Read Online Bear Seeking Bride: Thorn (Bear Canyon Brides Book 6) (BBW Paranormal Bear-Shifter Menage Romance) by Ruby Shae - Free Book Online

bookstore.”
    “That stopped being my problem six months ago.”
    She stepped around him, leaving him behind, and walked into the bar. Gavin and Hawk stood with their backs to her, but she could tell by their posture they were annoyed. A short, petite woman stood in front of them talking, and she didn’t have to see the woman’s face to know that it was Claire.
    Hell, the woman had probably run past David to get to them before she could. The vision made her smile. Claire and David had both betrayed her, and they’d both gotten exactly what they deserved.
    As she approached the trio, she heard Claire’s voice first.
    “Wouldn’t be fun to go find an open storage room, or coat closet somewhere, and have a quickie while everyone else is sitting down to dinner?”
    “You’re right,” Hawk said, deadpan, “that would be fun.”
    She stepped between the two men, and they both wrapped an arm around her waist.
    “Hi baby,” Hawk said, placing a kiss on her cheek.
    “I missed you,” Gavin said, simply.
    “I missed you, too,” she said, smiling up at him.
    Their eyes shone with the devotion she’d always dreamed of, and despite her mate’s obvious irritation with Claire, she looked at her sister and smiled.
    “What would be fun?” she asked, innocently.
    Claire’s smile grew into a knowing smirk, but it fell when Hawk started talking.
    “Claire suggested we go find an empty storage closet somewhere and get it on. Apparently, she has a thing for knowing others are fucking while she’s eating an expensive dinner.”
    Gavin turned his head and coughed to cover his laugh, and she gathered the back of his jacket in her fist. It took everything she had not to burst into giggles.
    “Really?” Ava asked her sister. “Wow Claire, I had no idea you were so kinky. Come on boys, let’s see what we can do.”
    They all turned to walk away, and she and Gavin broke down in a fit of laughter. They had no intention of escaping to a broom closet, at least not tonight, but they had reserved a hotel room for later.
    On their way to the dining room, a man stepped in front of them and introduced himself as a popular publisher she’d communicated with several times via email when she’d still owned half the store.
    “Ava Redmond?”
    “Yes,” she replied. Gavin and Hawk flanked her, one on each side.
    “I’m Mark Stanton,” he said. “We’ve been emailing back and forth about the bookstore expansion.”
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Stanton, but I sold my half of the bookstore over six months ago. I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to, but I sent a note to your office alerting them to the change before I left.”
    “We received it,” he said, “but then a retraction came a few weeks later. Someone has been posing as you, Ms. Redmond, and I refuse to back a dishonest company. Where are you working now?”
    “I’m not working anywhere, sir, but I’m considering opening an honor library and beverage bar. My mates and I are still discussing the details, though.”
    “An honor library sounds fantastic,” he said, handing her a card. “Whatever you decide to do, if books are involved, I’ll proudly back you.”
    “Even if it’s in Bear Canyon?” she asked.
    “Anywhere,” he confirmed.
    “Thank you,” she said as he walked away.
    By the end of the evening, she had several more cards, and Claire and David had been quietly asked to leave after Claire had caused a scene yelling about how much she hated books and reading. Ava was surprised to find so many backers and supporters without even looking.
    “Either these people really hate David and Claire, or I really made an impression,” she said.
    “You’ve made an impression on me,” Gavin said.
    “On me, too,” Hawk chimed in. “It only makes sense that others love you, too.”
    “I love you,” she said, leaning forward to kiss Hawk. It was chaste and simple, but left a promise of more to come.
    She turned toward Gavin and kissed him, too.
    “I love you,”