Hunter Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Enforcer Bears Book 2) by Zoe Chant Read Free Book Online Page A

the pond.
    "I'm... I usually don't seek out people," Steven said, and swallowed. "I like the loneliness. I hadn't even talked to my brother in ages before I came here. But you... You make it easy to talk to you. I appreciate that."
    "I'm glad you came today," Cleo replied quietly. Her heart was still beating fast.
    His fingers were warm against her skin. His hand was so large, easily covering hers. She could feel the strength in him.
    "I came here because I wanted the loneliness," she admitted after a long moment. "The man I thought I loved had broken up with me. I felt—I can't even find words for him. As though the life I'd had was all a lie. I'd trusted him. I'd believed him when he said that he loved me. But in the end, I didn't matter to him at all, and that made me feel..."
    "It's hard to trust," Steven murmured. "And when you trust, and then have that trust betrayed..."
    Cleo nodded. For a moment, she fought against tears as she thought of the apartment they'd had—a real home, she'd always thought.
    But that had been left behind as easily as Walter had left behind Cleo and the gallery.
    "So, now you know why I decided to spend a few weeks out here all alone in the forest." She sniffled a little, and then wiped her eyes with her hand.
    This wasn't quite how she'd imagined this date to go—but Steven was still looking at her with that same intensity, his eyes dark with emotion. Was he hiding a similar hurt? Was that why he hid in the forest, too?
    "I'm sorry I've intruded on your solitude." Steven gave her a small smile. His hand was still touching hers, and now he pressed it gently.
    "Are you really?" she asked, her heartbeat echoing in her ears.
    He laughed and then shook his head. "No, I'm not. I got to warn you about the jaguar, for one thing. And taste real, delicious food after a week of canned ravioli."
    "And?" she dared to tease, emboldened by the way his eyes were now gleaming at her.
    Heat had once more crept up her neck, heating her cheeks—but it was no longer embarrassment that made her flush. His touch had woken a different heat inside her. She couldn't stop thinking about what it would be like to run her own hands over the virile, hard body she'd once seen gleaming in the water.
    "And I got to meet you," he said, his voice low.
    Where before his gaze had been intense, now she thought that the heat in his eyes would burn her. Warmth rushed through her veins. Every heartbeat made her throb with want. Her nipples ached against the lacy fabric of her bra.
    His hand slowly slid upwards. His fingertips stroked the sensitive inside of her wrist. She could barely breathe; she was so aroused that it felt like every gentle touch made new waves of need pulse through her. Her panties were already damp. She imagined those fingers trailing up the insides of her thighs, that strong body against hers, skin to skin.
    She couldn't believe this was possible. They'd barely touched, and already she desired him more than she'd ever wanted anything or anyone in her life.
    He was breathing heavily. She could see the muscles of his chest shift beneath his shirt.
    "Tell me if you don't," he began, the expression in his eyes almost helpless.
    "I want to," Cleo breathed.
    It needed no more explanation. The desire that pulled them together was an irresistible force. She could see it on his face, just as she could feel the way it ran through her own body.
    When Steven stood, she stood as well—and then they were in each other's arms.
    Steven's hands clasped her arms. She might have moaned, she couldn't say, because the need for him was too strong—but then his lips met hers, and all thought fell away.
    His lips were hot against hers. The sensation was incredible. She moaned into the kiss, her hands sliding up his back as her mouth opened for him.
    Beneath her fingers, she could feel muscles and tendons flex and tighten. He made a soft sound that was almost a growl, and the vibration of it sent a new wave of arousal through