Page 8 of Having the Bear's Baby

Liam’s laughter subsided into a sheepish grin. “Do you want me to try?”

“Be my guest, but it’s going to happen to you too,” Emma warned, stepping back to watch his attempt.

With a calm determination, Liam lined up his shot. The ball left his putter and gracefully sailed into the clown’s mouth. Emma braced herself for the inevitable, but to her surprise, the ball continued on without interruption, making its way into the hole below.

She gestured dramatically at the course. “What the hell?”

Liam’s laughter billowed forth once again, his amusement a bit too evident. Emma couldn’t help but shake her head in disbelief at the turn of events. “I’m so glad we only have a couple more holes to go,” she teased, nudging him playfully.

Elbowing her in response, Liam quipped, “True. It can only improve.”

She feigned a glare before attempting to playfully hit him, but he dodged with surprising agility, leaping over the fake stones to reach their next hole.

Their mini-golf adventure eventually drew to a close, with the last hole completed and their gear returned.

“See? You got better at the end,” Liam teased, a grin playing on his lips.

Emma rolled her eyes with mock exasperation, giggling as she replied, “Oh, thanks.”

As they walked side by side, Emma’s gaze lingered on Liam. The evening had exceeded her expectations, and she found herself trusting in him. Their interactions had been marked by honesty and a genuine connection.

“Liam?” she began, turning to face him, her smile warm and inviting. The time felt right to share her thoughts and feelings about the situation they had entered into. He turned to her.

“We both know why we were set up,” Emma began, her voice laced with a blend of determination and vulnerability. She met Liam’s gaze, her eyes reflecting a mix of apprehension and longing.

“But I need to tell you that I mainly signed up because I want a family of my own. I want to be a part of my child’s life as much as possible. I’m ready and am just so fed up with the dating pool. I want a child while I still can enjoy them and know I can give them everything I have.”

Her words hung in the air, a weighty confession that she had held close to her heart. She watched Liam intently, her breath held as she waited for his response. Would he understand her motivation? Would he share her desires?

Liam’s fingers found hers, his touch grounding and reassuring. “I do, too,” he said, his voice a gentle reassurance that erased any lingering doubt. “I’m in the same boat. My family has been pushing me hard, but I’ve been looking for someone myself and have come up empty-handed time after time. That’s why I chose the agency as well. I’m an alpha and need a family, but it’s not just that. I’ve always wanted a large family. I want what my own family had. I also want my child’s parents to be involved in their life. So, to me, your request is heard by happy ears.”

Emma’s heart soared at his words, a sense of relief washing over her. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly understood, her hopes understood by someone who shared her dreams. She managed a smile, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “Good.”

His smile mirrored her own, genuine and heartfelt. Liam’s gesture of opening the car door for her was a small yet meaningful act of chivalry that touched her deeply. As they arrived at her place, he walked her to the door, a sense of unspoken anticipation lingering between them.

“Thank you for tonight,” Emma said, her words sincere yet tinged with uncertainty. She stood before him, a hint of nervousness in her stance, unsure of the next move to make.

“Absolutely,” Liam replied, his gaze holding a warmth that set her at ease. “And thank you for being so open with me. It lets me do the same with you. That being said, I want to say that I do want to move forward with this. With you.”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat, the realization sinking in that her dream was gradually becoming a reality. Her emotions swirled, a mixture of excitement, hope, and a hint of disbelief. “So do I,” she replied.

Liam’s smile deepened, his genuine expression melting away any remaining reservations. “I want you to spend the day with me at the bear den with my family and clan so you can meet everyone. Then, please ask your questions about whatever isn’t answered there regarding shifters and myself. I want you to feel comfortable in every way.”

Her nod was accompanied by a sense of gratitude, a feeling that Liam truly wanted her to be a part of his world. “I’ll be looking forward to it,” she replied.

“I’ll text you the details and directions,” he promised.

As Liam leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on her cheek, Emma’s heart raced, a flush of warmth spreading across her skin. His proximity ignited a fire she hadn’t anticipated, the subtle touch of his lips setting her senses ablaze. Their eyes met with a charged moment of connection that left her momentarily breathless.

“Goodnight, Emma. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Liam said, his words resonating with sincerity.

Emma’s fingertips grazed the spot where his lips had lingered. She watched him walk away, her heart racing, feeling as though the stars were finally aligning in her favor. A sense of contentment settled over her, a quiet certainty that everything was falling into place as it should.

FOUR

LIAM

Liam had woken feeling like the proverbial poked bear, and he knew it. This was not the day to be grouchy either. The deal was that Emma was coming over, and he wanted everything to be perfect.

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