Bearview Bride (BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance) (13 page)

Her nerves all seemed to be firing at once. Cade’s cock plunged into her, each motion building on the last, creating a wave of bliss that built and built, and threatened to crash over her like a tsunami.

Her fingers jumped against his skin, but she wasn’t in control of them. It was as if someone had taken over her body.

“Cade!” she cried.

He thrust harder, his breath growing ragged. Then he lost control, growling as he came. Tess moaned as she felt him fill her, and she was swept away with him. She felt so close to him, so intertwined. For a second, she almost believed love could be real.

Spent, Cade withdrew. He collapsed next to her, draping a heavy arm over her chest and closing his eyes. His breathing gradually slowed. Tess wondered whether he was falling asleep.

She stared at the ceiling. What the hell was she doing? As much as she wanted to lie here and cuddle with him, she couldn’t—that would be too dangerous.

Cade cracked an eye as she lifted his arm off her. “Sorry,” he said, “am I too heavy?”

“You’re fine,” she said, rolling out of bed. “I just have to go.”

“You’re going to leave? Now?” He looked incredulous.

“I… have to edit the rest of the photos.” She grabbed her clothes off the floor, then headed for the door.

“Why are you really leaving? Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” She cracked open the door, looking down the hall. It was mercifully empty. “I just have to go. I’ll see you later.”

Dashing into her room, she locked the door behind her. Sinking to the floor, Tess took in a deep breath. How could she have let that happen? And was it her imagination, or had Cade seemed hurt to see her go? No, that definitely had to be her imagination. He could get any girl he wanted. There was no way someone like her could hurt him.

The sex had been fun, but it couldn’t happen again. That would only lead to pain.

Tess got in the shower, turning the tap until the water was freezing. She stood under the onslaught, shivering. She could never let herself fall in love. She had always had the sinking suspicion that she would end up just like her parents.

Cade would be better off with anyone but her.

Chapter Eleven

H
ER CAR RATTLED
as she eased it down the mountain. Tess gripped the wheel, hoping the rusted pile of metal would at least make it to Aubrey’s. Trusting her car was never the best idea, but she needed an escape. She had to get away from Bearview, from Cade, and from any reminder of weddings.

She sailed through the pines, only breathing easy when she had driven off the mountain. For some reason, sleeping with Cade had given her more questions than answers. Had he meant it when he said he loved her, or had he just wanted to get in her pants? More terrifying, if he did love her, did she love him back?

Tess shook herself. She couldn’t. There was no question of that. People who fell tended to get hurt, whether it was off cliffs or into love. Sometimes, the people who broke their bones ended up better off than the ones who got their hearts broken.

The road flattened out, and Tess eased off the brakes. She hoped Aubrey would be home by now. Tess really needed someone to talk to. And if Aubrey had baked some scones, or croissants, or macarons, Tess wouldn’t say no to those either.

Rolling plains stretched into the distance on her right. Tess chewed on her lip. She wanted to clear her mind, but her thoughts kept turning annoyingly to Cade. His hard muscles, his kind eyes, the way his cock had pounded into her…

She jerked the wheel to keep from driving off the road. Swearing, she straightened out. The man wasn’t even here and he was going to get her killed.

Somehow, Tess managed to arrive at Aubrey’s apartment without getting into a fiery wreck. She didn’t have as much success getting her mind off of Cade.

Tess ran up all three flights of stairs, knocking on the door.

After an agonizing minute, it swung open. “Tess?” Unsurprisingly, Aubrey was in her apron. “What’s wrong?”

“I need to talk.” Tess walked inside without waiting to be invited. “Please tell me you have baked goods.”

“Well, you have great timing.” Aubrey pointed to a tray of cookies on the counter. “They’re just about cooled.”

Tess went over to examine them. They were colored like pieces of watermelon, chocolate chips forming the seeds. Tess took one and popped it in her mouth, savoring the sugary treat.

“Wait.” Guiltily, she looked at Aubrey. “Those weren’t an order or anything, were they?”

“Don’t worry. I made extra.” Aubrey put some on a plate, then poured Tess a glass of milk to go with them. “Here you go. You look like you need this.”

“I do.” Tess stood at the counter, taking another cookie.

“Another bad day?”

