Free Bearllionaire: (BWWM) Paranormal BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone by Terry Bolryder Page B

done it. “Well, I’ll redeem them by letting you cook for me.”
    She tried not to be disappointed. What could she say, that she’d hoped they could be redeemed in somewhat… sexier ways? She’d sound stupid being the only one thinking that. He was determined to behave himself. Why couldn’t she do the same?
    Except, they were both consenting adults. Why couldn’t they have a little fun? Well, for the sake of the slight soreness between her legs, she’d follow her logical side and let things cool off for tonight. But she couldn’t help feeling a little snuggly, with her stomach full and the cabin so warm and an hour of great conversation with a good-looking man.
    Ryder wouldn’t let her finish the dishes, so she turned on the big-screen in the living room and watched reality TV while she waited.
    When he came and sat down next to her, the air heated a couple degrees. He was just so damn big she wanted to just cuddle back against him. She’d fit right against that wide chest.
    Luckily, he seemed to have the same idea because he pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her waist. She squirmed because the odd angle wasn’t comfortable with the Spanx. He ran a hand along her middle and then frowned.
    “You should go take those off. You deserve to be comfortable. Also, let it be known that from here on out, whatever that thing is hiding, I would rather see.”
    She frowned, not liking being told what to do, but when he pulled away from her, waiting for her to change, she sighed and gave in. It wasn’t like she wanted to stay uncomfortable. But there was a still a part of her that felt she had to strap herself in or minimize her fat to be loved. She was one half loving her body and one half afraid that anyone else hating it could break her fragile self-esteem.
    She stood and went into the bedroom to change. She decided she might as well put him to the full test of how comfortable he liked her, so she changed into comfy, loose black workout pants that flattered her rear and a soft hooded sweatshirt in a flattering shade of pink.
    His eyes warmed when he saw her, and she blushed in response. She knew she was acting like a sixteen-year-old on her first date, but she couldn’t help it. This was the most exciting thing to happen to her in a long time. And she needed lots of good tidbits to pass on to Leslie and Kylie so they could live vicariously.
    “I wish my friends could see this,” she said. “It’s beautiful up here.”
    He straightened as she sat, and then pulled her in against him to cuddle. He leaned over her hair. “You smell wonderful.”
    “Um, thanks,” she said with a laugh. She inhaled his musky scent. Pine and forest and cold rivers. “You do too.”
    “Thank you.” He smoothed his arm along her middle. “Much better. So soft.”
    “Hey, no creeping,” she said, wriggling away. “And no touching my fat.”
    “I’m touching you, not your fat. And if you don’t like it, I’ll stop.” He started to pull back, but she grabbed his arms and tugged them around her. They were huge, protective, and warm. No way she was giving them up.
    Only problem was they made her think of earlier in the evening and what they’d done on the couch they were now sitting on. Damn.
    “As for your friends, you’re welcome to call them up. As for sleeping arrangements, I didn’t mean to bring you to my cabin. It’s just when I thought about subjecting you to the parties at the lodge, and my brothers, I wanted to give you something private. You can take the bedroom, and I’ll take the couch. You can also call the girlfriends over and share the cabin with them.”
    “Where would you go?”
    “I’d still be here.”
    “Um, no offense, but I don’t think they’re going to want to stay here with a dude in the living room.”
    He frowned. “I didn’t think of that.”
    “You didn’t think this through much, did you?”
    “Honestly, I thought of it all on the spot when I saw you in that store and saw that