Page 31 of Bear In Mind

“Let’s go.I’m going with you.”He secured his arm around me and guided me towards the door.

Tiff hesitated just outside the store.“I’m thinking you two have this.”My friend rarely appeared awkward, uncertain, especially when it came to me.These two were tearing me up today.

Thrusting a hand on my hip, I glared at her.“Tiffany Ann Moretti, you get your rear asset in the back seat of Bear’s truck right now.You are not leaving me now.Plus, I promised to buy you lunch afterwards, remember?”

Her brows crept upwards.A smirk bowed her lips.“Well, hello, sexy.I like this feisty new Bryn.”Strolling towards the truck, she waited for Bear to settle me in before hopping in the seat behind me.“So fucking hot, babe.”

I rolled my eyes as Bear came around to the driver’s side.“I can’t wait until you find a curvy girl to lust after more than me.”I snickered.

“I second that.”Bear slammed his door.

Smacking his bicep with the back of my hand, I angled myself in the leather seat.“I can’t wait to seetheTiffany Moretti get whipped and tamed.”

“You make it sound like I’m gonna get fucked by a dominatrix.”She snorted.

Glimpsing over my shoulder at her, I wagged my brows.“You never know.”

She grimaced, raising her palms in defense.“Hey, I’m all for a little kink, but fuck no.I’m not letting anyone tie me up and torture me in the name of eroticism.I like my skinny white butt a little too much for that one.”

Peering at a stern Bear, his focus on the road as we drove towards the doctor’s office, I couldn’t help but smile.“You never know what life has in store for you, babe.”Reaching over, I sought his hand.

He didn’t deny me.He placed his hand in mine, laced our fingers and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.Lifting our entwined hands to his lips, he pressed a kiss to my knuckles.

My heart skipped a beat.There were moments when I still couldn’t believe that he was mine, and that I was his.“I love you.”It was the first time I’d said it, and certainly not the place or time I’d planned on doing it, but I felt it in every fiber of my being.I loved the strong, alpha male beside me.I loved the man he was and the woman he made me.

The truck swerved a bit as he did a double take.His eyes flickered with a honey luminance as he briefly met my gaze.“I love you, too, honey.”Parking, he practically leapt out and raced around to my side.Opening my door, he hauled me out, barely giving me a chance to snatch my purse, closed the door and pressed my back to the glossy paint.Wrapping his arms around me, he beamed down at me.“I love you, too, honey.”

Feeling my cheeks heat, I stared into his depths, studying his bear.I’d seen the animal a handful of times, but was equally enthralled with each interaction.They were a lot alike in how they approached me, but also in the sense that they would do anything to protect me.I knew I was safe with them.I knew everything would be okay so long as they were around.Not only had they proven it in the bar, but afterwards as well, when I had to complete an interview with the county prosecutor.He stuck by my side through it all, handling all they allowed him to for me.He never judged me; only protected me, safe guarded me and supported me.

“Tick tock, tick tock, love birds.”Tiff tapped the display on her watch.

Bear and I grinned at each before looking at my best friend.

“Oh, that’s not creepy.”She frowned, taking a step back.“I’ll be inside.”She motioned her thumb behind her, towards the small practice’s door.

A giggle escaped me as I refocused on him.“I love you.”

“I want you to say it over and over again, but only once I know that you’re alright.”He stroked his hand down my loose locks, his features twisting yet again as he took me in.

Patting my hand to the center of his chest, I blew out a small breath.“Let’s go.”

Gliding a strong hand to my lower back, he escorted me inside, to the appointment that delivered a diagnosis none of us had expected, yet all of us celebrated: I was pregnant.

For better or for worse, love will always change you.How you’re changing is the single piece to forever bear in mind.The right person will always better you, always better your life; the wrong person will steal your joy, will replace your confidence with doubt, and will never be your perfect mate.

You cannot love without risk.You cannot achieve true happiness without exposing yourself.You cannot be who you were meant to be without change.

Orson Bear not only changed my life; he changed me.

For the better.For ever and ever.

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The End