Page 19

Two months later…

Tuesday

Bryn

“Was that another new customer?”

I closed the office door behind me, stepping out into the main space of the store. Shifting my purse up my forearm, I took a moment to tug on my light wash skinny jeans, to adjust my white tank top and to straighten my chunky gold jewelry. Leopard print ballet flats completed my uniform of casual elegance, which was what I aimed for these days.

After Bear explained his arrangement with Stuart, I’d happily quit my job at the coffee shop, not even bothering to give notice. Needless to say, Stuart wasn’t pleased, and, according to gossip, the quality of service had dropped drastically since I’d left. It proved that I’d made the best decision, particularly with the increased traffic we’d had at Nuts it wasn’t what I wanted.

All that I wanted, he gave me, in every capacity: his love, his affection, his bear; him. He gave me all of him, and it was more than enough. It was more than any other man had ever given me. To give someone the most vulnerable parts of you was difficult; it required trust, required a depth of intimacy many couples never reached, never achieved.

Keeping my arms around his waist, I bent into him.

“I’ll take a look at it when I get home tonight.”

He sucked in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he blew away his frustration.

“One of these days, I’m just gonna buy the damned thing and refuse to return it.”

Narrowing my gape, I pursed my lips.

“On the same front, I could refuse to drive it.”

Harry laughed.

“You two sound like Edi and I did.”

He locked the register.

“I’ll see you in a couple hours, Bryn.”

Glancing back at the older male, I nodded.

“See you, Harry.”

Bear frowned.

“A couple hours? Do you have a date I don’t know about?”

The bell over the door chimed, announcing another customer had entered the store.

“I’m here, babe,”

Tiff called.

He growled at my best friend as she came into view.

She snickered.

“Get over it, big man. I loved her first.”

She slapped his bicep, not the least bit frightened by him.

I braced myself, waiting for his response. They got along, for the most part, but shifters were territorial, and Tiff didn’t know the meaning of boundaries.

Abruptly, he captured my lips and grabbed my ass harshly, laying claim to me. He was aggressive, yet restrained. He brushed his erection against my lower stomach, kissing a path to my ear.

“You’re all mine tonight, honey.”

His voice was a whispered promise full of erotic insinuations.

A shudder worked through me. Warmth swaddled my womb.

“Can’t wait.”

I worked my lip, purposefully teasing him for taunting my best friend.

Looking at Tiff, she winked at me, catching onto my act.

“We’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry that shit up.”

Straightening, he spun to face her.

“Late for what?”

“I’m ready! Let’s go, Tiff.”

I rushed past him, nearly dropping my purse as I snagged her hand. I was almost to freedom when a strong arm came around my mid-section.

“Late for what, honey?”

The last word was spoken through clenched teeth.

My teeth pierced my lip painfully as I shifted my gaze to him. With a sigh, I let go of her hand.

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

Loosening his grip minutely, his features turned down, concern creasing his brows.

“Worry me about what?”

Feeling my cheeks heat, I rolled my lips.

“I’ve just been feeling extra tired lately.”

Placing a hand on his chest, I angled up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

“You wear me out.”

I gave him a small smile; I didn’t want to give him a guilt trip. I enjoyed every single second with him.

His expression morphed into one of regret.

“Bryn, honey, you should have told me.”

His voice was pained.

Guilt stabbed my chest, constricting.

“It’s no big deal. The new doctor is just going to do a little blood work to check my vitamin B and zinc levels. I’m sure with a few adjustments, I’ll be able to keep up with you.”

I giggled, aiming for a playful tease, but he didn’t respond the way I had hoped he would.

He scrubbed the back of his neck, his features twisting angrily. He was angry at himself, though; not me. It was exactly what I had wanted to avoid. He scrutinized me, searching me up and down.

I knew exactly what he was thinking. I knew that he was berating himself for thinking that a human mate could keep up with his shifter drive and stamina. I knew he probably felt like he’d failed me, like he wasn’t considerate enough. I knew, based on the hurt in his expression, that he was going to be apologizing for weeks to come. I hated that the truth did this to him. But I was human. I could keep up with and surpassed a lot of people, despite my size. But I would never out perform him. It was something I’d accepted early on, and was something I admired about my mate.

“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 see the Tiffany 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.

—

The End