Bearly A Squeak (4 page)

Alex bent down to retrieve the paperwork. A cursory knock sounded at the door and then it opened, smacking him right on the head and knocking him backward onto his butt.

He tilted back his head and roared. Outside, he heard the sound of staff fleeing. Holding his head, he glared at the person who'd nearly given him a concussion. Ethan.

“Sorry, boss,” Ethan said with a shrug, not sounding in the least sorry. “I just came to let you know that another two office staff have quit, and another cop has put in for a transfer.”

Alex simply glared at him.

“Also,” Ethan added, “Dana says that Tara's ex is in town and apparently he's a nasty piece of work. She's hiding more from him than from you.”

His bear settled immediately, wanting to hear more about the threat to their mate. If this man was upsetting Tara, then he'd be dealt with. Messily, most likely. He stood and walked around his desk, rubbing at his head.

“Who is he?” he demanded.

Ethan closed the door and sprawled in a seat on the other side of the desk. “All I know is that his name is Barry, he's an abusive asshole who previously claimed to be her mate, and...”

“My mate,” Alex growled. It was very important that everyone knew that. Especially the asshole.

“Obviously,” Ethan agreed, waving away the interruption. “But it appears that he spent quite a while trying to persuade Tara that she was his mate. He didn't treat her well, so she left him and has been hiding here for the last few years. Until he turned up here around the same time you met her. Dana thinks that Tara is still afraid of him.”

He couldn't stop the growl that came from his throat.

“I know,” Ethan said, nodding. “We're all keeping an eye on her. Nobody will let her ex near her. She has her sister staying with her right now too, so she should be safe.”

“I need to talk to her,” Alex said, looking Ethan in the eye. His bear was riding him hard, demanding that they ensure their mate's safety.

Ethan tossed a scrap of paper across the desk. “That's her address. Her sister said to tell you that you should visit tonight, she'll let you in. Oh, and she also said to bring cheesecake.”

Relief poured over him. He knew where to find her. Nodding at Ethan, he dismissed him, and started making plans. He'd win her over if it was the last thing he did. Considering his mother's attitude, if he failed, it probably
would
be the last thing he did.

***

Tara munched at her cheese sandwich. Probably not the most nutritious dinner in the world, but hiding inside her house had left her kitchen somewhat bare. As it was, she was currently eating the last of the bread. Eventually she'd be forced to venture out food shopping. Sure, she'd happily make do with her cheese, tins of baked beans, and dry cereal, but there was one thing she would not do without. She was totally out of cheesecake and she didn't even have all the ingredients to make some. It was official. She would have to leave the house. Maybe tomorrow.

“Do we not have anything edible in this house?” her sister demanded, rifling through cupboards, slamming them closed with a little more force than necessary.

“Cheese, cereal, beans,” Tara said.

Sara looked at her. “Even I can't make an actual meal out of those.”

“Cheesy beans?” Tara suggested. “Or cheesy cereal? Cereal and beans? You never know until you try.”

“I know,” her sister said wryly. She sat at the table and ate handfuls of dry cereal from the box. “We need to go shopping.”

Tara opened her mouth. Maybe she could start shopping online and having it delivered.

“We need to go shopping,” Sara repeated. “As in both of us. You need to get out of the house, and you have to stop psyching yourself out of it. I'll come with you. It'll be fine.”

Tara sighed. She really did need the fresh air. “Fine. But if Barry shows up, I'm leaving.”

“If the wereslug shows up, I'm having myself a free snack,” she said, snapping her teeth shut.

“No, you're not,” Tara said firmly. “You know better than to eat Barry. You could get sick. I can't imagine he'd be all that nutritious. Or taste good.”

Sara shrugged. “That's what breath mints are for.”

Sometimes, Tara was not entirely sure whether Sara was being serious. It should probably worry her. She chose to let it go.

“Besides,” Sara added. “Can't be any worse than cheesy cereal.”

Probably true.

The doorbell rang and Sara bounced up out of her chair “I'll get it,” she called. “And then I'm off for a run.”

“Have fun,” she called. Wait... Since when did Sara go for runs?

She heard murmured voices and the sound of the front door closing.

“Who was it?” she called.

