Page 18

Chapter Eighteen

It’s Not What It Looks Like. Is it?

Clover

“You two are adorable together.” The woman behind the desk at the hotel beamed at us. She had some serious Nana energy to the point that I wouldn’t be surprised she’d somehow managed to take over this woman’s body. “How did you meet?”

“I’m his client,” I instantly regretted saying that, because in this setting, it had a much different meaning than it did when we’d given Major Lowe the same explanation. Although, the scandalized look on the woman’s face as she thought about what kind of client a man like Bellamy would bring to the Tall Timbers Resort was totally worth a moment of mortification.

“If we need to change our checkout date, that can be arranged?” Bellamy’s voice was gruff, and I didn’t miss the hint of pink that was showing through his beard. Even the bear was scandalized by the client comment. Good to know. We could laugh about it later over?—

Over what? My bear asked. Wine in your hotel room? The woman had said the hotel was very busy this week, but they were able to squeeze us in. I had pretty much braced myself for the worst room in this cute resort that I’d wanted to check out for years.

“We hope you’ll find your stay pleasant, and if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call the front desk and ask! We like to make magic happen, especially for guests like you.” She beamed at Bellamy as she handed him the envelope with the key cards inside. “But we understand that even the best plans aren’t set in stone, and if you need to make changes, we’ll work with you to accommodate that.”

Somehow, this felt more like a tarot card reading than a hotel stay. This woman was definitely picking up on something between us.

The desk clerk looked around us. “Do you have luggage?”

I stifled a laugh. She’d really think we were here on business now.

“Just our bags. I can carry them,” Bellamy said with a nod, and then we headed to the elevator.

“Oh, a penthouse suite.” I pushed the button for the top floor and then stepped closer to Bellamy. It was absolutely impossible to ignore the heat rolling off his body or the slight rumble that was probably coming from his bear. My bear wanted to hit stop on the elevator and do unspeakable things to this man.

There are mirrors everywhere , she said. You could watch yourself get him off from every angle…

I squeezed my legs together to calm the pulsing muscles between them. Even though we’d had that conversation on the way here about how we’d both dreamed about what our lives could’ve been like if I hadn’t fucked up everything and rejected him, he’d quickly gone back to trying to pretend he was only doing this job for the good of the clan.

Did I believe that for a second? Hell no.

But I was torn. Ever since we’d had breakfast sex, he’d been respectful. Not distant, but he stayed on the couch every night like a perfect gentleman, while I lay in his bed, aching for him to make the next move. Maybe he didn’t think I wanted him too. Why did everything with this bear have to be so damn complicated?

You could have done something , my bear suggested.

Ugh. I wasn’t used to thinking long haul. More like, I wasn’t used to being afraid of losing someone. And whether it was magic or unfortunate circumstances that put me back in Bellamy’s stratosphere.

The elevator opened, saving me from going down the rabbit hole of my thoughts. Bellamy was quiet as we headed toward the end of the hallway. He opened the door and I followed him inside.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” He groaned.

It took me a second to realize where we were. I squinted at the red things on the floor, wondering why they’d given us a dirty room until I realized they were all over the bed—in a heart pattern. A tray sat in the middle of it, with more roses, an ice bucket with champagne, two flutes, and chocolate-covered strawberries on a plate.

And that was definitely a hot tub in front of the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake.

“Did she give us the mate moon suite?” I kept blinking, thinking the next time I opened my eyes all these ludicrous and hilarious accessories would disappear and we’d be in a standard room with two double beds.

My magic wasn’t that strong.

“Should we go back down and tell her she’s made a mistake?” I added. My heart pounded as reality set in. This was no longer a business trip. It was a romantic getaway with the bear who tried to claim me. “When I said I was your client, I thought she was gonna make us leave?—”

“Nope. It’s perfect,” Bellamy said, his lips turning up in a defiant grin as he plucked one of the strawberries off the plate and dropped it into my surprised lips. “I say we milk this for all we can get.”

