Chapter 9: Alpha Male Behavior

Sally tapped her foot on the porch as Sebastian came back up on it. She had her arms crossed.

"What the hell was that?"

"What?" he looked at her wide-eyed. Innocent. As if he had no idea what he did.

"What were you saying to that man?"

"That he shouldn't call you a chick and that he shouldn't ogle you. I wish you didn't go out on the porch in just your robe."

"Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? And if I want to be ogled I will be." She went up on tiptoes to get into his face. "By any man I want. You don't own me."

He stepped back his hands up between them. "Whoa. I was defending your honor."

"It isn't yours to defend. We slept together. You don't suddenly have domain over my body."

"I wasn't assuming I did. I was being a gentleman. I don't think men should openly gawk at a woman. Especially not when she's on her own property."

She eyed him. "I don't like when a man assumes he owns me."

"I don't own you, Sally. I would never assume to do that. I just don't think it was right of him how he was looking at you."

She poked his chest. "Don't be all Neanderthal on me. Ever. I just got rid of a boyfriend like that."

She probably should've been flattered that the man thought her hot. Well, she was. Not all men appreciated her curves. Clearly, Sebastian did and part of her wanted to take back her words. She should be grateful that he was so sweet.

Her last boyfriend and been like that. At first. Then he'd berated her for her weight. He didn't seem to like anything about her. That's why she wasn't going to jump into anything with Sebastian. She didn't need that crap.

She was too busy trying to get her bed and breakfast opened. She had no time for a man. No time for this bullshit.

"I'm sorry."

"Fine."

She spun away from him and went back to the kitchen.

"I'll clean up," he said from the door.

"Fine. I'm taking a shower."

She missed the ease with which they had fallen in bed last night. This was awkward.

"Can I borrow your car? I need some things from town before I can finish your porch."

"The keys are on the hook."

The spray didn't wash away her anger. She should have let it go. It wasn't a big deal. He was being a guy, but it made her made when someone tried to possess her. She wasn't for sale or rent.

She was her own person and she'd opened this place to have something for herself. Something to call her own since all of her family was gone. She wasn't going to let a man take that away from her.

Not even one as sexy as Sebastian Behr.

***

Sebastian wasn't sure what he'd done wrong, but he wanted to make it up to Sally. He didn't want to screw this up. He picked a bouquet of wildflowers and tied them with a ribbon on his way back from town. This was his mate. His only chance at a happy ending. She wasn't trying to look sexy, but she was.

Sally was out on her porch with a mug of coffee in her hand when he returned. He approached her the way he would a skittish animal. She didn't seem mad anymore, but he thrust the flowers at her anyway.

The smile that lit up her face told him he'd done well. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Shit. "I don't really know, but if you'll tell me, I'll apologize again."

She eyed the flowers then her gaze went back to him. She smiled broader. "It's okay. I overreacted. I've just had too many men in my life try to take over."

Sebastian glances at his work books then gave her his best "aw shucks" look. "I guess I don't want to screw this up. I'm already feeling protective and that makes me overbearing," he said.

"Fair enough. Don't do it again."

She took the flowers.

"I'll try not to. Feel free to tell me when I do."

That was going to be hard. He was a bear. He had to protect his mate. If she was in trouble, he'd do anything to help her. He just had to remember that she didn't know that he was a bear and she didn't know that she was his mate. He'd have to go slowly. Ease her into the knowledge.

"You want some coffee?" she said, standing.

"Sure. I'll get to work in the meantime."

"You taking off your shirt?"

What a question. "Uh, maybe later." Then he hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. "You can't resist me when my shirt's off?"

She winked, then left him to his work. He thought he had her. Or at least she was most of the way to being his. She came back with his coffee then sat on the steps to watch him. "You work with your brothers."

"Yes."

"Where do you all live?"

"In a house in the woods."

"The woods?"

"We like it in the woods."

He laid out the tools he'd retrieved from his truck before it was towed away. He might have more than he needed.

"Hence the Three Behrs. Cute," she said.

She was getting scarily close to the truth of his life. He was the den leader, but he couldn't explain that to her.

"You don't like to talk about your family?" she said.

Sebastian shrugged. "We're private."

"I've seen you naked. I know that you have a tattoo on your hip of a bear. What more do I need to know?"

That he was already in love with her? No, she didn't need to know that. She would run screaming from him. He shrugged. I'm not ready to give it all up.

"Well, if we're to go further, I need to know more about you."

He nodded. "I understand. I'll tell you all about me in due time."

She frowned but didn't say more. She finished her coffee and left him to his work. He had to tell her, but he wanted to be sure she was in love with him first.