Diesel (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (The Grizzly Brothers Book 1) (2 page)

S
adie snatched
her hand back as if she’d just touched a flame, but even though she was no longer touching Diesel, she still felt a tingle in her fingertips.

Unsure of what to say or how to react, Sadie picked up Diesel’s plate and took it, along with hers, to the sink. As she washed and dried the dishes from their impromptu meal, Sadie wondered how in the heck she’d gotten here, and who Diesel really was.

From the second she’d seen him in that doorway, she’d been flustered. Not only was he extremely tall and handsome, but he was quiet and almost adorably awkward.

Although he was a man of few words, and didn’t quite know how to talk to her, Sadie was surprised to find that he didn’t scare her or make her nervous. For some reason, being around him made her feel safe. Call it female intuition, but whatever it was, it left Sadie feeling comfortable around him.

Until she’d touched him, anyway. One touch had opened something inside her. Something unfamiliar and exciting, yet terrifying.

It was like a switch had been flipped and she was suddenly tuned in to Diesel. She didn’t know how else to describe it. Like with the first contact of skin on skin, they were suddenly connected in some way.

Sadie shook her head as she dried off their plates, wondering momentarily if she’d hit her head and caused some damage when she’d fainted at the sight of that bear.

The bear…

She realized that Diesel hadn’t answered her question about whether or not he’d seen the bear. She turned to ask him again, but was stunned silent when she found him standing right behind her.

“You move quietly for such a big man,” Sadie said before she could keep the thought to herself.

Diesel had to be at least a foot taller than her, if not more, but he was bent slightly so that his face was a mere few inches above her head.

Sadie’s breath caught at not just his nearness, but the look on his face. His eyes were dark and chocolaty, and they seemed to be looking right into her soul. His scent was rich and woodsy, and the combination of
that look
and his smell was making her lightheaded.

“It’s you,” Diesel said strangely.

“It’s me, who?” she whispered.

Diesel lifted his hand up cautiously, as if he were afraid to startle her. Sadie watched as it moved closer to her face, before gently brushing her hair back and tucking it behind her ear.

The gesture confused her, even as her heart began to pound harder in her chest, and she gasped when his thumb brushed softly against her cheek.

She watched, frozen and waiting to see what would happen next, as he began to lower his face closer to hers. When his lips were barely a breath away from hers, Sadie let her eyes drift closed, as her body thrummed with anticipation.

“
Yo, D, where you at
?”

Diesel grunted in annoyance at the intrusion, as Sadie’s eyes flew open in time to see him backing away from her.

She bit back her disappointment and turned her head to see who belonged to the loud, bellowing voice.

“What the…” Sadie managed, as she watched not just one,
but two
, exact replicas of Diesel walk into the kitchen.

“Whoa…” one of the Diesel clones said.

“Oh, sorry, we didn’t know you had a guest,” the other said.

Sadie stood there, her mouth slack as she looked from one man to the next, then back again.

“What are you doing here?” Diesel asked, somewhat rudely.

The other two men just grinned, totally unfazed by his surliness.

One of the men stepped forward and held out his hand. “Don’t mind D, he’s not used to socializing. I’m Hunter.”

Sadie shook his outstretched hand and noticed that although they did all look almost identical, Hunter’s eyes were so dark they were practically black.

“Nice to meet you, Hunter, I’m Sadie.”

“Blaze,” the other man said, lifting his hand in a quick wave. His eyes were brown like Diesel’s, although not quite as chocolaty, with a few grey specks surrounding the iris.

“Hi,” she said, waving back. “So, I take it you guys are related.”

“Brothers,” Diesel said gruffly.

“Triplets?”

“From the same…” Diesel began, but Blaze cut him off and answered, “Yeah, triplets.”

Sadie narrowed her eyes at Diesel, who didn’t finish his sentence, and repeated, “What are you guys doing here?”

“Stop fawning all over us, man, it’s embarrassing,” Hunter said with a grin.

“We were supposed to meet up, go to The Ridge, remember?” Blaze replied.

“Something came up,” Diesel replied, shocking Sadie when his hand darted out and he pulled her up against him, so he was flush at her side.

