Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 17637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“Let’s have a look here,” I say, gently taking her hand. Electric sparks blast through my body and my hand shakes a little as I hold her soft, delicate hand close to inspect it. My fucking cock is ready to tear through the front of my dress pants and I’m suddenly thankful for the ill-fitting lab coat.
Her hand is red and swollen, but the burn doesn’t look severe enough to scar. She winces a little as I examine it, and my inner bear rumbles his concern.
I turn to gather my supplies and will my cock to stand the fuck down. There will be plenty of time to explore my new circumstances once I make sure my mate is taken care of. “This might sting a bit,” I warn, cleaning the area with practiced ease. “It doesn’t look too bad, though. You’re lucky.”
She huffs, a sound that’s more endearing than annoyed. “I was just trying to bribe my brothers with caffeine, but the freaking machine had other ideas.”
“Brothers, huh? How many brothers do you have?” I ask conversationally, wrapping her hand with care while one of her brothers glares at me from the other side of the room.
“Three.” She rolls her eyes. “Two are older and one is younger. Let’s just say they’re getting free coffee for life for being their mother-hen selves and dragging me here,” she retorts, and the other bear snorts. I’m not going to lie, as an only child, I’m looking forward to having male relatives to fuck with.
I nod, amused by her dramatics. “Well, free coffee is quite the debt, but consider it a medical order for family peace. At least until you’ve recovered. Keep it bandaged and try to avoid any battles with kitchen appliances for a while.” I finish my handiwork and step back. “If it starts to sting more or feels warm, come back. Otherwise, you’re good to go.”
“Thank you, Dr. Silva. Stop by Rise and Grind for your coffee reward.” She smiles, and I swear the goddamn room turns brighter. Fucking hell. Now, I sound like a greeting card.
“I definitely will.” It’s equal parts threat and promise. Now that I know where to find my soulmate, I’m going to become a permanent fixture in her life.
Chapter 3
Gianna
The following morning, I wake up with a slight twinge in my hand but a grin on my face that refuses to budge—even when I catch sight of my espresso-stained shirt in the hallway mirror. It’s a brand-new day at Rise and Grind, and I have a feeling it’s going to be a bearable one, ha-ha, unlike yesterday’s coffee catastrophe.
I stroll into the shop, feeling the cool morning air that Glacier Pass likes to boast clinging to my skin. Inside, the peaceful hum of Bertha, my once-rebellious espresso machine, is noticeably even-tempered. Grant and Gabe played the hero cards yesterday, calling in a repairman who’s finally gotten Bertha to cease her fiery revolts. Praise be to whatever mechanical deities they prayed to.
Alice is already here, tying on her apron like she’s gearing up for a championship match. I wave, still impressed at how fast she’s picked up the art of coffee-making. In fact, she’s handling Bertha like she’s been dealing with this beast for years.
“You know, at this rate, you’re going to hit barista wizard status faster than expected,” I tell her, sounding both impressed and amused.
She beams back at me, sliding a perfectly foamed cappuccino across the counter to its eagerly waiting customer. “Thank you.”
The shop gradually fills up as the morning rush approaches. The usual clang of cups and chatter of customers fills the air, and I bask in the comforting hustle of it all. There’s a rhythm to the madness, and oh, does it feel good when everything gels together.
During a rare lull, the door opens with a gentle jingle. Dr. Sawyer Silva walks in with purpose, looking all yummy, and I feel my inner grizzly wake up and stretch. As our eyes meet, a shiver runs through my body at the hungry look in his eyes.
He’s freaking gorgeous. My hand completely stopped throbbing the second he walked into the exam room yesterday. My inner bear woke up and screamed, “Mine,” in my ear before I had time to take a breath. The bear shifter is the kind of tall that makes you feel small in all the right ways, even though I’m taller than most human women. He’s got to be close to seven feet tall, and I’m betting his presence dominates any room he walks into.
Sawyer's dark, tousled hair gives him an effortlessly rugged look like he just rolled out of bed and still looks like a magazine model. My fingers itch to see if it’s as soft as it appears and I clench them at my side to resist the urge. His aqua-blue eyes capture mine, vibrant against his slightly tanned skin and sparkling with an intriguing mix of humor and warmth. There’s a mischievous glint that suggests he’s always in on some secret.