Read Savage Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance Online

Authors: Ruby Shae

Savage Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (6 page)

BOOK: Savage Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance

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“I’m glad you got it fixed,” he said. “How’s it running?”

“Good,” she replied. “Thank you for paying for the repairs, but it wasn’t necessary. I’m perfectly capable of paying for my own vehicle maintenance.”

“I know you are, but it wasn’t about you. It was about me, and the way I treat you. You look beautiful, buy the way.”

“Jared…”

“Wait,” he said. He held up his hands and she saw a bandage on his inner right forearm. It was obvious he’d gotten another visible tattoo, and she desperately wanted to know what it was until she remembered his harsh insults about her infatuation with his ink.

“I know you’re mad,” he continued, “and I deserve it, but I want to show you something. Can you meet me at this address tomorrow at noon?”

He handed her a folded piece of lined paper, and she opened it to read the address. The street name sounded familiar, but she wasn’t exactly sure where it was located.

“Is this in Liberty?”’

“Yes. It’s across the street from the forest on the east side.”

“What are you going to show me?”

“I can’t say,” he said, “but I think you’ll like it.”

God, she wanted to say no and make him suffer, but the suspense was killing her. What if he wanted to get back together? What if he was finally willing to commit and he was trying to prove his intensions?

What if he’s trying to make a fool out of you?

She dismissed the last thought as soon as it developed. He may not be ready to admit it, but Jared loved her. He would never do anything to publically humiliate her on purpose.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m off tomorrow, so I can meet you.”

“Great,” he said, moving toward her. “It’s a date. Don’t be late.”

“Jared, did you just rhyme?” she asked, incredulous.

“I did,” he said, his face still serious.

“Okay,” she giggled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you,” he said.

He waited until she started the engine, and then he waved and disappeared into the sea of parked cars. She hadn’t seen his truck anywhere, but she hadn’t been looking. For all she knew, she’d walked right past it.

She read the address on the piece of paper again and considered using her GPS to drive by on her way home, but she changed her mind. For some reason, Jared had asked her to meet him tomorrow, and she had a feeling the time of day was important.

She tucked the paper safely inside her purse, turned on the radio, and drove home.

She told herself not to think about Jared, but she couldn’t help it. She lay awake for hours wondering what he wanted to show her, and then fell into a restless sleep plagued with several weird dreams.

Noon couldn’t arrive soon enough.

Chapter Six

Leah arrived five minutes early and parked her car on the street behind Jared’s. He’d been leaning against his truck waiting, but he stood up straight when she pulled up, and waited for her on the sidewalk as she slowly climbed out of her vehicle.

The address led her to a light blue house with white trim, and a
sold
sign in the yard. Her heart beat wildly and swelled with hope as she realized why he’d asked her to meet him. Tears threatened, but she blinked them away. She couldn’t start crying, yet.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

She noticed he still wore a bandage on his arm, and understood it was for show. Bandages on fresh ink could be removed after a couple of hours, but for some reason he was hiding the design from her.

“Let’s go inside.”

She nodded and walked through the gate he held open for her, and then waited as he unlocked the front door. The inside was empty, and it had hardwood floors instead of carpet. He led her toward the back of the house, and a sliding glass door revealed a huge backyard.

“This place is gorgeous,” she said, turning to find Jared standing in the kitchen.

“I’m glad you think so,” he said.

On the counter in front of him sat the two bear coffee mugs she’d bought him, an expensive gourmet coffee machine, a box of her favorite coffee, a thick business sized envelope, and a small white box tied with a ribbon the same color as the outside of the house.

The tears she’d batted away resurfaced and she couldn’t stop their escape.

“You can’t cry, yet,” Jared said. “I haven’t even said anything.”

He looked completely confused by her behavior, and she couldn’t help but giggle.

“I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes.

She crossed the room to the counter and looked closer at his display, but the tears started to fall again. He was giving her everything she wanted, and she couldn’t hold in her excitement.

“Oh, damn,” he said, handing her a napkin. “Maybe this was a mistake.”

“No,” she yelped, grabbing his sleeve. “It’s perfect.”

“Are you sure?”

He looked like he was ready to run.

“Yes, these are happy tears.”

“Happy tears?” he sighed. “Fuck, I am so screwed.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she laughed. “Say what you want to say.”

“I love you,” he said simply. “I know I’m not perfect, but I’m better when I’m with you, and if you agree to be my mate, I’ll do my best to be the man you need me to be. I thought this house would be the perfect place to raise our cubs, and so I bought it. I also bought you a ring to seal the deal on the human side of things, and I convinced Gabe to let me sell barbeque on Friday and Saturday nights. He also offered you a job, but I know you like where you are now, so you know, no pressure or anything. You were right, by the way, about everything, and I also got a new tattoo to prove that I’m a changed man.” He took a deep breath. “And…I guess that’s all.”

She’d never heard him string so many words together at one time before, and she’d been surprised he’d done it in one breath, especially considering he’d had to keep handing her napkins during the whole thing. As much as she tried, she couldn’t stop crying. His declaration was rushed and disjointed, but it was also perfect because it came from his heart. She believed every word, and she couldn’t wait to spend her life with him. There was just one thing she had to do first.

“Let me see the new tat,” she said, drying her eyes for the hundredth time.

He ripped off the bandage and revealed two red roses, one large and one slightly smaller, surrounded by a more elegant tribal design. She could tell he’d used the same artist, but it stood out from the others, and the meaning wasn’t lost on her.

“You got color,” she said quietly, admiring the ink before looking up at him. “It’s beautiful, and I love it.”

She pulled him down for a kiss, and he grabbed her by the waist and set her on the counter. She wrapped her legs around him and deepened the kiss, tasting every inch of his mouth. It had only been three days since their last physical contact, but it felt like three years.

She pulled his shirt up his back, and he broke the kiss and whipped it over his head.

“Mmm… That’s what I’m talking about,” she said, tracing the muscles in his chest and abs. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Leah, you’re killing me here. I need your answer, sweetheart.”

“Yes,” she said, laughing. “Of course, yes. I love you, Jared.”

“You need to see the ring,” he said, handing her the box. “I can return it if you don’t like it.”

She pulled the ribbon, took the lid off the cardboard box and slid the navy blue velvet ring box into her hand. When she opened the box, her lower lip quivered and Jared handed her another napkin.

“It’s the most perfect ring I’ve ever seen,” she whispered, holding back her tears. “Put it on me, please.”

He lifted the ring out of the box, and slid it down her finger. It was a perfect fit, and more tears leaked down her cheeks. Jared kissed her again, and she’d never experienced a more perfect moment until an hour later when he marked her with his canines.

Every emotion he felt wrapped around her, secured their bond, and reinforced his decisions to change his life for the better. He still hadn’t smiled, and maybe he never would, but she knew what was in his heart.

Hope, life, peace, joy, and…love.

The End

From the Author

Thank you for purchasing this book. Your support allows me to continue doing a job I love every day. If you liked this story, please consider leaving a review so more people can find and enjoy my books.

Hugs,

Ruby Shae

About the Author

I write sizzling, sexy, shifter romance.

Until I find my own tall, muscle bound, alpha shifter…I’ll keep writing about them.

Visit my website to learn more about my books (and me!)

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