Free Daxton (BBW Bear Shifter Moonshiner Romance) (120 Proof Honey) by Becca Fanning

walls.

    “We need to do something about that,” Elise mused angrily.

    “You know, I might just have an idea,” Dietrich replied. He kissed Elise’s cheek, his long stubble tickling her cheek. “Pass me your phone.”

“I can’t actually believe my luck right now,” Elise said into her cellphone.

    “I know,” Jane answered proudly. “I told you that no press was bad press. We’re set up, honey. It’s relaunch time.”

    “Okay, well you get the details together and call me tomorrow,” Elise replied.

    “Not later tonight?” Jane asked.

    Elise felt her cheeks flush red, and she was glad that her agent couldn’t see them.

    “I’ve got plans tonight,” she said as discreetly as she could.

    Jane said her goodbyes, and Elise was hanging up the phone just as Dietrich entered the room. They were in the lounge at the Rangers’ Lodge, the same place where Anina had first introduced them, and it was dark outside the windows. The fire was crackling in the hearth, lending a warm glow to the room, and Dietrich seemed more relaxed than Elise had ever seen him.

    “Was that your agent?” he asked.

    Elise nodded with great enthusiasm.

    “You won’t believe it,” she said, beaming. “Some activists for natural beauty got hold of the Twitter war and started fighting on my side. And now, the cosmetics company Naturalis has offered me a huge contract! Natural beauty is on trend, and I’m going to be the face of it.”

    Dietrich leaned in and kissed her gently.

    “You already are,” he said softly.

    He crossed the room, settling in one of the wide easy chairs by the fire. Elise watched him with interest as he put his hands together eagerly.

    “I have news too,” he began. “After I started making those calls to the different wildlife federations, their lawyers got together. Fairhaven Park officially has a ban on all commercial press and media entering its gates.”

    “No press?” Elise exclaimed.

    “It’s bad for the grizzly bears,” Dietrich replied, grinning.

    “So that means my career’s not over, and you’ll never be bothered by the media again?” she asked.

    She crossed the room, settling herself on Dietrich’s lap. He pulled her in, his warmth spreading into her skin.

    “Aren’t we lucky?” he whispered against her neck.

    He began to kiss her there, trailing ghost-like pecks down her throat. When he reached her collarbone, Dietrich lingered, tracing his lips and tongue over the ridges. Elise felt a shiver that was nothing to do with being cold, and she glanced to the fireplace, and the rug that lay before it.

    “Did you say that Anina and the boys were out tonight?” she asked.

    Dietrich paused in his kissing to give her a thoughtful look.

    “Kurt goes down to LA overnight for some downtime, now and then,” he explained. “This time Gram wanted to go with him to get some shopping done, and she’s got Ben helping her to carry it all.”

    “And Hart and Reinicke?” Elise pressed.

    “Night patrol,” Dietrich answered. “Reinicke loves the high mountain outpost, he practically lives there. Hart’s down at the campground for the night.”

    Emboldened by this news, Elise rose from Dietrich’s lap. He frowned, opening his arms as if to invite her back in, but she shook her head. She moved to the rug in front of the fireplace, trying to look graceful as she lay down before it on her back. Dietrich remained in his chair for a moment, his mouth a little open in surprise.

    “Are you sure it’s not too soon?” he asked.

    Elise shook her head, her face warmed by the fire.

    “Everything has worked out for us to be together, Dietrich,” she said softly. “This is right. And I can’t wait any longer for you.”

    Dietrich pushed off from the chair, down onto his hands and knees. He began to grin that shy grin of his as he crawled across the floor, approaching Elise.

    “Well, I’d hate to make you impatient, Miss Natural Beauty,” he teased.

    Elise felt her