A few hours passed and Bear was still out. I wasn’t a stranger to the late-night hours of club business. I flipped through channel after channel, not finding anything that could keep my attention for more than a few minutes. As dusk began to settle, sleepiness started to take over. Climbing the stairs, I tiptoed into Bear’s room. Even though I was alone in the house, I was still scared to make too much noise. I feared anything more than a whisper might disturb the peacefulness that blanketed the entire home.

I grabbed a white shirt from the top drawer of the dresser. Holding it up to my nose, I breathed in the woody musk of Bear’s masculine scent. It was so comforting and completely inebriating. Stripping down, I pulled his shirt over my head and crawled into his gigantic, plush bed with nothing else on but the covers. I curled up in the sheets, wrapping them tightly around my body. As I drifted off to sleep, I pretended his strong arms were cradling me.

“Scarlett.” Bear’s husky voice glided into my ear as he softly woke me up. “Darlin’, don’t move.” His calloused fingertips glided up under the thin cotton that covered my stomach and breasts, exploring my skin for the first time. His deep brown eyes locked with mine as I gasped to catch the breath his slightest of touches stole from me.

Goose bumps covered my body while he left no inch of my chest, shoulders, and neck untouched. His hot breath curled around my ear as he whispered, “You’re so stunning, sweetheart. I’ve been cravin’ this since you locked your fingers with mine that first night in the hospital room.”

“Oh, Bear.” I whimpered, turning my head slightly so our lips finally connected.

Instantly our bare bodies were pressing against each other. His fingers teased and explored as our lips danced in a perfect rhythm. The sensations coursed through my body like lightning in a darkened sky—simple, seductive, captivating.

“Scarlett.” The sound of my name broke through my love-drunk dream state. The bed sinking next to me made me snap to attention. My dream had felt too real. Suddenly, I was sad it had been just a figment of my imagination.

Had I imagined all the attraction too? A sinking feeling pulled at my heart as I worried that I had built everything up in my mind.

Even though Bear had been nothing but a perfect gentleman around me, that was all he had been. Even though I thought there were flirtations, it had been so long since I’d had to read subtle cues like that, I could have been completely off base. Jasper and I had slowly evolved into glorified roommates over the years. Yes, we were married and I thought everything was fine, but looking back, that couldn’t have been farther from the truth. In the hospital, I’d had plenty of time to reflect, and our red-hot passionate love had fizzled out into nothing. I should have been furious that my marriage was over and had ended the way it had, but I wasn’t. I’d thought I would mourn the loss of the love of my life, but I had come to find that I was not in love with Jasper at all, and maybe never have been. Lilith was scum for going behind my back like she had, but in so many ways, she’d done me a huge favor.

“I must have dozed off.” I rubbed my eyes as Bear rolled over onto his side.

I held my breath as he wrapped his arms around me. Relief consumed me as I melted into his embrace.

“I’m sorry for waking you, I just didn’t want to startle you.” The slight hint of whiskey rode on his breath, the aroma comforting me as I nestled into the crook of his shoulder.

“I’m glad you are home,” I whispered.

He kissed my forehead. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

“Where would I have gone?” I was shocked that he would have thought that I would leave without even saying goodbye.

“I don’t know. I was just worried I would come home and this would have all been a dream.”

“Well, I can assure you that the road rash can prove none of what happened over the last week and a half was conjured up in your mind.”

I woke up to an empty bed and the sweet smell of pancakes coming up from the kitchen. I hopped up, not even bothering to put on the jeans Jaxon had brought me. I was still moving a little slow from my injuries, but I didn’t need anything more than some strong Motrin to take the edge off.

Bear was in the kitchen in camo boxers and a black and white polka dot apron with frills on the ends. I stood in the entry of the kitchen watching him hum to himself as he stirred the bacon and flipped a flapjack onto the top of the pile he was forming.

“I never would have pegged you for a man with an apron,” I teased, wrapping my arms around his broad frame from behind. I could barely touch my fingertips together around his middle.

A deep, throaty chuckle escaped before he turned to look down at me. “Someone was wearing my shirt, and bacon grease splatter hurts like heck when it attacks a naked chest.”

