Bearing the Frostbite (Ice Bear Shifters Book 6) by Sloane Meyers Read Free Book Online

communication in the area, James had felt that asking Alexis for her number would seem too forward.
    James tried to focus on his work and not read too much into Alexis’ absence. He couldn’t keep himself from worrying that she wasn’t showing up to work because she regretted their kiss. She wouldn’t pretend to be sick to avoid him, right? James spent the whole day arguing with himself over whether he was being too paranoid about the whole thing.
    When Alexis called in again for the third day in a row, James was genuinely worried. He tried to get the manager to give him Alexis’ number, but the manager wouldn’t, citing privacy laws. The manager did feel free to rant at great length about how he thought Alexis was faking being sick so that she could get out of having to work. James decided at that point that he needed to go check on Alexis. He felt a little strange showing up at her house unannounced, but he thought it might be nice to take her some chicken soup and check on her to let her know she had a friend who cared about her. He also thought it might be nice to warn her that their manager was questioning her dedication to her job. If she had to miss more days, it might be a good idea for her to get a doctor’s note.
    After work that day, James went by the local superstore where Ryker worked. He picked up a few cans of chicken noodle soup, and a bouquet that consisted entirely of carnations. James wasn’t an expert on buying women flowers, but he knew enough to know that the bouquet wasn’t the fanciest or most romantic arrangement of flowers. It was all the superstore had available, though, so it would have to do for now. James drove to Alexis’ house and parked in front, glancing at his watch and frowning. It was ten p.m., which was way too late to show up at someone’s house without warning. But the hours James was working right now didn’t give him much of a choice. Tomorrow night he would be getting off just as late. There were still lights on in the townhome, so James held his breath as he approached, hoping that Alexis was still up and would forgive him for coming over at this hour.
    Before he could talk himself out of it, James reached up and rang the doorbell. He nervously shifted his weight back and forth between his feet while balancing the flowers and brown paper sack of soup cans in his hands. He heard voices from somewhere behind the door, and the sound of chair legs scraping against hardwood. For several long, agonizing moments, he waited. The voices grew louder and more urgent, although he couldn’t make out the words. It sounded like one of them was male.
    James’ heart sank. Did Alexis have another man in her life? Had he been a fool, thinking that he actually had a chance to woo her and win her heart? James didn’t have much time to think about these questions, though, because the door suddenly flew open and Alexis was standing right in front of him. She was wearing plaid, fleece pajama pants and a loose gray t-shirt, and her hair was pulled up into a messy, haphazard bun. Her skin looked pale, and James noticed the bags under her eyes as she looked up at him. Despite the complete lack of effort put into her appearance at that moment, James still thought she looked beautiful.
    “James? What are you doing here?” she asked. Her voice didn’t exactly sound upset, but she didn’t seem thrilled to see him, either.
    James held up the soup and flowers. “I was worried about you when you called in sick to work several days in a row. I brought you something to help you feel better.”
    Alexis’ eyes softened for a moment, but then she shook her head in a vigorous “no” motion. “You shouldn’t have come,” she said, although she sounded more scared than angry.
    “Why not? I wanted to make sure you were okay. I care about you,” James said, resisting the urge to say “I love you.” It was way too soon for that.
    Before Alexis could reply, the town doctor appeared in the hallway,