Bearly Rivals: BBW Bisexual MMF Bear Shifter Romance: Bears of Southoak, #1

By Kayci Morgan

When two rivals fall for the same woman, she must make a choice that will shape the future of their clan.

Bailey has given up on ever finding love. So when her best friend sets her up on a blind date, she's more than just a little skeptical. But all doubt is pushed aside after she meets Jaxon, a bear shifter who is everything she could ask for—strong, handsome, and kind.

But Jaxon has a rival for leadership of his clan, another bear shifter named Levi who is thrilling and mysterious with an air of danger that draws Bailey in. Levi also becomes a rival for Bailey's affections. She tries to resist him, but the allure is too strong.

Things become even more complicated when she discovers the two of them have a romantic history. With passions on the rise, they find themselves tangled up in a vicious battle for leadership and Bailey. The winner takes all and the loser gets nothing.

But when Bailey's heart won't accept anything less than both of them, what can she do as long as the two remain divided over their past?

This is a stand-alone story with an HEA and MF, MM and MMF pairings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kayci Morgan
• Release date: Apr 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386057161

Kayci Morgan

Kayci Morgan has had a passion for romance and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She lives in Chicago with her family. In her cozy apartment, she spends endless nights tapping away at her keyboard and playing computer games unheard of by normal people. Her English Literature degree serves as a superb coaster for her 20oz mug of coffee. Follow her sleep deprived ramblings at her website: http://www.kaycimorgan.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcmwriter Twitter: @kaycimorgan

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bailey sat on the couch with her legs folded under her. The morning was colder than usual giving her cozy apartment a bit of bite. She stirred her coffee which had finally cooled off enough to drink. She closed her eyes savoring the caramel-flavored sweetness.

You’re not listening to me, are you? Felicity’s icy stare lowered the temp in the room another few degrees.

Bailey was trying her hardest to ignore her best friend, but the woman had a knack for being heard. No, I’m listening, she lied. Please continue.

Okay, so we were at the office working the problem—

Bailey tried to reconcile the topic she zoned out on with the last thing Felicity said and she couldn’t, not unless… Wait, your entire office knows about my love life?

You don’t have a love life, that’s the problem.

Felicity would never understand. She was a statuesque blonde with bright blue eyes and a perky attitude. Bailey was a demanding grouch who worked too many hours and wore her stringy brown hair in a messy bun on most days. And while she had her best friend’s curviness, she was not blessed with the height to go with it. At 5’4 she was more dwarfenesque.

Men tripped over themselves to fall at Felicity’s feet, though she still managed to pick the absolute worst out of the bunch. Her boyfriend, Rob, was an emotionally abusive loser which made Bailey even less interested in dating men her best friend chose.

I can’t believe you told your coworkers all my business. Next time I pick you up from work, I’m not stopping. I’ll slow down, and you’ll just have to jump in. Bailey mumbled into her coffee cup.

Felicity laughed heartily under the assumption that Bailey was joking. She wasn’t. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell them we were talking about you. I told them that my best friend, Haley, was having problems finding a man.

Bailey sighed. Even if you hadn’t picked a name that rhymed with mine, you can only have one best friend.

That’s not true. Haley and I have grown very close over the past year. When my mom collapsed, she waited with me at the hospital all day until we got news. Another time, we got really drunk and almost got matching tattoos. She got a swan on her right shoulder, but I chickened out at the last minute. And now, with her biological clock just tick tick ticking away and no prospects in sight, I feel like I really need to step up and help her out.

That was me. All those things happened to me in the past year. The tattoo on Bailey’s back tingled in remembrance. What had she been thinking?

Felicity shrugged. As far as my office is concerned, they happened to my other best friend, Haley, who is also the one currently having relationship problems. But there is good news, I created a profile for you on a dating site and found you a match.

You did what? Bailey didn’t even want to imagine what a profile about her, filled out by Felicity, might say. Whatever it was she was sure it was nothing good.

Just go out with him at least once. Come on. What could you possibly stand to lose?