“We can see that,” Blaze said, giving Sadie a wink. “How did you two meet, anyway?”

“Oh, ah, actually, I’m here from Chicago to visit my sister. She was called away for work and I was supposed to find my way to her place and wait for her there. Unfortunately, I had car trouble, then ran across a huge, ferocious bear and passed out. When I came to, I was here. Your brother found me and brought me back… He saved me.”

Sadie took a deep breath after getting her story out, then leaned into Diesel’s side, not only wanting to thank him again for helping her, but because his nearness soothed her.

“Ferocious bear, huh?” Hunter asked, shooting a knowing smile at Diesel. “Lucky you were in the area.”

Although she wasn’t sure what the look was about, Sadie nodded her head in agreement. She
was
lucky that Diesel had been in the area.

Diesel opened his mouth to say something, but she noticed Blaze shake his head, stopping his brother, then turned to Sadie and asked, “Who’s your sister? It’s a really small town, so we might know her.”

“Reagan,” she began, to which Hunter immediately replied, “We know her. We can take you to her house.”

“Oh, okay,” Sadie said, looking uncertainly up at Diesel, whose arm flexed around her, as if he didn’t want to let her go.

Funny, but she kind of felt the same way, although she knew going to her sister’s was the right thing to do. It wasn’t like she could stay here with Diesel forever.

“
S
he’s my mate
,” Diesel declared as he watched Hunter lead Sadie to his truck.

“Yeah, I got that,” Blaze replied with a grin. “I’ve never seen you pawing at a girl that way. Didn’t know you had it in you, D.”

“She should stay with me,” Diesel replied, ignoring his brother’s verbal jabs.

Blaze sighed and put a hand on his oldest brother’s shoulder.

“Look, brother, I’ve spent a lot more time around women than you,
a lot
… Trust me when I say you need to slow down a bit. She’s not from around here, and she has no idea who, or what, you are, and she’s human. Plus, she’s Reagan’s sister, and Reagan will kick your ass if you scare her.”

Diesel snorted. He didn’t know Reagan, but the thought of anyone, man or woman, kicking his ass was unbelievable.

Blaze turned and looked his brother in the eye, his face unusually serious.

“I want this for you, we both do. If anyone deserves to find his mate, it’s you. Shit, Hunter and I would love it if it were a human woman… that would mean you’d be around more.”

“I’m sorry,” Diesel began. He always felt guilty not being there more for his brothers, but he’d always been happiest in his grizzly form.

Shooting a glance at Sadie, who was watching them from inside the car, he thought maybe that was about to change.

“You don’t have to be sorry, we get it. There’s nothing like being in our true form, but, D, we miss you when you’re gone…” Blaze shook his head and added, “Anyway… What you need to do is ask her out on a date. Get to know her a little bit, let her get to know you, then, when the time is right, tell her who you really are. You’ll know she’s your mate if she feels the connection too. She may be a little freaked at first, but when you meet your true mate, there’s no denying it.”

“A date?” Diesel asked. He’d never been like his brothers when it came to women, and he really wasn’t sure what a date entailed.

“Do something nice for her…”

“I could go get her car and bring it to her sister’s.”

“Perfect,” Blaze said with a grin. “Then, when you drop it off, invite her to dinner at The Ridge. Go home, shower, put on something nice, then pick her up and take her out. Talk, hold hands, let her know you’re interested. Then, at the end of the date, walk her to the door and give her a kiss goodnight.”

“A kiss goodnight, but what about the claiming?” Diesel asked sincerely. If he was honest, that was the part he wanted to get to the most.

“Easy, big guy,” Blaze said with a chuckle. “You’ve got to give it a little time. You can’t just jump her on her sister’s porch. Trust me.”

“I do,” Diesel said, then added, “Thanks, brother.”

They went and loaded into the truck with Hunter and Sadie, then took off toward Reagan’s.

Diesel knew his village well, but he spent most of his time either at his home or his brother’s, or roaming the woods in his bear form. He didn’t know much about the others that lived there, other than there were a few other bears, some wolves, and a couple humans.

