Aaron: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

He knocks, and the door opens quickly.
    “It’s about time you found her,” says a woman that can’t be even five feet tall. She calls out, “Maggie! We have company.”
    Another lady with gray hair that’s loose and flowing in waves pops her head out of a room to say, “Coffee’s on. Now get in here with your young lady. Goodness knows we’ve been waiting for this.”
    Aaron speaks loudly, and his voice sounds strange when he says, “You two act like I’ve never had a date before. Don’t make her think I’m an animal .”
    The woman who opened the door giggles as we enter a small kitchen, and Maggie says, “Well, of course not.” She gives me the once-over. “Hello dear, I’m sure you heard that I’m Maggie.” She glances at the other woman. “And my sister is Colleen. Have a seat.”
    “Thank you. It’s so kind of you to have us,” I say as I sit in an old wooden chair. It creaks, and I wonder if the one Aaron sits in can actually support his weight.
    He says, “This is Olivia, and she’s not my girlfriend yet.” He winks at me as he adds, “I’m still working on that part.”
    Aaron gets up, and I wonder where he’s going when he leaves the room.
    A ceramic cookie jar in the shape of a polar bear clatters as Colleen pulls out treats and places them on a plate. Liquid splashes into small cups as Maggie pours, and she says, “First dates are so wonderful.” Coffee is placed before me with a thump, and she sits down next to me as Colleen joins us too.
    Maggie sighs as she looks at me. “So much promise.” Her cool hand lands on my mine, and she asks, “Don’t you just love the way he makes you all growly?” She quickly covers her mouth as if she didn’t mean to make a bear pun and asks, “See what I did there?”
    Aaron has returned to the room, and I notice a light bulb in his hand as he reaches up to the ceiling. The burnt-out bulb squeaks as he unscrews it, and I say, “You two have a thing for polar bears, don’t you?”
    Maggie glances at Aaron. “We certainly do.”
    Colleen says, “Olivia, do help yourself to the bear paws .” Her face crinkles up as she covers her mouth too in an attempt to suppress laughter, and I chuckle along with her as I glance at Aaron in puzzlement. He shrugs quickly. I wonder if they’re always like this, because he doesn’t seem to find them as funny as I do.
    Maggie asks, “How did you two meet?”
    I frown for a second because I’m not sure what to say. I decide to downplay the blackmail portion. “I met Aaron when I asked him if Second Sound could play at my sorority’s fundraiser, and he asked me out.”
    “She’s not telling you the whole story,” says Aaron, and his chair groans as he seats himself at the table again. “I forced her to go out with me as payment for us playing.”
    Maggie says, “Oh,” as she sits back.
    “Goodness,” says Colleen. “So you don’t really like him?”
    I have no idea why Aaron has put me on the spot like this, and heat rises to my cheeks as I say, “No. I mean--” I sigh. “He’s very nice. But he’s not the kind of guy I usually date.”
    Colleen leans forward to whisper as if Aaron can’t hear. “It’s the tattoos and his hair, isn’t it?” She gives me a knowing nod. “They do take some getting used to, but don’t go judging a book by its cover. He’s a good boy.”
    I smile at how adorable she is and look at Aaron. “You’re right. I shouldn’t.”
    Maggie clasps her hands. “Good.” She leans in to whisper too and says, “Don’t tell his brothers, but he’s my favorite.”
    I hold back my laugh as I notice Aaron smiling. I hold up my hand so he can’t see me speak and whisper back, “Don’t tell him I said this, but he’s kind of growing on me.”
    Maggie nods as she leans back and glances over at Colleen. Colleen nods back at her, and I wonder what on earth they’re thinking.
    Aaron says, “Olivia is the president of a sorority.” The conversation becomes normal as