Read Online The Billionbear's Bride: BBW Bear Shifter BWWM Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant - Free Book Online Page B

can think about is falling asleep. I would stay with you … but I wouldn’t want to interrupt your honeymoon shenanigans.”
    “Jana!” Pretending to be shocked, Violet smacked her on the arm, and they both burst into giggles.
    When their amusement died down, Jana turned more serious. “Violet … are you happy?”
    The question gave her pause. It felt wrong to lie to her sister about something so serious for her part of the charade.  Was she happy?
    Could she even be happy? Really, truly happy, after everything?
    She gave the only answer she could, which was what she felt in that moment: “Yes, definitely.”
    Jana’s shoulders relaxed. “I was worried about you, after Chad leaving like that.”
    “Bruce isn’t anything like Chad.” Their relationship might not be real, but that she could say with utmost certainty. “And that was a long time ago.”
    “At least you know he’s not after your money,” Jana joked.
    No, I’m just after his , she thought with a pang. Aloud she said, “There is that.”
    “Bruce is seriously loaded, though. I’m jealous.” Balancing the leftovers precariously in one hand, Jana poked her in the side with the other.
    Violet leaned against the car. Her secret fears were piqued by Jana’s words. “I’m meeting his family tomorrow.”
    “For the first time?”
    “Yeah.” Violet bit her lip. “I don’t know what they’re going to think of me.”
    “They’re going to think you’re amazing, of course. Because you are. They’re going to love you.”
    “You think so?”
    “No one could mistake the way you two look at each other. Both of you.” Jana’s tone brooked no uncertainty.
    A warm glow settled in Violet’s chest. “And how exactly does he look at me?”
    “Are you kidding? No, wait—did you go blind and not tell me? He wants to eat you up with a spoon. And cuddle you, and protect you, and kiss you, and take care of you forever and ever—” Laughing, Jana nimbly dodged Violet’s incoming tickle.
    “Ladies, ladies.” Wanda’s voice rang down from the front porch as she descended. “I know you don’t know what to do with yourselves without me, but going all Hunger Games on each other is a bit much.”
    Despite her jocular words, there was a crease in Wanda’s brow, like she was upset by something. Maybe she was just stressed about whatever work thing she and Bruce had been talking about, Violet theorized.
    “It’s about time, chauffeur,” teased Jana, not noticing anything. Wanda rolled her eyes with an affectionate smile.
    But when Wanda hugged Violet goodbye, there was still tension in her embrace.
    “Are you okay?” asked Violet.
    In response Wanda gave her another not-quite-completely-sincere smile. “It should be me asking if you’re okay.”
    Right. She knows this is all a setup, and she’s worried about me , thought Violet. “I’m great,” she said. “Never better.”
    Wanda didn’t look entirely reassured, but it was enough. Violet made her way up the porch to where Bruce was waiting. Daringly she slipped her fingers into his and tipped her face toward him. Maybe it was the wine, or Jana’s observations spurring her on. It might be a bad idea to play with fire—but it felt good.
    “Kiss for show?” she murmured.
    He didn’t need any persuading; he bent to press his lips to hers immediately. The heat she’d felt during dinner paled in comparison to what she felt now—a scorching, searing desire, all the way down to her bones.
    His tongue ran over the seam of her lips, seeking entrance. Eagerly she opened her mouth to his, deepening the kiss and savoring the slide of his tongue against hers. One arm wrapped around her, tight and protective, as he plundered her mouth.
    In the distance, she could dimly hear the sound of whooping and the engine of Wanda’s car firing. All the rest of her attention was taken up by the kiss.
    Bruce rested his forehead against hers. Their breathy pants mingled together in the chilly evening air.