Page 20 of Goldie's Grumpy Grizzly
Then the front door opens and shuts and we hear my mother issue a warm hello to whoever’s at the door. A soft female voice replies, and instantly, my brothers and I go on high alert.
We make a mad break for the table. Arms and elbows fly as we push and shove each other aside, battling for our preferred positions around the table. Chairs scrape against the floor, one clattering loudly on its back after Clayton doesn’t catch it. Spying my chance, I bolt past him and sit down.
“Called it!” I shout triumphantly, clutching the chair to my ass like someone—Clay, probably—would knock me out of it sideways.
And then I smell her scent and freeze with that shit-eating grin on my face. I swivel my head around to the hall. No fucking way…
Two seconds later, Mama gestures grandly at the sun-soaked open-plan kitchen and dining room, pointing to each one of us along the way. “And this is the kitchen, where you can most often find my three boys. The big dope picking up the chair he knocked over is Clayton, my eldest. You might’ve spotted him running around the office. He takes care of operations here. Cole, whose cabin you’re in, is there on the end. And Connor, my youngest. Boys, this is Aurelia Golding, our special guest tonight.”
Rae tucks her long golden hair behind her ear, a small smile on her lips. “Just Rae, please. Thanks.”
“Ma, that’s it? That’s all you gotta say about your smartest, most handsome son?” Connor lays one hand on his chest, feigning pain, and extends the other to Rae. “Nice to meet you, Just Rae.”
Rae’s smile is warm and kind as she looks at my brother. I chug the rest of my beer and briefly consider chucking the empty glass at his huge head.
Mama rolls her eyes heavenward, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I knew you’d have more to stay about yourself if I didn’t. Just tried to see if you’d learned to keep that big trap of yours shut yet, is all. I see you’re still as hardheaded as ever.”
Connor waves Mom’s words away as Rae takes his hand, and I bristle watching them touch.
“I run the kitchens on-site but spend most of my time in the fine dining restaurant. It’s currently being refurbished, but when it’s done, you should come by sometime. I’d love to treat you to a dinner you won’t forget.” Connor flashes that signature smile of his and lifts her hand up to his mouth. He relishes in pressing a kiss to her skin, and a rumble starts up low in my chest.
Mmm. Honeysuckle. Connor’s voice rings in my head and I gnash my teeth, curling my hand around the beer bottle.
Fuck. Off. I growl back.
He inclines his head to me slightly. Finders keepers, Cole.
The edges of my vision go fuzzy.
“Rae here writes those books based on our little corner of the world,” Mama says, bustling back in the kitchen. “We’ve been working together on the itinerary for that convention we’re hosting here next year. When she dropped me an email saying she’d made a reservation for the week, I thought it’d be a good idea for her to come by and meet you all.”
“No shit?” Connor’s eyebrows raise up. “You wrote those bear shifter books? The ones they’re going to make into a TV show?”
She nods.
“Sweet! You make sure those Hollywood types don’t perpetuate any nasty, untrue rumors, especially about our gifts and prowess.”
Rae laughs, high and musical. The sound of it grates on me and I glare at Connor.
“Matter of fact, let me know if you need a close-up view of how it all works. You know, the shifting. Call it research. I’d be happy to show you. I’d have to be naked though. For science.” Then he fucking winks at her.
My bear snaps its jaws, huffing. And before I can think better of it, I’m out of my seat and bellowing in my brother’s face.
“Paws off, Con.”
The force of my words vibrates throughout the kitchen. Connor staggers back a step, eyebrows raised in surprise.
Mama whirls around to stare at us both. “What in the world?”
Connor’s gaze darts over to Rae, and I move with him, blocking his view.
Then, a slow, knowing smile tugs at his lips.
Oh, so that’s what’s happening here. Connor’s teasing tone matches the amusement written all over his face. Well, shit. Never thought I’d see the day. Though that does explain why the hell she’s carrying your scent.
I curl my lip and feel another low growl rumble in my chest.
Clay coughs. Calm down. Mama will kill us if we break her table again.
