Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 17637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“My dad’s a grizzly shifter from Honey Pot Hollow. He met my mom, a polar bear shifter, when he moved here, and they mated the same day.” I give him the abbreviated version. “Since polar bear genes are stronger, they ended up with three male polar bear cubs and one perfect female grizzly.” I point at myself, batting my eyelashes.
“You are fucking perfect,” he breathes, causing my inner hussy to melt into a puddle of goo. I glance over his shoulder and notice all three of my brothers have pulled out homemade signs, which they hold up for inspection. Crudely designed on poster board, they're scrawled with numbers ranging from six to nine in thick bold markers. Those jerks are judging Sawyer’s flirting attempts.
Gabe’s grinning with a bold ‘seven’ held high, while Grant languidly hoists a ‘three’, with Dillon nonchalantly tossing a rigid ‘nine’ into the air. The entire thing seems like an orchestrated episode of a reality show in the middle of my café. My cheeks burn furiously as I shoot my brothers an incredulous look, half-hoping customers think it’s a new form of café entertainment.
Sawyer follows my gaze and lets out a low chuckle when he sees the signs. "Judging me, huh?" he asks, his eyes twinkling with humor more than anything else.
I set a steaming cup in front of him with an exaggerated ceremony, deciding to face the absurdity with bravado. “They clearly have experience in flirting scenarios and exceptional subtlety,” I snipe, loud enough for the entire coffee shop and specifically my brothers to hear.
Grant whistles, dropping his sign to offer me an unapologetic shrug. “We’re just doing our brotherly duties.”
Gabe adds, “Don’t worry, Sawyer, we’re still undecided on who’s going to kick your ass on general principle.”
“Yeah, I think dealing with Gianna for the rest of eternity is punishment enough,” Dillon chimes, tapping his nine as if to ratify this minor victory.
Sawyer grins widely, balancing his cup between his fingers with the ease of someone who’s faced far stranger scenarios in the ER than brotherly banter. He leans ever so slightly across the counter to murmur, “Considering the judging panel, I’ll definitely aim for perfect tens by the end of the week.”
I roll my eyes dramatically but can’t help the laughter bubbling up, even as I attempt a semblance of dignity with the trio of trouble watching closely. “You’d better keep practicing then, Dr. Silva. The stakes just got higher.”
“Challenge accepted, hot stuff,” he replies, his smile utterly disarming. The kind of smile that insinuates he’s genuinely up for whatever obstacle my brothers decide to throw his way.
“Hot stuff?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
“It fits you. At first, my bear recommended ‘short stuff,’ but I figured that nickname might get my ass kicked.” He winks and I swear my inner bear rolls over and pants like the hussy she is.
“You figured correctly.” I laugh as a new customer walks over to the counter, drawing my attention.
As Sawyer heads to a table to enjoy his drink and possibly plot tomorrow’s charms, I turn back to my brothers, who’re still pretending to be unimpressed judges at an imaginary competition. I cross my arms, giving them a faux-intense glare, suppressing my grin.
“Next time, you guys should aim for stealth mode,” I huff, but they just laugh, savoring the spectacle of their morning prank.
I know this game isn’t over. Not for my brothers with their antics, and certainly not for me and Sawyer. Our story is just beginning, and I'm kind of excited to see where it will lead. After I give Sawyer a run for his money, that is. Let the games begin.
Chapter 4
Sawyer
By the time I’ve visited Rise and Grind every day for a solid week, I’m running mostly on caffeine and I’m running out of patience. I’ve tried to play it cool, but at this point, my bear is pacing around in my subconscious, grumbling and urging me in no uncertain terms to make a move.
Since moving to Glacier Pass to avoid the chaotic hustle I left behind, I’ve quickly discovered that my mornings at Rise and Grind, with Gianna behind the counter, are the opposite of boring. They’re charming, and exactly the kind of uproarious connection my bear isn’t used to but deeply craves. It doesn’t help that my mornings unfold with a judgment crew, also known as her brothers.
Initially, their antics caught me off guard. But over the past few days, dealing with Grant, Gabe, and Dillon in the middle of my attempt to win over my mate has become a sport of its own. These three are relentless, but damn it if I’m not growing fond of their antics.
Today, I know it’s time. My bear’s irritation and restlessness have reached unbearable levels, excuse the pun. So, I resolve to make my move.
Inside Rise and Grind, the place hums with the usual morning buzz, the smell of roasted coffee beans mingling with the crisp Glacier Pass air. My usual khaki dress pants feel especially fitting today, hugging my cock which has been in a perpetual state of readiness since the moment I laid eyes on Gianna.