Free Bear in the Rough: Bear Shifter Romance (Broken Hill Bears Book 1) by Ariana Hawkes Page A

in my presence if there was bullet-proof glass and an electric fence separating us, he reminded himself. But what a pretty, sweet-looking girl, he allowed himself to think for another few seconds. Such incredible dark, shiny hair, like a sheet of silk. And she looked strong and outdoorsy, with a healthy tan and a cute scattering of freckles on her nose that he bet only came out in the sun.
    He finished his beer and grabbed another one, and, with a gargantuan effort, pushed the pretty human out of his mind. She was an all-too-strong reminder that he needed to find a mate. Now that he was beginning to understand that showing was sometimes as important as doing, he was also realizing that Rocco was right: he needed a mate to show that he was a stable Alpha, in an established line, ready to produce cubs and continue his lineage. Where would he find one? His own clan and any neighboring clan that was on good terms with the Broken Hill Bears were acceptable options. But he didn’t even know where to start. Was he supposed to start asking females out on dates? He’d dated a lot when he was in his teens, as many females had been drawn to his huge size and striking looks, but he felt rusty. Female company in the military had mostly involved hooking up with other soldiers. He liked female soldiers a lot. They were incredibly tough and straightforward, and they didn’t look for romance or promises. There was no time or energy for that. Unbidden, he found himself thinking of the girl at the ringside again. She had a softness that female shifters and human soldiers lacked. Sweet, ripe curves. He felt a tingle in his groin as he imagined holding her soft body in his hands, pleasuring her, claiming her as his own. Enough! He shook his head to free himself from those thoughts.
    Right on cue, there was a hard rap on his door.
    “It’s open!” he called. The door swung open smoothly and Mihaila bounded in. He grinned. She was about the only person he could deal with right now. He knew that she wouldn’t badger him about any of his current obligations.
    “Nice work, brains!” she exclaimed in her strong, melodious voice. “You really took that motherfucker down!” He smiled at her.
    “I guess I did.” She plumped herself down on the couch beside him.
    “Are there any more of those going?” she said, pointing to his beer.
    “In the fridge.” She also popped the cap with her teeth and settled down again.
    “Everyone’s talking about you. You really showed them tonight, you know? And the girls are gossiping like crazy. After the match, Nicoletta was asking me for your number. I said she’d have to knock my teeth out before I’d give it to a skank ass like her.” Xander laughed.
    “And what did she say?”
    “She said, ‘anytime baby’, in that sleazy way she’s got.” Mihaila sniffed and tossed her long red hair over her shoulder. “Man, I’d love to take her down. I sure would.”
    “Mihaila,” Xander said slowly, as an idea occurred to him. “Would you like to start wrestling too, instead of working as a card girl?” Mihaila leapt up from the couch and her tiger let out a joyous roar.
    “Hell, yes!” she screamed. “I’ve always wanted to wrestle.” She stopped and her voice dropped to a few decibels above a whisper. “But your dad didn’t approve, A) of females fighting in front of humans, and B) of non-bears fighting.” Xander nodded slowly.
    “He was a traditionalist. But I think our fans would love it. And it’ll make you – and some of the other females, I’m sure – more fulfilled too.”
    “And I’ll get to kick the crap out of that Black Paw skank in public!”
    “Yes you will,” Xander replied with an affectionate grin. “That’s if you think you’ll be capable of keeping your tiger in.” She waved her hand dismissively and her tiger gave some little, beseeching purrs.
    “Child’s play,” she said. “You can’t imagine how much I’ve had to control myself over the years with