“What?” I asked, looking around the small room to try to figure out what had him sostruck.
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 thatwas weird until that moment? How did it take him so long tonotice?
“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 foolishtwat?
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 waslooking.”
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m anidiot.”
Bear
On my kneesin 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 damnfight.
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 herforehead.
“Just let me take care of you. For once in your life, completely surrender tosomeone.”
She leisurely let out a breath without muttering aword.
“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 thefeeling.”
She did as Iinstructed.
“That’s mygirl.”
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 deepstrawberry.
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 hermine.
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 begreedy.
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 heririses.
“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 aconquest.”
“Bear, I want to be yours. I want this. I want you.” She cooed, biting her bottomlip.
I kissed her lips quickly. “Say you’re mine—not that you want it, but that youare.”
“I am yours, Bear, completely andsolely.”
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 inme.
“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 herwetness.
Her body shook as her moans turned into cries and pleads to send her over theedge.
“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 responsiblequestion.
She nodded while biting her lip. The anticipation of what she knew was coming next wasthrilling.
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 inane look of elation plastered on myface.