Jared: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 5) by V. Vaughn

was.
    Jared and I went by my apartment to gather up the rest of my things, and now he’s helping me unload them. He and Jax decided I should set up in a small shed located at the back of the property. Paintbrushes rattle in a glass jar as I set them on the plywood shelves, and I gaze around at the bare walls. So much space to hang things! My blood pumps with excitement at having all my work on display instead of piled against the wall of my old place. My easel creaks as I set it up, and Jared’s feet thump when he approaches with the last load of art supplies.
    I smile when he enters, and I ask, “Feel like hammering nails?”
    He takes my arms, and his touch, while no longer searing hot, still warms me to my toes. “Does this mean I get to see every one of your paintings?”
    I nod as I place my hands on his chest. “You may regret that, but yes.” I press against the firm muscles of his torso and slide my palms down to his abdomen. “I want to hang up all of them if I can.” I don’t stop my movement, and when I get to his waistband, I slide my finger under it and tug him toward me. “And when we’re done, I need to find out what sex as a werebear is like.”
    Jared lets out a low growl that makes me giggle before he turns away to get tools. I call out, “And about that biting thing. We should test out Olivia’s theory.”
    A roar sounds, and I think he starts to jog. I turn back to a box of paints as a grin covers my face. I don’t think I could be any happier than I am right now. I glance at a blank canvas and grab it. It thuds on my easel when I set it down, and I close my eyes to let the image I want to paint form in my mind.
    As I focus on the landscape that I want to capture, a faint noise draws my attention. At first I think I’m hearing myself breathe, but then I realize that it’s someone else. As I focus on the sound, a vision pops into my head. I see a girl about my age hiding behind a tree, and she appears to be frightened. But when I notice she’s holding a rifle with a large scope on it, fear builds in me, too. I stand quickly to glance around the room, but I don’t see anything unusual. I close my eyes quickly with the hope that my vision will return so I can identify where the girl might be.
    All I get is woodlands, so I walk over to the doorway and gaze out at the forest behind the shed. The rasp of the girl’s breathing is louder now, and I think she must be close. A rustling noise that no human would ever detect makes me turn quickly to the left, and my new eyesight allows me to notice a sliver of navy-blue fabric that makes me think of a sweatshirt. I’ve got her. But what do I do now?
    I think the girl is here to kill one of us, and because she’s the only one I can hear, I believe she’s alone. I know from my vision she’s scared, and I call on it again as I walk slowly toward her. She’s not in a position to shoot me with her back against the tree and the rifle lowered, and with all my senses on high alert, I’ll hear her if she moves. That would give me enough time to thwart her attempt to kill me.
    Even in human form, I now have my bear’s physical prowess, because I’m able to step slowly and in a way that the girl can’t hear my approach. I’m almost at the tree when I form my plan. I think her reaction to me will be to swing her weapon in my direction and pull the trigger without aiming. I need to grab it first.
    I’m so close I can hear her fabric rustle as she shakes with fear. I peer to the right and locate the gun. With my lighting-quick werebear reflexes, I pounce to grab the rifle, and it’s cold in my hand as I shove her against the tree at the same time. The girl cries out, and I release her as I point the gun in her direction. I say, “Don’t move.”
    The brunette’s eyes are big as she nods quickly, and I ask, “Were you sent here to kill me?”
    I’m surprised when her voice is strong as she answers, “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    She glares at me and says,