Page 35 of Bear In A Bookstore
“No, I don’t know what happened to her.”
“You mean to tell me; you haven’t done an internet search on her name? That’s a good one coming from a security expert.”
His limbs felt cold, but the bear was wide awake now, eager to push back at his father. It didn’t like his father’s tone and it wanted to protect Kora.
“I was respecting her privacy.”
Rowan took a breath, his voice softening. “It’s a hell of a story. She’s been through it, all right. It doesn’t appear that many people around here know about it, same as you. Probably because she’s using that fake name.”
Desi didn’t know what to say. He was a little stunned. Where was his father going with all this?
“You said you wanted to settle down and start a family, Des. I’m just telling you not to give your bear everything that it wants. I see that look in your eyes. Your bear might want the bookseller. But she might not be the right one for you.”
Slipping his hands into his pockets, Desi didn’t reply as he walked away. His mind raced. The kiss they’d shared earlier had rocked him to his core. He knew full well that he shouldn’t have kissed her but . . .
He didn’t regret it. Not one bit. He wanted more, so much more. He knew she was hiding something, but it appeared to be much more than he could have ever suspected. He recalled how tentative she’d been in hitting his plastic sword with a broomstick. She wasn’t a fighter, or an aggressive person. He’d witnessed the care and tenderness with which she’d held his nephew at the bakery.
Whipping out his phone, he pulled up the browser and typed in the name he’d found on the slip of paper. His thumb hovered over the send icon.
But he couldn’t bring himself to press it.
“Damn it.”
He shoved the phone back in his pocket.
Getting into his truck, he slammed the door shut and sat back against the seat. He thought he’d feel better after setting up her security system, and he did. Well, hehadfelt better. Now he wasn’t so sure what to think. Of course, he wanted her to be safe. He wanted her, period. There was so much about her that he needed to learn, but she’d told him she wasn’t staying.
Estes Park wasn’t her permanent home, and he had no plans on leaving. She had a past that might inhibit anything blooming between them, even if he did have a chance. So many secrets. So many unknowns. The only thing he knew with absolute certainty is that his bear wanted her. He wanted her.
But maybe his father was right.
He was wasting his time thinking she’d be anything more than someone passing through his life.
She’d put him in the friendzone. And that’s where he was going to stay.
Chapter Thirteen
Itwasgoingtorain.
So much for going through the trouble of curling her hair.
Kora gave herself another once-over in the mirror. Desi would be here any moment. The idea of seeing him again gave her butterflies. That kiss. That incredible kiss.
If she didn’t rein it in, she’d be over her head with that man in a heartbeat. If only that lip lock hadn’t made her feel so good.
She assessed her dress in the entryway mirror. It was the only fancy item she’d brought with her from L.A. It was the quintessential little black dress, made from pure silk with a straight cut, a pretty, draped neckline, and glittery spaghetti straps. She’d worn it to a book release party for one of her thrillers and it had sat in the back of her closet since then. It had made it into her suitcase when she’d moved here as a ‘just in case’ item, along with the only pair of black designer heels that she owned.
Slipping the matching shawl over her arms, she fluffed her hair. A creep of dread clung to her like a second skin. She didn’t really want to do this. Going to an event of this size, with the entire town there was intimidating, especially since she didn’t really know anyone.
She did want to get to know the locals, but she could never bring herself to reach out. She’d been outgoing once. A good conversationalist. Not afraid to meet new people or go to dinner by herself.
She thought about what Desi said, about how she never went out. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to explore and learn about her new surroundings. But something always held her back. She was content sitting at her desk by the window while working on her book or burying herself in her to-do list at the bookstore. There was no in-between. She didn’t necessarily want to be a hermit. It was just safer that way.
But . . . she had almost talked herself into attending the geriatric strip show the other day. Probably would have at least tried to go. Was secretly glad she’d missed it. It didn’t help that someone in town was messing with her. She strongly suspected it was those two young treasure hunters she’d met in the pub, but it didn’t make it any less unnerving.
The doorbell rang.
Curious to try the new security system Desi had put in; she went to the screen beside the front door. The doorbell camera showed his face in black and white. He waved. Her heart flipped as she opened the door.
