Read Bought by the Billionbear: BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance for Free Online Page A

thoroughly.
    He drove her through the busy streets and then out of the city, enjoying her presence and conversation. Soon they were winding through narrow roads, into the wilderness, and then bumping along off-road. Tall trees rose up all around them, their green leaves casting shadows over the car. The air was cooler, as the trees blocked the sun, and very clear.
    Now both Owen and his bear were at home, having left the city behind. Men liked the city, but bears didn’t. Spending half his time in each place was a compromise that made both Owen and his bear happy. And now he had his mate to share it with! His life was perfect.
    ***
    Raina laid her hand down on Owen’s forearm and let him help her down from the Range Rover. His arm was warm and steady beneath her hand, as much a promise of safety as the man himself.
    She stepped down to the mossy ground and breathed in the air of the wilderness. It was scented with earth and pine and growing wood. She hadn’t realized how much the air in the city smelled like chemicals and asphalt and steel until she left it behind her. The trees were old and gnarled, thick with leaves. Raina couldn’t hear any cars or any noises of people, but only Owen’s soft breathing, the rustling of leaves in the breeze, and the chirping of birds.
    “It’s so peaceful,” she said. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
    “You’re welcome. This is a very special place for me. I’m glad you like it.” He took out the picnic basket and a rolled-up blanket, and they set out.
    As they began to walk through the woods, Raina realized that they didn’t seem to be on a trail. “You never get lost here, do you?”
    Owen shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. I know this forest by heart. Besides, we’re on a deer trail. See?”
    Raina looked where he’d pointed. At first she didn’t see anything to mark the trail, but then she caught the faint imprints of hooves in the moss. “Deer are so cute. Think we’ll see some?”
    “Maybe. It’s a little late in the day for them, but you never know. Are they your favorite forest animal?”
    “I don’t know if I have a favorite,” she replied. “Maybe foxes. They’re even cuter than deer. What’s your favorite?”
    Owen had looked oddly disappointed when she’d mentioned foxes, and looked oddly hopeful as he said, “Bears. Um… What do you think of bears?”
    “I’m not sure I’ve ever thought much about them,” Raina admitted. “I’ve never seen one up close. Just as well. Why do you like them?”
    Owen grew increasingly impassioned as he spoke. “They’re wild. They’re fierce. Bears are powerful and smart. They can fight ferociously, but they won’t attack without cause. They’re loyal and they love their families— and their mates. A bear will do anything to protect the ones he loves!”
    Raina had to smile at his intensity. She loved that he got so passionate about his beloved wilderness, even to the point of being a one-man Bear Defense Society. “And they’re fluffy and furry. You’re right. They’re great animals.”
    Encouraged, Owen continued discussing bears as they hiked on. By the time they reached a sunlit glen beside a wide stream, Raina had learned all about bears.
    But, she thought secretly, she still wouldn’t want to meet one. It would probably eat her. They were nice from a distance and in a zoo, but she sure wouldn’t want to run into one in the forest.
    Owen spread out the blanket on the grass. The nearby stream formed a small waterfall leading into a crystal pool, and a ray of sunlight struck rainbows off its falling drops.
    They sat on the blanket and unpacked the picnic basket. Raina began to laugh as she saw how lavish it was. “You bought the entire store! How did you carry all that?”
    Owen shrugged. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I figured I’d get a selection.”
    The basket contained bottles of water, lemonade, and champagne, plus carefully wrapped glasses, napkins, and silverware. It