Her Broken Bear: Shifter Special Forces Read online

  Hadley listened as dinner next door wrapped up. The sound of empty bottles hitting the recycling bin. A door opened, then closed. Quiet surrounded the clearing, broken only by an occasional call of a bird or howl of a wolf.

  Wolf, she wondered. Or wolf shifter?

  Knock, knock

  The knock startled her, and she dropped her cell phone on her face. “Oof,” she muttered.

  “You okay?” Hunter called, leaning in the door. “Why didn’t you lock the door?”

  Hadley slipped her feet into her slippers and shuffled out of the bedroom to face him. “I wasn’t expecting you just to walk in.” She didn’t care if she was grumpy. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, and she didn’t know what to do with them.

  “Well, if you had locked the door, I wouldn’t have been able to open it.”

  “Like you wouldn’t have just kicked it down?” Hadley crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at him.

  “Who pissed in your cereal?” Hunter asked. “I’m a bear, that means I get to be the grumpy one, remember?”

  “Yeah, whatever,” Hadley said. She sighed and rubbed her hands over her face to regroup. He was right. She shouldn’t take her bad mood out on him. “How’s your shoulder? You need to take another one of those antibiotics tonight and then one a day for the next four days.”

  “Pretty sure it’s all cleared up now,” Hunter announced.

  Oh, Hadley thought, if she had a dime for every patient who ever proclaimed themselves cured she’d be a thousandaire, at least. “Just take the pills as I prescribed, please.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” Hunter said with a grin.

  “I won’t be here forever,” Hadley reminded him. Reminded herself, too, she thought with regret. “If the infection flares up again, you could lose the arm. Or die. You have a serious injury.”

  Hunter closed the door behind him. When she turned to look at him, all the oxygen in the room disappeared. Tall, upright, and healthy Hunter Bromstadt was a sight to behold. One that set her libido on fire and stirred her imagination. “I never did wrap your shoulder, did I?” Hadley asked, nerves tightening in her stomach. “Let me take care of that, now.”

  “Let’s put another log on the fire, first,” Hunter said. His hands clenched and unclenched before he put two more logs on the fire. The dry wood caught instantly, flaring and popping with a warm, cheerful glow. “Where do you want me to sit?”

  Hadley placed a kitchen chair in front of the couch. “There is good,” she said, eyes still averted. The desire to caress his golden skin pulled at her.

  “Take your shirt off,” Hadley said trying to control her voice while collecting the supplies Lacey purchased. When she came back into the living room, all she saw was an endless expanse of warm, amber-toned skin.

  Her breath was more ragged than she liked as she approached him. “I’m going to pack the wound. It helps to absorb the drainage but will also help to make sure it heals from the inside out.” Hadley found that if she told her patients what was happening, it lessened the fear factor.

  “Bear shifter healing,” Hunter teased. “Nothing like it.”

  Hunter’s skin was pliant and welcoming beneath her hand, urging her to explore. With more than a little effort, she resisted. “How’s the pain?”

  He snorted a response.

  “I don’t understand snorts,” Hadley said. “Do you need more ibuprofen?” This dance of politeness she engaged in was excruciating. Everything in her wanted to throw professionalism out the window, but yet, the wall remained.

  Unbreeched.

  Hunter

  Her cool hands were a delicious treat to his over warm skin. Shifters tended to run warmer than their human counterparts. And while her words were professional, her touch felt anything but. He longed to explain to her he could smell the sweetness of her arousal but bit back the words. It might be a bit too much just yet.

  Hunter closed his eyes, imagining her warming her palms against his back. His chest. His cock.

  He wanted those slim fingers tracing each line. Ridge. Learning his length. Width. And with a ragged breath, Hunter acknowledged his cock wanted that, too. Badly.

  The scent of her arousal surrounded them. Each time Hadley caressed his shoulder. Back. Arm.

  Mine, Bal said with a grumpy snort.

  Ours. And I’m working on it, Hunter promised. Now behave.

  She’s special, Bal insisted.

  I know. Now, will you relax and let me handle it?

  Bal settled down, but Hunter had the feeling if he made a mistake, Bal might retake control.

