Page 36 of The Thief

“It’s the sneakers. I didn’t mean to startle you, but it was so quiet in here that I thought you might have fled out the back door.” I stepped closer, then massaged the back of his head. “What do you think?”

He lowered his head and sighed. “That you have the hands of an angel.”

A smile flashed across my face. What a sweetheart. “I meant about the kitchen.”

“Oh.”

When his brown eyes skimmed up my body, I got a shiver. My hand slid down to his cheek. Bear smelled nice up close. Not like aftershave or cologne but a robust, woodsy scent, as if he were imbued with sage, rosemary, and all the wonderful spices he cooked with. My good sense temporarily left my body when I dipped my nose in his hair and drew in a breath.

Bear gripped the back of my leg and growled.

My wolf pulsed against my skin in response to his needy touch.

Startled by my wolf’s reaction, I stepped back. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“You’re right.” Bear stood and flattened his hands on the counter.

Silences had never been awkward between us, but this one was.

“What’s your verdict on the kitchen?” I asked.

“The appliances work, but it’s filthy. There’s a storage area, a large walk-in cooler where he keeps the kegs, and a freezer for ice cream or frozen fruit. The cabinets are empty, so we need cookware, utensils, plates, shelving racks, containers—and that’s not counting the food. There’s also a hole in the wall I need to patch up.”

I ran my finger over the grimy counter. “I could help.”

He twisted toward me, which emphasized his broad shoulders. “I got this. There’s a ton of work to do, but it’s doable. I need money from Calvin for cleaning supplies so I can get started.”

“You know that hardware store down the road? They sell bleach and all kinds of things.”

“I shouldn’t leave you alone.”

I looked at the nasty grime around the stove area. “If you sit here, you’ll waste the day. Go on and get what you need—it shouldn’t take long. Robyn and Joy are keeping me company.”

He wiped his hands on his shirt. “Are you sure?”

“Calvin’s got a loaded shotgun behind the counter. Does that make you feel better?”

He drew closer like a magnet. “Stay inside.”

I crossed my fingers over my heart. “I promise. But only if you buy me some sweets.”

His dark eyes twinkled. “What kind?”

“I’m not picky.”

Bear gave me a crooked smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

I loved when he called me “ma’am.” Humans disliked the term because it made them feel old, and some thought it old-fashioned. But to me, it showed respect—one of the most attractive qualities about him. It also made my toes curl whenever he said it in that rumbly voice.

I stared at a giant blade on the wall. “What in the world?”

“That was already here. It’s a meat cleaver but for decoration. They don’t make any that size.”

“I’m afraid to ask what’s in the icebox.”

Upon entering the main room, Bear branched away to ask Calvin for money, and I cleared tables. Even though Robyn and Joy had shown up to have fun, they knew I still had to work. Montana had dropped them off so he could run errands and planned to collect them later.

I handed Calvin an empty pitcher while he washed glasses behind the bar. “Is there anything you need me to do?”

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