Read Online Romance: Loving The BillionBear: BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone (Spicy Shifters Book 3) by Ashley Hunter - Free Book Online Page B

someone could get in like you do. I have always kept everyone at arm’s length.” He took a deep breath and she squeezed his hands in encouragement. He was pretty sure she knew what he was going to say. “I’m falling in love with you Amelia. And, that’s a big deal for me. I’ve never loved a woman before.”
    “Oh Barend.”
    “You don’t have to say it back…” She stopped him with a kiss and then leaned up and whispered in his ear “I love you too.” That was what he needed to hear. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. She loved him too. She felt the same way. It was the perfect moment. But…
    It was still shrouded with the knowledge he had something else to tell her. And, he was so scared. He led her into a large den area and sat her down on the sofa in front of a roaring fire he had already asked his housekeeper to set up. Then, he sat down next to her and turned to look in her eyes.
    “This is beautiful. And super romantic just so you know. Ok, so I don’t want to play hide and sneak.” She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. He obliged, but then put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her gently back.
    “What’s wrong?” She whispered in shock. “We just said the L-word. Don’t you want me?”
    “Yes. You have no idea how much I do. I’ve thought about it all week.”
    “Ok, then!”
    “But.”
    “But? I hate buts, Barend. Tell me what’s up.”
    “There’s something else I have to tell you. And I don’t know how you are going to respond.”
    “Ok…” She was looking a little worried, and in all honesty, she very well should be.
    “So, there’s something about me you don’t know. And, I am afraid you will run away when I tell you.”
    “Run away? Why on earth would I do that? Have you been cheating on me?”
    “No! Never! I don’t cheat. I never would. You are the only woman in my life.”
    “Then I can’t imagine why I would run away!” She smiled brightly.
    “Well, just wait until you hear it, ok?”
    “O—k…”
    “Do you believe in supernatural things, Amelia?”
    “Like ghosts?”
    “Well, like ghosts and other things.”
    “What other things?”
    “Shape shifters.”
    “Like werewolves?” She looked like she was trying not to laugh.
    “Werewolves…werefoxes…werebears.”
    “Barend. That’s kind of silly. People turning into animals at the full moon? I mean c’mon.”
    “I’m serious Amelia. And no it’s not just at the full moon. That’s a misconception.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “I’m a shape shifter. It runs in my family.”
    “You’re being silly.”
    “No. I’m not.”
    “Ok, Mr. Shape shifter. What do you turn into? An owl?”
    “A bear.” She wasn’t taking him seriously. And he was pretty sure her attitude was turning from amused to slightly freaked out. She probably thought he was crazy.
    “A bear?”
    “Yes.”
    “Barend, I…”
    “You aren’t going to believe me until you see.”
    “What?”
    “You will have to see. But, please promise me something. Promise me you won’t run away. You said you wouldn’t.”
    “Barend.”
    “Ok, well, promise me you will keep an open mind.” With that, he stood up and began unbuttoning his shirt.
    “Barend, shape shifters don’t exist. That’s all fantasy like from the Twilight books”
    “They do, and I am about to show you. Don’t be afraid. I won’t harm you.” She looked pretty frozen in her spot on the sofa, so he quickly undressed.
    ---

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Barend was standing in front of her, half undressed. And, she was completely confused. A shape shifter? Really? She was sort of scared and she was trying to decide how to get out the door. He had to be crazy, right? He was calling himself a shape shifter for god’s sake.
    Then, there was sort of a shimmering around him. She couldn’t quite explain it. It seemed like the air was moving, but it wasn’t all at the same time. Then, he started to change. At first it was slow,