As one week bled into the next, Arizona looked forward to more family gatherings with Garrett. Even though he pretended to be a loner, he insisted they attend all of the parties and celebrations. The more she got to know the other members of the bear clan, the more she liked them. She’d fallen into a routine with Garrett. Fake relationship during the day, hot sex at night. In a way, she didn’t want it to end.

The timer on the washing machine buzzed, signaling the end of the cycle. She hummed as she pulled the clothes out and tossed them into the dryer. As she closed the door, her phone rang. Gerri’s face popped up on the screen.

“Calling for your weekly checkup?” Arizona asked wryly.

“Just making sure you’re okay.”

“Everything’s going great. Yesterday we went hiking in the woods and later today we’re planning on meeting Connie for dinner. She’s been dating a shifter who’s new to the area. He’s a really nice guy who treats her like a queen.”

“You sound happy,” Gerri said.

“Happier than I’ve been in a long time,” she admitted.

“Are you still in denial about your budding relationship?”

“We’re not in a real relationship,” Arizona said. “I can separate reality from fiction. Besides, getting involved with him would be terrible for both of us.”

“And yet you’re still having sex.”

“Gerri!”

“I can hear it in your voice. You’re falling for him. Whether you want to believe it or not, it’s happening. You love his house, his family, and the animals on the ranch, but you won’t admit that he’s become part of the package.”

“Look, I understand what you’re trying to do, but it’s not going to work with us,” Arizona said. “I’m sorry, but we’re not a match. His father will pass away any day now, and once he’s gone, I’m on my own again. He’ll probably ask me to leave and then I’ll be right back where I started.” A heavy weight settled in the pit of her stomach.

“Don’t tell me you don’t feel anything for him,” Gerri said. “I’ve known you your whole life and you’ve never lied to me before. Don’t start now.”

“Fine,” Arizona huffed. “I might like him a bit too much, but I’m not in love with him. Satisfied?”

“I worry about you.”

“Why?”

“You’re obviously in denial about how much you’ve come to care about him,” Gerri said. “If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s this: you should be careful with love. You never know when it will strike, and if you turn away from it, you might not get another chance.”

“I love you, but that’s total BS. Even if I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, it wouldn’t happen.”

“Why not?” Gerri asked.

“Monogamy isn’t realistic.”

“According to whom?”

“Well, let’s take my dad for instance. Ever since mom left, he’s jumped from one girlfriend to the next. He’s very, very good at serial monogamy, but terrible at commitment.”

“I can’t believe you’re using your father as an example. He’s the last man I’d use as a model for relationships,” Gerri said. “Your father may not be able to stay with one woman for more than a few years.”

“Months.”

“Okay, months. But there are plenty of men out there that are ready for love. They’re waiting for the right woman to come along. A woman worthy of lifelong devotion,” Gerri said. “Garrett’s that type of man.”

“I doubt it. He’s expressly told me he’s not looking for a wife. He only wants casual relationships. Everlasting love isn’t part of his plan. And I don’t blame him. There are a hundred ways a relationship can blow up in your face. I can understand why he doesn’t want to try.”

“He may tell you that, but do his actions match?” Gerri asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Does he do everything in his power to make you happy when you’re around?”

“Yes.”

“Does he make sure you never lack anything? Food, water, sleep?” Gerri asked.

“Those are basic necessities. Anyone with half a brain would make sure the people living under their roof had those things.”

“You’d be surprised at how many men don’t take care of their own,” Gerri said.

“Now can I use my father as an example of a man who wouldn’t lift a finger to help his family?” Arizona asked, exasperated.

“Yes. Now would be the time. Look, Garrett is a caring, sensitive man who wants to do right by you. Maybe you’re not the only one falling in love. Maybe he feels it too.”

Arizona fell back against the washing machine as if she’d been pushed. She’d been so focused on her own feelings toward him, she hadn’t considered whether or not he might secretly feel the same way.

“He’s never said anything to me to indicate he wanted anything more than what we have,” she said.

“Most men won’t confess their innermost feelings unless asked,” Gerri said. “And even then, they tend to keep things close to the vest.”

“I guess.”

“Promise me one thing…”

“What?”

“Don’t hurt him. Even if you don’t want a relationship, he might. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt,” Gerri said.

“I won’t change my mind, and neither will he. So there’s nothing to worry about,” Arizona said.

But as she stood in the laundry room waiting on the dryer to finish, she began to have doubts. Could she actually see a future with Garrett? Was it even worth considering? And if she opened her heart to the possibility, wouldn’t she end up disappointed in the end?