“Me,” a deep voice answered her. A large figure took up the kitchen doorway. Her sandwich dropped back onto her plate with a little thud. Her mate stood there, his blue eyes looking directly into hers. Yeah, he was even hotter than she remembered. Her mouse squeaked at her inside her head.

“Hot bear dude,” she said, her voice disturbingly breathy. Then she immediately slapped her hand over her mouth. Dammit. She hadn't meant to say that. What was his name again?

A grin stretched over his handsome face. “Well, I usually go by 'Alex', but I think I like 'hot bear dude'. Especially when you say it.”

Wait, what was that delicious scent? Not the aroma of hunky male bear, the other tantalising scent. She sniffed the air.

He held up a box. “I brought cheesecake,” he said. Yeah, that was it.

“God, you're perfect,” she breathed. “Gimme.” She held out a hand and wiggled her fingers.

Instead, he placed the box further along the table and took a chair next to her. She narrowed her eyes at him and slid her hand along the table towards the box. His hand covered hers as he smiled at her. His touch was warm, gentle… and standing between her and cheesecake. Grr.

“I thought we could have dinner first and then the cheesecake,” he suggested. His thumb rubbed her hand.

“I've had dinner,” she said, eyes never leaving the box. “So I'm ready for cheesecake now.”

He looked down at her half-eaten cheese sandwich, his eyebrow raised. “Yeah, that doesn't really count as dinner. I thought we could go out, get proper food, maybe talk a little.”

“Out?” she squeaked. “Why?”

“Unless you want me to cook something here?” he suggested, his voice warm and making her insides all gooey.

“Can you make something from cheese, baked beans, and cereal?” she asked hopefully. “Or I can just finish my sandwich and eat some cheesecake.”

“I could make something from that,” he said with a shrug. “Not something that actually tasted good, of course. I was thinking that maybe we could go to Mario's. Did you know that they have the best cheesecake ever? We could have a nice meal, and then you could eat their cheesecake and keep this one for later.”

Dammit. Five minutes and he already knew her weakness. He was trying to lure her with cheesecake! It was totally working. She’d walk into the fires of hell for a slice of cheesecake heaven.

“I'll just get changed,” she said, standing up.

His hand squeezed hers gently before letting go.

“I know about your ex,” he said quietly. “I won't let him near you, I promise. You're safe with me.”

She nodded and ran upstairs to freshen up and change clothes. Which clothes were appropriate for dinner in a nice restaurant with the gorgeous mate you'd just met while trying to avoid your ex? She played it safe with a simple black dress and a silver necklace. Her stomach tied itself in knots with nerves. She reminded herself that she wasn't going out there alone. No doubt Alex was more than capable of protecting her. He was huge and also a bear. She'd be fine. Besides, she wanted to do this. He intrigued her with all those muscles and that gorgeous face. Plus, he'd promised her cheesecake. Sneaky bear.

Taking a deep breath, she walked down the stairs to find him waiting at the bottom, his eyes following every move. As she reached the last steps, he took her hand and smiled at her.

“You look beautiful,” he said. Sweet talking bear.

They walked outside and he opened her car door and held it for her. She could totally get used to this treatment. He got into the driver's seat and drove off.

“So, the woman who opened the door was your sister?” he asked.

“Yeah, Sara,” she said, scanning the streets for any sign of her ex.

There was silence. Then, “Sara? And Tara?”

She sighed. “Yeah, I know. Sara is my twin. My parents thought it was cute to have rhyming names. Then they stuck with that theme when our youngest sister, Kara, was born.”

“So, Tara, Sara, and Kara,” Alex said. “That's a bit... well, evil.”

She decided to stay quiet about cousins Lara, Mara, and Nara. “So, you don't have siblings with matching names?”

“No,” he said with a smile. “I have a brother, Josh, and a sister, Holly. No rhyming.”

Before long, they were walking into the restaurant. She continued to look around, nervous about being out in public. Alex's hand brushed her back, guiding her to their table and reminding her that he was there. She should be safe.

They ordered dinner and chatted as they waited. Alex was surprisingly easy to talk to. He was funny, intelligent, and genuinely interested in her. She found herself gradually relaxing and by the time dessert arrived, she was having a great time. Maybe this whole mate thing would work out okay.

