Chapter Three

“He really thought he could just buy the bar and run you off?” Noel asked as she piled empty glasses into a rubber tub. “That takes a lot of balls.” She usually stopped by near closing time on her nights off to help Wes close up the place. He always told her she didn’t have to come back, that she worked enough, but to her, being with him at work was better than waiting at home alone.

Wes picked up another chair, flipped it so the seat set on the top of the table, and reached for the next. “From everything I’ve heard about this Order of Wardens, they have plenty of balls. And power to boot.” He reached for another chair, glad the drama of the day was over, and he could bask in the quietness of the empty bar even if he knew there would be more trouble in the days ahead. Groups, such as the Order of Wardens, didn’t go away quietly.

As much as Wes loved owning Everglades, closing time remained one of his favorite times of the day. The rustic bar hopped during business hours, and the sharp contrast of the quietness once the last patron walked out the front door gave him a much-needed reprieve. Everglades was the only drinking hole between St. Cloud to the west and Melbourne to the east, and the bar was also one of the best-known secrets along Highway 192. Most people buzzed on by, eager to either reach the house of the mouse theme parks or the beaches, barely even noticing that Bull Creek or Holopaw existed between the two, and Wes was all right with that. Wes intended Everglades to serve the two small towns and the shifters who dwelt nearby. He did not intend for his bar to be a tourist destination. The surrounding area remained quiet. Wes liked quiet.

Wes heard glasses clinking against each other, which brought his attention to where Noel set a tray full of dirty dishes on the wooden bar. Wes caught himself grinning as he stared at her, her top buttoned low enough to expose the creamy tops of her breasts as they strained against the fabric. She brushed her blond bangs out of her eyes and then rested a hand on her curvy hips as she turned to him. “I swear, some people are just slobs.”

He laughed as he nodded. “I take it the pack of coyotes passing through made sure we remembered they were here?”

“Yeah. They piled their tables high with trash. Some of it, I think they brought in with them. I thought we had seen the last coyotes when Dimitri and Adira did away with Bane’s pack.”

“Wouldn’t that be nice? Seems like some mangy coyotes always prowl around. Hopefully, this bunch heard about what happened to Bane’s pack and just keep traveling to wherever they’re headed. I’m not sure my bar can handle any more disagreements.” He remembered well how Adira shoved Bane’s right-hand man, Augur, through the front door of Everglades a few weeks back when the man tried to put his hands on her and her friends. Wes did not need more repair bills.

Noel wandered over to where Wes stood and patted his chest. “You poor grizzly,” she said, her golden eyes shining as she stared at him.

Wes grabbed her hand, giving her a playful growl. “I’ll show you who’s a poor grizzly.” He pulled her tight against him as his hand gripped her ass, lifting her slightly as he nibbled her neck.

Noel yelped as she pretended to struggle against him. However, every movement she made only ground her body against his growing cock. “Stop! Stop,” she pleaded, laughing. When he eased his grip on her, she leaned back, her smile stretching her cheeks. “How about we finish cleaning up and then we can see about your animalistic urge?” He felt her run her hands up his back and into his dark, shaggy hair; her fingers scraped his scalp and brought another growl from deep within him.

He grinned, leaned down and nipped her neck again for good measure. “Fine,” he said as he pulled away. “However, you are no fun whatsoever.”

She turned, wiggling her round ass at him as she walked away, grinning back at him over her shoulder. “I’ll remind you of that later when you want to stick that measuring rod of yours inside of me.”

Wes growled, gripping the bar with white knuckles. He needed to get this cleaning done quickly so he could get his hands on that ass of hers. He continued to watch her for a moment as she bent over a table, reaching for the empty bottles and glasses on the far side, her short skirt riding up her delicious thighs and almost revealing the bottom cups of her ass. With a deep breath, Wes forced his gaze off Noel and back to the task at hand.

