“Now, tap my arm every time my heart beats,” Bear says.
I slowly tap whenever I feel his pulse. His heart is so strong and powerful that I hear it beating.
“Good girl. You did amazing,” Bear encourages me.
I start breathing easier again as my body sags. I relax and lie limp in Bear’s arms. I stop tapping my finger, but continue to listen to his heartbeat.
“Now, you want to tell me what set you off? I don’t want it to happen again, but I have a feeling I know what it is.” Bear rubs my back.
I look around for my phone, but can’t find it. I shakily twitch my fingers like I am typing. Bear continues to rub my back with one of his hands while he grabs my phone on the ground, handing it to me. I take it, trying to type, but my hands are trembling with all my emotions.
“Take your time. Everything is okay,” Bear whispers in my ear, giving me a kiss on the head.
I take a deep breath in and let it out.
When you yelled, it brought memories back.
“I thought it was that. I didn’t catch it in time, but I noticed your body language changed. I’m sorry I shouted at you. I’ll try not to do it again.” Bear runs his hands through my hair.
I snuggle more into Bear’s chest, letting my hands drop to my lap. He continues to soothe me as I try to lock up my memories.
“Isn’t this scene just cute!” someone says out of the blue.
I jerk away from Bear, but don’t get far as he holds me close to his body. I push on Bear’s chest, trying to get away. This is so embarrassing.
“Shut up, Gears. What are you doing here?” Bear asks.
“Well, I was walking by when I heard raised voices. I stayed outside and didn’t hear anything for a while, so I decided to make sure everything was okay. To my surprise, everything is better than okay,” he says, walking more into the room.
I hide my face in Bear’s chest, trying not to meet Gears’s eyes or let him see my burning face.
“You don’t have to hide from me. This only stays between us. I won’t tell anyone the compromising position I found you guys in,” he says, chuckling.
Bear starts laughing when I turn my face away even more from Gears. This position isn’t even that compromising, or at least I don’t think it is.
“Come on, baby, it’s just Gears. Don’t be afraid. He won’t tell anyone, and if he does, then he has to deal with me,” Bear says, lightly pushing my face out of his chest.
“No one wants to get on Bear’s bad side. He isn’t the Sergeant-at-Arms for no reason. He’s earned his spot by doing some pretty nasty things,” Gears pipes in.
I look at Gears, confused. Sergeant-at-Arms? What is that? I have never heard that term before.
“Sergeant-at-Arms is a person who defends the club, the property, the club’s interest, and the members. He helps the president enforce the club laws in meetings and other activities. He also goes out and sets people straight,” Bear explains.
I wonder what Bear had to do to get the position, but at the same time, I might not want to know. It might be gruesome and have details that would scare me.
“You don’t want to know what he had to do to get the position. I see that look on your face. Let’s just leave it at he has done a lot to get where he is now.” Gears looks directly into my eyes.
I slightly cower at his tone. Him denying me the option to know makes me want to know now. Bear meets my eyes and nods.
“I agree. At least, I’m not telling you now. If you want to know when we get to know each other better, I’ll tell you, but not now,” Bear says.
I nod, looking down. I don’t really want to know, but I’m a little curious. I don’t know much about the club’s way, but I do want to learn.
“Now, how about we go to the diner and get some food?” Gears asks. “I’m starving and can’t wait to eat. I’ll pay.”
“Yeah, we’ll be down in a second. Need to change,” Bear says.
“What you have on is—” Gears stops talking when Bear gives him a glare. “Right, I’ll be waiting downstairs. Don’t take long!”