If he’d ever met Sadie’s sister, he didn’t remember, but when Hunter pulled down a driveway and stopped in front of a quaint, one-story cabin, Diesel realized he’d passed by this house before.

The brothers got out of the truck and scattered. Hunter went around the back, while Blaze surveyed the perimeter of the house.

Diesel walked up the steps to the porch with Sadie and said, “Open it, and I’ll go in first to make sure it’s safe.”

“Okay, thanks,” Sadie said softly, her big eyes on him.

Diesel wanted to claim her right then. To tell her she was his mate, and take her in his arms, but Blaze’s words echoed in his ears, and he knew he needed to wait so he didn’t screw things up.

He watched as she pulled back the welcome mat and picked up the key from the porch.

“I guess she’s not too worried about burglars,” Sadie said with a nervous laugh.

Rather than respond, Diesel took the key from her small hand and opened the door. He motioned for her to stay put, then went inside to make sure the house was clear. When he was satisfied it was, he went back to the porch, where Sadie was waiting, and gave her a nod.

“See you soon,” he said, then started down the steps.

“Wait, you’re leaving?” Sadie asked, looking nervously over her shoulder into the big, empty space.

“I’ll be back,” Diesel promised, then went in search of his brothers.

They stopped at the station to fill up a gas tank, then headed out to the road where he’d found Sadie. Once he was sure her bags were still securely in the trunk, and the tank was full, he thanked his brothers for their help and took off in Sadie’s car toward her sister’s.

While he was getting her bags out of the trunk, Sadie opened the door and watched, a huge smile on her face.

“You got my car, and my stuff,” she stated as he walked toward her, hands full.

“I figured you’d need them,” Diesel replied with a grunt as he carried her things into the house, then asked, “Where?”

“Oh, the bedroom there,” she said, pointing to a door on the right.

Diesel deposited her bags in the room, then turned to find her standing right beside him, looking up at him like he was a hero.

“Your tank is full, and your bags are intact,” he began, as he fought the urge to gather her to him. “I’ll be back at six to take you to dinner.”

Sadie blinked slowly.

“You’re taking me to dinner?”

“Yes.”

“Like… a date?”

“Yes.”

Diesel’s gut clenched when a beautiful smile bloomed across her face.

She was happy to go on a date with him
…

“Okay,” Sadie said, breathlessly.

Satisfied, and eager to get done what he needed so he could get back to her, he turned and walked out the door.

“Wait,” she called, and he stopped. “Where are we going? What should I wear?”

“The Ridge,” Diesel answered, then added, “Dress warm.”

“How will you get home? Do you need a ride?”

“No, I’ll walk,” he replied, then gave her one last look, before closing the door and heading home.

S
he didn’t know
how he could possibly walk all the way back to his house, but since he had carried her for ten miles, Sadie figured he knew his own limitations.

Sadie looked at the clock and realized that she only had three hours to unpack, shower, and get ready for her impromptu date. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach, and the strange afterglow of meeting Diesel. She didn’t understand her reaction to him, or what it meant, but it was powerful enough for her to want to explore it… to feel it again.

Humming while she put her clothes into the dresser in Reagan’s guestroom, Sadie wondered if her sister knew Diesel, and if so, what she thought about him.

Sure he was quiet and a little awkward, and he’d told her they were going on a date, rather than asking, but he was so much more than that. Not just handsome, although,
he really was
, but also kind, nurturing, and easy to be with.

Plus, he made her feel safe, and Sadie couldn’t remember ever being with a man who’d done that.

Then, there was the way her body had reacted to the simple touch of his arm… It made her wonder what else he could make her feel.

Once her things were put away and her suitcases stowed, Sadie grabbed a shower, then began to primp for her date. He’d said to dress warm, so she put on a periwinkle blue sweater that matched her eyes perfectly, and a pair of long, black, boot-cut slacks, which she paired with her favorite pair of black boots.

Satisfied with her clothes, Sadie went to work on her hair and makeup. Natural, yet striking. That was the look she was going for.

If Diesel had been about to kiss her, even though she’d spent the night traveling and half the day passed out, Sadie hoped he’d want to once she was all decked out for him.

