Bear Essentials

by Mary Wine

  “The bear isn’t for my girlfriend.” His face dared her to ask who it was for. Her curiosity begged her to take the bait, but she raised a shoulder and shrugged instead. A soft snort was her answer as Granger slid the key into the ignition and turned the engine over.

  “You’re a tough woman.”

  Roslyn laughed at him. “Maybe I just want to avoid being predictable.”

  He cut her a glance before aiming his attention at the road. He piloted the car into the flow of traffic with a practiced hand.

  “It’s for my mom.”

  Disappointment hit her. She struggled to avoid it, but felt his words punching a hole in the bubble of delight surrounding her heart. Not the mother excuse. She heard it day in and day out as guys tried to sweet-talk their way to the front of her waiting list by using the word mom. A mother was a gift, not someone to use to get your way.

  “I’m wounded.”

  Roslyn choked slightly before casting wide eyes at her companion.

  Granger shot her a glance that was full of mischief. “I am. You hit hard. The bear is for my mom. She loves your stuff. Wouldn’t name a single other gift that she wanted for Valentine’s Day. It’s her birthday too.”

  It was tempting to believe him. She really wanted to because that swirling mist that had surround them while they kissed clung to her mind with just how good it would be to trust him.

  That was a mighty big gamble, though.

  “So, you spend Valentine’s Day with your mom?” She sounded incredulous, but didn’t care. She needed to know if he was that great of a guy. No jerk would give up the chance to get some nookie to spend time with his mom. Valentine’s Day was all about romance for the girls and sex for the boys.

  “Yup. I’m a free man due to a past relationship partner not understanding that I don’t stand up my mom on her birthday.”

  “That’s too cool.”

  He cast her a look. “You think so? I haven’t met many women that do. Not when the day in question happens to be Valentine’s Day.”

  “You’re dating the wrong kind of women.” Twisting her hands in her skirt, she tried to back off telling him how to run his life. “I mean, I think it’s really neat.”

  “I guess you hear the mom excuse a lot.”

  She squirmed in her seat as he pegged her. He chuckled at her expense. Pushing her lips into a pout, she glared at his easy assessment of her motives.

  “Do you just pick people apart for fun or is it a mode of operation?” Crossing her arms over her chest, she shot him a fuming glare. “If so, turn it off, mister big businessman.”

  “Only if you agree to leave your doubting Thomas attitude off as well.”

  A tinkle of amusement escaped her lips as she found herself enchanted by his response. “Deal. Providing the bear is really for your mother. I’m sick of listening to guys try that line on me in the interest of promoting their sex lives.”

  She really was. Sure, there was nothing wrong with a guy buying his girlfriend a handmade creation; it was the deception part that she was fed up with. That, and the jealousy of knowing there were men on the planet who would go to such lengths for a woman. Lord knew she’d never been on the receiving end of so much attention. That attitude just made her look bitter, but at least she wasn’t lying to herself.

  “You’ll see for yourself.” Another smooth turn of the wheel and they changed direction, cutting through traffic. “My mom’s waiting for us.”

  “You’re really taking me to meet your mother?”

  Granger cut her a glance that was hard to read before he returned his attention to the road. “Yes. It’s Valentine’s Day, isn’t it?”

  She was stunned. Shock vibrated through her as her face turned red with shame. Somehow, being hot for the man was misplaced when he was taking her to dinner with his mother. But it also touched her heart. A shaft of molten heat speared through her.

  “Why? I mean, why would you take me to meet your mother? We just met.” It made her feel all warm and fuzzy. Honored in a way that no guy from her past had ever managed to do.

  He turned the car into a parking space and cut the engine. The interior light flickered on as he turned to consider her. The look on his face humbled her. Reaching across the car, he cupped her chin, his fingers gently holding her head as he angled his head to fit his mouth against hers. The kiss was hard, but slow. Pleasure curled her toes as he lingered over her mouth, tasting her lower lip with his tongue before his hand pulled her chin down to allow him a deeper taste.

