Bear in Denial: BBW Paranormal Holiday Shape Shifter Romance (Shadow Bears Book 3) Read online

  Bear in Denial

  (Shadow Bears, Book 3)

  Ruby Shae

  Bear in Denial

  (Shadow Bears, Book 3)

  Copyright 2017 by Ruby Shae

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement (including infringement without monetary gain) is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $ 250,000.

  Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  About This Book

  Cecelia “CeCe” Clark is lucky in business, but unlucky in love. She found her mate more than a year ago, but quickly learned that fate had made a mistake. Her curvy body, and comfortable, casual style don’t fit into her mate’s luxurious, suit-wearing world, and even if they did, he was already taken.

  Ian Walker knows his gorgeous mate doesn’t like him, but he has no idea why. One day they were flirting, and slowing getting to know one another, and the next, everything changed. They were both to blame, but he had no idea how to mend the rift between them.

  With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Matchmaker has a few plans of her own, and when CeCe ends up owing the woman a favor, all bets are off. Sometimes, the only way to help a bear in denial is to isolate her with the truth.

  Bear in Denial

  (Shadow Bears, Book 3)

  By Ruby Shae

  Chapter One

  Cecelia “CeCe” Clark stole another glance at the empty concierge desk, and finished her normal informational speech about The Rosewood Suites. The majestic five-star hotel was not only gorgeous, it was a historical landmark, and a must-see for every tourist visiting Shadow Creek.

  The hotel’s grand lobby boasted vaulted ceilings, large bay windows, and marble floors streaked with gold, and the impressive architecture was highlighted with ornate cream-colored fixtures and matching furniture adorned with ruby red upholstery with gold accents. The regal appearance of the room, combined with outstanding customer service from the staff, made every guest feel like royalty.

  With travel agents becoming a thing of the past, CeCe knew she would always have a job as a tour guide in her home town. The many historical buildings, combined with the chance to see a black bear shifter, kept the quaint little town, and her business, thriving.

  Though the public knew about the high number of bear shifters living in Shadow Creek, and their sister town, Shadow Ridge, shifter sightings were rare. Most bears kept to the shadows, only shifting at night or in the surrounding woodland areas, and residents were tight-lipped about their bear forms.

  Especially with strangers.

  The question of whether or not she was a bear shifter always came up several times in every tour, and fortunately, she had no problems lying about her species, or about the species of her friends and neighbors. Ironically, she loved listening as each group debated and analyzed their reasons for believing she was, or wasn’t, a bear, and she had a knack for using whatever crazy information they brought with them to add a fun twist to each tour.

  Today, that twist involved taking a few extra minutes to pass by the graveyard, because, apparently, ghost bears are a thing. She hadn’t been able to conceal her laughter when several members voiced their disappointment at not seeing a furry apparition wandering around the headstones.

  Luckily, their moods quickly improved when she led them into The Rosewood.

  The owners of the hotel allowed her clients fifteen minutes to roam the lobby unattended, but she’d been touring long enough to know she could only give them ten. Ten minutes of exploring, and another five to regroup, meant she’d lead them out at the right time, and not violate the terms of her contract.

  She stole another glance at the empty desk, dismissed the group, and backed herself against an empty pillar near the door. The position kept her visible, yet out of the way, and she busied herself by quickly scanning through her emails on her phone.

  The desk was still empty, and she couldn’t help wonder where he was.

  Not that she cared.

  At all.

  Liar!

  “Hey, gorgeous.”

  The deep, sinful voice behind her was unmistakable, and she almost screamed when his warm breath caressed the shell of her ear. Goosebumps skittered down her back, straight to her core, and liquid heat dampened her panties.

  Fuck me!

  She’d spent too much time staring at the desk, and not enough surveying her surroundings.

  CeCe steeled her expression, and turned to face the man behind her.

  Ian Walker.

  At six-inches taller than her five-foot, ten-inch frame, she had to look up, and up, to see his dark brown eyes. He was smiling—most likely laughing at her—and she knew she’d failed to conceal her arousal.

  Damn it!

  He was sex-on-a-stick personified, and he knew it.

  He had short, dark brown hair, with equally dark brown eyes, and a set of full lips she desperately wanted to feel pressing against her heated skin. His broad, muscular body made her want to strip off her clothes and give him everything.

  She would, too, if she wasn't so afraid of him. Unfortunately, he was dangerous, and the joy he found at catching her off guard, pissed her off.

  He knew she liked him. In the beginning, she'd made no mistake of letting him know she was interested, and he'd been using the information against her ever since.

  Luckily, he didn’t know the truth.

  Suddenly, his cocky, commanding presence was too much, and a wave of anger washed over her. There was a time when she’d fallen for his sexy, charming smile, but she’d soon learned that his interest in her was merely a distraction.

