3. Gabe
Chapter 3
Gabe
I wake up with the sun creeping through my bedroom window through a little crack in the drapes. A quick glance at the clock tells me it's way too early for any sane bear to be awake, especially a polar bear who tossed and turned all night long dreaming about his mate. Today, my world centers around putting my plan to win Louisa into action. The thought of her delicious curves gets my blood pumping and I don’t want to spend another day without her.
I get out of bed, stretching out my limbs as my bear grumbles that I’m cutting into his beauty sleep. I ignore the fucker and head down to the kitchen for my cup of wake-up elixir.
Just as I get the coffee brewing, my phone rings, cutting through the silent kitchen. The whimpering ringtone tells me it’s my twin. What the hell? It’s way too early to deal with his shit. I pick up the phone, fighting back a yawn. “If this is you trying to wake me up with some dumb shit, Grant, I swear I’m going to drop-kick you into next week.”
“You’re always so pleasant in the mornings.” His voice oozes sarcasm, making me roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. “I’m calling so we can get together and make a plan. It’s time to map out your strategy to win Louisa over.”
“Are you serious?” I grumble, pouring coffee into my favorite mug. The Christmas gift from my sister, Gianna, has “Decaf only works if you throw it at people,” written across the front of it in bold black letters. “I don’t need your fucking help.”
“Wrong.” Grant’s voice drops an octave, hitting that brotherly note of authority. “You’re going to need lots of help. That girl is beyond your capabilities, brother dearest.”
“Capabilities?” I scoff, gripping the mug tight enough to nearly break it. His know-it-all attitude is burning my ass up. “I can charm the cold off of an iceberg, dickhead. I don’t need your unsolicited advice.”
“You need as much help as you can get.” He chuckles lightly, and I can practically see the smart-ass grin stretched across his face. “So, stop being difficult and let me help you get your mate.”
“Fucking hell.” He’s like a dog with a bone. I swear, one day I’m going to strangle my brother. “Fine. Whatever it takes to get you to stop calling so goddamn early in the morning. You’re entirely too bright and chirpy for my liking.”
“And that’s the problem.” He sighs. “You’re usually the bright and chirpy one in the family.” I glare out the window, squinting against the rising sun, contemplating what he’s saying. “This sudden change in your attitude has us all worried.” Fuck me. He’s got a point somewhere beneath that thick skull of his.
“Don’t worry about me. I can handle this on my own,” I insist before taking a sip of my steaming hot coffee. “I have a plan.”
“That scares the fuck out of me.”
After hanging up, I finish my coffee. There’s only one goddamn thing on my mind: Louisa. Just thinking about her sets my pulse racing and lights a fire in my gut. My inner polar bear is restless from the need to claim my mate. His constant fidgeting is like nails on a chalkboard to my human side. I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my fucking skin. She’s all I can think about, and the day ahead is all about making sure she sees me, the real me.
With my bear urging me to get my ass into gear, I slam my mug down on the counter and head toward the bathroom. I need to clean my ass up so I don’t stroll into Polar Scoops looking like an uncivilized mountain man.
The bathroom mirror greets me, and damn, I fucking look like I picked a fight with a mad dog and lost. My unkempt beard is starting to resemble a scraggly bush. I can’t keep letting myself slide into this sloppy state, not when I have to impress the only woman who matters, my fated mate.
I strip down, crank the shower on, and step in, letting the hot water cascade over me. As it washes away the lingering traces of early-morning sleep, I mentally plan the day ahead. Now that I’ve found my mate, I don’t plan on letting grass grow under my feet. Louisa Baldwin isn’t going to know what hit her.
Once I finish showering, the real work begins. I grab my razor and some shaving cream and then lather up my face. I take a deep breath and start hacking away at the tangled mess.
By the time I’m done, the sink looks like a mini fur explosion, but I’m looking much better for wear. I run my fingers over my now-smooth jawline. Now I look like a man on a mission to win over my mate.
I rummage through my closet, tossing aside the usual rugged attire for something that doesn’t scream “just rolled out of hibernation.” A fitted black polo catches my eye and I find jeans that aren’t in too bad of shape. My respectable, casual look comes together nicely.
As I finish getting ready, I can't shake the nervousness flowing through me. It’s a little scary knowing I’ll only ever have one fated mate. Which isn’t the case for Louisa. Since she’s a human, she has the option to reject me as a mate. Knowing she’s the missing piece that completes my puzzle, I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure my gorgeous mate chooses me.
As I bound out the door, anticipation thrumming beneath my skin, my impatient inner polar bear grumbles at me to stop stalling and get my ass into gear. It’s time to claim my mate.
I start my truck and the engine rumbles to life. The drive down the mountain seems to take a goddamn eternity. When the ice cream shop comes into view, my heart races at the thought of seeing her again. Her innate sweetness suffuses my life with a brightness I’m already addicted to.
I pull into the parking lot and park as excitement bubbles up inside me. I hop out of the truck and stride toward the entrance, running my plans through my mind.
The little bell above the door jingles, signaling my arrival. The scents of sugar and cream envelop me like a warm hug, and my eyes scan the room until they land on my mate. She’s behind the counter, scooping up ice cream for a little boy. Jealousy tears through me when she hands over the cone with a smile. Motherfucker. “ All her smiles belong to me, ” My inner bear roars in my ear.
“Shut up and let me handle this,” I grumble back as I walk over to her.
“Hi, sweetheart.” I lean against the counter and breathe deeply as her enticing scent wraps around me. All the intense feelings zigzag through me, nearly bringing me to my knees. I lean closer, inhaling deeply, and find she smells like sugary sweetness wrapped in spice.
Just being in the same room with her makes my heart thump in my chest like a drum while my cock turns to stone in my pants.
“Hi, Gabe.” Well, at least she fucking remembers my name. “How are you?”
I’d be goddamn great if I had you hidden away in my house where no other fucking shifters could smell your delicious scent. I give my head a shake, trying to pull my head out of my ass before I fuck this up.
“I’m better now that I’m here with you,” slips out before I’m able to find something cool and measured to say.
Her stunning eyes widen as the vein at the base of her elegant neck pounds away.
“Oh,” she breathes out. Her plump lips open and close silently a few times, and I suddenly have a desire to feel those pouty lips wrapped around my cock. “ I second that idea,” my inner polar bear wholeheartedly agrees.
Pushing the enticing fantasy from my mind, I lean closer and ask, “How’s your day going?” As I ask, I notice the slight purple bruises and puffiness under her eyes. I wonder if she had a hard time sleeping last night, too.
“It’s been great.” Her smile lights up the goddamn room. It’s corny as hell but one hundred percent true and I forget about my restless night as I stare at my gorgeous mate. “Would you like a banana split with maple bourbon sauce?” My heart melts knowing she remembers what I ordered yesterday.
“I’d love one, but make it with whatever ice cream you like best,” I suggest, hoping to convince her to share with me.
While she scoops up my icy treat, I glance around, taking in the scene. The whole shop is alive with chatter and laughter, a symphony of noise that doesn’t come close to drowning out the noise going on in my mind. Every time Louisa glances my way, there’s that flash of something in her eyes I can’t define. It’s like we're sharing a little secret no one else is in on.