Page 30 of Bear In Mind

When he was within reach, he leaned in to claim my lips.“I found a dealership with a good deal on a Jeep.”

The day after he’d claimed me, Bear attempted to buy me the world, or so it seemed, but I never wanted him to think I was simply after his money.Plus, as with my degree, I enjoyed the comfort of knowing that I’d earned it on my own.

A week after we mated, I moved into his house.I tried multiple times to offer him money for the bills, but he refused.He said my money was my money.So, being the stubborn woman I sometimes was, I said that his money was his money then, which only temporarily stopped him from overindulging me with the unnecessary.

We compromised on two subjects: a vehicle and a ring.He insisted on a ring because he wanted me to be marked in the shifter world and the human world.Because it meant so much to him, I allowed it.I wore the three-karat diamond, surrounded by smaller stones that circled half of the band, with pride.It was beautiful, and a declaration and a reminder of his love for me.

I had Mel replace the starter in my Saturn again.Our agreement on the car was that, once I had enough money saved up, I would trade in my old car plus my savings and Bear would match what I had for a down payment towards something larger, safer and prettier.He wasn’t happy about it, but I’d put my foot down.In a little over two months, he’d bought me a phone with accessories, a ring, a necklace, some clothes and undergarments he claimed were entirely for him, despite being a little more than basic, plenty of lunches and dinners and paid for all of my living expenses, including my phone.I loved him for wanting to take care of me so thoroughly, but it wasn’t his job; it wasn’t what I wanted.

All that I wanted, he gave me, in every capacity: his love, his affection, his bear; him.He gave me all of him, and it was more than enough.It was more than any other man had ever given me.To give someone the most vulnerable parts of you was difficult; it required trust, required a depth of intimacy many couples never reached, never achieved.

Keeping my arms around his waist, I bent into him.“I’ll take a look at it when I get home tonight.”

He sucked in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he blew away his frustration.“One of these days, I’m just gonna buy the damned thing and refuse to return it.”

Narrowing my gape, I pursed my lips.“On the same front, I could refuse to drive it.”

Harry laughed.“You two sound like Edi and I did.”He locked the register.“I’ll see you in a couple hours, Bryn.”

Glancing back at the older male, I nodded.“See you, Harry.”

Bear frowned.“A couple hours?Do you have a date I don’t know about?”

The bell over the door chimed, announcing another customer had entered the store.

“I’m here, babe,” Tiff called.

He growled at my best friend as she came into view.

She snickered.“Get over it, big man.I loved her first.”She slapped his bicep, not the least bit frightened by him.

I braced myself, waiting for his response.They got along, for the most part, but shifters were territorial, and Tiff didn’t know the meaning of boundaries.

Abruptly, he captured my lips and grabbed my ass harshly, laying claim to me.He was aggressive, yet restrained.He brushed his erection against my lower stomach, kissing a path to my ear.“You’re all mine tonight, honey.”His voice was a whispered promise full of erotic insinuations.

A shudder worked through me.Warmth swaddled my womb.“Can’t wait.”I worked my lip, purposefully teasing him for taunting my best friend.

Looking at Tiff, she winked at me, catching onto my act.“We’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry that shit up.”

Straightening, he spun to face her.“Late for what?”

“I’m ready!Let’s go, Tiff.”I rushed past him, nearly dropping my purse as I snagged her hand.I was almost to freedom when a strong arm came around my mid-section.

“Late for what,honey?”The last word was spoken through clenched teeth.

My teeth pierced my lip painfully as I shifted my gaze to him.With a sigh, I let go of her hand.“I didn’t want to worry you.”I shrugged my shoulders.

Loosening his grip minutely, his features turned down, concern creasing his brows.“Worry me about what?”

Feeling my cheeks heat, I rolled my lips.“I’ve just been feeling extra tired lately.”Placing a hand on his chest, I angled up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.“You wear me out.”I gave him a small smile; I didn’t want to give him a guilt trip.I enjoyed every single second with him.

His expression morphed into one of regret.“Bryn, honey, you should have told me.”His voice was pained.

Guilt stabbed my chest, constricting.“It’s no big deal.The new doctor is just going to do a little blood work to check my vitamin B and zinc levels.I’m sure with a few adjustments, I’ll be able to keep up with you.”I giggled, aiming for a playful tease, but he didn’t respond the way I had hoped he would.

He scrubbed the back of his neck, his features twisting angrily.He was angry at himself, though; not me.It was exactly what I had wanted to avoid.He scrutinized me, searching me up and down.

I knew exactly what he was thinking.I knew that he was berating himself for thinking that a human mate could keep up with his shifter drive and stamina.I knew he probably felt like he’d failed me, like he wasn’t considerate enough.I knew, based on the hurt in his expression, that he was going to be apologizing for weeks to come.I hated that the truth did this to him.But I was human.I could keep up with and surpassed a lot of people, despite my size.But I would never out perform him.It was something I’d accepted early on, and was something I admired about my mate.

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