Bear Meets Girl
Page 70
No. But not a story you have to hide, either.
Shes got a point. Van Holtz blew out a breath. Its not like Ive heard any of the Smiths running around talking about their cannibal days.
Exactly. Kathleen patted Crushs leg again. Im sure your ancestor was a very nice man.
He was kind of a cop. You know, for his time. Well ... Crush thought back, remembering what hed found out. Kind of a cop slash executioner. He had a real thing for injustice
There you go!
and witches. Used to burn them at the stake unless he drowned them or piled rocks on them first.
Oh.
The group went silent until Crush finally stated, Still liking the barbarians against Roman forces story better.
Yeah, they all agreed.
The sun went down, the snow began to steadily fall, and nearly everybody was out on the dance floor dancing to Mungo Jerrys In the Summertime. The hotties, of course, had on what some would call ski gear, but even they couldnt stay in the hot tent. It had been a great party.
She knew that Crush was having a good time, too, dancing with her, a little blood still in his hair from his earlier seal hunt with Novikov. He didnt even seem to mind that she could only currently look at him through one eye since the other one was swollen shut from the fistfight. Smith offered to cut you like in the Rocky movies, but as Cella told the She-wolf when shed offered, shed rather wait until the swelling went down on its own.
A slower Motown classic came on and Cella immediately went into Crushs arms, the two grinning at each other while swaying to the music. Like most bears, the man had some nice rhythm considering his size.
You and the girls need a lift home? he asked.
No. Im going back with the girls, and some of my cousins. Well be making brownies at Jais place and talking boys all night. But thanks for the offer.
No problem.
Glad you came to the party? she asked.
Very.
You coming back next year?
He gazed down at her. Maybe.
She chuckled. Oooh, maybe. Thats promising.
He laughed, his arms tightening around her waist. Cella rested her head against his chest. And thats when she knewshe was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Tuesday morning, Ric Van Holtz dragged himself out of bed and made his way to his kitchen to get the coffee started. He ground the beans, pulled down a coffee mug, and waited while his fourteen-cup coffeemaker did its work.
And when that hand slipped across his naked hip, he didnt jump ... anymore. It took some getting usedto, living with the sneakiest of wolves, but Ric wouldnt change it for the world. Eyes still closed, he turned his head and soft lips pressed against his.
Glad youre home, he murmured, nuzzling the She-wolf who pressed her long body next to his. Whats going on?
The bears information was right. Found Whitlans office. And hes in it.
Ric opened his eyes, and nodded. Take it down. Tonight. Bring him in alive, Dee-Ann.
She grinned, kissed his neck. Youve got it.
Crushs phone woke him that morning from the most erotic dream hed had in a while, involving a She-tiger in hockey pants, and he wasnt happy about it.
He swiped the cell phone off his nightstand. What?
Its MacDermot.
What?
Meet me at the office at six.
Crush glared over at his bedside clock. Its six-thirty.
No. I meant six tonight.
Why?
Group and KZS are taking down Whitlan. Tonight.
Wait. They found him? How did they even know
God, youre like my kid. Asking ten thousand questions.
Im a bear. Thats what we do. And this is our case.
Flexibility is key for this job, Crushek. Get used to it. Besides, Ive just accepted the fact that Dee-Ann Smith has contacts you and I just aint got. And if she wants to find youshell find you. Now, Ill see you at six.
But
If it makes you feel better, your girlfriend will be there.
My
Also heard youre a hell of a kisser.
Crush sat up. What?
Cella packed up her duffel bag, throwing in a few extra clips for good measure, and zipped it up. She looked around, made sure she had everything. She did, and what she didnt have, KZS would provide.
Pulling on a light denim jacket, she picked up her bag and rushed down the stairs, through the kitchen, waving at her mother and father, then around the side of the house. Meghan and Josie were already heading to the Jeep, schoolbooks in hand, discussing something in whispers.
Im working tonight, babe, Cella called out. Ill see you tomorrow.
Cella tossed her bag into one of her brothers cars. She didnt know which one.
Thats fine. Im babysitting Deenas kids tonight. But can we talk tomorrow, Ma?
Cella, about to get into her car, stopped and looked over at her daughter. Talk? Oh, you mean about you heading to Hofstra in the fall? Sure ... we can talk about that.
