Geek Bear (Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance) (Rescue Bears Book 6) by Scarlett Grove Read Free Book Online Page A

brought a second dress. Just in case she and Corey had a second date.
    Ha! That’s funny.
    They hadn’t even had a first date. She slipped into her summery printed dress. It scooped at the neck and hugged her curves. She applied lip gloss, fixed her hair, and slipped into a pair of sling back sandals.
    While she was putting on her earrings, she looked at herself in the mirror, thinking that maybe she might see Corey at the party. Maybe she was getting dolled up just in case she did.
    She growled inwardly. Corey didn’t deserve this sexy outfit. Maybe she’d meet someone else at the party. She’d come up here thinking she might find a love connection. Maybe she still could. Unfortunately, the only one she really wanted to connect with was Corey.
    He’d already had a profound effect on her. It was something she couldn’t shake. She hesitated at the door, wondering if she should stay inside and try to avoid him altogether. Pursing her lips, she strode out the door. Willow wasn’t going to let Corey Bright ruin her vacation.
    Downstairs on the patio, she instantly felt the music begin to vibrate through her body. The feeling resonated deep within her and she started to relax. The line for the barbeque was across the patio, and she went to stand at the end of it. Picking up a thick paper plate, she turned to take in the party.
    In the distance, beyond the bonfire, she could see Corey’s face as he stood behind the DJ equipment. Her heart pounded. Now she wouldn’t be able to avoid him. Caught between wanting to run away and wanting to run over to him, she made her way down the line to get her barbeque ribs and glass of wine.
    She noticed a lot of young singles at the party, intermixed with the families and retirees on vacation. She knew the lodge had a reputation as being friendly to all crowds. It was a nice party and she felt appropriately dressed for the summer event.
    At her picnic table, she slid onto the bench and began to enjoy her meal. She was putting a potato chip in her mouth when she glanced over at Corey behind the DJ stand and saw him looking right at her.
    She took a sharp breath and bit down. Looking away, she continued to chew. This whole thing was just too awkward. She was going to have to either leave Fate Mountain early, or find a way to deal with her instinctive feelings for Corey.
    As strongly as she felt, Corey didn’t want her. He’d never wanted a mate at all. Who was she to get in the way of how he wanted to live his life? But now she was here, and she had to be able to get through the next week without constantly thinking about him.
    She took a big bite of barbeque rib and tore it away from the bone. With sauce all over her lips, she looked up to see Corey walking over to her. She widened her eyes at him and looked down at her plate, hoping he’d just pass by.
    Instead, he sat down right next to her at the picnic table. The bonfire light flickered in his eyes as she looked up at him. She gulped, swallowing her food.
    “Hi,” she said, wiping barbeque sauce away from her mouth.
    “You’ve still got a little sauce, there,” he said, pointing to her cheek.
    She wiped at it, but Corey took his finger and ran it across her cheek. He pulled it away and put the finger in his mouth. Willow gasped, blinking. Why was he doing this to her?
    “Fate Mountain secret sauce,” Corey said. “Sweet and spicy. I’d know it anywhere.”
    “What are you doing here?” she asked.
    “I was filling in for the regular DJ for Levi. I’m the only other person who knows how to run the equipment. He finally showed up,” he said, pointing at the new guy. “I just wanted to apologize again for my crew. I haven’t been myself since you arrived. Having you here is very difficult for me. I’m barely able to resist you at any given moment. My bear, you see, it’s out of control right now.”
    “I understand. I know a few things about shifter mating habits from a book I researched and wrote last year. Really