Mark of the Bear

Chapter Two

Kellsie stood in the lineup at the convenience store and tapped the toe of her sneaker against the tile floor. She had a Los Angeles Angels’ baseball cap on her head and enormous dark glasses covering her eyes and half her face. In her scruffy jeans and T-shirt, she didn’t look anything like the picture of herself that currently graced the front of all the tabloids.

Nobody looked at her. Nobody pointed their fingers and whispered. Which was exactly what she wanted.

She’d run her errands and met Maury long enough to eat lunch, get directions to the movie set and to read the contract. Her stomach jumped when she thought about the money again. She couldn’t believe that half of it, minus Maury’s commission, was already stashed safely in her bank account. It took all her self-control not to squeal and do another happy dance, this one right in the middle of the store. She still couldn’t believe her luck.

Well, not everything was rosy, but she didn’t care. She glanced at the front of the paper in her hand. Jon was smiling back at her. If that didn’t kill her good mood, nothing would.

“Next.”

Finally, it was her turn to be checked out. Kellsie dumped two tabloids, the latest book by her favorite romance author, three bottles of flavored water, three granola bars, a banana and an apple on the counter. No junk food for her. Not with a leading role and no time to hit the gym. Maury had treated her to lunch, but she’d opted for the garden salad, which had filled a hole at the time, but she was still hungry.

She dug into her purse for some cash and paid for her purchase. When it was bagged up, she hurried out of the store and back to the Laundromat two doors down. Thankfully, no one had touched her stuff while she’d been gone.

Her apartment complex had a perfectly good laundry room, but Kellsie hadn’t wanted to tempt the gods. If the paparazzi found her, she’d get no peace. If she could slip out of town unnoticed, they’d soon forget about her. Sure, they’d flash old pictures of her, but without new ones and sound bites, they’d get tired of searching for her.

The movie exec’s daughter who he’d dumped her for was more than willing to let the media know exactly what she thought of Jonathan Braun. So was his current wife, soon to be ex-wife, if the tabloids could be believed. They didn’t need a quote from Kellsie to make headlines.

She had no doubt they’d talk to some of the folks on the movie set she’d just left. She didn’t mind that at all. Any publicity for her work was good as far as she was concerned. Might even land her a few more roles.

Kellsie simply didn’t want her personal life splashed across the tabloids. Not that she had much of a personal life, but still, she hated the speculation and lies that usually served as gossip.

Maury had assured her that her new bosses weren’t giving out information about her whereabouts either. They didn’t want a lot of paparazzi or crazy fans running around the woods near their movie set. Apparently, it had taken a lot of talking and special permits to be able to film in and around a park and they weren’t going to let some overeager photographers muck that up.

“You’re putting off the inevitable,” she muttered. Maury had told her a little of what was being said, but she knew he’d held back the worst of the gossip. He didn’t want her upset before she went on her next job.

But Kellsie had to know.

She pulled the first paper out of the bag and spread it out on the folding table just beyond the dryers. “Hollywood Hunk Dumps Wife.” The headline screamed out at her. In smaller letters beneath it read, “Is he going back to where it all began?” An old grainy picture of her sat just below the headline. Right next to it was one of the woman he’d left her for. Beneath the pictures, the article speculated that Jon had been secretly seeing Kellsie Morris the past few weeks. That was all she needed.

“Shit.” She glanced around the room after she swore. There were three other people currently doing their laundry and none of them were paying any attention to her. One was reading a tattered magazine that someone else had left behind months ago by the looks of it. Another was reading a book. And the third person, a guy, was talking to himself. Not that she could criticize him. She talked to herself all the time.

Her dryer chose that moment to shut off. Kellsie stuffed the tabloid back into her bag and went to the dryer. Her laundry was done and she didn’t want to stay here any longer than she had to. Just being out among people was a risk. Everyone and his dog had a cell phone that took pictures. And the tabloids would pay a lot of money for a new one of her.

Maybe she should find a photo booth, get a few shots of herself and make some money. Maury would be in full agreement as long as he got a cut of the proceeds.

