Free Bear Mechanic: BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Zoe Chant Page A

ourselves.”
    Elise mulled that over. “So you have an advantage?”
    “Yes. But we don’t know how many of them there are.” Noah’s forehead creased. “We need a plan.”
     
    * * *
     
    We want everything to seem normal , Noah had said. We don’t want to tip them off that we know anything about his gang
    Even after visiting the bank, that left time until their plan could be put into motion. Time that Elise would spend chewing her nails, if it weren’t for Noah grabbing her hands gently when they were alone.
    His hands were large and enfolded hers completely in their warmth.
    “How are you?” he asked. His worried eyes searched hers.
    “I’m worried,” she replied softly, hoping this admission wouldn’t be taken as a lack of faith in him.
    He drew her into his arms, so that her cheek rested against his broad, muscled chest. One of his hands came up to cup the back of her head. He smelled like sweat and grease and machines. It was strangely comforting. Then again, she couldn’t imagine any situation where being held in his arms wouldn’t be comforting.
    “He’s your family. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my crew.”
    Elise was silent for a few moments. When she spoke, her voice was tentative, questioning. “Yes, but… Why would you do this for me? ” It was easier to ask when she wasn’t looking him in the eye.
    He stroked her hair. “I’ve never met anyone like you. Someone I wanted to be with, I mean. That’s a consequence of being a shifter, maybe. Sometimes you meet someone and you just know.”
    Elise didn’t believe in love at first sight, but she couldn’t deny what she was feeling either. “I know what you mean,” she whispered into his chest.
    “Maybe it’s crazy. I don’t know.” He turned to look at her, and she lifted her eyes to his. His gaze was brimming with something she could only call love.
    “Then we’re both crazy.”
    Their lips met in a soul-shattering, earth-shaking kiss that Elise felt down to the soles of her feet. His lips sought hers out, nipping and sucking. It wasn’t playful like the night before, but fiery and deeply felt.
    His tongue slipped across her lower lip, and she met it with her own. The kiss deepened. Electricity zipped across her skin where they touched, new with the knowledge that he was hers, all hers, and she was his, too.
    After what felt like an eternity, she ended the kiss and pressed her forehead against his, breathing deeply of him. He brushed her cheek with his knuckles in a tender gesture.
    That kiss hadn’t been a prelude to sex. Instead, it was affirming, and acknowledgement of what they were to each other … and what they might be in the future.
    “Are you ready?” he murmured.
    Outside, the sun was low on the horizon. Elise’s heart constricted. But she wouldn’t be facing the danger alone anymore.
    “I’m ready.”
     
    * * *
     
    There were strangers milling around the perimeter, all wearing the same vest with the Wild Dogs' crest. They sprang to wary attention when she pulled up and parked her car. She swallowed and reminded herself of the plan.
    The walk to the front door felt to Elise simultaneously much longer and much shorter than it had the day before. Dread dogged her footsteps.
    “She’s here,” reported one through a walkie-talkie, his beady eyes fixed on her. “No sign of company.”
    There wouldn’t be. Elise had drawn a map of the property and the surrounding area. It turned out that Noah and Gabe had some experience with exfiltration and rescue missions, which went a long way toward easing Elise’s anxiety.
    But it wasn’t gone. Even though she knew she wasn’t alone, she couldn’t quite relax. She told herself her act was probably more convincing that way.
    As she approached the front door, one of Lyle’s men, so beefy he was almost rotund, grabbed her upper arm in a bruising grip.
    “Hey!” she protested, trying to extricate herself. The biker only smirked and gestured for the bag she was