Read Brash Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (BRIDES fur BEARS Book 3) for Free Online

Yes, ordered, in that stern, demanding,
authoritative voice of his.
    She had a mind to just flop
onto her bed and sleep here, in her bedroom—just to defy him.
But that would be plain silly and childish. It was like cutting off
your nose to spite your face.
    Growling, she grabbed her
pillow and covers and stormed to the living room. She made herself
comfortable on the couch and stared at the new, shiny handle and lock
on her front door.
    Those guys had done a good
job. She did feel safer now. She was just lucky that no one had
tried to break into her house these past few nights.
    Well, there was nothing
valuable in her house, except…
    Bella gulped. Her
grandmother's ring. It was her family heirloom, and she kept it
hidden in her suitcase. It was the only ring she ever owned and she
treasured it dearly.
    What if someone broke into
her house and stole that precious ring? Joshua was right, she
acknowledged grudgingly. But he didn't have to be so domineering and
pushy. What did he have to get so angry for? This wasn't even his
house!
    But even as she stewed, she
knew that Joshua was angry because he cared. He took charge and took
care of her safety without even being asked. He was the complete
opposite of her ex-husband, Harlan. Harlan expected her to take care
of him, take care of everything. He asserted himself only when he
wanted something from her. He would never do what Joshua did.
    Do something good for her,
quietly, firmly, stubbornly. Joshua didn't care if he pissed her
off. He wasn't out to impress her or charm her. He didn't even
flatter her or try to win the job for his company. He just barged in
and fixed what he saw needed to be fixed. He was brusque, brash and
bossy.
    He didn't care if he pissed
her off. But he cared...for her .
    No one had ever done that for
her.
    Bella tossed heavily on her
side. Joshua was so different from her ex, yet she kept on comparing
him to that loser just because of his age. She wasn't being fair,
but she didn't want to risk being burned again.
    The attraction was there. It
was undeniable. Bella cursed loudly and pulled the covers over her
head. What was she doing? She was getting blinded again. She had
to keep her eyes open—and her heart closed.
    She had sworn off men and
yet here she was, barely a week into her new life and falling
in...lust with a younger guy.
    Lust. It had to be lust.
    She was a sucker for tall,
handsome men who were no good for her.
    Bella flung the covers back
down and stared at the patchy, peeling ceiling.
    Nick had written down his
mobile and home numbers on that piece of paper before he left. And
he had suggested having dinner together one weekend.
    Nick was a nice guy, an
older, responsible, reliable guy. If she was going to dip into that
treacherous dating pool, she should go with Nick.
    But…
    “I want Josh.”
    There. She'd said it.
    She had hoped that when
uttered out loud, the words would sound completely frivolous and
ridiculous, and she would finally come to her senses.
    Instead, the said words had
the opposite effect. It confirmed and solidified her heart's desire.
    She did want Josh.
    She shouldn't want him, but
try telling that to her traitorous, defiant heart and body.
    Jolting up, she flung the
covers aside in frustration. This wasn't working. She was supposed
to not think of him.
    Pulling the curtains aside,
she looked out the window and started.
    No. Surely she was
hallucinating.
    That couldn't be his car
across the street, could it? What was Joshua doing here in front of
her house in the middle of the night?

CHAPTER
FIFTEEN

    Joshua reclined the driver's
seat and adjusted his broad body in the confined space of his car.
It was a sturdy SUV, but sitting for hours in the car with little
space to stretch his long legs wasn't too comfortable.
    He should be sleeping in his
bed. Snug, comfy—and alone.
    He was all too aware that he
was the only unmated bear in the house. His two brothers were all
mated and loved up, and he was genuinely happy