Free Laid Bear 2: The Kodiak Clan by Marina Maddix Page A

Leave?! She’d just arrived, plus she had business to take care of. “What are you smoking, Max? We talked about this last night. I’m not going anywhere.”
    She could see him struggling with what he called his ‘inner bear’ — the scruff on his chin seemed darker and his body was shaking from frustration. But she hadn’t flown all this way just to turn around after one night.  
    “I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I know you’re worried, and I don’t want to add to that. But, Max, we’re trying to start our own business, remember? And our first client lives here. Are you going to have time to deal with her and your job?”
    Fisting his hair in both hands, he leaned back and growled at the ceiling. He dropped his gaze to Bethany and strode across the dingy carpet to kneel in front of her. “I know you’ve put a lot into this, B, but your safety is the priority. If there’s the slightest chance the Brotherhood could get wind of your presence…”  
    Bethany found his hand and moved it to her belly. “Max, I would never do anything to put us at risk, but I also need to do this. I…” Tears choked her words. Max waited.
    “I can’t stand the thought of Veronica not being with the man she loves just because…because they’re different. I believe I can help her, help them. It’s not exactly what I’d envisioned when we started Ursa Love, but I want to at least try. I feel like I’d be abandoning her if I didn’t. Can you understand that?”
    Max’s face had grown grim. He clearly was not in love with this situation — with her yes, the situation no. He searched her face for a moment before standing and moving to the food cart. He absentmindedly chewed on a piece of bacon as he walked circles in the room. She let him think, wondering how he could eat that nasty soft bacon.
    “Okay,” he finally said. “But we need ground rules. Rules you will not break, are we clear?”
    Inexplicably, Bethany’s nipples tightened at his command. Damn, she loved it when he took charge! Trying to hide the flush that was creeping up her face, she dipped her head and nodded.
    “Good. First, if you leave this room, you are either with me or Veronica at all times. She knows what the Brotherhood are capable of and she has just as much at stake, so I have no doubt she’ll do whatever it takes to keep your identity quiet. Otherwise, you’re right here and nowhere else. Understand?”
    Her flush turned into a flood. She wasn’t normally a gal who liked to be ordered around, but knowing that this was coming from a place of love turned her on like crazy. She nodded her assent again, unable to meet his gaze.
    “Second, you and I will not be seen together outside this hotel.”
    For the first time since he started going down his list of rules, she looked up at him, confused. That one was totally contradictory to the first rule. She was about to say so when he held up his hand.
    “I know. But I just am pointing out that we will not be going out on date nights or sightseeing tours while we’re here. If any weres see us together, they’re instantly going to know who you are.”  
    It was true. Word had spread through the were world like wildfire. The harassing emails and phone calls were proof of that.
    “Everyone knows I’m mated to a human, and they also know my mate is heavy with my cub. It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the pregnant human I’m out to dinner with is my mate, and word would get back to the Brotherhood before we finished dessert.”
    She hadn’t thought of that. Suddenly, his terms were becoming more restrictive than she’d expected. Glancing around the drab room whisked away her desire, and remembering how few channels the TV received put her in a downright funk. She’d have to sit around in here doing nothing when she wasn’t actively helping Veronica.  
    Well, I’ll just have to help her a lot , she thought.
    “Lastly, as soon as Veronica’s situation has been resolved,