Page 1 of Hot For Her Bear

Saffron sat frozen in place and couldn’t get a word in. Her date just droned on about himself and didn’t even pause to ask about her. She was amazed he was able to even breathe. She tried to see when he inhaled but she couldn’t tell.

“Our business is growing, and I’ve been able to sink a lot of my own money into stocks. That’s how you truly get wealthy.” Bishop Milligan was a bear shifter who really loved to hear himself talk. He picked up his hefty frosty mug and took a sip of his beer.

Saffron Dakota had only agreed to go out with Bishop because she had just moved back home and thought it would be nice to catch up with someone she had gone to high school with.

She was so wrong. She would have been better off staying at home and counting all of the weeds growing in her yard.

“Do you even want to ask me about myself?” she joked. She stabbed her fork into her steak and brought it to her mouth. At least she’d got a good meal out of this. The steak practically melted on her tongue.

“What don’t I know already? We graduated from school together, you went off to college at Stanford, got a job and lived in California for a while, and now you’re back running your business.” He sat proud of himself.

Well, damn. My life summarized in one sentence by Bishop Milligan.

“Yup, sounds like you know everything about me.” Her voice dripped sarcasm, but he didn’t pick up on it; his smirk blossomed into a full grin.

I need to do more with my life.

“What I meant was, do you want to know what I like, what I’m into?” She glanced at him and picked up her wine glass. She downed half of if in one swallow. Her gaze was already scanning the restaurant for the waitress for a refill. She was going to need more wine.

Lots of it.

“I can see you like wine.” He snorted. “Why don’t I take you to that one winery I hear everyone talking about.”

Saffron’s eyebrows shot up high. He thought they were going on another date? She knew better than to shoot him down now. He may up and leave her with the bill and stranded

Since he’d picked her up and driven.

She’d wait until he dropped her off before she broke the news to him. Grizzly bears were known for their tempers. Having grown up in Lurton, Montana, she was used to the bear shifter population. The town had a good mix of humans and shifters. Not just bears, it was full of wolf shifters, foxes, panthers, and a few tigers. She even knew a couple of the witches from the local coven.

Lurton was very diverse, and that was why she had moved home. Her family was still here, and it felt good to be back in the same place as her bestie, Pola. She hoped to find someone to settle down with and start a family. She hadn’t had much luck in California. Besides, most city folk wouldn’t want to live in a small town in the middle of Montana.

She had come home nine months ago to visit and had seen the local ice cream shop she and Pola had frequented as kids was up for sale. On a whim, she’d put in a bid on it—and won. She’d gone back to California, quit her job, sold her house, and returned to Lurton.

After a few months of hard work and renovations, theLick or Bitewas officially opened. She had purchased her cottage on the lake, and life couldn’t be better. Now if only she could find someone to share her life with…

The bear shifter sitting across from her wouldn’t be that person. If he was the only thing Lurton had to offer, she’d get a dog.

She caught the eye of the waitress and flagged her down. The woman came immediately without asking what was needed. She brought more wine and offered a sympathetic look. Lurton was small, and everyone pretty much knew everyone.

Saffron finished her meal, half listening to Bishop. She sat back and wiped her mouth on her napkin. The food might just be worth this torture.

“Want to sit at the bar for another drink?” Bishop asked.

“Not really. I’m tired.” She faked a yawn. She deserved an Oscar for best actress with this Academy Award-winning performance.

“Tired? From what? You own an ice cream shop.” He barked a laugh and called for the check. “Are you tired from scooping ice cream for people and their kids?”

“Look, Bishop, I may not have a prospering business like yours, but it is something I’m proud of.” She folded her arms in front of her and shot him a glare. That was it. She was so done with this date, she contemplated just getting up and leaving. She could call someone to take her home.

“Calm down. Can’t you take a joke?” he scoffed.

He signed the receipt while the waitress glared at him, too. She’d witnessed his callous remark.

He handed the small slip of paper to the woman. “Some people are just so sensitive. Chill out.”

He broke out in a fit of laughter again and slapped the table.

“What is so funny?” Saffron asked. She didn’t even really knowwhyshe’d asked.

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