Page 11 of Bear to be Wild
CHAPTER 6
ROAN
The clang of metal and the rhythmic thump of music echoed around the fitness studio as I guided individual clients or partners through PT sessions. Since Maribelle’s sound-muffling spell had worked, just with the side effect of an accidental bonding, I didn’t have to worry about being too loud.
That didn’t mean I wasn’t aware of her. Every cell in my body thrummed with awareness of her on the other side of that wall.
After the last client left the studio, I went next door to find her. The spa was a different world from my workspace. Soft music, fragrant oils, potted orchids, and tropical plants. The sound of water trickled from beyond the reception area.
A fae with light pink hair greeted me at the desk. She wore the same spa uniform as Maribelle, but her nametag read Charlotte. “Welcome to the Serenity Spa. Can I help you?”
“Yes. Hi, I’m Roan Mathers, the new fitness trainer. I work next door.” I vaguely pointed toward the studio.
“Ah, Roan,” she drew my name out as she nodded in recognition. What had Maribelle said about me?
After a brief introduction, I got to the reason why I’d stopped by. “Is Maribelle available?”
“She’ll be done with her client in about five minutes.” She motioned to a chair. “Feel free to have a seat.”
“Thanks.” I sank into a comfortable chair and flipped through a magazine while I waited, not taking in any of the content. How could I focus when I’d see Maribelle soon?
And then I sensed her. The scent of bergamot, vanilla, and a wild ocean breeze. My pulse quickened.
Mate, my bear crooned, turning pathetically moony.
“Roan.” Her voice sounded breathy, as if I’d taken her off-guard. The sound rolled through me with a velvet shimmer. I loved hearing my name from her lips. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m starving,” I said, unable to keep my gaze from roving over her body. Snapping my eyes back up to her face before she called me out, I added, “Are you hungry?”
“Ravenous.” She appraised me and then nudged up her chin.
“Guess you two should eat together,” Charlotte said in a singsong voice. When Maribelle turned to her, lips parted as if about to protest, Charlotte shooed her with a wave. “Go ahead. I’ll close up here.” Her lips slid closer to her cheekbones, and amusement reached her eyes.
Oh yeah, she definitely knew something.
Maribelle and I strolled down to the lower deck where staff ate. The area buzzed with chatter, the clatter of trays, and the ever-present hum of the ship’s engines. We filled our trays and sat at a small table for two, our plates loaded with food—hers with a creamy pasta and roasted vegetables, mine with lean protein and a massive salad.
“So,” she said, twirling her fork around pasta, “what’s your story, bear?”
I leaned back in my chair. “Former park ranger in Colorado.” I speared a piece of chicken and ate it.
“And now PT—physical torturer, right?” she asked with arched brows.
I laughed. “Trainer,” I corrected. “But yes. I moved into physical fitness and found I enjoyed training others. When I needed a change, I found this opp.” After eating some salad, I turned the focus to her. “You?”
She shrugged. “I’m from New England. Magic has been part of my life for as long as I remember, and I’ve used it to help others. When I had the chance to do so while sailing on this floating city, I took it.”
“And what do you think?”
She ate a forkful of mushrooms and peppers before she responded. “I like it. Some days the hours are looong,” she drew out the vowel. “But I get to see different places. Meet different people.”
I nodded. “Any downsides?”
She grunted. “Having your heart crushed sucks wherever you are.”
A pang of empathy struck, but before I could ask more, two women approached, both sporting mischievous grins.
“Hey, Maribelle,” a witch with pink-and-blonde hair said, all sweetness. After initial greetings, she glanced at me and asked, “New friend?”
