Stripped Bear Read Online Free Page B

gave a disinterested flick of her wrist. “Since when has anything gotten in your way when you wanted something, Caden? Especially something as trivial as a wedding.”
    He couldn’t deny that he wanted Leah. That perhaps he’d always wanted her. Was he prepared to do whatever it would take to possess her?
    Yes .
    *   *   *
    Exhaustion tugged at Leah’s eyes. She hadn’t slept the night before. Not a single second of the entire night. Her brain refused to shut down and whenever she closed her eyes, her mind was too full of Cade, a vision of him standing behind her and his voice when he said, Mine to touch. Mine to kiss. Mine to fuck . Cade had said that Leah had claimed him. What in the hell did that even mean? He’d spoken the words with such confidence as though the issue were some matter of fact that needed no explanation. Totally insane.
    The memory of his warm breath on the back of her neck caused her sex to pulse and her thighs to quiver with longing. Guilt ate away at her. Desire raged within her. Leah had never been so confused or felt so damned torn. Why did Cade have to show up now after so many years had passed? In her girlish fantasies, there had never been another man for her but Caden Mitchell. Time had passed though, and she was a grown woman now. She needed to put those fantasies where they belonged: in her past.
    The sound of her heels clicking on the polished concrete floor was the only sound in the vast gallery space. The caterers would be there to set up at any moment and Jensen, the photographer whose art graced the walls, would be showing up soon as well. The only thing missing tonight—as was the case at all of her openings—was Adam. He’d yet to come to a single one. His work always took precedence. His career was always more important. She understood that a doctor’s schedule was erratic. And she’d never condemn him for his ambitions. But once—just once—she would have liked to feel as though he supported her. As though he was proud of what she’d accomplished in her own career.
    Leah pushed those maudlin thoughts to the back of her mind as well as any lingering thoughts about Cade. He’d always been a big talker. And last night had been no different. She’d never see the oh-so-arrogant Caden Mitchell again. For some sick reason, he’d tried to rattle her chain last night and it had worked. Somewhere he was undoubtedly laughing at how easy she’d been to play. God, she was pathetic. He didn’t want her now any more than he’d wanted her sixteen years ago.
    *   *   *
    The night was a success. The food was delicious, the wine flowed. Her gallery was stuffed to capacity with patrons eager to see Jensen’s work. Leah was proud of herself, even if there was no one else there to be proud of her. This was exactly what she’d wanted when she opened the gallery six months ago.
    “How much for the entire lot?”
    Leah stiffened as Cade’s voice trickled over her senses like warm honey. The shock of his persistence was nothing compared to the flame of desire that ignited low in her belly at the simple sound of his voice.
    “Fifty-two thousand for the entire collection,” she answered without turning to face him.
    “Do you like them?” he asked.
    She cocked her head in question.
    “The photographs.”
    “I do,” Leah said quietly. “Jensen has a good eye and I love the black and whites.”
    “I’ll take them, then. The entire collection.”
    Another thing about Cade that hadn’t changed: he never passed up an opportunity to throw his weight around. He had the cash to back up the offer and then some. Odds were good he had fifty-two grand in the cushions of his couch.
    “What do you plan to do with the collection?” If she remained aloof, as though he were nothing more than another patron, maybe Leah could convince herself to ignore Cade’s woodsy, masculine scent and the tingle of excitement that stirred her blood as his arm brushed hers when he stepped up beside