  His breathing was harsh when he broke the kiss. “That’s why.” His tone matched the determination flickering in his gaze. Passion drew his features tight as his attention lingered on her lips. Nervousness made her jumpy, unable to sit still as a hundred impulses raced through her body. All of them centered on the growing need to jump into the vortex of swirling sensation Granger unleashed inside her. His fingers tightened for a fraction of a moment as one eyebrow rose in response to her squirming.

  “I don’t get it either, but I know one thing, Roslyn. You are not like any woman I’ve ever met. It bothers me that you think I might be like any of the other customers who lie to you. That bear is for my mother.” He released her chin and flashed her a grin. “I guess I need you to think I’m a worthwhile sort of guy. Today was…” His voice trailed. “It was just surprising in a way that I’m not sure I understand. You managed to shove me back in contact with a part of life that I’d just forgotten about. That makes you one special lady.”

  He pushed his door open and a rush of cool night air brushed her hot face. Surprise made her slow as she fumbled for the door latch. Granger pulled it open before she managed to get her fingers to follow her directions. He offered her a hand and she stared at his upturned palm for a stunned moment before laying her hand into his. He closed his grip around her fingers and gently pulled her out of the low sports car seat. She brushed against his hard frame, realizing just how short she was compared to him. She had to raise her chin and tip her head back to see his face. Her heart wouldn’t slow down; it thumped against her ribs in a crazy rhythm as she caught the warm male scent of his skin once more. Her nipples drew taut, poking against her dress as she quivered.

  “It’s been a really long time since I gave my time away and felt like I got the better end of the deal.” His voice was edged with confusion as his gaze searched her face. “It really bugs me that you think I’m enough of a jerk to use my mother as an excuse to cut the line too.”

  “A lot of jerks try it.” But she didn’t like the sound of the words as they passed her lips. They were little more than strangers, but a euphoria seemed to generate around them when they were together. It was almost magical and extremely addictive.

  He stepped back and pulled her away from the car. “I’ve been one too many times to count. I think you’re good for me.”

  He flipped her seat forward and reached into the tiny backseat. As a passenger compartment, it was practically useless. A neatly wrapped box with a large silver bow appeared as he grinned at her. He held it up, making sure she identified it as the Wish Bear he’d earned. His eyebrows wiggled suggestively at her as he closed the car door.

  “Maybe I can convince you that I’d be good for you too.” He laid a firm hand on one side of her bottom in a quick slap that made her gasp. A satisfied chuckle floated past her ear as he looped one arm around her waist to sweep her along across the parking lot.

  “I think I’d be better off to run.”

  Warm lips leaned close to her ear as they neared the front door and the people clustered around the entrance of the restaurant. “I may be a bad boy, honey, but I’m a real good man. But if you’d like me to chase you, lead on.”

  There wasn’t a demon in all creation who could have taunted her better. Passion flowed through her veins, chasing all ideas of practicality away. But what really stole her breath was the silver-haired lady waiting for them at a window table. She clapped her hands together as they approached and Roslyn felt h
er heart give up any hope of not letting the man get inside.

  He really wasn’t a jerk.

  And she was in way over her head.

  Chapter Four

  Granger couldn’t take his eyes off Roslyn. She wasn’t the prettiest woman he’d ever shared dinner with, not by a long shot. Her nose was a little too large and her complexion too pale, with a dusting of freckles, but she was stunning. She laughed as his mom recounted how his father had courted her.

  “My parents ran a small fruit and vegetable store downtown. Granger’s father would come in and buy one thing on his mother’s list and then leave. He’d walk around the corner and wait for a spell before coming back in, claiming he’d been sent back.” Valerie Webb smiled from ear to ear with her recollection. “The poor man never knew that I would run into the back room to watch him leave and I caught him reading his mother’s list.”

  “That’s priceless.”

