“I don’t know…” I trailed off, breaking with a sob. I was about to say I had no idea what my attacker was planning to do, but that had led my mind to a dark place.
Now that I’d started, the floodgates opened, and large, messy tears rolled down my face. Bear’s eyes widened, and before I could blink, his arms were wrapped around me, pulling me across the center console into his lap.
Burying my face in his neck, I inhaled that sweet pumpkin bread scent—autumn and spice and frosting all rolled into one—and realized I was quickly becoming obsessed with it. I let the cozy, bakery smell envelop me as his hand came to rest on the back of my head. His tight embrace anchored me to the present, to where I was now, not then.
When was the last time anyone had held me like this? When was the last time I’d enjoyed it?
“Listen, I know it’s been a difficult night for you. We’re going to get some food, and you are going to rest,” Bear insisted. “We can figure out everything else after.”
“I wanna go home to my nest,” I sobbed. When stressed, I reverted to the most basic aspects of my omega nature. I wanted my nest to behere. I wanted to be snuggled up in blankets and comfort and ignore the outside world. The idea that I couldn’t just return to it made the ugly tears fall harder. Without it, I felt naked and exposed, and burying myself into Bear’s chest was the next best thing.
“I know,” he said, running a hand over the back of my head. “I’ll send one of the others to get a few of your nest items. How about that?”
“Why can’t I just go home?” I asked through my tears.
“You know why you can’t, sweetheart,” he replied softly.
It wasn’t safe.
I had no idea how long it had been since my apartment had actually been secure, but I knew it wasn’t now. Spencer had seemingly gotten in there with no issue, replacing all the food in my fridge. Deadbolt or not, someone else might get in.
“All my food is going to go bad. Did you see what Spencer put in my fridge?” I wailed. Maybe I should have been more concerned with my overall safety, but that was what came to mind.God, I’m losing it.
Bear chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath me. The warm sound was almost as comforting as the hug.
“While Spencer does tend to keep a pretty healthy kitchen, we have this amazing thing called takeout. Did you know there’s a dessert place on campus that delivers cheesecake?”
“Really?” I asked, poking my head up. I probably looked like a drowned rat, but Bear didn’t seem to mind, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled down at me.
“Yep. And I will order several slices for dinner. How does that sound?” he suggested.
“That sounds like something that would give Spencer an aneurysm,” I pointed out. “I like it.”
Bear laughed again. “See? You already have him pegged. Luckily, I’m bigger than him, so if I want to order cheesecake, we’re having cheesecake.”
I smiled at him through my tears. Bear seemed to know exactly the right thing to say to distract me from the lingering fear.
And cheesecake did make everything better.
I slid out of the car, glancing around the garage. “This looks like a pretty fancy building.”
Bear laughed. “Don’t worry, we only live here because PackGarnett—who we protect—has the penthouse.” He walked toward the door, pausing to look back at me, an easygoing smile on his face.
“That still means you live in an apartment building with a penthouse,” I noted, slowly following him. I wanted to be outside less than I was anxious about going into that fancy building.
“Turns out we’re really good at keeping things secure, so we get paid well.” He shrugged.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I whispered, clenching my hands so hard my nails dug painfully into my palms. “You don’t even know me.”
Bear held me, resting his hands on my upper arms. “Because you deserve it. And you need someone who’s going to look out for you and put you first.”
Tears started to gather in the corners of my eyes again. I was becoming a fountain.
“Come on, let’s get you inside so you can sit down,” Bear said gently, placing one hand on my lower back and guiding me toward the elevator.
“Will you be mad at me if I taser Spencer again?” I asked as we waited a ridiculously long time for the machine to climb the floors.
“Not at all. He’d probably deserve it. However, I could get you a better taser. Or maybe even a gun.” He smiled at me.
