Page 9 of Bear In Mind

Ordinarily, I didn’t delegate the important stuff, like things attached to my mate.But I wasn’t about to leave her in the state she was in.Five years was long enough.

Chapter Seven

Saturday

Bryn

I crushed my eyelids shut, clutching my head as pain shot behind my eyes.Burying my face in the pillow, I scrunched my features, trying to recall what happened last night, but it was all a blur and then nothing.The last thing I remembered was dancing with Tiff.Or was I dancing with someone else?Crap.This was why I didn’t drink anything more than cheap wine and only inside my cheap apartment.

Wait.How did I get home?

Angling slightly, I peered at the bed.Shit!This isn’t my bed!

Shoving myself upright, I winced, my left forearm throbbing as I swayed violently.

A pair of strong arms came around me.“Shh.Take it easy, honey.”

That voice.It couldn’t be.Oh no.My stomach knotted with unease as I glanced up at him.“Bear.”His name was a breathless whisper.

Amusement lit his gaze.“Yeah, it’s me, honey.”He lowered me back down to the pillows, scrutinizing every inch of me along the way.

My eyes widened as I looked down, immediately breathing a sigh of relief to find I was still clothed.Glancing around the room, I took in the white walls and oversized furniture.I took a few deep breaths, trying to remember last night, but it was as if someone had extracted my memories.There was this massive black gap between then and now.

I scrubbed my forehead, anxiety mounting within me.This wasn’t good.

Glimpsing sidelong at him, my heart beat a little faster.God, he looked good enough to eat.His dark hair was in disarray, like he’d run his fingers through it repeatedly.He wore a pair of athletic shorts and a white t-shirt that put all of his upper body strength on display.The five o’clock shadow he donned was the sexiest part.He was always freshly shaved when I saw him, but good heavens almighty the stubble was sexy as hell.

Oh God.I’m gawking at him.From his bed.Holy crap.I slept in his bed!

I carefully sat up this time, immediately pulling the covers over my exposed belly.He was right there, spotting me in case I needed him.His brows crinkled with concern, and the fact that he was genuine worried wasn’t lost on me.

Which could only mean he had a reason to worry.

Licking my lips, I cast my gaze downwards.“What happened last night?H…” I sighed, peering up at him through hooded lashes.“How did I end up here?”Or, better yet, why.Bear’s bed was the last place I expected to end up.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he faced me.The way he looked at me, though.It was different.There was something in his depths that I couldn’t define, something I’d never seen or noticed before.Something had changed.Something must have happened.

He searched me endlessly, the silence like an ice cube gliding down my spine at a snail’s pace.“We have a lot to discuss, but first, let’s get you showered, changed and fed.”

My hands instantly went to my hair.Good Lord, I must be a mess.I felt the fly-aways and the fact that my bun was lopsided, which meant I probably had raccoon eyes from my make-up on top of my morning breath, and no brush, make-up or a toothbrush to fix it.I did my best not to cringe.He was definitely seeing me at my worst.

Or my presumed worst.For all I knew, I could have been wiling out last night.

“I had a friend meet Tiffany at your apartment last night.She sent a few things with him for you.It’s in the bathroom.”He motioned toward the closed door on the left.“Take your time.I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”He patted my thigh over the comforter before he got up and stepped out of the room.

Grateful for the space, I eased off of the bed; I didn’t want him having to rush back in here.It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Bear; it was that I didn’t trust myself not to do something embarrassing, like pass out or vomit, which both felt probable at this point.Although, knowing my best friend, I was liable to find an ensemble that would shake my confidence and keep me confined to the bathroom all day, which might be slightly more ridiculous than the other two.

Opening the door, I found my glasses sitting beside a black gym bag on the counter.Peering in the mirror, I was relieved to discover my make-up had worn off rather than smearing.I frowned as I caught sight of a blackish purple handprint marring my left forearm.Hovering my right hand over the mark, I noted that my hand was too small to have caused it, but Bear’s would be too big.I concentrated, trying to recall anything I could about last night, but came up empty.

Taking a steadying breath, I unzipped the bag.Seeing the black leggings, grey tank, decent intimates and all of my toiletries beneath a note, relief washed through me.

Call me when you can.But not too soon.

Glad you’re okay.

Love you, babe.

Tiff

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