15
ELOISE
My heart is pounding as Bear leads me down the hall to his bedroom. I agreed to this arrangement, but now that the moment of truth is here, I’m nervous.
Today has been amazing. I had the best time spending time with Bear alone and then with his friends. But now that we’re here, about to make love – no, have sex – again, I’m worried about my heart getting involved.
When Knight called me Bear’s girl, my heart leapt for joy before my head told it to calm down. He’d invited me as a friend, and a friend only. Even now, as we’re headed for his bedroom, I’m still only his friend, albeit one that comes with added benefits.
More than once, he’s warned me that long-term isn’t in his vocabulary. Since I’ve decided to remove it from my own, all should be well, but my heart suddenly doesn’t seem to be on board with the plan. Not when it comes to Bear it seems. It’s not been a problem until now, so what is it aboutthisman that makes him different? Why is it more difficult to distance myself when it’s been pretty easy before?
With effort, I shake off my thoughts as the man leads me down the hall to his bedroom. A typical bachelor’s pad, his space is sparsely furnished, a giant television dominating his living room. His bedroom, however, is a different story. Still only a few pieces of furniture occupy the room, but there’s more warmth – more personality – in the room.
I can’t help but wonder who the woman is that decorated this space. It’s abundantly clear no thought or interest was put into the rest of his home. But here, in his inner sanctum, it’s obvious that love and attention to details was put into it.
Coming to a stop at the foot of the giant bed that dominates his space, Bear lets go of my hand, cupping my face instead. His eyes search mine for what seems like an eternity.
“Moment of truth. If you want to change your mind, now’s the time to do so.”
My stomach drops. “Are you?” I chew on my bottom lip.
“Am I what?”
“Wanting to change your mind?”
“Not a chance, sweetheart. I want you so bad I can almost taste it.” My core tightens at his words. There’s something powerful about being desired by a man like Bear.
He’s the epitome of an alpha male – big, dominant, silent yet attentive. When he turns his attention on you, he makes you feel as if you’re the only person that matters in that moment. His quiet intensity makes you feel appreciated and seen in ways that are rare. And as grumpy and quiet as he is, he’s never been anything but gentle with me.
On top of all of that, the man is smoking hot. Like as in H.O.T. Bring a woman to her knees and beg for his touch kinda hot. And tonight, he’s all mine.
Bear places his lips on mine, the connection barely there. His beard tickles my chin. With the lightest touch, he nibbles my lower lip. Parting my lips on a sigh, he wastes no time in taking advantage. His tongue takes possession of my mouth in a kiss so intense all thought drains from my mind.
I sink into the kiss, all senses on high alert as my body sparks to life, and the man hasn’t even divested me of a single item of clothing. That’s the power of Bear.
One of his large hands burrows in my hair, worn loose and free, to cup the back of my head, cradling it in his palm like something precious. Breaking the kiss, Bear rests his forehead on mine as we both suck breath into our air-starved lungs.
A sudden need to feel his bare skin against mine has me reaching under his T-shirt. Is it ridiculous to be jealous of the fabric that so lovingly molds to his torso? My hands glide up the warm, taut skin of his back over a multitude of scars and bumps that feel awfully familiar.
In this moment, I don’t want to consider how he came by the bullet scars beneath my fingertips. Yet I can’t help but wonder if they have matching companions on the front of his body.
Shaking off the thought, I scrape my nails down his back as he peppers kisses over my jaw and down my neck. In reaction, his voice rumbles low in approval, and he nips my collarbone gently.
My nipples bead in response, and I can feel the material of my panties dampen. Done waiting, I grip the hem of his T-shirt and guide it up over his back. He steps back, bending to make it easier for me. The garment clears his head, and Bear pulls his arms free to stand gloriously bare-chested before me.
I lick my lips, just imagining the taste of him on my tongue again. He groans, and the look in his eyes tells me he’s thinking similar thoughts. I drag my nail over the flat disc of his nipple and watch in fascination as the tiny bud tightens at my touch. Another groan rumbles out of his chest.
Emboldened by his response, I step closer and suck it into the wet cavern of my mouth. Clamping my teeth on the tightly furled nub, I glide my tongue over it. Bear fingers find their way back into my hair, tightening around the strands.
“God, yes.” The gravel in his voice has me clenching my thighs.
My hands free to roam, I glide them around to the front and head south toward his belt. As my hands reach their intended target, he wraps those large hands of his around my wrists.
“Sweetheart, if you undo that buckle, this is going to be over far sooner than either of us wants.”
Pouting up at him, I place my palms flat against his abdomen. “But I want to touch you.”
“And I want you to touch me, just not right this second. I want to make this good for you first.” I open my mouth to reply, but Bear simply places a finger over my lips. “Shh, let me do this for you. Okay?”
