Bought by the Billionbear: BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance Read online

  Bought by the Billionbear

  By Zoe Chant

  Copyright Zoe Chant 2015

  All Rights Reserved

  Raina Williams couldn’t think of anything more horrifying than being in a bachelorette auction. Standing onstage in front of an audience of men, conscious of every extra pound, with bright lights illuminating all her flaws, while the seconds ticked away and nobody bid on her. As far as she was concerned, it was ten tons of Do Not Want.

  But Raina’s best friend Madison wasn’t self-conscious at all. Madison was curvy too, but men always flocked to her. She’d have no problem at all sashaying onstage, turning around to display her curves, and enjoying the wolf whistles. Raina wished she had even one-tenth of Madison’s belief that she was beautiful and desirable.

  So naturally, Raina was the person Madison called when she had to drop out of the charity date auction due to chicken pox.

  “You can wear my dress,” Madison said over the phone.

  “Sorry,” said Raina. “But no. No way. I can’t do it.”

  “I promise, it doesn’t have germs on it. I dropped it off at the dry-cleaners before I got sick. All you have to do is pick it up and put it on.”

  “No!” Raina repeated. “It’s not the dress. It’s the whole thing.”

  “It’s for charity,” Madison said coaxingly. “The auction is to raise money for homeless shelters and food pantries.”

  “Well…” Raina still hated the entire idea of the bachelorette auction, but it was for a good cause. She’d never been homeless, thank God, but she’d grown up poor and she knew what it was like to go to bed hungry.

  “There’ll be at least one billionaire in the audience,” Madison went on. “Just think how many families will get fed if he bids.”

  “He’s hardly going to bid on me,” Raina pointed out.

  Madison sighed so loudly that Raina could almost feel the breeze coming out of the phone. “When are you ever going to believe that you’re beautiful? Women are supposed to have curves, Raina! I have curves. Don’t you think I’m pretty?”

  “Of course I do,” Raina said, then smiled to herself at how neatly Madison had boxed her into a corner. That was Madison: always quick-thinking.

  Before Raina could come up with another reason to refuse, Madison said, “Think of the hungry little kiddies, and go get my dress!”

  Madison hung up before Raina could argue. It looked like she was stuck with the auction.

  Raina reluctantly picked up the dress and brought it to her tiny apartment. It was made of slithery red satin— exactly Madison’s style. Raina’s job as a supermarket cashier brought in enough money that she never went hungry, but the little she had that didn’t go to necessities went into a savings account. She didn’t spend it on fancy dresses like live-for-the-moment Madison.

  She half-hoped that she’d gained enough weight in the last week to be able to honestly tell Madison that she couldn’t fit into the dress and didn’t have anything nice enough to wear to the auction, so she couldn’t go.

  She held her breath as she zipped up the dress, then exhaled. It wasn’t too tight. It wasn’t even uncomfortable. Madison’s dress fit Raina like it had been made for her.

  Raina looked at herself in the mirror, trying to see herself as the beautiful woman her best friend had always insisted she was. She supposed that her warm brown eyes were pretty. And her brown hair was glossy and fell in loose curls over her shoulders. But the satin clung to the rolls on her sides, and made her hips and butt look much bigger and softer than they did in the loose jeans she normally wore.

  She wanted to rip off the dress. But she couldn’t let down her best friend. Not to mention the hungry and homeless people the whole thing was for. She’d just cross her fingers that even if no one bid on her— which they probably wouldn’t— they’d at least be too polite to laugh. Raina would stand onstage for thirty seconds of crushing embarrassment, and then she could walk offstage, go home, and forget the whole thing.

  “Madison, you owe me big-time,” Raina muttered.

  She picked up a tube of lipstick. It might be a disaster, but at least she’d put her best face forward.

  ***

  Owen Maguire glanced at his watch for the fifteenth time that night. Another charity benefit. Another crowded room full of men in suits. Another parade of beautiful women who weren’t his mate.

  Owen was bored, and Owen’s bear was climbing the walls. He tried to stretch unobtrusively, but his muscular, 6’5” frame wasn’t made for unobtrusive. His elbow nearly gave the man next to him a black eye.