Shes got a point. Van Holtz blew out a breath. Its not like Ive heard any of the Smiths running around talking about their cannibal days.
Exactly. Kathleen patted Crushs leg again. Im sure your ancestor was a very nice man.
He was kind of a cop. You know, for his time. Well ... Crush thought back, remembering what hed found out. Kind of a cop slash executioner. He had a real thing for injustice
There you go!
and witches. Used to burn them at the stake unless he drowned them or piled rocks on them first.
Oh.
The group went silent until Crush finally stated, Still liking the barbarians against Roman forces story better.
Yeah, they all agreed.
The sun went down, the snow began to steadily fall, and nearly everybody was out on the dance floor dancing to Mungo Jerrys In the Summertime. The hotties, of course, had on what some would call ski gear, but even they couldnt stay in the hot tent. It had been a great party.
She knew that Crush was having a good time, too, dancing with her, a little blood still in his hair from his earlier seal hunt with Novikov. He didnt even seem to mind that she could only currently look at him through one eye since the other one was swollen shut from the fistfight. Smith offered to cut you like in the Rocky movies, but as Cella told the She-wolf when shed offered, shed rather wait until the swelling went down on its own.
A slower Motown classic came on and Cella immediately went into Crushs arms, the two grinning at each other while swaying to the music. Like most bears, the man had some nice rhythm considering his size.
You and the girls need a lift home? he asked.
No. Im going back with the girls, and some of my cousins. Well be making brownies at Jais place and talking boys all night. But thanks for the offer.
No problem.
Glad you came to the party? she asked.
Very.
You coming back next year?
He gazed down at her. Maybe.
She chuckled. Oooh, maybe. Thats promising.
He laughed, his arms tightening around her waist. Cella rested her head against his chest. And thats when she knewshe was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Tuesday morning, Ric Van Holtz dragged himself out of bed and made his way to his kitchen to get the coffee started. He ground the beans, pulled down a coffee mug, and waited while his fourteen-cup coffeemaker did its work.
And when that hand slipped across his naked hip, he didnt jump ... anymore. It took some getting usedto, living with the sneakiest of wolves, but Ric wouldnt change it for the world. Eyes still closed, he turned his head and soft lips pressed against his.
Glad youre home, he murmured, nuzzling the She-wolf who pressed her long body next to his. Whats going on?
The bears information was right. Found Whitlans office. And hes in it.
Ric opened his eyes, and nodded. Take it down. Tonight. Bring him in alive, Dee-Ann.
She grinned, kissed his neck. Youve got it.
Crushs phone woke him that morning from the most erotic dream hed had in a while, involving a She-tiger in hockey pants, and he wasnt happy about it.
He swiped the cell phone off his nightstand. What?
Its MacDermot.
What?
Meet me at the office at six.
Crush glared over at his bedside clock. Its six-thirty.
No. I meant six tonight.
Why?
Group and KZS are taking down Whitlan. Tonight.
Wait. They found him? How did they even know
God, youre like my kid. Asking ten thousand questions.
Im a bear. Thats what we do. And this is our case.
Flexibility is key for this job, Crushek. Get used to it. Besides, Ive just accepted the fact that Dee-Ann Smith has contacts you and I just aint got. And if she wants to find youshell find you. Now, Ill see you at six.
But
If it makes you feel better, your girlfriend will be there.
My
Also heard youre a hell of a kisser.
Crush sat up. What?
Cella packed up her duffel bag, throwing in a few extra clips for good measure, and zipped it up. She looked around, made sure she had everything. She did, and what she didnt have, KZS would provide.
Pulling on a light denim jacket, she picked up her bag and rushed down the stairs, through the kitchen, waving at her mother and father, then around the side of the house. Meghan and Josie were already heading to the Jeep, schoolbooks in hand, discussing something in whispers.
Im working tonight, babe, Cella called out. Ill see you tomorrow.
Cella tossed her bag into one of her brothers cars. She didnt know which one.
Thats fine. Im babysitting Deenas kids tonight. But can we talk tomorrow, Ma?
Cella, about to get into her car, stopped and looked over at her daughter. Talk? Oh, you mean about you heading to Hofstra in the fall? Sure ... we can talk about that.
