Page 14 of Bear Boss’s Mate (Pleasantville Shifter #1)

MONDAY MORNING ARRIVED , and Marcy was filled with a mixture of excitement and worry about seeing Austin at work. She marched straight to her office to prepare for the morning meeting. She liked to give herself plenty of time, so she set about completing her report right away.

Marcy had enjoyed her time with Austin on Saturday night, but she stressed about how things would be between them now.

On the drive back to her apartment, he’d shared his concerns about Mick turning back up at her place. She hoped that Mick had been run off and would now leave her alone. Though something inside told her that wasn’t going to happen.

Austin wasn’t responsible for her, and she told him so.

Marcy packed lunch, just as she’d done every day since she started working at Bear Bones. She intended to do that until it was safe to go out for lunches without being bothered by Mick.

Marcy had finished preparing for the Monday meeting and headed off to join the others. She looked forward to seeing Austin, even though she wasn’t sure how he would be with her.

Seated at the table, she repeated his name over and over in her mind. Even his name was sexy. Looking down at the notes she’d brought with her, she saw how she’d doodled his name without realizing it. She quickly scribbled it out before anyone else could see it.

Fidgeting in her chair, she held her breath with anticipation when she heard his deep voice from out in the hall. Austin and several other staff members filed in and took seats around the boardroom table.

“Good morning,” Austin said with a wink and a lopsided grin.

“Hey,” she said with a sexy lilt in her voice.

Bern entered the room and sat across from her, wishing her a good morning. She wondered if Austin had told him about their date.

Sheila entered the room and stopped when she saw Marcy seated next to Austin. She huffed with exasperation when she noticed Bern had taken the other seat closest to him.

Marcy glanced at Austin, but he was looking down at some papers in front of him. He didn’t take any notice of Sheila or her over the top annoyance at not being able to sit close to him.

He began the meeting by mentioning the vandalism that happened over the weekend.

“It’s being investigated,” he concluded after telling the rest of the staff about it. Marcy wondered if he’d assumed Mick had done it. The thought had crossed her mind, but she never said it out loud.

As the meeting continued, Austin smiled.

“The time is approaching for the annual Christmas party. Bern has just informed me it’s going to be at Paul’s Bar and Restaurant.

I hope everyone will join us.” He looked at Marcy as he spoke.

“It’s always a fun time and a chance for Bern and me to thank the staff for the hard work they’ve done all year. ”

There was a slight buzz as several people began whispering about the upcoming party and the holidays. A couple of minutes later, the meeting broke up. Marcy waited while everyone filed out.

Sheila hovered for a few seconds until she realized Marcy wasn’t going anywhere. She sauntered out with her nose in the air. Austin took his time rising from his chair, realizing that Marcy was hanging back.

“So, did you have a good weekend?” he asked, grinning at her.

Marcy blushed, recalling the hot and heavy dream she’d had about her and Austin. “I did,” she murmured.

“Great. Let me know when you’re ready to do it again.” A mischievous grin lit up his face. Marcy didn’t know how to respond. She hadn’t expected him to say that.

She wasn’t sure that going out with him was the best move forward, even though she liked the idea of seeing him outside work again.

Austin stood, and Marcy followed suit. Almost as if he sensed her hesitation, he looked over at her. “Let’s have lunch today?”

Marcy thought for a moment. The problem was that she found him so damn irresistible. She hesitated. What could it hurt? It wasn’t a date, after all.

“Um, sure,” she said, and left to go back to work until lunchtime.

THE MORNING FLEW BY , and Marcy worked hard to remain distracted.

She was tidying her desk just as there was a knock at her door.

“Come in,” she said.

The door swung open. Austin stood with one hand in his pocket and the other on the door handle. She eyed him, unconsciously licking her lips. Damn, he looked good. How did he always manage to look so hot?

He had a devilish grin on his face. “Ready to go?”

“Yes,” she said, grabbing her purse to follow him out. Aside from her date with Austin, Marcy had not eaten out in months. She found Austin’s presence comforting, even though they’d not known each other for very long.

She was glad he was so easy to be around. Just being near Austin at work, she appreciated he treated her so much better than her previous employer or Mick. She wished now that she hadn’t spent a month avoiding him.

Perhaps we can be friends, she thought as they walked back to the office side by side after lunch.

When they returned to the office, they passed Sheila in the hallway. She glared at Marcy as she walked by.

Marcy said goodbye to Austin and headed to her office. As soon as she put her purse away and sat down, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” she beckoned.

Sheila opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind her.

Uh-oh. Marcy was glad the desk was between them.

Sheila looked pissed.

“What’s up?” Marcy tried to sound chipper despite her reservations about what was to come.

Sheila walked up to Marcy’s desk and peered over at her, seething with jealousy. She stuck one finger out, pointing it at Marcy, who stifled a groan.

“I’m not sure what kind of game you’re playing. I had my sights on Austin long before you showed up here,” she said.

Seriously? Marcy resisted an eye roll. “Is that so? What makes you think I have my sights set on him?” Marcy said, hoping to diffuse things.

Sheila’s face reddened. “Don’t play games. We can both see it. He’s one of this town’s most eligible bachelors, and I intend to make him mine.” She leaned forward.

Marcy let out a single laugh and put her hand to her mouth. She shook her head. “I am not interested in marrying Austin. He’s my boss. Besides, he only asked me out to lunch.”

She didn’t want Sheila to know anything about her date with him. It was none of her business. Marcy really didn’t like this woman at all.

Sheila placed her hands on her hips. “You should stop kidding yourself. He doesn’t want you, he told me so himself.”

“No offense, but I don’t think he wants you either,” Marcy snarked.

Sheila recoiled in shock. “If you would stop interfering, he’d see I’m the best thing for him,” she stammered, pushing some stray bottle-blond hair from her face.

Marcy smirked. “I’m not doing anything. If you think you are the one he should be with, then go for it. I’m not stopping you.”

Sheila blinked and stared at her. “He certainly isn’t going to date someone like you anyway,” she spat.

“Someone like me?” Austin happens to think I’m beautiful, but whatevs. She started to grin and stopped herself, eyeing the crazy woman.

Sheila waved a disapproving finger up and down in front of Marcy, making a face that looked like she had just sucked a lemon. This skinny bitch is delusional.

“Get out of my office. Now!” Marcy barked, folding her arms across her chest.

Sheila snorted. “You better back off. He doesn’t want you. He’s mine. Don’t even think about crossing me.” She glared at Marcy and turned to leave, closing the door behind her.

“Looks like Austin has his own stalker,” Marcy mumbled to herself. She unfolded her arms and put her elbows on her desk. Any thoughts of dating Austin were just that. Marcy wasn’t prepared to act on them. How could she? Look at the crap she’d have to put up with.

She liked her job. That was what she was going to focus on. Sheila could have him. Marcy wasn’t interested in fighting over a new man. She liked Austin very much. But it wasn’t the right time for them.

Sheila was just trying to stir the pot, and Marcy knew it.

Little did Sheila know, Marcy had already decided not to go out with him again, anyway.