Jo stared after him, a little confused about what had just happened. The way he’d snatched the phone from her hand had completely shocked her, the darkness in his eyes sending a chill through her body. His teeth had bared as he’d barked words down the phone, his entire body tense and his hand curling into a fist. She couldn’t quite believe what he’s said to Brian, but was surprised to find she wasn’t upset. He’d defended her. Swallowing, Jo watched as Nick slammed things around the kitchen, clearly still annoyed with Brian.

“I’m sorry,” she managed to say, as he strode back over to her. “I didn’t mean to get upset. I know I’ve already cried all over you once already.”

He looked at her, surprised. “That’s not what I’m frustrated about, Jo.”

“It’s not?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head, his hair flying in all directions like an animal shaking its fur. “The way that man was speaking to you wasn’t right, Jo. I don’t know why you put up with it.”

“He’s my boss,” she explained.

“So?” His face grew angry. “That doesn’t give him the right to treat you that way.”

Jo felt heat trickle up her neck and into her face. “You heard what he was saying, huh?”

“Well, he was shouting pretty loudly,” Nick replied, finally sitting down on the sofa. “Why do you let him speak to you like that? Why not say something?”

She shrugged. “I’ve never really stood up for myself. I suppose that’s why things have never changed for me at Liberty Art.”

"You mean, with the constant traveling?"

Jo tried to smile. “I wouldn’t mind it if it wasn’t so uncomfortable and tiring. If he’d just let me fly instead of having to drive all the time.”

He was watching her carefully, his eyes almost glittering. “So why don’t you tell him you’re not doing it anymore?”

“I tried that,” she mumbled, lifting her cup to her lips. “He basically told me to stop complaining or I’d get fired.”

A jolt fired through Nick’s body, forcing him to grab onto the arm of the sofa, his lips pulling back in a silent snarl. Rage poured into his limbs, as he took great heaving breaths, forcing the bear to stay quiet.

“Are you all right?”

“Fine,” he bit out. “I’m just angry that someone would treat you that way.”

She sighed, knowing that he was right and feeling stupid that she’d never done anything about Brian. “I didn’t want to lose my job, so I just went with it.”

Nick had to wait until the bear was completely quiet again before he answered. “There are things you can do,” he said, quietly, after a few minutes. “And even if you did decide to quit, would that be so bad? Couldn’t you get a job elsewhere, a place that made you happy?” He knew that Jo liked the art side of her job, but Brian was making her life miserable.

Tears pricked at the corner of Jo's eyes. "I guess," she said, softly. "It's all a bit scary, though, you know? I used to love my job before Brian basically ruined it."

He came to sit next to her, his strong arm wrapping around her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his low voice rumbling in his chest. “Listen, as far as I’m concerned, you should do something that makes you happy, Jo. Take chances, no matter how risky. They usually work out.”

She couldn't help but cry, her tears soaking his shirt as he tugged her closer to him. "I'm so confused," she sniffed. "I've been too scared to quit because I don't know what I'd do with my life, so I've just put up with Brian."

Stay here with me, Nick wanted to say, hating to see her so upset. “I get that,” he replied, instead. “I wasn’t meaning to make things worse between you and him.”

“No, no, thank you for doing that,” she insisted, looking up at him. “No-one ever really stood up like that for me before. I – I’m glad you did.”

A great swell of pride rose in his chest, as he settled her against him. “I didn’t like how he was speaking to you. I tried to stay out of it but I just lost it, I suppose.”

Jo smiled, her tears drying up. “Well, thank you for losing it, Nick.”

His chest rumbled with quiet laughter. “You’re more than welcome.”

They sat quietly for a long time. Nick’s bear was quiet and content, now that he had Jo beside him. He’d protected her, stood up for her, and his bear was pleased about that. However, his human brain was warning him that he should be as far away from her as he could get, that the way she’d just dissolved into tears was the example of her vulnerability he needed. Humans are delicate. Not for shifters like you.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Jo murmured, almost drifting off to sleep. Her hand inched further along his chest, the muscles rippling underneath her fingers, her hair tickling his chin.

“I’m glad I’m here too,” he replied, unable to stop himself from leaning down and kissing her lightly on the lips. It wasn’t a passionate or heated kiss, rather just a gentle one that made her smile.

