Read Online Laid Bear by Marina Maddix - Free Book Online

ear and whispered, “Haven’t you figured that out by now?”
    The flush continued to spread through her body, but this time it was the flush of love.  

    ~ * ~ * ~

    “It’s only going to be for a few days,” Max was saying on the way to his truck. He’d been called out of town to arrange a meeting between a mucky-muck in the werebear world and a female that seemed like a promising match.  
    “I know,” Bethany said, trying to keep the wheedling tone out of her voice, “but I honestly don’t understand why they can’t just go out for a cup of coffee like the rest of us do on blind dates.”
    He laughed as he threw a duffle bag on the passenger side floor. “We do things a little differently. There’s a hierarchy, a protocol that must be maintained.”
    The confused look on Bethany’s face begged further explanation.  
    “Think of it like a religion. Some religions and cultures have very specific requirements for courtship and marriage. We’re just another foreign culture with customs that seem weird to you.”
    That made sense, then something occurred to her. “What about us? How do we fit into those customs?”
    The soft smile that lit up Max’s face melted her heart. He grabbed her hands and pulled her into a hug — not one of his patented ‘bear hugs’, but a sweet, gentle embrace. His soft lips descended on hers, wiping away any fears she had about their future.
    “Darlin’, we’re making our own.” He gazed down at her for a long moment, Bethany becoming lost in his hypnotizing eyes, then gave her one more quick peck and hopped in the truck. “I’m heading up into the mountains so my phone probably won’t work. I’ll call you as soon as I have bars. Be good!”
    “You, too,” she called jovially, though her stomach was churning at his departure. She didn’t want to turn into one of those clingy girlfriends that stifles her beau, but she still felt an ache deep down that she wouldn’t see him for so long.  
    “Snap out of it!” she muttered on her way back to her apartment. She’d been on her own for her entire adult life; a few days alone wouldn’t kill her. In fact, maybe she could get some stuff done that she’d been ignoring in favor of spending time with Max.
    Like catching up with her friends. First she left a voicemail on Charlotte’s phone, then called Paul.  
    “Girl, I can’t believe you’ve finally come up for air! That boy must be the lay of a lifetime!”
    Paul had a knack for making her laugh. “I know, I’m sorry I’ve been MIA, but I want to make up for it. Max had to go out of town and I thought it would be fun to get the gang together. How about dinner tonight? I know it’s short notice.…”  
    “Hellz to the yeah. We’ve all been absolutely dying for the dirt on this guy. We’ll all be there, don’t you worry about a thing. Thank God it’s Friday so we can get completely trashed while you titillate us with all the gory details. See you around six!”
    Bethany was left staring at her phone. Did he just hang up? Sure enough, ‘call ended’. Shaking her head, she scrolled up to Kimmy’s contact and hit ‘call’.  
    “Ohmigod, it’s about fucking time you called me! I’m on the phone with Paul. What can I bring?”
    “That was fast. I literally just hung up with him. I dunno, bottle of wine?”
    “Done! Gotta go!”
    Geez, had she really neglected them that much? Almost before the thought was finished, her phone chirped and the display flashed Charlotte’s grinning face.
    “Hey, did you get my message?
    “Yes, and I just hung up on a conference call with Dumb and Dumber,” Charlotte laughed. “They have a secret plan to get you drunk so you’ll tell us all about Max’s sexy-time skills.”
    Bethany dug her toe into a spot on the carpet, embarrassed that she’d shut out her best friends for a guy and grateful that they so quickly forgave her.  
    “Tonight is Jacob’s poker night, so I’m all yours, baby. I’ve got to get to