She snorted under her breath as she transferred clothing from the dryer to a nearby table. No way in hell she’d give Jonathan Braun more airtime on the entertainment shows and tabloids. Not if she could help it.

She took the time to fold her clothes so they wouldn’t wrinkle too badly. Not that it mattered. Wardrobe would provide her clothing for the movie. What she wore on her own time was inconsequential. But she wanted to make a decent first impression since she hadn’t worked with this particular director before. A quick Google search hadn’t yielded her much information on him beyond a few links to several obscure, yet critically successful independent films he’d shot. Not that it mattered. Work was work and money was money.

Satisfied she had everything, Kellsie slung her duffle over her shoulder, grabbed her purse and her bag of goodies and headed to the nearby parking lot where she’d left Betsy. It was a gamble to use her own car. As sure as she was standing here, the media hounds would have her license plate number and her home address by now. But she wasn’t leaving Betsy behind. Nor was she spending extra money on a rental when she was leaving the city.

She stowed her belongings in the trunk and climbed into the driver’s seat. After a quick look around to make sure no one was watching her, she started the car and headed out of town. A motel beyond the city was what she needed. Less chance of some paparazzi stumbling across her.

Hours later, she unlocked the door to her motel room and pushed inside, hitting the light switch as she went. It was drab but clean, and that was all that mattered. She’d certainly stayed in worse. Heck, she’d lived in worse.

Thankfully, they let her pay in cash. She’d given a fictitious name as well, just to be on the safe side. Motel desk clerks didn’t make a lot of money. If he recognized her face or name, chances were good he’d contact someone at one of the tabloids in hopes of making a few bucks. She should be safe for now.

Giving the door a knock with her hip, she closed it. It locked automatically. She dumped her bags on the bed and flopped down beside them. Damn, she was tired. Instead of finding a motel close by, she’d driven as far as she could, pushing to put some distance between herself and the city. It was late and she was exhausted.

The last twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind. She’d gone from finishing a movie to getting the leading role in another to being on the front page of every tabloid in the country. Not a bad day’s work.

Kellsie rubbed her hands over her face. “Eat. Shower. Rest.” She had to get a good night’s sleep if she was going to get an early start tomorrow morning. Groaning, she pushed herself upright. It wasn’t easy when her body was screaming at her to let it fall back on the mattress and stay there for at least eight hours.

Her body was crying out for sleep. She’d been running on pure adrenaline and caffeine all day and was going to crash. Soon.

“Shower first.” She dug in her bag for her sleep shirt, an oversized white cotton shirt with a huge brown bear on the front. She’d seen it at a discount store a few weeks back and had to have it.

She staggered toward the bathroom and hit her shoulder on the doorjamb. “Damn it.” She rubbed the spot. She didn’t need any more bruises, not with a new role starting. She had a few as souvenirs from the last job, but nothing makeup wouldn’t cover.

Kellsie dragged off her shirt and studied her shoulder in the mirror. The skin was red around her tattoo, but other than that, it looked fine. Her finger traced the shape of the four-inch bear that sat on her back just below her shoulder. She’d gotten the tattoo for her eighteenth birthday, a kind of celebration of her starting her life on her own.

Who was she kidding?

She’d been terrified of being on her own and wanted a totem animal. A protector. She’d been going through her metaphysical stage and had been reading tons of books from the library about Native American mythology. To her, the bear had seemed to be a strong guardian.

She no longer believed in such things, but she still liked the tattoo.

She removed the rest of her clothing and let it fall to the floor. She didn’t have the energy to pick it up so she left it there, stepping over it on her way to the shower. It didn’t take her long to start the water and step beneath the spray. She stood there, letting the warm water cascade over her tired muscles. When the water started to go cold, she washed as fast as she could but was shivering slightly by the time she shut off the water.

The towel the motel provided was thin but adequate. Kellsie forced herself to moisturize her skin, all the way from the bottoms of her feet up to and including her face. She couldn’t afford to neglect her skin, especially since she would be spending the next four weeks in front of the camera. Luckily, she’d had her legs waxed just before the last shoot and didn’t have to worry about shaving them. As tired as she was, she’d probably leave a trail of nicks and cuts on them.

