Page 78 of Sweet Heart for the Bear

Like, really staring.

Like he’s trying to memorize me.

I pause, swallowing my last bite. “What?”

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he just keeps watching me, his expression softening, as if he can’t quite believe I’m here.

“Did I tell you, you’re perfect?” he finally says.

I snort, shaking my head. “I am not perfect. No one is.”

Horace just shrugs, completely unbothered. “Agree to disagree. You are perfect for me, Sweetheart.”

Something in my chest tightens, warmth spreading through my entire body at his words.

“Well, that’s different,” I murmur, suddenly feeling shy under his intense gaze.

He doesn’t stop looking at me. Doesn’t blink, doesn’t waver.

I swear to God, this man is going to melt me into a puddle.

“You know,” he adds, reaching for his sixth slice of the meat lover’s pizza he ordered, “having a mate with her own pizzeria is definitely a perk.”

I gasp, clutching my chest in mock betrayal. “Wow! Men really are all the same.”

Horace raises a brow, amused. “How’s that?”

“You only love me for my pie,” I accuse, pointing at his offending pizza slice.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Hell yeah, I do.”

I narrow my eyes at him, pretending to be offended.

Then he leans in, his expression turning serious, his voice dropping to a low, rumbling growl as he slides one hand between my legs, petting my pussy, which is already warm and wet for him

“I love your pie, Sweetheart. But then, I love everything about you.”

My heart stutters, my entire chest swelling with emotion.

This man.

This growly, gorgeous, utterly devoted man.

I never thought a dating app could lead to true love, but I was wrong.

And I couldn’t be happier about it.

Epilogue: Horace

“Well? What do you think?” I ask, waiting for Uncle Uzzi’s reaction.

“Order up!” Carina calls from behind the counter, motioning to a customer.

Yes, I am working, but I am also aware of my mate in the periphery of my vision.

I am always aware of her.

She’s my whole life.

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