“There’s no need…”
He seemed to sense that she wanted to go on her own, so he shrugged and followed her to the entrance closest to the path that led to the cabin. “All right, I’ll watch you from here.”
She prickled. “I’m really fine.”
“What about the bears?” he asked, and there seemed to be a hidden meaning there.
“Oh. I thought they’d be gone.”
“I’ll watch from here,” he said.
She looked at the stubborn tilt of his jaw and realized she wasn’t going to get her way with him, so she just stood on tiptoe to place a kiss gently on his jaw, which was lightly roughened with stubble. She breathed in his uniquely masculine scent and then stepped away. She didn’t miss the subtle, sharp intake of breath he’d made when she kissed him or the fire burning in his eyes as he watched her walk away.
She could see him in the glass behind her, watching her with eyes that were sharp and wanting.
Wanting something she wanted right back.
She stepped out into the cold, grateful for the evening air to cool her mind. A week with Ryder Hart? She was never going to make it that long without making a fool of herself or breaking her heart.
But she was going to try. She’d risked more for less. She grinned as she entered her cabin to get ready for the night.
11
Ryder gulped in air, trying to get adequate breath as Janna walked into the lodge with her friends.
The three women all looked very different. Kylie was the shortest, with straight blond hair and a shy, pretty face with round eyes and small features. Leslie had big wavy curls in her dark hair, and her skin was a lighter brown than Janna’s. Her eyes, however, were black.
And then there was his future mate. She’d gelled her curls so they made tight little ringlets all over her head. Her full lips were glossed in deep pink, and her warm-brown eyes sparkled at him with amusement. And that was just above the neck. Should he dare to look below…
She was wearing a little black dress tonight. Sleeveless, under a coat. It draped over her magnificent breasts and hugged her soft hourglass waist with a belted tie before falling softly over those hips that he just wanted to take hold of and grab as he sucked her off.
Her curvy brown legs showed some deep, rich skin before disappearing into stylish black booties that covered her delicate feet up to the heel.
Damn. He just wanted to run over, shield her from everyone else’s view, pick her up, and run to the cabin. See those dark curls spread over his pillow, those full lips parted in pleasure.
She turned to laugh at something one of her friends said and the sound was magical. His heart tightened. The warmth around her was familiar somehow. He thought maybe it reminded him somewhat of his mother. How he and his brothers had loved that sound.
It had been a long time since he’d dared to love a woman like that. Allowed himself to love one so much that even her laugh felt like something to chase after, if only to hear it again and again.
If his mother could see him now, would she be proud of his choice in Janna? How he was treating her? She’d had a whirlwind romance of her own, and he wished she were around to ask how to go about it.
But there was something warm and feminine in his life again. And this time, she would be his mate. He would take care of her. His to protect, and he would.
He felt the stares of other men in the lodge, their hungry eyes raking the women from head to toe. Settling especially on Janna, who seemed to be more and more full of life the more time they spent together.
Damn, she was a light attracting moths. He wanted to hide her in his bedroom, but that was no way to treat a lady.
At least Ryder Hart knew that. Ryder Hart’s bear was still voting for a trip to the cave.
He walked forward, confident in the nice suit he’d picked for dinner, standing tall and letting the other men know who was alpha here. He reached out an arm for Janna to take, and the other women tittered in response. Janna blushed but put her hand softly on his bicep, and he fought the tightening feeling that always happened when she touched him.
Something told him they’d be back at the cabin tonight, making another “mistake.”
Janna introduced her friends as they walked. Kylie was the town florist and occasionally substitute taught at the local school. Leslie owned a bar in town and also was the go-to person for events. She was vivacious and sparkly and he couldn’t help being reminded of Riley.
He wasn’t sure these two should be in the same room together.
They asked him questions about business, what he was doing in town, and how his brothers were doing as they walked to the restaurant together. He’d rented out the private conference room for their little group date.