Page 17 of Bear Boss's Mate
“Don’t be sorry. Without Mick, I wouldn’t have found you. I mean, I love my job with your company. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I just wish he’d move on.” She pursed her lips, hoping he hadn’t noticed her slip-up.
“It’s been two months, and he won’t leave me alone. The flowers he sent me were a taunt to say that he knows where I work. He threatens me repeatedly, and as you saw tonight he’s got a real problem with shifters. He said he’ll kill me if I date one. Then again, he told me he didn’t want me going out withanyoneelse, ever. I haven’t been on a date since I left my old job.” She shrugged.
“I hope you don’t think I’m whining. I’m not. I manage okay on my own.” Marcy grimaced and shrank in her seat.
In truth, she wasn’t so sure shecouldlook after herself if tonight was any indication. But that wasn’t Austin’s problem.
She heaved a sigh. It was pretty clear Austin could take care of himself. Especially after what she had witnessed earlier. What she wasn’t so sure of was whethershewould be safe if Mick got her alone.
Austin grinned. “I’m glad you’re happy working for us.” He appeared distracted as the sound of a cell phone buzzed again. “Men who hit women are the worst kind of coward there is. I hope you don’t think all men are like him. I assure you, we’re not.” His eyes met hers.
Marcy nodded. “I know most men aren’t like Mick. But because of him, it’s been hard to get on with my life. He just continues to stalk me. It never seems to end. Tonight was pretty awful, and I am sorry about that.” She pushed some stray hair off her face and placed her hands flat on the table.
Austin’s brow creased. He reached across to touch Marcy’s hand and stroked it. “Tonight was not your fault. I’m glad I was there. If you ever need help, if he bothers you again, please call me. Any time. Day or night. Okay?” Their eyes stayed locked in a long gaze.
Marcy looked away, unsure how to respond. She sipped her wine and looked down at Austin’s hand. His touch was comforting. Heat coursed through her entire body as she glanced back at him to catch him still staring back at her.
The restaurant staff took away their dishes and returned with their next course.
Marcy was silent as she tucked into her salad, enjoying the flavor and the time to gather her thoughts. She’d said more than she had intended and hoped he wouldn’t think badly of her now that all her secrets were out.
She also hoped he might understand her reluctance to date anyone right now.
When she glanced over at Austin, he was staring at his phone, looking annoyed.
“Everything okay?” she asked him, not sure if he wanted to share what was going on.
He looked up with his lips pressed. “Sorry to check my phone. I have it on vibrate, but it has been going off since we sat down. It’s Bern. Apparently, there’s been some vandalism at the office.”
Marcy gasped and her eye’s widened. “What happened?”
Austin rubbed his chin, looking calm as usual. “Someone smashed a window out. The alarm company called Bern when they couldn’t reach me.” He brushed it off with a gesture of his hand, placing his cell phone back in his pocket.
“Has that happened before?” Her stomach roiled with worry over why it had happened.
He shook his head. “No. It’s nothing to worry about. Bern will take care of it right away. I’m sorry I was distracted. I’m all yours now.” The corners of his lips turned up in a delicious grin.
As the dinner continued, Marcy and Austin realized how much they had in common. Both were solitary people that preferred a quieter social life with just a few trustworthy friends around them.
She found herself even more attracted to Austin by the end of the meal. When the bill came and they were ready to leave, she didn’t want the evening to end.
AUSTIN AND MARCY LEFTthe restaurant and stepped outside. The evening temperature had plummeted, and it had turned cold. Marcy put her arm through his to walk back to his car. He moved closer, which made her happy. She appreciated the warmth his body seemed to generate, snuggling in tight as they walked.
The glasses of wine left her less inhibited than usual, and she hoped he wouldn’t take her home right away. Austin seemed pensive, and she worried she’d said too much. She opened up to him a lot more than she’d intended.
It surprised her how easy he was to talk to now that they were alone and outside of work. Everything about him filled her with longing.
Austin turned to her when they got to his vehicle and surprised her with a question she had hoped for, but not expected.
“It’s still early. Would you like to come over to my place for a while? I have a nice fireplace. We can keep getting to know each other, maybe share more wine in front of the fire?” He gave her a cheeky grin and she couldn’t help but return it.
She knew she didn’t want the evening to be over yet. “Yes. I would like that.”
They got into the car and headed to his home just ten minutes outside of town. The drive took them along a tree-lined road with houses on one side of it, spaced far apart.
Marcy was comfortable and safe with Austin.
There was none of the usual tension she’d been dealing with off and on over the past few months.
