Bearly Hot (Glacier Pass #3)

4. Sawyer

Chapter 4

Sawyer

By the time I’ve visited Rise and Grind every day for a solid week, I’m running mostly on caffeine and I’m running out of patience. I’ve tried to play it cool, but at this point, my bear is pacing around in my subconscious, grumbling and urging me in no uncertain terms to make a move.

Since moving to Glacier Pass to avoid the chaotic hustle I left behind, I’ve quickly discovered that my mornings at Rise and Grind, with Gianna behind the counter, are the opposite of boring. They’re charming, and exactly the kind of uproarious connection my bear isn’t used to but deeply craves. It doesn’t help that my mornings unfold with a judgment crew, also known as her brothers.

Initially, their antics caught me off guard. But over the past few days, dealing with Grant, Gabe, and Dillon in the middle of my attempt to win over my mate has become a sport of its own. These three are relentless, but damn it if I’m not growing fond of their antics.

Today, I know it’s time. My bear’s irritation and restlessness have reached unbearable levels, excuse the pun. So, I resolve to make my move.

Inside Rise and Grind, the place hums with the usual morning buzz, the smell of roasted coffee beans mingling with the crisp Glacier Pass air. My usual khaki dress pants feel especially fitting today, hugging my cock which has been in a perpetual state of readiness since the moment I laid eyes on Gianna.

There she is, behind the counter, radiant as ever. I saunter over, willing my heart to beat a little calmer, despite the rabid cheerleading routine my bear’s performing inside.

“Morning, Sawyer,” she greets me, that familiar twinkle in her eyes as if she senses what my bear and I are up to. There’s a knowing energy there, a chemistry that’s been mounting, undeniable as gravity.

“Morning, hot stuff,” I reply, giving her my usual wink and grin combo that I’ve been practicing solely for her benefit.

As she prepares my double espresso, I run through potential dinner invites in my mind, rehearsing the best way to convincingly suggest a date. Meanwhile, I’m fully aware of her brothers, comfortably situated like sentinels at their customary table. Each one of them is sipping on their drinks, pretending they’re not hyper-focused on the potential romantic showdown about to unfold.

When she passes me my cup, I gather my courage, channeling both my social bearings and my bear’s persistent ‘Go get her!’ mentality. “So, Gianna, would you have dinner with me tonight? I have a new recipe I want to cook for you.”

Before I can finish, the three stooges spring into action, planting their elbows on the table for dramatic flair. Gabe pulls out his sign, an ostentatious ‘nine’ lifted high over his head without hesitation. Grant follows close behind, guaranteeing his own nine is prominently displayed. Finally, Dillon completes their synchronized antics, holding up his own nine with a proud nod and thumbs up.

Gianna watches this unfold, folding her arms but not hiding her amusement. “Looks like you found a way to get those scores up, Sawyer.”

I let out a laugh, attempting to ignore the way my bear is thundering in my head as if it’s performing the bear version of the worm. I nod toward the committee of three. “Yay me.” I roll my eyes dramatically.

Her smile broadens, an increment of brightness that could thaw the iciest Glacier Pass morning. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”

“Great,” I say, my grin faintly turning victorious. “Can I pick you up after the shop closes?”

“I actually get off at noon today.” She glances over my shoulder to give one of her brothers a glare. “And I have a bunch of errands to run. I’ll drive myself over to your house when I’m done.”

“Sounds great.” My inner bear urges me to argue but I resist his intrusion. Giving my mate a bright smile, I hold out my hand. “If you give me your phone, I’ll type in my address.”

Gianna nods and hands over her cellphone. “What time do you want me?”

Any fucking time. “Does six work for you?”

“I’ll be there.” I’m tempted to hop over the fucking counter and pull her into my arms, but I fight the urge and smile back at her.

“I’ll be waiting.” Impatiently.

I’m knee-deep in the trenches, cleaning my cabin. It should’ve been an easy chore, but tidying up a dwelling where a grizzly man lives alone can be tricky. So far, I’ve cleaned the crumbs from quick meals scarfed down amid late-night exhaustion, found all the mismatched socks strewn into forgotten corners, and vacuumed up the expansive dust bunny population.

Having slogged through dirt and disarray, ensconced by my playlist du jour—today, a jaunty mix of indie and folksy vibes —I find myself in the kitchen, apron-clad and facing the intimidating task of cooking for my mate.

I’m halfway through cutting up veggies for a salad when an unknown number lights up my phone.

For a moment, I consider ignoring it, but my inner grizzly’s curiosity wins out. I put down the wooden spoon and grab my phone, swiping up.

“Hello?” I say, my voice a growly mix of inquiry and impatience.

“Hey, Sawyer.” The voice on the other end belongs to none other than Dillon Bearly, Gianna’s brother. His tone has that mischievous twang I’ve recently become accustomed to during my daily stops at the coffee shop.

“Dillon,” I reply, caution lacing my greeting. “What’s up?”

“I’m trying to help your ass out since it took you a whole week to ask her out for a date. I figured you might need all the help you can get,” he says, his laughter crackling through the line like firewood. My inner grizzly bear nods his head in agreement with the other bear.

I grumble to myself. There are no secrets in Glacier Pass, a fact that’s becoming increasingly clear. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I retort, but I can’t help the amused twinge in my voice. “Let me guess, that includes unsolicited advice?”

“Consider it intel,” Dillon counters smoothly. “Gianna loves the molten chocolate cake our cousin’s wife sells at Honey Buns II. If you want to knock this date out of the park, one of those bad boys might just be the trick.”

I pause, processing this tidbit of information, realizing I’m going to owe him one. “I appreciate it, Dillon.”

“Just trying to give you a fighting chance. Good luck, sloth boy,” he teases, his tone laden with brotherly mischief.

“Sloth boy?” I can’t stop a chuckle from erupting past my lips.

“You move slower than a goddamn sloth on melatonin.”

I wince at the crazy analogy. “Did you make that up all on your own?” I tease him.

“Yep, I spent my morning working on it instead of all the work covering my desk. You’re welcome.” I can already see I’m going to love being a part of this crazy family.

As the call ends, I huff a laugh, shaking my head at the unexpected yet oddly endearing intervention from the Bearly brigade. I try to refocus on my cooking, but the cake idea is firmly lodged in my brain.

With my sauce simmering away, I make a quick call to Honey Buns II and end up talking to the bakery owner. She laughs when she hears my request and promises to set aside her famous chocolate cake.

Feeling surprisingly prepared, I turn my attention to getting ready for tonight. After a quick shower, I pull on a soft knit sweater, well-worn jeans, and my favorite pair of boots.

After a quick shave and a last appraisal in the mirror, I’m all set. My bear’s been surprisingly cooperative today since I finally started listening to his orders. With everything in order, I head out into the cool mountain air, feeling an exciting nervous edge flitting about my thoughts.

I hop into my massive four-wheel drive and head down to Glacier Pass to pick up my secret weapon.