Page 41 of Bear
“Nope. And let’s get the fuck out of here before we give him another chance.” Bear’s voice is gruff and authoritative, spurring Lennon and me both into action. We turn, the three of us heading to our SUV. “I’ll drive.”
As we walk, Lennon turns to me again. Distress shows itself all over her face, from the downturn of her pretty lips to her shiny eyes to the lines etched into her forehead. “I can’t believe Duke—” She stops herself from finishing, eyes closing briefly. When she opens them again, she winces. “Are you sure we should leave? Especially today?”
“I think it’s the best course of action right now, yes. He’ll deal with his father. I tried to establish that we’re here for him last night.”
Lennon nods, a funny look slipping over her face that I don’t quite understand. She turns her head before I can question her, allowing Bear to help her into the SUV. His gaze sweeps from her over to me. “The bottom line is this: Duke’s a big boy. I know you’re both concerned, and I am too, don’t get me wrong. His asshole father will leave, and hopefully he’ll get the space he needs to quiet his thoughts about… everything.” He presses his lips together. “If not, I’ll see what I can do when I get home.”
I close the door behind her, and as Bear and I walk around the vehicle to the other side, he stops me with a hand to my shoulder and grunts low but quickly, “Something happened with them last night. I don’t know what. We ran some man-to-man coverage on the two of you last night. She went to talk to Duke before I came up to see you. She seemed upset when she came out, though she tried to hide it.”
I frown. “You didn’t say anything.” My heart tugs, thinking about her trying to help Duke. I can’t imagine it would have gone well, but the fact that she wanted to try says something.
“Yeah, well you were dealing with a lot, too. But I think that’s why she’s more flustered than she normally would be after an encounter like that with Tristan. Yes, he threw her off her game, but I actually think it’s more how Duke came to her defense that’s got her all in her head.”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks for saying something.” I eye him. “Is this fucking weird?” My eyes shift to look at Lennon through the window before bringing them back to Bear.
“Depends on what you mean.” His brow raises, waiting for me to explain myself.
Fucker knows this shit is hard for me. He has to know what I’m talking about. I work my jaw to the side. Maybe it’s me with the issue. I feel myself falling for her, but it makes me nervous as shit.
He rubs his hand over his thickly stubbled jaw. “I guess it’s as weird as we make it. She’s—”
I nod, letting myself admit it out loud. “Worth it.”
* * *
I glancedown at my phone about midway through Lennon’s second class to find a text from her.
Can we go home after this class?
I can’t concentrate.
And I’m more tired than I thought.
I take a moment to assess the drawing I’ve been working on. It’s her. The way she looked last night as Bear stole every one of her moans with the powerful thrust of his hips. I knew when I got to class today that I wouldn’t be able to resist capturing her face in the throes of ecstasy with every stroke of my charcoal.
I told you, Kintsukuroi.
Say the word, and I’m there.
Pick you up in twenty.
Thanks, Mase.
Do you wanna walk home?
Leave the SUV for Bear?
If you’re up for it, I’m cool with that.
Fifteen minutes later, I leave class early and head for Broadmore Hall, where Lennon has English lit. I allow the other students to stream out before ducking my head in. She smiles when she sees me, waves at Professor Silverton, and gets to her feet, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Joining me, we walk in silence until we get out of the building. It’s not even eleven, but the sun is already beating down hard, and there’s no hint of a breeze. “You sure you want to walk?”
She doesn’t answer immediately but digs into one of the side pockets of her backpack, coming up with a pencil.
Fuck. I’m adding a package of hair ties to the grocery list for this week. I watch as she skillfully gathers her long mane of hair into her hands, winds it around, and jabs it through the center with the pencil. Fucking sexy, if a little odd.
“There, that’s better.” With that accomplished, she briefly glances at me. “Mase, I’m not gonna lie—I thought we could use the time alone.”
My brows raise on my forehead, but I don’t know why they should. I know what’s on her mind. Me. Duke. It doesn’t get more basic—or more complicated—than that. Especially when she’s involved, too. I don’t know what the fuck we’re doing. I just know I need her and I need to make sure she knows that.
