Page 20 of Bear In Mind

Confusion had me hesitating.“I…I mean…I know bigger women aren’t your thing, Bear, and you can’t change what you’re attracted to.I get that.I just wish your bear or Mother Nature or God or whoever understood that.”I couldn’t imagine being pushed into forever commitment to someone I wasn’t attracted to.“I don’t have a problem with who or what you are, only that you were paired with me against your will.”

His gaze intensified.A battle waged in his depths, as if he and his bear were dueling for supremacy.“Harry, do me a favor and finish your conversation with Bryn fast.”He loosened his grip on me.“I’ll be right outside when you’re done.”There was a rumble in his voice that vibrated through him.

I watched, dumbfounded and befuddled, as he left.Working my poor lip, I glimpsed at Harry.

The man beamed knowingly at me.“You’re hired, little lady.Be here Monday morning at nine.We’ll discuss the details on that other stuff then.”His attention traveled to the door, a small chuckle escaping him.“Enjoy your weekend, hun.”He stalked to the back of the store.

Catching myself, I issued a belated, “Thank you.”

Focusing ahead, I sucked in a deep breath.One problem down and one bear to go.

Chapter Fifteen

Bear

I didn’t know how to react.I was delirious.My mate said she would be with me if things were different, and I was about to prove to her that they were.I was taking her back to my place, and I’d be damned if she left thinking I didn’t love every damned inch of her.

Fuck.My cock tented my shorts.Just thinking about the way she filled out her leggings had my groin tightening.

The door opened and my gaze shot to her.Fuck.I shouldn’t have put the phone bag in my truck.I could use the coverage right about now, but I hadn’t wanted to risk damaging it while I went from business to business searching for her.My anxiety was close to peaking before I spotted her inside the hardware store with Harry.

My bear snarled, kicking up on his hind legs.I shuddered from the power behind it.Each time he shoved at my surface, he seemed stronger and I felt weaker, particularly with Bryn so close.Issuing my own rumble, I temporarily overpowered the animal.It wouldn’t be long until I couldn’t, though.

She slowly approached me, stopping a couple feet away.She peered up at me expectantly.Indecision was vivid in her brown eyes; she didn’t know what to make of our exchange.

Studying her, truly taking her in, only made me want her more.I wanted to promise her the world and deliver it to her.She deserved so much more than she asked for.Most women dropped hints or flat out demanded things.Bryn never did.She never took advantage of my kindness.Hell, she was ready to live in misery because she thought she wasn’t what I wanted.

It was a logical conclusion on her part.For five years, I ignored my desire for her and defied my bear’s wishes, which translated into five years of daily unjustifiable rejection to her.In that aspect, I’d fucked up big time.But I swore on all that was holy that I’d make it right, and she would change her mind.

All I wanted to do was take her home, strip her bare and fuck her until I couldn’t anymore.I wanted her marked, claimed and made mine forever.Tonight.Then, tomorrow, I would get her a ring, a car, and whatever else she wanted.It was time I stepped up and took care of my mate.I should have been doing this all along, and I would spend forever making it up to her.

Seeing her fidget with her purse, I acted fast, reaching out and taking the bag from her and using it to cover the front of me.Snagging her right hand, I tugged her closer before placing my hand on the small of her back.Wordlessly, I guided her back to my truck.Just as I’d done that morning, I settled her in the passenger’s seat before going around to my side.Closing my eyes for a few seconds, I took a deep breath, adjusting my shorts.I couldn’t seem to get myself under control and I had a fifteen minute drive ahead of me.As it was, it would take every ounce of my willpower to keep my bear in line while stopping myself from pulling over and launching myself at her.

It was pure hell.Her sweet curves were a nonstop tease, and soon enough she would know that.

Chapter Sixteen

Bryn

He practically jumped from a moving vehicle.The second he turned the truck off, he leapt out and came around to my side, leaving the keys in the ignition.He jerked my door open, nearly ripping it off the hinges.Nothing I did was fast enough for him, so he unbuckled me, he pulled me out of the truck and he-

He pressed my back to the shiny dark green finish.He placed his forearms on either side of me, caging me in.His eyes were stormy abysses, something fiery and passionate in his depths.His breaths belonged to a dragon or an athlete near the end of a marathon.He seemed to be gasping for air and pushing it out harder than he took it in.

His muscles flexed around me.Strain was visible in the clench of his jaw.He stared into me, far beyond my surface.He penetrated me with his gaze, peeling away layers I wasn’t even aware of.

I was mesmerized by him, entranced.I was seeing a side of him I didn’t generally see.Bear always came across as calm, cool and collected.Today, he looked disheveled, as if his world was coming apart at the seams.I didn’t know what to make of it all, though.I didn’t know what I should or shouldn’t do right now.I didn’t want to anger a wild animal.While I didn’t believe Bear would ever hurt me, but I didn’t know enough about the other part of him yet.I didn’t know what portions fiction got right.

“Fuck it!”He captured my lips, stealing my breath.The way his lips molded to mine were flawless; a perfect fit.He was aggressive, yet there was a gentleness to his approach, an awareness of sorts.He teased and nibbled my lips as he freed my hair from its band.The second my strands were free, he thrust his fingers into them, cradling my head.With a tiny tug, he angled me just enough to deepen the kiss.He brushed his tongue along the inner edges of my lips, a prelude, a tease before he plunged it into my mouth, primal in the way he devoured me all of a sudden.He squished my curves between the truck and his hard body, his-

Whoa!His cock pressed through the material of his shorts and into the softness of my belly.

The feel of him had my body heating rapidly.I plastered my palms to the truck to keep myself in check, to keep from embarrassing myself.I didn’t know what he was aiming to do, but everything he did demanded a reaction from me.Every lick of his tongue had tingles sliding down me.Every nip of my flesh had desire pooling in my womb.Every brush of his lips had my carefully constructed barriers crackling, crumbling.Every press of his body to mine had me wanting more.God, I wanted so much more.

My nails scraped along the glossy paint.My breasts swelled, my nipples hard, and the fabric of my bra abrading them.In his arms, I didn’t feel fat and clumsy.I felt wanton and…and…wanted.

He made me feel wanted.

And that was the douse of cold water I needed.

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