“Bad week, I think.”

Aubrey sat on one of the bar stools. “What’s up? Is it work?”

“Yes…” Tess sipped her milk to put off fully answering.

Aubrey’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not just work, is it? Come on, tell me.”

“Well… there’s also a guy.”

“A guy!” Aubrey’s mouth hung open. “And when were you planning to tell me about this?”

“I should have told you earlier.” Tess pushed the crumbs around on her plate. “I wasn’t sure if anything would happen, but this morning I slept with him, so…”

Aubrey swiveled her stool, her eyes stern. “Tell me everything.”

She started with how she fell in the stream, and ended with Cade carrying her off to bed. Aubrey remained riveted the entire time.

“So, what do you think I should do?” Tess asked.

“I think that the next time your life is saved by a ruggedly handsome man, you need to inform me immediately.”

“Aubrey, seriously. I think I’m getting in too deep. I don’t really even want to be a wedding photographer, so what am I doing? I’ve already ruined one wedding. Should I leave?”

“Are you kidding? This guy sounds amazing.” Aubrey sighed. “Does he have any brothers?”

“Six.”

“That’s it.” Aubrey crossed her arms. “Give me your camera. If you’re leaving, I’m taking your job.”

Tess laughed.

“Really, though, just take things slow with Cade. If it doesn’t work out, you can always leave. What are you so afraid of?”

“I don’t know.” Tess picked up another cookie. “I think I’m more afraid that it will work out.”

Aubrey gave her forehead an exaggerated slap. “Get back up that mountain and back in bed with that man. I don’t even know what you’re doing here.” A timer beeped, and Aubrey got up to take another tray of cookies out of the oven. “I should push you out the door.”

“Not yet,” Tess begged. “I haven’t eaten enough cookies. And you haven’t solved all of my problems for me.”

“What else is there?” Aubrey took off her oven mitts. “Getting back in bed with your man is all the advice you need.”

“I still feel terrible for saying that Olivia and Henry wouldn’t last.”

Aubrey frowned. “Is there any way you can contact them?”

“Easily. They’re staying in the honeymoon cabin at Bearview. Which is why I haven’t gone outside all day.”

“Hmm.” Aubrey began moving her cookies onto a cooling rack. “Do you think they’d listen if you talked to them?”

“Maybe if I talked about glamorous internet pictures. That’s the only thing I know Olivia likes. What would I even say?”

“That you’re sorry?”

Tess straightened. “No.”

“You’re not going to apologize?”

“Oh, of course I am. But I just got an amazing idea.”

Aubrey set down her spatula. “What is it?”

Tess jumped up. “I’ll tell you later. By the time I get back up the mountain, it’ll be getting dark.”

“Tess! You just got here.”

But she was already halfway down the stairs. “Thanks, Aubrey!” she yelled over her shoulder. “Good talk!”

Tess got in her car, revving the engine. She felt better already. All she needed was for Olivia to listen for one minute. She could make everything right.

***

Even a few hours later, Cade still felt stunned. Tess had been perfect. He’d loved every moment with her, and he’d thought she liked it too. So why had she vanished like that?

After a quick shower, Cade tried to get back to work. He couldn’t think about Tess when he needed to focus on the lodge. He pored over the monthly budget, wondering whether there were any expenses they could cut. But it was hard to concentrate when all he could think about was how good she felt in his arms.

Cade pushed the ledger away. Within him, his bear paced, insisting that they needed to go after their mate. Cade growled, trying to quiet the animal. Tess had driven off the mountain, and his bear feared she wouldn’t return. But if the animal had its way, it would charge into town on all fours. Cade shook himself. Maybe a swim in the lake would calm the beast inside him.

The phone rang, making him jump. Cade took a breath. He hadn’t realized how tense he was.

He picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Cade? It’s Joe Collins.” Cade could practically smell cigar smoke wafting through the phone as Joe paused. “I’ve worked out how we can get you a lift system for 95 grand.”

“Oh? How?” Cade dug his nails into his palm, bracing for the worst.

“You let us take your old equipment off your hands. You need to get rid of it anyway, and I know a new lodge in need of a lift. It’s family owned, great people. I think they deserve a chance.”

“They want our old equipment?” Cade was incredulous. “Can you even fix that pile of rust?”

