Page 7 of Bear Boss’s Mate (Pleasantville Shifter #1)

THE WEEKENDS HAD ALWAYS been pretty quiet for Marcy since moving to town. Ever since leaving her old job, however, she spent all of her time at home on the weekends. Too afraid to go out alone.

Every night was spent on the computer or in front of the television. Her long-time friend, Amara, lived in the city, and they spoke every week. Although she hadn’t seen her in person in months.

Alone with her thoughts, she went through every scenario she could imagine, if she dated Austin. In each one, she’d determined that it would end with him breaking her heart, and she would have to leave what was the best job she’d had since, well, ever.

Marcy couldn’t imagine anything good coming out of dating someone from work. Even if things went well, Mick might carry through on his threats toward her and Austin.

The risk was too high. At least, it seemed that way to her.

It had been a few days since Austin mentioned taking her out.

At the last staff meeting, she avoided eye contact with him and rushed out right afterward. Too afraid to admit her fears to him.

She wished she had dared to say no to going out with him. But there was a part of her that wanted him more than she had ever wanted anyone. It was hard to ignore the attraction between them. Even more evident was how he appeared to be nothing like Mick.

As she sat on her sofa watching her favorite crime drama on TV, her thoughts kept going back to Austin.

She couldn’t deny that she thought about what it would be like to kiss his luscious mouth.

Or have his hands touching her in all the right places.

The very thought of being intimate with him made her hot and bothered.

Even her dreams at night were about him.

In her mind, he’d made love to her and afterwards she laid next to him, stroking his chest and kissing his face. In waking life, She forced herself to deny any feelings that she had for him.

The weekly meetings were the hardest. His sexy baritone voice sent warm waves of delight through her body. Being in his presence often left her too embarrassed to look up at him.

Getting to know him was just something she couldn’t allow herself to do. She couldn’t go out with someone she worked with. It was a bad idea.

Her phone rang next to her. She turned to pick it up and looked at the caller ID.

She didn’t recognize the number and hesitated a moment, deciding whether to answer it. A mix of curiosity and frustration filled her.

It was probably Mick, with his continued assault on her life. He must have found her new number. She answered it, ready for a fight.

“Hello.” Her voice came out sounding angry.

“Hi, Marcy? It’s Austin.”

Marcy tensed and sat up straight.

“I hope you don’t mind me calling you at home. I haven’t seen you around much this last week at work. I’m calling about our date.” He sounded cheerful.

Marcy knew she should turn him down and say she’d changed her mind, but words escaped her at that moment. “Oh,” she managed.

“How does tomorrow night sound?” he asked.

Marcy’s lips parted. Her mind raced with excuses. But I can’t. It’s not a good idea. No thanks. All good responses.

“ Okay. That sounds fine,” she breathed, biting down on her bottom lip. What are you doing? The little voice in her head admonished.

“Great. I’ll pick you up at six. See you then,” Austin said before hanging up.

She tossed the phone onto the sofa beside her and squealed. “It’s really going to happen. Oh my God.” She paced the room, trying to pull herself together. Telling herself it would be okay and that this wasn’t such a bad idea.

The guys at Bear Bones aren’t assholes. It’ll be fine. Her hands went to her hips while she nodded to herself. “What can it hurt? It’s just one date.”