A Stubborn Bear Who Fights His Attraction

Just after seven, Jan poked her head into Reid’s office. “I’m leaving, boss, and so should you.”

“I will as soon as I get done here.” And by done, he meant staying late enough to ensure Tammy would be abed—without him.

“Done what? Travis and Boris don’t leave until the day after tomorrow. That leaking hydraulic line is going to have to wait until Danny opens his shop in the morning. You’ve got no paperwork left on your desk, and you’ve yet to eat a proper meal today.”

Because the meal he wanted wasn’t on the menu. “I had a large lunch.”

“For a supposedly big strong bear, you’re an awfully big pussy.”

“For an animal lower than me on the food chain, you’re treading a thin line between friendship and dinner.”

A perfectly groomed blonde brow arched as Jan sassed, “Big tough guy doesn’t want to admit the cute little human scares him, so he resorts to threatening his perfect secretary.”

“Perfect?” He snorted. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

“Hey, if you can lie about your attraction and avoidance issues with the city girl, then I can pretend I’m in the running for a major raise and employee of the year award.”

“I don’t know what makes you think I’m attracted to her.”

“Let’s see. When she was here yesterday, you paired her with the oldest, most solidly married guy on staff to take her on tour.”

“Tom is knowledgeable.” As well as very dedicated to his wife. Not that the thought crossed his mind when he selected him.

“You called Ursula about six times today to check on her.”

Actually it was eight, not that he counted. The stupid call log mocked him the last time he went to dial. “She’s a guest in my home.”

“And if I told you that Ursula left for her knitting group and the human is alone?”

Alone, wearing those ridiculous pajamas that begged for a big strong bear to shred them from her body?