Bearly Hot (Glacier Pass #3)

9. Gianna

Chapter 9

Gianna

I wake up feeling a little off. The ickiness lurks just enough under the surface, but I quickly shake off my grogginess as I check the clock. Shit! I’m running way late, and I barely have time to contemplate the uneasiness tugging at my stomach.

“Gianna, you can deal with whatever this is later,” I mutter to myself, throwing back the covers and jumping out of bed with a burst of energy. I pull on a pair of jeans and one of my favorite sweatshirts, racing around the room in a haphazard attempt to put myself together. Last night was Sawyer’s last night shift for a while, and I’m looking forward to sleeping next to him again.

Minnie yawns lazily from her perch on the windowsill, silently judging me for her new favorite human working night shifts. “Good morning, furball!” I call to her, knowing full well she cares little about me rushing. She just wants her breakfast.

In the kitchen, I pour Catzilla’s food into her bowl, automatically making me her favorite human again. For a few hours until Sawyer comes home, that is.

Wanting to make my mate as happy, I hurry up and pour coffee beans into the grinder and breathe in deeply the smell that usually sets my world right. Only this time, when I take a whiff of the rich aroma, my stomach twists like a pretzel, and without warning, I feel queasy. I barely finish getting the coffee machine ready without throwing up.

As I grab my bag and rush out the door, the reason for all these symptoms hits me right between the eyes and my knees go weak. I come to a screeching halt, breathless with sudden clarity.

“Oh, fudge,” I shout in my mind. “I'm pregnant.”

The thought is so loud it echoes back to me almost immediately, stopping me short.

A moment later, it feels like a mental punch, and Sawyer’s voice responds, wrapping around my thoughts from wherever he is. “I know. When I kissed you goodbye last night, I noticed the change in your delicate scent. It took me a little bit to realize what it meant, but my mind finally caught up midway through my shift.”

I blink, momentarily stunned. The telepathic connection still surprises me. “Wow,” I shoot back, heart racing as my thoughts spin off on a wild rollercoaster ride.

“You can say that again.” His voice is teasing, echoing warmth that settles me even through my bewilderment. “I love you, hot stuff, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you after work.”

“You’ve got a date, sloth boy.”

The chaos at Rise and Grind reaches insane levels, and I don’t think I’ve had a single moment to breathe, let alone process my exciting news. The line stretches out the door, and I’m flinging drinks like a pro, but every whir of the espresso machine sends nausea clawing at my insides.

I try not to think about it. I’ve dealt with my fair share of cranky customers, but pregnancy is a whole different level of irritation I never anticipated. The smell of roasted beans usually does wonders for me, but today it feels like a giant fist squeezing my stomach every time I breathe deeply.

“Are you good?” Alice chimes in, watching me as I slam a steaming cappuccino down in front of an impatient customer.

“Peachy!” I reply, a little too cheerfully for my own liking. I shoot her a quick smile, but I can tell she sees through it. It’s mid-morning, and the shift is only getting busier by the minute.

An hour passes in a flurry of pouring, steaming, and the familiar rhythm of making drinks. I focus on the tasks at hand, churning out lattes and frappes, but I’m riding the line between holding my own and wanting to hurl. My grip on the espresso machine feels like a lifeline, one that keeps slipping through my fingers as the room spins slightly with each turn.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity in the caffeine storm, noon approaches and the morning rush starts to die down. I wipe my brow, feeling the tension ease just a bit, when Esther walks past and leans in close, her voice low.

“Why don’t you take tomorrow off to celebrate your good news?” she whispers, her eyes glinting with understanding. “Alice is fully trained, and I could use the extra hours. Just focus on yourself and your little one for a moment, okay?”

Her words knock the wind out of me, and I realize every shifter in town is going to know about my pregnancy soon enough. “You sure?” I find myself asking, already making plans for my unexpected day off with Sawyer.

“Absolutely,” she replies, her tone kind but firm. “Now, get out of here before your handsome young man comes searching for you.”

“Thank you so much.” I hug her quickly before rushing to the office to grab my purse.

I give Esther a wave before stepping outside into the cool air. Walking to my car, I take a second to center myself. I’m still shocked this is happening so quickly, but I couldn’t be happier. My parents are going to be shocked when they get home from their vacation to find me not only mated but also expecting a little one. It’s just another day in the crazy Bearly Family.

The sun is barely peeking over the mountains when my phone buzzes, and I glance over at it in the passenger seat to see my mother’s face flash across the screen. I know what this is about even before I swipe to answer.

My parents returned from their three-week vacation last night, and I’ve been awaiting this call.

“Hello?” I answer, trying to sound like my normal mix of casual and cheerful.

“Good morning, Gianna! We’re back and we missed you so much!” Her voice is a melody of enthusiasm and warmth, and I can practically hear her repressed excitement over the line. “Plus, from the rumors floating around, we missed a whole bunch of family news.”

