Aaron: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 4) Read Free

he grins. “Lean on me, and let’s get you inside before you faint.”
    I look at his thick forearm and groan on the inside, because I have a thing for that particular body part, and his is a fine specimen. I ignore his arm and walk with purpose toward the diner. I say, “I’m fine,” and hope he’s not intuitive enough to know why I was really shaking.
    I’m still in his huge jacket and slide my pack off to remove the coat as we approach the door. He reaches for both items, and I let him take them from me before he opens the door. A waitress stops in her tracks when she sees us, or more specifically, Aaron.She sets her plates of food down on the counter with a clatter, and I assume a table is going to wait a little longer for their meal as she rushes over to us to say, “I’m Cindy. You can sit in my station.” She practically trips over herself as she walks backward and says, “Right this way.”
    Once we’re seated Cindy chatters on to Aaron about what a big fan she is until he sends her running with an order for two coffees.
    I say, “You must get that a lot.”
    He shrugs. “I suppose.”
    “And I guess you love it. It’s every guy’s dream, right? To have women fall all over you.” I wince at my snippy tone. I have no claim on this guy, and I’m not sure why I’m reacting like a jealous girlfriend.
    The waitress returns and pours coffee in our cups. She splashes a bit when she fills mine because she’s busy staring at Aaron. She cocks her hip and begins to twirl a strand of hair in her finger as she says, “So you must have to practice a lot.”
    Aaron leans forward on his arms and speaks in a low voice. “Look. I’m sure you’re a very nice girl, but I’m on a date with Olivia, and she deserves my undivided attention. Don’t you think?”
    Her face falls. “Oh. Sure.” She perks up again. “You’re so sweet. You know I--”
    Aaron cuts her off. “We need another minute before we’re ready to order.”
    She sucks in her lips as if that can keep words from tumbling out and nods before walking off.
    Aaron sighs as he sops up the liquid with a napkin. He says, “I used to think the attention was great.”
    I ask, “And now?”
    Aaron studies me for a moment as he lifts his drink to take a sip. After he swallows he leans forward and crooks a finger at me so that I move closer too. Our faces are inches apart, and the odor of coffee is on his breath when he whispers, “Now the only one I want flustered around me is you.”
    I gaze at him to notice fire in his eyes, and I lick my lips quickly before they part with the strong urge to kiss him. Aaron gazes at my mouth and inhales sharply before he leans back. He’s good, because I almost believe him.
    The seat is smooth under my bottom as I settle back and lift the menu to hide as I decide what to eat. We haven’t even gotten through breakfast, and my defenses are already weakened. The menu slaps on the counter when I set it down to tug my hair back and contain it with the elastic I kept on my wrist. I’m so not going to fall for a guy like Aaron. When Cindy returns for our order I ask for the largest meal option, because I think I’m going to need it for reinforcement.

Chapter 4
    A s Aaron and I eat our breakfast, Cindy can’t help but hover close enough to hear every word. It puts a damper on our conversation, and neither Aaron nor I talk as we consume our meal quickly. Gravel scratches under our feet as we make our way back to his bike. He grabbed my backpack when we left and asks, “What do you have in here? It’s heavy.”
    “I didn’t know what we’d be doing today, so I tried to be prepared for anything.”
    He grins with amusement as he reaches across and tugs my hair out of its ponytail. “And what exactly are you prepared to do?”
    My thick locks swirl around my neck in a caress that sends shivers down my spine, and I reach out for my hair tie as I say, “Swim, hike, or something that might require a nicer outfit.”