  “Sorry,” Owen said.

  The man glared at him, his thick brows lowering in challenge. “Watch it.”

  Owen’s bear instantly bristled, as always ready for a fight. But Owen pushed his fierce animal side down, at least enough that what came out of his mouth wasn’t “You want to step outside?” but rather an icy “Excuse me?”

  But before anything could happen, they were both distracted by the auctioneer banging his gavel.

  “Sold!” shouted the auctioneer. “Mr. Griffith, you’ve won a date with the beautiful Alison!”

  The woman onstage really was beautiful, Owen thought. Her blonde hair hung nearly to her waist, and though she was smaller than he preferred, she did have some curves. Maybe he should have bid on her. It was only one date. And he couldn’t leave the auction without bidding on someone. He’d promised the organizers he would. It was for a good cause.

  Owen started to stretch again, then caught himself with a sigh. The chair was too small for him. The city was too small for him. His bear was restless, and he was restless. He’d make his donation and go on his date, and then he had to get out into the country. He needed room to roam.

  No. What he needed, his bear insisted, was a mate.

  Got any ideas on where to find her? Owen asked his bear.

  As always, he came up empty. He believed in the lore of his clan: that every shifter had their fated mate. But having a mate didn’t mean that you’d ever find her. For all he knew, his mate was someone he’d never meet, living in another country whose language he didn’t speak.

  People were always telling him, “You have everything.” It was almost true. But without a mate— without the love of the one woman in the world who was meant for him— all his billions didn’t mean a damn thing.

  “Our next bachelorette,” the auctioneer announced. “Miss Raina Williams!”

  Owen sat up straight, suddenly more interested, as Raina walked on to the stage. She was a vision in curves, nothing but luscious softness all over. Her scarlet dress clung to her delicious body, cupping the pearly globes of her breasts and outlining the most gorgeous ass he’d seen in his entire life. Her hips swayed as she walked, sending ripples through her whole body and delivering a jolt of desire straight to Owen’s cock.

  Owen wished he could see Raina’s face. If it was even half as gorgeous as her body, she’d be by far the most beautiful bachelorette present. But her head was lowered, her face hidden by a fall of glossy brown hair. He wondered if she was shy, and why she’d volunteered to go onstage when she couldn’t even bring herself to lift her head to meet the eyes of the audience. He could sympathize. He wasn’t shy himself, but he knew what it was like to be uncomfortable in a crowd.

  She stopped at the center of the stage. Between her hair and the shadows cast by the brilliant stage lights, her eyes were invisible, but Owen could now catch a glimpse of a sweet kissable mouth, a firm chin, and delectably round cheeks. Raina was lovely. But her body language was hunched and uncomfortable, as if she was trying to h
ide within her own body. Owen didn’t understand it. She had nothing to hide.

  The auctioneer began reading off a piece of paper. “This lovely bachelorette brightens the days of shoppers as a supermarket cashier. Her favorite color is forest green.”

  Forest green, rumbled Owen’s bear. She has good taste. Bid on her!

  Owen frowned. The poor woman was still staring at the floor. She obviously didn’t want to be there. Would he be doing her any favors if he bid on her? But if he didn’t, someone else would. She’d have to go on a date with someone.

  Owen raised his hand. He had no intention of forcing her into something she didn’t want, but he could catch her afterward and inform her that she didn’t have to go on a date with him if she didn’t want to— he’d donate the money regardless. Though he hoped that she just had stage fright, and would want to go out with him once she was away from the stage and the crowd.

  “One thousand dollars,” Owen called.

  At that, Raina looked up. Her hair fell away from her face, and the bright lights shone on it. She was just as beautiful as he’d imagined, with huge, golden-brown eyes like dark honey. From across the room, those lovely eyes met his.

  A shock of recognition jolted Owen.

  She’s the one.

  His entire being sang with the knowledge that the woman onstage was his mate. Every atom of him yearned for her, like they were magnets pulling each other together. That exquisite, perfect, sexy woman onstage was meant for him, like he was meant for her. After all those years of hoping and waiting, he’d finally found her.

