Page 11 of Hers to Call
Simon rewarded her with a big smile that caused a shaft of heat to surge through her. “How was your day, really?”
She thought about the nightmares she’d been having recently. “Good.”
He raised an eyebrow and pointed his fork at her. “Tut-tut, tell me the truth.”
“Not bad,” she held up her hands. “Honestly, just had a little trouble sleeping, as usual. I love my job, and I love it here, so any time I’m in the kitchen my day is going well.”
“You like it here?”
“Love it, it’s a great town, Simon. You’re a good alpha from what the bears around here have to say.”
His eyes softened at the compliment. “Thank you.”
She nodded and cleared her throat. If she wasn’t careful, the man would totally worm his way into her heart. That would be the ultimate no-no for a no strings relationship. She stood and gathered their empty plates. “I need to get back to work.”
He grabbed her hand and placed it between his, the warmth seeping into her skin. “Have you thought about my offer?”
Calita’s heart raced. “As if I could think about anything else.”
He smiled. The arrogance in the tilt of his lips made her legs weak. He didn’t say anything else.
“I don’t know yet,” she said, rushing to fill the silence. If he could be direct, she could give him the respect of being honest with him.
“That’s fair. I’m in no rush.” His eyes flickered gold, and his voice deepened. “That’s a lie. But, I’ll try for patience. You’ll learn that bears are slow and meticulous in all things.”
Her nipples pebbled and scraped against the lace of her bra. Lord, but this man had a way about him. She cleared her throat and took a sip of his water from the table. He licked his lips, watching her mouth, a low growl rumbling his chest.
“I should go.” She managed to whisper.
He nodded, his expression intense, blazing. “Thank you for the cake, and the conversation.”
She hightailed it back to the kitchen. If she could make it through the rest of the shift without thinking about him, it would be a small miracle. She slowed her gait as the hair on the back of her neck stood up. There were eyes on her. She took a discreet look around and her eyes met the furious ones of a woman she didn’t know. Calita raised her eyebrow, while she may be wary of men, she’d knock a bitch on her ass before she let herself be intimidated. She’d had no issues with any of the other women in Bear Ridge, could this woman be Simon’s ex-wife? She turned her back on the woman, dismissing her as soon as the doors swung shut behind her.