  Roslyn was sincere too. Granger couldn’t rip his gaze off her. His gut was twisted into a knot, but he didn’t want it to loosen. He was held spellbound by the feeling, savoring it like a fine whisky because he suddenly realized that he’d been drinking the low-grade version of the stuff. Sure, sex had been good with his last partner, but he hadn’t stared at her, just anticipating the next time he’d get to touch her. Any kind of contact, a brush of fingers, the meeting of their eyes, he felt as if he was on the edge of his chair waiting for the next opportunity. Roslyn commanded his absolute attention just by being herself. His mom’s stories suddenly made more impact, touching off a need to prolong the meal. He flatly didn’t want it to end.

  The best part was, Roslyn wasn’t itching to escape his mother either. She listened intently and added her own parents’ stories to the conversation.

  “I’ve got a little surprise for you, Mom,” he announced.

  His mother ran a finger over the Wish Bear and blushed. “Granger, you’ve already outdone yourself. Do you know this bear has a five-month waiting list?” She looked at the winking face and laughed. “I’m beside myself right now.”

  “You can thank Roslyn here for the bear.” Granger grinned at her as he watched his mother clap her hands with glee.

  “Not so, you earned it.” Roslyn insisted. “You raised one determined son, Mrs. Webb. He danced his way to that bear this morning.”

  “Was it some sort of contest?” Valerie asked.

  Granger wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Not really. Roslyn is the artist who created Wish Bear. She needed someone to wear her bear suit today for a Children’s Hospital appearance.”

  “Oh my…my…my!” I didn’t connect your name with the one on the box, my dear!!! I adore your bears!”

  “Your son made an excellent Wish Bear today. He danced all around Children’s Hospital,” Roslyn elaborated.

  Valerie beamed. Pride radiated from his mom’s eyes as Roslyn watched her smile. It floored him because Roslyn wasn’t trying to impress him. She was enjoying the older woman’s joy and didn’t even glance at him to see if he was noticing. It was genuine and it had been a long time since he’d dated any female who wasn’t thinking of his bank account instead of the moment.

  May God help him tomorrow.

  Tonight, he was lost in temptation.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  Roslyn bit into her lip as she considered her companion. The lighthearted meal had been fun, but now her body was twisting into a knot as she considered the temptations of being alone with him.

  “That you actually took me to meet your mother on our first date.”

  He chuckled and cut her a glance that she couldn’t quite read in the dark. “I bet she’s calling my sister right now to go over the details.”

  “She’s really nice, your mom.”

  “Cooks like a saint too. Better fast before next Sunday so that you can enjoy brunch.”

  Granger pulled smoothly into a parking spot in front of her factory. Cutting the engine, he pulled the keys out of the ignition before pegging her with a hard look. “You promised you’d be there, but I’ll be happy to convince you to hang out with me more often.”

  A giggle escaped her lips. It was a silly sound, but fit the moment. Her hands shook as she fumbled the door latch and pushed the door open before Granger made it around to perform the task. Excitement nipped along her limbs as she watched him close in on her. The mood had changed the second he closed the passenger door after dinner. Playfulness was being replaced by clear purpose. It twisted through her belly, fanning the flames that had never really died.

  “You still owe me a kiss.” His voice was edged with demand, almost as if he was testing her nerve. Hard and male, it stoked her rising passion, sending heat towards her clit. He raised one finger.

  “The agreement was one kiss and you haven’t given it to me yet.”

  His eyes flashed with anticipation, but he stood his ground, waiting for her to approach him. The flicker of heat in his eyes fascinated her, drawing her forward towards the promise of the euphoria being near him created for her. The pure confidence of seeing a man who looked at her as if she was perfection. At that moment, she believed in love at first sight because Granger looked as if he’d never seen another woman before her. It was an unspoken thing, something she felt with her heart. There wasn’t a love poem ever penned that could convey the feeling, only the look on his face.

  “Well, I always keep my word.” Rising up on her toes, she pressed a swift kiss against his mouth. It was over almost before it began. His eyes narrowed to slits as she stepped away from him. He curled one finger in her direction.

  Shaking her head, she backed up farther, but a silly smile decorated her mouth as she watched him begin to follow her.

  “That was a sad excuse for a kiss.”

