Page 2 of Hot For Her Bear

“Get it? Chill out? You own an ice cream shop.” He grinned, but she didn’t return his smile. He rolled his eyes and stood. “Fine. Let’s go so I can take you home since you’re tired.”

“Thank you.” She stood from the table and followed him out of the restaurant.

The drive to her cottage was spent with her quietly listening to him speak about his accomplishments with his business again. His father had started an outdoorsman company. It was very popular with them recently opening their fifth store.

His oversized pickup truck rocked as he turned down the gravel road. She had never been so excited to see her home come into view. There was something about having the lake facing her home and the dense forest at the back. If she didn’t know any better, she would assume she was part bear shifter. She did love being outside and taking hikes on the trails.

Bishop parked next to her vehicle then faced her. She hoped he didn’t think they were about to share a kiss.

“Thank you for dinner. It was nice catching up.” She didn’t wait for him and was out of the pickup. She slammed the door shut and went to race to her house, but somehow, Bishop had made his way to her side of the truck. She didn’t know how a guy his size could move that fast or silent. Bishop had to be pushing seven feet tall. Most bear shifters were extremely tall and wide. There was not an ounce a fat on him. Apparently, he thought he was God’s gift to women.

“Hey, I’m supposed to walk you to your door. I’m still a gentleman.” He waved his hand for her to walk alongside him.

Saffron sighed and strolled along her stone walkway that led to her front porch.

“You never know what can be out here in the dark,” he said.

She didn’t say a word, not wanting to encourage more conversation. They arrived at her door. She took her keys from her purse and inserted one into her lock. She turned around and found Bishop standing directly behind her.

“Again, thank you for dinner. It was very good.”

“Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe we can do it again. I had fun tonight.” He smiled.

Saffron wasn’t sure which parts were fun for him, but she was going to have to burst his bubble.

“Bishop, I don’t think we should go out again.” She wasn’t going to be cruel, but this was where they would stop.

He sputtered, his eyes wide with shock.

“Have a good night.” She spun around, slid in the door, and shut it before he could get a word out. She locked up and breathed a sigh of relief. She kicked off her heels and padded into her living room. Like a coward, she left the lights off and peeked out from behind her front window’s curtain and watched the big man stomp down the stairs and walk to his truck.

Once the lights from his pickup disappeared, she relaxed and headed to her room to change. After she was in something more comfortable, she’d call Pola and give her all the details of her date from hell.

* * *

“Icould have told you it was going to be horrible, but I figured you needed to learn.” Pola snickered.

“You are so mean.” Saffron laughed. How could someone who was supposed to a friend be so cruel? Best friends were supposed to have one’s back. “But the food was good. We need to go there. Next time I look as if I’m about to make a bad decision, just hit me.”

“I sure will. You didn’t remember how much Bishop was into himself? His father spoiled the crap out of him, so he thinks everyone will want to worship the ground he walks on.”

“I don’t. I remember thinking he was handsome at one time, but now I’m good.” Saffron stretched out on her couch and pulled her blanket over her over her legs. The television was on a random movie she’d found, but she had it on mute. It was past midnight, and the long day was officially catching up to her. “What do you have planned tomorrow?”

“Not much, we all are meeting at my parents’ for a cookout. You should come.”

“As in a party or just your immediate family?”

“Just my parents, brother, and sister.”

“I don’t want to intrude. That sounds intimate,” she murmured.

Saffron thought of Pola’s older sister, Dasha. The eldest Prime sibling was grumpy and always growled at her. Saffron had always assumed Dasha didn’t care for her. She avoided Saffron and Pola when Saffron went to visit or spent the night. Dasha was ten years older than Pola, so it really could be that she didn’t want to hang out with her younger sister and friend. That wasn’t cool.

“Now you know my parents have always considered you their fourth cub when we were younger. If I tell Mom you didn’t want to come, then you will hurt her feelings, and she might show up to your house and drag you over to theirs.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Saffron gasped. Mrs. Prime was crazy enough, she would come and bang on Saffron’s door until she answered.

“Try me.” Pola laughed.

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