Free The Billionbear's Bride: BBW Bear Shifter BWWM Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant

Violet could live here forever, in this space between satisfaction and desire.
    As if remembering something, he suddenly pulled away from her. Without the heat of his body nearby, the night became colder. She tucked her cardigan around herself more firmly, folding her arms. She knew he could read the question on her face as plain as day: Do you want me?
    Guilt flickered in his eyes before he turned away and went inside, away from her. I guess I got my answer , she thought. The night suddenly seemed much colder.
     
    * * *
     
    That night, she woke to the sound of something snapping.
    It was still dark. Violet fumbled for her phone on the nightstand. The display said it was only 2:33 a.m. Groaning, she flung her head back on the pillow.
    She wondered what had woken her. Maybe the sound had been part of her dream. She didn’t hear anything else.
    Tiptoeing so as not to wake Bruce—he had sequestered himself away after their kiss on the porch, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to see him right now—she made her way to the kitchen. On the top shelf of the pantry she found what she thought she had spied earlier while cooking with Bruce: a hot chocolate mix.
    It was the work of a minute to stir up a mug and stand by the big window at the back of the house. The cocoa was hot and comforting, warming her down to her toes. Under the full moon, she had a beautiful view of the property. The woods were encased in mist, lending a sense of mysterious magic to the scene.
    A movement in her peripheral vision caught her eye. Violet’s mouth fell open in shock. An enormous shape lumbered across the landscape.
    Halfway there, it seemed to sense something. Its heavy bulk stilled, and its head raised—to look right at her.
    It was a bear .
    A thrill of excitement shot down her spine. It was so close to the house—was it not afraid?
    There was something familiar about it, but Violet couldn’t put her finger on what. It was formidable—there was a lot of muscle packed onto its huge frame. But it gave no sign of wanting to attack her. In fact, it seemed transfixed.
    Feeling a bit silly, Violet raised her hand and gave it a little wave.
    She expected no response. But after a moment, the bear tipped its head toward her. Like a nod, she thought, and a giggle burst out of her. A gentleman bear. The surreality of the situation felt dreamlike, as if anything might happen. Yet she felt perfectly safe.
    It shambled off to God knew where, and when it disappeared the spell it had woven over her broke. Violet shook her head at herself. Of course there would be wild animals out here. And of course a bear didn’t understand human gestures like waving and nodding.
    So why wasn’t she afraid?
    Violet couldn’t answer that. But she wrapped herself in that sense of safety and contentment, and went back to bed.
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Bruce
     
    "This is my mother, Ava. Mom, this is Violet, my . . . wife." Bruce almost slipped up and called her mate , but he was more worried about the meeting that was taking place amid the clamor and festivity of a Davis party—and his mother's reaction.
    "It's so great to meet you," Violet gushed, extending her hand to Bruce's mother. "Bruce has told me so much about his family."
    For a moment, Bruce thought his mother might not take the offered hand. But then she did, and the tense line that had run through her shoulders since she'd arrived eased.
    "Now your family as well," his mother said, graciously enough, making Violet smile. "Though this was all a little sudden , I can see how much Bruce cares for you."
    Bruce gave his mother a warning look, which she returned with innocence and a hint of " we'll talk about this later ."
    However, it turned out that later was now . Tom, his second cousin, sidled up to Violet and slung a friendly arm around her shoulders—a little too friendly for Bruce's taste. His bear growled at Tom's presumption, and his hand tightened on Violet's. She squeezed back and flashed him a reassuring