Badgering the Bear: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Mate in a Minute Speed Mating Agency Book 1) (3 page)

J
olie’s shovel
dropped with a clang against the bottom of the wheelbarrow in front of her. Her work gloves followed after. The cool metal of her water bottle against her hand brought a smile to her lips.
There is nothing quite as refreshing as cool, crisp water after a hard morning’s work.

Zane walked up beside her, guzzling her own drink. “Oh man, I’m gonna be glad when we’re done with this one. Might be about time to expand the crew if we’re gonna take on this much clearing.”

“Any new bids? Everything else we have coming up is pretty straight forward.”

“Yeah, I got an email last night, I’ll work something up and send it to you. Really cool older property, recent buy, needs a lot of TLC.”

A groan erupted from Jolie’s lips before she could stop. “So, super overgrown, lots of invasive nonnative species and no money?”

“No, nope and newp! Lots and lots of money to spend on making everything gorgeous. Free reign.”

“Really, free reign?” Jolie tried to smother her skeptical snort. Free reign never lived up to its name.

“No, seriously, actual massive budget expected. Apparently they made a fortune on some sort of invention, now they want a lovely retreat.” Zane sighed happily. “Lots of Art Deco influences, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to restore.”

Intrigued despite her misgivings, Jolie’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Art Deco you say? Guess I’ll hit the library for some ideas.”

Zane’s face scrunched up in confusion. “The library? What, are you a senior citizen? We have a thing called the Internet now.”

“Whatever. They have amazing books at the library and yes, sometimes a book is more fun to flip through than a website.”

Jolie clipped her bottle onto her belt and grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow. As she approached her truck, Zane flipped down the tailgate. They put the tools away, then heaved the wheelbarrow into the back. They plopped down, dangling their legs off the edge of the truck bed.

It was a companionable silence until Jolie’s phone started ringing. Her blood went icy cold and her hands were shaking as she slipped it out of her back pocket.

She almost dropped the phone when she saw who was calling.

Mate in a Minute Speed Dating
.

Oh shit, I could pretend that maybe I’d get a date with him at least. Now I’ll actually know. This sucks.
She looked away from Zane. She couldn’t meet her friend’s gaze right now. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she answered the phone.

Even to her own ears, her voice was strained and harsh. “Hello.”

After several long moments she muttered, “Okay, thank you for letting me know.”

She set the phone in her lap, while Zane wrapped her arms around her. “Oh honey, really? No matches?”

Jolie shook her head frantically. “Worse. I got a match. With him.”

“Are you freaking nuts? You really like the guy!”

“I know, but the date, it’s Friday night.” Was her heart still beating? No. It had frozen in her chest. Panic did that, apparently.

“That’s like, two days away, that’s more than enough time to prepare yourself.”

Jolie finally looked up at Zane. “No you don’t understand. Our date is going to the City’s Benefit Ball. It’s a freaking formal event. He thinks I’m someone that goes to formals on short notice.” She shook her hands at her friend. “Look at these paws! Could they be rougher?”

Zane laughed. “Honey, he just held your hand two days ago. We’ll moisturize you, primp you. Lisa at Delish Salon owes me big. We’ll get you the whole package. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”

“Oh man, Zane. He wants to see me again. We barely said two words and he wants to see me again.” Her badger was doing joyful cartwheels. Randy bitch couldn’t wait to see him again.

“Of course he does! I know you have a lot of baggage, but you are freaking beautiful. Yeah, you work with your hands for a living. You’re strong and incredible. And honestly, you have a killer rack and legs that go on for days and days. So yeah, he wants to see you again.”

Jolie smacked her friend’s shoulder and rolled her eyes. “Fine, I’m not Frankenstein’s Monster, but I’m still not a classical beauty. I’m not a wee tiny thing that can be thrown over anyone’s shoulder and carried away in a traditional shifter mate claiming.”

“From your descriptions, this guy could easily toss you over his shoulder.”

Jolie fell silent. He really could. She’d never gone out with anyone physically more imposing than her. “Well, it could still be a major flop of a night. What am I going to talk about at a freaking ball? How to appropriately amend soil for different plants?”

“He might be interested.” Zane giggled as she said it. “Well fine, okay, it’s not often dinner conversation. But then talk about the last book you read or the last movie.”

“I am not talking to him about the last sci-fi romance book I read and the weird alien dicks it involved.” Although big blue barbarian aliens were a lot of fun to read about, she wasn’t ready to have a book club with him.

Zane’s eyebrows shot up through her hairline. “Well, date night aside, send me the link to the book. I’m not the one with a hot date with a red hot and raring to go mate.”

Jolie shoved her friend. “Well, me either, okay? I have an upcoming event that is terrifying the pants off me.”

“If that’s what it takes to get someone in ‘em.”

“Zane! I’m not gonna sleep with the guy, no matter how hot he is. Not if we can’t have a comfortable conversation.” Almost probably definitely not.

“Of course, conversation. That’s the first thing you told me about him, wait no, you said, ‘he was everything.’”

“It doesn’t even matter.” Jolie scrolled through the recent calls on her phone. “I’m going to have to call back and cancel.”

Zane pulled the phone out of Jolie’s hands before she could do more than turn it on. “No freaking way. You need to have a way better excuse than that you’re freaking out.”

“Seriously Zane, I don’t have a dress for this kind of event. This isn’t just formal, this is practically the Met Gala and I’m a Wranglers kind of girl.”

“Oh, girl. You don’t have to worry about the dress, not at all.”

Jolie was relieved, until she saw the wicked tilt to Zane’s lips. “Why do I feel like I’m standing over a trap door?”

“Because you, my friend, lost a bet when you answered that call.”

The grin on her friend’s face made Jolie’s blood run cold. Well, not cold, but definitely a few degrees nervous. “Wait, no. Zane, seriously.”