The day she entered Everglades had been a great day in his life, his bear knowing immediately that he wanted her thick curves for himself. She started working for him, and he flirted with her every chance he got until she flirted back. Eventually, they found themselves in bed together, arms and legs wrapped around each other as they explored each other's body. Noel even knew about shifters and the residents of Bull Creek, knew about his bear. That information made her search out Bull Creek. However, even though she said she loved him, she wouldn’t allow him to mark her and make her his mate, and the frustrating part for Wes was that she wouldn’t tell him why. Eventually, he stopped asking and just enjoyed having her share his life. They were together, and to him, that was the most important thing. He’d convince her of the mark at some point, he knew, and the fact they were together kept him patient.

He finished wiping down the bar, stowing the liquor bottles back underneath while making sure new bottles replaced the empties. He didn’t need to run out of booze during a busy period. As he restocked the beer cooler, he heard a slow country song come on over the speakers. Looking up, he saw Noel in the middle of the dance floor, grinning at him as she wiggled a crooked finger at him, calling him to join her.

Wes grinned as he tossed the bar rag he had been using into a bin in the corner and moved out from behind the bar to join her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kissed the top of her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment as he relished the warmth of her flesh. When he pulled back, she smiled up at him. “Now this is a proper way to close the bar,” he said.

“I thought so,” she said as she slid her arms around his neck, pressing tight against him. “The evening go okay for you?”

“Well, we didn’t have coyotes threatening my guests, witches blowing people through doors, or anyone else threatening to beat up an ex-girlfriend. I’d say that was a win in my book.”

Noel laughed, the sound making him smile. “The past few weeks have been pretty insane, that’s for sure. I think we’re due for some quietness around here.”

Wes slid his hands down Noel’s back to cup her ass, his hand sliding up her skirt to caress her flesh. “I can think of some noise we can make.”

She squeaked and then giggled, “Now that kind of noise I like.” She pulled his head down to hers, pressing her lips against his, kissing him with a hunger that set his body on high boil. He continued to squeeze her ass, running his fingers along the bottom of her cheeks as their tongues danced, each claiming the other. Wes wanted to claim her, and every time they wrapped themselves in the heat of passion, it was all he could do to restrain his bear from marking Noel, making their relationship a permanent bond. He felt his teeth shift, ready to bite, and Noel cried out when one of his fangs caught her lip.

She pulled back a little, running her tongue over where he bit her. “Calm down, Grizzly,” she said with a smile as she touched her lip gently with her fingers, making sure there was no blood. “I love your animal magnetism, but not while we’re getting all heated up.”

Wes continued to hold her, guilt filling him over his lack of control. “Sorry.” He gave her a weak shrug. “My bear really wants us to take that next step. He’s getting harder and harder to rein in.” He tried not to give her his sad eyes, but knew he probably failed.

She placed a hand on his chest, her expression soft, almost like regret. “I know, and I’m sorry. Really. I just can’t let it happen right now. I love you, but the mate mark is something that I need to hold off on for now.”

“And you still won’t tell me why?” Waiting would be easier if she gave him a reason, something that told him when the time limit would end.

“Wes, I—”

The front door to Everglades opened, which confused Wes because he always locked it after the last customer left. A tall man, with the blackest hair Wes had ever seen and dark brown eyes entered the bar, looking around as if searching for something. “I’m sorry,” Wes called out, releasing his hold on Noel as he turned to deal with the newcomer. “We’re closed. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

The man turned to where they stood, but he didn’t even glance at Wes. Instead, his gaze remained intent on Noel, his expression pained as his dark brown eyes turned to sadness. “Noel,” he said, his voice cracked as if he hadn’t used it in a while. “I’ve finally found you again. I’ve searched everywhere.” His voice was distant, almost as if it baffled him that Noel was actually standing in front of him.

Wes glanced back at Noel, confusion furrowing his brows. “Noel, do you know this guy?”

She stared at the man; her face twisted in a mixture of pain and regret. She nodded. “I do.” She took a deep breath. “Wes, this is Jake Goodman, my fiancé.”

Wes just stared at her, his mouth open, confused. Well, there goes the quietness.