  “There,” Hadley said, petting his bicep. “I’m finished.”

  Again, Hunter felt the mixed signals. Hadley’s words clearly said she was done, but her hands continued to stroke his skin. Her scent continued to tantalize him.

  “Hadley?” Bal snuffed at him to shut the fuck up, but his human mouth kept talking. “You keep touching me.” Her hands stilled as though realizing what she was doing. His bear growled in protest, but Hunter held onto his control. “And I want your hands on me, sugar. Stroking me. Feeling my skin against yours. But that can’t happen until all of you agrees. Your mind and your body.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Hunter stood and turned to face her. “I think you do. Your lips tell me no.” His thumb traced the plush line of her lower lip. “But your hands keep touching me. Your scent keeps calling to me.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Just tell me why you have me barricaded way over here.”

  Hadley tilted her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re right here.”

  “And yet, the Great Wall of China seems small in comparison to the boundaries you build around yourself.”

  “We just met,” Hadley argued.

  “Then why do your pupils dilate when I come close? Your breath catches.” Hunter lifted one of her hands. “Your fingers ache to touch me.”

  “You’re my patient,” she protested.

  “Am I wrong, though?”

  Quiet built between them before she shook her head. “No, you’re right. I can’t deny my body wants yours.” Hadley’s shoulders lifted once in a helpless shrug. “But my common sense is telling me to slow down. That we don’t know each other well enough for this attraction to exist.”

  “Please. You saw my bear tussling with Quinn.”

  “True.” Her pale blue eyes were wide. Watchful. Cautious.

  “You saw me nekkid.”

  Hadley giggled, and Hunter saw the mask of professionalism began to melt. “Talk to me, sugar. Make me understand.”

  Hadley’s gaze dropped to her slippered feet. “I’ve heard rumors about you. I’m not like that. I feel awkward, like I have these feelings, you know? Only, I’m afraid.” Her chin lifted until their gazes were equal.

  “You heard rumors about me?” His voice rose in indignation.

  She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. Not you, you. But like, shifters. You guys are rock stars with groupies hanging off of you.”

  Hunter nodded. “There are tag chasers, for sure,” he admitted. “And when I was a kid, I let the attention go to my head. I let them catch me a time or two.” He cradled her face in his hands. “But, sugar, I haven’t been a kid in a long damn time.”

  “I don’t know what I’m feeling. Exactly.” Hadley’s breath grew ragged again. “Arousal, sure. But this feels more. I feel a pull. From here.” She put her hand over her solar plexus. “You’re injured. I’m confused. And yet, there’s this magnetic attraction.”

  A single tear slipped from the corner of one eye. “Do you know what’s happening? My brain and my body are arguing, and I don’t know what to do.” Hadley’s voice trailed off as she begged him for answers.

  “My instincts are calling for you, too,” Hunter said. He closed his eyes. “How about if we just stay close tonight, okay? Nothing else. I promise.” He cursed himself for every kind of fool, bu
t his bear rejoiced. “You calm me. You calm Bal.”

  Hadley momentarily frowned in confusion. “You named your bear?”

  Hunter lifted his uninjured shoulder. “If you had a living, breathing, opinionated animal living with you, you’d understand.”

  She smiled. “Maybe I would. You feel separate from Bal?”

  “Some. It’s like we occupy the same space.”

  “But you fight him.”

  “He’s an aggressive son of a bitch,” Hunter said.

  Unwillingly, Hadley’s hands lifted to touch his arms. “Why can’t I let you go?”

  “It’s late. Let me hold you tonight. Deal with questions in the morning.”

  “I thought I could say no. That I could walk away. But it’s like we’re attached.” Her hand touched her T-shirt over her bellybutton.

  Hunter could taste her confusion. He wanted to fix it but didn’t know how. Instead, he took her hand and led her back into the bedroom. “We can figure it out in the morning. My skin is calling to be next to you, too.”

  “Your injury.” Her protest was weak. “You need to take an antibiotic,” she said, eyes narrowing. Hadley’s spine stiffened, and she was no longer the pliable female. In her place stood the steely-eyed nurse. “I left them in your cabin. Take it and then.” She swallowed, as though realizing what she agreed to. “Take it and then come back. But just to sleep.”

