Chapter 2
Roped muscles bunched as the man pushed his hair out of his face. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you staring is rude?”
The low, bored timber of the man’s voice tickled Donovan’s fancy. He grinned, still not moving from his spot. “Is it?”
The guy cut him a sharp look over his shoulder, then returned to rinsing his chest. “This is grizzly territory. A hiker like you might want to be careful not to end up a meal for the hungry bears.”
Donovan snorted. Either the shifter was yanking his chain or he hadn’t picked up on the fact that he and Donovan shared common DNA, at least up until the specific variety of ursine. He’d bet his hiking boots, the guy already picked up the truth, despite the lack of wind to carry Donovan’s scent to him. The grizzly shifter was too casual, calm, and unhurried. His carriage spoke of solid confidence, maybe a hint of arrogance. Everything about the guy radiated danger and an ability to handle anything that came his way—even another shifter.
“I’m Donovan. Don’t suppose you have a name?”
The guy moved toward shore. Each stride revealed more and more of that sculpted, primed body.
Donovan barely resisted the urge to lick his lips. The tattoo drew his attention once again. A black Pegasus with some blues and purples woven into the feathers, mane, and tail stood out against the otherwise tanned skin. Unique and sexy. Very sexy, indeed. “Nice ink.”
Again, silence answered Donovan. He stood straight again and casually walked a couple of steps closer to the bank of the stream, eager to get the man’s full attention. After all, it was only fair. Donovan couldn’t take his eyes off him. A trill ran through his veins as he eyed the grand specimen in front of him. His inner beast concurred.
“You still didn’t tell me your name.”
The man stepped from the water, keeping his back to Donovan. More and more skin exposed for Donovan’s viewing pleasure. Hips, ass, strong thighs. And, wow, back to his perfectly molded ass. The muscles that snapped and flexed with each step. Donovan’s mouth dried up even as his pulse picked up speed. The sight mesmerized Donovan, feeding his memory banks and fantasies.
“Awfully chatty, aren’t you?”
“Not always.” Donovan inclined his head. “I’m new to this area. Just trying to make friends, I suppose.”
The guy lowered his chin and glanced back at Donovan. “Make friends elsewhere.”
“A little anti-social, huh?” Donovan replied.
Instead of answering, the other man gave a careless shrug. He turned for a split second to face Donovan, giving him a quick view of his chest, six-pack abs, and a nice package before inclining his head.
“By the way, you’re standing in poison ivy.” With that said, he shifted.
Where the hottest man Donovan had ever seen once was, now stood a massive grizzly bear. Dark brown hair covered his body while his feet and snout were nearly black. Long claws sprang from each foot, ready to rip into anything that was unlucky enough to draw the grizzly’s wrath.
The bear sneered, lumbered over to a nearby tree, then raked those razor-sharp claws down the trunk. Seemingly satisfied with leaving his mark, the grizzly loped down the hill before veering off into the woods.
Donovan’s breath caught. His heart nearly pounded out of his chest. Even worse, he had the boner of all boners throbbing in his shorts. He licked his dry lips and opened up all his senses for one last peek or sound of the bear’s exit. Only silence greeted him.
Holy shit, he’s hot.
Arrogant, too, his inner bear quipped with an irritated snort.
Donovan smirked. What happened to ‘yummy’?
His attitude leaves much to be desired.
Donovan scanned the area, disappointed when he didn’t catch a glimpse of the big bear. He sighed and began walking in the opposite direction than the bear went. First impressions can be wrong.
Uh, huh. You’re just horny.
Donovan rolled his eyes at the crazy conversation with his inner beast. So are you.
I have my standards. He doesn’t fit any of them.
Donovan tsked. Picky, picky, picky.And a little snotty to boot.
Go suck an egg. A long pause followed.Did you forget the poison ivy?
Well, shit. Donovan danced around, trying to escape the nasty vegetation without getting it anywhere near bare skin. He’d heard stories of the horrendous itch. Having never really been out in the forest before, he’d missed out on that glorious opportunity. Until now.
If I end up looking like a speckled tomato, I’m going to be pissed.
Yeah, yeah.His inner bear snorted.
With a long, drawn out sigh, Donovan continued on his way. He’d find the guy. If he had to comb through the entire forest to do so. Poison ivy and all.