Page 10 of Bear In Mind

I chuckled, her insinuation registering as reality smacked me: I was in Bear’s bathroom and had spent the night in his bed.While I knew we didn’t have sex or even sleep next to each other, I couldn’t shake the difference in him.Whatever happened last night had him inviting me into his home, allowing me into his personal space.It had him dropping the professional walls I was used to.

It had hope welling up inside me.

It had my womb heating, my body longing and my thoughts drifting.

I wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.I had ashit ton of curves, as Tiff would say.But maybe, just maybe, he liked them.

Or maybe not.

Five years was a long time.He would have slipped by now if that were the case.

No.Bear didn’t have a sudden penchant for plus sized women.He was a good Samaritan, a hero; likely my hero last night.That made the most sense.

Exhaling into a sigh, I showered, changed and brushed my hair and teeth.I forewent the make-up and put on my glasses, blinking a few times as my eyes adjusted to the low prescription lenses.The truth was, make-up wouldn’t change Bear’s desire for me, or lack thereof, and, as attracted as I was to him, I had enough self respect to know that I deserved a man who loved me at any size, any weight, and in any state, casual, glam, bummish or other.

I could thank my best friend for that one.After Darren tore me down, accused me of cheating and generally acted like an A-1, first class jerk, Tiff built me back up.She was a powerful buffer between me and what others thought of me.I had never been ashamed of my abundance, per se; I was just uncomfortable.The discomfort didn’t stem from the size of my curves; it was stress over how other people reacted to them.I was always bracing myself for the worst remark because, on occasion, I’d heard it.

None had ever come from Bear, his friends or their girlfriends and wives.I was at ease around him in that single sense: while I knew he didn’t find my fat beautiful, I also knew he would never make fun of me for it.

And for that I would always be grateful.

That and for last night.I didn’t know what happened, but I was certain I owed him for something.

Chapter Eight

Bear

My breath caught as she rounded the corner.Every rounded edge of her body called to me.More of her was covered yet her shape was better defined, revealing a waist that was more whittled than I thought.At work, her apron shrouded her figure, and while some of her mid-section had been bared last night, her short top hadn’t clung to the smallest part of her the way the tank did, despite being a relaxed fit.She carried more weight in her lower half, but there was more than an inch to pinch everywhere and I fucking loved it.I knew I wouldn’t have to hold back with her.

Dammit.If I’d acted on the pull years ago, I wouldn’t have to struggle to control myself or my bear now.I could have stripped her naked and fucked her senseless on the counter.Shit.I was grateful my shorts hung loosely off my hips, but worried my erection would still be visible if she looked hard enough.Stepping closer to the counter, ensuring my reaction to her curves was concealed by the cabinets, I watched as she set the black bag on the floor with her shoes.

Straightening, she peered at me expectantly.She nibbled her bottom lip, clamping her hands together.

The action drew my attention to the bruise on her arm.My bear roared, his anger melding with my own.Grinding my teeth, I tried to suppress the need to hunt the twerp down and shred him.I didn’t want to scare her, but hell if I could control the darkness swamping me.I wanted to kill him.

Noting where I was staring, she hid the bruise behind her back, flushing as though she were embarrassed by it.

My goal wasn’t to make her self-conscious about it.I wanted to protect her.Hell, I wanted to scoop her up, hold her curves tight against my bulk and kiss every doubt, every fear and every worry away.

“Um, do you know where my phone is by chance?”She licked her lips.It wasn’t meant to be seductive, but I couldn’t stop the rush of need that assaulted me at the sight of it.

Reaching a few feet down, I snagged the bag of pieces and held it up.I winced as the evidence dangled in my hands between us.“I’ll buy you a new one.”

She blanched, her brows creasing.“That happened last night?”

Setting the zip-lock aside, I sighed.“Yeah.”I would be kicking myself for weeks for that one.

Her features contorted in concentration.She scrubbed her forehead, tears abruptly appearing.

My heart cracked.My bear sent me flying towards her.Before I knew what I was doing, I had her in my arms.Guilt stabbed me as she trembled in my grip.“I’m so sorry, honey.”

She didn’t hug me back, but she made no effort to escape my hold either.Lightly, she shook her head negatively.“It’s not your fault.”She gasped for air.

And that was when I felt the frame of her glasses followed by wetness of her tears on my shirt.I heard her sniff, her curves continuing to quake.She was trying to be quiet, trying to hold back, but I heard it all; I felt it all.Fury rushed me again, but this time it was aimed at myself.I’d been the one who broke her phone.I’d been the one who left her vulnerable and unprotected last night.

Curling my fingers through her wet strands, I cradled her to me.All I could do was apologize.“It’s okay, honey.I promise I’ll make things right.”

Pressing her palms to my chest, she lightly shoved out of my grasp.She took a breath, her gaze focused downwards.“It’s really sweet of you to offer, but I’m sure you’ve done enough already, thanks.”She swiped at her cheeks, adjusting her glasses as her tears gradually slowed.

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