Page 15 of Bear In Mind

The employee nodded.“Of course, sir.Would you like any accessories to go with it?”

I paused, trying to think of what she could use.The only other person I’d purchased a phone for was Jake, under my business account, and I bought him a basic phone for on-site emergencies.“A waterproof case, a car charger, and a Bluetooth.”

Suddenly, the salesman lit up.“Yes, sir.I’ll be right back with it, sir.”

Gritting my teeth, I forced a smile.It was a form of respect, but if I heardsirone more time, I was going to lose it.I took a deep, calming breath as he strode away.I was more than a little irritable considering my mate had walked out on me that morning.I’d replayed the conversation a thousand times over but couldn’t figure out where I’d gone wrong, today anyways.The best I could assume was that she didn’t feel the same way towards me, and it stung like hell.

My instincts were to claim her no matter what; to keep at it until she gave in, but that wasn’t logical.I wouldn’t force her hand.I wouldn’t make her feel something she didn’t.And I sure as hell wasn’t going to mark her without her permission.That would send her running and ruin any chance I potentially had with her.

The best I could do was protect her always and provide for her when she allowed me to.I didn’t know if she would accept the phone, but I knew she needed it.

Several minutes later, the young male returned with a stack of boxes.Moving to the counter, I waited as he laid everything out.Pushing two options across the countertop, he asked, “Would she prefer the pink or the teal case?”

Bryn was feminine but not in a pink and purple every day sort of way.“Teal.”I motioned towards the winner.

He set the pink case aside.“Excellent choice, sir.”

Clenching my jaw, I stifled an irritable grunt.

“I see here that the bill will be coming due in five days.Did you want to pay that for her now?”He kept typing.For the first time, he’d slipped professionally and insinuated that I was a damned sugar daddy.

Clamping my hands into fists beneath the counter, I glared at the frat kid.“Sure,” I clipped.

He at least had the decency to flush, until he peered up at me.His eyes widened, the weight of his mistake setting in.“I… uh…” He swallowed hard.“I… um..of…of course, sir.”His hands shook as he picked up the phone box and attempted to open it.He was on his best behavior the rest of the time, even when he announced the total.“Everything comes to $1,097.36.Will you be paying cash, debit or credit today, sir?”

My deadpan stare remained.“Debit.”I swiped my card, entered my pin number and waited for the computer to process the transaction.

The kid thanked me umpteen times as he passed me the bag with the receipt inside.“Please come see us again soon, sir.”

By the grace of God, I withheld my remark and made a beeline for my truck.This was pure hell.I was knee deep in misery.My bear was beyond irritable.My prick ached, my chest hurt and I just plain missed her.How the hell had I survived for five years?I was damn near ready to shift, seek her out and fuck her until she changed her mind, make her come so many times that she wouldn’t even think of looking at another man.If I closed my eyes, I remembered what it felt like to have her softness pressed against my hard.

My groin tightened.My cock pressed hard against my athletic shorts, straining the ordinarily loose fitting clothing.Balling my hands into fists, I pressed one to my truck.Fuck!What I wouldn’t give to have her naked and writhing beneath me right now.I didn’t care if the whole fucking town watched; I wanted her that damned bad.

My bear roared, striking his claws through my insides with bitterness.He blamed me for letting her go, and, frankly, I blamed myself too.

I practically yanked the car door off its hinges as I opened it and got in, nearly destroying it again when I slammed it behind me.Thrusting the key into the ignition, I quickly drove towards my office.My tech guy, Tony, said he’d set up the phone and transfer her old content to the new one.According to him, the chip was salvageable from her last one, whatever that meant.I knew what technology did, not what it was made out of.I could construct a building from start to finish blind, but I couldn’t name half the commercial equipment installed after my job was done.

Fuck.I squeezed my dick over my layers.I’d have to do a few laps around the block or hell, maybe even go home and rub one out if I couldn’t get my hard on under control.I couldn’t erase the feel of her curves against me, though, and therein lied the issue.I’d opened Pandora’s box and now I was paying the price.

Chapter Twelve

Bryn

I squeaked, jumping backwards, away from the espresso machine, thankful I didn’t have the customer’s drink in hand.

“Are you crazy?Are youtryingto ruin me?”Stuart rushed towards me, glaring bullets at me.“Go!”He pointed his finger at the employee entrance.

It was suddenly twenty degrees cooler, or so it seemed.I gaped at the man, unsure of what to do.

A shadow reached me, drawing my attention to the counter.My stomach knotted as Jake came into view.I swallowed hard, feeling my cheeks heat as the threat of tears rose.

“Is there a problem?”His voice boomed, cutting through the small work space.

“Of course not, sir.”Stuart gave the bear a trained smile.

Jake looked at me, studying me and then my boss.Satisfied with his findings, he issued a single nod and walked away.

Relief didn’t wash through me; embarrassment did.Lowering my voice to a whisper, unsure of a shifter’s senses, I asked the dreaded question.“Am I fired?”

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