Page 76 of Bear

Cecily settled on my lap once she saw Kareema was in her element. She still sat tilted to one side and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“I’m forty-one,” Tito answered to everyone’s surprise.

“Bullshit,” I chuckled.

“I don’t bullshit.”

“Wow, you look so young, Tito. And you’re fine as fuck. You definitely don’t look like you’re the same age as my father.” There was Kareema, talking with zero chill. I laughed a little because of the champagne buzzing through my veins. It was much easier to tolerate Kareema that way.

With my arm hooked around Cecily’s waist, I leaned over and pressed my lips to her back. Her skin was smooth and warm. It was all I could do to stop my tongue from trailing down her spine.

“You smell like sugar,” I muttered against her shoulder blade.

“Do I?” A champagne flute dangled from her fingertips and I could hear the alcohol relaxing her words.

“You do.” I couldn’t help myself. I snuck a quick lick to her skin and it was like doing a line of coke. Cecily rolled her shoulders back a little and I tightened my hold around her waist.

“Bear, behave…”

“I’m behaving, baby doll but you can’t put honey in front of a bear and expect me not to taste.” I slid the bear paw charm along her gold chain then traced her collarbones.

The entire world faded away from us like fog in the sunlight. “Did I tell you how much I love this necklace?” She turned to the side so I could see more of her face. I counted her cinnamon freckles mapping them out like constellations in the sky.

“You just love knowing you belong to me,” I smirked against her ear and she giggled. I watched the way her slender throat dipped when she tipped her champagne flute up, drinking the last swallow of amber liquid. I stared at the fading bruises peppering her neck and ached to decorate her with more.

“I do. I love letting everyone know I belong to you. This necklace feels like a crown on my head.”

“It should,” I told her quietly. My fingers inched under her silk dress and she squirmed in my lap. “You’re my queen. I wish I’d seen it sooner.” I kissed a slow trail along her jawline and her eyes fell shut.

“Um…guys. There are other people in the room,” Kareema blurted. Just like that, the world flooded us again.

“Shit. What kind of champagne is this, Tito?” Cecily’s laughter lit my chest up with warmth.

“Only the best,” he smiled in return lifting his flute.

“Yeah, this is the good shit. I only drink top-shelf everything and this is the smoothest champagne I’ve ever tasted,” Kareema added.

“You know quality when you see it, huh, Kareema?” Tito narrowed his eyes when he looked at her like he only wanted to focus on her face. I knew the feeling. I only wanted to see Cecily.

“I do,” She purred and crossed her legs with a smile. Seeing her flirt was weird for me. Kareema was always like an annoying sibling or cousin that I liked but only tolerated. Once I saw her flirting with Tito though, I realized I loved her too in a strange way.

“Hey, Kareema, help me grab dessert. Cecily, you stay put.” I patted her thigh and she slid off to the side, sitting on the couch.

Kareema blinked at me a few times before hopping up and following me into the kitchen.

“Bear, what’s up?” She looked up at me with big hazel eyes and I realized how pretty she was.

“Kareema, I know you’re grown but I want you to be careful flirting with Tito. He’s in the same business as me. He’s…”

“A bad guy? Likeyou?” She folded her arms and stared at me with confidence oozing from her pores.

“Yeah, a bad guy like me.” I shrugged my shoulders and leveled her with a stare.

“That’s just it, Bear…I’ve known for a long time that you and Cecily loved each other. I didn’t know when you would realize it but I’ve been watching your love for a long time now.

I’ve been dying for someone to even remotely light me on fire the way you light Cecily on fire. It’s beautiful. I haven’t been able to find it. I’m not saying Tito is it but maybe bad guys know what passion is. Maybe they know how to set a girl on fire.”

“You think so?” I scratched my beard and locked eyes with her.