My self-respect. My dignity. What if he’s some crazy ass serial killer who chops me up and eats me?

Felicity tapped her chin. Then I suppose I’ll get a refund.

Bailey glared. Did her best friend really think the situation was that desperate? I’d rather just meet someone naturally.

All you do is work. And how many single straight men do you meet as an interior designer?

Felicity had a point there. Her pool of eligible bachelors was more like a wading pool. Bailey closed her eyes and sighed. She knew she couldn’t win this, but she didn’t want to give in.

Felicity must have been able to sense she was faltering because she added. You still want a family, don’t you?

Bailey always dreamed of being a mom. When she was little, her mom had been her entire world. She longed for that kind of connection again. But finding the right guy to build a life with was turning out to be a difficult task. She was one more hellish date away from just going to the sperm clinic and starting her family alone.

Alone. No, she didn’t want to do this alone.

You are the strongest woman I know. I’ve seen you fight for everything you’ve ever wanted and get it. Why not fight for the one thing you want the most? Why wait for it to come to you?

When Felicity started to speak again, Bailey realized she hadn’t answered her question. She stared down at the card. Fine. I’ll go out with him.

Felicity clasped her hands together. Great! You won’t regret it.

Bailey slumped on the couch. I regret it already.

He’ll pick you up tomorrow at 8 pm.

Bailey’s face grew hot. You set a date before even telling me about it?

Felicity ignored her, pulling out her phone. So, where should we go for breakfast?

Chapter 2

Bailey looked into the mirror as she applied her lipstick. From a purely impartial perspective, she was a pretty girl. She had thick pouty lips. A cute button nose that curved slightly upwards. Big brown eyes. And a mane of cinnamon-colored hair. But even though on some level she knew she was pretty, she often felt like a troll. After her mother died, all she wanted was to be adopted. And yet, again and again, she’d been rejected by one family after another. She told herself it was because she wasn’t smart enough or pretty enough. She wasn’t funny enough. There had to be something wrong with her else someone would’ve wanted her. She would’ve gotten adopted. But she never did, no one ever chose her. She’d aged out of the system and started life penniless without a friend in the world. But she refused to accept the hand life had dealt her.

She started her own business. At first, she restored furniture. Taking the trash discarded by others and turning it into treasure. Maybe Felicity was right. Maybe she had to be just as aggressive with her love life as she was with business. She didn’t sit around and wait for success to find her because she knew it never would. She knew in order to get the things she wanted out of life she had to fight for them. So why was it so hard? Because being rejected in business was one thing, but being rejected in matters of the heart was something she couldn’t bear. It just seemed so personal, especially given her childhood. But nothing good ever came to cowards. So she would meet this man. This man Felicity believed could be everything she needed and everything she wanted. Maybe he was. Stranger things had happened.

A knock at the door jolted Bailey from her thoughts. She balled up her fists and steadied herself. Fortune favors the bold. She took long, steady strides towards the door and with a deep breath she opened it. She gasped at the sight of him. Over the past couple of days, she had imagined many different men with many different appearances. No matter what he looked like she was going to keep an open mind and get to know the man before making any decisions. But she wasn’t prepared for the man that stood in her doorway. He looked absolutely stunning. He was tall, a full head taller than her. And he had broad, sturdy shoulders. His dark curly hair shone in the light of the hallway. He had a handsome face with a chiseled jaw. And his sexy grin could stop traffic.

She had to fight the urge to confirm that he was there for her. After all, his expensively tailored suit suggested that he was looking for a movie star or perhaps an heiress. He couldn’t have possibly expected just a regular girl like Bailey. But the way he looked at her… as if he could eat her alive. His eyes were smoldering. He extended a hand towards her and in a deep baritone voice introduced himself.

Hi, I’m Jaxon.

Bailey stared at his hand outstretched towards her for a good five seconds before she realized she should probably reach out and shake it. She shook his hand, her mind fumbling for her own name. I’m… um… I’m Bailey. Pleasure to meet you, Jaxon.

He offered her his arm. Not only handsome but