Page 23 of Trusting Her Bear

“Where did you work before, Sally?” I ask as I sit in the desk chair.

“I used to own a diner. An asshole burned that down, so I moved here.” She sits on the edge of the desk. “I’ve worked at several different restaurants, but nothing stuck. After you work for yourself, it’s difficult to go back to being an employee.”

“Yet, you want to work for Quinn?”

“It’s not the same.”

I raise an eyebrow but don’t argue. “Why did you move here?”

“I followed my friend, Saylor. You met her and her mate, Elijah, last night.” I nod. “I came to help her and decided to stick around. All the men are hot, plenty of single shifters are here to test out, and the people are friendly.”

“Are you seeing anyone now?”

“Only one?” she chuckles. “I like to shop around.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” I say.

We both turn as the door opens.

“Damn,” Sally whispers. A vampire glides to a stop in front of the desk. “You’re new,” Sally starts. “And yummy.”

He grins, his white teeth flashing through his beard. He has shaggy brown hair and a body as big as Quinn’s. He pulls out his phone as we stare at him, speechless.

“I am told to stay the fuck away from Quinn’s mate and go to Bash’s office until he is done with his client. Which one of you is the mate? The bear?” he asks, hitting a button on his phone. I raise my hand. He tilts his head. “He’s a lucky bear.”

“Thanks,” I breathe.

“You are a sexy rabbit,” he says, smirking at Sally. I’m surprised she hasn’t fallen off the desk to run to him.

“Sally,” she finally whispers.

“Nice to meet you,” he says. “I’m Micah.” His phone makes a beeping noise again, and he looks down. “He is demanding I go now. I’ll be in Bash’s office until the woman is gone.” He waves as he walks around the desk toward the hallway.

We follow his progress, our heads twisting severely. He’s wearing jeans that are just the right amount of baggy, with rips on the knees. The long-sleeved black shirt hugs his lovely muscles.

“You’re drooling,” Sally whispers.

“Nuh-uh, you’re drooling,” I whisper back.

“You have a mate,” she reminds me.

“I know.” I whip around, crossing my arms.

“I can look all I want,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“I can appreciate a well-put-together man,” I say snottily.

“No, you can’t.” She leans down and whispers, “Quinn will kill whoever you look at.”

“Whatever,” I mumble and pick up my phone to read a text.

Micah must know Quinn well. He’s a vampire, and I can feel the power he holds. We can sense a shifter or vampire's power when in their presence. Even though my animal is strong and not scared of many things, being hesitant around a vampire is smart. Their movements are so fast it’s difficult for even a shifter to track. Anything ancient and powerful demands respect.

“I haven’t heard any of the crew mention Micah,” Sally says. “Such a shame. He’s delicious.”

I grin and shake my head, but my humor stops abruptly when Quinn’s door opens. The woman doesn’t glance at us and is quickly out the door.

“Do you think she will come back?” Sally asks.

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