I should refuse on principle, but I open my mouth and let him ease food into my mouth…not just once but over and over again. It’s ridiculous how fast the mood between us shifts. The atmosphere turns sensual.
He watches me chew, then just keeps offering me bites. After a few bites we fall into an easy rhythm.
“You’re doing this on purpose,” I say after swallowing a particularly tasty bite.
His mouth twitches into an almost smile. “Doing what, darlin’?”
“Acting like you’re not the scariest person in this building.”
He offers me another bite. “You think I’m scary?”
“To others, not me.”
“Good,” he says, and then, quieter, “If they’re scared of me and you’re wearing my cut they will stay the fuck away from you if they have any good common sense.”
I take the next bite and suddenly I feel the need to show him that I care about him too. I take a bite of egg onto his fork and bring it to his lips.
He lets me feed him right back. I sit up straighter, more engaged because it’s mutual. When all the food is gone, he reaches for the coffee again and takes a slow sip. “Wear my cut today.”
“But not to visit Rick, right?”
His eyes sharpen. “No, not yet. I’m not expecting him to wake up right away, but I think we need to ease him into the situation.”
“Smart thinking,” he says.
“I’m always smart,” I tell him. “That’s why I knew we’d be perfect together.”
We finish our coffee slower than we need to, because neither of us wants to rush into the day yet. This moment, the morning after everything changed between us, is worth savoring, so that’s just what we do. When our cups are empty, Bear stands and gathers the plates and cups.
“You’d best get a shower if you’re coming with me today. We’ve got our work cut out for us,” he says in a serious tone.
“I can do Rick’s route or do yours and you can do his.”
“No. I need to make all the priority deliveries first this morning,” he answers. “I’ve got interviews scheduled from twelve to three this afternoon. Even though we have you on board we still need a couple of other drivers. Especially if Rick’s gonna be out of action for a while. If all goes well, we’ll train them right away. We’ve got to get those routes covered or we’ll not only let a lot of good people down, but we’ll be at risk of losing our contracts with the pharmacies.”
I come to my feet, eager to get started. “We’ll work together and move double fast.”
Bear’s entire posture changes and a stubborn look jumps onto his face. “No. I didn’t mean to insinuate you’d be making deliveries with me today. I’ll run the routes and you can interview prospective new hires.”
I look up at him. “You need me and I’m coming and that’s all there is to it.”
“You’re safer here,” he insists.
“No. I’m not going to let whoever this is make me afraid to live and work.”
“Don’t argue with me when it comes to safety.”
“You don’t get to give me your cut, promise to protect me and then hide me away upstairs like I’m a secret.”
He goes still. “That’s not what’s happening and you know it.”
I drop the sheet and stand there with my cut in one hand. “You don’t get to claim me and then decide I can’t be near you,” I tell him. “I’m either a help or a hindrance. Pick one.”
Bear’s jaw flexes, and he studies me for a long moment. His eyes drop to my naked body and then he closes his eyes and looks up like he’s forcing himself to think logically about my request.
“We’re stopping at places,” he says. “Someone sabotaged Rick’s brake line. Whoever did that might target me and if you’re with me...”
Cutting him off, I say, “I know that. But if I’m with you, I can keep an eye on your vehicle.”