I could barely swallow my strawberry without choking. “You mean, make them think we’re on our mate moon?”

“Why not?” His dark eyes were dancing with desire. “Everyone roots for the newlyweds. They’ll tell us everything they know. We’ll have an all-access pass to this town. If Anders Lynwood is here, he can ride his fancy motorcycle wherever he wants, but he can’t hide from us.”

“Great plan.” My disappointment was a lousy chaser for the chocolate-covered treat. “We’ll be out of here in no time.”

“Hey.” Bellamy tipped my chin up so there was nothing I could do but look into those gorgeous eyes. “If this makes you uncomfortable, we can find another place to stay.”

“I’m not uncomfortable.” I jerked away from him. “It’s just that…” I shook my head.

“It’s just that what?”

I turned to find him sitting on the edge of the bed. The sight of him… The slate blue T-shirt clinging to his bulging biceps. His hair was slightly too long, and a little lighter at the tips. Those full lips. “You’re giving me whiplash. One moment, you’re talking like you want to give things another try. The next, you’re all business.”

“What do you want, Clover?”

“I want you to make me regret every bad decision I’ve ever made.”

He rose from the bed in a move that was more animal than human. Everything inside me pulsed at double-time as he came over to me and brushed my hair away from my shoulder. His lips were against my ear. “I think you know how long I’ve been dreaming about doing that.”

His hands were on my waist, and he pulled me against him. His cock was hard against my stomach. “And you owe me a mate moon.”

I didn’t know what would happen when this was all done, but right now, I’d convince myself the best thing I could do was let both of us get lost in this fantasy. This alternate universe where I let him claim me. And maybe, just maybe, we could make it real.

But I wouldn’t worry about any of that tonight. “Show me what you’ve got, bear.”

His lips were on mine, hot and hungry. I let him inside, finally surrendering to him after all this time. Now I understood I wasn’t giving up a piece of myself to let him into my life. It might be too much to hope that this was more than just this night, just this case, but maybe he could accept me for the hot mess that I would probably always be.

He drew away from me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. For a moment, he looked so much like he had the last time I’d seen him. When he’d been so brave to come forward in front of the entire clan and ask me to be his mate. Damn it, I didn’t want to feel regret right now.

Do you understand how lucky you are to get a second chance? My bear sighed. Don’t screw this up.

Oh, I did. Not in a million years did I ever think I’d ever have a chance to fix this mistake. My heart ached, realizing I’d taken so much time from him. I was convinced he’d moved on without another thought of me. Left me in the dust. This opportunity felt like pure magic.

Maybe Alba Lynwood had cast a spell that fixed my life.

The way Bellamy moved around the cozy suite was pure bear. He was totally in his element, in a place I never expected.

It’s not where he is, it’s who he’s with.

I chuckled softly to myself as he carefully moved the tray with the champagne and the strawberries over to the wet bar behind the hot tub. Even in the throes of passion, he was still lawful good. I resented him for it when I was younger. I needed him to be wild back then. But now I could find comfort in it. Not that I needed anyone to take care of me. As a Crowley, I felt invincible because my name was my armor. Maybe I needed this professional bodyguard to protect me as I reemerged to the clan—and the world—as my own woman.

Bellamy picked up a little bottle and his face lit up. He turned to me and grinned.

“What did you find?” I asked.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” he rumbled playfully as he approached. His gaze raked over me. “This is gonna be perfect.”

I groaned. “I’d agree with you if I knew what you were talking about.”

He put his hands on my hips, and his breath was hot against my ear. “Let me show you what you’ve been missing all these years.”

It was like the bear could read my freaking mind. I scraped my teeth against my bottom lip. “Maybe I’d like to do the same.”

He shook his head, grinning. “It’s my turn.”

