Beret Bear (Rogue Bear Series 3) Read Online Free Page B

would be four floors below him. He turned the key in the lock and flipped on the lights.
    Before dinner he had planned on picking up his bike tomorrow and hitting the road as soon as Glen handed over the keys. He would put as many miles as he could between he and Avery. He would try to forget that his true mate was in St. Claire.
    He wouldn’t think about how she had vowed to share her life with another man. He wouldn’t think about her living with him, giving him children, taking him to her bed. He would ride until there was so much space between them he wouldn’t be able to find his way back.
    But just when he had resolved to leave town without her, she had given him the one thing he didn’t want. Hope.
    There was a sliver of light. There was a glimpse of an open future. Avery didn’t belong with Paul. Gage knew that. But after hearing her talk, his bear knew it too. She was still available, and the hell if he wasn’t going to stay in St. Claire and make sure she figured it out in time.

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    G age jogged down the stairs . “Good morning.” The sun made streaks through the small lobby.
    Avery was looking at something on the laptop. “Good morning.” She glanced up.
    “Going to check on my bike.”
    “I hope Glen is able to get you back on the road soon.”
    He noticed how she shifted in her seat when he approached. “We’ll see.”
    Her eyes were focused on the screen. He hesitated by the desk, feeling the need to draw something from her. Some kind of recognition, but she seemed distracted.
    He felt surges of regret hammering through him. He had played this all wrong. Last night was a chance to connect with her, but his bear was at odds with the man. Everything happened quickly, and he didn’t exactly try to soften his rough exterior. Razastan had fucked up more than just his dreams. He didn’t even know how to act around his mate. He had to change that.
    He groaned, pushing through the doors and walked toward Glen’s garage.
    He nodded as a woman walked past him toward the post office. He overheard her talking to someone on the steps. He turned to see a couple outside of the Skillet talking to the waitress who had served him lunch yesterday.
    He crossed the street, rounding the gas station and marching into Glen’s headquarters.
    “Hello?” He didn’t know why the man was always missing.
    “That you, Army?”
    Gage chuckled. It was an annoying nickname, but he knew Glen meant it as a compliment. “Yep.”
    Glen wiped his oily hands on a rag and tossed it in a bucket. “Bad news.”
    “What is it? What happened to my bike?”
    “It’s not the bike. It’s the part. The order won’t be shipped for two more days.”
    Gage relaxed, feeling the alarm evaporate. Two more days in St. Claire was exactly what he needed.
    “You look mighty happy for a guy who is stuck,” Glen mentioned.
    Gage slapped the mechanic on the back. “You just made my day.” He walked toward the garage door. “I’ll be back in a few days.”
    “It’s not a guarantee. Might be longer.”
    “Sounds good.” Gage shoved his hands in his pocket and headed straight for the Long Pine Inn.

10

Avery
    I t had happened again . She felt the tiny prickles under her skin when Gage Lincoln walked down the stairs this morning. She tried to ignore those damn sparkly eyes and the way his chiseled jaw made him look like the most gorgeous man she had laid eyes on.
    He would leave today. Glen would have the bike repaired and he’d ride out of town just as quickly as he had ridden in. She sighed. He had to. She couldn’t handle the way her body tingled when he was near. How she felt the need to listen to his every word with complete focus. How she wanted to reach out and touch him.
    Gage Lincoln needed to get on his motorcycle and get out of St. Claire.
    She looked up as the Hatleys walked toward her.
    “Checking out already?”
    Mr. Hatley’s hand reached forward with the room key.
    “Yes, we’ve decided to cut our stay short a