  Another giggle passed her lips. Granger growled at her. He raised his hands and spread out his fingers as she laughed at him again.

  “Come back here, Roslyn, and finish what we started before dinner.”

  This time, his tone challenged her.

  Roslyn looked at Granger and concluded that she’d lost whatever sanity she’d had left. His challenge sounded better than dessert. There was no way she could handle…him. But she sure wanted to try.

  “If you can’t catch me, you go home cold.” It was a bold statement, but one that met with instant approval.

  “Deal.”

  His shoulders suddenly looked massive. His gaze sharpened and the bulge pushing out the fly of his slacks made her mouth go dry. He reminded her of a predator as he stalked her.

  His lips suddenly lifted, making her stare in fascination. It wasn’t a leer, but rather an expression of delight. Never had a man looked at her so intently, it sent heat along her skin as she felt her own lips answering the expression.

  “You’re not running.”

  She shrugged. “Nope. Guess you shouldn’t have introduced me to your mother. I’m morally corrupt.”

  “You’re honest.” His face tightened slightly as he closed the single foot of space between them. “I’ve got to tell you, honey, it’s sexy as all hell on you.”

  Time seemed to whirl past them as he reached for her chin and tipped it up to keep their eyes locked. His body brushed against hers, stroking over the hard points of her nipples. That male scent wrapped around her, making her body lament the dress she’d put over her lacy undergarments. She wanted him to see her just as she’d looked at herself in her mirror.

  It wasn’t a naughty thought, instead it was honest. Strong, hot and very true. But her body still quivered as she felt his body heat against her skin. The kiss he placed on her mouth was delicate. Soft as butterfly wings as he lingered over her mouth like a fine wine. The touch traveled all the way to her toes as tiny goose bumps rose along her limbs.

  One firm hand smoothed over her face as his fingers threaded into her hair. Slowly, but firmly, he captured her in an embrace that was solid. He left her mouth as he nuzzled into her hair, his fingers threading through the long s
tands. Her ears listened to the deep breath he inhaled before he caught the lobe of her ear between his lips.

  Everything spun too quickly. Need pounded towards her brain with demands that made her shudder. She had to think! Her body responded to the emotion as she tried to rip herself away from Granger. His hands stopped her before she’d moved an inch. His grip tightened only marginally, yet it made her feel trapped, with the solid wall of his body imposing that captivity. He tipped her head back until his eyes glittered at her. Half bathed in moonlight, his face looked harsh and determined.

  “We really need to think.” Her voice shuddered, betraying her unsteady emotions. It sounded weak and she was almost desperate to cover that shortcoming. “I’m not on birth control.”

  There! She took a deep breath as logic arrived to shield her. Unprotected sex was irresponsible. That didn’t mean she was afraid of him, just that she was making wise choices. Of course, the truth was she was scared of being so out of control that she didn’t care if they did spit at fate. Dedication had built her life, having it crumble in one moonlit night left her pitching out of balance over a deep ravine.

  “You are joking, right? Every woman is on the Pill.”

  Her eyes shimmered with hurt, making him cuss softly. Jesus, Roslyn wasn’t a cold-blooded gold digger. If she’d wanted to trap him, she would have led the way to her bed, not tossed the ice water in his face.

  “I’m sorry, honey, I warned you that I can be a jerk sometimes.”

  Letting her go, Granger kept one hand on her wrist. He turned and pulled her after him. Her heels clicked on the asphalt as she tried to pull her hand free.

  “Roslyn, we are leaving right now and tossing caution to the wind.”

  He pulled the passenger side door open again before letting her loose. She didn’t look at the car, but instead her eyes were targeted on the man giving her a choice. His fingers were white on the top of that door. Instinct was written on his face. The gaze that watched her was almost primitive as he battled to remain civilized and not carry her off into some dark corner to mate with. If anyone had ever told her a man could look like that, she would have laughed. Tonight she didn’t. Her own body seemed a hairsbreadth from tumbling into pure impulse. The top of her thighs were slick with the proof that nature wasn’t planning on being denied.