  Bal snorted with pleasure. “Yes, Ma’am,” Hunter said in a rush. Leaving his shirt on the couch, he ran out the door. He was back within minutes, worried she would change her mind and lock him out.

  “Give me your hand,” he said. Their fingers interlaced. His broad, capable. Strong. Hers skilled. Feminine. Delicate. Hunter tightened his grip until desire flared in her eyes again. “You like that, don’t you? A little pain with your pleasure.”

  Her nipples grew taut beneath her thin, cotton shirt. “I never have before.” Hadley’s voice was barely above a whisper. “But I want to explore with you. Everything I never did before.”

  Hunter led her into the bedroom, the sound of their feet a calming rhythm on the plank flooring.

  They settled into the king-sized bed. Hadley lay stiff and unyielding next to him. “Shh,” he said, his hands rubbed her tense muscles. “It’s just me, sugar. Nothing is going to happen tonight, I promise. You trust me, don’t you?”

  With a deep, shuddering breath, she finally relaxed into him. “We don’t know each other. I have secrets,” she warned. “We’re strangers.”

  “We can fix that,” Hunter vowed. He reveled in her womanly body pressed against his. His arm hooked around her waist. “My bear is broken,” he whispered into her hair. “And you have secrets. But we’ll work it out. Somehow.”

  Already he felt Hadley slip into sleep. “I got you, sugar. Sleep now, and I’ll keep all your secrets safe.”

  Chapter Four

  Hadley

  The village of Silver Fells, North Carolina was far more charming in the light of day and when you knew where you were.

  “You girls need more coffee?” Flo asked, gum popping as she propped a hip against the worn linoleum table.

  “Sure, Flo, thanks,” Lacey said. Flo filled up their cups and took away their lunch dishes. “And could you bring us a slice of chocolate cake with two forks?

  “Sure thing, honey,” Flo said.

  “You going to tell me what happened last night?” Lacey asked when they were alone again.

  Hadley blushed. “Nothing happened.”

  “Uh-huh.” Amusement dripped from both syllables.

  “Lacey, honey,” Flo said as she returned. “Is your girl here flirting with the delectable Hunter Bromstadt?”

  “You, too?” Hadley asked with a laugh.

  “Girl, I may be old but I ain’t dead,” Flo teased. “That man could wrap those muscle-laden arms around me any day of the week.”

  Hadley smiled, knowing the woman was teasing.

  “Of course, our own Quinn Maxwell ain’t too hard on the eyes, is he?” Flo hip-bumped Lacey who had the good graces to blush.

  “Order up, Flo,” Mel called from his spot in the kitchen. “I don’t pay you to gossip.”

  “The money I get every other week hardly constitutes a paycheck,” Flo returned. She winked at Lacey and Hadley. “You need me, just give a holler, girls,” she said with a wink.

  “We didn’t sleep together,” Hadley said as she took a bite of cake.

  Lacey raised her eyebrows. “He left your cabin when he went on his run with Quinn this morning.”

  Hadley was pretty sure her cheeks were hot enough to fry eggs. “We didn’t want to be alone,” she admitted.

  Lacey smiled and reached across the table. “I’m being a big tease. I’ll stop. But I’m glad you’re here. You bring so much peace to Hunter. I hardly recognize him.” Lacey laughed at her own joke. “Of course, with you around, he’s human. Before you got here, he stayed bear.”

  “He said his bear is broken. What does that mean?”

  Lacey chewed on her piece of cake before answering. “Something happened. If Quinn knows, he’s not telling me. But something happened during Hunter’s last mission. He can’t control his bear. He gets mad at everyone, especially Cree. So far, Quinn is the only one who can control his bear.”

  “Bal,” Hadley said.

  “Who?”

  “Bal. That’s what his bear’s name is.”

  “Interesting,” Lacey commented. She took one last swallow of her coffee. “I don’t think Quinn has a name for his Mastiff.” They both put down enough money to cover lunch and a healthy tip for Flo. “Let’s get our pedicure on,” she invited.

