“Thanks,” Jared said, sitting down on the small couch.

  He swallowed several times and looked around the tiny room as if he’d never seen it before. To his credit, Gabe watched him patiently, but he didn’t say a word.

  He knew he shouldn’t be so nervous, but he’d always had a hard time asking people for help. After spending the morning on the phone and running errands, he needed to make one more change before he pleaded with Leah to take him back.

  “I’m going to need a few days off,” he said finally.

  “Not a problem,” Gabe said. “When?”

  “Tonight, tomorrow and Thursday. I’ll be back on Friday to help Isabelle with the weekend crowd.”

  “Sounds good,” Gabe said. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” he said, “I’m going to try to get Leah back.”

  “Good,” Gabe said. “She’s perfect for you, and we all love her.”

  “I know we’re not supposed to have fated mates, but she’s the only woman my bear and I have ever wanted, and somehow she wants me, too.”

  “Yeah, the whole no fated mates thing is a bunch of bullshit. Lucky, Izzy and I all knew, without a doubt, the moment we’d found the one. I don’t know why more people don’t talk about it, but there’s definitely someone out there specially made for every bear. I’m proud of you for not letting her go.”

  “Well, I did—and she’s pretty mad—but I’m working on my apology.”

  “She’ll forgive you sooner or later,” Gabe said. “Everyone could see how much she loves you.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Jared said, “because I’m buying her a house and I’m going to ask her to marry me.”

  “Really? That’s wonderful,” Gabe said. He stood and outstretched his hand. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks,” Jared said, clearing his throat.

  He sat back down and took a deep breath. The rest of what he had to say was more difficult, and he contemplated leaving, but he wanted to know.

  He needed to know why Gabe had kept him around.

  “Something else on your mind?” Gabe asked.

  He took another deep breath and jumped in with both feet.

  “How come you never fired me?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why have you kept me around all this time when I cause so much trouble?”

  “Because…,” Gabe searched for the right words. “Jared, you’re family. The minute you saved my life, we became brothers. I know you don’t believe in love, but we love you. All of us. As much as I wish you would channel that energy into something productive, you’re not going anywhere unless it’s your choice.”

  “That’s exactly what Leah said,” he said, solemnly.

  “Smart woman.”

  “I actually have an idea,” Jared started. “But I understand if you don’t want to hear it.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Gabe said. “Spill.”

  “Well…I’m thinking about opening a small barbeque pit, but something so big is a bit daunting right now. A smaller venue would still build an audience while allowing me to test the waters.”

  “Great idea,” Gabe said. “How about Friday and Saturday nights?”

  The man’s automatic agreement surprised him, and he felt the same mushy feeling he’d experienced when Leah had given him the mugs. Damn! He was turning into a wuss, but he still needed one more thing.

  “That sounds great, but I think the girls are going to need some extra help on the floor.”

  “I’m sure your mate could help them out permanently,” Gabe offered.

  “Are you sure about this?” Jared asked.

  “Absolutely,” Gabe said. “I think it’s an excellent plan, and we can meet next Tuesday to discuss the details. That should give you plenty of time to get your girl on board.”

  They shook hands and Jared left the building happy and excited. The two feelings were foreign to his normal tense, brooding demeanor, but he welcomed the change.

  He’d already met with the realtor and his tattoo artist, and had Leah’s car towed, but there was one more stop to make before his plan was ready to be set in motion.

  The pushy sales clerk in the jewelry store followed him around for over an hour, and he was about to give up when he’d spotted the perfect ring.

  It was a blue topaz and diamond eternity band in platinum gold. The setting was impressive without being gaudy, and classic without being plain. The blue reminded him of her striking eyes, and she deserved more than one diamond for putting up with him this far. If she agreed to marry him, an eternity band would seal the deal properly.

  The only thing left on the list was convincing his girl to say yes.

  ***

  Leah glanced at her cell-phone again and cringed.

  Jessica: Jared’s gone again…we know what u guys are doing. LOL!

  Meg: Get yours girl…don’t let that man get away. Love u!

  Ashley: Who needs money when you’ve got hot sex! Have fun u 2!

  If she took the time to tell her friends she and Jared had broken up, they would stop, but she didn’t want to share the news just yet. Unfortunately, the women were a powerful force when they decided to do something. It was a good thing her cell plan had unlimited texting.

  It had been two days since she’d watched Jared race out of her apartment building parking lot, and during those two days, he’d also missed work. She’d elected to skip the Wild Bear both nights, too, so her friends automatically assumed they were playing hooky together.

