Page 9 of Bear Boss’s Mate (Pleasantville Shifter #1)

MARCY WAS BACK AND forth about the idea of going out with the boss. Technically; he wasn’t her direct boss. After her experience with Mick, she was unsure about dating someone from work.

She told herself this time was different. She was attracted to Austin, way more than she’d been to any other man. He also seemed a genuine, nice guy. She felt good around him, unlike Mick.

Marcy couldn’t help but think about the downside of things if she began to date Austin. What if things went badly? She fretted, as usual, shaking her head.

To make matters more worrisome, she’d never dated a shifter before and wasn’t all that experienced with men. Especially someone like Austin who oozed sex appeal and was downright hard to resist.

Would he expect her to sleep with him on their first date? What would he think of her if she did?

She couldn’t. It was too soon. It wouldn’t be right. Would it?

She’d never slept with someone on a first date before. But she’d be prepared to make an exception for Austin. She laughed out loud, not believing where her mind went sometimes. “How am I going to get through tonight?”

Sighing, she tried to convince herself she was making too big a deal over one night out. After all, he could have any woman he wanted. Why ask her out in the first place? It wasn’t like she was slender or sexy. There was nothing special about her.

Why me? She’d been asking herself ever since he suggested taking her out. Now the night was here, and there was no backing down.

Marcy was standing in her closet, wrapped in only a large towel. In each hand was a different dress. She held them up in front of her, trying to decide which one to wear. Since she wasn’t sure where he planned to take her, she wanted to dress up, just in case.

She chose a black sequin and bead dress with a low draped panel, revealing some of her back. After spending extra time trying to tame her hair, she left it flowing down her back and draping over her shoulders.

While she got ready and applied her makeup, she noticed her hands weren’t shaking at the thought of seeing Austin. This surprised her.

The reality of spending time with him outside of work did have a certain thrilling aspect to it. Perhaps things would change when she saw him, and her anxiety would be back?

Checking her look in the mirror, she hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself around Austin. She hadn’t been out with anyone since Mick-the-dick.

Marcy wanted any future relationship to be one with respect and love. There was no way she was going to open herself up to being hurt again. Unless she was sure the guy was worth her time.

She liked Austin very much, but she had no expectations. How could she? She told herself this date was just a way for her to get back into the swing of things. She was lonely, spending every weekend on her own because of Mick.

Austin seemed like a good man. She had to confess she wondered what he was like outside the office. He was quiet and composed around others at work. Much the same as she was when she was at work.

She’d regret not going out with him at least once. Besides, what woman wouldn’t want to date Austin Morgan?

Marcy smiled at her reflection. She was ready for her date. She inhaled and exhaled a deep breath, and then went to the living room to wait for Austin.

Moments later, the apartment intercom rang. Marcy’s heart raced. He’s early. She padded over to answer it. Her stomach fluttered like crazy.

“Hey,” said Marcy, pressing the intercom button, trying to sound calm.

A male voice answered back. “Hi, it’s Mick. Let me come up?”

Marcy stepped back from the intercom. What’s he doing here? She took a few more steps back as he continued to buzz her apartment. She found it hard to breathe and began to shake.

Marcy looked at the clock on her DVR. Austin was due to pick her up within the next fifteen minutes. She hugged herself as she waited.

Several more minutes passed. The intercom was silent, so she sat back down in her armchair. She let out a breath she’d been holding. Some of the tension in her body began to ease.

There was a sudden sharp knock at her door. Marcy was startled and put a hand to her mouth. Grimacing, she stood, then tiptoed toward the door and peered out the peephole. Mick’s voice startled her again with another furious knock. “Open the door.”

She jumped back from the door, cupping her cheeks. Then closed her eyes. Go away. Her eyes moistened.

“Hey, open up.” Mick’s voice sounded candy-sweet this time. He shook the door handle, trying to get in.

Marcy cringed. The pounding on the door continued, becoming more insistent. Marcy’s entire body tensed as fear threaded through her. A wave of nausea struck. She put a hand to her stomach and a palm to her forehead.

What should I do? Her mind and heart raced. Moving to the armchair, she faced the door. “Go away! Leave me alone.”

There was a quiet pause. Marcy thought for a moment about what her options were and decided there was only one thing she could do. There was no way she was letting Mick into her apartment.

