Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“That sounds reasonable.” Emilia smiles up at me, and I barely resist the urge to pull her into my arms.
The next day, Emilia moves into the spare apartment while I make plans for our future. Keeping her safe and happy has become my top priority.
Early summer morning air in Glacier Pass carries a chilly bite. We have snow most of the year and only enjoy a few weeks of slightly warmer weather each summer.
Right now, the mornings start off brisk and slowly heat up a little bit throughout the day. My bear metabolism ensures I’m always comfortable, but I’m worried about my mate, so I have a fire burning inside the office fireplace to keep her comfortable.
Today is Emilia's first day as my office manager, and the sense of excitement is palpable. My inner polar bear paces restlessly, thrilled to have her close, while my human side is more cautious. I don’t want to rush things, but my bear urges me to do just that—to close the distance, to touch her, to seal our bond.
Gianna blabbed all about my mate to my family, and they’re dying to meet her, but I put my foot down and insisted they wait until Emilia has had time to settle in before they descend on us. The men took my order in stride while the women in the family have been chomping at the bit to come over and meet her.
While waiting for Emilia to arrive, I busy myself with routine tasks, organizing files, and going over the schedule. The cozy office has large windows that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. It’s my happy place, but today it feels more alive, charged with the prospect of Emilia’s presence.
The door swings open, and Emilia steps in, bringing with her the scents of vanilla and lavender that calms my soul while waking my cock the hell up. Her cheeks are flushed from the cool morning air, her eyes bright with determination. Seeing her framed by the rustic charm of the office makes my heart skip a beat while my bear roars, “mine,” over and over in my mind.
“Good morning,” I say, my voice sounding steadier than I feel.
“Good morning to you.” Her smile is warm, and I feel that familiar tug in my chest.
“How did you sleep, little goddess?” I hand her the extra-large mocha latte I had delivered for her from my sister’s coffee shop.
“I slept like the dead, but I can’t get moving without my caffeine so I really appreciate this. Thank you.” Her stunning blue eyes light up as that dimple appears on her cheek.
“A little birdy told me you love those.” I wink down at her.
“I love your sister.” She chuckles and takes a huge sip of the hot coffee.
“I’m glad you’ve become fast friends with Gianna.” I can’t resist the urge to lean over and place a soft kiss on her temple. Before I’m tempted to rush things, I change course. “Why don’t I show you around and get you settled in?”
“I’d like that,” she replies eagerly, shrugging off her jacket and hanging it on the rack by the door.
I walk her through the small office, showing her where everything is. “This is your desk,” I say, leading her to the spot near the window that catches the best morning light. It’s strategically placed to make her feel comfortable and welcome, and I’m pleased to see her appreciation as she looks it over.
“Perfect,” she says, running her hand over the polished wood.
We move to the back, where the storage room holds our supplies and archives. “This back here is where we keep the older files and all our extra materials. Feel free to reorganize as you see fit,” I explain, noting the urge to tidy things up just to impress her.
“I think this will work well,” she says thoughtfully. “I’ve got a few ideas already on how to streamline things.”
We return to the main office, and she takes a seat at her desk, her face animated with the excitement of starting anew. “I’ve got a few tasks to get us started,” I say, handing her a neatly written list. “Nothing too intense for your first day. Just an overview of what we’re working on.”
“Great, thank you,” she says, scanning the list. “It won’t take me too long to get set up and running.”
“I know,” I reply, leaning against the edge of her desk.
She nods, her attention focused on the tasks at hand. I watch her with my heart expanding in my chest. My bear growls possessively, wanting to close the space between us, but I clamp down on the impulse. Patience is crucial. I need her to feel comfortable here, and that starts with me giving her time to adjust.
We spend the next few hours going over various details, settling into a rhythm. She’s a quick learner, adapting seamlessly to the workflow, and I can already see the positive impact she’s going to have.