  She would worry about his safety if she hadn’t spoken to him the day before, but she had.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Leah, its Jared. I’m just calling to let you know I had your car towed to Blake’s Auto Repair. He said it should be finished by tomorrow morning. He’ll give you a call when it’s done, and someone from the shop will pick you up. Do you need a ride to work today?”

  “You had no right to tow my car,” she seethed. How dare he end their relationship and then think he still had control over her.

  “It needed to be fixed,” he answered back, calmly.

  “Yes, and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of it on my own,” she said. “Look, Jared. I followed all of your rules and you still decided to let me go. What I do, or don’t do, with my car is no longer your concern. Please don’t call me anymore.”

  She’d hung up the phone and fought the threatening tears. Telling him to leave her alone was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, and she wanted to take it all back. The only reason she didn’t was because that would put them right back where they’d started, and she couldn’t go there again.

  Somewhere along the way, her plans had changed. Instead of being satisfied with a one night stand, or a relationship full of sex and nothing else, she wanted more. She wanted bear mugs in the kitchen, and a permanent date for Sunday barbeques. She wanted a home filled with family and love, and she wanted a man who wanted those things, too.

  In short, she wanted the fairy tale, and she wanted it with Jared. Taking care of her car was a nice gesture, and paying for the work was a nice surprise, but she knew those things were done out of guilt, not out of love. She didn’t want his guilt, or his money, she wanted him, flaws and all…forever. Unfortunately, he wasn’t willing to risk loving her.

  When her shift was over, she walked out to her car and saw Jared leaning against the driver’s side door. A million thoughts raced through her head, but she only wanted one of them to be true.

  “I’m glad you got it fixed,” he said. “How’s it running?”

  “Good,” she replied. “Thank you for paying for the repairs, but it wasn’t necessary. I’m perfectly capable of paying for my own vehicle maintenance.”

  “I know you are, but it wasn’t about you. It was about me, and the way I treat you. You look beautiful, buy the way.”

  “Jared…”

  “Wait,” he said. He held up his hands and she saw a bandage on his inner right forearm. It was obvious he’d gotten another visible tattoo, and she desperately wanted to know what it was until she remembered his harsh insults about her infatuation with his ink.

  “I know you’re mad,” he continued, “and I deserve it, but I want to show you something. Can you meet me at this address tomorrow at noon?”

  He handed her a folded piece of lined paper, and she opened it to read the address. The street name sounded familiar, but she wasn’t exactly sure where it was located.

  “Is this in Liberty?”’

  “Yes. It’s across the street from the forest on the east side.”

  “What are you going to show me?”

  “I can’t say,” he said, “but I think you’ll like it.”

  God, she wanted to say no and make him suffer, but the suspense was killing her. What if he wanted to get back together? What if he was finally willing to commit and he was trying to prove his intensions?

  What if he’s trying to make a fool out of you?

  She dismissed the last thought as soon as it developed. He may not be ready to admit it, but Jared loved her. He would never do anything to publically humiliate her on purpose.

  “Okay,” she said. “I’m off tomorrow, so I can meet you.”

  “Great,” he said, moving toward her. “It’s a date. Don’t be late.”

  “Jared, did you just rhyme?” she asked, incredulous.

  “I did,” he said, his face still serious.

  “Okay,” she giggled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you,” he said.

  He waited until she started the engine, and then he waved and disappeared into the sea of parked cars. She hadn’t seen his truck anywhere, but she hadn’t been looking. For all she knew, she’d walked right past it.

  She read the address on the piece of paper again and considered using her GPS to drive by on her way home, but she changed her mind. For some reason, Jared had asked her to meet him tomorrow, and she had a feeling the time of day was important.

  She tucked the paper safely inside her purse, turned on the radio, and drove home.

  She told herself not to think about Jared, but she couldn’t help it. She lay awake for hours wondering what he wanted to show her, and then fell into a restless sleep plagued with several weird dreams.

  Noon couldn’t arrive soon enough.

  Chapter Six

  Leah arrived five minutes early and parked her car on the street behind Jared’s. He’d been leaning against his truck waiting, but he stood up straight when she pulled up, and waited for her on the sidewalk as she slowly climbed out of her vehicle.

  The address led her to a light blue house with white trim, and a sold sign in the yard. Her heart beat wildly and swelled with hope as she realized why he’d asked her to meet him. Tears threatened, but she blinked them away. She couldn’t start crying, yet.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hey.”

  She noticed he still wore a bandage on his arm, and understood it was for show. Bandages on fresh ink could be removed after a couple of hours, but for some reason he was hiding the design from her.