“Thanks for this,” she said, looking across the table at him. “I did need to get out.”

“You have friends here, Tara,” he said gently. “Not just me, but several good friends who will make sure your ex doesn't bother you. You just have to trust them to help.”

It was true. For the first time, she considered that she wouldn't have to hide or to run again. She wasn't the same frightened woman as before. She wasn't alone anymore, and it was time she stopped running.

“So...” she began. “About the whole mates thing?”

“Yeah?” he asked, reaching across and taking her hand.

“Can we take it slow?” she asked, watching him carefully. “I mean, can we just hang out and get to know each other first? It's just with everything going on, my nerves are shot.”

“Not a problem,” he said. “I'm not going anywhere. My bear can wait for a little while.”

“Do you always bring cheesecake?” she asked hopefully.

“If that's what it takes.” His smile was wide. Then it suddenly faded, his expression becoming one of sheer panic. He was looking at something over her shoulder.

“Uh oh,” Alex said, his fingers tightening a little on hers, his face pale.

“What?” she asked, looking around worriedly. “Is it Barry? Is he here?” Had he found her? Was he going to create a scene?

“Worse,” Alex said with a sigh. “It's my mother.”

“So, finally I get to meet the mate,” his mother said, standing by their table. How could such a short woman manage to loom so threateningly?

“Hey, Ma,” Alex said. When did it get so hot in here? He pulled at his shirt collar. Damn thing was trying to throttle him. Where did all the air go?

“She is your mate, right?” his mother narrowed her eyes. “I know that my son would not be wining and dining some other floozy when he has a mate.”

“Floozy?” Tara objected weakly.

“She's not a floozy,” Alex said. “She is my mate. We were just talking. Sorting things out.” His eyes darted around, looking for escape routes. How fast could Tara run?

“Talking?” his mother asked, her eyebrows raised. “Since when do true mates sit around talking?” She sniffed the air. “You haven't even claimed her yet!” Her voice was getting louder, drawing curious looks from the other diners.

Tara's face was bright red. His own face felt incredibly hot. He fought the urge to squirm under his mother's gaze. Tara had tugged her hand back and was practically shrinking into her seat.

“Ma!” he hissed. “You're embarrassing my mate.”

“Are all mice so timid?” his mother asked. “I'll need to know for when the grandcubs arrive.” She pulled out a chair and sat down next to Tara. His mate's eyes were huge, and she looked a hair's breadth from panic. He knew the feeling.

“This is our first date,” he whispered furiously. “We are not discussing grandcubs. We're trying to get to know each other before... you know...” he trailed off.

“Before you boink like bunnies,” his mother supplied, waving a hand in the air. “I know, I know, but talk fast. I want grandcubs and you're not getting any younger Alex.”

His mother just used the phrase 'boink like bunnies'. He looked down at the floor, hoping to see a great whirling vortex waiting to suck him in. No, he was out of luck. Besides, if he ever wanted Tara to mate him, he couldn't possibly abandon her to his mother. Dammit.

“Well, hello there, Tara,” a male voice intruded.

Tara glanced up, caught one look at the man and paled. This must be the ex. Alex looked him over and dismissed him as a pretty, rich boy. His bear eyed him as a potential snack. He smelled like a fox, not much of a threat to his bear, but his little mate was a mouse and more vulnerable.

“We're a little busy here, dear,” his mother said, dismissing the newcomer. “My son and his mate are just discussing their mating.”

Barry's jaw clenched. “She's already mated. To me.”

“Don't be silly,” his mother said. “I don't smell you on her.”

“We've been separated but now I'm back,” he said firmly.

Alex saw the slightest tremble in Tara's hand and his bear growled. Nobody should be scaring his mate. No arrogant upstart could come in here, scare his mate, and try to claim her for himself.

Setting his napkin down, Alex rose from his seat, noting with satisfaction that he towered over the other man. Barry took a step back.

“Tara is
my
mate. You were never mates, and she left you. She is my true mate and I will not tolerate you stalking her. Are we clear?” his voice rumbled with unspoken threat, allowing a little of the bear to peek through.

“I think that is her decision, not yours,” Barry said. “Tara...?” he trailed off, looking around.

Tara's seat was empty.