She tugged on her sleep shirt and somehow found the energy to grab her clothing off the floor. The ingrained habit of having to take good care of what few belongings she’d had as a kid couldn’t be overcome and had followed her into adulthood.

Kellsie left the bathroom behind and yawned her way into the bedroom. God, she was more tired than she could ever remember being in her entire life. And that was saying something.

She dumped her stuff on top of her duffle and stumbled to the bed. She yanked back the covers and climbed in. The mattress was lumpy and the pillowcase didn’t smell like her fabric softener, but she didn’t care. She was horizontal, and that was all that mattered.

Sighing, Kellsie let her eyes drift shut. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. She’d eat later…

Kellsie wandered through a dark tunnel. She had no idea where she was. It was hot and the hair on the back of her neck fluttered. She was being watched.

A quick glance over her shoulder told her nothing. She couldn’t see a damn thing. It was like being blind. “Don’t panic,” she told herself. Speaking aloud made her feel not so alone. Which was stupid, because she was alone. At least she hoped she was. She didn’t think there could be anything good lurking out there in the dark.

Goose bumps raced down her arms and she shivered, not with cold but with dread. Her stomach churned and sweat rolled down her spine, making her clothing stick to her clammy skin.

“Shit.” She raised her left foot and wrapped her right hand around her instep, while hopping around trying to keep her balance. She’d stepped on something sharp. And why the hell was she barefoot?

Laughter echoed off the walls and a light went on at the far end of the tunnel. It momentarily blinded her and she blinked. She released her foot, letting it fall back to the ground as she squinted to try to see better. Who the heck was there?

Cautiously, she moved toward the light. Maybe it was a way out of this place, whatever it was. She’d been in enough horror movies to know this wasn’t good. It didn’t pay to get trapped somewhere with no way out.

“Very good, Kellsie,” the voice praised.

Her fingers curled into fists. Whoever was up there made all her internal alarms blare. She wished she had a gun. Not that she’d ever fired a real one. Plenty of fake ones on movie sets. But still, being armed was better than not being armed.

“Who are you?”

“You don’t want to know. Not really.” The condescension in the male voice made her hand tingle. She wanted to smack the owner of that voice right in the mouth. She was normally a nonviolent person, but she hated being talked down to. Just because she hadn’t gone to college didn’t mean she was stupid.

“We’ll meet soon enough, you and I.” The voice was low and compelling. Seductive, yet menacing. This dude could make a fortune in the movies just doing voiceovers. “You’re going to give me something I want.”

“I don’t think so.” She wouldn’t give it to him on principle alone after this display of male stupidity.

“Oh, I think you will.” He seemed closer now. She whirled around to keep her back to a wall as she slowly crept toward the light. There had to be a way out of this place.

“You keep telling yourself what you need to hear.” He laughed again and she hated like hell that she seemed to be amusing him.

“Kellsie. Kellsie,” he chided. “You’re a survivor. Like I am.”

She shivered and shrank closer to the dubious safety of the wall. She didn’t know who he was, but she instinctively knew she didn’t want to be anything like him.

“When the time is right, you’ll save yourself.”

“Damn right I will.” Kellsie didn’t need anyone to save her. She’d been taking care of herself her entire life.

“I’m counting on it, sweet Kellsie.” The voice seemed to whisper in her ear and she struck out. Instead of meeting flesh, she hit her hand off a column of rock.

“Damn it.” She cradled her abused hand against her chest, praying she hadn’t broken any bones. The light dimmed and she sensed she was alone. She almost called to him to come back. Any company was better than being alone. Wasn’t it?

At the last moment, she swallowed her cry. On second thought, in this case being alone was probably preferable.

Ignoring the pain throbbing through her right hand and her left foot, she limped forward. There was a dim light still there. She needed to get out of here. The walls seemed to be closing in around her, the path narrowing the farther she went.

She was gasping now. The air was thick and hot, sucking the moisture from her mouth and lungs. Dizzy, she used the wall for support. The rock should have been cool, but even that was warm. Or maybe it was her who was hot. Maybe she had a fever. Maybe she was ill and hallucinating.

