A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan 6) by Harmony Raines Page B

began to fold it neatly around the box, then stopped. “Sorry, I forgot myself. Do you want to see it first?”
    “Uh. Yes, please.”
    She opened the box, placing it on the counter in front of him. It was very pretty, the kind a woman wore in her hair. Alli figured it was for his fiancé, or wife maybe. Her eyes slipped down to his hands, a quick glance to see if he wore a ring on his finger. No ring. Why did that make her feel happy?
    Then something strange happened. They both reached to take it out of the box at the same time. Their fingers brushed against each other, and electric sparks seemed to be generated from the slight friction between them. Her eyes flew to his, her hands instantly letting go of the silver comb, sending it clattering to the floor.
    “Sorry,” she said, hoping the comb was still intact as she bent to pick it up. Straightening, she said, “Nothing broken.”
    He was staring at her, in a way that made her hot. Her cheeks flushed and heat built in the rest of her body, to pool between her thighs. Damn, he made her want to squirm, her sex ached and her clit throbbed. Why had Graham never made her feel this way?
    The passion in his eyes had deepened; the look made her want to peel off her clothes and let him make love to her on this counter. She swallowed, and then out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Drew and Marjorie watching the exchange. It broke the spell, which was good. Wasn’t it?
    “Sorry about that. It’s been a long day.” She fumbled with the comb, putting it back into the box and wrapping it neatly.
    “No problem, sorry if I startled you.” His voice was deep and sexy. Oh, so very sexy.
    “You didn’t,” she said, putting on her professional, bright smile, which she saved for those brides who were adamant a dress suited them when it didn’t. “Like I said, it’s been a long day.”
    “And what are you doing after work?” he asked.
    Her heartbeat quickened, her pulse thumping hard as she tried to regain control. “I have a boyfriend.”
    “Oh!”
    And that boyfriend chose that very moment, to come flying into the shop, destroying the normally serene atmosphere with his big smile and loud mouth. For Graham had something on his mind. A burning question that obviously could not wait.
    “Alli,” he announced, pushing in front of the hunky stranger. “I have something for you.”
    “Graham, can’t you see I’m busy?”
    “Not too busy for this.” He looked up at the stranger, who was at least a foot taller, and broader, than he was. “This is very important.”
    Alli cringed. Graham always thought whatever he had to say was more important than whatever anyone else might have to say or do. “Can’t it wait two minutes?” she asked quietly.
    For some reason she wanted this passionate stranger out of her shop; he was altogether too distracting. He also cast Graham in a bad light. There was no comparison between the two men. None at all. But loyalty meant she had to be faithful to Graham until she ended their relationship. Which, with this behaviour, would be sooner rather than later. Her thoughts of marriage slowly dissipated.
    Only for Graham to bring them sharply back into focus. Because with the words, “No. It can’t,” he did something unthinkable. He got down on one knee, and, much to Alli’s horror, in front of the small audience in her store, he pulled a box out of his jacket pocket, opened it to display a huge diamond ring, and then uttered the words she had wanted to hear a thousand times. “Alli, will you marry me?”
     

Chapter Two – Kian
    He clenched his fists to his sides. If he wasn’t very careful, he would grab that box from this idiot’s hand and throw it out of the door. Next, his fists would curl around the imbecile’s collar and launch him out of the door too. It would be the best way to get rid of the odious little man who had just proposed marriage to his mate!
    Down on one knee, the man knelt before Kian’s woman with a