but Ben is in no rush to let him in.
“I can see that.” Ben’s voice is rough. Different. Huskier. His eyes drop to where I’m clutching the towel against my chest, with water still dripping from my hair and onto my shoulders. His jaw works as he takes a long look.
I tell myself it’s a rush of adrenaline that I feel, nothing more. We’re just too close in the small bathroom. It’s fear, not desire.
“Ben?” My voice is barely a whisper.
His gaze falls to my lips, and I hold my breath, waiting to see if he’ll do it. If he’s feeling this heat between us the same way I am, or if it’s all in my head.
But instead of crushing his lips to mine, Ben releases my arm abruptly and steps back until he’s plastered against the door frame. He can’t get far away fast enough. His hand goes to his thick, dark hair, raking through it roughly.
“Get dressed,” he barks out. “Then you can meet Jerry properly.”
Then he’s gone, pulling the door shut with more force than necessary. The walls shake slightly from the impact as he stomps down the corridor.
