Page 13 of Bear

Justin had left me nothing but an emotional wreck.

Bear looked at me like I was something precious, worthy of the fiercest protection and the hottest desire.

“I can’t say I could handle anything serious right now, Bear,” I said.

His beautiful, deep, dark brown eyes flickered with disappointment and he bowed his head.

“Of course.”

I reached out and slid my hand into his palm. His hand was enormous, enveloping mine in a firm grip of heat and strength.

“But I would love to go on a date with you, if that’s okay.”

Bear’s eyebrows shot up and a small, hopeful smile twitched at the corner of his mouth.

“Yeah, that works for me.”

Chapter Five

Bear

The Merry Field Potbelly Ride and Picnic swarmed with people. Several nearby charters along the West Coast had ridden in to join the festivities as well - among them the Iron Dogs, the Bonebreakers, and the Steel Giants, just to name a few. Despite my offer to pick up Shelby and Maisie, Shelby chose to meet me at the picnic after the ride instead. With a baby to look after, she wanted to leave whenever she might need to.

All eight of my MC brothers were in attendance. From the President, Brewer, down to the young and hot-tempered Prospect, Diablo. They were gathered at the starting line, smirking at each other as I pulled up on my bike. And I knew the reason why.

Here we go.

“Didn’t think you would show,” Rooster said. “Now that you’re entertaining a lady friend.”

“Never thought you would break, brother,” Mack put in, his Irish accent softening and rounding his words. “In all the time I’ve known you, a lady never turned your head. I guess even the mightiest fall to the irresistible wiles of a woman eventually.”

“Don’t tell us you’re going soft,” Brewer said with a smile in his voice. “I’ll have to find a new bruiser for the club.”

Half of them had women of their own so it was nothing more than lighthearted ribbing. Besides, since I hadn’t dated anyone in fourteen years, I was bound to endure a little friendly teasing from my club that I’d finally taken interest in a woman.

“All right, boys, you’ve had your fun,” I replied. “Don’t jinx it for me. We’re still…”

“Fucking like rabbits?” Diablo offered with a grin.

“No, you little shit. We’re figuring it out so don’t scare her off with your foul mouth.”

Brewer chuckled and placed his hand on my shoulder. He’d dedicated so much of his life’s blood to this club and keeping his brothers safe. For the past few years, he’d been going steady with Alexandra - a Merry Field native who had run into a rough patch with an ex-fiancé who tried to kill her when she left him.

“When do we get to meet her?” Brewer asked.

“Today. She’s coming to the picnic. So be on your best behavior,pendejos, or I’ll be breaking bones.”

A murmur of laughter swept through the group. Then the two-minute buzzer went off, signaling the ride was about to start. As everyone settled onto their bikes and prepared for the ride, Crow approached. He’d grown up much the same way I did - using his knuckles, brute force, and bloodshed to stay alive and carve out a place for himself. When I joined the Alpha Riders MC, he’d been older than me by over a decade. So he took me under his wing and he showed me the ropes.

But now, Crow had a young wife, Dani, and a new baby, Paloma, at home. His days with the Alpha Riders were fewer and far between as he took on his duties of being a husband and father.

“Hey, Crow. How are the girls?”

“They’re doing great, thanks for asking, brother. Paloma is the sweetest little thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. And Dani is itching for another baby.”

I studied him for a moment. He’d let slip a few doubts once or twice at the club about whether or not he was a good enough father. His own father hadn’t been around much, which left Crow with no role model to emulate.

“Are you ready for that?” I asked.

---