Blind Date With A Bear(16)

“He said he’d call, but I’m not really expecting him to. You can tell him that. No hard feelings.”

There was silence on the other end. “I’m not going to tell him that, Paige. When he calls, you will go out with him.”

“Stop being so bossy. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her tone was light and airy but she really didn’t want to talk anymore. She hung up before the other woman could answer. She didn’t want to be interrogated by Deb. Not just yet. While she’d gone on the date with her eyes wide open, she was very heart sore that she wasn’t his mate. From the moment she’d seen his picture she’d felt a stirring inside that she’d never felt before. She sighed, hugging her knees to her chest. Why couldn’t fate have shined down on her just this once and made her Quinn Blackwood’s true mate?



As Deb checked on her children, she debated the wisdom of calling Quinn. She knew she probably shouldn’t interfere and allow true love to run its course. But, she also knew how stupid males could be—especially male bear shifters—and she didn’t want to leave her little brother’s happiness to chance. She’d heard a tone in Paige’s voice she’d never heard. The woman was usually the most upbeat and cheerful person in the office. Tonight Deb had heard a hint of sadness in her voice. Anger she could understand. Her younger brothers were constantly pissing her off. Or use to. She was the oldest of the Blackwood siblings and use to bossing them around. Keeping them out of trouble. No, she couldn’t leave her brother’s happiness to chance. She settled into the corner of her couch and dialed Quinn’s cell.



“I don’t have time for this,” Quinn muttered under his breath when he saw his sister’s number on his screen.

“What?” Ryland, Ryker, and Jason stood beside him on the bottom floor of the building complex. They had just finished running a perimeter check trying to determine who had entered the site and assaulted the guard.

Jackals had definitely been inside the building. What concerned him more was the faint scent of humans that lingered. Nothing had been taken or disturbed as far as they could tell. So far, they had no idea who was entering the site. This time an innocent human had been hurt and that was something he could not tolerate. He knew they had to find out what was going on. That didn’t make his time away from Paige easier. He didn’t want to be here, he wanted to be in Paige’s bed, or better yet in his own bed with Paige beneath him.

“It’s Deb,” Quinn answered Ryland’s question. Right now, Quinn wished his older sister was far, far away. Maybe even in another galaxy. The woman was bossy, damn bossy. No doubt she’d already called Paige and now wanted to know how he thought the date had gone.

“Better you than us,” Ryland grinned.

“Or me,” Jason joined in with a chuckle.

“What’d you do this time?” Ryker asked.

“Nothing.”

“Maybe your date called and complained about your technique,” Ryland razzed him.

“What technique? You didn’t give me a chance.”

“I’d say the girl had a lucky break.”

“Shut up, assholes,” Quinn grumbled and accepted his sister’s call. “This isn’t a good time, Deb.”

“Why, because you left your date hanging?”

“No, because I’m about to toss your brothers over the side of this building. And maybe your mate.”

“You can toss Ryland and Ryker, but I’d like to have Jason back in one piece. Remember he is the father of your niece and nephew, whom you adore.”

“Deb.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll make this short and sweet. Are you willing to take a little advice from your big sister?”

“About the break-in?” Quinn’s question bordered on sarcastic.

“No, dip wad, about Paige.”

Quinn’s big body went rigid. Had she told Deb something? Like she never wanted to see him again? “What about Paige?”

“You need to call her.”

“It’s late, Deb. She’s probably in bed by now.”

“I just talked to her about a half an hour ago. Come on, little brother. Would I steer you wrong?”

“Yes,” Quinn had to bite back a smile, his first since leaving Paige. “Every chance you get.”

Deb sighed. “Okay, if you won’t call her back tonight, you better call her first thing tomorrow. Ask her out and don’t let her say no. She doesn’t want to.”

“How do you know that?”

“Don’t question my powers, just do as I say.”

Quinn hung up and debated the wisdom of doing what his sister advised. He took a deep breath, imagining Paige in her bed, all warm and soft. All his bear wanted to do was shift and run back to her.