Page 1 of Bearly Spicy

I seemy older brother’s name flash across my screen and shake my head as I answer. “Hello, asshole. Finally decided to stop ignoring my messages and call back?” After Thorne found his mate, he started treating me and our other brother like we have the goddamn plague.

When I received a text from my mother a few minutes ago, letting me know Papa Bear is down with a cold and she needs me to take care of Angel Baby, Thorne’s spoiled Chihuahua, I knew the asshole would be calling.

“I wanted to ignore your ass for at least another week, but I actually need a favor,” he admits. Oh, this is going to be good. In my mind, I imagine the dickhead tucking his tail between his legs. Today is the opening day for the bakery Thorne’s mate owns with her sisters.

The town grapevine has been buzzing with the news that the Sweet sisters used the inheritance their uncle left them to buy the old, abandoned building on Main Street.

Three new human women moving to a mainly bear shifter town went over like a lead balloon with the town’s bear shifter residents. Most of the ornery assholes in town ignored the newcomers, but Mama Bear stepped in to welcome them with open arms.

Thorne’s business, Bearly Construction, is the busiest contracting company in the area. When the spoiled rotten momma’s boy needed help keeping everything under control, my oldest brother lost his goddamn mind and hired our mother as his secretary. I’m not going to lie; it does my heart good to see her give him hell on a daily basis.

Momma Bear met Mabel a few weeks ago at Growler’s Market, the local grocery store, and volunteered Thorne’s company to help the three sisters get their bakery, Honey Buns, ready to open. Surprise of surprises, Thorne found his mate—the oldest Sweet sister, Mabel Sweet, his first day on the job.

Now, his new mating is going to be a pain in my ass. “What can I do for you, older brother?”

“I need you to babysit Angel Baby today.” Since I work from home every Friday and Monday, I don’t have an excuse to refuse him. As the quiet, nerdy brother, I’ve always felt more comfortable with computers. After college, I opened an IT consulting firm. I also do a little website design and maintenance on the side, which pays well and keeps me busy. Since I fucking adore the little dog more than I love to give my brother hell, I’ll gladly babysit Angel Baby. “Papa Bear is sick, and Momma Bear is trying to keep him from tearing shit up,” Thorne explains unnecessarily. Sick male bears are notoriously bad patients, and Papa Bear is one of the worst patients in history. A few years ago, he had stomach flu and destroyed Mama Bear’s entire backyard flower bed. Of course, it was me, Thorne, and our youngest brother, Wilder, who ended up fixing that mess.

“Why can’t your little shit stay home?” I’ve already decided to keep my canine nephew, but I still need to make my brother work for it.

“Since you’re one of the assholes who spoiled him rotten, you should already know the answer to your question. Weren’t you the one who put the baby crib in my bedroom for the little shit to sleep in?” Oh, yeah. That was fucking me. When Momma Bear started worrying about Thorne rolling over on the tiny Chihuahua and crushing him, I did my brotherly duty and volunteered to get the spoiled dog a human baby bed. My bad.

“I got Mamma Bear’s famous salmon souffle out of it. Plus, I got to irritate the fuck out of you, so it was a win-win for me, and my plan worked brilliantly. The little shit is good and spoiled, and you’re good and fucked,” I remind Thorne. “Bring my nephew by and I’ll make sure he’s reminded why he loves his Uncle Clay best.”

“If I had any other choice, I would tell you to suck my dick.” My bear wakes up and laughs at the distress in my brother’s voice.

“I know you’re desperate for love, big brother, but we aren’t that kind of family. And I heard a rumor through the grapevine that you’ve found a sweet little morsel to take care of your needs.” Fuck. I wince as jealousy cuts through me. I had no idea how much I wanted a mate of my own until Thorne found his mate. “Wilder and I are betting on how long it takes for you to clobber some poor fuck when he gets too close to your mate today.” We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bet on his grouchy ass.

“What are you dumbasses wagering?”

“The loser has to wear a pink and white polka dot bikini all day long and wash the winner’s vehicles. Of course, the winner gets to take pictures. Do you want to join in on the bet?” My bear’s ears perk up at the thought of seeing my older brother prancing around in a bikini top.

“And bet against myself?” His defeated growl tells me I have him. Hook, line, and sinker.

“It should be an easy win unless you’re worried about keeping control,” I add to seal my win.

“I’m in. I bet I can go all day long without touching one asshole,” Thorne grumbles, and I mentally fist-bump my bear. Score. I can’t wait to hold my accomplishment over Wilder’s head.

“I’m recording this conversation. For proof and all.” I’m not really, but Thorne doesn’t know that. Bearly brothers don’t welsh on a bet.

“Fuck off.” He hangs up before I’m able to give him any more shit.

After I spendmost of the day spoiling Angel Baby rotten, I decide to drive into Honey Pot Hollow and check out the new bakery for myself. “Come on, Angel Baby.” I pick up the tiny Chihuahua and put on his harness with the bright orange bow tie just to piss off Thorne. “It’s time to go torture your daddy. If we play our cards right, he’ll lose his temper and we’ll get to see him in a bright pink and white polka dot bikini top.”

The tiny tan animal glances up at me with a look of adoration, and I can’t resist petting his head as I place him in the dog car seat. Okay. My entire family is a little fucked in the head. We all have a dog car seat for the little Chihuahua.

After parking in the lot behind Honey Buns, I grab Angel Baby and walk around the side of the brick building. My brother did an outstanding job turning the dilapidated storefront into an adorable business. I’m proud of the asshole, but it would take an act of God to get me to actually admit it to him.

The old-fashioned bell rings as I push the heavy glass door open. I glance behind the counter and see an adorable blonde look up and smile at me. “Hi. I’ll be right with you.” I can see why my older brother fell hard for Mabel Sweet. Her wide-set cornflower blue eyes sparkle as she glances down at the tiny dog in my arms.

“Clay can wait,” Thorne, the jealous dipshit, growls as the kitchen door swings open.

My bear sits up and growls, “Mine,” as I stare at the stunning redhead walking toward us. I feel sweat breaking out on my brow and swallow as my bear wakes up. “I’m so fucked.” Angel Baby jumps at the sound of my voice, but I can’t soothe the little shit when my world is imploding all around me. She’s goddamn perfect.

“We’re out of honey buns,” my stunning mate mutters, unaware of the tension swirling around us. “We ran through these things like crazy. I think we should close up since we’ve sold out. Cora already headed upstairs to get the first shower, which is a good thing since she’s acting like a crabapple.” Her emerald-green eyes widen when she notices me for the first time. My eyes slowly travel over her luscious curves, causing my hands to tighten around the tiny dog I’m holding. Angel Baby grumbles, but I ignore him and attempt to get my fried brain circuits to fire.

Don’t be a fucking moron. Play it cool. My bear roars in my ear.

My teeth burst through my gums as her delicate floral scent wraps around me. Her curly, dark red hair falls around her shoulders in ringlets, and I barely resist the urge to run my fingers through it to see if it feels as soft as it looks.

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