  “Hey yourself,” she said, silently cursing the shakiness of her voice.

  “Why are you hiding?” he smiled.

  He was teasing her. He knew exactly what she was doing there.

  “Not hiding, just waiting. I'm working.”

  “That means you’re almost done,” he said, knowingly. “Have lunch with me today.”

  The command wasn’t issued as a question, and though she desperately wanted to obey him, she knew she couldn't. He’d been flirting with her for a little over a year, often while he was seeing someone else, and she didn’t need a man like him in her life.

  If he’d flirt with her while in a relationship with someone beautiful, he’d certainly do it if they were involved, and it would destroy her. She couldn’t date someone who didn’t make her the center of his world.

  Not that he was offering.

  As far as she knew, he and his girlfriend were still going strong, and if he was serious about lunch, they would be eating as friends and nothing more. Despite the fact that every fiber of her being knew he was her mate, he didn’t feel the same—or didn’t want to—and she knew fate had made a mistake.

  Most of her anger dissipated at the realization, and an invisible
band tightened around her heart.

  “I have plans,” she said. “Sorry.”

  It wasn’t a lie. There were still a few things left to do before her annual Anti-Valentine’s Day party, but she would have changed them in an instant if things were different between them. His frown almost made her second guess her decision, but she held strong and turned away.

  A woman now stood at his station, and as she looked around impatiently, her perfectly manicured nails wrapped a steady drum on the counter. She was thin, beautiful, and dressed in a frilly skirt, a silk blouse, and four-inch stiletto heels. Her make-up was flawless, and not one hair on her head was out of place.

  The woman’s attire fit in effortlessly with the elaborate décor surrounding them, and it matched perfectly with the custom-tailored suits Ian wore nearly every day.

  CeCe glanced down at her own outfit, and mentally cringed.

  The thin black t-shirt she wore had the name of her travel company, Shadow Creek Travel, written across her chest, and her snug, well-worn jeans were clean, but slightly faded. Scuffed up athletic shoes completed the casual ensemble.

  She was dressed appropriately for her business, but the difference between her appearance, and that of the woman standing at the counter, was just another reminder of how she didn’t fit into Ian’s world.

  Well, damn!

  Jealousy spiraled through her, and she wanted him gone.

  “You have a customer,” she said over her shoulder.

  “She can wait,” he growled.

  Even though they weren’t touching, the rumble from his chest vibrated against her back, and her skin broke out in goosebumps as more of her essence soaked her panties.

  She turned back to get a better look at him.

  Rage rode off him in waves, but she didn’t understand why.

  She opened her mouth to say…something…but he suddenly stepped in front of her.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. White. How can I help you today?”

  The woman tried to look around Ian, but his big body completely blocked her from the woman. Not an easy feat considering she had way too many curves to be considered small, and she’d spent her whole live being labeled as plus-sized.

  As much as she hated the truth, CeCe knew why he’d blocked her from the woman’s view, and she made no attempt to reveal herself.

  After two failed attempts to see behind him, the woman plastered on a predatory smile and purred her request. If her heart didn’t feel like it would split in two, CeCe would have laughed at the woman’s obvious display.

  “I need reservations for lunch,” Mrs. White said smoothly, “and I prefer not to eat alone.”

  “Wonderful,” Ian replied, his voice warm. “I'll meet you at the desk in two minutes.”

  Even though she’d said no to lunch a few minutes before, another pang shot through her already tender heart. Having lunch with beautiful women wasn't part of his job description, but Ian didn't let that stop him. Not only that, but he’d hid her from one of the beautiful, sophisticated women he was really attracted to.

  When the woman turned away, he faced her again.

  “I have to get back to work,” he sighed. “I'll see you later CeCe.”

  The disappointment in his voice was palpable, but she’d stopped falling for his charms almost a year ago. At least that’s what she told herself while she watched him laugh with the woman.

  Once all the members of her group returned, CeCe led them out of the hotel with her head held high. She had a party plan, and she’d never had a better reason to spurn the upcoming holiday.

  If her fated mate didn’t want her, then no man ever would.

  ***

  Ian Walker turned away from his mate, forced a smile, and walked back toward the concierge desk. Mrs. White, the woman waiting for him, was rude, unkind, and ugly on both the inside and out. He came in contact with women like her every day, but he couldn’t stand the fact that she’d tried to get anywhere near CeCe.

  CeCe was…perfect.

  Earlier, when he’d walked back into the hotel after an errand, he’d seen CeCe waiting for her tour group in her usual spot by the door. It didn’t matter that her strawberry blond hair and pale skin were unmistakable, he’d know her curvy body anywhere.