And, this time, there would be no interruptions
.

Just the thought had her smiling as she applied ruby red lipstick to her plump lips.

At five minutes to six, Sadie was sitting at Reagan’s kitchen table, her coat over the chair and her purse sitting on the table in front of her. She’d been sitting that way for the last fifteen minutes, and what had started out as a calm excitement had turned into a giant ball of nerves.

What if he changed his mind?

What if he didn’t show?

What was she doing making a date with a complete stranger, in a strange place?

Had she remembered to put on deodorant?

These were the questions that were driving her crazy when a loud knock sounded on the door.

“He’s here,” she whispered to the empty room, then quickly pushed back from the table and gathered her things.

Before Sadie could reach the door, another knock came. She opened the door with a smile, then lost her breath at the sight of him.

He
had
to be at least six foot seven inches of solid muscle, yet he moved with the grace of a much smaller man. And he was dark… dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin, yet he wasn’t foreboding.

At least not to her. To her, he was absolutely stunning.

With dark jeans, a button up forest green shirt, and a pair of boots, he looked utterly gorgeous.

It was all Sadie could do not to leap into his arms and pepper him with kisses.

“Ready?” he asked, his eyes melting like hot fudge as they swept over her body.

Sadie barely controlled a shiver as she put on her coat and replied, “Yes,” then gave him a smile and put her small hand in his large one.

Diesel helped her into his large truck, his hands lingering just a second longer than necessary at her hips. She watched as he rounded the front of the vehicle, eyes on her, and held her breath in anticipation of him filling the bed of the truck.

There was something about him that made her feel giddy. It was strange and wonderful, and unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

Sadie wanted to hold on to that feeling forever. She didn’t care if it made her silly, irrational, or irresponsible. She liked him. Really,
really
, liked him.

Diesel folded his large body into the truck, giving her one last lingering glance, before turning his attention to the road and taking off toward the restaurant.

The drive was short, silent, and surprisingly, not at all uncomfortable.

Before Sadie could hop down from the truck, Diesel was there to assist her, his hands on her body once again.

This time, her shiver was uncontrollable.

“Thanks,” she said shyly, with what she hoped was a sweet, yet seductive smile.

Diesel led her into The Ridge, one hand at the small of her back, and Sadie paused when they walked inside, her eyes wide as she took in the large, open space.

Built like an early 1800s saloon, The Ridge was decorated in earthy tones, heavy on wood accents, and filled with light, music, and laughter. There was a long bar to her left, tables scattered throughout the center of the room, and a kitchen off to the right. In the back, there was a large stage with dancing girls.

Not strippers, or anything untoward, but real live burlesque dancers.

Sadie felt like Diesel had opened the door and led her back in time.

“This is amazing,” Sadie exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.

“It’s okay,” Diesel replied with a shrug.

“Hey, Diesel, you meeting your brothers?” the pretty young hostess asked when they approached.

“No,” was her date’s abrupt answer. “Table for two.”

The hostess blinked in surprise, glancing quickly at Sadie, then recovered and said smoothly, “Sure thing, right this way.”

Sadie looked at Diesel out of the corner of her eye as they were taken to a table close enough to see the dancers, but far enough away to be able to have a conversation. She wondered if this was the local hangout. It seemed like Diesel was a regular here, since the hostess knew him by name, but she’d acted like seeing Diesel with a date was uncommon.

That seemed strange. Sadie knew that it was a small village, and that by the looks of the crowd in the bar, that this was probably where most of the residents spent their weekend.

Did that mean Diesel didn’t date? That he was more of a hit ‘em and quit ‘em kind of guy than boyfriend material?

From what she knew about him, that didn’t seem right, but Sadie realized that they hadn’t really gotten to the part where they’d discussed his intentions. Or hers, for that matter. As they were seated, Sadie decided to lay it all on the table.

In a short amount of time, she already knew that she liked him and they had serious chemistry, and she wanted to explore it. Now it was time to find out what he was feeling, and what he wanted. She just hoped they were both on the same page. After all, she was only supposed to be here for a couple weeks, so she couldn’t get involved in anything too serious.