Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
My phone dings, and I glance down at the screen to see who’s sending me a message.
Unknown
I’m a moron.
Me
Who is this?
Before I even type out the message, I know the answer to my question. Our first meeting has been running through my mind on a continuous loop since we met yesterday.
Unknown
Your mate.
My heart squeezes in my chest for a second before it accelerates. Oh, man. After the way he acted yesterday, I figured Clay Bearly would avoid me.
Me
I don’t have a mate.
Unknown
Yes, you do.
If this jerk thinks I’m going to be his doormat, he’s got another thing coming.
Me
I’m not impressed with your dumb caveman act.
Three dots appear on the screen and then disappear. The little dots come back and disappear two more times before his message finally pops up.
Unknown
Can we start over? I’m sorry I was a stupid moron.
Me
Why do you want to start over?
Unknown
Because you’re my mate and your sister is my brother’s mate.
Me
Wrong answer, jerkoff.
After sending the message, I block the jerk bear shifter’s number and toss my phone down on the sofa next to me.
“I left you a few drops of hot water.” Cora strolls into the living room wrapped in a pink fluffy robe. “But not many.” I stayed down in the bakery trying to get our computer system running, so my younger sister got the first shower again.
“Great,” I grumble, only half-aware of what we’re talking about.
“Aren’t you going to give me hell for using all the hot water?” I barely notice when my sister drops down on the sofa next to me. “Hello?” Cora snaps her fingers in front of my face.
“You probably did me a huge favor.” I blow out my breath. “A cold shower is just what the doctor ordered.”
“Why do you need a cold shower?” I head for the bathroom, ignoring her question. I need some time to come to grips with everything happening before I discuss it with my sisters.
The next night, I step out of my warm shower and find a message from another unknown number waiting on my phone. I’m tempted to erase it before even reading it, but my curiosity gets the best of me.
My heart turns to mush as I read the message.
Unknown
I wanted to let you know I’m thinking about you. Good night, Spicy Girl.
Me
You have the wrong number.
Unknown
No, I don’t, Bethany.
Me
Wishful thinking.
I can’t come up with any other response.
Unknown
How was your day?
His sudden change of subject sends my head spinning as I search my mind for a response. In the end, I just go with the crazy flow.
Me
Busy. Our new computer system is fighting me.
Unknown
I can help with that. Computers are my business.
I vaguely remember Mabel telling me that Clay owns an IT company and Wilder rents properties.
Me
I’m sure you don’t want to waste your time on our computer problems. Honey Buns is small potatoes to you.
Unknown
I’d do anything for you. Anything. What problem are you having?
Me
Call me. I’m getting tired of typing.
I can’t believe I actually told Clay Bearly to call me.
When my phone rings a few seconds later, I take a deep breath and answer. “Hello.”
“Hi.” Clay’s deep voice sends electricity flowing down my spine. “Before we talk about your computer issues, I want to get something out of the way.” Oh, man. I’m not sure I’m ready for a heart-to-heart with the hot bear shifter. “I’m sorry I acted like a moron when we met.” My heart softens as the sincerity in his voice echoes through the phone line. “I don’t know how to explain this without sounding like an idiot, so I’m just going to lay it out there.” I hold my breath, waiting for him to continue. “Your beauty blew me away, and I didn’t know how to act. I’ve never been good at dealing with strangers. I actually hate meeting new people.” I suddenly realize Clay Bearly is shy.
“Why wouldn’t you shake my hand?” I have to know.
“You blew my fucking mind. By the time my dumbass brain woke up and sent the signal to my hand to return the shake, I’d already offended you,” he growls. “My inner bear still isn’t talking to me over the way I treated you.”
“So, you’re trying to play nice with me to make your inner bear happy?” I must know the truth. My older sister tried to explain bear mating to me, but I still have so many questions.
“No.” Clay sighs. “I’m not playing anything. I’m trying to convince you to give me a chance to make this right, or I’ll regret losing my mate for the rest of my life.”
I reach down and flick a little piece of lint from my bright pink pajamas while debating my options. Deep in my soul, I know I’ll regret it forever if I don’t take a chance. “Why don’t you help me with my computer issues, and we’ll take things from there?”