Warm hands wrapped around my waist, and I was backed up against the cool tile of the shower as Bear encroached into my personal space.
“You didn’t trap me into anything,” he said, his voice firm and resolute. “Do you feel trapped?”
“Not at all. I wanted to—I just probably should have asked you first.”
He shrugged. “No need. I am so fucking happy you chose me, Flora. I never thought…” He trailed off.
“You really thought no one would ever want you because of your face?” I asked.
He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to verbalize what he thought about himself. “Honestly, yes,” he finally admitted.
“Well, you’re wrong, because you’re all mine now.” I grinned, wrapping an arm around his waist and hugging him tightly, beaming up at him. “Mine,” I growled playfully. I could freak out over the bond later, but for now, I was too exhausted and knot-happy.
He sighed contentedly. “I will never stop being grateful for how much you’ve accepted me. Not many have, Flora. It’s been you and my pack. And now, well, we’re going to have to rearrange things because you’re a part of my pack now, regardless of whether or not you bite the others. I’m not letting you go anytime soon.”
My hand trailed down to cup his rather impressive ass. “You’re stuck with me.” I smiled happily.
“None of that here,” he admonished playfully. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
“There’s more than one way to take care of me,” I said, suggestively rubbing myself against him. Every hard plane of his body made me come alive. His rapidly hardening cock pressing on my stomach ignited a hunger in me that I honestly hadn’t thought I’d feel after my first heat.
You would think that, after taking dick after dick for so many days, I’d be completely done with the idea of sex—but nope. One hungry look from Bear and I was raring to go.
With a groan, he threw his head back.
“Little omega, no matter how much I want to, I’m going to be responsible and say no. You need to get clean, you need to eat, and then we can do you again,” he said, his voice thick with need.
He grabbed the bottle of shampoo and started lathering up my hair while I pouted like a child.
“Spencer’s cooking, so we’d better hurry up,” he said.
My nose scrunched almost involuntarily at that idea. “He’s just going to try and feed me something healthy. I don’t want healthy,” I whined.
“Maybe he’ll surprise you,” Bear hummed.
The urge to cross my arms and stomp my feet was almost overpowering. “Can’t we just order takeout?” I asked hopefully.
“You can ask him…”
I groaned, glowering playfully at Bear. We both knew Spencer, the health freak, would be totally against takeout during a heat.
Once done, we stepped out of the shower together. Bear took his time drying me with so much care and consideration, it made my eyes tear up. I wasn't used to being treated like I was something precious and fragile. I was exhausted, and having him there to help me was lovely.
Bear threaded my arms through one of his giant T-shirts before guiding me out of the bathroom.
“I'm going to grab a hair dryer.”
His voice was soft, and I wanted to bury myself in it. It still hadn't sunk in. That Bear was mine. By answering that primal instinct to bite him, I had bonded us together for life, and I wasn't mad in the slightest.
He was a silent, sweet protector. Kind and thoughtful.
Even though I didn't say out loud, I was pretty sure I’d won the jackpot.
He slid his hands under my knees and picked me up with ease. I’d assumed he was carrying me into the living room to find food, but instead, he placed me gently on the clear bathroom counter.
“Let me dry your hair,” he said, pulling a hair dryer I had never seen before out of the drawer.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
