Page 25 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
“So he asked you to repair it?” Sophie asked.
“Yes, he came to see me yesterday at the wedding expo,” Nero explained.
“Really?” Sophie asked. “Is that why you left so suddenly?”
She noticed we left,his bear said happily.
“Yes. The deadline’s tight, but I worked through the night to get it done. It means so much to Norman and Hilda,” Nero said.
“You are quite the romantic, aren’t you?” Sophie said and then cleared her throat as she straightened up. “So, how did you learn to do this?” she asked, gesturing to the workshop around them.
Nero relaxed into the familiar territory of discussing his craft. “My grandfather’s best friend, Paulo, taught me the basics when I was just a boy. I would sit right here,” he patted the worn stool beside his main workbench, “watching him transform raw metal and stones into something magical. I knew back then that this is what I wanted to do.”
“Not the vineyard?” Sophie asked.
“No, I never had the skill for tending the vines or for blending the wine.” He shrugged. “My brothers all found their own paths, but this… This is mine. This was always where I belonged.”
“Teach me,” she said.
“Okay.” He pulled out a small piece of silver wire and his pliers. “Something simple,” he said, his hands moving with practiced ease as he began to shape the metal. “A basic ring setting.”
Sophie moved closer, watching intently as his fingers worked the silver. The wire curved and twisted under his guidance, taking shape with seemingly effortless precision.
“You make it look so easy,” she murmured.
“Years of practice,” Nero said, acutely aware of her proximity. Her warmth seemed to radiate toward him, and he wanted to hold her in his arms and make love to her here in his workshop.
“It’s not unlike cooking in some ways,” she said, and he swallowed down his desire. This was not the right time.
“In what way?” he asked, his voice catching in his throat.
“The attention to detail, the balance of elements, knowing when something needs more time and when it’s perfect as is.”
Nero considered her answer. “I’ve never thought of it that way, but you’re right. Both require patience and respect for the materials.”
“And both bring people joy,” Sophie added softly.
Their eyes met across the small piece of silver, and Nero felt his heart skip. The workshop around them seemed to fade away, leaving only this moment, this connection.
“They do,” he agreed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sophie’s cheeks flushed pink, and she stepped back slightly, breaking the spell. “I should let you get back to your work,” she said, though she made no move toward the door.
“You’re not bothering me,” Nero said quickly. “I mean, if you’d like to stay while I finish the bracelet...”
“I’d like that,” she admitted.
“Would you like to try?” he asked suddenly, holding out the polishing cloth.
Sophie blinked in surprise. “Me? I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“I’ll show you,” Nero said, moving to stand beside her. “It’s simple, really. Just gentle, circular motions.”
He guided her hand, his fingers warm against hers, his skin tingling as they polished the bracelet together. The emeralds seemed to glow brighter under their shared touch, as if responding to the energy flowing between them.
“See?” Nero said, his voice low near her ear. “You’re a natural.”
Sophie turned her head slightly, their faces now inches apart. “I have a good teacher,” she murmured.