He slid his hands up, just enough to grab the bottom of my sweater and pull it over my head. He let it fall to the floor, and his gaze warmed my almost bare skin. His fingers were rough against my bra strap, then tracing the outline of the lace before he pulled one cup, then the other. My nipples pebbled as he moved closer, carefully circling the piercings through the lace. They were sensitive, and I closed my eyes as sensation rocketed through me.

“Do you like that?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Tell me.”

“Oh, you’re a bossy bear.”

He stilled his finger. “I can stop.”

My traitorous body throbbed, needing more.

“I like it a lot.”

“I like the way your body responds to my touch,” he said, his voice husky. “Last time we were together, I didn’t have a chance to appreciate it.”

“Because we were hate fucking.”

A brow shot up. “Do you prefer that, or would you like to see what I have in mind?”

“A hard, fast fuck is always fun.” I grinned as he groaned. “But there’s something delicious about going slow like this.”

“Mmmm. Turn around now and let me take this bra off you.”

I turned slowly and raised my hair so he could get at the clasp. The bra fell to the floor and I turned to face him.

“So beautiful,” he said, cupping my breast. He ran his thumb over the nipple and then took it into his mouth. Now it was my turn to moan, which made him suck harder, scraping his teeth against the piercing. He moved to the other side, giving it the same attention.

His next move was my leggings. He slid them down my legs. “Get on the bed. On your stomach.”

The rose petals were still there. I put my knee on the bed and looked over my shoulder at Bellamy. “Are you gonna keep your clothes on all night?”

“For now,” he said. “I have a plan, and don’t want to get distracted.”

“Always the practical bear.” I chuckled as I got comfy.

His knee shifted the mattress, and he settled beside me. He pulled that little bottle out of the pocket of his jeans and squirted it into his hands.

“They had massage oil?”

He nodded.

My mouth opened in an O. “That little old lady seemed so sweet, and she set us up in a sex palace.”

“We’ll have to leave her a glowing review.” Bellamy ran his hands from my shoulders down to the small of my back, bumping up against the lace of my thong. He made another long stroke, settled on my shoulders for a moment, before working his thumbs down my spine.

“You got a knot,” he said softly.

“It’s always there.” I closed my eyes, relishing the pain as he worked on it. “You’d think I’d get massages all the time, working in a spa, but the opposite is true.”

“That woman today recognized you,” he said. “Do you remember her?”

“No.” I didn’t feel like talking shop right now, but some things never changed. Bellamy was all business. “Usually, I cover my client’s faces with masks and creams. And her eyes would’ve been closed, so it’s a little strange she remembered me.”

“She must have been a regular. Did you ever open your spa?”

I shook my head.

“Why not?”

“Because it was never the right time. The clan always needed something. And it was easier to work for someone else.”

“But you wanted it.”

“I’m surprised you remembered.”

“I never forgot anything about you, Clover,” he said, running his hands down my back as the knot melted away. “Maybe you can open a spa in Granger Falls, if you decide to stay. I don’t expect you to give me an answer tonight. I just want you to know it’s a possibility.”

“That might be nice.”

He moaned in agreement. “You know what else is nice?” A smack against my butt cheek made my eyes shoot open. “This ass is fucking fantastic.”

“It’s a lot bigger than it used to be.” I chuckled nervously. Having Bellamy give me the once over before he told me to lay on the bed was terrifying. I’d gained a lot of weight since he’d last seen me, and I liked to think I was good at camouflaging it with clothes, but I had nowhere to hide. The rolls, the cellulite, the stretch marks. Gravity having the last laugh. It would’ve been sweet justice if he’d rejected me because of it.

His grip tightened on my cheek. “Are you suggesting that’s a bad thing?”

I looked over my shoulder at him. “Not everyone appreciates a woman with ample curves.”

He scoffed and shook his head in disbelief. “Anyone who thinks you’re less than a goddess is a fool. Guess I should use that to my advantage.”

Another slap, this time on the other cheek. Electricity flowed through my veins, and Bellamy rubbing away the warmth of his strike made me squirm under his touch.

