He slips the ziti into the oven as I start throwing a vinaigrette together for the salad. "Hey.” I turn to flash him a smile. “I'msorry, I didn't even think to ask before. What do you do for a living?"
His hand freezes as he reaches for the washed spinach. He takes a breath, then shakes the greens vigorously before tearing them into bite-size pieces. "A bit of this and that."
For a split second, it hits me – I don't know this man. I literally met him huddled under a tree. The only proof I have that he's a Wolfe is the family portraits in the hallway on the way to the guest room. Well, and a couple of the older ladies in the grocery store saying how nice it was to see Emerick Wolfe out and about after we passed by.
"Joy?" He drops the spinach, dries his hands, then gently takes my elbow. "What's wrong? You blanked out there for a second."
"I… Maybe I shouldn't be asking questions if the wrong answers will make me nervous."
"Ah, shit.” He takes my hand and leads me to the dining room, where we sit side by side. His long exhale and headshake are not exactly reassuring, but then he looks at me sheepishly. "I didn't want to mention it, because it always feels like bragging. That makes my skin crawl."
"Just tell me." My voice is thin.
"Sugar, my family owns half the mountain. We've owned generations of businesses and invested our money well, and been frugal. So I don't need a day job. I guess I’m retired."
He squeezes my hand gently. "I spend my time running weekly sweeps of a few sections of the mountain, taking photos of any evidence of bears or other animals for a university research study. I do a bunch of woodworking. Read a fair bit. And…" He shrugs. "People know I'm usually around if they need me, so I end up doing random things like helping organize the construction on a school extension or coordinating a team oflaborers who are fixing the roads. I might not have a job, but I do work all over the area to be useful."
My head falls against his chest. "I'm sorry. I just suddenly remembered you're a stranger, and apparently my radar isn't working properly if I didn't ask you what you do for a living at the beginning."
“No problem, sugar. I'm cagey about it because I don't like announcing that I was lucky enough to be born into money.” Bear lifts my chin with his finger. "Makes me feel like one of those Manhattan trust fund brats with nothing to do but lounge in coffee shops all damn day."
"I can't even picture you in a big city, to be honest."
He shrugs. "I don't mind going now and then to check out the museums, or crazy big bookstores." His strong hand cups my face gently. "Joy, you can ask me anything, anytime. I want you to be comfortable with me. Okay?"
"Thank you."
We smile softly at each other, then Bear pulls me into his lap. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay enough for you to kiss me?”
I’ve barely nodded when his mouth consumes mine. At first everything feels smooth and gentle, his lips parting slightly and his heavy hand running up my leg. A moment later, the world becomes steamy and a delicious tightening takes over my core. His hand glides up the back of my shirt, his tongue slips into my mouth. My body crushes against his, the kiss turning savage as we clutch at each other.
Bear is every bit the quiet mountain loner when it comes to words. As soon as he’s expressing himself through touch, though, he becomes bold, taking hold of me and directing our pleasure as if he’s dreamed of this moment for years.
I melt as he grasps my hip, groaning into our kiss as it turns even more heated. He roughly shoves the table away and repositions me so I’m straddling his lap. The noticeable evidence of his arousal makes me shiver with lust as I grind against him.
I’ve never felt so sexy or desired. My breasts press against his rock-hard chest as he holds me closer. My fingers tangle in the back of his hair, and I shiver when I hear him groan, palming my ass, gripping me with those huge, strong hands.
His voice sounds like steel grinding against rock as he growls, “Fuckin’ hell, sugar, you’re so sexy. Driving me crazy, shaking your hips on me like that.”
My fluttery gasp only makes him kiss me harder, possessing me, capturing me tightly against him. I’m consumed by his heat. It turns off my shyness, leaving pure desire in its place. Time stops as our mouths move together, my pulse pounding in my chest.
Finally, he pulls away with a groan. “Dinnertime, beautiful.”
He lifts me off his lap, my entire body still vibrating. It’s all I can do to hold back a pout.
As the ziti finishes baking, Bear lights a few candles and puts on some soft jazz music, turning this into a real date. Even more important, he's being open with me. Sharing what makes him uncomfortable. I notice he's getting much chattier even when he's not upset.
All the while, we’re constantly touching each other. Getting comfortable together.
There's no chance I'm staying in the guest room tonight, but not because of my night terrors.
I want to be as close to this incredible man as possible. I'll just have to get over my nerves and show him exactly how close.
7
