Bearly Sweet(6)
Author: Loni Ree

 

Thorne growls under his breath before storming over to the counter. “Clay can wait.” I open my mouth to give Thorne a piece of my mind when I hear the kitchen door swing open behind me.

 

Clay glances around me, and his eyes widen almost comically while he stares at whoever came out of the kitchen. Sweat breaks out on his brow as he quietly mutters, “I’m so fucked.” The tiny dog in his arms jumps at the bite in his voice.

 

“We’re out of honey buns.” Bethany walks over to us, completely oblivious to the tension filling the bakery. “We ran through these things like crazy. I think we should close up since we’re out of honey buns. Cora already headed upstairs to get the first shower, which is a good thing since she’s acting like a crabapple.” My younger sister steps next to me and notices Thorne’s brother for the first time.

 

“Uh, hello.” My sister’s eyes look like they’re about to pop out of her head. “I’m Bethany Sweet.” When she holds her hand out to the bear shifter, he glances down and back up at her with a look of horror on his face. I sense my sister’s hackles rising as she stiffens next to me and pulls her hand back. “What’s wrong? Scared my humanness is contagious?” The temperature in the room drops several degrees from the iciness emanating from Bethany.

 

“No,” he mumbles almost inaudibly. “My fucking brother is the contagious one.” I have no idea what he’s talking about, but I’m ticked off that the big jerk hurt Bethany’s feelings. Then I notice how pale he is and wonder if he’s caught his parents’ illness.

 

“Look here, Yogi.” My fiery sister doesn’t need my protection. Bethany glares at Clay. “We’ve had a busy first day and we’re all tired. If you want to try the honey buns, come back another day, or not, it’s no skin off my nose.”

 

“Yogi?” Clay’s nostrils flare as he growls. Behind him, Thorne bursts out laughing. “Yogi?” I’m pretty sure the jerk bear hasn’t ever had a human woman put him in his place. “I should whip your gorgeous ass for calling me Yogi in public.” The temperature in the bakery rises drastically as my redheaded sister stares at the huge bear shifter.

 

“I’m going to move Angel Baby out of the line of fire.” Thorne lifts the tiny dog from Clay’s slack grasp before stepping over to wrap his arm around my shoulder. “This is getting interesting,” he mumbles next to my ear, and I forget all about my sister staring down his brother as Thorne’s warm breath brushes the side of my neck.

 

“Public? We’re the only people in the bakery,” my sister huffs. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I’ll knock your head off if you try to whip me.” Bethany turns her back to the bear shifter and walks toward the kitchen, ignoring his ticked-off growls.

 

“Sweet girl.” I glance up and realize Thorne’s speaking to me. “This moron is my brother, Clay.” I’d already figured that out, but I’m grateful for the change of subject.

 

“Hello, Clay.” I hold out my hand to him and watch him swallow as he returns my shake. “I’m Mabel.”

 

“Nice to meet you.” Clay’s complexion is slowly returning to its normal deep tan. “I’m this big asshole’s better-looking brother.” I almost laugh as he tells me the same exact thing Wilder told me earlier.

 

“I think Wilder claimed that title earlier.” I can’t help myself. Poking a bear seems to be my favorite pastime.

 

“That fucker is wrong. I’m much hotter than him.” Clay is so full of himself.

 

“You’re both wrong. I’m the best looking Bearly boy.” Thorne pulls me close, and the little dog leans over to lick the back of my hand. I pet Angel Baby while the two bears argue. I can see the Bearly boys need a lesson or two in humility.

 

“Come on, Angel Baby. It’s time for us to leave.” When Clay reaches for the dog and accidentally touches the side of my breast, Thorne detonates. His roar fills the bakery as he starts throwing punches. I cradle the tiny dog against my chest and step back while the two bear shifters destroy two chairs and knock over one of our brand-new tables.

 

The door opens and the youngest Bearly storms in. Just great. “What in the hell? I leave for one hour and this happens.” He doesn’t seem concerned his two older brothers are killing each other; instead, he glances at me and asks, “Who threw the first punch?”

 

I frown at his question. Who freaking cares which brother punched the other first? I make a mental note to buy a book about bear shifters, hoping it will help me understand these men.

 

Once the two bear shifters run out of steam, Wilder steps between them and smirks at Thorne. “I have your pink bikini top in my truck.” Now, I’m really freaking confused. “We’ll have to postpone our car washing party until Momma and Papa Bear are better. We don’t want them to miss all the fun.”

 

Thorne wipes a smear of blood from his bottom lip and growls, “What-the-fuck-ever.”

 

“You know, watching you prance around in a pink polka dot bikini while washing my three cars is going to be worth the black eye.” Clay laughs, and I suddenly feel like I’m in the twilight zone.

 

I make a mental note to find out what in the world Clay is talking about. Pink polka dot bikini?

 

Thorne, Clay, and Wilder all help me clean up the mess they made in the bakery. I can sense a crazy undercurrent surrounding us, but I have no idea what it means. My heart hopes Thorne’s actions mean he has feelings for me, but my mind doubts it’s true. Once we finish, Clay turns to me. “I’m sorry about the mess. I’ll make sure to bring you two new chairs tomorrow.”

 

“Thank you,” I mutter. It’s the only response my befuddled mind can come up with.

 

By the time Clay and Wilder leave with Angel Baby, I’m a confused mess. I turn off the neon open sign hanging in the front window and turn to Thorne. “I really need you to explain a few things to me.” Boy, that’s a freaking understatement.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

 

 

 

Thorne

 

 

 

 

 

I’m ashamed of the pitiful display my brothers and I put on in front of my mate. “Come have a seat with me, sweet girl.” I take her soft hand in mine and lead her to one of the tables. “I’ll explain all I can to you.”

 

Fuck. I’m not sure where to even start, but I know I need to do something quick because I can’t bear the thought of losing her. No pun intended.