Page 11 of Sunshine for the Grumpy Grizzly

“She’s doing her best. Can’t you see that?” I snarl.

His mouth falls open. “I-I was talking to her.”

“Then you’ll talk to her with some manners. Like the princess she is.”

His jaw twitches. “Princess. Right.” He clears his throat. “Come on.” He turns on his heel and stalks across the lobby.

“I’d better go,” Lucy says, her cheeks hot. She follows after him. But as she passes through the door, she turns and gives me a long look.

Like she doesn’t want to go.

Like she wants to stay here with me.

Mine, my beast purrs, and the claiming urge burns through me like a lightning bolt.

4

Lucy

Ipoke my head around Natasha’s door.

She’s perching on the edge of her bed, lip curled, surveying the room in disgust.

“See you by the firepit at seven p.m.,” I say.

Her head snaps toward me. “This better be good, Lucy,” she snarls.

Wow, I didn’t know her voice could get like that. She sounds like she’s half grizzly bear.

“It will be!” I squeak. I let the door fall shut and dash back to my own room. Who knows if that’s the case, but the scary mountain man looked kinda happy when he offered to go get the stuff for the barbecue. Like he stopped looking grumpy, and suddenly looked… like helikedme?

But that’s crazy.

I shut the door of my room and let the day wash over me.

Everyone issomad at me. It’s not my fault, but to be honest, it kinda hurts my feelings.

Thelookon my boss’s face when Preston yelled at him, though. He’s always scared the bejeezus out of me, but he suddenly seemed sosmall. So insignificant.

I don’t know if it’s from the stress or whatever, but suddenly I’m laughing hysterically at everything that’s happened today.

Whew. I wipe the tears off my cheeks. It’s been a real long day.

I gaze at the hot tub wistfully. It takes up almost a quarter of the room.

Ilooovewater features.

What I wouldn’t give to have a little soak. Take some of the tension out of my muscles.

I go over, lift the lid. The water is dreamy blue and it’s bubbling away gently, like it’s calling to me.

Come on in, Lucy. You don’t even need a bathing suit.

I giggle. Guess it’s right.

I’ll be so much livelier tonight if I have a little breather first.

Okay. I strip my shirt over my head and unfasten the zipper on my jeans.

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