  It was like he’d been struck by lightning. His blood fizzed like shaken beer. He was hot all over. And he had the biggest hard-on he’d had in his entire life.

  “Going… going…” The auctioneer cleared his throat. “Mr. Maguire, are you sure you want to let the lovely Miss Williams go to the gentleman on your right?”

  Owen blinked. The man sitting next to him also had his hand up. He must have bid while Owen had been lost in the perfect happiness of finding his mate.

  Owen’s lips curled in a snarl. He had no idea how much that man had bid, but he wasn’t letting any other man win a date with his mate. He’d grind his rival into the dust.

  “Fifty thousand dollars,” Owen called.

  Raina’s lovely brown eyes widened, and her sweet lips parted in shock. Owen smiled. His mate’s worth couldn’t be valued in money, of course, but he wanted her to know that he’d spare nothing to be with her.

  The man sitting next to him glared, then raised his hand. “Sixty thousand.”

  “Seventy!” Owen said instantly.

  The auctioneer looked delighted. Raina looked stunned.

  “Well, well,” said the auctioneer, rubbing his hands together. “For the benefit of those in the audience who don’t know them by sight, I’ll introduce our eager bidders. The gentleman who just bid seventy thousand dollars for one night with our bachelorette is Owen Maguire, the young CEO of OwenTech. Our other bidder is Austin Stroud III, the senior partner of Stroud, Stroud, and Stroud. Mr. Stroud, are you going to bid?”

  Owen had heard of Stroud, Stroud, and Stroud. It was a very successful law firm that specialized in defending mega-corporations from charges of illegal chemical dumping. As a bear shifter, Owen hated it when forests were recklessly destroyed by companies trying to save a few dollars. He had to tamp down his rage at the thought of Austin Stroud daring to try to get his hands on Owen’s destined mate.

  Stroud coolly raised his hand. He wasn’t looking at Raina, but rather at Owen as he said, “One hundred thousand dollars.”

  Raina’s eyes darted to Stroud, frightened. Then she gave a pleading glance at Owen, as if she was hoping he’d save her. Owen tried to convey reassurance as he met her gaze. Of course he’d save her! He was her mate.

  “Five hundred thousand dollars,” Owen called. That should crush Stroud. No way would a man who defended polluting corporations be willing to give that much to feed the homeless— not even for a date with Raina, who was worth that and so much more.

  Owen could actually hear the tiny grinding sound as Stroud gritted his teeth.

  Ha! Owen thought.

  “Going once…” said the auctioneer. “Going twice…”

  Stroud clenched his fists, then shot to his feet. “Six hundred thousand!”

  Owen stood as well. Stroud was a tall man, but Owen was taller. He towered over his rival as he called out, “Raina’s worth can’t be valued in money! But I’d pay much more than Mr. Stroud offers for the chance to spend some time with her. I bid one million dollars.”

  The entire room gasped in shock. Raina’s beautiful eyes widened with amazement. Her pearly breasts moved as she inhaled, bobbing within their cups of scarlet satin. Owen imagined what they would feel like under his hands, soft and warm and silky-smooth.

  The auctioneer nearly dropped his gavel, then recovered. “Mr. Maguire bids one million dollars for a date with Raina Williams! Going once… Going twice… Mr. Stroud, are you going to place a bid?”

  Stroud shot a furious look at Owen, then shook his head and sat back down. Owen didn’t miss the relief in Raina’s eyes.

  The auctioneer banged his gavel. “Sold! One date with Miss Raina Williams, to Owen Maguire for one million dollars!”

  Owen’s bear rumbled his pleasure at the victory. Soon he would meet his mate.

  He hoped she wasn’t afraid of bears.

  ***

  Raina stood frozen in the middle of the stage, unable to believe what had just happened. The most stunning man she’d seen in her entire life had just paid one million dollars for a date with her. With her!

