Page 102 of Trusting Her Bear

“Fine.” I shake my head as he stomps out.

I grab some clothes and go into the bathroom.

I want to mark him today, too. I want it to be special, though. I have an idea and dress quickly. I find my phone and pull up Breeane’s name. I send her a message even though she is in the house. With Quinn’s ears, he would hear everything, and by his behavior, he wouldn’t be leaving me alone long enough to talk to her in private.

I step out of the bedroom and stop.

I love him desperately, but I haven’t told him.

Now, I’m impatient to get them out of the house.

I walk into the living room to see everyone taking up most of the space. The house wasn’t built to hold so many people.

“Sis,” Gabby yells, her smiling face shining from the kitchen. “Food is almost done.” I smile and shake my head.

It would help if Micah would get off the couch so someone else could sit down. I scan all the faces and realize Heath isn’t here.

“Your mate is throwing you a look of panic,” Sally whispers as she glides to my side.

“I see that,” I say dryly. Quinn is in the open front door, one foot in and one out. I try not to laugh.

“Breeane suddenly had to leave,” Sally mentions.

“I’m sure she’ll be back,” I say lightly, but my mind is working. I have to figure out how to get her in the bedroom without Quinn catching on.

“If someone needs help with something, I can always lend a hand,” she mumbles, turning her head toward me and down.

“Someone might. Do I have your number yet?” I ask.

“No, but I would love to give it to you.” We exchange numbers, attempting to act normal as we do.

“Food,” Gabby shouts.

Everyone moves, even Micah, toward the kitchen. All except Quinn. He stalks toward me, and my stomach flutters. His intense gaze is locked on me.

I can’t wait to have him all to myself.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Stephanie

Iwait anxiously in the middle of the bed.

Naked.

On my knees.

With the cuffs I found in Quinn’s closet lying over the log at the bottom of the bed.

We ate and everyone else talked. Breeane returned, and I enlisted Sally to get Quinn out of the house as everyone was leaving. She somehow talked Micah into telling him he needed to talk about something.

Micah winked at me behind Quinn’s back on the way out the door.

Breeane and I rushed around the bedroom. We tore down all the mismatched blankets, twined lights around all the logs, and then used long, black, sheer curtains to cover them. We had ten minutes at the most, but we made it. She hugged me quickly and told me to get naked and call her after we were bonded.

I have barely caught my breath from the rush, the adrenaline, and excitement when I hear Quinn shut the front door. I stop fidgeting and wait.

“Mate,” he says. I remain silent, biting my lip as his steps get closer. “Steph.” He opens the bedroom door and stops abruptly.

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