  She was tall, beautiful, and the way her jeans hugged her large, round ass gave him an instant hard on. Her straight, shoulder length hair was pulled back into a pony-tail, revealing the soft curve of her neck, and he wanted to sink his canines into the sensitive skin and seal their bond forever.

  Fuck!

  He was dying to know what she tasted like.

  Unfortunately, she seemed to want nothing to do with him.

  Even though he’d lived in Shadow Creek his entire life, it had taken almost all of his thirty-two years to find his fated mate.

  A little over a year ago, CeCe expanded the touring side of her business to include the inside of The Rosewood, and he’d immediately recognized her as his mate during her first visit.

  Their six-year age difference meant they’d socialized in different circles, but they also worked on the same street, and frequented many of the same businesses, so he still didn’t understand why they’d never met before.

  Not that it mattered.

  Nothing mattered, except for the fact that they’d found each other.

  Or so he’d thought.

  At first, their attraction had seemed mutual, but after nearly two months of casual—and sometimes not so casual—flirting, everything changed.

  In an attempt to help a friend, she’d called him the day before Valentine’s Day, searching for a great deal on a room, and he’d comped her one of his employee allowances in exchange for an “owed” favor. She’d laughed graciously, but later, when he’d tried to collect with an invitation to dinner, she’d declined him.

  Multiple times.

  Shortly after that, the flirting suddenly stopped, and her warm, cheerful, beautiful smile turned into a cold, aloof, mask of indifference. The few words they did exchange where clipped and courteous, and ultimately, she seemed to want nothing to do with him.

  He’d planned on finding out what had happened before giving up, but his sister, Inari, graduated college and got dumped by her boyfriend all on the same day. She could have moved back in with their parents, but he understood her resistance to the idea, and offered up his guest room.

  Unfortunately, Inari had needed more than just a place to stay, and he’d ended up spending the majority of his free time helping his sister heal. After so many rejections from his mate, he’d willingly welcomed the distraction.

  Even if it meant living with his annoying little sister again.

  Six months had been the most either of them could take, and after that, it had taken her less than a month to find a suitable apartment. Their friendship had grown during her stay, and now that they weren’t walking around wanting to kill one another, they had lunch or coffee a couple of times a month.

  His sister had been gone for weeks, but he’d still kept his distance from CeCe, and he wasn’t sure why. The sensible explanation would be that he’d accepted her distaste for him and moved on, but it was more than that.

  He didn’t want to hear the words.

  After he’d met CeCe, he’d thought his life had finally changed for the better. When she’d laughed at him on the eve of Valentine’s Day the year before, he hadn’t been offended. In fact, her response had seemed the result of nerves and nothing more. It wasn’t until later, when he’d outright asked her out on three different occasions, and she’d denied him all three times, that he’d begun to worry. As she distanced herself further away, the truth became clear.

  His mate didn’t like him, and he had no idea why.

  Hearing her say the actual words, though, would be a torture he didn’t want to endure.

  Of course, all of that went out the window when he saw her standing against the pillar in the lobby of the hotel. The soft curve of her hip called to him, and he wanted to pl
ace his hand there, brand her with his palm, and pull her flush against his thick, hard dick. The image of his mate bent over one of the fancy chairs, accepting all of his cock, made him want to do something stupid like throw her over his shoulder and carry her to one of the empty conference rooms.

  Instead, he’d kept his hands to himself, and opted for a whisper.

  The confusing, unexpected, glorious smell of her arousal nearly knocked him on his ass, and for the first time in…ever…he had to concentrate on not spilling his release.

  He hadn’t been with another woman in over a year—not since he’d met CeCe—but he’d had long bouts of celibacy before, and they’d never affected his ability to control himself. No, the possessive, almost frantic, need to mark her in every way possible had nothing to do with his recent lack of sex, and everything to do with his mate.

  Finding women wasn’t a problem—never had been—but that didn’t mean he wasn’t selective. In fact, Mrs. White was just one of many. She was a perfect example of the type of woman who hit on him daily, but he wasn’t interested in any of them.

  If he were a different man, the amount of times he’d been blatantly verbally solicited, or had money or room keys shoved in his pockets, would be flattering, and potentially fun, but he’d always hated that part of his job.

  Now he despised it.

  He never ate with them, and never accepted their gifts or offers, but that didn’t seem to matter. Every bored rich girl, whether married or single, seemed to think he was employed to personally entertain them, and it got old real fast.

  He knew a ring wouldn’t stop most of them, but he still longed for something tangible to show the world he was taken.

  Unfortunately, his mate had other ideas.

  As he dutifully searched for a reservation and lunch date for Mrs. White, he thought about the cabin he’d bought for his mate, and his heart sank.

  Every year, CeCe threw an Anti-Valentine’s Day party, and he’d hoped to convince her to shun the holiday in a completely different way this year.