Page 43 of Bear and Book

A thin thread of caution, like he was reminding himself not to like it too much.

And that yeah. That was the thing I’d been feeling all night.

I didn’t call it out. I didn’t tell him I could sense the edges of his doubt, the way he seemed to be holding a part of himself back.

I just kissed him again, hoping my mouth could say what my words couldn’t. That I wasn’t going anywhere.

Later, when I left, his scent clung to me, tangled in my shirt, my hair. My bear was calmer now, but watchful.

We both knew Elias still had walls up. But we also knew something else, that those walls were already starting to crack. I’d be there, patient and steady, until they came down completely.

Chapter 13

Leo

When I finally got back to the apartment, Cassian was already asleep. His bedroom door was shut, the faint sound of his white-noise machine humming through the wall.

The place was dark except for the glow of the streetlight cutting across the floor, and I moved quietly, toeing off my shoes before dropping onto the couch.

I should’ve gone straight to bed. I’d worked a shift at the bakery that morning, had spent the whole evening with Elias, and my body was pleasantly tired. But I couldn’t bring myself to sleep.

I kept replaying every second of tonight in my head.

The way Elias had looked at me when he opened his shop door, as if he hadn’t really expected me to show up. The dinner he’d made, nervous but thoughtful.

The way his fingers brushed mine like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch me. And then, when he realized I wasn’t going anywhere, the way he leaned in as if he couldn’t stop himself anymore.

I rubbed a hand over my face and let out a laugh, quiet and low. I was in so deep it wasn’t even funny.

My bear was practically purring inside me, pleased in a way I hadn’t felt in well, maybe ever.

He’d known from the start Elias was it, our mate. And maybe I hadn’t wanted to believe it at first, but tonight sealed it.

I pulled out my phone. It was late, edging toward midnight. He was probably already in bed. Still, I couldn’t shake the urge to talk to him, even if it was just through a screen.

My thumb hovered for a second before I typed.

Me: You make it home okay?

I hit send before I could second-guess myself. My heart did that ridiculous thing. It sped up like I was sixteen again, waiting on a crush to text back.

For a moment, nothing. Just the little “Delivered” under the bubble.

Then, to my surprise, the typing dots appeared.

I grinned like an idiot.

Elias: I was already home when you left, remember?

I barked out a laugh, too loud in the quiet apartment. I bit back another one, thumbs moving.

Me: Right, right. Guess I just wanted an excuse to text you.

It took a little longer this time, but he answered.

Elias: I figured.

I could picture the exact expression he’d have writing that. Elias would look a little grumpy, but with the corner of his mouth twitching like he was secretly amused.