Bear Essentials (An Ashwood Falls World Novella): Bears of Blackrock, #1

By Lia Davis

Fresh from an ugly breakup that trampled her spirit, Nichole just wants to hide away. Unfortunately, her BFF has other plans. Nichole gets dragged to a girls' night out at new club called The Claw, where she meets the intense and gorgeous Trey Black. With eyes that burn and a body built for sin, any woman would sit up and take notice. But why bother? Men like him didn't date women like her.

Trey considers it a good day if he can just stay out of trouble. As the youngest son of the bear Alpha, he's a master at getting his way. When he meets the curvy, raven-haired goddess, Nichole, he realizes exactly what he wants and knows that she's worth any amount of trouble. All he has to do is seduce all of her insecurities away and claim her as his bonded mate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: After Glows Publishing
• Release date: Jul 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9780990886785

Lia Davis

"Lia Davis is the USA Today bestselling author of more than forty books, including her fan favorite Ashwood Falls Series. A lifelong fan of magic, mystery, romance and adventure, Lia's novels feature compassionate alpha heroes and strong leading ladies, plenty of heat, and happily-ever-afters. Lia makes her home in Northeast Florida where she battles hurricanes and humidity like one of her heroines.When she's not writing, she loves to spend time with her family, travel, read, enjoy nature, and spoil her kitties. "

Book preview

Introduction

Bear Essentials

Fresh from an ugly breakup that trampled her spirit, Nichole just wants to hide away. Unfortunately, her BFF has other plans. Nichole gets dragged to a girls’ night out at new club called The Claw, where she meets the intense and gorgeous Trey Black. With eyes that burn and a body built for sin, any woman would sit up and take notice. But why bother? Men like him didn’t date women like her.

Trey considers it a good day if he can just stay out of trouble. As the youngest son of the bear Alpha, he’s a master at getting his way. When he meets the curvy, raven-haired goddess, Nichole, he realizes exactly what he wants and knows that she’s worth any amount of trouble. All he has to do is seduce all of her insecurities away and claim her as his bonded mate.

1

The loud rumble of male laughter erupted from the table next to the entrance of Beary Sweets—a bakery and café located in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. Nichole glanced up from her tablet to see three large, gorgeous men filling a booth close to the door. She’d seen them in the café before, but this time was different. They were louder and kept throwing glances at her.

Nichole was tempted to go to the bathroom to check to see if she’d grown another head. But whatever. So what if she had two heads. It’d just be one more thing for men to complain about.

From what she could tell, the men in the booth were brothers. Each had black hair, sky blue eyes, and big, hard bodies. Narrowing her gaze, she noted the two facing her were teasing the one with his back to her. Not my problem. She returned her focus to her tablet and her job search.

New rule. Never work with or for the boyfriend. It never ends well.

A sense of hopelessness washed over her as she submitted her resume along with another online application. It was no use. Every company wanted a college degree. Nichole didn’t have the drive to return to school. She hadn’t needed to.

That had all changed recently, thanks to her insensitive jerk of an ex-boyfriend.

Releasing a sigh, she shut off the tablet, picked up her hazelnut mocha latte and stared out the window. People bustled by the glass, enjoying the warm spring temperatures. Kids skipped beside their parents while holding their hands.

Nichole’s chest tightened. God, she longed to be a mother. At age thirty-two, she felt she was losing time. Sure, nowadays women had kids in their forties, but Nichole wanted them now, while she was still young. Not that forty was old.

Silly dreams. All of them shattered, bringing her right back to the reality of her life. The crazy, curvy cat lady. Yep, that was her.

She could always have in vitro fertilization, but that didn’t seem to be the right thing for her. No, she held out hope that Mr. Right would walk into her life at any moment.

The table of guys fell silent, still glancing at her. Then the one with his back to her stood. When he turned, his vivid blue eyes bored into her. Heat spread through her like a blast of hot air. He walked…no, he prowled toward her, his large shoulders rolling as he moved. A predator on the hunt.

Her heart hammered when he sat in the seat across from her and leaned over the table. When he spoke, his words came out as a husky, growl-like whisper. Have dinner with me.

Blinking, she tamped down the urge to touch him. What the hell was wrong with her? I’m sorry, I don’t have dinner with strangers.

The corners of his full mouth lifted. Forgive me. He offered her his hand. I’m Trey Black.

She flicked her gaze to the other two men at the front table. They stared at her and the handsome stranger as if eagerly waiting for Trey to score. Not today. All the fire inside her dissolved into a cool mist. She tucked her tablet into her tote and stood. I’m not interested in middle school games. If you’d like, I can just give you my panties and save you the trouble. That way, you won’t look like a total loser in front of your friends.

When she turned, he gripped her wrist. Electrified prickles raced up her arm, awakening the flame once again. "I don’t play games.