Page 29 of His Protective Bear

I buried my face in his side, and my cheeks heated. “You don’t have to send them away,” I murmured.

“Yes, I do.” He kissed the top of my head. “I want you all to myself.”

When it was just Hunter and me, he led me over to the couch he’d been lying down on and sat me down on his lap. I tried to move off him, but his arms around me only tightened. “You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine. Much better now that you’re here.” He buried his nose in my neck, and I felt his chest expand behind me like he was drawing in my scent. For a second, I couldn’t help but wonder what that would be like. But I decided now wasn’t the time.

“I didn’t know you got hurt until Dad told me, or I would have come over sooner,” I said. “I was so scared.” I moved so I could see his face. “Why didn’t you call me?”

Hunter sighed and pulled me back to him but held me so I could see his face. “I didn’t want to worry you. The doc stitched me up and gave me some painkillers. If my family hadn’t descended, I would have come over to yours. I’m fine, baby. I promise. I just have to take a few days off work and nothing strenuous, so I don’t rip the stitches.”

Was this man even real? He was the one that was hurt but doing his best to reassure me.

“If you need help, maybe I could stay over a couple of days… make sure you….” Even as I spoke, I couldn’t believe the words came out of my mouth.

“You would do that?” Hunter asked, then didn’t give me a chance to reply. His warm lips met mine in a sweet kiss that grew a little more urgent.

When he finally let me up for air, I cupped his chin, “I’ll just go home and grab some stuff.”

“I could take you,” Hunter said, then moved to stand with me in his arms.

I shook my head. “Nope. You stay here. I’ll grab some clothes and things and be back before you know it.”

“Trust me, I’ll know you’re gone.” I tried not to laugh. Was he actually pouting?

I leaned down and placed my lips on his once more before pulling away.

“Now stay here until I get back,” I said, “Have you had anything to eat?”

He shook his head. “I’ll grab something from the diner, or I could cook?”

“Or we could order in tonight and just sit together and watch something on tv.”

“If that’s what you want.” I kissed him quickly and got moving.

“As long as you’re here, I’m happy,” he called out.

I practiced what I would say to my parents throughout the drive home. But I shouldn’t have bothered.

Dad and Papa were in the front room watching Big Bang Theory reruns when I got in. Papa seemed to be asleep with his head on Dad’s thigh, and Dad was running his fingers through his hair.

“Hey, how’s Hunter doing?” he asked.

“Good. I’m going to stay over at his house for a few days to help.” I did my best to make it sound like it was not a big deal.

Papa’s eyes opened, “Oh, that’s amazing, honey. Go take care of your alpha. I’m sure he’ll be so happy to have you.”

Why did I think my parents would be anything other than supportive?

I guess I was going to live with Hunter temporarily, and the butterflies in my belly were not strictly from nerves. I was actually excited.

Even though I tried not to let the bad memories in, I still asked the Gods not to let me screw it up.

Chapter 14

Hunter

I coughed, “See, you can’t leave me. I’m still sick.”

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