Page 39 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
Sophie laughed, surprised by how natural it felt. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should, although they would eat practically anything if they were hungry,” Nero said as he rose and began gathering the containers.
Sophie stood to help, still feeling the quiet thrum of nerves beneath her excitement. Was this too soon? Too much? She was still trying to rebuild her life, still patching together who she was without Tito. Getting close to Nero and to his family could complicate everything.
But as she watched him gently transfer the remaining tart to a container, his movements precise and unhurried, she couldn’t deny the pull he had on her. He wasn’t a rebound.
No, he was the first person in a long time who made her feel safe without making her feel small. He didn’t try to rescue her or fix her, he simply stood beside her. Listened. Shared. Respected.
And somehow, that felt more dangerous than anything.
They packed the dishes at an easy rhythm, falling into step as if they’d done this dozens of times. Sophie found containers in his neatly organized kitchen—“My mother’s influence,” Nero admitted with a sheepish smile—and lined each one with fresh herbs to protect the presentation.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the vineyard,” she said, snapping the final lid into place. “I’ve been thinking about how food and wine tell the story of a place. I’d love to include a chapter about that in the cookbook.”
“It’s the perfect setting,” Nero replied, eyes bright with enthusiasm. “Every bottle we make holds something of this land, its minerals, its air, its memory.”
The way he spoke made something stir deep inside her. His passion felt familiar. Like her own.
She hesitated. “Are you sure your family won’t mind? Me coming along, I mean?”
“They’ll be thrilled,” he said with easy certainty. “Especially when they taste what you’ve made.” Then, he added, “You don’t need to worry. My family isn’t complicated. What you see is what you get with the Thornbergs.”
Now that was quite a claim. But she was ready to believe him. To trust him. And maybe even to love him.
“Okay,” she said softly, almost to herself. “Let’s go to the vineyard.”
Chapter Fifteen – Nero
“Ready?” Nero asked, glancing at Sophie as she handed him the last Tupperware that contained her berry tarts. He carefully placed it inside the wicker picnic basket alongside the three other fabulous creations she’d made this morning.
She nodded, her fingers fidgeting briefly with the edge of her cardigan before smoothing it down. She looked radiant and a little nervous.
She has no reason to be nervous,Nero’s bear said.Everyone is going to love her.
She doesn’t know that,Nero replied.She’s worried she’s intruding on our family.
But she is family,his bear replied.
She doesn’t know that, either,Nero replied as he picked up the basket and opened the door.
Sophie hesitated, casting a glance around the kitchen as if checking she had not forgotten anything, before she followed. Side by side, they walked to the driveway where his red convertible waited. Nero opened the passenger door for her, and as she slipped into the seat, he inhaled her scent, committing it to memory.
Then he closed the door and placed the picnic basket on the back seat.
“Are you going to roll the top down?” Sophie asked, glancing over her shoulder at the basket.
Nero chuckled, securing the hamper in the back. “It’s not going to fall out. I’m a careful driver.”
He caught the flicker of amusement in her expression and grinned. Her earlier nerves seemed to have evaporated. He loved seeing her like this, happier, lighter. Her walls still rose when she was uncertain, but when they dropped, even for a moment, she practically glowed.
I know the feeling,his bear said, happy to be in the presence of their mate. Although they both knew he would be much, much happier when he got to meet her in the flesh.
As he drove away from The Lookout, Nero felt the familiar thrum of his engine under his hands. But it was nothing compared to the thrum of the blood in his veins. Being this close to Sophie made his pulse quicken in a way he’d never experienced before.
She tilted her face toward the breeze and let out a contented sigh.
“Does that mean you are glad we have the top down?” Nero asked.