“My crew and I can fix anything. I’ve never met a bullwheel I couldn’t wrestle into submission.” There was another pause, and Cade was almost surprised that smoke didn’t pour through the speaker. “Besides that, there’s not much to discuss. I can get you the double chairs with heated seats like I promised. We’ll keep the same line as the old system. And it’ll take a few months, but we’ll have everything ready to go in time for the season.”

“Really?” Cade was glad he was already sitting down. “Thanks, Joe, that’s a real relief.”

“All we need is that fifty percent deposit. Send it over as soon as you can.”

“I’ll do that right now,” Cade promised.

“Sounds good. I’ll bring my crew over on Monday, then.”

“All right. Thanks, Joe.” Hanging up, Cade dug out the family checkbook. He waited until the pen steadied, then wrote out $47,500 on the solid line. His mouth felt dry. Soon, he would be signing away the Boone family’s remaining money.

There was a knock at the door. His heart leapt. Was it Tess?

“Come in,” he said.

It was only Ethan. Cade tried not to show his disappointment.

“Is everything okay?” Ethan asked.

Cade shrugged. “Just signed a check to Joe Collins for half of our savings.”

“So the new lift is on schedule?” Ethan picked up the check, inspecting it.

“Yeah. I just have to get that check to Joe.”

Ethan folded it in half. “I was actually thinking of heading into town. I could take it over for you, if that would help.”

“That’d be great. Thanks.”

Ethan hesitated on the threshold. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”

“I’m going to go over our budget again, see if there’s anything I missed.”

“Well, that sounds fun too.” Ethan fidgeted, then sighed. “You know, I’m sorry if we were too harsh earlier. About Tess, I mean. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Cade growled.

“You’ve never been this way about a girl before. But I trust your judgment. If you want to give her another chance, she should have one.”

“Thanks, Ethan,” Cade said softly.

“I know it’s surprising, but the rest of us care about Bearview too.” Ethan smiled, removing any animosity from his words. “Well, I’ll drop this off at Joe’s. Hopefully we can get a functional lodge out of it.”

“We’d better, for 95 grand.”

“Don’t worry so much, Cade. You’ll get a twist in your tail.” Grinning at the use of their grandmother’s favorite expression, Ethan strode into the hall.

Cade watched him go, trying not to think too hard about the fact that Ethan was taking half of the family’s savings with him.

He turned his attention back to the ledger, determined to find places to make even the smallest cuts. It wasn’t a fun task, and the monotony was only slightly broken by the sandwich he made himself for dinner.

He forced himself to stay awake as the sun sank behind the mountains. As much as he attempted to care about the numbers, he had to admit that he was just waiting for Tess to return.

He was starting to get worried when at last he heard the door next to his creak open. But then it closed again, and her footsteps vanished down the hall. Cade’s shoulders slumped. He hadn’t even gotten a chance to ask her if she was okay.

The clock ticked on, the hours whiling away, but she didn’t return. Where had she even gone? Cade tried valiantly to fight his heavy eyelids, but it was no use. Around midnight his head fell to the desk, and he gave in to sleep.

***

Cade filled his plate with mac and cheese, trying to ignore the uneasiness that had settled in his stomach. Tess’s door had been closed when he’d walked by that morning, and he wasn’t sure whether she was even on the mountain. He was beginning to fear that she’d bought her plane ticket early.

It seemed he wasn’t the only one having a late lunch today, as his brothers were still at their places around the table. Cade took his usual seat, digging into his food. He was starving.

“I dropped off the check,” Ethan said. “Joe says he and his crew will start work on Monday.”

“Thanks again, Ethan.”

“What are we getting?” Dean asked. “A moon bounce?”

“No,” Sawyer said, “let’s get some blackjack tables and turn this place into a casino.”

“We’re getting a new lift,” Cade said, “so we can have a ski lodge.”

“We’d make more money with a casino,” Sawyer said.

“Tell you what.” Cade took another bite. “You can buy all the blackjack tables you want with the extra money.”

“Really?”

“Sawyer.” Dean laid a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t think there is any extra money, bud.”

Sawyer looked at Cade, shaking his head. “How could you deceive me like that? You really let me down, big bro.”