When hands are placed around my face, I open my eyes.
“Shhh. It’s okay. Why didn’t you tell me that you got kicked out of the motel and didn’t have anywhere to go?” Bear rubs his thumb over my cheeks.
I lean into his touch, but don’t meet his eyes. How did he find out? Realization hits me like a ton of bricks. The biker from earlier probably told him that I was on the bench.
“I would have come sooner, but the prospect didn’t find anything out until an hour ago. That stupid motel owner wouldn’t spill anything,” Bear mumbles toward the end.
I close my eyes again, almost falling asleep as Bear rubs my cheek. Much to my protest, Bear moves one of his hands and helps me sit up with my eyes closed.
“Let’s get you back to the club. You can sleep in my room,” he softly whispers to me.
Bear helps me up from the bench and toward his bike. The whole way, he has a hand around my waist as I lean into his embrace.
“I had Gears bring a car, and he’s going to ride my bike back.” Bear helps me into the passenger seat.
I numbly nod, not really paying attention to what is going on around me. I know Bear will take care of me and make sure I am safe. He reaches over my body and buckles me in, shutting the door and walking around. He slips into the car and turns it on.
“How long have you been outside? Where is your stuff?” Bear grabs my hand and rubs the back of it.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and start typing.
Since you, Whiskey, and Gears left the motel. Someone took my bag before you came.
I have yet to look into Bear’s eyes, can’t quite bring myself to do it. Embarrassed that I got kicked out and have nowhere to go. Embarrassed that my pride wouldn’t let me text him and ask him for a place to stay.
The more Bear reads, the more he growls and hits the steering wheel. I flinch at the sudden burst of sound. I look at his chest, not daring to meet his eyes.
“Why didn’t you text me?” he asks as he starts to drive.
He looks over at me, and I shrug. I don’t want to tell him that my pride got in the way. That I felt embarrassed about getting kicked out.
Bear sighs as he parks the car and turns toward me. He grabs both of my hands before talking.
“Don’t ever be embarrassed. You need something, you can always text me. Trust me, please.”
I keep looking at his chest. I’ve gone this far without looking into his eyes, and I’m not about to change that now for fear of what I’ll see.
“Look at me,” he says.
I lift my eyes to the bottom of his chin. He slightly shakes his head.
“Look at me up here.” He points toward his eyes.
I make no move to look into his eyes. It just doesn’t feel right to stare into them. One of his hands makes its way toward my face. I shut my eyes, waiting for some type of impact, but am met with his calloused hand softly gripping and lifting my chin.
“Open your eyes,” he demands.
I open my eyes, obliging to his demand. I expect to be met with an angry face, but am met with a small smile.
“I will never hit you,” he says, still holding my chin. “Do you understand?”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat from my surprise at his sudden sentiment.
“Now, how about we go to my room and fall asleep?” He lets go of my chin, giving me a small smile.
He doesn’t wait for me to respond and gets out of the car. I wait patiently to see what Bear will do. I don’t want to do something else to irritate him.
“Come on, love, let’s get you to bed.” Bear opens the door.
