Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) Read Free Page B

took another pill, drank more water, still refusing food. Not that she had much besides bread and noodles anyway. A few apples. If she missed work tonight, she really wouldn’t eat for the next few days. The money in the duffle bag was earmarked for rent.
    It was early evening when she touched his shoulder, rousing him. He opened his eyes. The lines of strain on his face had smoothed somewhat, and his pale eyes - a summer sky blue- were able to focus on her face without looking glazed.
    “I have to busk,” she said. “But I’ll bring food when I come back- you should really eat something.” She hesitated. “Is there anything you need?”
    She hoped he said no, because she was broke. But he’d defended her and she felt obligated to see him back to health. The blow to his head must have triggered the migraine.
    Andrew sat up, wrapping a hand around her wrist. “No, it isn’t safe. That… man… may feel inclined to retaliate against you.”
    “I’ll be alright. I have to go or I won’t eat.”
    His mouth tightened. “I’ll escort you.”
    Hannah frowned, then tugged her wrist away from him. “That‘s not necessary,” she snapped. “I already owe you- wait.” She stared at him. “What were you doing here anyway?”
    Duh. She felt a little stupid that it had only now occurred to her. Pink tinged his Slavic cheekbones.
    “I wanted to invite you to meet my mother.”
    Of all the reasons she’d expected to hear, had dreaded hearing because she liked him so far and didn’t want him to ruin it by saying something untoward, this wasn’t it.
    “Your mother?”
    He sighed, leaning back on the couch and closing his eyes. “Yes, my mother. She… is on the board of a charity that supports talented young dancers. I sent her a video of you dancing and she wanted to meet you.”
    “You recorded me?”
    Andrew opened his eyes, watching her face.
    “Shouldn’t I charge you for that?” Though her somber expression didn’t change, her eyes glowed with humor.
    Andrew smiled. “As far as not eating… allow me to provide us with a meal tonight.” He saw her expression and shook his head. “I understand you think you owe me. You don’t. The initial debt was paid when you allowed me to sleep on your couch. You are now in the territory of above and beyond the call of duty. So-” his voice and eyes firmed “-you’ll forgo busking tonight and I’ll reimburse you for your care, and we will go together to pick out something for a meal. I’m afraid I’m not up to a restaurant.”
    Hannah shook her head. “You don’t look like you’re up to clomping around a grocery store, and we’d have to take the bus to get somewhere decent. There are only corner stores and gas stations in this area.”
    He stood slowly. “We’ll take a cab. I won’t take no for an answer…” he paused. “... Hannah.”
    She lowered her eyes.
    Andrew watched her, a small smile on his lips. Pained, but genuine. “A sweet, classic name. It suits you. Shall we?”

CHAPTER
    3
     
     
     
    The cab Andrew called was there in record time. Andrew instructed the driver to drive to the nearest grocery store with the specification of avoiding small corner markets. The nearest store happened to be a Whole Foods, and Hannah’s heart sank the moment the cab pulled into the parking lot.
    “Andrew, I can’t… this place is too…” she stammered, afraid to tell him this place was far outside the realm of affordability.
    Andrew withdrew a wallet from his pocket, stuffing a wad of bills into the driver’s hand. “Wait here.”
    The cabbie glanced at the cash in his hand and shrugged. “Whatever you say, man.”
    Hannah followed Andrew into the store, pausing as he snagged a shopping cart. She trailed him as he made his way around the store, worrying about his migraine, worrying about the cost of the groceries.
    He shopped like a madman. She’d never purchased that amount of food before- produce, fish, gourmet breads… her mouth watered at the