“No, child, you’re not hallucinating, you’re dreaming.” The voice was strong but distinctly feminine.

“Who are you and how do you know I’m dreaming?” Kellsie shook her heading trying to make sense of things. Her vision dimmed and she swayed.

“It doesn’t matter,” soothed the woman. “You need to get out of here.”

She couldn’t argue with the new voice. “How?”

“Follow me.”

Kellsie squinted. She couldn’t make out the woman’s features, but she could see a female in a cloak ahead of her. It flowed over her skin. Was that hair spilling down her back and not a cloak at all?

Making her feet move, Kellsie followed, never seeming to get closer. She was beginning to think it was a trap of some kind, or a mean joke. “Where are we going?” she managed to gasp out. It was getting impossible to breathe.

“You’re going back to where you belong. You’re only caught in a dream.”

Such sadness tinged the voice that Kellsie immediately felt pity for the woman. “Come with me,” she impulsively offered. No one should have to stay here, especially not a woman by herself.

“I cannot. Not yet. This is your time. Hurry.”

The urgency in the woman’s tone gave Kellsie a boost of energy and she made a dash for the light. Cool air stroked her skin. Fresh air filled her lungs.

She turned to thank the woman but could see nothing but darkness behind her. Guilt assailed her at leaving the woman behind, but there was nothing she could do. The passageway seemed to close behind her.

Kellsie turned and hurried toward the light. She glanced over her shoulder one final time. There was literally nothing behind her but a void. Before she could face forward again, she smacked into an immoveable object. Grunting, she fell back, lost her footing and started to plummet toward the ground

Strong hands wrapped around her shoulders and kept her upright. Her eyes widened as she took in the man who’d caught her in a steel grip. He was at least a foot taller than her and his shoulders were as wide as a mountain. He was also naked.

Kellsie threw back her head and screamed. It was louder and more spine chilling than any scream she’d ever let loose. It even raised goose bumps on her arms. The sharp yell echoed around them and he released her and covered his ears as she stumbled back a few steps. “Stop it, woman. I’m not going to hurt you.”

The voice was rough and low, almost a growl, and bore no resemblance to the smooth, cultured tone that had taunted her earlier. Just because it wasn’t the same guy didn’t mean he was safe. After all, he wasn’t wearing any clothes.

Still, she closed her mouth, and silence surrounded them.

She swallowed when he stepped farther into the dim light and she got a really good look at him. He was huge. Massive. There was no other word to accurately describe him.

His hair fell thick and straight around his shoulders. The texture looked soft, but it was the color that captured her attention. Every color of brown ever invented seemed to streak through his hair. Had to be highlights. She wondered who his stylist was. It was cowardly on her part, but she didn’t really want to look any lower. Okay, maybe just a peek, but that was all. Just as soon as she could screw up the courage.

Dark brows lowered as he stared back at her. His eyes, which were a deep, mesmerizing brown, studied her. She suddenly felt as though he was sizing her up to be his next meal.

“Why are you here?” That low rumble of a voice made her skin tingle and her toes curl. And her toes hadn’t curled in a very long time. Considering the situation she was in, this was no time for them to start.

“Why are you here?” She countered. “And where exactly is here?” She just wanted to go home. She frowned. No, she didn’t want to go home. She was on her way somewhere. Wasn’t she?

“You are in my thoughts.”

“But this is my dream.” She was certain of that. Even the lady she’d met had understood that this was Kellsie’s dream.

His frown deepened and the muscles in his jaw tightened. She really should be more terrified of the giant in front of her. Instead, she was fascinated. It was like being before some great predator, a perfect specimen of the species. She only hoped he found her interesting enough not to kill her.

He lowered his gaze and a slow smile cut across his face. She gasped as large white teeth, several of which were very sharp, were revealed. “You like bears?”

She glanced down at her nightshirt. She hadn’t realized she was wearing it in her dream. And what did her choice of sleeping attire have to do with anything? “Yes, I like bears.”

Reaching out a huge hand, he cupped her jaw. Or rather the entire left side of her face. His hand was as big as a dinner plate. She swallowed hard. She really should make a run for it. He was so big he was bound to be slower. She could run like a jackrabbit when necessary, and this situation certainly was that.

