“From the short time she’s worked here, I can tell you—Bethany’s built walls of steel around herself,” Joe said, leaning back with a smirk. “That girl’s been through hell, and she’s not the kind to fall into your bed just because you look at her twice, wolf.”

“I don’t care about bear politics,” Caleb said flatly. “And I’m not here to use her. I’m not some wild animal chasing a thrill.” He added a wink, but it lacked humor.

Bethany wasn’t some passing fling. ...