“Will you stay with me tonight, Nick?” she asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper. “After what happened, I don’t want to be alone.”

Nick licked his lips. “I guess I could stay,” he mumbled, running his free hand through his hair. “I know you were really frightened.”

“Nothing has to happen between us if you don’t want it to,” Jo continued, trying to be honest. “I mean, I thought you wanted it as much as I did, but I’m getting the impression you don’t.”

Glad he couldn’t see her face, Nick swallowed and tried to explain. “It’s just complicated, Jo.”

She sighed, slowly sitting up and away from him. “If you ever want to explain to me why it’s complicated, then I’m here to listen,” she said, getting up. “Thanks for agreeing to stay, though. Those bears really shook me up.”

“No problem.” Running a hand through his hair, Nick watched Jo with hungry eyes as she walked to the sink to wash their coffee mugs. Twice he’d pulled away from her and he didn’t think he’d manage to resist her a third time. So why had he agreed to stay? Because she needs you.

Blowing out a long breath, Nick shook his head, groaning loudly. “This is too hard,” he mumbled, getting up. Stopping for a moment, Nick frowned as he heard the sound of a car pulling up. Jo hadn’t heard it of course, but Nick could bet it would be his brother.

“I – uh….”

“Oh,” Jo exclaimed, catching sight of Tom through the window. “Tom’s here.”

“I’ll get the door,” Nick said, quickly. From his brother’s scent, he could tell that he was angry. It would be best to take this outside.

“Nick,” Tom said, as Nick opened the door. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Is everything okay?” Jo asked, wiping her hands on the towel.

Tom gave her a brief smile. “Everything’s fine,” he growled, his eyes still on Nick. “I just need to speak to my brother.”

“I won’t be long,” Nick said, reassuringly, closing the door behind him.

 

Tom’s hands were curling into fists as he faced his brother. “Where have you been? You’ve been gone for ages.”

“What are you talking about?” Nick asked, frowning. “I came out to send the Northern Wind pack away, which I managed, by the way.”

“So I see,” Tom replied, his face angry. “You didn’t think to let me know that you were okay? I’ve been watching the camera feed for ages and didn’t see you!”

“What, you thought they’d got me?”

A snarl ripped from Tom’s throat. “What other explanation was there?”

"I was looking after Jo," Nick explained, trying to calm his brother down. "She was really scared and I had some scratches that needed to be cleaned up."

“And she did that for you?”

“Yes,” Nick said, spreading his hands. “So what?”

Tom snorted. “You’re telling me there’s nothing going on between you?”

“Of course not.”

“Really?” Tom replied, sarcasm in his voice. “So why can I smell her on you?”

There was no explanation for that. “It’s not your business, Tom,” Nick said, eventually. “I’m working things out myself.

Tom walked away, blowing out a long, exasperated breath, before spinning on his heel and thumping his brother hard. “What on earth do you think you’re doing, Nick? You know we can’t touch humans!”

“I’m not,” Nick protested. “I mean, I’m trying not to.”

“You have got to stay away from her,” Tom continued, anger blazing in his eyes. She’s no good for you, Nick! Shifters don’t mate with humans.”

Nick growled, gritting his teeth.

“She can’t give you cubs, Nick!”

“Maybe I don’t want that.”

Tom’s lip curled. “So you’re just going to have her for a couple of nights and then let her go? What if you change? What if you lose control?”

Nick’s stance grew menacing. “It’s not your business, Tom.”

“If you end up killing her, it’s going to be my business!”

Nick’s spine cracked. “Not now,” he snarled, his bear ready for a fight. “I need you to just leave this alone, Tom. I won’t hurt her.”

“You can’t have any kind of feelings for a human,” Tom continued, ignoring him completely. “What if you change? What if she sees?”

“She won’t!” Nick roared, pain ricocheting through his body as the bear tried to get out. “Just leave me alone, Tom!” Taking three deep breaths, Nick glared at his brother, before storming past him, forcing the bear back down with sheer force of will.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Tom called, angrily. The only response he got was Nick, slamming the door in his face.

 

Jo looked up, surprised to see the almost feral look on Nick’s face. His teeth were bared as though he’d been snarling. “Is Tom coming in?” she asked, timidly.

“No,” Nick growled, climbing the stairs three at a time. He said nothing else, walking into the bathroom and locking the door.