Not giving herself time to think, she ducked beneath his arm and took off. She hadn’t gone five feet when a large, muscled forearm wrapped around her waist. She was yanked backward and right off her feet. A large male chest cradled her back and a very impressive erection pushed against her butt.

Kellsie opened her mouth to scream, but all that came out was a squeak. She sounded more like a mouse than a scream queen. With his forearm banded across her diaphragm, she couldn’t suck in enough air to generate even a mild yell.

“Shhh,” he whispered in her ear. “I won’t hurt you.”

The rough stubble of his jaw grazed the sensitive skin of her neck and jaw, sending a shiver through her entire body. And it wasn’t brought on by fear, but arousal. She was in big trouble. She strained forward, trying to get away from him. It was like trying to move a block of granite.

His lips caressed the nape of her neck and she moaned before she could stop herself. “You have to stop,” she gasped.

“Why?” he countered. “If this is a dream, why not enjoy it?”

Kellsie froze in his grip, no longer trying to escape his grasp. This was a dream, wasn’t it? It had to be. She was running around in her nightgown, for heaven’s sake. But how weird was it to know it was a dream? She was confusing herself just thinking about it.

He slowly lowered her until her feet were touching the floor. Except it wasn’t a rocky floor any longer, but a soft mossy forest floor. She could smell the fresh scent of pine in the air and a light breeze brushed over her skin. He loosened his hold but didn’t release her. Instead, he shifted his hands over her sides and under her sleep shirt.

His skin was warm, his fingers callused and strong as he stroked her torso and around her breasts. Her nipples tightened, the traitors. God, she wanted him to touch her. Was it wrong if it was a dream?

His movements pushed her shirt higher, and she felt the heat and pulse of his erection against her bare back. It throbbed against her skin. A matching beat started deep in her core and her sex swelled. Kellsie bit her bottom lip to keep from moaning as his clever hands lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it aside.

He stilled. Before she could figure out what was wrong, he began to trace the tattoo on her shoulder. “You really are mine, aren’t you?” She could hear the wonder in his voice. “You belong to the bear.”

“I belong to myself.” Never again would she allow a man to mean more to her than herself. She’d made that mistake with Jonathan and wouldn’t make it again. She didn’t need a man in her life, not even in her dreams. Didn’t matter how damn sexy he was.

“No.” He tightened his hold. “You’re mine.”

She began to fight him in earnest. She wanted to get away from here, from him. Panicked, she kicked at him with her heels and reached behind to tug on his hair. “Let me go.”

“I will never hurt you, but I cannot let you go.” He sounded sad. Resigned. She felt his pain as if it was her own, and it staggered her in its scope and depth. For a moment, she almost stopped struggling. Then common sense kicked in and she began to pummel at the arm holding her captive.

“Let me go. Let me go…”

Kellsie sat up in bed, gasping for breath and still muttering aloud. She scrambled backward and hit the headboard with a loud thud. She glanced around the nondescript motel room. She was alone.

“Shit.” She swiped at her forehead, not surprised to find it damp with perspiration. “That was one hell of a dream.” And not surprising when she thought about it. She hadn’t had sex in so long it was no wonder she’d dreamed about a good-looking guy. Once upon a time, she’d wanted to belong to someone, with someone, knowing she could depend on them. But those days were gone. She was alone and, as the first male voice in her dream had stated, she was a survivor.

“Jesus, I really should have eaten something last night.” Lack of sleep and food, mixed with the few intense days of work and all the stress, and it was no wonder she’d had such a crazy dream. She relaxed and then tensed again. She was naked.

She shoved back the covers and found her shirt balled up near her feet. “Must have ripped it off during the dream.” Her limbs quivered as she sat up and dragged in a deep breath.

She checked her watch and noted it was nearly dawn. No way she’d go back to sleep now. “I need another shower and some food. Then it’s time to hit the road.”

She made her way into the bathroom and under the cool spray of the water. Her enthusiasm returned as she thought about her new movie role. By the time she was halfway through her shower her dream was all but forgotten.