Jax: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 6) Read Online Free PDF

time.”
    “If you’re sure,” I say.
    Her friend says, “It’s fine. Really.”
    “Okay. Again, I’m so sorry.” I roll my eyes as if I’m mortified and walk away.
    Luckily nobody is in the bathroom, and the stall door reverberates with a metallic sound when I quickly shut it. The jewel-encrusted phone case is rough in my hand as I tap out my leader, Drake’s, number, and I chew on my nail as I wait for him to answer. When he does I say, “It’s Sasha.”
    “Where are you?”
    My throat tightens at his tone. He’s not happy, and I’m sure it’s because he knows Rand’s death is my fault, but I don’t have time to dwell on it, and I answer, “They have me.”
    The door squeaks open, and even though there is another stall I call out to alert Drake that I can’t speak freely. “This one’s occupied.” I then say to my leader, “I can be at Rosie’s Diner in Orono at nine a.m. tomorrow.”
    “Someone will be there.”
    “That should be plural. Bye.”
    The hand drier blasts at me as I make a show of washing up, and I hurry out before the blonde notices her phone is gone. My stomach lurches when I see her searching her large red purse. She says, “It was right on the table.” She glances up at her friend as her eyes widen. “Do you think the waitress took it?”
    I train my eyes on her feet as I get closer, and while ignoring the girls I squat down and pull the phone from my pocket. When I stand I say to them, “This was under the table. Is it yours?”
    “Oh, thank god you found it!” says the blonde. She clutches it to her chest. “I’d be so lost without this.”
    “I know what you mean,” I say and walk away quickly before I get sucked into a conversation I have no interest in having. Inhaling deeply before I get to our table, I attempt to calm myself, and the vinyl seat is smooth under my bottom when I slide across it to join Jax.
    When I notice my coffee cup is full I sigh and say, “Thanks for ordering this for me.”
    Jax tilts his head at me and asks, “Making friends?”
    “Oh. Ah. I saw a phone under their table and picked it up for them.”
    He nods at me, and I wonder if he’s suspicious or if I’m being sensitive. I grab a menu and hide behind it so I don’t give myself away. I ask, “Are the waffles good here?”
    “Everything’s good here.”
    I set the menu down, and a sugar packet tears as I open it to put in my coffee. I ask, “Tell me more about your music. Do you play in a band?”
    “I play in a concert band at school right now, but I used to play with the guys I’m taking you to see. They’d pull me in when they picked up wedding gigs and wanted a heavy brass section.”
    My spoon clinks on my cup as I say, “You’re a performer. That suits you.”
    He grins at me. “Yeah?”
    I nod. “I can totally see you charming the bridesmaids.”
    Jax scowls. “What do you want to know about my past, Sasha? Because the snide comments about me being a player are getting old.”
    Good question. Am I jealous of Jax’s old girlfriends? This guy is growing on me. “I was just teasing. Sorry. New subject.” I waggle my eyebrows at him. “What’s your major?”
    “Lame,” he says as the waitress approaches us. We place our order, and when she leaves he asks, “What about you? Do you play any musical instruments?” He pauses, and the look he gives me makes me think he’s considering something. Jax asks, “Why do I have a feeling you’re a singer? You have a scratchiness to your voice that makes me think you’d belt out a jazz tune well.”
    Wow. I wonder if the true mate connection offers insight into each other. I shrug. “I can sing okay. And pick out a tune on a guitar if necessary.” I lift my coffee to take a sip.
    “Good. Today will be fun. Maybe I’ll get you to sing for me.”
    “Maybe.” I smile at the man I’m beginning to like, as plates of food thump down before us. As we eat, I let myself fantasize about what a life with him could be like.