Page 38 of Mated to the Mountain Bear
I stand here, soaking wet, and my heart still racing, but for entirely different reasons now. My skin tingles where he touched me. I can still feel the warmth of his hands through the towel, and of his eyes, where they trailed over me.
Jerry briefly reappears back at the window, panting happily, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His tail creates a steady thumping rhythm against the cabin wall. Only when hehears a sharp whistle from the front of the house does he disappear, sprinting around to his master.
I dry off quickly, listening closely to every sound, my senses still stuck in fright or flight mode.
The front door opens, and there’s rapid tapping of nails on wood as Jerry makes himself at home. Ben’s footsteps pace across the living room, back and forth, accompanied by that low growling noise he makes, and some choice words for Jerry, who barks back when he calls him a bad dog.
With shaking hands, I pull on the clothes he left for me. Another soft flannel, this one, red and black plaid, and more giant sweatpants that I have to roll at the waist. Everything smells like him, and I can’t resist bringing the material to my nose and breathing it in to calm my nerves.
Stepping into the hall, I hear Ben’s deep voice, softer than I’ve heard it before.
“What the hell were you thinking?” A pause, then a whine from Jerry. “No, that’s not an excuse.”
Jerry barks once, defensive.
“I don’t care. She’s...” Ben’s voice drops lower, rougher. “She’s been through enough without you scaring her half to death.”
More whining from Jerry and the sound of nails clicking on wood as he paces.
“Boundaries, Jerry. She needs to feel safe. Protected. Not have some idiot scaring her half to death...” He cuts himself off with a growl. “Don’t do it again.”
Jerry makes a huffing sound, clearly unimpressed with the lecture.
Ben groans. “Don’t give me that look. She’s a guest. When she’s gone, you can stare in all the windows you want.”
The mention of my leaving, like he’s looking forward to it, makes my stomach drop.
I pause in my slow approach. Of course, he’ll be happy to have his home back to himself. He’s been more than generous with his time and space considering he didn’t want me here in the first place. It’smethat’s forgotten that I’m a disruption to his peaceful life.
He said himself he’s practically a recluse.
Ben mutters again, and I hear the couch creak, like he’s sat down. Jerry whines, sympathetic this time.
“No, it’s not your fault. It’s mine.” Another growl, frustrated. “But you can make it up to her by keeping watch. It’s about time you earned your keep, anyway.”
I smile. Jerry’s gotten more words from Ben in five minutes than I have since I set foot on his land.
When I finally emerge, Ben is standing by the kitchen window, resting back against the counter, watching Jerry sniff around the couch where I was sitting earlier. Ben doesn’t turn fully when I enter, but I see his head tilt slightly, acknowledging my presence.
“I’m sorry I screamed,” I start, padding closer. “I hope I didn’t freak you out.”
Jerry sits back on his haunches and watches me closely, head tilted to the side, as he studies me. When he dips his head to smell my feet, Ben’s eyes track the movement, narrowing when he sees the healing scratches that still mark them.
“Don’t say sorry.” Ben knuckles are white where he’s gripping the counter’s edge. “Natural reaction.”
He’s trying to sound relaxed, but I can tell he’s anything but.
“Still.” I move to stand beside him, close enough to see his profile and the tight set of his jaw. “That was very… dramatic.”
First, I’m complaining about the lack of hot water, and then, I’m screaming the house down. Not to mention, stealing his bed, food, and clothes. Talk about being a pain in the backside.
“I think you’re nervous.” He faces me now, and the intensity in his dark eyes makes my breath catch. “And you have every right to be. But nothing’s going to hurt you here.”
The way he says it, low and fierce, like a promise, untangles the knot in my chest. His hand moves from the counter, about to reach for me, before he changes his mind and lets it drop.
Our gazes lock, and I can’t look away.
Then Jerry barks, sharp and demanding, breaking the moment. Ben’s lips twitch in what might almost be a smile.
