Read The Steel Bear: A BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Highland Brothers) for Free Online Page A

saw a smile creep over his gorgeous, edible lips. The lips she now knew always tasted like red wine.
    “I think I need to review the contract before you take it.”
    “But you already read it last night.” Her hands flew to her hips.
    He shrugged. “I need to be sure.”
    “Crawford, I…” She wasn’t that brave. She might have given her notice, and she might have thrown herself on the man last night, but she couldn’t force him to sign the contract. She’d just have to finish her coffee and wait him out.

8
    Crawford
    H e tried to tell himself it had only been a dream, but when he awoke this morning his bear was aching for her. He thought he would crawl out of his skin if he didn’t touch her. He didn’t know how it had happened, but Mila had turned his world upside down. And now before he could figure out what everything meant, she was ready to leave.
    He wasn’t going to let that happen. He had to know if she was the woman. He had heard about bears dreaming about their mates. He wasn’t ready to say that the dream was a vision, but it sure as hell felt like it.
    He had to know if somehow in all this craziness he had his mate within his grasp.
    If somehow the woman he had been searching for had been next to him all along.
    He chuckled as he watched her sulk on the couch.
    “When does this have to be delivered?” He held up the contract from the board.
    “If we don’t have it in their hands by five o’clock tomorrow all terms all null and void.”
    “Hmm.” He folded it in thirds, and shoved it behind the family photos scattered across the mantle.
    “What are you doing? I thought you said you would review it.” She rose from the couch.
    “We have plenty of time to get this back to the city. How about some breakfast?” He saw her eyes light up. She had to be hungry. He hadn’t offered her anything since she arrived last night.
    He felt the hesitation in her response. “All right. Food does sound good.”
    “I can make a mean omelet. How about that?”
    “With bacon?” she asked.
    “Is there any other kind?” He started opening cabinets until he found the omelet pan stashed under the stove.
    “Not in my book.” She settled on the barstool. He felt her eyes on his back.
    Crawford began to stir milk and butter into the eggs as he whisked them in a frenzy. Within minutes he served hot cheese and bacon omelets on two plates.
    Mila took a bite, her lips smiling as she chewed. “This is amazing. Better than Fancy’s Diner.”
    “Wow. That’s a compliment. Isn’t that your favorite spot?” He took a bite to taste his masterpiece.
    She looked at him. “I-I, yes. It is. I didn’t know you knew that.” Her gaze fell back to her plate.
    “Sure. You get breakfast from there every Wednesday. And sometimes on Fridays,” he added.
    “I guess I do.” She reached for her coffee.
    Realizing her cup was empty Crawford brought a freshly brewed pot to the bar. “How about a refill?”
    She giggled and he felt warmth spread through his chest. “This is a first.”
    “What’s that?” he asked.
    “It’s usually the other way around. I don’t think you’ve ever gotten coffee for me before.”
    “I guess I haven’t.” He placed the carafe on the counter.
    There was an ease between them he hadn’t noticed before. Mila was someone he had spent almost an entire year with, but he felt like he was seeing the real woman for the first time.
    “Well.” She sighed. “As soon as the contract is signed I’ll drive back and we can work on finding the next girl to fetch your coffee. All right?”
    Before he could respond, she stood from the stool and began cleaning the kitchen. She ran the faucet, clanged the pots and pans, and loaded the dishwasher. She was avoiding him.
    As she bent over the sink and the rack to load the plates, Crawford’s eyes traveled over the swell of her bottom, down her legs to her feet. He hadn’t noticed it until now, but she was wearing high heels. He swallowed hard,