Big Sexy Bear by Terry Bolryder Read Free Book Online Page A

the warm sunlight and cool summer breeze that blew down from the mountains surrounding them. “You can just let me take care of it.”
    “Okay,” she said, walking along with him in the breeze, looking relaxed and calmer than he would have expected.
    “You know, based on the spitfire I saw outside the car last night in the rain, I’d never guess you could be this amiable.”
    “I didn’t used to be so prickly,” she said. “Life kind of forced me to. But when you’re around, it all kind of melts away. I don’t know why.”
    “I do,” Ares said, turning toward her on the street and dipping to taste her lips.
    She opened for him easily this time, and electricity shot through him as he kissed her lightly, entwining their tongues in a soft embrace as their lips danced against each other, setting off little sparks inside him.
    Every touch with her was magical.
    She sighed against his mouth just as a breeze blew by, reminding him they were out where anyone could see them.
    He curled an arm around her waist and pulled back, looking into her eyes, which were glazed with pleasure. Damn, leaving her to go check things out with Zeus and Hades would be the hardest thing he’d ever done, but they both needed a few hours apart.
    He needed to cool his head.
    He tucked her arm in again and started walking, pausing only when he heard a little giggle coming from beside him. “What is it?” he asked curiously.
    “Oh, nothing,” she said.
    “What is it?”
    “You taste good,” she said, grinning.
    He put his arms behind his head and walked tall. “Well, I did say it’s the best meatloaf in the country.”
    She laughed out loud and pulled his arm down so she could take it again.
    Maybe the hard part was yet to come, but he was already really enjoying his mate.

5
    T he rest of the day was uneventful for Katrina. When Ares dropped her off, saying he had work to take care of, he was a perfect gentleman. She tried not to be disappointed when he gave her a gentle hug and left her at the door, or at the loss of his presence.
    She was already getting used to having him around, warm and reassuring, like sunshine.
    Maude had welcomed her in and they’d spent the day together, talking about Maude’s childhood growing up in this small town that was supported by the tourist industry of a nearby ski resort in the winter.
    Mac had been overjoyed by the small swing set in the backyard and by having a yard in general. Watching him laugh and play out there in the sun made her ache over how much he’d been missing. He should have been able to be a regular kid.
    At this age, she still wasn’t sure exactly how much he understood or didn’t understand about their situation.
    Maude got a phone call from a friend, and Kat excused herself to go outside and join Mac. He was trying to pump his skinny legs in an effort to go higher, and she laughed as she got behind him.
    “Want me to push you?” she asked.
    “Yes, please,” he said politely, wrapping his small hands around the chains.
    She laughed and ran forward, pushing him up, up until she was all the way under him, and then running out in front as he squealed in laughter and swung back. When he swung forward, she caught his swing and snuggled him with her nose.
    “Who loves you?” she asked.
    He giggled. “You do.”
    “That’s right,” she said, pushing him back and stepping out of the way so he could enjoy the swing.
    He pushed his legs out with a look of concentration on his face as he swayed forward and pulled them in as he went back. Then he tipped his head back toward the sunlight, his light-blond hair waving in the wind, his little face lost in pure joy.
    For a moment, she could picture staying there. A little family. But Ares was the one pushing the swing. Ares was the one watching out.
    Dammit, she was already building a life around him. She’d never been like this before, she thought, moving around behind Mac so she could push him again. He laughed as she pushed each