He swiftly kissed the top of my head before pouring more batter into the sizzling pan.

My stomach grumbled at an embarrassing volume, and my cheeks burned as I grabbed a piece of bacon that was cooling on a paper towel.

“I guess someone likes the smell of my cooking.” Bear winked at me as a small smirk played on his lips.

I rubbed my hollow stomach. “I think my tummy was just talking to the bacon, beckoning for its fatty goodness. It’s amazing to not be eating the bland hospital food for a change.”

“Didn’t order from Al’s, I take it.”

I shook my head. “The sleepies took precedence over hunger last night.”

He scraped the last of the batter into the pan. “Ready to eat?”

I nodded, helping bring the plates to the small table in the corner of the kitchen. “Thanks for doing this.”

“You’re my guest. It’s only right that I feed you a proper breakfast, darlin’.”

Before taking his seat, he poured us both mugs full of coffee. “Cream and sugar?”

“Never. My daddy never took fixins in his joe, so I grew up not knowing anything different.” There was nothing better than a good cup of strong coffee and some greasy bacon in the morning.

Sitting at that table, staring at Bear from across the worn wood, it sank in: he reminded me of my father and brother—not in a creepy incestuous way that would give me the heebie-jeebies and make me seek out a Freudian professional for some couch time, but in a very comforting, homey way. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced since my brother signed his name on that dotted line. I was proud of Liam for serving our country but I truly did miss having him around.

I sat in content silence as I noshed on buttery, maple syrup-covered pancakes that tasted like they were made from heaven’s own recipe for flapjacks.

As the last couple of bites rolled around in my mouth, I moaned from the euphoric tasty trance I had been cast into.

“That good, huh?” Bear asked while clearing my plate and setting it in the sink. He untied the apron and threw it onto the top of the refrigerator.

“I don’t think you’ll ever get me to leave now that I know those little clouds of fluffy deliciousness can be created within this kitchen—especially if you wear that apron.”

Bear put a stopper in the sink, starting to fill it with hot water and soap to soak the dishes and pans. With his back to me, he teased in a singsong voice, “Don’t flatter me too much, darlin’. I know the apron is a panty dropper, but try not to fall too hard for me.” As he turned back toward me, his jaw hung open.

“What?” I asked, looking around the small room to try to figure out what had him so struck.

He threw his hand over his eyes as he stammered. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean—I didn’t realize. I’m so goddamn s-sorry.”

My entire body flushed as every inch of my skin prickled while the realization of what he was seeing sank in. I still wasn’t wearing anything other than his white cotton shirt. I was beyond mortified. How could I not have thought that that was weird until that moment? How did it take him so long to notice?

“Oh, damn. Fuck.” I pulled my knees up to my chest, pulling the thin fabric over my body. I had never felt so exposed in my entire life. How could I be such a damn foolish twat?

Bear dropped to his knees in front of me, pulling me into him. “You don’t have to hide from me, I just didn’t want you to think I was looking.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m an idiot.”

On my knees in front of Scarlett, there was nothing I wanted more than to show her how much it turned me on that she was only wearing my see-through t-shirt. I had wanted her from the moment our skin touched for the first time. I had never been more drawn to a woman in my entire life. There was a connection, whether primal or heaven-sent, I didn’t care. It was real and all-consuming. All I knew was that I was never going to let Scarlett out of my life without a damn fight.

Without thinking too much into it, I grabbed the legs of the wooden chair she was sitting on, whisking her into the middle of the kitchen. Her stormy eyes got wide but right when she opened her mouth to speak, I placed one finger on her plum-colored Cupid’s bow as I shook my head. I leaned up on my knees, letting my lips connect with the soft skin of her forehead.

“Just let me take care of you. For once in your life, completely surrender to someone.”

She leisurely let out a breath without muttering a word.

“Good girl.” My fingers interwove with the fine dark amber curls at the top of her neck, pulling ever so slightly on the tender scalp underneath. “Close your eyes, darlin’. I want you to just concentrate on the feeling.”

She did as I instructed.

“That’s my girl.”

