Damn, this was a good day.
Before he could introduce himself, the woman’s pretty face skewed, and she rolled her brown eyes.
“Seriously? That’s the line you’re going with?”
She hurried behind a set of stainless-steel doors and he couldn’t help but enjoy the sway of her hips as she went. Dax followed as far as the counter. A moment later, the sprinklers hissed, and the water trickled to a stop.
She came back out with a thick towel in one hand, placed another on the counter and began blotting her hair. Despite being wet, her hair was starting to curl at the ends.
“Can I help you?” The flat tone to her voice screamed annoyance.
Dax flashed her a smile. He was dripping a bit himself. “Got another towel?”
“No.”
His eyebrows raised. “No?”
He appreciated her spunk, and honestly, it was the only reason he was still standing here. That, and the fact that his father had strong-armed him into coming. His dad loved Sticky Sweet Bakery’s maple sticky buns and jumped at the chance when the bakery called for help. Mitchell Construction, to the rescue, despite that they exclusively did corporate work now. Oh, the power of baked goods to help the little guy, apparently.
Her hands slapped against her hips in a helpless gesture before she tossed the extra towel at him. Dax caught it with one hand. Her expression fell as a distinctive tremble claimed her lower lip.
Oh no. Bad day... this was turning into a very bad day.
“Everything. Is. Soaked clear through.” Her voice was thick and broken.
Despite the counter being between them, he took a step back. Women’s tears were not his forte. He avoided female emotions at all costs unless lust was involved. That he welcomed with open arms.
“Yeah, that, uh, that sucks.”
Her gaze steeled to his and her voice firmed up. “Yeah.”
He took another little step back as she narrowed her eyes and came through the half door to stand beside him. He could pick her up with one arm and carry her around like a curvy little doll, but the look on her face scared the hell out of him. Bear shifter or not, being on the receiving end of a woman’s emotional roll was not his idea of a good time.
“You know what else sucks? Having to send all my staff home and close my bakery for a week. Losing profits sucks. And now the something made the sprinklers turn on...”
“A raccoon.”
She blinked. He smiled. Well, that shut her up.
“Wh-what?”
Dax wiped stray drips of water from his face. His bear had smelled the offending rodent before he saw it. The animal inside had him churned around, begging to be let out like a dog itching to chase a squirrel up a tree.
“It’s a mammal. Grey-ish, black, and white. Looks like it’s wearing a cute little burglar mask. Probably ate through a wire and caused the sprinklers to default.”
She cocked her head, exposing the length of her creamy white neck. “You’re goddamned adorable, aren’t you? Get out.”
All that curly, wavy mess of hair fell over one shoulder and he had the strongest urge to run his fingers through it and pull her pink lips to his. The flash of anger in her eyes made his cock stir. Well, hello lust. Nice of you to wake up now. How could he help it? Between her kissable lips and temper, he was almost beside himself.
“Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Seriously.” she sighed. “Animal control just plucked two out of here the other day.”
Her teeth were even and white, with one eye tooth that jutted forward with a little sass. She had the kind of skin that glowed like she’d spent hours doing whatever women did to get that effect. He wanted to cup her jaw and run his thumbs over the smooth rise of her cheeks, feel all that satiny skin under his fingers.
With a mental shake, Dax drew himself back to the moment.
“I saw one climbing out of your little attic window before I came in.”
