One in a Billion Bear ~ Beck: Book 2 by Caelia Portier Page A

asked him if he wanted anything. Dammit.
    “What can I getcha?”
    He smiled. “I don’t suppose you have a beer list.”
    I lifted an eyebrow and he laughed a little. “Okay. So just what’s on tap? How about… eh… Blue Moon.”
    I nodded and turned away. When I came back he looked more comfortable, seated on the bar stool with his expensive-looking sweater pushed up below his elbows. He was certainly better dressed than anyone else in the bar. Or hell, in town. His dark brown hair was shiny, thick, and brushed back casually.
    “You’re not from around here,” I said, handing him the beer.
    “I am, actually, but I haven’t lived here in a long time.” His tone was light and friendly.
    “So you got family here? Is that why you’re visiting?”
    “I do. My family has lived in this area for many, many years. This is the first time I’ve been back in about thirteen years.” There was a hint of sadness and resignation in his voice.
    “Well, welcome home. I hope it’s a good visit.”
    He smiled warmly, no longer wrapped up in his thoughts, “Thank you….”
    “Crista.” I extended a hand.
    “Beck.” He took my hand firmly and shook it cordially.
    Everything about the interaction was totally normal, except strangely it wasn’t, and I had a sense that I was meeting someone that would become very important to me. Sometimes I had one-night stands with bar patrons, especially guys just passing through town. Not a big deal. Beck was different, though, right from the start.
    His clear, penetrating eyes looked into mine with the same unflinching intensity as when he faced my attacker, but now they appeared to burn with desire.
    “I’m in trouble.” I blinked, realizing I had said out loud what I was thinking. How could I have done that?
    I took a step back, momentarily shocked at my own blunder. I don’t normally have any difficulty talking to men. He didn’t even try to hide his amusement for my benefit.
    “I mean, I’ll be in trouble if I don’t get back to work. Obviously.” I turned away immediately and tried to hide my red face from the other customers.
    Yep. Trouble.

“Hey, Crista,” Penelope said sleepily into the phone.
    “Hey, babe. Where ya been? Don’t you and Brady ever need to eat?”
    My new best girlfriend giggled like a schoolgirl. I’d be embarrassed for her, except it was great to see her happy.
    “Between you and me, Brady eats plenty.”
    “Penelope! Your mama’s ghost is still in that house.”
    “Don’t say that! You’re the one that was saying I needed to get laid.”
    “Well, I’d say you’ve gone and solved that deficit, honey. You mind giving your friend some time?”
    “Of course not. I’m sorry. What’s up?”
    I told her everything that happened the night before at work, trying to sound nonchalant, but as I talked more about Beck, it was harder to maintain the facade. I did what I always do. I made jokes.
    “He looks wealthy, so I think I just found a sugar daddy. If you see a shiny black limousine pull up outside your house, it’s just little ol’ me.”
    “You like him, don’t you?”
    “I just met him, Penelope. I met you several months ago and I still don’t like you.”
    “Girl, please. You like him and you love me.” More giggling.
    I rolled my eyes.
    “Well, okay, I think he might be… special .” I said it reluctantly, but I had the biggest, stupidest grin on my face. Thankfully, we were just talking on the phone and not in person.
    “So did you exchange numbers? Did he say he’d called you?”
    “I didn’t really give him a chance to…” I almost admitted to avoiding him, but then said, “I was really busy. And besides, I don’t want him to think I’m easy or something just ‘cause I work in a bar.”
    “How is he going to be your sugar daddy if he can’t find you?”
    “Right like he’ll lose me in this town.”
    Penelope laughed and then said regretfully, “Now I wish I hadn’t skipped out on coming down last