Catching the Bear: BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (The Callaghan Clan Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

didn’t know why exactly, but as he backed up and started down the road, a wave of excitement settled over me.
    Let the adventure begin.

 
    She smelled so fucking good. And I didn’t think it was her perfume or lotion or whatever she was wearing. No, it was her. Her own unique scent. There was something different about Kenzie. Something I couldn’t quite place.
    She wasn’t fully human.
    She wasn’t a shifter either but she smelled, or felt, closer to one of us than a regular human. As we drove out of the country lane and turned onto the main road that would take us north toward Calvin’s homestead, I struggled to find a way to start a conversation. Never before had I had a hard time talking to a beautiful woman. Never. But Kenzie had me tongue-tied.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her twisting a ring on her left hand. An engagement ring. Or maybe a wedding ring. My stomach dropped and disappointment woke up my bear. The human in me said that didn’t necessarily mean she was off limits, but the bear felt like his territory had been invaded. Ridiculous but out of my control.
    I caught a whiff of fear coming from her again and reined in the animal. “So, Kenzie,” I started. “What’s your story?”
    She looked over at me and grinned when she caught my smile. “What?”
    “Where did you come from? Why do you know about shifters?” Are you engaged?
    Clearing her throat, she focused on the road again. “Originally, Maine but I traveled all over the world with my parents until I was a teenager. Then after…” she swallowed hard when her voice cracked. “Then I moved to New York after high school.”
    The scent of sadness pouring off of her crushed my heart. She was also being secretive. Not lying, but not telling the full truth. “And how do you know about shifters?”
    She twisted in her seat to face me. “From Major.”
    Hmm. Partial truth.
    “How long have you two known each other?”
    She smiled and I wanted to touch her lips. Those plush, red lips that matched her hair color perfectly.
    “Since we were little. His house was close to mine and both our parents worked in similar…circles I guess.”
    “Circles?”
    She waved her hand. “They worked for the same company so our paths crossed every few years.”
    Interesting. Not really knowing anything about Major’s childhood made me very curious to understand how and why humans like Kenzie and her parents hadn’t been killed by the ISC for knowing about us. “So, what are you exactly, Kenzie?”
    She sucked in a surprised breath. “Why does it matter?”
    “Because I’d like to know who I’m going to be spending my days with.” And nights if she’ll allow it , my bear rumbled. I was surprised by his interest in her. This wasn’t normal.
    “I’m a contractor for the ISC. I help…fix things,” she said cryptically.
    “Fix?”
    “Hide might be a better word.”
    I sighed. “Well, I still don’t understand how you’re alive and working for the ISC if you truly are human.”
    She giggled and I melted again. Damn her cute laugh. “Are you suggesting I’m not a human woman?”
    Biting my lip, I tried to decide what to say. Do I call her out on it? Or do I bide my time? “I tell you what,” I said with a grin, “how about we play a game.”
    “A game?”
    “Yes. If I can guess what you are, you let me take you out to dinner.” I flashed her my best smile, knowing that the dimples would do their job.
    She shook her head as the blush grew on her pale, but freckled cheeks. “Oh no, Bo Callaghan. Nope. No way.” She started twisting the ring again. “I’ve heard enough about you to know that this charm of yours is not going to work on me.”
    “What?” I said with a gasp, covering my heart in exaggeration. “I’m offended that you would even think that about me.”
    She giggled again and bit her bottom lip. I felt something move in my pants. “Let’s just say that I’ve been warned.”
    “Warned?”
    “And I’ve