Page 14 of Bear

Crow breathed a quiet laugh. “I haven’t been ready for any of this, Bear. Falling in love. Getting married to the daughter of my best friend. Having a baby for the first time in my fifties. I didn’t think this was a life I would ever be allowed to have. I’m taking it one day at a time and I’m trying to be a better man for my girls. That’s all I can do.”

“Well, I’d appreciate any words of wisdom you might be willing to pass along,” I replied. “I don’t want the same things I did when I was a teenager. It’s different now and I …I’m trying really hard not to fuck it all up.”

Crow hummed in understanding.

“I’m guessing this woman must be someone very special to turn your head.”

I smiled softly, scrubbing at a smudge on the windshield of my bike.

“Damn right she is. Strong, brave, patient…”

When I trailed off, Crow studied me with a shrewd look.

“But…?” he prompted.

I sighed. “But we’re both carrying some heavy scars from our pasts. It’s not easy to move beyond that, no matter how much we might like each other.”

Crow nodded as he considered for a moment.

“Nothing good in life comes easy. You know that.”

“I do.”

“And you’re not the type of man to shy away from a fight. In fact, you barrel in with both guns blazing, spittin’ blood and teeth, until you come out the other side the winner or you die trying.”

I let Crow’s words sink in.

“You’re saying I should fight for her if I really want her in my life.”

“I’m saying there’s no doubt that you won’t give up, Bear. You’re always prepared to put everything on the line. You’ve shown your dedication to your brothers already. But if she isn’t ready to do the same…you can’t push it or you’ll lose her.”

My heart lurched at that thought. Crow must have seen the concern on my face because he clasped my shoulder with a fierce squeeze.

“If she’s worthy of you, she’ll fight to keep you just as hard as you fight for her. Remember that.”

“Thank you, brother,” I replied.

But all I could think about was the echo of Shelby’s words last week.

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

Was I fooling myself here? Was I falling for a woman who had no intention of feeling the same way about me?

The crack of the pistol signaled the start of the ride, followed by the revving roar that belonged to dozens of motorcycles. As I picked up speed, the pavement flying away beneath me and my club flanking me on either side, my worries about Shelby simmered at the back of my mind.

***

By the time the ride was over, the picnic was in full-swing with the smell of smoky barbecue and tangy-sweet lemonade hanging in the air. I thought about leaving my kut behind when I went in search of Shelby and Maisie, but I decided to keep it on. This was my life and my MC brothers were a big part of it. They were the family who had stayed with me when my birth family had fallen apart. I liked Shelby and eventually, she would see me for who I was, deep down. The bruiser. The man who only knew how to fight, with the bloodied knuckles and scars to prove it.

I found Shelby and Maisie at a picnic table in the shade. Shelby lifted Maisie’s little fist in a wave as I approached.

I didn’t know how Shelby felt about me. I didn’t know if this attraction between us was simply a passing thing until she moved on. Or she got back together with her ex - a thought that made me shudder.

Either way I couldn’t ignore how every inch of my body crackled with anticipation at the sight of Shelby. The denim mini-skirt she wore granted a perfect view of her soft, thick creamy thighs. The way her sunshine-yellow tank top was stretched tight across her cleavage sent my brain spiraling into the gutter. I wanted to feel her full, heavy tits in my hands, to suck her nipples into my mouth until she gasped.

Maybe I was falling harder and faster for this woman than I realized.

“How was the ride?” Shelby asked.

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