Page 10 of Bear Boss's Mate
Women like Sheila used sex as a means of control and to find a rich husband. He didn’t want any kind of future with her. Besides, he liked women with meat on their bones and plenty of curves.
He was certain Marcy was the woman he’d been waiting for. His bear thought so, too. Since bear shifters had multiple births from one pregnancy, his mate had to be sturdy enough to handle it.Marcywas that mate.
His mind drifted to more lustful thoughts about Marcy and how she might respond to his touch. He longed to hear her scream out his name as he pleasured her over and over. There was a knock at the door, pulling Austin from his thoughts. He adjusted his trousers, waiting a moment for his erection to subside before answering.
He cleared his throat. “Come in.”
The door opened, and Marcy stood staring back at him, wearing a sweet smile. Her big blue eyes sparkled as she spoke. He could see she was out of breath. She had a file folder in her hand. “Sorry to bother you. I have some papers for you to sign.”
His office was on the top floor of their building, and he tended to not venture down to her department very often. So far, he’d only seen her at the Monday meetings.
According to Bern, the staff that she was overseeing seemed quite fond of her and spoke highly of her and her work ethic.She’d spoken up at this week’s meeting, updating everyone about her department, but she’d barely made eye contact with him.
He felt sure she fitted in well, but was still unsure ofhim.
Seeing her standing in the doorway of his office, all he wanted was to spend time with her. Alone.
His throat was dry at the thought of pleasuring her until she screamed his name in ecstasy. He wondered if she’d be open to the idea of a date. Her now familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon wafted in his direction, leaving parts of him and his inner bear standing to attention.
“Come on in and close the door,” he said as his eyes slipped to her heaving chest and back to her face in one quick movement.Why is she breathing so fast?The rise and fall of her ample bosom made his throat dry. He bit his bottom lip, stifling a moan.
Marcy didn’t notice his gaze because she was looking down at the file in her hand. She continued to stand half in and half out of the office doorway.
She looked flustered herself. A blush rose in her cheeks as her eyes slid up to meet his. “You don’t have to be afraid of me,” he teased.
“I’m not,” she whispered, looking at him through thick lashes. She walked over to his desk and passed him the folder.
He inhaled and motioned to her. “Have a seat. I’ll sign these for you now.”
Marcy fidgeted after popping the file into his hand. “I can leave them here. I’m sure you want to get home.” She took a step back and rubbed her hands down her sides.
“I’m in no rush, but if you have to get home to your boyfriend, I understand. I’ll put them on your desk when I’m done,” said Austin. He hoped she’d settle the boyfriend issue once and for all.
She flinched when he mentioned her boyfriend. Was that fear? He studied her face while forcing his bear to be quiet.
“I live alone and I’m not seeing anyone,” she blurted, looking stunned.
“Oh? I thought. On your first day here, the flowers—”
“They were from a guy I hung out with a couple of times,” she interrupted, rolling her eyes. “I stopped going out with him months ago. The situation’s complicated.” Looking uncomfortable, she smoothed some hair off her cheek with one hand and let out a sigh. Austin pushed down the urge to go to her and wrap his arms around her.
His face lit up with a close-lipped smile, and he wondered if she realized how attracted he was to her. Marcy began to bite her lip and twirled a strand of stray hair between her fingertips. Their eyes locked. He watched as she blushed and looked away.
She wasn’t throwing herself at him like some other women did. In fact, he was sure she’d been avoiding him.
He was intrigued.
He opened the file folder and began signing the papers. There was a long pause before he spoke. He couldn’t help himself. “So, you’re single?”
“Uhm. Yes,” she said.
Austin stopped writing and made eye contact with her. “In that case, I would like to take you out sometime.”
Her lips parted, and she inhaled sharply. “Really? Isn’t there a rule about dating employees?” She continued to twist her hair with her fingers.
Her hands were shaking, and Austin put it down to a personality quirk. Then he remembered what Bern had told him about her. He hoped she’d give him a chance for them to get to know one another.
Smoothing his hand along his jaw, he let out a laugh. “Not a rule that I’m aware of, and I’m the CEO. It’s just a date. If you say no, you won’t lose your job, I promise.”