She ran to the table beside the sofa and grabbed her cell phone. Thumbing through the phone, she found Austin’s number and called it. She tapped her fingers to her lips as she waited for him to pick up.

He answered after two rings. “Hi. I’m nearly there.” Austin’s voice was jovial.

A pang of guilt went through her about calling him, but it was quickly overridden by her fear of Mick. “Austin, help. I’m afraid. Mick is here. He’s banging on my door.” Her voice was tight.

A low growl vibrated through the phone. When Austin spoke, his voice was steady but filled with concern. “I’m around the corner. I’ll be right there. Stay on the line with me. Don’t hang up.”

“Okay.” Marcy closed her eyes. Calm washed over her now that Austin was on the other end of the phone with her. She focused on Austin’s voice, as though he were next to her, whispering softly in her ear. Clutching the phone tight, she listened to his breathing.

The knocking at her door was becoming more intense again, bringing her back to the room. “I just want to talk to you,” Mick yelled through the door.

Marcy moved the phone away from her mouth for a moment to yell at the door. “I’ve called someone. You better leave.”

“I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk,” Mick’s voice pleaded.

Marcy heard Austin’s smooth voice in her ear. “I’m just outside your building now. I’m going to ring your intercom,” Austin said into the phone. His deep voice was reassuring.

The apartment intercom rang. Marcy buzzed him in.

His footfalls on the cement steps could be heard through the phone. Austin was running up the stairs rather than taking the elevator. She was amazed that he didn’t sound winded at all.

Marcy continued to press the phone to her ear, comforted by his breathing.

“Nearly there,” said Austin.

Seconds later, Marcy heard Austin’s voice in the hall calling out to Mick. She was surprised that he knew Mick’s name. Hanging up her phone, she went to the door and opened it.

Austin was facing him. “Mick, is it?” Austin’s face looked calm, but his voice was deeper and more gravelly than she had ever heard before. It was clear he was not to be messed with.

Mick didn’t answer. His face paled when he looked up at Austin, taking in his sheer size.

Austin continued in a low, even tone. “The lady doesn’t want you here. I believe she’s asked you to leave her alone. I suggest you do so.”

Mick took a couple of steps back, creating a distance between him and Austin. “Who the hell are you ?” he warbled.

“The person who will remove you if you do not leave. Now.” Austin narrowed his eyes at Mick. He sounded so self-assured it made Marcy’s heart flutter. She put her fingers to her lips as she watched.

Mick turned to look at her. “You’re going to regret this,” he spat. “Do you know what this guy is? He’s a fucking mutation. A shifter. It’s dangerous to date shifters in this town.”

Austin stood a good foot taller than Mick. He grabbed him by the jacket and tossed Mick up against the wall. The man’s feet dangled a few inches off the ground. “Don’t you dare threaten her. If you harm her, you will have me to answer to.”

Mick’s face reddened, but he didn’t respond. Austin let him go and took a step back.

Mick stumbled and moved further down the hallway, away from him. Austin’s fists were balled at his sides. A low rumble emitted from his chest. Mick backed away, not taking his eyes off Austin.

When he was gone, Austin stepped inside the apartment, closing the door behind him.

His face looked relaxed, but his eyes had changed from their standard shade of amber to a deep golden color. She wondered if that was what Mick had seen that made him realize Austin was a shifter.

Austin was wearing an expensive suit and tie. He looked amazing. She licked her lips as she took in this man that was the embodiment of pure masculinity. She’d met no one like Austin before.

Just as quickly, she admonished herself for letting her hormones take over. She couldn’t allow herself to get involved with her boss. Period. She hugged herself, trying to ignore the overwhelming desire to wrap her arms around him.

“Are you okay?” Austin asked, moving closer and running his hands up and down her arms. She was surprised at the gesture but didn’t react outwardly. Even when a jolt of electricity zapped her at his touch, she remained calm.

Looking up at him, she noticed for the first time she wasn’t shaking in his presence. Even the anxiety she’d had was gone. For the first time in ages, she was okay.

If anything, she was turned on by Austin’s take-charge alpha bear attitude. His brief touch made her feel safe.

“Yes. I’m okay.” She tucked some hair behind her ears.

Austin looked around the apartment and then back at her. His eyes were back to being amber again. Marcy noticed his jaw tighten.