But she reacts to the praise–sucking in a breath.Her scent–that incredible, delectable scent–grows stronger.My gums ache as my fangs descend.I turn away from her and grip the counter because the urge to pin her down and mark her is so overwhelming.
My bear roars with possessive triumph.He wants to touch her, hold her, protect her.My bear has a million dark and dirty things he wants to do to her.
I’ve got to get myself under control.
“I’m fine.”She sounds a little breathless.Her cheeks pinken, and her pupils are blown–a sure sign of arousal.If I didn’t know this from my medical training, I’d know it because I can smell all her secrets.
Does she like being called a good girl?
I want to make hermygood girl.I want to carry her home, tie her to my bed, and feast between her legs.Train that intimidation right out of her and teach her she’s more than safe with me.I’ll take care of her every need.She’ll obey my every order…
Fuck.No.That can’t happen.I already know that can never happen.Maisy is far too young.She’s in her early twenties, but I’m thirty-two and an authority figure in her life.I have power over her, power that it’d be wrong to exploit.She can’t even look me in the eye without falling over.She definitely couldn’t handle me or my bear.I’m way too much for her.
So I go dom-lite, fixing her with an authoritative gaze and a raised brow.“Maisy, you’re in pain.You’re not going anywhere until I figure out what’s wrong.”
Maisy
There are six things you should know about me:
I have PCOS
I make a mean spiced pumpkin latte–with real pumpkin as the OG recipe calls for
I run a coffee shop with my grandmother, Daisy
Yes, I drink waaaaay too much caffeine
I’m an avid reader and someday want to expand the cafe to add a bookstore and brewery
But Dr.Hunk–aka Matthias Stark–makes my heart beat faster than a venti blonde roast with quadruple espresso shots
Right now, I sit on the patient table, staring at the floor.If I look at the good doctor, I will spontaneously combust.I’m already hot all over, just from getting whiffs of his sophisticated cologne.
Be cool, be cool… whatever you do, don’t drool!
He’s wearing blue scrubs.Not the blue scrubs!Blue is a calming color, but that’s not how it affects me.His dark skin seems to glow against it, and the way his short sleeves show off his powerful biceps makes me feel like I have a heart condition.
Have you ever been around a guy so hot it destroys your brain?I live a pretty sheltered life on Bad Bear mountain.I don’t really party.I perv on celebrities like everyone else, but Dr.Hunk is a real life celebrity–sexy, smart, perfect.After the Latte Incident where he said good morning, and I shouted “BLARG!”and spilled an entire oat milk latte on myself, I’ve learned to avoid him.So there is definitely no way I can have this conversation withhim.
“I thought you’d be the nurse,” I blurt.
“Nancy had to leave early.I can help you.”He regards me with his dreamy brown eyes.His glasses only emphasize how gorgeous he is.He looks so collected and in control, but I know his secret.He’s a bear shifter.Most of the residents of Bad Bear know that Winnie and the seven now-grown boys she adopted are different from the rest of us, but we protect that secret, and in return, they protect and give back to the town.
The fact that Dr.Hunk is a bear means he has a wild side.I wonder if he lets it out in the bedroom...
Gah!I need to stop perving on the good doctor.He’s not an object of desire.It’s not his fault he’s perfect in every way.
“No.You can’t.”I tug on my shirt, pulling it down to hide my belly.Why, oh why did I wear a cropped sweater today of all days?One of my New Year's resolutions is to be braver.Another was making this health care appointment.Between running the cafe and helping my grandma, Daisy, with Winterfest, I don’t really have time, but the pain has gotten unbearable.
He catches my hand, staying it.It’s a light touch, but his big hand almost swallows mine.“Maisy, please.”His other hand slides over my belly.It’s warm, the touch sensual although I’m sure he doesn’t mean it to be.“What hurts?”He slides his hand across my abdomen like he’s soothing me.
I close my eyes.His sandalwood scent surrounds me, warm and comforting.I want to roll on my back and offer my belly to him like a puppy.
Yes, please.Please touch me more.
Crap, he asked me a question, and he’s waiting for me to answer.
Eek.It took a lot for me to even come in today, and now I have to talk about my private parts with my long-time crush?“It’s my ovaries.”
