Page 72 of Stroke of Fate

Bear freezes against me. “Is that him?”

“Maybe,” I mumble against her lips.

As if he somehow knows we’re talking about him, Mack shouts, “Is anyone opening the door for me, or should I come back in two minutes?”

Laughter erupts from the other side of the door, and I mutter a curse against Bear’s lips.

Mack crashed at my place last night, and before I came over, I told him to meet us in an hour. Looks like he finally decided to be on time.

Reluctantly, we pull apart, and my fingers slip out of Bear’s wet heat.

Her hair is a wild mess, her lips swollen and bright red, and her eyes still hold a haze of lust. She’s never looked more fucking beautiful.

If I could, I’d freeze this moment. Take a snapshot of her, blow it up, and hang it in my room.

She slips off my lap and straightens her skirt. “Give me a few minutes to freshen up in the bathroom. I’ll meet you guys downstairs.”

“Why? You look good like that.”

“I look like I’ve been dry-humping your lap.” She laughs, smoothing down her hair.

“Exactly.” I shrug.

The doorbell rings again, and I roll my eyes. “I’m coming, hold on.”

“Do you mean literally, or like, you’re opening the door for me?” Mack calls out, and Bear giggles.

“You better go out there, or we might get a noise complaint.”

Knowing she’s right, I stand, but before heading to the door, I pull her close and kiss her forehead.

“What was that for?” She asks when I pull back.

“No reason, just felt like it,” I say honestly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her responding smile tugs at something deep in my chest. Our gazes linger, only to be broken by the doorbell.Again.

I throw my head back with a groan, seriously questioning my choice of best friend. As I go to deal with Mack, Bear slips into the bathroom.

“Has anyone told you lately you’re a dick?” I say, swinging the door open.

“No,” Mack smirks. “But people tell me I have a big dick.”

I flash him a vulgar gesture. “Let’s go.”

“Where’s Bear?” He asks, eagerly peering over my shoulder, then frowning when he doesn’t see her.

“Using the restroom. She’s meeting us downstairs.” I say, walking toward the elevator with him on my heels.

“So,” Mack says the word oozing smugness as he drapes an arm around my shoulders. “Are you ever going to admit I was right? That my solution did, in fact, work?”

Fuck my life.

I knew I’d regret asking him about that.

22 | LEVI

“Where’d the name Bear come from?” Mack asks from the back seat.

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