BEAR
Idid not expect such a huge influx of feelings from being so close to Joy. Honestly… She is aptly named.
Admittedly, it was awkward as hell rushing through the grocery store while trying not to get caught up in any small talk. But how can I explain who Joy is when I don't even know that yet myself? It's the kind of thing we'll have to figure out when the time is right, not in the produce aisle with Mrs. Murphy listening in.
As we get ready for bed, I hope Joy will still want to sleep in my arms, although I wouldn't blame her if she had changed her mind about me. Confessing I’m a privileged jerk with family money made me feel like a giant douchebag.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons I don't hang out with many people. How am I supposed to respond when everyone else is talking about their work week?
Thankfully, Joy gets into my bed and snuggles right up to me in the center. Now that she has more of her clothing, she's wearing a soft pink tank top, and little green boy shorts. With only one bedside lamp on, the dim light makes her look even more ethereal.
"Hey," she asks gently, "you mentioned you do woodworking. What kind of stuff do you make?"
Finally, a question I have an easy answer for. "There are always trees falling around here during big storms. Or a few that need to be cleared. My brothers and I make furniture out of them."
Her beautiful eyes light up. "Is that why your dining set is so gorgeous?"
A pulse of pride zips through my chest. "Thank you. I may have ordered some special mahogany and black oak for that." I hesitate. "I mostly stick to dining sets. Thane makes bed frames, headboards, and shelving. Knox likes doing coffee tables and end tables. We all gravitated to the things we're best at."
"A three-man furniture company," she laughs. "Where do you sell them?"
"There's a charity that gives furniture to people getting back on their feet after a rough patch. Bad domestic situation, homelessness, suddenly moving across the country for a family emergency. Whatever.”
Joy's bottom lip trembles. “Oh my God, Bear," she whispers, resting her palm against the center of my naked chest. "That is so unbelievably good. And pure."
The corner of my lips twitch. “Glad you think so. Because the thoughts I'm thinking right now…" My gaze trails across the front of her thin top. "Definitely not pure."
She doesn't flinch. Doesn't try to pull away. Instead, she leans closer. "I think you're going to have to show me exactly what you mean by that," she whispers in my ear.
Shifting, I slide my hand around her waist. We're lying face to face on our sides, with me slightly over her. "You're a beautiful, sweet angel, sugar. I shouldn’t tell you what I'm thinking."
Her fingertips trail down the side of my face as she leans in, brushing her lips against mine in a feather-light kiss. "Tell me why you call me sugar," she whispers.
A growl surges into my throat. "Because you're unbelievably sweet." My rough fingers circle her knee, then slowly trail up her inner thigh as she quivers against me. Capturing her mouth with mine, the kiss instantly consumes us. Joy seems perfectly happy to tuck under me, allowing my body to cage hers.
My rough chuckle rumbles between us. "Sorry. Couldn't help thinking… This bear needs to taste your honey."
Her head tips back as she laughs, allowing me to nuzzle along her throat and over to nip gently at her earlobe. "Tell me yes," I groan, sliding my hand under her shirt and taking her soft breast in my palm. “Tell me you want to be naked for me so I can lick between your perfect thighs."
Joy moans softly, gasping quietly as my thumb grazes her nipple.
After a few more caresses, my hand drifts down to her shorts, staying outside the fabric as I cup her pussy. "If I slipped a finger in here, would my sweet sugar be wet for me?"
This time the tremble that runs through her is so obvious she can't hide it. She grins, blushing. "Mayyybe?"
"Are you going to strip so I can check properly?" My lips brush against the tip of her nose. "Or you can tell me not tonight. We can just sleep, and I can hold you, and?—"
She sits up, looking straight into my eyes as she raises her arms so I can pull off her tank top. Then she leans back, lifting her hips slightly so I can remove her shorts and panties together. As she lies back down beside me, I stare, drinking her in, admiring every ravishing inch of her soft skin.
"What?" she asks.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." My hand circles her knee, then moves slowly up her inner thigh. "You must ride your bike a lot. Gorgeous legs."
Joy grins. There’s a light that appears in her eyes every time I compliment her. Maybe no man has before. That’s fine with me. A deep surge of lust rushes through me. Could I be…her only man ever?
My fingertips trail upward to dance lightly around her breasts. "Your tits are spectacular, too."
She shifts, making it impossible to ignore her pussy. My eyelids hood as I stare down at her round, curvy hips. "But this…" My fingers take hold of them, rocking her from side to side. "Sexy as hell."
