Wounds to Bear (Heart of The Bear #1)(5)
We’ll get him back—get them all back, and I’ll finish what should have been done years ago.
The anger helped shove down the pain, and he dressed, sweat sliding down his back by the time he finished. He was still not done healing, not even close, and his body was telling him it needed rest. A luxury he didn’t have time for, not yet.
“Ready?” She stood in front of him, serious and so lovely it made his heart pound. “Let’s get you up.”
“Already there.” Roman couldn’t stop himself. He wanted to see her smile again. She did, that damn sexy blush riding her cheeks.
“Tell me if I hurt you.” She sat next to him and draped his arm across her shoulders, her left arm sliding around his waist before she pulled them both to their feet.
“Impressive,” he whispered, not sure she even heard him.
“Picking up heavy animals all day does tend to build up some muscle. Can you walk?”
“Last I checked.”
“Hilarious. Are you always this funny?”
“Not normally. You seem to bring it out.”
“Lucky me.” She relaxed against him, and the scent of lavender and vanilla surrounded him again, edged with a sharp touch of citrus. “I have a big bowl of stew and some bread on the table. I want you to eat it all. I’m going to be fixing some trays while you do.”
The rich scent of meat, vegetables, and gravy that had been torturing him since he lumbered into her front yard had him sniffing, and his stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Her laughter warmed him more than the arm around his waist.
“I believe I can accommodate you, Doc.”
She sat him at the small round table in the kitchen, and he watched her as he savored every spoonful of the hearty, sinfully delicious stew. She moved like a dancer, quick and graceful, aware of the space around her. His cock, already hard, strained against the zipper of his borrowed jeans.
Shit—he had it bad. His bear agreed, and growled as he ignored the need, knowing she was better off without him and all the baggage he carried from his misspent life. Coming home, and starting his own business as a wilderness guide, were the first steps on a long path back to who he was, who he wanted to be again.
For both their sakes, he’d have to stay far away from the tempting Dr. Jenna Morgan.
The deep rumble of trucks broke the comfortable silence. His family was here.
He started to push to his feet, but Jenna was already there, her hand on his right shoulder.
“Stay put. I will do the heavy lifting, until you’ve had time to finish—healing.”
She moved to the door, her shoulders back, her chin up. God help her, she was about to meet most of the clan, all at once. Under the worst possible circumstances.
His bear growled, low and threatening. If one of them so much as looked at her wrong, he would—
He cut off the thought, shoved down the rage, and cursed under his breath.
His bear had already chosen her, demanding that she be protected, even from those he trusted most.
So much for staying away from her.
***
Jenna managed to open the door just as they all strode across the porch. Her home was being invaded by men. Huge, muscled, gorgeous men. All of them had brown hair, eyes from dark brown to the palest gold, and every single one was tall. She felt like a child standing in the middle of them.
“Jenna.” Lindy Black pushed through the immovable wall of men and gripped Jenna’s hands. “Thank you for taking my son in. Where…” Her voice faded when she spotted Roman, and she pulled Jenna into a tight hug. “Thank you. Grey, set up on the island.”
“Already here, Mom.” The tallest and most muscle bound man stood at Jenna’s big butcher block island, unloading a box of equipment. She had never met the former owner, but his resemblance to Roman left no doubt. “Roman—get your ass over here and—”
“He’s staying right where he is,” Jenna said. Every male in the room stilled, staring at her, then at Grey. Oh, God—did she just violate some secret shifter law? She crossed her arms, to easier hide her shaking hands, and stared right back at Grey. “He’s recovering from a gunshot wound, and I won’t have him moving around, undoing my repairs.”
Grey finally let out a grunt, and released her from his deadly gaze. She nearly staggered from relief. Lindy appeared at her side and took her hand. “Let me introduce my sons, since they have apparently lost all manners since they left my house. You already met Grey, who is the oldest.” She waved to each man as she introduced him. “Elijah is my youngest.” He winked at her, earning a low, ugly growl from Roman. “Next up is Thomas, then Matt, and finally, Samuel. My stepson Jedidiah’s boy is one of the cubs out there, and he’s with the group already out searching. Now, what can I do, sweetheart?”
“I was assembling trays when you all—”
“Stormed the castle?” Lindy smiled, tossing her thick grey braid over her shoulder.” They can be intimidating, but don’t let them fool you. They all have a soft heart under that gruff exterior.” Groans and comments floated through the air. Lindy’s smile widened. “They hate it when I reveal their deep, dark secret.” Her smile faded, and the fear she’d been hiding behind her humor filled her golden brown eyes.