Page 11 of Goldie's Grumpy Grizzly
For a moment, his eyes flash with the reflective quality that his bear had, and I gasp. The sound snaps him into action as he spins away and quickly drops canisters of half-and-half, raw sugar, and honey in front of me.
“Go on and fix it up as you like.”
He watches carefully as I doctor my cup with a generous helping of sticky honey. Then he reaches into the fridge, retrieves the can of whipped cream, and tops my drink with a hearty, expertly swirled mini-mountain.
“So, have you and your family always run this place?” I ask.
“Yup. My grandfather established it years ago and my parents kept it going. In those days, the grounds were smaller so they could get by with only a few full-time helpers. We didn’t have the holiday village or the lodges. Just a campground and our own lodge on the far end of the property.”
“Ah, so you and your brothers took up the family business then.”
He nods, fixing up his own cup of coffee with equal parts sugar and honey. No cream.
“Clayton, my eldest brother, is the brains behind the operation. It was his idea to make the place a destination spot, build eco-friendly lodges catering to all species, and add a shopping center. Connor’s in charge of the food, Mom does all the hospitality and events, and I lead the outdoor programming activities. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing. All the adventure stuff.”
Explains his body and fitness levels, I think, my gaze dropping to his hip.
“What about your dad?”
His gaze slides to the window, and I get the feeling I misstepped here.
“My dad’s been gone for a long while now. It’s just the three of us and Mama.”
“Oh. Sorry.” I press my lips together. “My birth parents are gone, too. I’m adopted. I don’t know what it’s like to be surrounded by blood all the time, but it must be nice.”
He shrugs. “Most of the time, yeah.”
“I meant to sign up for some of those. The hikes,” I say, wanting to steer the conversation back onto safer ground. I lap at the cream mountain unthinkingly. “I want to see more of the forest, find some hidden gems. Explore the grounds. Helps me get a better idea of place and setting.”
“I’ll take you.” Cole’s voice is thick and choked as his gaze locks onto my mouth. “When do you want to go?”
“Shouldn’t you be resting? Maybe wait until you’re fully recuperated before heading back out there.”
“I’m fine.” Cole sets his coffee down and braces his arms against the chair.
I watch with fascination as his muscles bulge with his grip. That curious all-body warming sensation starts up again, making my mouth run dry.
“Anyway, you shouldn’t go wandering out there on your own. Wouldn’t want you to run over any of our other woodland creatures or wildlife, would I?”
“I am sorry about that.” I lift my cup to sip the coffee, scalding my tongue immediately. “Oww!”
In the blink of an eye, Cole’s next to me. He plucks the mug out of my hands and sets it down on the table with a loud clunk before picking me up and depositing me on the kitchen counter so fast that the towel I’d wrapped my hair in flies free. Damp strands fall all around my face while I splutter at the speed of his movements.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
I stop breathing when he captures my chin between his thumb and index finger. Tilting my face this way and that, he swipes away the cream and traces the shape of my upper lip with gentle tenderness.
“Open up,” he demands. “I need to know if you’re hurt.”
I blink. His tone, his touch, his proximity all send heat zipping through me. Something in my belly tightens, and my body temperature rises by several degrees. God, does he smell so good. Like pine needles and wild berries.
“I-I’m fine. Coffee’s too hot.” I murmur, licking my lips and feeling the tingle of my scalded tongue. Couldn’t he just… come a little closer? “You’ve got fast reflexes.”
“Bear shifter traits.” His thumb brushes over my lower lip. Slow. Back and forth, like he can’t help himself. Then, in a choked whisper, he says, “You’ve got to stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re turned on and curious.”
