Page 41 of His Protective Bear

I stared at him and then gave him a warning. “Hunter, you can’t say things like that to me in a public place where you can’t put out the fire burning for you.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know you are riding a hair-trigger libido, and in the future, I’ll wait until I have you naked and writhing under me to say such wicked things to you.” The fucker smirked at me. “I just might have to keep you knocked up forever.”

I cleared my throat and wiped my mouth with my napkin. “Just remember, paybacks are hell Sheriff Hallbjorn.”

Hunter laughed at the discomfort I was experiencing in my pants and reaffirmed my notion that life would never be boring with my handcuff-wielding Sherriff. That was okay. I’d edge him for hours later on when we got home.

The wait staff cleared the table after we finished our pasta. I was about to suggest dessert when Hunter interrupted me.

“Graham suggested we try the tiramisu they make here. He told me it was the best dessert on the menu, and you know how Gray is about dessert. He also suggested I preordered it when I made the reservation. Evidently, they run out sometimes.”

“That sounds delicious, but the caffeine might keep me up tonight. You know how I need my sleep now.” I managed to keep a smile off my face and maintained a serious expression. I deserved an Oscar for this performance.

“Oh baby,” Hunter said, shaking his head as he leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. I plan to keep you awake all night with my tongue in your mouth and my dick in your ass.”

Boner alert! Boner alert!

Before my brain could function and put words together, the waiter brought our dessert and placed it in front of us. All I could do was blink at him and smile. At least I hoped that was a smile and not the look of a deranged wanton hussy.

“Go ahead, babe. Try your dessert. As soon as we finish, I’ll pay the bill so we can move on the next thing on the menu.” I swear I could see his bear pounding his chest.

“And what would that be?” I braced myself for the filthy answer I knew would flow from his lips.

“That would be you, with my tongue in your ass.” Hunter looked at me with a hunger I hadn’t seen before. I cleared my throat again and wiped the nonexistent food from my lips before I could speak.

“I guess I better dig in.” I checked my lap to make sure I hadn’t come in my pants at his filthy, filthy words. Gods I loved him.

I had to give it to Graham. This dessert was delicious. However, when I went to take my second bite, I noticed something between the layers of the ladyfingers and mascarpone.

“Is there something wrong with your dessert?” Hunter inquired.

“I think there’s a ring in there that shouldn’t be,” I replied. When I bent my head down closer to the plate to fish it out, I was shocked at what awaited me.

Hunter had gotten up from his chair, and was now down on one knee in front of me. Everything in the restaurant seemed to go still and all I could see and hear was Hunter.

“Babe, the ring you found is meant for you. I wanted to create an unforgettable story for us to tell our grandchildren one day when we’re old and gray. Sage, you are without a doubt the love of my life and I don’t want to spend one more hour without you. I am in love with you and the love we created that’s growing inside of you. Sage Matthews, would you do me the honor of becoming my husband?”

The tears were flowing down my face as the damn hormones kicked in again. For the record, these were the ones I could do without.

“There is only one answer, and that’s yes, I’ll marry you Hunter Hallbjorn.”

Applause erupted in the restaurant as Hunter clutched me to his chest and murmured how much he loved me and our baby into my ear. Needless to say, we didn’t hang around to finish our dessert. Hunter grabbed the plate and stood up. He took my hand in his and pulled me from my seat before heading to the door. Hunter handed me the plate with the ring filled tiramisu long enough to fish his credit card from his pocket and hand it the owner of the restaurant.

“Giorgio, everything was delicious. Here’s my credit card. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”

“No problem, Sheriff. And congratulations!” Giorgio called as we headed for the truck.

The only thing I can say is Hunter made good on his threats to keep me up all night with his mouth and tongue after breaking every speed law in Asheville to get us home. I spent the night breathless and panting after multiple orgasms. So I was very thankful my elevated libido made my refractory period pretty short. Hunter seemed to be extra virile tonight as well.

One question was burning in the back of my mind, and I needed to ask it quickly before my fiance went back to work on me.

“I have one question,” I said somewhere between my third and fourth orgasm.

“Ask it,” he panted.

“How in the hell did you get my ring into tiramisu?”

Hunter smirked. “That was easy, babe. One word…Graham.”