Mary and the Bear by Zena Wynn

little thing.
    "I was bored and you needed help. It's a win-win situation for us both.” She threw the rag back into the sanitizing water. “It's not like I was doing anything else. The apartment I fixed up for me. I'm the one living there and I enjoyed being able to decorate any way that I wanted. That's all the compensation I need.” She grabbed her stuff and the envelope with her tips and turned to go out the front door.
    "Go out the back. It's closer to your apartment.” He guided her to the other exit. “I'm knocking a hundred off of your rent. I don't see what the big deal is. It's the least I can do."
    "I don't want your discount. I made over fifty in tips tonight. That's more than enough money if that was my goal, but it wasn't. I pitched in to help out my friend. If I were after money, I would have asked for payment that first night."
    "Thanks for reminding me. I'll knock another fifty off. Next month, you only pay me half of the rent due.” He opened the door for her.
    "Aaargh! Are you big and stupid? You're getting the full three hundred next month. The rent is ridiculously low as it is. How do you keep this diner running, giving away money like you do?"
    At her words, he spun her around and slammed the door shut before she could walk out. Hugh crowded her until she was backed against the door, bent down and planted his hands on either side of her, boxing her in. He lowered him face until they were eye-to-eye. “I'm not stupid, and quit being so stubborn. If I want to reduce your rent, that's my prerogative."
    "No."
    "You're taking the markdown. I won't accept payment from you until you do.” His bear stirred in response to his rising anger.
    "No."
    "Do you realize how childish you're being? How stupid this argument is? Quit fighting me and accept the price cut.” It was all he could do not to yell.
    "I won't and you can't make me.” Then she stuck out her tongue at him.
    Hugh let out a snarl of frustration just as her scent hit his nose. Already on edge, he didn't have the control necessary to resist the urge to kiss her into submission. Angling his head, he pressed his mouth to hers. His kiss was dominant and forceful, an expression of the frustration he was feeling. Her taste went to his head like wine, intoxicating him with her flavor.
    He growled deep in his chest as he deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue into her mouth, wanting and needing more. He pressed forward and tried to ground his erection against her. She was too short. He lifted her by her hips until he fit perfectly in the notch between her thighs. There he pressed against her, rubbing his cock against her mound. He wanted inside and he wanted in now.
    Hugh gathered the material of her sweatpants in his fists and began pulling them off of her body until he'd bared her hips. To take them the rest of the way off, he would have to move back, something he wasn't about to do. He stroked his fingers against the crotch of her panties, zeroing in on her opening. Her panties were damp, but he wanted them wet. He slid his fingers under the edge of her panties and worked her folds open. He would stroke her pussy until her cream filled his hand. Once she was wet enough, he'd rip the panties off her body and take her. He had two fingers poised at her entrance, ready to thrust inside when she whimpered. It shocked him back to his senses. What the hell was he doing?
    He snatched his hand out of her pants and dropped her on her feet, pulling her pants up at the same time. Then he jumped back out of reach. She fell against the door, panting, a dazed look on her face. The beast in him scented her arousal and roared, Take her! Take her now! Before he lost control again, he pulled her away from the door, opened it, and hurriedly pushed her outside. “I'm sorry. Lost my head. Promise it won't happen again. Hurry upstairs. We'll talk about the rent later.” Then he slammed the door in her face.
    Once she was safely on the other side, he bolted the door,