Bearly Sweet(3)
Author: Loni Ree

 

My bear gives me a little kick, reminding me that I need to speak to her. “I’m your new contractor,” I blurt out the first words that come to my mind before leaning over to inhale deeply. “We have an appointment.”

 

I let her soothing honey scent flow through me, and two things hit me at once. The luscious curvy blonde I’m holding in my arms is my mate, and my freaking mother probably already figured that little tidbit out. I keep that little bit of information to myself since I’m pretty sure coming on too strong with a human female is a good way to end up in the doghouse.

 

Oh, man. I’m so fucking fucked right now. Nothing in my thirty-two years on earth has taught me how to go about wooing a human mate, and my bear is stretching under my skin, urging me to stop stalling and seal the deal with my mate.

 

“Please put me down.” Her smoky voice sends goosebumps skittering down my spine, and I can’t deny her anything. After setting my little mate on her feet, I step back and attempt to get my inner bear and body under control.

 

My eyes follow my adorable little mate as she steps back and brushes the dust off of her fitted black t-shirt. “Can we start again?” Her honeyed smile melts me from the inside out as she tells me, “My name is Mabel Sweet.”

 

“Thorne Bearly.” Your mate, I add silently. “You met my mother at the grocery store,” I explain uselessly and feel my bear groan.

 

“Your mom is so sweet.” Mabel smiles up at me, and I almost forget my own name.

 

Not as sweet as you, little mate. “She has her moments,” I manage to mutter past the dry spot in my throat.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

 

 

 

Mabel

 

 

 

 

 

I almost melt into a puddle of goo as Mr. Tall, Dark, and Growly stares down at me. I crane my neck way the heck back to look into his dark brown eyes. Oh my. He’s freaking huge and gorgeous. Like seriously make-you-forget-your-own-name hot.

 

I’m unable to stop staring into his dark chocolate eyes. His deep woodsy scent tickles my nose, soothing something deep inside me. Swallowing, I force myself to step back. Holy cow, that’s when I get a really good look at him. This bear shifter is freaking huge. The adorable white bear eating honey logo on the left side of his emerald-green t-shit looks out of place on the material stretching across his massive chest. I’m betting his arms are bigger around than my thigh, which is impressive since I’m a fairly curvy woman. As my eyes continue moving down his muscular body, I ignore the curious bulge behind his zipper and stare at his tree-trunk-sized legs encased in tight denim.

 

He growls softly, bringing my eyes back up to meet his. While his dark brown eyes hold mine captive, I notice the honey-colored ring surrounding his irises. Under my stare, the ring turns to molten gold. Holy moly. This bear looks like he’s ready to make a meal out of me.

 

I barely resist the urge to fan myself as I realize I’m in so much trouble.

 

Bethany comes strolling through the swinging door that leads to the bakery and comes to a dead stop. “Oh.” Her eyes move back and forth between us repeatedly as a smile spreads across her face. “Is this the contractor who’s going to help us?”

 

“That’s me.” Thorne walks over and shakes her hand. “Thorne Bearly.”

 

“Bethany Sweet,” my sister returns, ignoring the obvious undercurrent swirling around the room. “We really appreciate the help.”

 

“I’m glad I can be of service.” He steps away from my sister and turns back to me. “I’m going to look around and see what is needed, then we can discuss my quote.”

 

“Holy cow. He is hot,” Bethany squeaks after Thorne leaves the room. “And he was eating you up with his eyes. I need a cigarette after all that.”

 

“You don’t even smoke,” I hiss, hoping the bear shifter doesn’t hear her. “And I don’t have the time or energy to take on a relationship right now.”

 

“I don’t think that matters to Mr. Hot and Heavy.” She signals with her head toward the kitchen.

 

“You’re imagining things.” I know the words are lies as they leave my lips.

 

A little while later, he comes back and gives me an estimate that is way the heck too low for the amount of work we have to do. “Are you sure this is accurate?” I stare down at the sheet of paper in awe.

 

“I’ve included the new resident discount.” He winks at me and turns my insides to goo. “I’m going to do it all myself since my crews are on other jobs.”

 

My shameful, hussy, virgin body wakes up at the thought of him doing it to me. Oh, man. I need a cold shower and a good swift kick in the rear. There’s no way I’m correctly reading the signals that the smoking hot bear shifter is sending out, right?

 

 

 

 

 

Thorne starts working the next day, and we start to see immediate progress in the building while my feelings for the bear shifter steadily develop. The longer I’m near him, the more I feel a connection growing between us which I know is nuts, but I can’t resist it.

 

Of course, both Cora and Bethany take every possible opportunity to throw Thorne and me together.

 

I glance up from the wall I’m painting to find Thorne staring at me again. “Mr. Hot and Heavy is looking mighty hungry.” Cora walks up and smirks. “You should give him something to snack on.”When my youngest sister wiggles her eyebrows suggestively, I roll my eyes.

 

This is the third day in a row that Thorne has shown up early in the morning to work all day long at the bakery, and we’re starting to see significant changes. He’s fixed or replaced all the light fixtures and stripped and refinished the black and white tile floor. Today, we’re painting the walls while he puts up new trim.

 

“Mom and Dad would have strokes if they heard their youngest little angel speaking that way,” I grumble.

 

“Changing the subject won’t help,” Cora calls over her shoulder as she heads to the kitchen to continue painting.

 

I’m in so much trouble here, and everyone already knows it. Once my heart overruled my cautious nature, all bets were off.

 

Every night, I head upstairs to our apartment above the bakery and expect to drop instantly to sleep, but my mind has other ideas. Even a cold shower and warm milk are failing to help me sleep more than a few hours each night. Instead, I lie awake staring at the ceiling while steamy fantasies run through my mind.