Stranded With Her Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Bear Bluff Clan Book 3) by Harmony Raines Read Free Book Online

you want to conquer this cat of yours, you will need your strength.”
    She glanced up at him. “I hate being indebted to you.”
    “I can understand that. But sometimes you have to take the help that’s offered you. And from me, you know there is no ulterior motive.”
    She raised her eyebrow at him. “Really?”
    “Well, it’s not technically ulterior, because I’ve already made that side of things quite plain.” He gave her his schoolboy grin again, but then sat back while Pamela brought their drinks. She placed them on the table, once again bending far too low over Trent; this time her breast touched the side of his arm, but he didn’t respond, he simply looked at Willow as if she were the only person in the world.
    It gave her hope. Hope that what he said was true, that she was the only one for him. Even if it sounded far-fetched. About as far-fetched as a woman being able to turn into a big black cat. That was what she wanted to ask him about, once Pamela had moved away.
    “She likes you,” Willow observed, wanting to know if he would deny it.
    “Yep. But she knows I’m not really interested. Not now.” Trent turned to watch the shapely legs of Pamela as they sashayed away, leaving Willow with another stab of jealousy. “In the same way I know that no matter what has been between us in the past, as soon as Pamela finds her true mate I won’t factor into her life anymore.”
    “Just like that?” Willow asked, trying to examine her own feelings towards Trent. It was true; from the moment she had seen him, she had felt something. An urge deep inside her to be with him, and it didn’t seem to matter what her brain said, her body, her very soul, wanted him. So much that it hurt for them to be apart.
    “Just like that.” He nodded, and then asked a question of his own, “Your parents didn’t have the bond?”
    “I don’t know. I’m adopted. Not that I knew when I was growing up. I thought my parents were my real mom and dad.” She sipped her soda, feeling the slight buzz in her head from the sugar it contained. He was right; she needed to replenish her energy.
    “You had no idea about your other side?” All humour seemed to have dropped from his face; he was giving her his complete attention. And she soaked it up, her body wanting to change the subject and get back into the whole mating bond and its pleasurable consequences conversation, instead of this painful one.
    She fought for control and won. This might be the only time she had Trent’s complete attention and she needed answers. “No. Looking back, there were perhaps small signs that I was different. But nothing else. Not until my tail.”
    He chuckled. “Did it just pop out?”
    “Yes,” she said, mortified at the memory.
    “Happens. But if your real parents had been around, they would have warned you about it. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
    “But that was the beginning of all my problems.” She hesitated, but then plowed on, knowing she had to confide in someone and if what he said was true, then he was the one most likely to help her. And more importantly, to understand her. “Someone saw me. Saw my tail…”
    “Ah, and that person gave you trouble.” His whole countenance changed now, he was going into protective mode. The relaxed state of his body was swiftly changing, leaving him with a tight jaw and clenched fists. “Did that person hurt you?”
    “No. Not physically, at least. But …” She stopped talking, Pamela had returned with their order. Willow had to admit when she saw the juicy steak and fries, her mouth watered. The salad, which Pamela had brought over too, sat uneaten in the middle of the table.
    “Nice to see a healthy appetite,” Trent said, making her suddenly self-conscious of the way she was shoving as much food as possible into her mouth. “But you might want to slow down a little. You don’t want to make yourself ill.”
    She took her time to chew her next mouthful carefully, before