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)
“And bet against myself?” His defeated growl tells me I have him. Hook, line, and sinker.
“It should be an easy win unless you’re worried about keeping control,” I add to seal my win.
“I’m in. I bet I can go all day long without touching one asshole,” Thorne grumbles, and I mentally fist-bump my bear. Score. I can’t wait to hold my accomplishment over Wilder’s head.
“I’m recording this conversation. For proof and all.” I’m not really, but Thorne doesn’t know that. Bearly brothers don’t welsh on a bet.
“Fuck off.” He hangs up before I’m able to give him any more shit.
After I spend most of the day spoiling Angel Baby rotten, I decide to drive into Honey Pot Hollow and check out the new bakery for myself. “Come on, Angel Baby.” I pick up the tiny Chihuahua and put on his harness with the bright orange bow tie just to piss off Thorne. “It’s time to go torture your daddy. If we play our cards right, he’ll lose his temper and we’ll get to see him in a bright pink and white polka dot bikini top.”
The tiny tan animal glances up at me with a look of adoration, and I can’t resist petting his head as I place him in the dog car seat. Okay. My entire family is a little fucked in the head. We all have a dog car seat for the little Chihuahua.
After parking in the lot behind Honey Buns, I grab Angel Baby and walk around the side of the brick building. My brother did an outstanding job turning the dilapidated storefront into an adorable business. I’m proud of the asshole, but it would take an act of God to get me to actually admit it to him.
The old-fashioned bell rings as I push the heavy glass door open. I glance behind the counter and see an adorable blonde look up and smile at me. “Hi. I’ll be right with you.” I can see why my older brother fell hard for Mabel Sweet. Her wide-set cornflower blue eyes sparkle as she glances down at the tiny dog in my arms.
“Clay can wait,” Thorne, the jealous dipshit, growls as the kitchen door swings open.
My bear sits up and growls, “Mine,” as I stare at the stunning redhead walking toward us. I feel sweat breaking out on my brow and swallow as my bear wakes up. “I’m so fucked.” Angel Baby jumps at the sound of my voice, but I can’t soothe the little shit when my world is imploding all around me. She’s goddamn perfect.
“We’re out of honey buns,” my stunning mate mutters, unaware of the tension swirling around us. “We ran through these things like crazy. I think we should close up since we’ve sold out. Cora already headed upstairs to get the first shower, which is a good thing since she’s acting like a crabapple.” Her emerald-green eyes widen when she notices me for the first time. My eyes slowly travel over her luscious curves, causing my hands to tighten around the tiny dog I’m holding. Angel Baby grumbles, but I ignore him and attempt to get my fried brain circuits to fire.
Don’t be a fucking moron. Play it cool. My bear roars in my ear.
My teeth burst through my gums as her delicate floral scent wraps around me. Her curly, dark red hair falls around her shoulders in ringlets, and I barely resist the urge to run my fingers through it to see if it feels as soft as it looks.
Shock holds me frozen as she smiles and holds out her hand. “Uh, hello. I’m Bethany Sweet.” My bear hisses, “fucking dumbass,” in my ear when I glance down at her outstretched hand but don’t reach for it.
Something in the back of my mind screams that I’m already fucking this up, but I can’t stop myself. I stare down at her delicate hand for a second before glancing up into her shocked emerald eyes. I’m a goddamn moron, but I can’t wipe the shocked horror from my face as my hand refuses to move. “What’s wrong? Scared my humanness is contagious?” she taunts, and my bear groans sadly.
“No,” I manage to mutter past the lump in my throat. “My fucking brother is the contagious one.”
“You are a fucking dumbass moron,” my bear growls. “And we’re going to spend the rest of our life mateless and lonely because you fucked this up.”
“No shit, Sherlock,” I grumble back as my brain and body combat the crazy emotions running through me.
“Look here, Yogi.” Her adorable growl sends every drop of blood in my body straight to my cock. My bear celebrates the nickname from my mate while my human side winces at the childish name. “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.” She takes a step back, and I loathe the distance growing between us.