Yep. She’s already talked to one of my loose-lipped brothers. “Hey, Mom! It’s great to hear from you. How was the trip?” I ask, trying to throw her off for a few more moments so I can get my sleepy mind into gear and ready for her interrogation. My mind wanders as I drive home, and she launches into a quick recap, including sunsets, strange foods, and at least one awkward encounter with other tourists.

“It was wonderful, but I can tell you all about it later. Right now, we need to arrange a family dinner. Your father and I can’t wait to meet your new mate.”

And there is the real reason for this call. I should’ve known my parents wouldn’t let the grass grow under their feet when it comes to meeting my new mate.

“We can do that,” I reply, striving to keep my voice from hitting new octaves of stress. “But you know, our entire family might be a bit overwhelming right out of the gate.”

“Nonsense!” she cuts in, her tone decisive. “Our family is perfect. Plus, it won’t be the entire family anyway. Bethany and Clay are visiting Honey Pot Hollow, and Emilia and Dillon have their hands full with their teething son. It’ll just be you, Sawyer, Gabe, Grant, and Lennon, along with your father and me. Intimate.”

Intimate? That’s not the word I’d use, but my mother is immovable, and I know when she's made up her mind, it’s easier to wrestle with a sleepy bear than to change her mind. “Okay, we’ll be there,” I agree, cringing at the idea of Sawyer swimming amidst our familial chaos as I pull up the driveway.

“We’re so excited! See you both at six, sweetie!” she trills before the call ends with an efficient click.

I pull the phone away from my ear, staring at it as if it might offer advice. Dinner with my family and Sawyer promises an entirely new level of chaotic potential. With Gabe and Grant’s unending teasing and Lennon’s amusement smugly hiding beneath her polite exterior, it’ll be an entertaining evening, to say the least.

With that thought firmly lodged in my mind, I make my way to the bedroom. The sound of running water meets my ears as I approach, and I find a smile creeping onto my face. Sawyer’s in the shower, steam billowing out like a foggy morning in Glacier Pass. Perfect timing.

Throwing caution and towels to the wind, I strip down and tiptoe toward the bathroom. The glass is fogged up, obscuring everything, and I knock lightly on the shower door before sliding it open and stepping in, feeling the hot water envelop me instantly.

Sawyer’s head snaps around, his surprise quickly morphing into a grin as he sees me. “Well, hello,” he says, raising an eyebrow. “To what do I owe the pleasure? Not that I’m complaining.”

“Well,” I reply, sidling up next to him, letting the water cascade over both of us, “I’ve got a bit of a deal to make with you.”

“A deal?” He chuckles, his curiosity piqued as he slides his arms around me. I melt against his hard body and breathe deeply, inhaling his spicy masculine scent.

“Yeah.” I nod, trying to maintain a serious expression, which is hard with his cock growing steadily harder against my wet skin. “Consider this a bribe. I need to butter you up before tonight.”

He smirks, hugging me closer. “Why are you bribing me?” He laughs before adding, “Again, not that I’m complaining or anything.”

“My parents are back in town, and they want to meet you.” I slowly run my hands up and down his wet back.

Sawyer takes this in stride, letting the water rinse away the suds. His demeanor is relaxed, almost too relaxed for someone about to face a firing squad. “When?”

“Uh…” I bite my bottom lip, peeking at him cheekily, “tonight.”

“Don’t worry, hot stuff,” he muses, leaning back against the tile wall, his warm eyes dancing with amusement. “I can handle whatever they have planned.”

“You say that now,” I reply, sliding my hands down to his muscular ass and giving it a little squeeze as the hot water pounds down around us. “But wait until the Spanish Inquisition starts.”

He laughs again, low and rumbling, his good-natured acceptance of the challenge making me love him more. “I’m not at all worried. I’m going to kick ass at getting your parents to love me, and if all else fails, I’ll buy them treats. It worked great with Minnie.”

I laugh and throw my bright pink shower puff at him. “What am I doing to do with you?”

“Hopefully, something naughty with your gorgeous mouth.” He wiggles his eyebrows playfully, giving me an idea. I can’t resist the urge to drop to my knees. His eyes widen as he watches me wrap my hand around his hard cock.

“Is this naughty enough?” I ask, leaning forward to wrap my lips around the tip. Closing my eyes, I suck his hard cock deep into my mouth and throw myself into blowing his mind. I wrap my hand around the part of his cock I can’t fit into my mouth and give it a little squeeze.

His fingers clenched tightly in my wet hair, and the dirty words falling from his lips tell me he’s enjoying my efforts. My inner bear hussy urges me to hurry up and climb him like a tree, but I ignore her.

I dig my nails into his tree trunk thighs and hold on while letting my tongue and lips do all the work. It doesn’t take long before a tremor runs through his muscular legs, and he warns me, “I’m about to come.” Since there’s no way I’m stopping before I finish this, I suck harder and stroke him faster.

He throws his head back against the marble wall and shouts my name while his cock erupts in my mouth.