  “This is such a quaint little town,” Hadley remarked as they walked out into the spring afternoon. Plants and trees surrounded dotted the sidewalk and played peek-a-boo with the sunshine.

  “I was hoping you’d like it here,” Lacey said. She paused in front of an empty storefront. “This used to be a dentist’s office. It’s all set up for taking x-rays.”

  “Okay. You want to go to dental school?”

  Lacey laughed. “No, silly. This town needs a shifter clinic. I thought maybe we could open something together.”

  “Aren’t they required to go to the Shifter Veteran’s clinics?” Hadley asked.

  “From what Quinn tells me, they’re understaffed. And don’t really understand all the problems the soldiers experience. And the fear that if the Army did know Hunter was out of control, they might institutionalize him. Or even put him down.”

  Hadley stopped, heart beating wildly in her chest. “What?”

  “You didn’t know? Most of the guys are scared to death, Had. They see those places as a trap. But maybe with us together. You as a nurse and me as a vet tech we can provide the right kind of medical care.”

  “North Carolina law requires me to work under a doctor’s umbrella,” Hadley said.

  “Of course, it does,” Lacey muttered. “Well, keep it in mind, okay? Maybe for the future.”

  Hadley nodded but didn’t answer. Everyone around her seemed intent on traveling at breakneck speed. One she just wasn’t prepared for.

  “Here’s the salon,” Lacey said after they’d walked a few more feet.

  “Laceeeeeee.”

  “Melodeeeeeee,” Lacey said in response. They hugged and laughed like old friends.

  Hadley felt that strong sense of not-belonging but desperately shrugged it off. Naturally, Lacey would make new friends in her new town. And she did invite Hadley out. And wanted her to stay. Hadley shrugged off the brief moment of envy. This wasn’t the time or place.

  “Mel, this is my best friend Hadley,” Lacey said, introducing the two women. “Had, Melody is the most fantastic stylist hidden away in the Fells. I am scared to death she’s going to realize she could move to Nashville or Raleigh and make a real name for herself.” Lacey put her hand on her chest, feigning her fear.

  “You’re such a goof,” Melody said with a laugh. “I have a name
for myself right here in Silver Fells. You two go have a seat for pedicures. Heather is already set up.”

  But before they could take their seats, Quinn entered the small salon. “Lacey. Oh, thank God I found you,” he said. “We got a new family moving to town. I was wondering if you could help me?” Quinn turned to Hadley. “If that’s okay with you? I’m sorry, I know you’re having a day out, but this is a family. I need Lacey.”

  Hadley nodded, surprised. “A family?”

  “Yeah, he was married before he went into boot camp,” Quinn said. “He’s been out a few months and the wife and kids are having a hard time coping.”

  “Kids? I thought shifters couldn’t have kids.”

  Quinn lifted his shoulders in a helpless shrug. “That’s what they told us. And I’ve known a few who can’t have them. But you know, every now and again the government is wrong,” Quinn said with a completely straight face.

  “You two go. I’ll take your car back to the mountain,” Hadley offered. Quinn’s words gave her the burst of hope she’d needed. After all, there was no guarantee anyone could get pregnant, right? But as long as there was a chance, she’d be a fool not to open herself up to it.

  “Oh, no, honey, you stay and get your toes done,” Lacey protested as her husband propelled her out the door.

  After her pedicure, Hadley took Lacey’s car back up to Maxwell Mountain. Quinn’s truck wasn’t in the driveway, and the small clearing had a quiet, peaceful feeling. Birds sang in the trees, and a few stray dandelions were already coming up in the lawn. As she got out of the car, she noticed a large black bear rummaged through the garbage cans.

  “What are you doing going through garbage,” Hadley demanded, charging up the walkway and staring down the bear. “Don’t you have the sense God gave a goose? You’re just intent on getting that shoulder infected, aren’t you?”

  Several things happened at once. First, Hadley realized the black bear in front of her didn’t have a wounded shoulder. Secondly, she saw no look of recognition in the bear’s eyes as she got nearer to it. And finally, she remembered Hunter’s bear was brown.

  With a scream, Hadley ran back to her cottage. Her speed hampered by the disposable flip flops the salon handed out, she was sure, sure, sure she was going to die.