I unfolded her arms from around her chest, resting her hands on the tops of my shoulders. Tenderly, I pulled my shirt up over her knees, guiding her legs down around my sides. Taking my time, I rolled the pads of my fingers over her ears, down her neck. Over the fabric, I teased her plump breasts, and then I ran my hands down the insides of her thighs. The smallest touch made her shudder. I stared at her lips as the corners pulled ever so slightly up and her cheeks blushed the most adorable hue of deep strawberry.

Pulling the collar of my shirt to the side, I rolled the tip of my tongue over the edge of her collarbone, being sure to give the same attention to both sides of her body. The only utterances she let slip were subtle gasps and involuntary moans. As I explored her body, I made mental notes of each sound and where on her body pushed her to that edge. I noted how she cooed when my nails lightly dragged over the top of her back, how she shuddered when I nipped at the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, how goose bumps rose when my fingers connected with the insides of her knees. They were all spots most men would overlook, lazily just going for the usual places. Scarlett deserved for me to know all the places that lit a fire in her, most of which she probably didn’t even know herself. It was my job to know every inch of her better than she knew it; that was the only way to truly make her mine.

I pushed her legs apart, able to see her desire pooling instantly. My mouth watered at sight of her need and want, but I couldn’t be greedy.

Cradling both sides of her face, I whispered, “Open your eyes. I need you to look at me, Scarlett.”

Her dark gray eyes fluttered open. She was drunk with passion. It filled her irises.

“I need you to tell me you’re mine. I need to hear you say you want this. You can say no, but if you say yes, please know what you’re promising. I will take it extremely seriously. You being mine is not just about passion and sex. You’re not a fuck or a conquest.”

“Bear, I want to be yours. I want this. I want you.” She cooed, biting her bottom lip.

I kissed her lips quickly. “Say you’re mine—not that you want it, but that you are.”

“I am yours, Bear, completely and solely.”

A low growl escaped from deep within me. It was the first time I had ever needed someone like that, and there she was, unwavering in her resolve to put her trust in me.

“Close your eyes again, darlin’.”

With the slightest hint of a smile on her lips, she did as I commanded again. The primal beast within me roared with excitement. I yearned to devour her, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. Spreading her legs a little more, I kissed from her knee to upper thigh. I wanted to drink from her nectar instantly, but I let my fingers slide over her slickness first, watching closely as her body reacted to each soft touch and tease. After taking in as much as I could and waiting as long as possible, I finally gave in to my thirst. It was the most amazing sensation; my entire body went into hyper-drive as my taste buds slid over her pulsing clit and plunged into her wetness.

Her body shook as her moans turned into cries and pleads to send her over the edge.

“Not yet, Scarlett. I have something else in mind for us.” I reluctantly pulled away from her. “Are you on birth control?” The words felt bitter, but it was a necessary and responsible question.

She nodded while biting her lip. The anticipation of what she knew was coming next was thrilling.

I yanked my boxers down and pulled my shirt off of her body. Even though I had touched every inch of her bare skin, seeing her completely for the first time took my breath away. It took me a couple of seconds to regain my composure. I was thankful that I had made Scarlett close her eyes, because I probably had the most insane look of elation plastered on my face.

Pulling her dainty body into my arms, I directed her legs around my waist. I climbed to my feet, slightly leaning back on the wall behind me. With my hands under her ass, I slowly pushed into her opening, filling her tightness as gingerly as I could. She gasped, her eyes flying open as I bottomed out in her. Holding her right there, I pulled her body more toward mine, letting our lips finally connect. I rocked her and her kisses quickened ever so slightly with each thrust. Her walls tightened around my cock as I throbbed deep inside her.

“Oh, fuck, Bear!” She cried into my ear as her teeth sank down into my shoulder.

I roared out Scarlett’s name, slamming harder and harder into her.

It was the best climax of my life, the longest, most euphoric ending to an encounter I could imagine ever having.

As I lowered her to her feet, she just sat down on the linoleum floor. “I don’t think my legs work yet,” Scarlett remarked as she looked up at me.

Sinking to sit with her, I wrapped her back up in my arms. “I’ll carry you for the rest of the day, if need be.”