Free Breakwater: Rick (BBW Bad Boy Space Bear Shifter Romance) (Star Bears Book 2) by Becca Fanning Page B

recognized the source of the voice. Before she had a chance to say anything, he cocked his head and grinned.

    "You're one of the bridesmaids, right?" He asked, skittering over the sand towards her. "Sorry, I'm not good on anything other than dirt."

    "Yeah. And you're a groomsman?" She nodded, shifting up so that he could sit down next to her. If she was being honest,   she had noticed him when she'd arrived. Well, mostly because she had been trying to distract herself with someone to flirt with, and his green-gold eyes had flashed mischievously back at hers when they'd made contact.

    "Right. Not sure why, though," He shook his head, pulling out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket and offering one to her. "Smoke?"

    "Sure," Maya shrugged. She hadn't smoked since she was in college, but something about the two of them sneaking off from a wedding felt devious and teenage enough to warrant it. She produced the bottle of champagne from under her skirt and held it out towards him. "Drink?"

    He spluttered with laughter, reaching over to light Maya's cigarette before getting to his own.

    "Did you steal that from the reception?" He demanded, looking at her with mock-seriousness.

    "Yeah, you wanna take me in for it?" Maya tilted her chin up and challenged him. God, he was even cuter close up, maybe it was just the suit and tie, or maybe it was that lopsided grin, but this guy was seriously her type.  

    "I'll hold off if you share with me," he offered, and took the bottle from her. They sat in companionable silence for a minute or so, drinking and smoking and ignoring the distant sound of the reception above them.  

    "So, why are you here?" Maya asked, not taking the time to consider how blunt her words might sound coming out of nowhere. She shook her head. "Sorry, I meant-"

    "Yeah, I know," The man waved his hand, dismissing her apology. "Cousin of the groom. I guess he needed someone to make up the numbers. That's the only reason I can think of for him inviting me. You?"

    "College roommate. And pretty much ditto. I don't know anyone here, that's why I snuck off down to the beach." Maya shrugged, gesturing out over the golden sands in front of them. "Oh, I'm Maya, by the way."

    The man stuck his hand out in her direction.

    "Adam."  

    "So, Adam, do you think they'll be missing us back at the reception?" She asked, glancing over her shoulder at the hotel.

    "Ugh, I hope not," he shook his head. "You know how it is. I love my family and all that crap, but sometimes the thought of being trapped with them on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere isn't all that appealing."

    "I feel you," Maya nodded. "At least you've got people to talk to, I don't know anyone but Dina and, you know, she's off doing all that fiancee stuff now."

    "Well, you've got me to talk to know," Adam pointed out, offering her a quick grin and the champagne bottle. "Do you think we should head back up to the reception soon?"

    Maya rolled her eyes, but she knew he was right. She didn't want Dina's last memory of her to be her being an ungrateful cow and sneaking off on the first day of her wedding weekend.

    "Yeah, probably." She nodded, standing up and dusting the sand from her dress. "Promise you'll keep me company?"

    "If you keep up with the free champagne," he shot back, offering her an arm. She took it gratefully, and the two of them made their way back up the beach. Maya couldn't help but notice how strong his arm felt under his suit jacket, and wondered if the rest of him felt as good.  

    As they walked, Adam frowned and seemed to almost sniff the air, as if something untoward had caught his attention.

    "What is it?" Maya asked, craning her neck to look around. She couldn't see anything at first, but then she spotted a figure halfway down the beach. That was odd, she could have sworn it was just the two of them when they first arrived.  

    "I…don't like the look of him," Adam nodded towards the figure. "Do you know who he