Page 41 of Wild Card

Bear’s giant hand cradles my cheek, tilting my face up toward his. My jaw falls as I take in his expansive chest. He got undressed while my thoughts were occupied. I did see him the other morning on the couch, but it’s an entirely different experience seeing all his muscles flex as he looms over me.

My thighs rub together as my body pulses with interest.

“If we’re going to clean up, I have to actually get you out of that dress and those leggings.” His deep, growly voice echoes around the spacious bathroom. His eyes sparkle as he gives me a lopsided smile. “Is that okay with you?”

I nod wildly as his thumb teases over my jaw. He lowers to his knees in a move that’s so graceful, I’m a little jealous.

My gaze follows him, taking in the hairy tops of his thighs.

Okay, so he got down to his boxer briefs while I was having a minor breakdown.

He slides his hands up and under my dress before tugging down my leggings.

They pool around my feet.

Bear taps my left ankle, helping me out of that leg before doing the other.

His calloused fingers slide up my thighs, and he grins mischievously. “No panties?”

I shrug, trying to portray a nonchalance that I don’t feel. “I refuse to wear the ones that feel like a rubber diaper with padding, but mostly, I thought I had more time before it got this bad…”

He nods, running his warm skin up my sides as he stands.

The fabric of my dress guides me to raise my arms, so he can tug it off over my head. It’s not cold in the bathroom with the hot water running, but my shoulders tremble as he tosses my dress into the laundry basket by the cabinets.

Having Bear’s entire focus on me is a lot.

He’s so intense, in a good way.

When he looks at me, it feels like I’m the only woman who exists.

It doesn’t make any sense, but he seems like he’s the type of guy who would ignore the most beautiful woman in the room and seek out his partner.

He just comes off as extremely loyal, and that’s almost more attractive than his physical features—which aren’t lacking in the least.

Bear is the type of handsome that sneaks up on a person with the tender touches and care he puts into every action.

He bends down and kisses my forehead.

“Hair isn’t something either of us should tackle tonight.” He spins around, goes to the counter, and pulls out a drawer, all while I’m trying to find out where all the oxygen in the room disappeared to. He comes back in a blink, but instead of stepping around to my front, he moves behind me.

Deft hands wrap up my hair in a messy but efficient bun.

I glance over my shoulder and see him tying up his hair as well.

Man-buns aren’t my favorite, but on Bear, it’s not a bad look. Okay, having his hair away from his face actually sharpens his features.

Jesus Christ.

He’s not allowed to get hotter.

My entire body pulses with heat as my stomach cramps.

Dammit.

Chapter Fourteen

Bear

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