  The auctioneer cleared his throat. “Show’s over, everyone. Thank you very much for your participation. Mr. Maguire, please go to the office to discuss your donation— I know that our program director would like to thank you in person. Everyone else, please come to the lobby to mingle and meet your dates, if you were lucky enough to win one.”

  Raina watched as a well-dressed, middle-aged woman went up to Owen Maguire and gestured toward an office. That had to be the program director.

  “I’ll meet you in the lobby,” Owen called to Raina, and gave her a wink before he stepped into the office. His deep voice sent delicious shivers down her spine.

  Raina walked into the lobby in a daze. Why had the billionaire bid on her? He must be genuinely devoted to charity, she decided. He’d probably already earmarked the million dollars as his donation, and had simply waited until the final auction to bid it. His bid had everything to do with feeding the homeless, and nothing to do with her.

  The lobby was filled with well-dressed people, drinking flutes of champagne and chatting. They all stared at Raina as she entered.

  “It’s the million-dollar bachelorette!” someone called, and others applauded.

  Raina blushed. Dates with the other bachelorettes had gone for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars. Whatever Owen Maguire’s reasons, he’d spent an enormous amount of money on her.

  “May I get you a drink?” The voice belonged to the other man who’d bid on her— Austin Stroud, the wealthy lawyer.

  Austin was tall and handsome, though nowhere near as tall or as handsome as Owen. But the way he looked at her set her nerves on edge. She’d felt the same way when he’d bid on her. There was something greedy in his gaze.

  “No, thank you,” Raina said politely, hoping he’d take the hint and leave.

  He didn’t. Instead, he stood there and deliberately looked her over, his gaze lingering on her breasts. Uncomfortable, she crossed her arms over them.

  “What, because I didn’t win the auction?” Austin asked. “Do I really need to pay to get a date with you?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Then I’ll get you a glass of champagne.”

  Irritated, Raina said, “I don’t want your champagne.”

  “So you do only give the time of day to men who have to pay you to date them.”

/>   Raina hadn’t even spoken to Owen, but she didn’t like what Austin was implying about him— or about her. “Owen Maguire hardly has to pay women to date him. And none of that money goes to me.”

  “Of course,” said Austin smoothly. “In that case, why not have a date with me first? My car’s right outside.”

  He reached for her elbow. She took a step back, disliking him intensely. In less than a minute, he’d stared at her breasts, tried to manipulate her into dating him, and implied that Owen was a loser and she was a gold-digger.

  In a tone that didn’t allow for argument, she said, “No, thank you.”

  “Don’t play hard to get,” Austin said.

  “I’m not playing.” Raina raised her voice, hoping that making a scene in public would make him back off. “I said no, and I meant no!”

  “Just one—” Austin began, then broke off, looking past Raina.

  “You heard the lady.” Owen’s voice boomed out from behind her. She spun around. He stood tall and protective behind her, looming over both her and Austin. “She said no.”

  “But—”

  “Get lost.” Owen’s voice lowered in a snarl that made Raina’s hair stand on end. She wasn’t at all surprised when Austin hurriedly walked away. But once Austin was out of the room, Owen turned to her and said in surprisingly gentle tones, “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine,” Raina replied. “All he did was pester me for a date. Thanks for rescuing me.”

  She’d seen how handsome Owen was, but it had been from across a room, with the bright stage lights dazzling her eyes. Now she got a clear look at him for the first time.

  He was one of the tallest men she’d ever seen— probably 6’4” or 5”— but muscular and well-proportioned. He looked big and strong, not gawky. His broad chest was like a sheltering wall, his arms bulging with tempting muscle. And his arms weren’t the only thing that bulged. As Raina’s gaze strayed downward, she saw a distinct lump in the front of his expensive pants.

  Of course he’d be big everywhere, she thought.

  Embarrassed, she jerked her gaze upward. The strong features of Owen’s handsome face had looked fierce when he’d scared off Austin, but now his lips were parted in a smile. His black hair looked appealingly soft, not stiff with hair gel. But his most stunning feature was his eyes. They were true green, dark and pure as a forest. She’d never seen eyes like that in her life. They were like pools she could fall into.