* * *

Garrett couldn’t take his eyes off of Arizona. Country-western music blared through his father’s barn. Tonight’s crowd drew shifters from as far away as Wyoming. They were most likely waiting to see who would take over after his father passed. His old man hadn’t left his bed in over a week. Hooked up to oxygen and relying on nurses to take care of most of his needs, the end was near.

As Garrett stretched his shoulder toward his neck, vertebra popped to release the ever-increasing pressure. He relaxed slightly. He hadn’t considering how much lying about his relationship with Arizona would weigh on his conscience. But he’d backed himself into a hole and now he couldn’t tell the truth. His father’s last days would be spent in turmoil if he found out his only son had been lying to him. Garrett had no choice but to keep up the façade.

The music changed to a tune perfect for square dancing. Several people at their table joined the small group of dancers in the center of the barn.

“Come dance with me.” Arizona stood and offered her hand to him.

“I’ve got two left feet,” he said. “But go ahead. You’ll be able to find a partner.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’ve got a beer and a pretty fiancée. What more could a man want?” He leaned forward and whispered, “I trip all over myself on the dance floor. Trust me, I’m saving you from certain disaster. It wouldn’t be pretty.”

“But you danced with me the first night I was here.”

“I only did that to get close to you.” He flashed a wicked grin. “It was the only way I could press your sexy body up against mine without getting slapped.”

When she laughed, her joy was like a warm hug wrapped around his heart. There was no denying he’d started to care for her, but he was in dangerous territory. He needed to keep some distance between them before he went and did something stupid like fall for her.

As she joined the other dancers at the foot of the stage, an elderly shifter from the wolf clan’s council joined her. She smiled, grabbed his age-spotted hand, and followed him to the front line. When the music started and the caller began to rattle off moves, she followed them with precision. Clearly she’d square danced before, but where? She lived in the middle of a big city, so she couldn’t have had too many opportunities to learn the various steps.

After making a note to ask her about it later, he sat back and sipped his beer. Tonight she wore a flowing spring-green dress which matched her eyes. As she spun and stomped the floor, the hem whirled halfway up her thigh. His cock twitched and blood flowed south. He discreetly shifted in his seat.

Although she exuded innocent sensuality, a tigress hid just beneath the surface. All eyes turned to watch her. His chest puffed up.

Mine!

Several men and women cast looks of envy his way. He tried to keep his smug expression to himself, but it was hard to hold back. Pride swelled in his heart. If he ever wanted to find a mate, he’d look for one like Arizona. Over the last few weeks, he’d gotten to know her soft side as well as her sultry, seductive side. He loved both.

Wait, not loved. Love was too intense. It was more of a really strong “like.” That’s what it was. Like. Much safer than love.

He shook his head in an attempt to clear it. It was dangerous to let himself think about her as anything other than a casual diversion. After his father died, he’d let her stay until she found somewhere else to hide. If she stayed too long after his father’s death, it would only make saying goodbye harder. Cutting ties as soon as possible would be the best option.

A sharp claw to the ribcage made him fumble his bottle. He set it on the table and hit his chest with his fist.

“You okay?” someone asked.

“Fine.”

His damn bear was acting up again. Every time he thought about a future that didn’t include Arizona, his bear would claw at him. Stupid bear. Hadn’t the beast learned from their first relationship with Monica? They’d spent months trying to get over her betrayal. His bear should know better now. Risking his heart for love wasn’t something he’d ever consider again. Not in this lifetime.

But sex, now that was something he’d be happy to pursue. It didn’t take much to convince her to get naked. So far they’d made love on the kitchen counter, the living room floor, the shower, against a tree in the forest—they’d almost gotten caught by Connie that time—and in the guest bedroom, but never in his bed. How odd… But what difference did it make? As long as they kept having mind-blowing, incredible sex, he didn’t care where it happened.

The longer he watched her dance, the harder he got until his cock pressed painfully against his zipper. He couldn’t wait to rip off her dress and plunge into her hot pussy.

* * *

Arizona plopped down into a chair next to Garrett. After thirty minutes of dancing, she was ready for a cold drink.

“Beer?” he asked.

“I’d love one.”

“Be right back.”

She watched his tight butt as he strolled over to the drink table. The man was sex personified. She couldn’t get enough of having his rough rancher’s hands all over her body. But the conversation with Gerri weighed on her mind. Was she setting herself up for heartache by getting too close to him? Maybe she shouldn’t be falling into bed with him every night.

“Here you go, honey,” he said as he handed her a beer.

Honey?

She grabbed the bottle and took a huge swig. Maybe Gerri was right. Maybe he was starting to care about her. Could it be possible? And what would it mean for their relationship?

