Page 14 of His Determined Bear

I froze but didn’t dare spin around. I took my time shutting the cupboard and even straightened my shirt before turning. I wasn’t surprised to find him. Yeah, because you recognized that sexy voice that made you want to do dirty things in the shower.

And I would admit that I’d seen his face in my dreams the night before. Didn’t you promise yourself to pretend that didn’t happen?

Trying to appear like he didn’t stir up some major lust in my body, I folded my arms and glared at him. “Is this like your thing, creeping up on unsuspecting people for fun?”

“It only seems like creeping to people that have something to hide,” he retorted nonplussed. “Do you have something to hide, Cooper?”

I tried not to react to the sound of my name from his mouth or the cold chills that raced over my body at the timbre of his voice. Or the fact that he obviously knew who I was. Probably even realized it the day before.

I have nothing to feel guilty about. I hadn’t said anything bad besides I was protecting my mom. If he had a problem with that, he could kick rocks.Preferably while naked.

“I don’t know what you mean, but you just showing up where I am two days in a row? One could think you were a stalker or something.”

“Someone has quite a high opinion of themself.” I could almost feel his beautiful eyes as they traveled down my body, then back up to my face. And I refused to let him see how much it affected me or my dick.

“Maybe I just have a problem with people who go through other people’s property without permission,” he smirked as if he were enjoying the banter we had going back and forth like a game of tennis.

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance I certainly didn’t feel, “So sue me.”

His lips curved slightly on one side, “Tempting, but there are a lot of things I want to do with you… and suing isn’t on the list.”

Was he flirting with me? God, please let him be flirting with me. It had been so long.

Before I could come up with a witty reply, he said, “Lunch is served. Aaron and your mom are waiting for us.”

I nodded, but he didn’t move to leave. So I raised a brow, “I’m pretty sure I can find my way.”

He inclined his head, acknowledging he’d heard me but still didn’t move. “Just so you know, Aaron is a good man,” he said.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” I said, walking towards him on my way to the back patio where I knew lunch was being served. I could smell the delicious scent of sugar and butter on his skin, reminding me of his brownies in the kitchen. I wanted to lick him all over, but not now. Just as I was about to walk past him, I paused, “You know, whipping your butter and brown sugar together and melting it a little would keep your brownies from being so dry. Just a tip.”

With that little tip, and not the one I wanted in my ass, I walked past him, forcing myself not to check to see if he was following me. I knew he was because, for some reason, every inch of my body was suddenly attuned to him.

And I wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that.

Chapter 6

Graham

“I probably wouldn't have opened my bakery if it weren't for Aaron,” I insisted, looking over at Kelly. “He never wants to take the credit, but it was all him. Even when I thought I would be satisfied just starting the Crazy Bear Pastries line, he knew it wasn't what I really wanted to do. Without his influence, I would have stopped there because it felt like I was still baking.”

“But it wasn't what you imagined building for yourself,” Aaron pointed out.

“Yeah, you’re right, but I didn't know that back then. I thought it was enough at the time, and I figured I would be satisfied to bake for my family and friends," I replied, smiling at Aaron.

“But you kept talking about one day opening your own bakery/cafe,” Aaron reminded me.

“And one day Aaron said, ‘Why not now, why wait?’” I finished for him.

Kelly smiled up at Aaron, “I’m not surprised at that. He was encouraging with everything I was doing to renovate my house by myself. I was going to contract someone to complete the remodel because I didn’t think I could do it….”

“But you did because you’re amazing,” Aaron smiled at his mate before leaning in to steal a kiss.

I’d been doing my best to ignore Cooper, my sulking mate, who stubbornly refused to join the conversation. He’d only spoken when he’d been asked a question. Even though this was the first time we’d met, I really liked Kelly. I was thrilled to see that she was absolutely perfect for Aaron. Not that Great Urs would do any less.

Fuck. I sat up. It had just hit me that Aaron would be my father-in-law when… I glanced my mate’s way, and sure enough, just like he’d been doing all through lunch, he was shooting me evil looks. His narrowed gaze had barely left me today, not that I was complaining.

I don’t know why I did it, but I grinned at him. Just as I thought, he rolled his eyes before looking away.

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