Page 16 of Hot For Her Bear

“Then why are you here?” she asked, playing dumb. She had hoped he had forgotten about her and his request for a second date. Apparently, he didn’t believe she would turn him down.

“I told you I wanted to take you out again.”

“And I told you I didn’t think we should go out again.”

“Do women really know what they want?” he scoffed.

Dasha’s low growl echoed though the air.

Bishop stiffened and glanced over his shoulder at her. “Dasha, didn’t see you sitting there.”

“She said she didn’t want to go out with you.” Dasha’s voice was low and to the point. Her amber eyes were glowing.

Saffron recognized it as a sign that her animal was close to the surface.

“What are you? Her bodyguard?” He snickered.

“That’s none of your business.” Dasha stood and came to stand next to him.

Saffron panicked slightly. She didn’t want Dasha trying to go against Bishop. He was much bigger than her in their human form, and she was certain his bear was larger, too.

He glanced between her and Dasha. His eyes widened suddenly as if a light bulb had gone off.

“Wait? You’re sniffing around Saffron?” He barked a harsh laugh and slapped a hand on his thigh. “Don’t you think you’re a little too old for Saffron? And what can you offer her? Certainly not cubs.”

Dasha’s face turned beet red. Her growl was loud and fierce.

Saffron raced around the counter and made a space between the two growling bears. Bishop’s fangs were on full display.

“Bishop, please leave. Who I see is none of your business.” Saffron rested a hand on both of their chests, trying to separate the two. She gave him a firm push back. She couldn’t afford to have them shift and tear up her store. She had sunk all of her money into this dream of hers.

His hard gaze met hers.

“What you need is a real man,” he snapped. He backed away from her and strode to the door. He paused with one hand on it and turned back to her. “Once your little guard bear isn’t around, we can have a decent conversation.”

“There won’t be a need for a conversation, Bishop. There is never going to be an ‘us.’” She stood her ground with her hands on her waist. She felt a figure behind her.

Dasha.

Saffron met Bishop’s hard gaze before he stepped out of her shop. She rushed over to the door and locked it. She didn’t want to chance him turning around and coming back.

“I’m so sorry,” she breathed. Saffron leaned back against the door.

Dasha had a murderous look on her face. If she had the chance, she would probably go after Bishop.

“He doesn’t get a pass on being an ass,” Dasha ground out. She ran a hand along her face. Her bright-amber eyes were glowing. Her chest rose and fell fast.

Saffron walked over to her and rested her hands on her forearms. “Don’t worry about him. He has being an ass down to a science.”

“Someone needs to teach him a lesson,” Dasha grumbled.

Saffron chuckled and rubbed Dasha’s forearms. She could see the bear in Dasha calming down.

“It won’t be us. Come. I’m almost done, and I promised you a celebration at my house.” Saffron wanted to distract Dasha from Bishop. She rose and pressed a kiss to Dasha’s lips.

Her bear turned her attention to her. Her eyes softened, and her shoulders relaxed.

“Give me two minutes and we can leave.”

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