“I was a few streets away,” the cop said.“You reported gunfire?”
“We believe the hunter has left because a group of teens just walked past.”He gestured toward the tree.“You’ll find the bullet lodged in the trunk.It nearly hit us.”
“One shot?”the policeman asked.
“That’s right,” Niall said.“It’s possible the four teenagers scared them away, or they were embarrassed when they realized they’d targeted people instead of animals.”
“The no-hunting signs are prominent,” the policeman said, sounding slightly harried when his radio squawked insistently.“I’ll dig the bullet out, search for shell casings, and if the idiot shoots again in this area, we’ll have evidence to tie him to this incident.”He paused.“Assuming we can catch him.”
“Thank you,” Niall said, his forehead scrunched in a frown.“Someone broke into one of my properties early this morning.I’ve reported the incident,” he told the cop.
His stillness and the faint thread of worry told her he didn’t think this was a mere hunter.Hedidsuspect it had something to do with his honey production and had ties to the earlier incident.
“This morning?I’ll speak to the person in charge.Please stop by the station to give statements.”The policeman glanced at her before turning to Niall.“You know where we are.Please don’t forget.If the hunter shoots here again, we need ample evidence to charge him.”
“Is tomorrow morning soon enough?”Niall asked.“We intended to go for dinner.”
“That’s fine.”The policeman nodded to two adults who walked past with their two young children.He turned back to Niall, wincing at the spate of police codes squawking through his radio.“Looks as if school is out.Take care.”
“Thank you.”Niall took her elbow and led her back to the path.“Do you want to keep walking, or would you like to return to the castle?”
“More walking,” Suzie said without hesitation.She waited until they were out of earshot.“You think someone targeted us.”
He exhaled, the sound floating heavily in the air.“Yes.Given the number of people walking this path now, it should be safe enough.It won’t be as romantic and peaceful, but the scenery and fresh air are an incentive to continue.”
“You surprise me.”A smile flirted with her lips and gained control.
His brows rose, his hazel eyes glinting with amusement.“You think I don’t have any romance game because I’m a grumpy bear?”
“I didn’t think you’d talk openly about intimacy,” Suzie said, not hiding her surprise.“Most guys don’t.In my experience.”
“Cameron once gave me advice on courting women.His counsel—I’d make an excellent husband and father if I stood out from the other men.”Niall smiled at the memory, and it softened the stern lines of his visage.“According to Cameron, I have a grouchy expression, which makes people shy away.He told me my enthusiasm shines when I’m interested in a topic, and that’s a good look for me.He also suggested if I wanted to find a wife, I shouldn’t hide my true self.Cameron told me I was a romantic and should never conceal my tendencies from someone I cared for since honesty was an asset.”He ceased talking and grinned at her.Grinned.The stern lines on his face relaxed, his hazel eyes sparkled, and Suzie’s heart did a rapid pitter-patter.Wow.If he chose, the man had game.
Suzie swallowed hard, feeling the heat on her cheeks.She’d had boyfriends before, but did Niall mean he was interested in her as a close friend rather than her expertise in the office?She was afraid to ask.
However, she needed to know for her peace.“Are you telling me I’m not just a secretary?”
He snorted.“With your forceful personality?”Niall halted and reached for her hand.“Let me remove the guesswork for you.”
Puzzled, she stared at him, but he said nothing else.He tugged her closer and let his hands slip up her arms to rest on her shoulders.He grinned down at her, and once again, his grin had her pulse racing.The man was imposing and driven.It was how he ran his business and became successful.She liked that about him, admired his business acumen, but this part of the bear was charming and delightful.
Unexpected.
Before Suzie could wonder at this previously hidden facet, he tilted her head and stared into her eyes.She glimpsed a hint of otherness—his bear—before his lips touched hers in a tentative kiss.The restraint didn’t last for long.Startled, she gasped, and Niall took advantage, deepening the kiss and infusing passion.
Suzie gripped Niall’s shoulders, hanging on for dear life because this kiss knocked her equilibrium.Her knees wilted like spaghetti noodles while her feline half basked in approval of her actions.Yes, let the bear kiss you.Touch you.Heck, her feline self wanted to roll onto her back and show her belly.
When Niall drew back, Suzie gaped wordlessly, her mouth tingling.The men—boys—she’d dated and allowed touching privileges had been nothing, a mere blip on her radar, compared to Niall’s kiss.
She contemplated saying something intelligent and humorous, but her brain let her down, and all that emerged was a breathy “Wow.”
“Exactly,” Niall said, stepping back but holding her right hand.“My bear wanted you from the moment we saw you.It’s a wonder you haven’t heard his demands.”
“Really?”She swallowed hard before she spoke but wanted to give him honesty.“You’re an attractive male, but until now, my feline has indicated nothing either way.”
“And now?”
“She’s interested.So am I.”