“Oh yes, this time?” Zane’s finger poked Jolie right in the middle of her chest. “This time it’s the red dress.”

“Well,
fuck me
.”

“Nope, that’s your guy’s job.”

J
olie scanned
the mirror once more.

Hair: fluffed.

Lips: lacquered.

Eyes: smokey.

Shoes: four inches too high.
Again
.

Inner badger: gagged and hogtied, where she couldn’t cause any trouble.

But this time, she was in Delish Salon with Zane. And instead of a subdued but sexy little black bit of spandex, she wore a bright red sequined dress. Not dress,
gown
.

From the front, it followed her curves until it all but completely covered her. It was the back where it got dangerous. It dipped so low that a miracle of a bra had to be built into it.
And
Zane had stolen her panties. If not for the draping of the fabric, Jolie was pretty sure she’d be arrested for indecent exposure before she made it into the ball.

The hair stylist had wrestled her unruly locks into a stunning updo. Jolie’s only jewelry was a simple backdrop necklace that traced her spine.

Looking at her reflection, her lips couldn’t help but turn up. Her hands were only a little clammy from nerves. When her critical inner voice tried to whisper ugly things, she smothered the thoughts and spun around to her friend.

“Zane, this dress would have been so out of place at the speed dating thing. You were never going to make me wear it, were you?”

“Nope! But it scared you into wearing the other dress without fussing. This is why I do all of our negotiations.” Her BFF was way too proud of being so sneaky.

The fabric was cool against Jolie’s hand as she smoothed over her hip. “I still feel like a big liar, like I’m tricking him into thinking I’m this kind of woman.”

Zane sighed and shook her head. “Honey, I love you to bits, but because you do physical work doesn’t mean you can’t also slap on some make up and go high femme. It’s what I do. Am I a liar?”

“I guess not.” Jolie grabbed her friend’s hand. “Thanks. Sometimes I guess I let the mean girl that lives in my head have a little too much power.”

“Don’t you dare get mushy right now. If I start crying, you’ll start crying. It might be smudge proof makeup, but let’s not risk it when you are seconds away of getting whisked away by prince charming, okay?” But Zane’s hand squeezed Jolie’s tight. “Have a good time tonight, okay? You work hard, now relax and have fun.”

It would have been easy for Jolie to give into the swell of emotion and bawl with her friend. “I’m not sure I’m actually capable of that, but for you, I’ll try.”

“Well, and for that big hunk of a man waiting for you.”

A clearing throat interrupted them. “Excuse me, but your car is here for you.”

Zane thrust the little clutch at her. “Emergency supplies only. Lipstick for touch ups. Some condoms. Remember, even if it’s a terrible idea…”

Laughter burbled through Jolie, “At least it will make a good story.”

They shared a quick hug and then Zane pushed her out the door.

* * *

J
olie surreptitiously rubbed
her still slightly clammy hands on the seat as they pulled up to the side of the building. She was relieved they weren’t having to meet in the crush at the front, driving by the flashing lights was enough to make her break into a cold sweat.

The driver opened the door and directed her to the dining room. Before she walked in, she paused, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Brain shut up for once. You look amazing. He wants to see you. And even if it goes pear-shaped, it’s a story to bring to Zane. Who will at least never make me do something like this again. And if it goes well?
She opened her eyes and smiled as she strode in the door.

A hostess greeted her. “Hello, Ma’am. Welcome to the City’s Benefit Ball Dinner.”

“Hello. I’m Jolie Hampstead, I’m dining with Gabe Jacobs.”

“Of course, follow me.” The hostess was all smiles. The expected side eye and smirk never materializing.

Maybe I never should have anticipated them?

All thoughts were banished as the man she was expecting rose from his chair. He towered over everyone in the room. It wasn’t her imagination, he really was a foot taller than her.

His eyes locked on to hers. He looked hungry, no not hungry. He looked like a man ready for a joyful feast. He looked happy to see her. Her face almost split as her smile expanded and her heartbeat sped up.
It feels so good to have someone so glad to see you again. I’d forgotten.

The waiter helped her with her seat and Gabe took her hand.

“I’m so incredibly glad you came.”

A newborn confidence made her brave. “Well, with how much we had in common, how could I say no?”

His low chuckle sent shivers down her spine. “I was honestly hoping we’d be able to do something a bit more low-key.” He gestured at their opulent surroundings. “I was going to suggest bowling.”

“Was this
Mate in a Minute
’s idea?”

“God no! My sister. She ended up with two tickets and was badgering me to come as her date. Then I realized I had a perfect solution. I could try and impress a woman I very much wanted to impress.”

A flush rose up her cheeks. “I probably would have rather gone bowling.” She cringed realizing how that must sound. “That sounds incredibly ungrateful. I’m sorry to have stolen your sister’s place, when really, I’m not usually a dress up kind of girl.” It was relieving to have that out there, to tell him that the dolled up woman in front of him wasn’t her usual.

Gabe chuckled. “Oh, my sister was relieved to get out of going. For once in her life, she couldn’t speak in the presence of a man. And then ended up with two tickets to this shivaree.”

“I can’t imagine what that must have been like for her.”

“Why do you think I forgave her so easily? And who doesn’t like an opportunity to dress up?”

She meekly raised her hand. “My friend is responsible for every wisp of hair, makeup, even the dress.”

His eyes smoldered. “She was gilding the lily. You look lovely dressed up, because you are a beautiful woman.”

Jolie wanted to look away from the intensity in his eyes, but she threw the mean girl in her head in next to her inner badger and let it wash over her, basking in the moment until the waiter interrupted.

After ordering, she decided she wanted a less eye gazing and a little more knowing what kind of man he was.

“So, what do you?”