Bear Mechanic: BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Zoe Chant Read Free Book Online

Afghanistan, and Cam and Will lived in Japan for a while.”
    “For three years,” confirmed Will. He had finished eating and had been quietly observing the conversation.
    “What kind of work did you do there?” asked Elise.
    “We were hitmen for the yakuza,” said Will with a perfectly straight face. His sister elbowed him.
    “I mean hit-people,” Will corrected gravely. “I wouldn't want to exclude assassins of other genders.” He had to be pulling her leg, but he looked so serious.
    “You must kill at poker,” Elise said admiringly.
    Will laughed, a short bark, and even Cam cracked a smile, though it quickly vanished. Elise got the feeling that was a rare occurrence, and fist-pumped internally.
    “Actually, it's Cameron who usually cleans the rest of us out,” interjected Gabriel. “When it's not Oliver, who counts cards, by the way. Just so you know.”
    “I don't know what you're talking about,” said Oliver with what looked like his best facsimile of an innocent expression. It wasn't very good.
    “Thanks for warning me,” Elise said, feeling the warm, fuzzy glow that came with acceptance.
    She had the feeling these people were more important to Noah than just regular employees. They acted like a family. And Noah thought she was important enough to include her in it.
    With a start, she realized that the serving dishes on the table were almost all empty. And she'd thought her brother had a hollow leg.
    “Where did all the food go?” she asked reflexively, staring. “I swear, there was enough here to feed a herd of animals.”
    A choking sound came from next to her, like a laugh that had been suppressed.
    “We eat a lot,” said Tyler, and flexed a bicep. “Hard work in the shop, you know. All that lugging around heavy parts and screwing in bolts.”
    “Right,” she said. “If you guys don't mind, can I save the last plate for my brother?”
    A round of nods circled the room.
    “Tyler, up front,” Noah instructed. “Everyone else, on the floor. Projects are on the board. I'll join you when I'm done with the dishes.”
    This seemed to be everyone's cue to disperse, although Tyler complained a little about having to sit at the front desk.
    Noah started gathering all the plates and cups from the table and taking them to the sink. Elise grabbed a few, too, not knowing what else to do with herself.
    “You don't have to do that,” he said, plucking the stack of plates from her with one hand, without any visible effort. Being a mechanic really did do amazing things for one's physique, apparently, and it wasn't just for looks.
    She shrugged. “I like to feel useful. Especially since you've gone out of your way for me.”
    “It's nothing I wouldn't do for anyone.”
    She gave him a sly look, remembering what Gabriel had said about Noah not usually bringing women home. “No? Including… all of last night? Are you sure?”
    The tips of his ears, she observed, were very red. It was cute. “Maybe not just anyone,” he allowed.
    Setting down her mug, she took the plate he'd been scrubbing at and slid it into the dishwasher.
    “So you do this every week?” she asked.
    “Every week,” he confirmed.
    “All of you seem really close.”
    “We're like family.” There was clear warmth in his voice.
    “So it was kind of like meeting the family?” she asked, a teasing lilt to her voice.
    He paused in the middle of handing her a serving platter, looking consternated. “Was that too much?”
    She couldn't contain her smile. “It was exactly right.”
     

Chapter Four
     
    Noah
     
    Even though his workday was like any other—responding to clients, managing the crew, working on cars—it felt completely different. Everything felt fresh, like he was seeing it through new eyes. Or maybe he was seeing it through Elise’s eyes. He knew it was her presence at his side that was making his day brighter.
    He had been nervous about how she would like his crew. They were a group of misfits that had banded