Page 47 of Regally Binding

Bear’s big brown eyes didn’t leave her face as Strike eased them back into traffic and took them towards the hotel.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Strike, where are we going?” Liss waggled her hash brown at him.

It was the day of the party, and the bodyguards had woken her early, although they refused to explain why. Strike was driving, and Bear sat in the front passenger seat. Neither were talking. “Bear, it’s eight in the morning, and as much as I’m enjoying my McDonald’s breakfast, I don’t think I should be out and about. I still haven’t got a dress.”

“This is the perfect day to be out and about. Now eat up and enjoy the view,” Bear replied, turning in his seat. “If you don’t want to eat that hash brown, I’ll take it off you.”

Liss licked it. “If I lick it, then it’s mine.”

Bear’s pupils dilated as he swallowed loudly. “I’ll keep that saying in mind.”

He winked, causing her face to flush. Liss looked warily to Strike, waiting for a lecture, but instead, he smiled and shook his head. Since the call yesterday, they’d all relaxed. The night before, they’d watched a movie in the hotel together. Luke had joined them, and aside from the popcorn fight that ended with boxing techniques between the bodyguards, it was like friends hanging out.

The breakthrough with Strike was monumental, but occasionally, she’d caught Bear staring at her. Even now, the memory of his gaze from the night before sat inside her.As if I was someone to care about.Liss pinched her skin. This life wasn’t forever, and in little over a week, both men would be memories.

“Alright,” Strike said to Bear. “We’re nearly at the drop-off. Message your friend.”

“Do I get to know the plan? If you tell me, then I’m less likely to fuck up,” Liss grumbled.

“She’s got a point,” Strike said, smirking. “She does like to fuck up our plans.”

She wanted to laugh and shout. Being part of this dynamic filled the holes in her heart. Isla, Steve, and the pub had done that, too, but there was something about these guys.

Strike parked. His eyes were wide as he checked the windows and mirrors. “Safe,” he said, and Bear nodded.

“Hello!” Liss shouted.

“You’re so demanding, Princess,” Bear cheeked. “Strike is going to drop me off. I’ll do a quick ground check, and then you and I will get out and go through that side door. Strike will pick us up in just under an hour.”

Bear jumped out of the vehicle.

Liss stretched her still sore arm restlessly. “But what’s through the side door?”

“A surprise,” Strike said flatly. Bear nodded, and Strike moved the car to the side door. As much as she knew this was their job, the way they focused on her safety eased her anxiety. “Bear wanted to do something special for you as a thank you for yesterday. My thank you was the McDonald’s.”

A smiling Bear opening her door ceased her questions. “I’ll call you when we’re ready.”

Strike nodded.

Bear grabbed her hand and coaxed her through the side door as Strike drove off.

They were in a corridor littered with boxes. Liss wanted to make their job easier as she’d promised, but the secrets were getting to her. She gritted her teeth as Bear’s hand touched her lower back, and he guided her forward and up some stairs.

Suddenly, they were outside a thick fire door. Even as the warmth from Bear’s hand filled her, her arms shook with anxiety. “Bear, please tell me what’s going on. I’m scared.”

“Princess,” he replied, turning to her and cupping her face. “Today is your last day before the press gets even wilder due to tonight’s party. I wanted to say thank you for everything and give you a bit of the freedom you deserved. I called in a favour, and here we are.”

Her forehead hurt from her knotted brows.

The door opened, and a stunning woman stared at them. Her tailored blouse and high-waisted trousers made her look like a Victoria’s Secret model on a business trip. Her accent was pure Essex. “Welcome to Harrods, Felicity. I’m Nina, and we’ve got an hour to find you the perfect outfit for tonight.”

Liss gasped and stared back at a beaming Bear. “How’s this for Princess Diaries, Liss?” He chuckled at his joke. The joy before her made her stomach flop even as her heart swelled. “You’d best hurry up. We need to be out of here before the shop opens. Buy all you need. We’ll call it a business expense.”

Nina took her hand and led her towards dresses that shone and glittered, but nothing compared to the sparkle in her heart that Bear had given her this gift.

Even as they returned to the car, Bear couldn’t stop beaming. He’d been like that the entire time they were in the shop.

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