Page 56 of Hero Mine

“It’s important to me before we even get started that you know we can stop this at any point, for any reason.” His voice came out rougher than he’d intended.

“Bear—”

He cupped her cheek, his callused palm gentle against her skin. “I know the attack wasn’t sexual in nature, but I also know fear is insidious and sometimes makes its way into places it doesn’t belong.”

Her eyes softened, understanding flooding her expression. “Okay.”

He tilted his forehead against hers, breathing in the sweet vanilla scent of her shampoo, the faint traces of woodsmoke that had settled in her hair during their hike. “I just want you to take this as slowly as you need. We don’t rush anything or try to power through. You talk to me if anything we do triggers something from that night.”

That was the most important thing to him: that she understood he would stop a thousand times over before wanting her to pretend she was all right when she really wasn’t.

She turned her head and kissed the palm of his hand that was cupping her cheek, her lips soft against his work-roughened skin. “Thank you. I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.”

“Fine. But if it is…”

“Then I’ll say so rather than use any of the self-defense moves you taught me.” Her lips quirked upward. “I promise. Now kiss me again, Bollinger.”

Bear needed no further invitation. He closed the distance between them, capturing her mouth with his. He kissed her slowly at first, dragging it out, making her feel it. Her lips parted beneath his, a small sigh escaping her as he dipped his tongue in to taste her. Coffee and cinnamon and something uniquely Joy.

She slid her hands up his chest, mapping the contours of his muscles through his shirt before her nails lightly scraped along his neck. He groaned, the sound vibrating from deep in his chest as he deepened the kiss.

One of his hands found its way to her waist, fingers splaying wide against the curve where her sweater had ridden up, exposing that tantalizing strip of skin. She was warm beneath his touch, so warm, and he stroked his thumb over her hip bone, savoring the way she arched into his touch.

By the time they pulled apart, they were both breathing hard. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, her eyes heavy lidded with desire. Her body was warm against his, and he could feel her heart hammering in pace with his own.

Her breath was warm against his throat as she pressed soft kisses to his jaw, her fingers fisting in his shirt as he pressed her back into the cushions of the love seat. The fire crackled beside them, throwing soft, golden light over her skin, over the green of her eyes that had gone dark with heat.

Bear braced himself, palms planted on either side of her, fighting to keep his control. “Joy,” he murmured, voice rough with need.

She licked her lips, her fingers sliding beneath the hem of his shirt, brushing over the heated skin of his abdomen. Her touch left a trail of fire in its wake, and Bear’s muscles jumped beneath her fingers. “Don’t stop.”

He groaned, dropping his forehead against hers, his pulse hammering in his veins. He wanted this—wanted her—so badly it was an ache deep in his bones. But he needed to be sure. To check one more time. “You sure?”

She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, and what he saw there stole his breath. There was no hesitation, no doubt. Only trust and desire and something deeper that neither of them was quite ready to name.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” she whispered.

That undid him.

With a low growl, Bear captured her mouth again, kissing her deeply. This time, there was nothing restrained about it. He poured years of wanting into that kiss, years of holding back, years of watching her and waiting.

She responded in kind, her body arching up to meet his, her hands sliding under his shirt to press against his bare back. When she raked her nails gently down his spine, he shuddered, his control slipping another notch.

In one fluid motion, he slid his arms beneath her and lifted her from the love seat. Joy made a small sound of surprise against his mouth but didn’t break the kiss, just wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, her body melding against his.

He carried her across the small cabin, their mouths still fused together, and laid her down on the bed. She looked up at him, her brown hair spread across the pillow like a halo, her lips swollen from his kisses, her chest rising and falling with each quick breath.

“You’re so damned beautiful,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

He lowered himself over her, careful to keep his weight on his forearms as he settled between her parted thighs. He kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the moment, savoring her.

Every touch was reverent, every kiss unhurried. He wanted to memorize this—memorizeher. The way her breath hitched when he kissed that spot just beneath her ear. The soft sound she made when his hand found her breast through her sweater, his thumb brushing across the peak. The way her body arched into his touch, seeking more.

She let out a soft gasp when his lips traced along her jaw, down the column of her throat. “Bear.”

“Hmm?” He lifted his head, brushing his thumb over her cheek, studying her expression for any sign of discomfort or hesitation.

She curled her fingers around his wrist, grounding him. “I need you.” Her voice was quiet but firm, no fear, no uncertainty, just raw desire and trust.

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