Page 87 of Redeem Me

“And I’m never letting you go again.”

I smile at his determined tone. Bear might not be thrilled with the many Kovak Syndicate rules, but he’ll bow to the pressure to get what he wants.

In my new position, I’m able to leisurely explore Bear’s body like he did mine. I stroke his nipples and slide my fingers across his rough chest hairs. My thumb lingers on a long scar left behind from when Bear broke up a fight at the clubhouse.

I moan with approval when his hips move faster. Popping myself up on my elbows, I kiss his lips and nuzzle his throat. Bear has a tender spot just below his right earlobe. When my tongue dances across it, he always gets so hard. When I do it now, he loses control and comes with great vigor.

His thrusts are too much for me. I fall back on the bed and groan at the surprise orgasm. Bear makes me absolutely crazy. I feel like I no longer own my body once he gets hold of it.

Our moans echo in the cavernous room. I never want to let him go. Our sweaty bodies feel so good pressed together. I wrap my legs around his hips as he catches his breath and kisses my forehead.

Bear mumbles, “I’ll remember this moment when I’m dressed up at the engagement party and forced to talk to boring people.”

Feeling his mood souring as our naked time together comes to an end, I ask, “Speaking of dressing up, what should I wear on our wedding night? I can get a negligee to spice things up.”

“I’d be happy with you wearing only my vest,” Bear says, resting at my side and wrapping me against him. “Save the fancy underwear for when our sex life gets dull.”

Stroking his jaw, I whisper, “We’re almost across the finish line. Less than two weeks to go.”

Bear’s grumpy expression warms immediately. “You’ll be in my bed every night. The kids will be down the hall. The cats will stop hiding so much. Oh, and that submissive lady will live here.”

Ignoring his final words, I mention, “You’re going to love the dress my mother picked out for me for the engagement party. I look like royalty. The fabric is really soft, too.”

Bear wears a slight smile while studying me. “I can’t picture what life will be like. I mean the parts with you and the kids, yeah, that I get. But having a nanny seems weird. The security taking you everywhere feels excessive. I just can’t believe it’ll be comfortable.”

“I promise it won’t be too bad. The mansion intimidated me when we moved there. All the staff necessary to run such a large place felt oppressive. But now, being back, I find myself happy to have people around. Life with Andrew was lonely. I couldn’t let my guard down because there was no one else willing to protect Jacinda and Hector. Now, I have people to pick up any slack. So, if you think of Nat as extra eyes on the kids, she won’t seem like a burden. When you consider how my security detail is willing to take a bullet to keep the kids and me safe, I bet you won’t mind them so much.”

“I guess but probably not.”

“Look, if I could get security to follow you around all day, I’d do it. I know you’ll still be Bear O’Malley after we’re married. You’ll ride around town, facing danger and challenging criminals. You have enemies. You get hurt,” I say and caress the spot on his stomach where he was stabbed. “There will be times when I wish your friends weren’t around all the time. You guys get so loud when you feed off each other’s energy.”

Bear chuckles at my words, knowing I’m right.

“But when I get irritated with them being around, I’ll remember how they watch your back out in the city. They’ll bleed and kill to protect you. Besides, they’re your family. So just think of Nat and the security as my extended family. There, problem solved.”

Bear grins at how I put an end to his bitching. Of course, I understand why he feels crowded by my life. I felt the same way when I moved from our normal house to the mansion. I wanted so much to be just Natasha, rather than the youngest child of Viktor Kovak.

However, I see the benefit of having my family’s name and power. My babies are orphans from Czechia because I’m a Kovak. That alone makes me willing to let my family and the Syndicate orchestrate parts of my life.

I left Banta City feeling burdened by my family name. Two years away built up my resentment and fear. After less than a month home with my family, I’ve changed my mind about the burdens I carry.

That’s why I choose to wear what they want, invite strangers to my wedding, and smile even when I find people repulsive. I’ll be on display at the engagement party and wedding. However, that’s a small price to pay to know my babies will grow up with two parents who cherish them.

BEAR

Natasha wasn’t kidding about the dress her mom picked. I go stupid as soon as she appears at the hotel with her entourage. The white dress has red decorations across the front. Natasha’s skin looks like creamy perfection next to the fabric. As I recall how she said the dress was soft, my fingers tingle with the urge to enjoy a touch.

Her natural waves are shiny like an old-time actress. Her makeup is darker than usual. The black liner around her blue eyes makes her gaze seem especially hypnotic.

Meanwhile, I wear a black long-sleeved shirt, tie, jeans, and boots. Like the other Backcountry Kings here tonight, I sport my vest. I’m just a cleaned-up version of myself. Maybe that’s why I feel out of my league when I see Natasha. Guys like me don’t marry gorgeous, rich chicks like her.

Natasha also exudes an icy air as she moves around the room. She claims to dislike these kinds of events, yet none of her anxiety shows in her expression. This Natasha feels like a stranger.

On the opposite end of the hotel’s grand ballroom, I stand with Aunt Fred, Noble, Elvis, and an annoyed Zoot. Nearby, my brothers are making quick work of the hors d'oeuvres. Siobhan and Carys sit at a table. Hunter hasn’t arrived yet. The usual crew is around, but so are more than a hundred strangers. Security is everywhere. The Kovak Syndicate is out in force tonight.

Sensing I’m out of sorts, Aunt Fred nudges me and smiles. “What do you like most about Natasha?”

“She’s a goofy, gorgeous nerd who wants to save the world,” I mutter, angry at how my woman is out of reach.

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