Beret Bear (Rogue Bear Series 3) Read Online Free

something?”
    “Something.” He forced the word out. There was no way to describe what was happening to him. He could feel the intense thumping in his veins. His head was pounding. His fingers were twitching. He willed himself to stare at the TV and follow the movements of the runner on the field, avoiding tackles.
    “Here you go, Avery.” The bartender returned with a goblet of red wine. “How’s that fiancée of yours?”
    Gage closed his eyes.
    “Paul’s out of town for work.”
    “I never see him in here.” Rick whistled at the TV. “Touchdown, folks.”
    Gage turned to see her lower her eyes. “He’s busy. He just landed some new accounts. I think it will be better after the wedding.”
    “I bet it will.” Rick tapped on the bar. “Let me get your burgers. Some game, huh?”
    Gage could sense it without her saying a single word. She was sad. The lightness she had brought in with her was mixed with murky grayness.
    He didn’t know where it came from, but he asked, “What does he do? Your fiancé.”
    She held the wine between her palms. “He’s a sales rep for PharmTek.”
    Gage nodded. He had never imagined a career wearing a suit or driving an expensive car. He always knew he wanted to be a soldier.
    “When’s the wedding?” he asked.
    “Next summer.” She took a sip of wine. “I think. But we might have to push it back depending on my fiance’s schedule. He’s really doing well. I don’t want the wedding to set him back.”
    “No date set?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “No, but we will eventually.”
    It was completely involuntary, but Gage felt the corners of his mouth turn up. The pain that had seized under his ribs suddenly released.
    “Do you see him often?”
    “When it works for his schedule. But he’s busy.”
    “You mentioned that.” He didn’t have the right, but he hated the man. Who would leave her here alone? Who would give her a ring, but refuse to set a date? He clenched his teeth together. Paul sounded like a fucking coward.
    He looked at her empty glass and his and held up his hand. “Rick, I’d like another round.” He smiled at Avery. “For both of us.”

8
    Avery
    T he second glass of wine went down faster than the first. Avery was glad when Rick finally brought out the burgers from the kitchen. She didn’t want to admit she was already in wedding dress diet mode, because that would mean she had a wedding dress to fit into, and it would mean there was a date in sight. She knew she had neither.
    The burger tasted good with the wine. She dipped a French fry in ketchup, keeping an eye on Gage.
    “If you don’t know where you’re going, can you tell me where you’ve been?” she asked.
    The guy was nothing if not mysterious and brooding. He barely strung five words together at a time. But he seemed to finally be enjoying himself, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with the last touchdown the Lightning scored.
    He wiped his fingers on a napkin. “I’m back from Razastan. Last week actually.”
    “You’ve been overseas?”
    He nodded. “For a few years.”
    “Wow. That’s crazy. And your first stop is St. Claire?”
    He chuckled, his wide chest moving with the sound. “Not by design.”
    “Oh right. The bike.” She picked up another fry. “It’s not such a bad stopover. There’s lots to do here.”
    “Really? Like what? I’ve already been to the one restaurant, one gas station, one bar, and I’m staying in the only hotel. There’s more?”
    She blushed. She knew what people that about St. Clair. She knew what Paul thought about it. But to her it was home, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, or doing anything else. The inn was ingrained in her heritage.
    “Every town has it’s own charm. You just have to know where to look.” The clapping sounds behind them made Avery jump in her chair.
    Gage looked around the bar. “I think they’re clapping because of the touchdown.”
    “Right.”
    He set his gorgeous blue eyes on