Free Lucky Bear - Wild Bear 01 by Ruby Shae Page B

a warning.
    “You just made a big mistake, sweetheart,” he said. “You’d better watch yourself.”
    Lucky stepped back, followed the men to the door, and watched them exit the building. As soon as the metal closed behind them, the chatter in the bar resumed and he reclaimed his original barstool.
    “You didn’t have to do that,” she snapped. “I had it under control.”
    “I know,” he said simply.
    He had known, but he didn’t care. Both the bear and the man had needed to protect her.
    “Then why did you get involved?” she seethed.
    He shrugged.
    “Because I wanted to.”
    “Next time don’t,” she spat. “I don’t need your help.”
    She didn’t need it, but he wanted her to have it.
    “I beg to differ,” he said.
    If looks could kill, he’d be dead. Her eyes sparkled in anger, and he had a feeling she was about to whip out the bat again. What did it say about him that his dick hardened even further? He liked her feisty attitude.
    She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off.
    “Does Gabe Turner still own this place?”
    She studied him for a full minute before responding.
    “Yeah. He does,” she said, and then she walked away.
    He watched her pick up a corded phone receiver, and he realized Gabe was somewhere in the building. She’d eyed him as she waited, but then turned away before she spoke into the phone, shielding her words.
    Pride filled him.
    She was sexy and smart; a lethal combination.
    A moment later, she returned and pointed to a hallway on the opposite corner of the crowded room.
    “Down the hall, first door on your left.”
    “Thank—”
    She turned away, effectively silencing him, and walked to the other end of the counter.
    He made a beeline for the hallway, cutting across the dance floor, and earning more stares from the patrons.
    Good.
    He had a feeling that after talking to Gabe he’d be around more often than not, something that was sure to get Isabelle’s fur to stand on end.
    He looked forward to the challenge.
     
    ***
     
    Isabelle Taylor watched the crowd split as the hulking bear walked across the dance floor and disappear down the hall.
    Shit! I am in so much trouble!
    She wanted him, and the way her cousin seemed to get off at the mention of the man’s name— Lucky —told her he’d be staying. The Wild Bear needed a bouncer in the worst way, and he seemed to be perfect for the job.
    The way he’d casually approached the men harassing her proved he had experience working in a bar, or bar-like setting. If he wanted the job, Gabe would give it to him.
    Fuck!
    Who the hell named their kid Lucky anyway? She knew it wasn’t his real name, but she needed any anger she could muster to keep the momentum going. Though she wasn’t usually a pleasant person, fighting with him had been difficult. She’d nearly melted when he came to her rescue, even though she had a feeling he would do it for anyone in need. When he’d said her name, she’d been lost.
    She glanced at her watch and cursed. Jared, the other bartender, wasn’t due to arrive for ten more minutes and she desperately needed a break now.
    For a town located in the center of the continent, Liberty had amazing weather. In most cities, the flat land was a beacon for heat, but the trees from the nearby forest and nature preserve created a wonderful cross breeze that kept the town cool all year around.
    She needed to breathe in fresh air as if her life depended on it.
    Lucky, or whatever his name was, made her wish for foolish dreams long forgotten and she needed to get a grip. She’d always been a tomboy, but add to that her height and extra weight, and the cards were stacked against her. She could mix a drink better than anyone, handle a full-size truck like it was a racecar, fight off even the biggest of men, and beat anyone at billiards, but she royally failed in the girl department.
    Jeans and t-shirts were her clothing of choice, and though she owned other garments, she rarely wore them. She