  “Let’s go inside.”

  She nodded and walked through the gate he held open for her, and then waited as he unlocked the front door. The inside was empty, and it had hardwood floors instead of carpet. He led her toward the back of the house, and a sliding glass door revealed a huge backyard.

  “This place is gorgeous,” she said, turning to find Jared standing in the kitchen.

  “I’m glad you think so,” he said.

  On the counter in front of him sat the two bear coffee mugs she’d bought him, an expensive gourmet coffee machine, a box of her favorite coffee, a thick business sized envelope, and a small white box tied with a ribbon the same color as the outside of the house.

  The tears she’d batted away resurfaced and she couldn’t stop their escape.

  “You can’t cry, yet,” Jared said. “I haven’t even said anything.”

  He looked completely confused by her behavior, and she couldn’t help but giggle.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping her eyes.

  She crossed the room to the counter and looked closer at his display, but the tears started to fall again. He was giving her everything she wanted, and she couldn’t hold in her excitement.

  “Oh, damn,” he said, handing her a napkin. “Maybe this was a mistake.”

  “No,” she yelped, grabbing his sleeve. “It’s perfect.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He looked like he was ready to run.

  “Yes, these are happy tears.”

  “Happy tears?” he sighed. “Fuck, I am so screwed.”

  “You’ll get used to it,” she laughed. “Say what you want to say.”

  “I love you,” he said simply. “I know I’m not perfect, but I’m better when I’m with you, and if you agree to be my mate, I’ll do my best to be the man you need me to be. I thought this house would be the perfect place to raise our cubs, and so I bought it. I also bought you a ring to seal the deal on the human side of things, and I convinced Gabe to let me sell barbeque on Friday and Saturday nights. He also offered you a job, but I know you like where you are now, so you know, no pressure or anything. You were right, by the way, about everything, and I also got a new tattoo to prove that I’m a changed man.” He took a deep breath. “And…I guess that’s all.”

  She’d never heard him string so many words together at one time before, and she’d been surprised he’d done it in one breath, especially considering he’d had to keep handing her napkins during the whole thing. As much as she tried, she couldn’t stop crying. His declaration was rushed and disjointed, but it was also perfect because it came from his heart. She believed every word, and she couldn’t wait to spend her life with him. There was just one thing she had to do first.

  “Let me see the new tat,” she said, drying her eyes for the hundredth time.

  He ripped off the bandage and revealed two red roses, one large and one slightly smaller, surrounded by a more elegant tribal design. She could tell he’d used the same artist, but it stood out from the others, and the meaning wasn’t lost on her.

  “You got color,” she said quietly, admiring the ink before looking up at him. “It’s beautiful, and I love it.”

  She pulled him down for a kiss, and he grabbed her by the waist and set her on the counter. She wrapped her legs around him and deepened the kiss, tasting every inch of his mouth. It had only been three days since their last physical contact, but it felt like three years.

  She pulled his shirt up his back, and he broke the kiss and whipped it over his head.

  “Mmm… That’s what I’m talking about,” she said, tracing the muscles in his chest and abs. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Leah, you’re killing me here. I need your answer, sweetheart.”

  “Yes,” she said, laughing. “Of course, yes. I love you, Jared.”

  “You need to see the ring,” he said, handing her the box. “I can return it if you don’t like it.”

  She pulled the ribbon, took the lid off the cardboard box and slid the navy blue velvet ring box into her hand. When she opened the box, her lower lip quivered and Jared handed her another napkin.

  “It’s the most perfect ring I’ve ever seen,” she whispered, holding back her tears. “Put it on me, please.”

  He lifted the ring out of the box, and slid it down her finger. It was a perfect fit, and more tears leaked down her cheeks. Jared kissed her again, and she’d never experienced a more perfect moment until an hour later when he marked her with his canines.

  Every emotion he felt wrapped around her, secured their bond, and reinforced his decisions to change his life for the better. He still hadn’t smiled, and maybe he never would, but she knew what was in his heart.

  Hope, life, peace, joy, and…love.

  The End

  From the Author

  Thank you for purchasing this book. Your support allows me to continue doing a job I love every day. If you liked this story, please consider leaving a review so more people can find and enjoy my books.

  Hugs,

  Ruby Shae

  About the Author

  I write sizzling, sexy, shifter romance.

  Until I find my own tall, muscle bound, alpha shifter…I’ll keep writing about them.

  Visit my website to learn more about my books (and me!)

  www.rubyshae.com

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