Page 30 of Bear Hunt

“Let’s go.” Paxton excitedly heads out of the kitchen, down the hall, and carefully opens the front door, holding it and waiting for me to go through first.

I’m nervous and excited at the same time, ready to let myself feel some real feelings, if only for a day because my truck should be ready tomorrow.

I walk outside and I’m greeted by a smile that has quickly become an addiction. The four others are basically a blur because all my focus is on Bear. He doesn’t even look tired after being out here all night.

About an hour after Paxton had knocked on my door, four people on motorcycles turned up and parked beside Bear’s truck.I know because I had to look out the window to see what was going on with the noisy engines. They’ve been there all night, unmoving, and while I managed to sleep for a few hours, my mind hasn’t stopped whirring.

“Mornin’, Baby Girl.”

His voice and those words are like a balm to my soul.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” The corners of his eyes crinkle a little more when he repeats my one-word greeting, and this, mixed with the heat in his gaze as he scans my choice of outfit, feels like something I want to pocket and keep forever.

“Is someone gonna pass the coffee around or not? ‘Cause I’m practically dying of thirst over here.”

The woman with short blue hair and a tattoo on her neck slaps the guy who just spoke across the back of the head. “Don’t be a dick, Grinder.”

“Hey, Prospect, I’ll make sure you’re on bathroom duty at the compound for a month for that.”Grinderfaux-scowls at her, and she responds with an eye roll.

“Worth it.”

The easy way they all seem to be with each other is fascinating to watch, but I shake myself out of it and offer up the tray.

“Sorry, here, coffee, and Paxton has grilled cheese sandwiches for you all. I didn’t know what you all liked or wh—”

“Thank you. It’s amazing that you did this for us.” Bear interrupts my nervous rambling and carefully picks up one of the coffees before bringing it to his soft, full lips. “And thanks to you too, Paxton.” He tilts his head as he takes a sandwich, and Paxton looks really pleased with himself when the others all eagerly dig into his offering.

“Those are some nice bikes. Is that an aftermarket exhaust?” The little guy approaches the woman’s motorcycle and crouches to get a closer look.

She chuckles and the guy who gave the prospect bathroom duty mirrors Paxton’s position and begins describing something to do with the two-wheeled machine. I have to admit, it is beautiful. It’s bright blue, almost matching her hair. The other two guys start on their sandwiches, leaning casually against their own bikes.

“Delicious.”

The rumbled word from Bear brings my attention back to him and I have to giggle when I see a crumb in his black beard as he chews the last of his grilled cheese.

“What’s so funny, Baby Girl?” He raises both of his brows and his lips tip up at the corners. His deep brown eyes bore into me and melt my insides, even with the bitter cold of the December morning chill.

“You, er, you have a crumb in your beard.” I point to his face awkwardly, the empty tray in my other hand.

“Get it for me.” It’s not a statement as such, but it’s not a question either.

He waits for a beat, unmoving, until I slowly raise my hand and bring it closer to his face. I’m itching to touch his beautiful dark skin, to feel him against my fingertips, because every time we’ve touched so far, there have been clothes acting as a barrier. I’d love just a little skin to skin so I have that extra sensation to remember him by. It’s silly, I know, but I think I’ll take what I can get before they inevitably find me.

Ignoring my first instinct, I carefully pick out the small crumb from his tight curls beside his mouth. My eyes are fixed to the one spot, but I can feel his burning into me, willing me to look up at him.

“You want it?” I’m joking, but his lips stretch out to a wider smile before they part slightly.

Oh my gods, I think he’s waiting for me to put the crumb in his mouth.

Do I…?

Is this weird…?

His pink tongue pokes out a little and I don’t think. I lift the tiny crumb to his mouth with my thumb and index finger and he moves forward so slowly, bringing his hand up to lift my chin so I’m now staring into his dark eyes. The flutters in my stomach come to life as he softly wraps his lips around my thumb and finger, swiping his tongue between them and catching the crumb before leaning back again.

I think I’m in shock because I don’t move my hand, I continue to hold it up in the air even after he’s moved away. But our eye contact is strong, and I think he’s taking pity on me as he holds my hand in his and brings it down between us. Then he doesn’t let go.

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