“Thank you. Who knew square dancing could make you this thirsty?” She tried to keep her tone light even though her stomach pitched harder than a sailboat in a hurricane.

He leaned closer, completely invading her space.

“You know,” he whispered. “I’m thirsty too.”

“You have a drink.”

“I’m thirsty for something a little more exotic,” he murmured.

As he grazed her ear with his lips, she bit the edge of her lip. The skin along her throat ached for his kisses. She brought her hand to her neck and rubbed away the fleeting sensation. She gripped the bottle and brought it to her trembling lips.

“Should we head home?” he asked.

Home? Oh boy…

“Uh, maybe we should stay a little longer.”

“I don’t know if I can hold out,” he said. “I might have to sweep everything off this table and take you right here.”

“In front of everyone?”

“Mm…” He nuzzled her neck before reaching under the table to take her hand. He brought it to his hard cock. “You do this to me.”

She groaned.

“Maybe we should skip a night,” she said.

“Why?” he asked, eyelids hooded with lust.

“Maybe we’re going too far too fast.”

“Sweetie, we can’t go much further, unless…” He patted her butt. “How kinky are you?”

“Garrett!” She swatted his hand away. “Everyone’s staring.”

“Good. It means we’re convincing.”

“I don’t think you’re pretending anymore,” she said.

“I’m not. Not right now.”

Before she could come up with a better defense, he stood and scooped her into his arms.

“Hey, save something for the wedding night,” Daniel called from across the room.

Her face flamed.

“Put me down,” she growled. “You’re making a scene.”

“It’ll be an even bigger scene if we don’t get out of here.”

He tossed her over his shoulder and held onto the backs of her thighs. As he carried her into the woods, she clung to his broad shoulders. Who was she kidding? The caveman act made her cream her panties. She couldn’t resist him when he went Tarzan on her.

“When we get home,” he said. “I’m going to bend you over the back of the couch and make you mine.”

Mine? Oh Lord.

As he kicked open the door to his house, heat pooled in her sex. All thoughts of resisting him went out the window when he made good on his promise. He set her down on the side of the sofa and pushed her forward so she lay over the arm. Face down, ass up, her naughty side came out to play. She wriggled her butt.

“My panties are still on,” she said.

“Not for long.”

He slid his hands up the insides of her thighs before reaching up to grab her panties. In one swift movement, he pulled them down around her ankles. The near-brutish way he manhandled her only made her wetter. Moisture sluiced between her thighs. She was more than ready for him and he wasn’t even undressed.

The sound of his leather belt sliding open followed by the click of his zipper ratcheted up her anticipation. She turned to look at him.

“Eyes forward.”

His bossy, demanding tone sent sparks of need straight to her pussy. She ground her hips against the couch, eagerly awaiting his cock. They’d had fast and dirty sex in the forest, and in practically every room of the house, but never like this.

Hot breath caressed her pussy. He grabbed her thighs and spread them wide, then angled her hips up even more. Totally exposed and ready to be filled, she moaned when his lips grazed her pussy. His tongue quickly followed. Licking, sucking, whirling across her quivering flesh, he darted in before sliding back to suck her clit.

She moaned and held onto a seat cushion like a life vest. Drowning in pleasure, she tried to swallow back the rush of moisture in her mouth, but it was no use. Her mouth dropped open. She drooled all over the pillow. He consumed her, as if trying to push her to the brink of madness. And as she soared closer to the pinnacle of ecstasy, he stood and plunged into her.

Filled with the hard length of his cock, she arched back, opening for him, giving him access to everything he wanted and more. Thrilled by his shallow breaths and husky grunts, she rolled her hips to meet him thrust for thrust. In the outside world, their lives were too complicated and they couldn’t be together. But inside… inside they could merge into one body, one heart, and one soul.

He wrapped her arms around her, covering her with his warmth. She leaned back into him. They moved in perfect time together, connected in a way she couldn’t understand. She’d never made love like this before. Never. And as she rushed toward the pinnacle, her heart soared with unrepressed emotion. She cried out as she came, shuddering against him while he found his own release.

They lay locked together, panting every breath. After a few minutes, he moved to sit on the couch. He pulled her into his lap and cradled her cheeks in his palms.

“You were right,” he murmured.

“Right about what?”

“What we’re doing… It’s dangerous.”

Her heart dropped as reality crashed into her. No matter how much she loved being with him, she couldn’t let herself fall in love. He was right. It was far too dangerous to indulge in fantasy. Dreaming about what life might be like if she stayed with him would only lead to heartache. She had to find a way to control her emotions before they destroyed her.