Read Online Bear Treble (Highland Brothers 4) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers - Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    “My car’s out front. Let’s go.”
    “Now? But everyone’s gone. They’re going to wonder…”
    He crushed his lips against hers. “I’ll call Billy from the road.”
    She blinked, feeling the roughness of the kiss seep into her lips. “Ok.”

23

Dylan
    H e tossed another log on the fire. It felt right to be here instead of the studio. Being a Highland was more than just sharing a last name with his brother and cousins. He shared the traditions of their clan—something he had fought his entire life. Highland House was the right place to tell Layla their destiny was forever interlaced. She was now part of a powerful bear family.
    “Are you going to tell me?” She sat on the couch, her eyebrows arched high. “Start with the bear stuff.”
    “I was hoping I could do it in a song, but I don’t think that’s possible.”
    “Your music is amazing, Dylan, but sometimes real conversation is necessary.”
    “It is. This is one of those times.”
    “Just tell me. You got me back here with the last song you wrote. You know I’m debating whether I can even include it on the album.”
    “Why would you say that?”
    “It’s too personal. I think if I sang it, people would know it was about us.”
    He turned to look at her. “They don’t know about us. No one knows there is an us.”
    “Is there?” she asked. “Is that what this is about? Are you second-guessing the song? Are you second-guessing me again?”
    “No, no.” He sat next to her on the couch, feeling an incredible urge to hold her and not let go until everything was ok. But it wasn’t ok, because of him. The only way he could fix it was tell her the truth.
    “Layla.” He stroked the side of her cheek. “This is impossible. All of it.” He had to fight through the doubt. He had to do the right thing. “Layla, I’m a bear shifter.”
    “You’re a what?”
    “I want to be more man than bear, but sometimes the bear wins out. Like he did with you.” He tilted her chin with his thumb. “I—we—you—” Every time he tried to tell her his words failed him, all he could see were the notes that would explain it to her. The music would speak for him.
    “Clearly something is going on. Just tell me,” she urged.
    “I’m trying to tell you that I’m a bear. And you are my mate.” He searched her eyes for fear or disgust.
    “A mate?” She smiled. “What century are you in?”
    He shook his head. “I know it sounds strange, but we are bonded forever. The piano…” He let the words drift off, hoping she would be able to piece it together.
    “You can’t be a bear. That’s not even possible.”
    “Why not?” he asked.
    “Because.” Her breathing was rapid again.
    “Because you say so? Is that what you were about to say?” He chuckled.
    “Come on, Dylan. You expect me to believe—”
    He didn’t let her finish her sentence. He crushed his mouth against hers and twined his tongue along hers, sucking and kissing her until she began to purr those soft little sounds he loved. She wrapped her legs around his waist as kissed at the edges of her lips. As her hands flattened on his chest, he looked in her eyes and let his bear rumble.
    His chest shook, while he held her hands against his muscles so she could feel every vibration, every deep shudder his bear growled.
    She tried to pull away. “That’s what that is?” she asked.
    He nodded. “You let him out, Layla.”
    “I did?”
    “I had so much more control of him until he laid eyes on you.” He rubbed a thumb over her lips. “But when two people are meant to be together I don’t know that there is much that can stop them. Even someone as stubborn as me who thinks he can get in the way.”
    Her breath hitched as his thumb moved from her lips to her throat. “Is that why you always pushed me away? You were trying to control the other side of you?”
    “Yes. I didn’t want to give in.”
    “But why not? I think the bear in you is fucking sexy.” She bit down on