Page 8 of Sunshine for the Grumpy Grizzly

She raises one of her adorable golden eyebrows. “Fitness center,” she continues.

“It’s open.”

A sigh rushes out of her. “Half of the equipment is broken.”

“Heated swimming pool,” she continues.

“Wine cellar and tasting room.”

“Where did you find all this stuff?” I demand.

“Right here on the booking app.”

“The what?”

She takes a big sighing breath, which pushes those beautiful tits of hers closer to my face.

“Right. I tried to make the booking through the app, but it failed to go through, which was why I wound up calling you.”

I work my jaw. This is the first I’m seeing of this “app”. Technology really isn’t my strong suit.

“Let me see.” I pick up the phone and try to move my fingers across the screen just like I saw her do.Rated: 5.3/10it says.Out of 1243 reviews.

“Is that good?” I ask.

The creases in her forehead get deeper. “No, it’s terrible,” she says, sounding all angry.

And that connects directly with my gut. I never want her to be angry with me.

“Should be ten out of ten, right?” I mutter.

Her eyes get real wide. Then something happens.

An incredible smile breaks out across her beautiful face, and she throws her head back andlaughs.

“You’re new to this, aren’t you?” she says through a bunch of breathy gasps.

Suddenly, I’m laughing, too. A sound I’ve never heard before is bursting from my mouth, and I don’t even have to try to tug my lips up at the corners. They’re doing that all by themselves.

Feels nice. More than nice. But that’s nothing compared to watching the joy transforming Lucy Cole’s beautiful face.

“I’m sorry, I just inherited the place,” I say, when I can talk again.

She looks around, taking in the grimy-ass lobby. “So, it’s not your fault it’s like this?”

“Nope.”

She gives me a look I don’t understand. Might be relief or something. I’m not good with this kind of thing.

“My grandaddy made me and my brother promise to keep it going, right before he died.”

She leans a little closer. “And you didn’t want to?”

I shrug. I’m not used to being asked questions about myself, and it’s making me feel all stirred up inside.

Those sky-blue eyes of hers narrow as they keep right on, staring into mine. “Well, we need to do something about this. My team isn’t happy, and they’re talking about leaving.”

Let ‘em leave. And you can have her all to yourself, my beast grumbles beneath my skin.

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