I step out of the car, and Bear shuts it. He wraps his arm around my waist and leads me to the clubhouse. I stop in my tracks, not wanting everyone to see me walk into the club in the middle of the night.
“Don’t worry, they’re all asleep.” Bear starts walking again.
I relax as we make our way through the empty club. I know I am going to have to deal with all the guys finding out I slept in Bear’s room tomorrow, but that’s the least of my worries right now.
Bear and I walk into his room, and he heads into the closet. He brings out a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, handing them to me.
“Go change in the bathroom, and then we can go to bed,” he says softly.
After locking the bathroom door, I change into his clothes without looking at myself in the mirror. I wrap my scarf around my neck and unlock the door, walking out.
“Why don’t you take off the scarf? It gets pretty hot in here. Last time, you were sweating.” Bear sits on the bed.
I stop walking and start to fidget. I don’t want to show my scars. I’m not comfortable with anyone seeing them, but at the same time, I am already sweating.
“You don’t have to, but I want you to be comfortable. I also want to let you know that just because you have scars, it doesn’t mean I don’t think you are beautiful. Your scars are beautiful,” he whispers, cupping my face.
I sigh into his hands, realizing that he makes me feel comfortable, and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to let him in a little. I slowly lift my hands to my scarf and pause. I take a deep breath in and unravel a part of it.
Bear keeps eye contact with me the whole time. His gaze never leaves mine to gawk at my neck.
“Is it okay if I look? If you don’t want me to, I’ll get into bed first and close my eyes,” he says.
I nod. At some point, he is going to take a glance at my neck. I watch him intently as he looks at me. I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction.
“Beautiful,” he whispers.
I look away. I can’t help but feel the blood rush to my cheeks, and my eyes water.
“Let’s get into bed.” He grabs my hands and pulls me toward the bed.
He pulls the covers back and climbs into the bed. He pats the spot right next to him, and I crawl into bed. I place my head on his chest as he wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer to him.
“Goodnight, Brooke.” He kisses my head.
I snuggle my head into his chest and close my eyes, falling asleep.
“Can’t you do anything right?”Jared yells in my face.
I flinch as he raises his hand. I tried to make him dinner and accidentally overcooked his steak. He picks up his plate and throws it at me; luckily, he misses since he is drunk.
“I am so sick and tired of you being so imperfect.” He backs away from me.
I keep a watchful eye on him as he walks around. I am confused as to why he isn’t beating me. He walks into the kitchen, and I hear him rummaging. I try to pay attention, but I can’t tell what he is looking for.
“Maybe I should teach you a lesson. A lesson you won’t forget,” he says with a wicked smile on his face.
I back away from him, but run into a corner. This house is quite small, and I always manage to find myself in the corner of the room without even trying. I look to my side and realize I could make it past him.
“You aren’t getting away from me this time,” he says, moving in my way.
He brings something from behind his back, and before I can see what it is, he splashes the liquid all over me. I gasp when I see a lighter in his hand. No way. He wouldn’t.
“Please don’t,” I plead.
“This will teach you a lesson. A lesson to get everything right, or there will be major consequences,” he growls, flicking the lighter.
I move toward him, but before I can get away from him, he throws the lighter in my direction. In a couple of seconds, my whole body is in flames, and I scream out in pain.
