Wounds to Bear (Heart of The Bear #1)(20)

Panic threatened to choke him. “You’re not—”

She cut him off with her lips, and arched against him when he started to grow hard inside her.

“I’ll call them as soon as I can get to the phone. I’m assuming dinner was your original plan to seduce me into staying.”

“It was.” He grinned. “But I decided to use a more direct approach.”

“Good choice.” She let out a sigh, relaxing against him for the first time since she drove up. “I didn’t want to leave,” she whispered. “But I couldn’t stay, knowing you were here, that you didn’t want me—”

“I’m so sorry, love. I wanted to give you an out, not because I didn’t want you. God, I’ve wanted you since I first saw you. But I claimed you, before you really understood what that meant. It wasn’t fair.”

“And if I did leave? Would you have taken another—mate?”

He told her the truth. “You would always be my chosen mate, Jenna. There wouldn’t have been anyone else.”

She kissed him, gently this time, and he smelled the salt of her tears. “I love you, Roman,” she whispered. “Nothing will ever change that. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” He wiped at her tears, then eased himself out of her, both of them moaning as they separated. After he lowered her, he wrangled his hard cock back into his jeans. By the time he finished adjusting, still uncomfortable, she had straightened herself. “I have food in the SUV, and flowers that are probably wilted by now.”

“You brought me flowers?” Her smile wrapped around his heart. “You sweet, beautiful man.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss him, then ran over to his SUV, peering into the window. “Oh, Roman—they’re gorgeous.”

“Just some wildflowers.” He opened the back door and pulled out the cellophane wrapped bouquet. “Out of my mother’s garden.”

“I’ve seen her garden. It’s worthy of awards.” She grabbed the bouquet when he held it out, pressing her face into the flowers. “They smell amazing. What’s for dinner?”

He cleared his throat, nervous. “I made a few dishes.”

“You cook?”

“It’s a hobby—one learned out of necessity. I like to eat, and I refused to eat the garbage served at the fast food stops wherever I happened to be.”

“I can’t wait to taste them. Need any help?”

“Can you—” Why the hell was he so nervous? “Can you set up for a picnic? I planned to have it outdoors, but there’s a storm coming.”

“How do you—never mind. One indoor picnic, coming up.” She cradled her flowers, and smiled at him before she walked to the door.

Roman leaned against the side of the SUV and watched her, the sway of her hips only making him harder.

He wanted her, tonight, tomorrow, and every day, for the rest of their lives.





***





Giant butterflies battled each other in Jenna’s belly as she waited for Roman to finish setting up their picnic. He’d banished her to the bedroom, wanting to surprise her. She decided to surprise him as well, and rinsed off in the shower, rubbing in just enough of her favorite lotion to smooth her skin. Then came the real surprise; she pulled out her favorite sundress, a silky blue floral print that accentuated her waist, and hiked up her breasts with the halter top.

She’d need that, since she wasn’t going to wear any underwear.

She stepped into the dress, adjusted herself, and tied the halter, rebraiding her hair so strategic tendrils fell around her face. This felt like a first date, even though she knew more about Roman than she had about Darrel after more than a year dating him.

The knock on the door had her heart pounding.

“Jenna? It’s ready. I’ll wait for you out here.”

She gave herself time for a few deep breaths, then opened the door and walked out, halting in surprise. Roman had turned her living room into a candlelit wonderland.


He stood next to the plaid blanket she had laid out, barefoot, and wearing his shirt, jeans, and a smile. It faded as he studied her, and she pressed one hand to her belly.

“What is it?”

“God, Jenna.” He moved to her and slipped one arm around her waist. “You take my breath away.” His finger traced he edge of her halter’s deep v neckline, and she shivered, her nipples hard just from that slight touch. “Let’s eat.” His voice sounded raw.

She swallowed, and let him lead her to the blanket. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it before he let her go. She lowered herself to the blanket, tucked her legs under her, and watched him as he knelt in front of a huge basket.

“I hope you don’t mind lukewarm food. We got a little distracted.”

“I’m starving, and lukewarm will be more than fine.”

Her eyes widened as he started pulling out container after container. The first one revealed a gorgeous beet salad, with what looked like chunks of goat cheese. Another container held pieces of roasted chicken, the skin crispy. It smelled incredible, and her mouth watered. He’d also brought roasted red potatoes, carrots, fresh asparagus, and two pieces of an incredibly decadent chocolate cake.

Roman picked up a fork, and speared some lettuce, beet and cheese on it. “Open.”