Free Wilde Bear (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Blue Bear Rescue) by Terra Wolf, Holly Eastman

She caught up to him inside, grabbing his elbow and then dropping it again when she realized what she’d done.
    Crap. Physical touch was not appropriate in a professional relationship.
    “Ms. Adams, what can I do for you?” Scott’s voice was nasally as always, but there was a coldness he’d never used at the office.
    Surprise, she told herself. Of course, it was weird seeing her outside the office. Especially in such a relaxed setting.
    “I just wanted to say hello,” she said, kicking herself for coming over here in the first place. What the heck was she supposed to say? Are you going to tell anyone you saw me with the most notorious crew of shifters in three states? Probably a little brazen.
    “Hello,” Scott returned, still curt. He shot a disdainful look over her shoulder to Xavier and the others.
    Laurel grit her teeth. “Look, I know it’s probably a surprise seeing me with the Wilde crew. Or seeing me here at all.” Scott’s brow rose, but he didn’t interrupt. Something about that irritated her, and she went straight into boss-lady mode. Her voice went hard as she said, “I just wanted to be polite and say hello, but let’s be clear. Our personal lives are our own, especially outside working hours. I trust you’ll give us both the respect we deserve by not bringing this back into the office tomorrow. Or ever.”
    Scott’s eyes narrowed, but Laurel’s alpha act drained away. She knew if he argued or threatened or said anything but “yes, ma’am,” she’d fold. That was not happening. So she made the only move left to a boss-lady. She turned on her heel and strode away.
    It might not shut Scott up forever. Probably tomorrow, there’d be consequences for her new alliance. Friends, she corrected herself. But tonight, she was determined to remain in control of her own choices. Tonight, at least, she would not hide.

Chapter 10
    X avier bided his time . Laurel had been polite but distant over dinner and drinks and then all through the drive home. He had a hunch about the reason too. She’d gone white as a sheet at the sight of the kid in the glasses at Mack’s. She’d torn out in a panic, and he’d almost followed, but he knew her better than to barge into her problems. It would have only backfired on him. So he’d stayed behind and turned his animal hearing up to full volume, listening in from a safe distance instead.
    Her co-worker hadn’t been overly friendly or accepting of her company, and Laurel was worried. He hadn’t been surprised at that. Or the way she’d tried going all alpha to cover up her fear. He knew now that was what she did.
    At the table on the deck, none of the crew said a word about it which let him know they’d heard it too.
    Fuck, his woman was complicated. And bossy. And too damn proud to admit when she was coming at a problem wrong.
    At the Lodge, he let her go up to her room without a fight. He went to his, just down the hall, and waited for her to come to him, but she never did. The evening turned to midnight and still, Laurel didn’t come to him. He should have guessed she wouldn’t, but it still stung after everything they’d shared.
    By one in the morning, he’d tossed and turned enough. He couldn’t take this shit anymore. He threw the covers back and padded to her room, flinging the door open without bothering to knock or tread softly. He stood over her sleeping form, his anger dissipating at the sight of her all tucked into the downy comforter, hands curled under her chin.
    God, she looked so helpless.
    His bear took one look at her and wanted only to protect.
    He hesitated in waking her, warring with himself over why he was pushing her so hard in the first place. He was just as scared as she was about what it would mean to claim each other. A mate. He’d been running from that idea for ten years now. He couldn’t be that guy again. The one who shrugged off his duties for sex or love or whatever the fuck.
    Laurel stirred, and Xavier felt all of his