Page 22 of Snowed in with the Bear Shifter
16
ELOISE
“You know, it’s Christmas Eve. There’s not a whole lot open,” she said as they stepped out onto the wide sidewalk. The sand used to provide traction on the ice crunched beneath their boots.
He grunted. “I think the coffee shop on the corner was still doing business when I drove past it.” He handed her the wrapped box. “This is for you.”
Her brows rose.
His neck reddened. “It’s chocolate. Nothing fancy.”
Looking at the box, she made a decision. “Why don’t we go to my place? I’m just around the corner and have a variety of drink options plus snacks.” She lifted the box. “And chocolate.”
“I’d like that.”
The low rumble of his reply made her stomach go all wibbly, and his hand at the small of her back radiated heat that traveled up her spine.
With a deep breath, she nodded and led the way down the narrow alleyway between her building and the one owned by Rowan’s eccentric granny to the metal steps that led to thesecond floor and her apartment. “Just up here,” she said, pulling the keys free of her coat pocket and unlocking the door.
He followed so closely behind she could feel his breath on the back of her neck. Toeing off his boots, he strode into her home like he belonged there.
Watching as he prowled around her space, she dropped her keys in the heart-shaped trinket tray on a small table by the entry and shrugged out of her coat. The apartment felt smaller with him in it. Not a surprise, considering it was a tiny two-bedroom, and he was a giant bear shifter with thighs the size of tree trunks.
The main space was open-concept, the living room and kitchen separated by an island with a butcher block countertop. The walls were a warm cream with a brightly colored floral mural painted by her bestie on the largest wall. A well-loved purple couch and matching loveseat made up the TV-watching area. The other half of the living room housed a long wooden table, its battered and scarred surface covered in jars and bottles. Bundles of herbs hung from a vintage ladder she’d found at Questionable Curiosities, the shop Rowan’s granny owned. Her home was cozy and comfortable, her respite from the busy world outside, much like Roarke’s mountain cabin was for him.
“So,” she said, trying to act like there weren’t huge question marks looming over them. It wasn’t working. She rubbed her damp palms on her black pants and cleared her throat. “What would you like to drink?”
“Got any mulled cider?” he said, picking up a purple octopus sculpture Rowan made during her pottery period. “That stuff you made at the cabin was amazing.”
“Thanks. Old family recipe, one we haul out on special occasions and for special people. I couldn’t resist when I saw the cider in your fridge.”
“Impulse buy. The cubs like it, but I rarely drink it myself,” he said with a shrug. “But I saw it in the store last week, and it magically wound up in my shopping cart.”
A frisson of knowing sped along her spine, like the universe was trying to tell her something. “Huh,” she said as she opened her fridge to inspect the contents. She’d hoped to make it to the grocery store yesterday. Family obligations had taken precedence though, especially since she’d left her mom high and dry with the relatives on Solstice. Couldn’t be helped, but still. “I don’t have any cider, but how ‘bout a beer?”
“That’ll work,” he said, leaning a hip against the island and watching her with intense honey-gold eyes.
She popped the top on two brown ales from the local brewery and passed one to him, tapping the neck of his bottle with hers. They took a drink as a strained silence descended on the room.
“So, um, does this feel awkward to you or is it just me?” she said, leaning opposite him.
He scrubbed the back of his neck. “I thought it was just me.”
“I’m sorry I…”
“I need to tell you…”
Their voices overlapped as they both rushed to get their words out.
She huffed and shook her head, her fingers tightening on her bottle. “Let me get this out, Roar.”
“Fine. Ladies first.”
“When you told me I was your mate,” she hesitated on the word then plowed forward, “I have to admit that I panicked a little bit.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” he rumbled and took a long swig of his beer.
“Hey, this is hard enough without you interrupting me.” She gave him a look. “So hush, will you? Unless you don’t want to hear that I love you.”
