Page 24 of Bearly Believable Romance

“Speaking of waiting,” Celeste turned to Tabitha, “don’t forget about girls’ night tomorrow. We’ve got some serious catching up to do.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Tabitha assured her.

As Celeste sashayed away, Bram leaned in close to her ear, loving the way she melted into him. “So, you think there’s any truth to her prediction?”

Tabitha met his gaze and he watched her pupils dilate with desire. “I don’t know, Bram. But I do know one thing...”

He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “And what’s that?”

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his in a soft, tender kiss. As she pulled back, she whispered, “I could get used to this.”

Bram’s heart thundered in his chest, her words igniting a fire within him. He pulled her back into him, capturing her lips in a deeper, more passionate kiss. The world around them faded away. The only thing that mattered was the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her on his tongue.

The moment was broken by a chorus of cheers and whistles, the other patrons of the café clearly enjoying the show. Celeste’s voice rang out above the din, “Told you all I’ve got this in the bag!”

Bram reluctantly pulled away. “Now, now, I’m not that kind of bear,” he announced loudly, eliciting a round of laughter from the crowd. “Tabby cat will have to make an honest bear out of me first.”

Tabitha grinned, leaning in close to whisper in his ear, “First, I need a reason to make an honest bear out of you.”

He groaned at her words. “You’re playing with fire, witchy woman.”

“Am I?” She gave him an innocent look.

After dinner, he walked her home and stopped at the front door. Once she had the door open, she turned to him. “Do you want to come in?”

Fuck yes. He followed her inside the house in silence. She closed the door and he immediately set to getting a fire going.

“I have a proposal.”

He glanced over his shoulder at her. The scent of her arousal was going to make him crazy. He needed her. Closer. Now. “Really?”

Once he stoked the flames, he sat on the sofa and motioned for her to come to him. She stopped in front of him, and before she got a chance to sit next to him, he pulled her onto his lap, her legs draped on either side of him.

“Bram!” His name left her lips in a breathless gasp.

He grabbed her hips and held her in place. “You were saying?”

She licked her lips. A deep flush crept up her neck up to her cheeks. “What if we change the rating of…this…us?”

“To what, exactly?”

“R?”

He shook his head and cupped the back of her head, pulling her down to his face. “I was thinking more along the lines of X.”

Her eyes brightened with need. “That sounds better.”

“Yeah. I think so too.”

Bram’s bear roared inside. Tonight, she’s mine.

THIRTEEN

Tabitha gave in to her emotions and pressed her lips to Bram’s. Not a little tap, either; there was urgency now. She fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. At one point, she yanked at the material and sent some of them flying but she was finally able to touch his skin. He was hot and hard. Even though he had that delectable beard, he had a smooth chest. All hard muscle. He cupped her face and met her gaze all need.

“Tabby cat, are you sure?”

She nodded. “So sure.”

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