“Someone’s getting impatient,” he said as he slid his hand under the lace and between my legs. I was soaking wet for him. He stroked again, maddeningly deeper. “Very, very impatient.”

Then he drew his hand away, and I moaned, which earned another spank. And another. “You’ve needed these for a while.”

“You’ll never get me to behave.”

“That’s the last thing I want.” His hand was still on my ass. There was no way he wouldn’t be able to feel my pussy pulsing, daring him to come play. He leaned forward, heat rolling off his frustratingly still clothed body. “Are you ready to turn over?”

“I’m gonna get oil all over the sheets.” There always was the hot tub…

“They aren’t the only thing that will need to be changed when I’m done with you,” he rumbled.

I rolled over, meeting his hungry gaze as he poured more oil into his palms. He kissed me, his lips trailing down to my neck, stopping over the spot that pulsed wildly in anticipation of whatever he did next.

Drawing back, he rubbed his hands together and started at my shoulders. They were a little sore from the work he’d done moments before, that delicious pain of letting go. Healing. Is that what this was?

I didn’t have time to think about it because he’d moved to my boobs, making slow circles, squeezing them, running his hands up to my neck and grasping, meeting my gaze…

“Fuck.” The word was barely more than a breath.

He let go of my neck, giving my breast another circle before heading down to my stomach, pushing down my panties and rubbing either side of my slit. Next time, he pulled the panties to the side, fingering the bar above my clit. My back arched, and he grabbed a fistful of lace and tore the underwear off me.

The growl that came out of him as he pulled his shirt over his head was absolutely delicious. I would’ve helped him with his jeans, if he hadn’t turned my bones into jelly. But watching him free himself from his jeans…his cock hard and ready…was all the motivation I needed.

I rolled up and Bellamy caught me. He liked kissing, a lot, like it was his way to say things that words couldn’t possibly explain. He effortlessly lifted me onto his lap, never breaking the kiss. I grasped his shaft, running my hand up and down its length, loving the way he moaned against me.

His hand overtook mine, showing me what he liked. With his other arm, he lifted me, and helped me position him so he could come inside.

That was hot.

He slid inside, with fast strokes, holding me by the waist like I was a doll. My muscles pulsed around him.

“I love how it feels being inside you,” he said. “This fucking gorgeous body is gonna make me lose control.”

“Let me help you with that.”

“If you do anything else, I’ll lose my mind.”

“I haven’t done anything yet, bear.” I slid my hand down my stomach, taking my clit between my fingers. My head fell back on contact. Between Bellamy’s thrusts and my touch, I was about to go right over the edge.

I cried out as my body went into overdrive. Bellamy groaned, his shaft swelled inside me, and my body wanted to trap him there. To do what our clan had said we were destined to do all along and have him come inside me. But he managed to lift me just before he erupted.

I lay on the bed, watching him coax the rest of his release out of his body. Sweet moon, was he ever beautiful, even more so that I’d brought him to this place. That he’d accepted me exactly as I was, nowhere near perfect, and made me feel like a queen.

It had been a while since anyone had made me feel that way.

I can tell you exactly when it was.

Shut up, bear.

It was right before you sent him away…

He lay beside me, pulling me against his dewy body. I’d be forever thankful he couldn’t hear my thoughts. “Are you ready for the hot tub?”

“Depends on what you have planned there.”

“I need to clean every inch of this beautiful body.” He tipped my chin up. “I mean it, Clover. You’re beautiful.”

“You are too.”

He grinned. “Not a compliment I get often, but I’ll take it.”

He pushed himself off the mattress, turned on the faucet, and unwrapped the bath bomb that had been left for us.

“Something borrowed, something blue,” he teased as he dropped it in.

I rolled over so I could get a better view of his ass as he got the tub ready. The man was pure muscle. “We definitely can’t claim that they put us in the wrong suite now. The whole hotel probably heard us.”

“Good.” He looked at me, his expression sobering. “I’d love another chance to make you mine.”