Bearly Ever: An Alpha Werebear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Arcadia Knights Book 1) by Olivia Gayle Page B

her to stay. Maybe that should have scared her—being a gypsy had defined her for so long—but for now, she appreciated the comfort.
    Aidan looked nervous, which Ever found adorable. It felt like her emotions were behind a hazy wall; it was like watching television with fuzzy reception. Worry over her sister’s safety had been on her mind constantly for two weeks. Ever hadn’t realized what a drain that had been until this moment. So, for the evening at least, she let the emotion go and focused on the moment.
    On the gorgeous man before her.
    If Aidan noticed a change, he didn’t show it. “Let me show you the guest room.”
    He had put on another uniform at the police station, and Ever’s eyes drifted to his backside as they moved through the hall. She’d seen him naked, but always before there hadn’t been time to really appreciate the sight. What she did remember however was tantalizing, making her want another peek.
    Like at his ass. She definitely remembered that, but wouldn’t mind a refresher.
    He led her into the large room at the end of the hall. Ever stopped at the door, looking around the room. The master bedroom was huge, almost as big as the entire living room. The bed in the center was large and heavily built, matching the similar furniture. Ever ran her fingers across the top of one set of drawers. “Did you make this?” she asked, looking back at him.
    Aidan’s eyes snapped from where her hand was touching the wood to her eyes, and for a moment he seemed at a loss for words. She found his obvious discomfort…cute. “Ah, no,” he said, “my father used to dabble in carpentry before, well, before my mother left him.”
    Ever frowned. “What exactly happened?”
    “She found her mate. They both knew it could happen eventually. My mother has a calming influence on certain shifters, especially the older ones, which my father needed sometimes. They were friends, but…” He shrugged, looking away. “After she left, he became more of a recluse. That was about forty years ago; these days, he rarely leaves the mansion except for emergencies.”
    There were more questions Ever wanted answers for, but right now she was intrigued by the man before her. He seemed nervous, almost jumpy; whenever she’d take a step toward him, he’d fidget and take a step away.
    That fact didn’t dissuade her, it only made Ever bolder.
    She stepped across the room toward him, her steps muffled by the thick carpet. One corner of her mouth tipped up as he scrambled backwards, almost falling backwards over an end table. He reached out a hand to stop her. “Ever….”
    This close to him, she had to look up to see his face. As she watched, his eyes bled to amber, biceps flexing as if holding himself back. Ever cocked her head sideways, her lips turning up into a grin, then stepped in close so that his hand closed around one breast. “Yes?” she all but purred.
    Aidan’s throat worked, and she could feel his hand tremble against her. Ever had never been this forward sexually; she preferred to be pursued, to be romanced. But she was tired, and she was horny, and she’d never wanted another man as much as she wanted this one right now.
    Judging by the bulge in his khakis pressing against her belly, Aidan was feeling much the same.
    His other hand slid up her arm to her shoulder, but he didn’t move the hand across one breast. He seemed transfixed by it, and when his thumb moved across Ever’s nipple through the thin cloth, she moaned. Liquid heat pooled between her legs, an aching need radiating through her body.
    “You don’t understand,” he murmured, eyes desperate, “I could…you’re human, and so fragile.”
    Fragile? Ever snorted, glaring at him, then took a step back and pulled her shirt over her head, leaving only her bra. Aidan’s sharp intake of breath made her bolder, and she wound her arms around his back, raking her nails up over his ass.
    Aidan’s hands gripped her shoulders, fingers digging into